The Hype Cycle, Vol. 5

Kyle Maurer

May 28, 2024 — 2 min read

Three Things, My Thoughts.

Some topics from this week — with my own 🔥 (or 🥶) takes:

OpenAI and ‘Her’ Spat

The tech company got into a very public and awkward spat with Scarlett Johansson last week. There’s a great behind-the-scenes roll-up on how this all appears to have gone down by The Wall Street Journal. Whether this was a duplicitous move or a weird coincidence, it’s not a great look for a company led by a man who likes to speak with a moralistic intonation.

MY TAKE: On its face, it’s not as big a deal as some might suggest. However, it’s not going to help OpenAI with public perception. The reality is that AI isn’t a new industry that’s going to bring new companies and economic competition to for. Microsoft essentially owns OpenAI. Amazon owns a big stake in Anthropic. Meta is building its own LLM, the same as Google. The rich are getting richer and at the expense of creative communities. Cue the licensing deals — like the one NewsCorp and OpenAI just announced.

Google Gaks Its Own Products

Sticking with AI, the search giant’s AI Overviews product rolled out with a few glitches. In an attempt to provide richer, faster information, it was getting things wrong. And not tricky stuff… I mean, non-toxic glue as a pizza topping? Eating rocks as part of a well-balanced diet? That’s uh… random. Which is the opposite of the intended result.

MY TAKE: it’s embarrassing for Google, but I’m not sure in the end it’s a crippling blow in the AI arms race. I tend to agree with Ben Thompson that Google is the best positioned to capitalize on the AI boom… but it keeps coming in second, and at some point that will matter. Personally, I prefer OpenAI’s library of GPT apps to Google’s native integrations — and that’s mostly for accuracy, not convenience.

Web3 Wobbly For Brand Experience

This research report unpacks data and analyzes how the web3 branding experience is failing, largely due to a lack of consistency. There’s a lot of good information in here, and the main point underlined is that web3 is still VERY much new and ill-formed as an environment for mass engagement.

MY TAKE: People involved with web3 need to take a deep breath. The idea that this innovation cures all of digital ails is failing the potential of the environment. An “everything for everyone all the time” attitude serves no one. I am a believer in web3, but it’s still REALLY early to be touting the benefits. Let it marinate, folks.

Two Good Resources.

I found a couple of recent 📖🎧📺 I found to be particularly good:

Buddhism Without Beliefs: I highly recommend this book, and I’m not even halfway through it. I’ve always been fascinated by Buddhism and the related spiritual or wellness practices spawned from it. This book brings Buddhism back to its roots; not as a religion, but as a scientific journey to understand one’s place in the universe.

Strategy Finishing School: Julian Cole does an impressive job of breaking down the components of strategy, and how to write, design, and communicate strategic thinking. There are plenty of free resources included, and I recommend the paid course for anyone looking to invest in their critical thinking and planning chops.