When the Bubble Bursts (with Matt Scherer), 2026.06.01

What should we do when the "AI" bubble pops? Emily and Alex are joined by researcher Matt Scherer, who recently published a report called "No Bailout for Big Tech Billionaires: Policies for when the AI bubble bursts." They unpack what the boosters are saying about their finances, and how we can all push back against arguments for a government bailout.
Matt Scherer is a fellow at the anti-monopoly think tank Open Markets Institute. He previously led the workers' rights project at the Center for Democracy & Technology.
References:
Forbes: "AI Can Change The World And Still Be A Bubble"
Also referenced: Is AI Profitable Yet?
CNBC: "Altman says some investors will be left 'very burnt'"
CNBC: "Bezos brushes off concerns of an AI bubble: 'You shouldn’t worry about it'
Fresh AI Hell:
Empty Waymos create self-driving traffic jam
"AA digital sponsor"
Stanford researchers claim "AI agents...embrace Marxist ideologies"
"Chatbots at the drive-thru"
YouGov polling on automated juries
Chaser: Erin Brockovich is on the case!
AI Startup Says It Will Pay People $2,000 a Month to Masturbate
Chaser: You used which brush!?
Check out future streams on Twitch. Meanwhile, send us any AI Hell you see.
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Emily
Bluesky: emilymbender.bsky.social
Mastodon: dair-community.social/@EmilyMBender
Alex
Bluesky: alexhanna.bsky.social
Mastodon: dair-community.social/@alex
Twitter: @alexhanna
Music by Toby Menon.
Artwork by Naomi Pleasure-Park.
Production by Ozzy Llinas Goodman.