Hasbro's CEO lets AI Peppa Pig help design toys

Can Puck’s CEO reinvent the news business for the influencer age?

Apr 13, 20261h 14mSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel sits down with Sarah Personette, CEO of the media company Puck, to discuss the evolving relationship between journalism, the creator economy, and digital distribution. Puck employs a unique business model that treats star journalists like influencers, granting them equity in the company and a share of revenue while focusing on high-value, subscription-based newsletters. Personette, drawing on her extensive leadership experience at platforms like Facebook and Twitter, argues that the rapid acceleration of technology—from mobile migration to the current rise of AI—has necessitated a shift in how news organizations build trust. She contends that in an era of declining institutional trust, human-centered, personality-driven journalism is the most effective way to engage readers. Throughout the conversation, Patel challenges the notion that journalists should function as influencers, suggesting that the creator economy’s reliance on brand deals is often incompatible with the rigorous process of traditional reporting. The discussion explores whether Puck can successfully bridge the gap between legacy media prestige and the modern influencer landscape while maintaining the financial sustainability required to support professional newsrooms in an increasingly fragmented digital environment.

The AI industry's existential race for profits

Apr 9, 202638 minSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel and The Verge’s senior AI reporter Hayden Field examine the critical juncture facing the artificial intelligence industry as leading companies OpenAI and Anthropic race toward highly anticipated initial public offerings. The discussion centers on the looming monetization cliff, where the massive capital investment in infrastructure and computing power must finally translate into sustainable profitability. The conversation highlights a strategic shift in the industry as these companies move away from experimental side projects and toward the more lucrative, enterprise-focused sectors of coding and software development. Field notes how OpenAI recently discontinued its video generation tool, Sora, to prioritize compute resources for enterprise products, while Anthropic has adjusted its pricing models to curb the intensive compute usage of third-party agents. The hosts explore how these decisions reflect a desperate need to demonstrate fiscal responsibility to future shareholders. Finally, they compare the different corporate cultures and trajectories of these two giants: Anthropic’s steady, enterprise-first approach versus OpenAI’s volatile, rapid experimentation. The episode provides a nuanced look at whether these companies can successfully transition into profitable businesses or if their current model is fundamentally unsustainable.

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins wants data centers in space

Apr 6, 202657 minSummary

In this episode, the host interviews Chuck Robbins, CEO of Cisco, to explore the vital yet often invisible role the company plays in powering global internet infrastructure, cloud computing, and the rapidly expanding field of artificial intelligence. Robbins discusses the complex reality of building the networking equipment that keeps the modern world connected, particularly as data centers become a focal point of AI-driven investment. A central theme of the conversation is the future of data centers. Robbins shares his belief that building data centers in space is not just a possibility but a looming inevitability, noting how space-based facilities could bypass the physical, environmental, and political challenges currently facing site selection on Earth. They also address the "AI bubble" debate, with Robbins offering a grounded perspective based on his extensive experience navigating past tech cycles. He highlights Cisco’s strategy of remaining on the leading edge through internal silicon development and strategic partnerships. The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing global supply chain constraints and the evolving necessity of integrating advanced security directly into the networking layer to support the rise of agentic AI platforms.

A jury says Meta and Google hurt a kid. What now?

Apr 2, 202651 minSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel examines the growing wave of "bellwether" lawsuits targeting tech giants like Meta, Google, and Snap for the design of their social media platforms. Joined by Platformer founder Casey Newton and Verge senior policy reporter Loren Feiner, Patel dissects the recent jury verdicts that found these companies liable for design features—such as infinite scroll, push notifications, and autoplay videos—that allegedly contribute to addiction, mental health issues, and body dysmorphia among young users. The discussion explores how these cases attempt to bypass the protections of Section 230 by focusing on product design rather than specific user-generated content. The panel analyzes the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding platform accountability, the potential parallels to historical tobacco litigation, and the constitutional tensions between regulating dangerous product features and protecting free speech. Throughout the episode, the hosts grapple with the reality that Section 230, once intended to foster a competitive, user-controlled internet, faces an uncertain future as lawmakers and juries increasingly demand more responsibility from companies whose business models rely on maximizing user attention at the potential expense of well-being.

