Howard Lutnick Lashes Out At Canada Ahead Of Trade Talks: ‘They Suck … Is This Nuts?’ Semafor 2026-09-18 | Howard Lutnick Lashes Out At Canada Ahead Of Trade Talks: ‘They Suck … Is This Nuts?’
‘Hallelujah’: Noem’s ouster a long time coming for Trump allies Semafor 2026-03-06 | The ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem felt a long time in coming for some Trump allies.One source close to the White House responded bluntly to Semafor's Shelby Talcott: “Hallelujah.” #Politics #Trump #News
Uber CEO on the autonomous vehicle future... Semafor 2026-03-06 | 🚗 What does an autonomous vehicle future actually look like?Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi talks to Compound Interest from Semafor Business about his vision. #Cars #Technology #autonomousdriving
Hasan Piker On Streaming All Day, His Relationship With Zohran Mamdani, & The Lefty Media Machine Semafor 2026-03-06 | Twitch streamer Hasan Piker joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about becoming a prominent socialist streamer and influential pundit on the left. Max and Ben ask him about getting older with his audience, the grind of broadcasting all day, seven days a week, and whether constant livestreaming changes the way he thinks. Piker also talks about his relationship with Democratic politicians like Zohran Mamdani, and dialing back his rhetoric as he accrues real political power.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/m... For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Paramount, Warner Bros., and What He Really Thinks of Bari Weiss Semafor 2026-03-05 | US Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr praised CBS under the new leadership of David Ellison and Bari Weiss in an interview at Semafor's Restoring Trust in Media event on Feb. 25.“I think they’re doing a great job,” Carr said, adding that he appreciates the network is “trying to do something different” and experimenting with new formats.Ellison took over at Paramount CEO last year following its merger with Skydance, and made several changes seen as friendly to conservatives, including buying The Free Press, Weiss’ “contrarian outlet that courts controversy, often by attacking liberal and left-wing ideas and causes,” as The Washington Post characterized it.Carr has previously said he was pleased that CBS News “agreed to return to more fact-based, unbiased reporting.”Carr, who has been an FCC commissioner since 2017 and took over as chair last year, has repeatedly clashed with media and entertainment figures during his tenure, including late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, who have been openly critical of Trump.Carr has wielded long-dormant rules requiring broadcast TV stations to offer equal time to opposing candidates as a means of pressuring networks. Trump has suggested the FCC could revoke some television broadcast licenses.Read more: semafor.com/article/02/25/2026/fcc-chair-brendan-carr-praises-bari-weiss-cbs
Democrats face their own test on Trump’s Iran war Semafor 2026-03-05 | Almost every Democrat in elected office opposes President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Their explanations could quickly become an electoral litmus test.#Politics #Congress #Iran #Democrats
What Tuesdays Primaries Tell Us About Midterms Semafor 2026-03-04 | Tuesday's primary elections in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas are a window into November's midterms. Semafor's David Weigel explains what trends to watch out for.
The Next 3 Billion On Tour: Nigeria | Semafor Events Semafor 2026-03-04 | Nigeria’s dynamic economy, thriving tech sector, and youthful population position it as a leader in Africa’s digital future. The Global Findex 2025 data highlights areas of untapped potential; from expanding access for the 40% of adults still outside the formal banking system, to accelerating mobile money adoption, and closing gender and income gaps in device ownership and account usage. Addressing affordability and digital literacy will unlock even greater opportunities for inclusive growth.As the first stop on The Next 3 Billion Tour, this session will explore how Nigeria’s unique blend of fintech innovation, regulatory evolution, and entrepreneurial energy can accelerate progress on financial inclusion and connectivity; creating new pathways for entrepreneurship, innovation, and equitable growth for the next billion people entering the global digital economy.This event took place on October 22, 2025.
