Deel–Rippling Update, Microsoft Bets on Agents | Shawn “swyx” Wang, Augustus Doricko, Brad Porter, Kian Sadeghi, Kathleen McMahon, Chungin “Roy” Lee

Overview

This episode dives into the evolving drama between Deel and Rippling, Microsoft's ambitious AI strategy, Snowflake's acquisition of Crunchy Data, and interviews with founders tackling groundbreaking innovations in cloud seeding, robotics, genomics, and AI tools. Ethical debates, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics are explored throughout.

Notable Quotes

- Whoever controls the weather controls the world. - Augustus Doricko, on the geopolitical implications of cloud seeding.

- No company ever dies from being too controversial. You die because you don't make enough money. - Chungin “Roy” Lee, on Cluely's viral-first strategy.

- Real taste hurts. If your taste doesn’t cost you something, it’s not taste—it’s preference. - Sarah Guo, on the importance of product design and vision.

🕵️ Deel vs. Rippling Drama

- Deel and Rippling are embroiled in a corporate espionage feud, with accusations of spying and counterclaims of reputation sabotage.

- Deel alleges Rippling's competitive intelligence manager fraudulently accessed proprietary data, while Rippling previously accused Deel of spying.

- Criminal charges and lawsuits have escalated the conflict, with implications for Silicon Valley's competitive culture.

- Hosts speculate on the drama's impact, jokingly suggesting an MMA-style resolution in the octagon.

🤖 Microsoft’s AI Agent Strategy

- Microsoft is doubling down on AI agents, aiming to automate tasks like managing spreadsheets and patching websites with minimal human oversight.

- Satya Nadella emphasizes platform, platform, platform, positioning Microsoft Azure as the go-to for AI-driven applications.

- The company is leveraging its GitHub acquisition and Copilot success to dominate developer tools and enterprise AI adoption.

- Discussion highlights the convergence of AI models and the strategic importance of data gravity in Microsoft's ecosystem.

💧 Cloud Seeding and Weather Control

- Augustus Doricko, founder of Rainmaker, discusses China's aggressive cloud seeding program, which includes drones and nanoparticle research to control precipitation.

- He warns of geopolitical risks, as China exports weather modification technology to influence global water supplies.

- Doricko advocates for U.S. investment in cloud seeding to address domestic water scarcity and bolster hydroelectric power.

- Regulatory challenges in states like Florida, which banned weather modification, underscore the political hurdles.

🤝 Robotics and AI Integration

- Brad Porter, CEO of Collaborative Robotics, shares insights on deploying robots in logistics and healthcare.

- His company’s robots use LiDAR and stereo depth cameras for autonomous navigation, focusing on practical applications over humanoid designs.

- Porter critiques humanoid robots for their high motor costs and limited strength compared to humans, favoring simpler, task-specific robots.

- The discussion touches on the sim-to-real gap in robotics training and the challenges of scaling AI-driven automation.

🧬 Genetic Optimization and Ethical Debates

- Kian Sadeghi, founder of Nucleus Genomics, unveils a service allowing parents to analyze embryos for traits like disease risk, IQ, and longevity.

- The platform empowers parents with data but raises ethical concerns about genetic selection and regulatory oversight.

- Sadeghi emphasizes consumer choice, arguing that traits like height and intelligence should be accessible without government interference.

- Hosts explore the societal implications of reproductive genetics and the balance between innovation and ethics.