#179: OpenAI Government “Backstop” Controversy, Microsoft Humanist Superintelligence, Google’s Future of Learning, AI Driving Layoffs & Coca-Cola AI Ad Backlash

OpenAI is drawing fire after its CFO hinted the company might want a government "backstop" for its massive infrastructure costs. And Microsoft has published a new manifesto pledging to build "humanist superintelligence" that keeps humans in control.

This week, Paul and Mike talk about those stories and more, including Google's new paper on the future of AI in learning, new data that shows AI is driving layoffs, and the backlash against Coca-Cola's latest AI-generated holiday ad.

This week's episode also covers a feud between Amazon and Perplexity over AI shopping agents, a shocking deposition from Ilya Sutskever about OpenAI's internal power struggles, and much more.

Show Notes: Access the show notes and show links here (podcast.smarterx.ai/shownotes/179)

Click here to take this week's AI Pulse (docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsg10EmrxwM2…).

Timestamps:

— Intro

— OpenAI Draws Fire for Comments About Government Backstop

— Microsoft’s Humanist AI Manifesto

— Google AI and the Future of Learning

— Data Shows AI Is Driving Layoffs

— Coca-Cola’s AI Christmas Ad Generates Controversy

— Amazon and Perplexity Feud Over Agent

— Ilya Sutskever Deposition

— Apple Nears Google Deal

— AI Companies Are Going on the PR Offensive

This episode is brought to you by MAICON On-Demand.

This year’s top breakout sessions and keynotes are now available on-demand. If you missed MAICON 2025 or want to relive some of your favorite sessions, now you can watch them on-demand at any time. Use code AISHOW50 to save $50. Learn more here. (marketingaiinstitute.com/maicon-2025-on-demand…)

Visit ourwebsite (podcast.smarterx.ai)

Receive ourweekly newsletter (marketingaiinstitute.com/newsletter-subscription)

Join our community:

Slack (marketingaiinstitute.com/slack-group-form)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/smarterxai)

Twitter (x.com/aishowpod)

Instagram (instagram.com/marketing.ai)

Facebook (facebook.com/marketingAIinstitute)

Looking for content and resources?

Come to our nextMarketing AI Conference (cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/7fa9198c-7e9e-1…)

Enroll in ourAI Academy (academy.smarterx.ai)