Uber CEO on vibe coding his own apps with AI... Semafor 2026-03-04 | "My app is not as slick as the others, but it's set up exactly as I want it, and that is the power of AI."Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tells Semafor how he's using AI to make his own to-do app. #AI #Tech #VibeCoding #Uber
Dara Khosrowshahi on Robotaxi ‘Mission Control’ & Uber’s Next Billion-Dollar Business Semafor 2026-03-03 | Uber changed the way people work and the way they move. Now CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is trying to figure out what role people play in his business, as AI and autonomous vehicles change the economics of transportation and impossibly, make it easier for people — or things — to get from Point A to Point B.He talks with Semafor about his AI-driven robotaxi mission control, what self-driving cars will look like, how we’ll interact with Uber ten years from now, his own forays into vibe-coding apps — and what it means for companies everywhere.NOTE: Khosrowshahi, who was born in Iran, reveals in this interview what he told Donald Trump, in person, about his views on the regime. We recorded with Dara last week, before the US launched its attack.Sign up to get Semafor Business in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/businessCompound Interest from Semafor Business is supported by Amazon Business.
Introducing: Compound Interest from Semafor Business Semafor 2026-03-02 | Business is changing in subtle and seismic ways. Compound Interest from Semafor Business pairs journalists Liz Hoffman and Rohan Goswami with operators, experts, and innovators behind the world’s most consequential companies, decoding why big parts of the economy work the way they do.Sign up to get the Semafor Business briefing in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/businessCompound Interest from Semafor Business is supported by Amazon Business.
Deborah Turness on Bias, the BBC, and the Future of Public Media Semafor 2026-02-27 | Former BBC News boss Deborah Turness joins Mixed Signals for her first public interview since resigning amid a controversy over an editorial mishap involving a Donald Trump speech. She talks about whether the BBC is truly impartial, how she handled newsroom blind spots around rising populist movements like the UK's Reform party, and why she believes public media can survive a polarized age. The interview was recorded at Semafor’s Trust In Media summit, which can be watched in full on Semafor’s YouTube channel.
Restoring Trust in Media | Semafor Events Semafor 2026-02-26 | As trust in news declines and business models evolve, media power is being reshaped by mergers, regulation, and ownership battles. Meanwhile, creators are redefining mainstream success with new formats, distribution models, and tones.Semafor’s annual Trust in Media Summit will convene the industry’s most influential leaders in the heart of Washington, DC, for candid, forward-looking conversations led by Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith and Media Editor Max Tani, moving beyond the headlines to explore what comes next.
Would the US come to the defense of Taiwan? Semafor 2026-02-24 | "AOC was asked a question about whether the US would come to the defense of Taiwan. This is the hardest question that there is..."Watch the full interview with Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer on the latest episode of Mixed Signals from Semafor Media.
Jake Sullivan and Jon Finer On Turning Foreign Policy Into a Podcast Semafor 2026-02-21 | Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer join Mixed Signals to talk about their leap from the Situation Room to the podcast studio. They explain why they started The Long Game, what they learned about media while running US foreign policy, and how the war in Ukraine became as much an information battle as a military one. The conversation ranges from Gaza and Al Jazeera to AI-generated propaganda, reactions to the Munich Security Conference, and whether Democrats ever figured out how to explain foreign policy to the American middle class.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Prediction markets won over Trump — but the rest of Washington will be harder Semafor 2026-02-20 | Prediction markets have won over the Trump administration. The rest of the Republican Party might prove more of a challenge. #Politics #News #PredictionMarkets #Kalshi #Polymarket
How the Trump Administration Learned to Stop Worrying & Love Big Business Semafor 2026-02-18 | President Trump’s flirtation with the antitrust crusaders was always, and only, about unfettered speech on the internet, Semafor's Ben Smith explains. #Politics #Trump #Censorship #FreeSpeech #Antitrust
The Next 3 Billion on Tour Series: Nairobi Edition | Semafor Events Semafor 2026-02-17 | Taking place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, alongside KIICO and FinTech Festival 2026, Semafor will convene leaders to advance the conversation on financial inclusion at the intersection of long-term capital, policy, and financial infrastructure.As global investors, policymakers, and financial system leaders gather in Nairobi, the convening will move beyond ecosystem-building toward action.Informed by the Global Findex data, discussions will focus on how coordinated public–private efforts can close access and affordability gaps and strengthen inclusive growth across East Africa and other emerging markets.
