The AI industry's existential race for profits
About this episode
From the show’s notesToday, let’s talk about the looming AI monetization cliff, and whether some of the biggest companies in space can become real, profitable businesses before they careen right off it.
My guest today is Hayden Field, who’s our senior AI reporter here at The Verge. She’s been keeping close tabs on both Anthropic and OpenAI, and how these two companies, both slate to go public this year, tell us a whole lot about the AI industry in 2026.
Read the show’s notes in full
Links:
The vibes are off at OpenAI | The Verge
Anthropic essentially bans OpenClaw from Claude | The Verge
Why OpenAI killed Sora | The Verge
OpenAI just bought TBPN | The Verge
National poll shows voters like AI less than ICE | The Verge
The spiraling cost of making AI | WSJ
OpenAI’s Fidji Simo taking leave amid exec shake-up | Wired
OpenAI raises another $122B at $850B valuation | The Verge
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Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and edited by Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane.
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