Shira Ovide
@shiraovide.bsky.social
Washington Post technology writer. New Yorker. Bird watcher. Grumpy. Sign up for my (free) Tech Friend newsletter: https://www.washingtonpost.com/newsletters/the-tech-friend/
Girl, you okay?
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
November 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Girl, you okay?
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
I know this may not FEEL surprising, but I still remember when pay TV subscriber numbers first started to go down just a bit (circa 2010?) and the fall happened very fast. www.businessinsider.com/cable-tv-hou...
The cable TV industry is crossing a milestone: Only half of American households subscribe anymore.
For years, cable TV execs said they saw no evidence of cord-cutting. Not anymore.
www.businessinsider.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I know this may not FEEL surprising, but I still remember when pay TV subscriber numbers first started to go down just a bit (circa 2010?) and the fall happened very fast. www.businessinsider.com/cable-tv-hou...
This is sound public messaging to scam victims and future victims: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
November 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This is sound public messaging to scam victims and future victims: www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Hi, I keep having to say that this is not a "factory" www.wsj.com/tech/ai/insi...
Exclusive | Inside Microsoft’s New AI ‘Super Factory’
The tech giant is building out huge data centers among the most advanced in the world as it rushes to meet demand for AI computing power.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Hi, I keep having to say that this is not a "factory" www.wsj.com/tech/ai/insi...
"The Post found [ChatGPT] began responses with variations on 'yes' 10 times more often than with versions of 'no.'"
Fascinating insights from an analysis of 47,000 ChatGPT chats.
wapo.st/3LzQUL2
Fascinating insights from an analysis of 47,000 ChatGPT chats.
wapo.st/3LzQUL2
How people really use ChatGPT, according to 47,000 conversations shared online
What do people ask the popular chatbot? We analyzed thousands of chats to identify common topics discussed by users and patterns in ChatGPT’s responses.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"The Post found [ChatGPT] began responses with variations on 'yes' 10 times more often than with versions of 'no.'"
Fascinating insights from an analysis of 47,000 ChatGPT chats.
wapo.st/3LzQUL2
Fascinating insights from an analysis of 47,000 ChatGPT chats.
wapo.st/3LzQUL2
I know that big numbers have lost all meaning in A.I., and this one is a forecast.
But truly:
"OpenAI forecasts its operating losses that year to swell to about $74 billion"
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
But truly:
"OpenAI forecasts its operating losses that year to swell to about $74 billion"
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
Anthropic Is on Track to Turn a Profit Much Faster Than OpenAI
Financial documents from both companies show the different approaches they are taking to the AI boom.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I know that big numbers have lost all meaning in A.I., and this one is a forecast.
But truly:
"OpenAI forecasts its operating losses that year to swell to about $74 billion"
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
But truly:
"OpenAI forecasts its operating losses that year to swell to about $74 billion"
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
A good news/bad news situation for streaming-loving NFL fans.
For the first time this year, you can stream the 5 or more games on offer throughout the week without paying for cable.
But you might need six streaming subscriptions that cost a total of $90 a month. wapo.st/4nNzzLG
For the first time this year, you can stream the 5 or more games on offer throughout the week without paying for cable.
But you might need six streaming subscriptions that cost a total of $90 a month. wapo.st/4nNzzLG
Analysis | You can stream all of the NFL now. It costs a small fortune.
The rising costs of sports in all our streaming bills is another way new “TV” is repeating the bad habits of cable.
wapo.st
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A good news/bad news situation for streaming-loving NFL fans.
For the first time this year, you can stream the 5 or more games on offer throughout the week without paying for cable.
But you might need six streaming subscriptions that cost a total of $90 a month. wapo.st/4nNzzLG
For the first time this year, you can stream the 5 or more games on offer throughout the week without paying for cable.
But you might need six streaming subscriptions that cost a total of $90 a month. wapo.st/4nNzzLG
This is definitely not investment advice.
But right now Nvidia has 44% free cash flow margins -- insanely profitable -- and OpenAI has ... negative infinity free cash flow margins.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
But right now Nvidia has 44% free cash flow margins -- insanely profitable -- and OpenAI has ... negative infinity free cash flow margins.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
SoftBank Sells $5.8 Billion Stake in Nvidia to Pay for OpenAI Deals
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This is definitely not investment advice.
But right now Nvidia has 44% free cash flow margins -- insanely profitable -- and OpenAI has ... negative infinity free cash flow margins.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
But right now Nvidia has 44% free cash flow margins -- insanely profitable -- and OpenAI has ... negative infinity free cash flow margins.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
Language translation has been a holy grail for A.I. at least as far back as original "Star Trek." And yet:
www.theverge.com/column/81568...
www.theverge.com/column/81568...