Rolling Stone Scion on Investing In ‘Track Star’ & The Anti-Algorithmic Future of Music Media Semafor 2026-02-14 | Gus Wenner, chairman of Rolling Stone and son of the magazine’s legendary founder, has spent years balancing the brand’s print heritage with its digital transformation. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Ben and Max talk with Wenner about his new holding company, Wenner Media Ventures, and why he thinks algorithms disrespect audiences. They also discuss the venture’s investment in the hit video series Track Star, his defense of Rolling Stone’s most provocative journalism, and his potential future media investments.#Music #TikTok #RollingStone
Marketing Pro Tariq Hassan On How McDonald’s Embraced Its Donald Trump Drive-Thru Moment Semafor 2026-02-07 | When now-President Donald Trump decided to put on an apron and serve customers at a McDonald’s drive-thru on the 2024 campaign trail, it put Tariq Hassan, then McDonald’s chief marketer, in a tight spot. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Ben and Max sit down with the former Golden Arches CMO to discuss the Trump episode, why he thinks ad makers should engage with journalists, and what goes into a good celebrity Super Bowl ad.
Heated Rivalry & Big C Canadian Content, with Bell Medias Sean Cohan Semafor 2026-01-31 | A year into Hollywood’s heralded vibe shift toward broader or more conservative tastes, a gay Canadian hockey romance was not an obvious choice to become a hit. On this week’s Mixed Signals, Ben and Max bring on Bell Media CEO Sean Cohan to unpack the success of Heated Rivalry and explain how it became an overnight cultural sensation. Cohan also talks about Bell’s strategy of using licensing deals to reach new audiences, the enduring power of a well-told romance, and why Canadian storytelling is only getting started on the global stage.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com#HeatedRivalry #Canada #TV
ScaleAI CEO: Theres Almost Infinite Demand For AI That Actually Works | Semafor Tech Semafor 2026-01-29 | ScaleAI CEO Jason Droege sat down with Semafor Tech editor Reed Albergotti in Davos on January 20 to talk about how companies are leveraging AI to drive growth and stay competitive.Sign up to get Semafor Tech in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/tech
Jon Tester: Dems Have More Than a Path Back to the Majority Semafor 2026-01-28 | Jon Tester sees a lot of problems with Democrats’ brand — but also sees them on course for massive gains in the midterms.“It has the potential of being 1932 all over again, quite frankly,” the former Democratic Senator from Montana tells Semafor's Burgess Everett. “Because people are starting to realize that this ain’t working.” #Politics #Election #Midterms #Congress #Senate
Jon Tester on Democrats’ Chances: ‘Horrible’ Message But a Winning Hand | Semafor Washington, DC Semafor 2026-01-28 | Jon Tester sees a lot of problems with Democrats’ brand — but also sees them on course for massive gains in the midterms.And Tester is foreseeing progress that goes far beyond the 2006 blue wave that swept him into office. The former Democratic senator from Montana compared the current political atmosphere to the year the party picked up 12 Senate seats and the White House thanks to a Depression-era revolt against Republicans.“It has the potential of being 1932 all over again, quite frankly,” Tester told Semafor's Burgess Everett in a wide-ranging interview this week. “Because people are starting to realize that this ain’t working.”Read the full story here: semafor.com/article/01/28/2026/tester-on-democrats-chances-horrible-message-but-a-winning-handSign up to get Semafor Washington, DC in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/washingtondc#Politics #Congress #Election
Freakonomics’ Stephen Dubner On Why Long-Form Podcasting Isnt Dead Yet Semafor 2026-01-23 | Stephen Dubner has spent 20 years proving that things aren't what they seem—and now he's not so sure that's always true. The co-creator of Freakonomics and host of one of podcasting's most enduring shows joins Ben and Max to talk about why he never sold to Spotify, how The New York Times shifted from telling readers things to telling them what to think, and his new self-funded TV experiment that's "like laundering podcast money." Along the way, Dubner explains how he accidentally got sucked into the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni gossip vortex (Candace Owens was involved), makes the case for prediction markets over pundits, and reveals why he's now considering buying a pizza place with a Michelin-starred chef who hated his soup. Plus: the real reason insider trading bans are absurd, and why Mario Cuomo was wrong about vowels.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
The reason you should have a bulwark like the First Amendment... Semafor 2026-01-22 | "I would never contend that the US never contains or experiences censorious impulses," Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers tells Semafor's Mixed Signals podcast when asked about the FCC and Jimmy Kimmel."The reason you should have a bulwark like the First Amendment is to hold those instincts at bay."
