Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Google underwent a big AI shakeup this week, leaving a lot of people wondering whether there are big problems on team Gemini. David and Nilay start the show by discussing what's next for Jeff Dean and Demis Hassabis, before diving into the ways in which Google and Reddit have become existentially, problematically dependent on one another. After that, we talk through Disney's plan to turn Disney Plus into an everything app, and all the reasons we think that's a terrible idea and a sign of big problems in the streaming biz. Finally, in the lightning round, Brendan Carr is still a dummy, Snapchat wants AI out of your feed, and BMW has a Spider-Man to sell you.
0:00 Cold Open
1:05 Google AI Shakeup Explained
3:24 Gemini Product Mess
5:29 Demis Hassabis and the AGI Split
14:06 Is Google Actually Behind?
15:29 AI Overviews Fail Parade
18:12 Gemini Users and Distribution
20:55 Google Plus Warning Signs
24:14 Reddit as Search Lifeline
27:35 AI Slop and Dead Internet
29:32 Google Buys Reddit Theory
33:51 Reddit Earnings Reality Check
35:40 Smoking Community Vibes
38:20 Disney Everything App
44:25 Time Spent Arms Race
47:39 Free Tier and Ads
52:08 Paramount Warner Deal Drama
01:00:23 Brendan Carr is a Dummy
01:11:51 Nikita Bier Leaves X
01:13:53 SpaceX Telecom Dreams
01:20:15 Snapchat Versus AI Slop
01:25:26 BMW In Car Ads
01:31:19 Wrap And Subscribe
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Google underwent a big AI shakeup this week, leaving a lot of people wondering whether there are big problems on team Gemini. David and Nilay start the show by discussing what's next for Jeff Dean and Demis Hassabis, before diving into the ways in which Google and Reddit have become existentially, problematically dependent on one another. After that, we talk through Disney's plan to turn Disney Plus into an everything app, and all the reasons we think that's a terrible idea and a sign of big problems in the streaming biz. Finally, in the lightning round, Brendan Carr is still a dummy, Snapchat wants AI out of your feed, and BMW has a Spider-Man to sell you.
0:00 Cold Open
1:05 Google AI Shakeup Explained
3:24 Gemini Product Mess
5:29 Demis Hassabis and the AGI Split
14:06 Is Google Actually Behind?
15:29 AI Overviews Fail Parade
18:12 Gemini Users and Distribution
20:55 Google Plus Warning Signs
24:14 Reddit as Search Lifeline
27:35 AI Slop and Dead Internet
29:32 Google Buys Reddit Theory
33:51 Reddit Earnings Reality Check
35:40 Smoking Community Vibes
38:20 Disney Everything App
44:25 Time Spent Arms Race
47:39 Free Tier and Ads
52:08 Paramount Warner Deal Drama
01:00:23 Brendan Carr is a Dummy
01:11:51 Nikita Bier Leaves X
01:13:53 SpaceX Telecom Dreams
01:20:15 Snapchat Versus AI Slop
01:25:26 BMW In Car Ads
01:31:19 Wrap And Subscribe
Subscribe: goo.gl/G5RXGs
Like The Verge on Facebook: goo.gl/2P1aGc
Follow on Twitter: goo.gl/XTWX61
Follow on Instagram: goo.gl/7ZeLv
Watch The Vergecast on YouTube: bit.ly/40RFRkg
The Vergecast Podcast: bit.ly/3WQDexZ
Decoder with Nilay Patel: apple.co/3v29nDc
More about our podcasts: theverge.com/podcasts
Read More: theverge.com
Community guidelines: bit.ly/2D0hlAv
Wallpapers from The Verge: bit.ly/2xQXYJr
Shop our Verge merch store here: bit.ly/4kPCmEc
Subscribe to The Verge: bit.ly/3FT6n5S
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may receive a commission without exerting any influence on editorial content. For more information about our ethics policy, visit: bit.ly/3ZWTlLs