Lost in AI translation
AI translation was no match for my extroverted in-laws.
www.theverge.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Language translation has been a holy grail for A.I. at least as far back as original "Star Trek." And yet:
www.theverge.com/column/81568...
www.theverge.com/column/81568...
“I was astonished that just with one photo you can become viral in a few days.”
Bless this kid. Stay weird. apnews.com/article/louv...
Bless this kid. Stay weird. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
“I was astonished that just with one photo you can become viral in a few days.”
Bless this kid. Stay weird. apnews.com/article/louv...
Bless this kid. Stay weird. apnews.com/article/louv...
Love this on the power of listening and being heard. Alyssa is one of the very best.
www.notus.org/perspectives...
www.notus.org/perspectives...
The Washington Post Got 21,000 Emails After It Didn't Endorse. I Read Them All.
Reading and editing letters gave me a theory about what is wrong with America — and how it could be fixed.
www.notus.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Love this on the power of listening and being heard. Alyssa is one of the very best.
www.notus.org/perspectives...
www.notus.org/perspectives...
Zuckerberg said this $600 billion figure to Trump in September.
So two months later Meta figured out how to get the math to $600 billion?
about.fb.com/news/2025/11...
So two months later Meta figured out how to get the math to $600 billion?
about.fb.com/news/2025/11...
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Zuckerberg said this $600 billion figure to Trump in September.
So two months later Meta figured out how to get the math to $600 billion?
about.fb.com/news/2025/11...
So two months later Meta figured out how to get the math to $600 billion?
about.fb.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Shira Ovide
OVIDE: “.. the money being thrown around for AI is so huge that numbers have lost all meaning. The companies pouring money in are so rich and so power-hungry .. that our puny human brains cannot really comprehend.”
@shiraovide.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
@shiraovide.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
OVIDE: “.. the money being thrown around for AI is so huge that numbers have lost all meaning. The companies pouring money in are so rich and so power-hungry .. that our puny human brains cannot really comprehend.”
@shiraovide.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
@shiraovide.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
How bonkers are the bonkers A.I. numbers?
*One year of data center spend by 4 companies could fund SNAP for 4 years.
*One pledged investment in OpenAI is nearly equal to NYC's operating budget.
*8 AI-related firms are worth more than the next 96 most valuable companies combined. wapo.st/3WJmQyU
*One year of data center spend by 4 companies could fund SNAP for 4 years.
*One pledged investment in OpenAI is nearly equal to NYC's operating budget.
*8 AI-related firms are worth more than the next 96 most valuable companies combined. wapo.st/3WJmQyU
Analysis | The AI spending frenzy is so huge that it makes no sense
Big companies could fund four years’ worth of SNAP benefits from what they’re spending on AI. It may not be a bubble but the numbers in AI are bonkers.
wapo.st
November 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
How bonkers are the bonkers A.I. numbers?
*One year of data center spend by 4 companies could fund SNAP for 4 years.
*One pledged investment in OpenAI is nearly equal to NYC's operating budget.
*8 AI-related firms are worth more than the next 96 most valuable companies combined. wapo.st/3WJmQyU
*One year of data center spend by 4 companies could fund SNAP for 4 years.
*One pledged investment in OpenAI is nearly equal to NYC's operating budget.
*8 AI-related firms are worth more than the next 96 most valuable companies combined. wapo.st/3WJmQyU
Big week for AI bosses "clarifying" what they said. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/j...
Nvidia's Jensen Huang softens his ‘China will win the AI race’ remark to FT
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly told the Financial Times that "China is going to win the AI race," before releasing a notably softer statement soon after.
www.cnbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Big week for AI bosses "clarifying" what they said. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/j...
SHUT UP AND TAKE ALL MY MONEY. lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2025/november/lego-icons-star-trek-u-s-s-enterprise-ncc-1701-d-?CMP=AFC-AffiliateUS-TnL5HPStwNw-2116208-1676138-10
LEGO® Icons Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D™ - About Us - LEGO.com
LEGO® Icons Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D™
lego.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
It's hard for outsiders to quantify the horrific or fraudulent social media content.
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
It's hard for outsiders to quantify the horrific or fraudulent social media content.
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Well:
Meta shows an "estimated 15 billion 'higher risk' scam" ads with signs of fraud daily.
"Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue" from this scam ad category www.reuters.com/investigatio...
It's been interesting to see the China envy among bastions of free market capitalism.
(Though I think they want China-style government spending on industry priorities minus China-style regulation.) www.ft.com/content/5329...