Gavin Newsom promises a return of ‘dormant’ American leadership Semafor 2026-01-22 | California Governor @GavinNewsom rejected the growing Davos consensus that Trump represents a permanent breach in the American-led global order.“These relationships are in dormancy. They’re not dead,” he told Semafor's Ben Smith. “I don’t use those binary terms. Don’t fall prey to that. That’s a bit hyperbolic.”Newsom spoke two days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney captivated the global forum by declaring that US allies needed to acknowledge a permanent “rupture” in the global systems and begin hedging their bets by deeper engagement with China.#Politics #Trump #Newsom #Davos
Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis & The Paradox of AI Progress | Semafor Tech Semafor 2026-01-22 | It’s not just AI safety advocates and data-center opponents that threaten to curb AI’s momentum. The industry is running into limits on how fast it can actually accelerate, Google DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis said in an interview with Semafor. Shortages of critical components like high-bandwidth memory and a pullback in open research have constrained AI’s ability to scale quickly — and that might provide natural guardrails for the evolving technology.“Look, it may be a good thing that it’s not as fast,” Hassabis said. “There's a whole bunch of other things that we need to think through with this technology,” from commercial issues to philosophical ones. “We don’t have a lot of time to sort out before we get to [Artificial General Intelligence].” Hassabis spoke to Semafor’s Reed Albergotti ahead of his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he planned to help business and government leaders prepare for AI’s impact, and get a clearer sense of how the international community is thinking about the technology.Read the full story: semafor.com/article/01/21/2026/google-deepminds-demis-hassabis-and-the-paradox-of-ai-progressSign up to get Semafor Tech in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/tech#AI #AGI #DeepMind
Does the Trump administrations advocacy for free speech in Europe extend to pro-Palestinian speech? Semafor 2026-01-20 | Does the Trump administration's advocacy for free speech in Europe extend to pro-Palestinian speech?Semafor's Ben Smith asked the State Department's Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media. #Politics #FreeSpeech
Undersecretary Sarah Rogers on Free Speech, Europe’s Tech Crackdown, and the Internet She Misses Semafor 2026-01-16 | Sarah Rogers, the State Department’s undersecretary for public diplomacy, joins Mixed Signals for a wide-ranging conversation about free speech, tech regulation, and why she’s been rattling the patience of some European governments. Max and Ben press her on confronting Europe over X, the Digital Services Act, and online speech — including accusations that she’s carrying water for Elon Musk and the far right. Rogers traces her worldview back to the early internet, Gawker comment sections, and First Amendment litigation, and explains why she sees today’s speech rules as potentially dangerous.And, don’t miss this week’s bonus episode of Mixed Signals: Max turns the tables on Ben and brings on Semafor CEO Justin Smith to ask the two about their big media news. youtube.com/watch?v=b-M9mpDEzSwSign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Justin Smith and Ben Smith on Semafors Next Chapter Semafor 2026-01-15 | Semafor CEO Justin Smith joins Mixed Signals for a candid discussion about why the digital media company raised $30 million late last year, and how it reached profitability in just three years. Max asks Justin and Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith about the company’s $330 valuation, the company’s planned investment in the Gulf and East Asia, and what it takes to build a modern media company in 2026. Justin and Ben reflect on lessons from earlier eras of digital media, and the triumphs and mistakes Semafor made in its first three years. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com
