In this episode, the Telltales team dives into the risks facing Meta (formerly Facebook, META 0.00%↑ ) as it navigates a shifting social media landscape and invests heavily in AI and the metaverse. They also discuss the latest healthcare news, including breakthroughs in treating diabetes and sickle cell disease.
For earlier episodes in this series, check out:
Apple's Underwhelming Reveal: A Sign of Shifting Tides? (e2437)
Alphabet's Achilles Heel: Is Google the Next Kodak? (e2438)
Examining Amazon's AI Strategy and Risks (e2439)
[00:28] Magnificent 7 Cashflow Risks part 3: Meta (p. 1) Jason and Mike examine the challenges Meta faces, including competition from TikTok for younger users, its aging user base, reliance on Apple's platform, and the uncertain payoff of its massive investments in the metaverse.
[09:47] Meta's Disadvantaged Position vs. Apple (p. 4) Mike explains how Meta's shift to mobile left it more constrained by and vulnerable to Apple compared to the desktop era. If Apple starts taking a cut of ad revenue, it could severely impact Meta's cashflow. While Meta is investing heavily in AI and VR to win the next computing platform, Apple is well-positioned to swoop in later as they did with mobile.
[20:01] OpenAI's Latest Financing and Executive Departures Mike discusses OpenAI's new funding round, conversion to a for-profit company, and the concerning departure of several key employees. However, the release of GPT-4 shows the company continuing to push AI capabilities forward. The hosts ponder if starting as a non-profit before flipping to for-profit is an optimal strategy.
[25:37] Healthcare News Roundup Jason covers Lantheus’s out-licensing a cardiac imaging agent to GE Healthcare, a Congressional bill that could enable patenting of DNA, Pfizer pulling a sickle cell drug due to risks outweighing benefits, Humana losing Medicare Advantage bonus payments, the continuation of Vertex's pain medication trials, and a small but promising diabetes trial in China.
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