(Though I think they want China-style government spending on industry priorities minus China-style regulation.) www.ft.com/content/5329...
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
It's been interesting to see the China envy among bastions of free market capitalism.
(Though I think they want China-style government spending on industry priorities minus China-style regulation.) www.ft.com/content/5329...
(Though I think they want China-style government spending on industry priorities minus China-style regulation.) www.ft.com/content/5329...
Going to repeat what I wrote last week:
We have entered the PAY FOR OR NAG FOR DISTRIBUTION phase of A.I.
On PCs and phones, unwanted software installed by the manufacturer for compensation was called crapware. Might need a new verbiage.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
We have entered the PAY FOR OR NAG FOR DISTRIBUTION phase of A.I.
On PCs and phones, unwanted software installed by the manufacturer for compensation was called crapware. Might need a new verbiage.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Snap Inks $400 Million Perplexity Deal to Add AI Search to Chat
Snap Inc. announced a $400 million partnership with Perplexity AI Inc. to distribute the firm’s AI search engine to Snapchat users globally, according to a statement Wednesday. The shares surged 16% i...
www.bloomberg.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Going to repeat what I wrote last week:
We have entered the PAY FOR OR NAG FOR DISTRIBUTION phase of A.I.
On PCs and phones, unwanted software installed by the manufacturer for compensation was called crapware. Might need a new verbiage.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
We have entered the PAY FOR OR NAG FOR DISTRIBUTION phase of A.I.
On PCs and phones, unwanted software installed by the manufacturer for compensation was called crapware. Might need a new verbiage.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Marshall Plan, but for Sam Altman to buy more GPUs. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The Marshall Plan, but for Sam Altman to buy more GPUs. www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
If you use an iPhone and don't love Google, does it matter that:
--Apple gets $20 billion+ a year so that Google can rent access to iPhone users and their data.
--Siri will be partly outsourced to Google for which Apple is going pay ~$1 billion a year. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
--Apple gets $20 billion+ a year so that Google can rent access to iPhone users and their data.
--Siri will be partly outsourced to Google for which Apple is going pay ~$1 billion a year. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Apple Nears Deal to Pay Google Roughly $1 Billion a Year for Siri AI Model
Apple Inc. is planning to pay about $1 billion a year for an ultrapowerful 1.2 trillion parameter artificial intelligence model developed by Alphabet Inc.’s Google that would help run its long-promise...
www.bloomberg.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
If you use an iPhone and don't love Google, does it matter that:
--Apple gets $20 billion+ a year so that Google can rent access to iPhone users and their data.
--Siri will be partly outsourced to Google for which Apple is going pay ~$1 billion a year. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
--Apple gets $20 billion+ a year so that Google can rent access to iPhone users and their data.
--Siri will be partly outsourced to Google for which Apple is going pay ~$1 billion a year. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Barclays counted up all the started or announced A.I. data center projects.
The FT figures those data centers at full utilization will use roughly "as much energy as 44.2 million households — almost three times California’s entire housing stock"
www.ft.com/content/2b84...
The FT figures those data centers at full utilization will use roughly "as much energy as 44.2 million households — almost three times California’s entire housing stock"
www.ft.com/content/2b84...
How many ‘bragawatts’ have the hyperscalers announced so far?
A: Forty-six DeLorean time jumps
www.ft.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Barclays counted up all the started or announced A.I. data center projects.
The FT figures those data centers at full utilization will use roughly "as much energy as 44.2 million households — almost three times California’s entire housing stock"
www.ft.com/content/2b84...
The FT figures those data centers at full utilization will use roughly "as much energy as 44.2 million households — almost three times California’s entire housing stock"
www.ft.com/content/2b84...
Beat the record! Beat the record! Beat the record!
But the weather today was gorgeous and the race has been *inescapable* and we're clearly doing numbers, so...
The high in 1969 was 2.5 million, maybe we get there again. Lindsay (on the Liberal line) vs. Procaccino vs. Marchi
The high in 1969 was 2.5 million, maybe we get there again. Lindsay (on the Liberal line) vs. Procaccino vs. Marchi
November 4, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Beat the record! Beat the record! Beat the record!
Hell Gate is fun AND useful. hellgatenyc.com
(I read the coverage of the NYC ballot proposals already and it was handy!)
(I read the coverage of the NYC ballot proposals already and it was handy!)
November 4, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Hell Gate is fun AND useful. hellgatenyc.com
(I read the coverage of the NYC ballot proposals already and it was handy!)
(I read the coverage of the NYC ballot proposals already and it was handy!)