Ryan Lizza On Olivia Nuzzi, RFK Jr, & The Substack-ification Of A Scandal Semafor 2026-01-09 | Media veteran Ryan Lizza joins Mixed Signals for a raw, sprawling conversation about why he chose to publish an eight-part (and counting) Substack series responding to the most personal and public crisis of his career. Max and Ben press him on whether this was ever just a breakup story, why he believes the real scandal involves RFK Jr. and journalistic failures, and how Substack gave him the only viable way to tell the story in the first place. Lizza reflects on leaving Politico, burning bridges with legacy outlets, the cost of going public, and what this episode taught him about our changing media landscape.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/m... For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com0:00 An 8-part, 25,000-word Substack series...3:13 When did he decide to go public?15:30 Why do this at all?25:35 Has his Substack grown?31:07 Would he do this without Substack?36:13 Has he spoken to RFK Jr?47:45 "You guys wrote a really stupid piece..."50:45 How Mark Sanford factors into his decision54:40 What this saga taught him about American media57:54 Editorial Note59:35 Max and Ben's takeaways#Politics #Media #Journalism
Did Marty Supreme Change How Kevin OLeary Thinks About Movie Theaters? Semafor 2026-01-07 | "If I was just watching this in my man cave, it would not be the same thing," @kevinoleary tells Semafor. "When you see the 70 millimeter print, I mean, whoa."#movies #film #sharktank #martysupreme
Six Big Questions For Donald Trumps Washington In 2026 | Semafor Politics Semafor 2026-01-06 | President Donald Trump reminded Americans this weekend that while his domestic politics have grown more complicated after his first year, he retains the kind of global initiative that only the American president has, and only sometimes.The media, both parties, US citizens, and leaders, executives and traders around the world find themselves trying to predict his actions — and more often, reacting to them.The question now is whether the seeds of weakness that began to sprout last fall will grow — or whether he can stop a slide toward lame-duck status. The signs are there: He has lost control of members of his own party, from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Indiana state senators; his chosen candidates suffered setbacks in state-level elections around the country; and he faces a Gallup favorable rating approaching his first-term low and a sour economic mood that defies topline indicators.But Trump is hard to predict, and global markets continue to ignore confident forecasts. Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith surveyed reporters around the Semafor newsroom to come up with six of the big questions that await in 2026.0:00 Can Susie Wiles get her groove back?0:47 Will the bubbles burst?1:34 Were tariffs really a non-event?2:18 How much more can Beijing get out of Washington?3:11 Can you run against AI?4:41 Can Zohran Mamdani govern?Read the full story: semafor.com/article/01/05/2026/six-questions-for-washington-in-2026Sign up to get Semafor Washington, DC in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/washingtondc#Politics #News
Could Mark Cuban Return to Shark Tank? Semafor 2026-01-05 | Shark Tank is "like an ambassadorship" to Kevin O'Leary — and he has no plans to follow Mark Cuban's exit."He is interested in coming back," he tells Semafor. "Certain things have to change for that." #SharkTank #Business #Investing #MarkCuban
Why Shark Tanks Mr. Wonderful Doesnt Mind Being The Villain Semafor 2026-01-02 | Kevin O'Leary explains why he doesn't mind playing the villain in business, on "Shark Tank," or opposite Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme.""It's whether or not they respect me. You can still hate me, but you have to respect my ability to execute." #SharkTank #Business #MartySupreme
Kevin O’Leary on Marty Supreme, Playing the Villain, and Turning Attention Into Power Semafor 2026-01-02 | Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary joins Mixed Signals to talk about his buzzy turn as a ruthless tycoon in Marty Supreme — and how it felt playing a fictionalized version of himself. Max and Ben dig into what lessons he took from working with Josh Safdie and Timothee Chalamet, why Mark Cuban isn’t on Shark Tank anymore, and why he believes movie theaters aren’t going anywhere. They also talk about O’Leary’s media omnipresence, how his defense of Trump helped him influence the Republican tax bill, what he told Zohran Mamdani when they met in New York, and why he thinks respect is more valuable than being liked.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com#SharkTank #MartySupreme
