logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
30 m

Elon, Inc.: Grok-Generated Chaos, Cybert...

Bloomberg and iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

X users might have noticed a new kind of artificial intelligence-generated image proliferating: strange visions of Elon Musk next to Disney characters carrying guns, or Donald Trump in all kinds of, well, weird situations. This was what followed a new release of Musk’s Grok AI tool, which can now make images—unsurprisingly with fewer guardrails than other image-creating machines out there.

On this episode we’ll talk about Grok’s new skillset and also get into the semiotics of the Cybertruck. Initially conceived of as a mass-market truck, it’s slid into another category: marker of a certain kind of right-wing flex, the kind Musk himself has engaged in on his struggling social network. Joining David to discuss is Davey Alba, a Bloomberg technology reporter, along with Max Chafkin and Dana Hull. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
How a 10-Minute Video Call Changed the Oil Market
OPEC+, a coalition of some of the world’s top oil producers, surprised markets over the weekend with plans to boost production by more than half a million barrels a day. The increase comes at a time when investors are worried about oversupply. So what was behind the decision? Blo ... Show More
14m 28s
Jul 8
China's Plans to Make AI a Utility
In a remote part of China's northwestern Xinjiang region, dozens of data centers rise from the desert. A Bloomberg analysis of investor and tax documents and company filings found Chinese companies plan to buy more than 115,000 high-tech Nvidia chips — chips the US has banned fro ... Show More
16m 9s
Jul 7
The White House Wanted ‘90 Deals in 90 Days.’ There’s One Day Left
In late April, shortly after President Trump’s announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs sent markets reeling, the White House announced a 90-day pause on when those tariffs would go into effect.That pause is about to end and while the Trump administration has announced a few t ... Show More
15m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 16
How Elon Musk Pulled X Back From the Brink
After years of trying to revive his flailing social media company, Elon Musk has pulled off a turnaround at X. It comes after Musk decided to merge X with his artificial intelligence company xAI. The deal values the combined business at over $100 billion. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy e ... Show More
17m 47s
Oct 2024
Musk Unveils Tesla’s Robotaxi but Offers Few Details
Tesla’s robotaxi excited fans at a splashy event who are betting the company’s future is in robotics. But those watching online seemed underwhelmed, and investors were frustrated by the lack of details provided by CEO Elon Musk about the rollout of the company’s driverless cab. W ... Show More
13m 11s
Jun 7
What's behind the Donald Trump and Elon Musk break-up?
From mutual admiration to a fierce public blow-up. The short-lived alliance between US president Donald Trump and Elon Musk appears to have come to a dramatic end. The two men have been trading accusations, threats and insults. What's behind the break-up? And why does it matter? ... Show More
24m 59s
Jan 2025
De Musk à Zuckerberg, pourquoi les patrons de la tech se sont-ils convertis au trumpisme ?
Que se passe-t-il dans la tête des géants de la tech ? Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg ou encore Tim Cook… les uns après les autres, les dirigeants des plus grandes entreprises technologiques américaines suivent les pas du patron du réseau X, Elon Musk, en actant leur allégeance à Do ... Show More
23m 31s
Nov 2024
Elon Musk Launches Into American Politics
After single-handedly remaking the auto industry, social media and the global space race, Elon Musk is now turning his attention, and personal fortune, to politics.Over the past few months, he became one of the most influential figures in the race for president, and on Tuesday Do ... Show More
28m 43s
Jun 9
Are Trump and Musk Done for Good?
The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk - Elon Musk’ ... Show More
20m 59s
Oct 2024
Meet Optimus, the robot Elon Musk wants to look after your kids
Elon Musk has introduced Optimus, Tesla’s new humanoid robots, to the world and has made some ambitious claims about their uses in the not-too-distant future. Viral videos of Optimus robots making drinks, dancing and chatting to attendees at the launch event have sparked question ... Show More
15m 33s
Jun 2
Post-DOGE, Elon Musk Faces Challenges at Tesla and SpaceX
It’s tech billionaire Elon Musk’s first official week following his stint in the Trump administration. WSJ columnist Tim Higgins and WSJ reporter Becky Peterson assess the record of the Department of Government Efficiency that Musk created and look ahead to the challenges he face ... Show More
15m 28s
May 20
Musk Commits to Tesla CEO Role and Plans Political Pullback
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Elon Musk said he’s committed to still leading Tesla Inc. five years from now and expects to pare back his political spending, assuaging some investors’ concerns about the future of his most valuable company. T ... Show More
42m 45s