Okta's CEO is betting big on AI agent identity

Mar 30, 20261h 6mSummary

In this episode, Todd McKinnon, co-founder and CEO of Okta, joins the program to discuss the evolving landscape of enterprise software and his company’s strategy in the age of AI. The conversation centers on the "SaaS-pocalypse"—a term used to describe the growing pressure on software companies as internal teams begin to use AI to "vibe-code" their own custom tools, potentially bypassing traditional SaaS subscriptions. McKinnon shares his perspective on why, despite this trend, he remains confident in Okta’s resilience. He argues that infrastructure and security software are uniquely insulated from these shifts because they are mission-critical and require deep integrations across thousands of third-party systems. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the emergence of "AI agents"—autonomous programs that require identity management. McKinnon explains that Okta is pivoting to become the primary "railway" for these agents, treating them as distinct entities that require secure, verifiable access to corporate data. By managing the identity and security of this new digital workforce, McKinnon believes Okta can capture a massive new category within the cybersecurity industry while helping companies safely navigate the complexities of AI integration.

Everyone hates Ticketmaster. Why'd Trump go easy on them?

Mar 26, 202637 minSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel and Verge senior policy reporter Lauren Feiner delve into the high-profile antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster. The conversation centers on the Department of Justice’s recent decision to settle the case—a move that surprised industry experts and sparked significant controversy—even as dozens of states continue to pursue litigation. The hosts explore the core allegations against Live Nation, specifically how the company allegedly leverages its dominance in concert promotion and venue ownership to maintain a monopoly in the ticketing industry. Feiner, who has been reporting from inside the courtroom, details how evidence presented during the trial, including internal communications, highlights the company's aggressive business tactics. The discussion also tackles the political shifts behind the scenes, noting reports of direct intervention by the Trump administration to force a settlement. This development raises broader questions about the current direction of antitrust enforcement in the United States and whether corporate lobbying is undermining efforts to curb market power. Ultimately, while the DOJ has stepped back, the remaining states are determined to continue the fight, potentially seeking more substantive remedies to address the company’s industry-wide grip.

Confronting the CEO of the AI company that impersonated me

Mar 23, 20261h 15mSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel sits down with Shishir Mehrotra, the CEO of Superhuman (the company formerly known as Grammarly), to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence, software platforms, and the rights of creators. The conversation takes a pointed turn as Patel confronts Mehrotra regarding a controversial feature in his company’s product called Expert Review. This feature utilized the names and reputations of prominent journalists, authors, and public figures to provide AI-generated writing advice without their consent or permission. The discussion explores the ethical failures behind the decision-making process that led to the feature's launch, the resulting backlash from the creative community, and the class-action lawsuit that followed. Mehrotra addresses the controversy, offering an apology while explaining the company's internal perspective on the failed feature. He also distinguishes between his company’s legal defense regarding the use of names and his broader vision for building a platform where creators are properly attributed and compensated. Throughout the interview, the two debate the tension between extractive AI development and the need for sustainable economic models that respect the intellectual property of those who generate the world’s content.

Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. gamble

Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone on reviving the web's homepage

Mar 16, 20261h 17mSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel interviews Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone about his ongoing efforts to reshape the internet giant. The discussion centers on Yahoo’s evolution from its origins as a web directory to its current status as a privately held company focused on utility, finance, sports, and its role as an aggregator of the open web. Lanzone provides insight into his strategy of rationalizing the company’s portfolio by moving away from general newsrooms—such as the divestment of TechCrunch and Engadget—to focus on providing context and utility within specific verticals. A significant portion of the conversation covers the shifting landscape of digital media, specifically the decline of referral traffic from major search engines and social platforms. Lanzone discusses the launch of Yahoo’s AI-powered search tool, Scout, emphasizing his desire to create an "answer engine" that proactively links users downstream to original publishers, rather than trapping them in a walled garden. The two also dive into the "wonky" world of ad tech, explaining the strategic decision to shift investment from supply-side platforms to demand-side platforms to better capture value in the evolving digital advertising ecosystem.

Anthropic doesn't trust the Pentagon, and neither should you

Mar 12, 202648 minSummary

In this episode of Decoder, host Nilay Patel welcomes Mike Masnik, founder and CEO of Techdirt, to discuss the escalating tension between the AI company Anthropic and the Pentagon. The conversation centers on Anthropic’s legal challenge against the Department of Defense, which recently labeled the company a supply chain risk. The core of the discussion explores the surveillance state and the U.S. government’s history of reinterpreting legal definitions—such as the word "target"—to expand its surveillance capabilities under the guise of national security. Masnik highlights how executive orders and intelligence community policies, spanning multiple administrations, have often bypassed the original, plain-English intent of the Fourth Amendment. Patel and Masnik examine how Anthropic’s reluctance to comply with certain Pentagon demands stems from a refusal to facilitate potential mass surveillance, a stark contrast to other industry players who have promised "all lawful uses" of their technology. They conclude that as AI becomes more integrated into government operations, the lack of adversarial transparency in the intelligence sector creates a dangerous environment where constitutional rights can be compromised under the umbrella of secrecy.