What Actually Mattered in 2025, with Janice Min and Emily Sundberg Semafor 2025-12-26 | The Ankler’s Min and FeedMe’s founder Sundberg join Mixed Signals for a candid roundtable lookback at a disorienting year in media. They sound off on everything from YouTube’s domination, to the Charlie Kirk saga, and the increasingly niche areas of coverage for newsletters. Max and Ben also ask about Substack’s evolution, creator economics, and what media moments might be top of mind for 2026.0:00 Welcome to Mixed Signals2:35 Most important story of 20253:04 Charlie Kirk9:41 Bari Weiss and CBS13:22 The Epstein files15:20 Changes at Substack16:53 Is "rebundling" real?23:57 So many media newsletters...26:12 Candace Owens29:19 Media predictions for 202629:49 Netflix/Warner Bros/Paramount32:11 More digital media startups?34:06 Substack competitors36:52 The Trump bubbleSign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/m... For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com#Media #Business #News
How The Head of Instagram Thinks About AI... Semafor 2025-12-22 | "In any kind of content — AI or not — there's going to be slop and non-slop."Adam Mosseri tells Semafor how he thinks about AI content on Instagram.#AI #Instagram #Tech #SocialMedia #Meta
Asking The Head of Instagram How He Plans To Beat TikTok... Semafor 2025-12-19 | " They are very much applying lessons they've learned in China to the rest of the world," Adam Mosseri tells Semafor's Mixed Signals. " I think they're turning into a Chinese super app, and that may or may not work outside of China."#Instagram #TikTok #SocialMedia #Technology
Adam Mosseri on Instagram, Algorithms, & How To Beat TikTok Semafor 2025-12-19 | Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri joins Mixed Signals to talk about what Instagram actually is in 2025, and what it isn't. Max and Ben ask about the platform’s new move onto TV screens, the dominance of Reels and DMs, and whether “everything is becoming television.” Mosseri also explains how the company is competing with TikTok and YouTube, and whether "AI slop" is a legitimate concern for social media feeds.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com0:00 Welcome to Mixed Signals3:39 What is Instagram in 2025?6:59 Why they're getting on TVs17:52 How he thinks about creators24:52 Is TikTok too aggressive with user data?27:19 How Instagram's algorithm compares to TikTok and YouTube32:36 Can he beat TikTok?37:21 What sets Threads apart from X and BlueSky42:36 Is AI content good? And do humans make slop, too?45:46 What Instagram will look like ten years from now49:34 Max and Ben's takeaways#Instagram #SocialMedia #Technology
Anduril CEO: “This Is What Happens When You Disrupt An Industry Semafor 2025-12-18 | @AndurilIndustries defended news of drone crashes and testing mishaps as trial-and-error innovation, born out of its Silicon Valley ethos.CEO Brian Schimpf was blunter in an interview with Semafor:“This is what happens when you disrupt an industry. People get grumpy, they don’t like it, and they’re gonna look for ways to knock you down.” #Anduril #Defense #Technology
Anduril CEO: Incumbent Defense Contractors Are ‘Fighting Dirty’ | Semafor Tech Semafor 2025-12-17 | Anduril helped kick off a new wave of defense tech startups in Silicon Valley. While the Palmer Luckey-founded startup has been making weapons for a while now, its CEO, Brian Schimpf is starting to get somewhat combative himself, telling Semafor in an interview that the company’s competition — like incumbent defense contractors — are “fighting dirty” by planting numerous negative media stories about Anduril’s technology. Anduril makes everything from autonomous submarines to killer drones, all equipped with cutting-edge technology for relatively bargain basement prices. And for the most part, it doesn’t take government money until it’s ready to sell those products. That turns traditional defense contracting on its head, but the product development cycle means a more trial-and-error approach, the company says.That’s allowed critics to point to specific incidents where Anduril products have failed during testing as evidence that the company isn’t up to the challenge. Read more: semafor.com/article/12/17/2025/anduril-ceo-incumbent-defense-contractors-are-fighting-dirtySign up to get Semafor Tech in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/tech
