Apple's iOS 26 Review, Meta to Pay $15B for Scale AI Stake | Andrew Huberman, Scott Belsky, Sai Senthilkumar, Karri Saarinen, Roy Bahat, Alex Israel

Overview

This episode dives into Apple's WWDC announcements, including the mixed reception of iOS 26 and its implications for developers. It also covers Meta's $15 billion investment in Scale AI, reactions to CNBC's Disruptor 50 list, and conversations with industry leaders on AI, venture capital, and infrastructure innovation.

Notable Quotes

- The bravery he's exhibiting today might one day be an exhibit in the Computer History Museum. - John Coogan, on the intern installing iOS 26 beta.

- Taste is actually one of those things that is definitely left. It’s knowing where people are going as opposed to where people are. - Scott Belsky, on the importance of human creativity in the AI era.

- If this laboratory didn’t exist, would it change the direction of science? You have to pass the deletion test. - Andrew Huberman, on prioritizing impactful scientific research.

🖥️ Apple's WWDC and iOS 26 Reactions

- Apple's iOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass, a new design language with translucent UI elements, sparking debate over readability and battery efficiency.

- Karri Saarinen noted potential design flaws, such as inconsistent border radii, and expressed skepticism about its practicality.

- Mixed reviews highlight Apple's retreat to its core competency of polished design, but critics argue the company is lagging in AI innovation.

- Scott Belsky emphasized the opportunity for startups to build AI-powered apps on iOS, given Apple's cautious approach to AI integration.

💸 Meta's $15 Billion Stake in Scale AI

- Meta acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI for $15 billion, with CEO Alex Wang joining Meta to lead its superintelligence lab.

- The deal reflects a growing trend of hyperscalers acquiring AI startups to avoid regulatory scrutiny while bolstering their AI capabilities.

- Sai Senthilkumar highlighted Scale AI's impressive $870 million revenue in 2024 and its strategic importance for Meta's AI ambitions.

- Concerns were raised about how such deals impact the broader AI ecosystem, including competition and innovation.

📈 CNBC Disruptor 50 List Reactions

- Companies like OpenAI (#2), Databricks (#3), and Metropolis (#13) dominated the list, showcasing innovation across AI, infrastructure, and mobility.

- Alex Israel, CEO of Metropolis, discussed the company's transformation into the largest parking operator in the U.S. through strategic acquisitions and AI-driven solutions.

- The list sparked debates about criteria, with some questioning how consumer-focused startups like Frutist ranked higher than enterprise AI firms like Scale AI.

🛠️ AI and Infrastructure Innovation

- Sai Senthilkumar explored the rapid adoption of AI in developer tools, citing companies like Cursor and Anthropic as leaders in AI-powered coding solutions.

- He noted the competitive dynamics between incumbents like Databricks and emerging startups, emphasizing the importance of innovation in vector databases and IDEs.

- Roy Bahat discussed Bloomberg Beta's focus on early-stage startups shaping the future of work, highlighting transparency as a key differentiator in venture capital.

🔬 Science Funding and Public Trust

- Andrew Huberman expressed concern over proposed NIH budget cuts of 40%, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to funding impactful research.

- He advocated for a deletion test to prioritize labs that drive meaningful scientific progress and suggested restructuring labs around missions rather than individual investigators.

- Huberman highlighted the importance of rebuilding public trust in science post-pandemic, noting the role of youth and innovation in advancing health and discovery.