🕺Andy Richter Knows Why You Voted For Him On DWTS... Semafor 2025-12-17 | Andy Richter was in on the joke with his newfound "Dancing With the Stars" fame."People would attempt to insult me by saying I was the worst dancer on the show," Richter tells Semafor's Mixed Signals. "To which, my answer is: No sh*t?"You can listen to the full interview on Mixed Signals from Semafor Media wherever you get your podcasts.#dancingwiththestars #dwts #tv #comedy
CoreWeaves Nick Robbins on AI Bubble Fears | Semafor Business Semafor 2025-12-16 | CoreWeave VP of Corporate Development Nick Robbins sat down with Semafor Business & Finance Editor Liz Hoffman on Dec. 2 at Semafor Business: The Ledger.Sign up to get Semafor Business in your inbox: semafor.com/newsletters/business#AI #Business #CoreWeave
Andy Richter On How Hollywood Is Changing... Semafor 2025-12-15 | Andy Richter has spent three decades in entertainment, but he's feeling the pressure amid changes in Hollywood:"It has been really, really weird," he tells Semafor's Mixed Signals. "There were strikes, there's the contraction of the economy in different ways, there's the vertical integration that makes it so there's only three outlets pumping out sh*t."#Comedy #Entertainment #Television #Business
Sen. Josh Hawley Skewers His Fellow Republicans For Failing Trump Semafor 2025-12-12 | "If I were President Trump, what I would want for Christmas is a Congress that would actually implement my agenda," Sen. Josh Hawley told Semafor at Architects of the New Economy."I think the president has done all he can with an executive order ... If you're going to get real results, Congress has to act, and I think you've seen a Congress that has not been as enthusiastic about his agenda as I would like." #Politics #Republicans #Trump #Senate
Andy Richter On Late Night’s Decline, Dancing With The Stars, And New Media Semafor 2025-12-12 | Comedy veteran and longtime Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter joins Mixed Signals for an existentially funny conversation about surviving three decades in entertainment. Max and Ben ask Andy about how he became late night’s most adaptable performer, whether he ever worried about becoming “the next Ed McMahon,” and why acting work has become so elusive in Hollywood. Andy also talks about the decline of late night as a cultural force, and how “Dancing With the Stars” accidentally turned him into a TikTok phenomenon.Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: semafor.com/newsletters/media For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com.Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltaniIf you have a tip or a comment, please email us mixedsignals@semafor.com0:00 Welcome to Mixed Signals1:59 His secrets to a good interview5:35 What keeps him going after three decades in show biz11:32 Big shifts in Hollywood13:16 The peak of entertainment17:14 Late night, Conan O'Brien, and not wanting to be Ed McMahon28:56 Can late night survive?35:11 "The worst dancer" on Dancing with the Stars37:09 How TikTok compares to other mediums for comedy39:50 His favorite guests on Conan41:10 The most satisfying work in Hollywood44:08 Crushing Wolf Blitzer on Celebrity Jeopardy!47:47 Max and Ben's interview takeaways#LateNight #Comedy #DWTS
The Next 3 Billion on Tour Series: Abu Dhabi Edition | Semafor Events Semafor 2025-12-11 | As one of the world’s leading financial hubs, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the intersection of innovation, investment, and inclusion; connecting markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.Held at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Semafor will spotlight insights from the Global Findex 2025 report and the Global Digital Connectivity Tracker, translating global research into actionable, locally relevant conversations.As the third stop on The Next 3 Billion Tour, this edition explores how the Gulf’s growing investments in Africa can accelerate digital connectivity and financial inclusion. With Abu Dhabi’s focus on sustainable finance, digital transformation, and cross-border collaboration, it offers a strong platform to examine how technology and capital can work together to expand access and opportunity.
Dem Senator Weighs In On Trumps Venezuelan Oil Tanker Seizure Semafor 2025-12-11 | On Venezuela and Trump's announcement that the US seized an oil tanker, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., tells Semafor:"If we can interdict a vessel of this size, why can't we interdict some of these drug boats?""You don't have to be a history nut to realize that America's history of intervention in the Caribbean, Central America, South America has been spotty at best."
