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In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton and Charles Roberts sit down with Michael Stewart of M12, Microsoft’s venture fund, to examine how AI is reshaping software, infrastructure, and investment strategy. Michael explains how M12 identifies emerging signals across the AI ecosystem, from generative AI adoption to enterprise spending shifts. The conversation covers the evolution from SaaS (software as a service) to AI-driven models, pricing dynamics, and the growing importance of compute efficiency. They also discuss future opportunities in consumer AI, material science, and the need to rethink the data center as demand for AI accelerates. Key Points From This Episode:  00:00:00 Introduction to M12 and its role within Microsoft 00:04:41 The current AI landscape and platform shift thesis 00:09:47 The gap between technical capability and user adoption 00:14:33 Compute constraints and the need for model efficiency 00:20:55 The concept of “wholesale AI” and token-based enterprise models 00:28:00 Uneven AI usage across users and organizations 00:31:47 Capturing value: productivity gains vs. software pricing 00:35:34 Investment themes: consumer AI and smart TV experiences 00:38:58 AI in science and material discovery opportunities 00:44:35 Introduction to the data center of the future 00:51:35 Capital markets, AI demand, and infrastructure investment gaps 00:55:53 Why current AI investment narratives may be backward-looking Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick and Sam explore the emerging landscape of digital identity verification, focusing on World ID and its implications for online security, business models, and advertising. They discuss the technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and future potential of proof of humanhood in a bot-dominated world. Key Points From This Episode: Authenticity verification is inevitable but deeply complex. As AI-generated content and deepfakes proliferate, proving human authenticity will become essential, requiring nuanced proof systems that balance privacy, convenience, and security.Authenticity verification is inevitable but deeply complex. As AI-generated content and deepfakes proliferate, proving human authenticity will become essential, requiring nuanced proof systems that balance privacy, convenience, and security.Proof of human or human-like presence will shape the future of digital interactions. Authenticating not just a person but their intent through bound bot actions will create a hierarchy of authenticity across social, financial, and security domains. If you know ARK, you know we focus on long-term innovation. But that doesn’t mean we ignore breaking news. Every day, we debate the latest developments in tech and markets. Now, we’re bringing those conversations to you in “The Brainstorm,” a co-production from ARK, WOLF, and Public. Tune in weekly for our quick takes on what’s shaping innovation right now. Learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial Learn more about Public: https://public.com/ Disclosure: http://arkinv.st/39rzF94

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick and Sam explore the latest developments in AI models like Mythos, the strategic moves of companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta, and the future of social networks in an AI-driven world. They discuss the implications of AI safety, compute constraints, market dynamics, and innovative social trust networks. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Anthropic's new AI model, Mythos, is being withheld for 100 days to allow top companies to patch vulnerabilities, raising questions about whether this is a marketing tactic or a genuine safety measure.The competition between AI companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta revolves around balancing compute resources and enterprise versus consumer focus, with each company making strategic decisions to maximize their market position.The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of AI, where product quality and distribution are key factors in determining success, and the potential for new social networks based on trust relationships rather than broad social media connections. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick and Sam explore the transformative impact of public and private space initiatives, focusing on how NASA's missions and SpaceX's innovations are accelerating progress toward lunar bases and Mars colonies. Discover the economic implications of SpaceX's reusable rockets and AI-powered satellites, and how these advancements are shaping a trillion-dollar industry. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: The true power in space exploration comes from technological leadership, not just financial investment, as exemplified by SpaceX's advancements in reusable rocket technology.Valuation of innovative companies often reflects future potential, not current cash flow, with SpaceX's valuation grounded in its technological edge and expanding markets.Competition in frontier markets hinges on technological timing rather than mere capacity, with SpaceX's lead arising from ongoing improvements in reusability and thrust efficiency. For more information on our thoughts around OpenAI: https://x.com/downingARK/status/2041158083083210866?s=20 To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Nick and Sam are joined by Nicole Kagan, Head of Research at Kalshi. They discuss how prediction markets could revolutionize risk management across every industry you can imagine. From macroeconomic trends to cultural phenomena, she's uncovering how financializing uncertainty creates vast new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and even governments. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Prediction markets are transforming risk management because they enable direct hedging of any future event, radically expanding the scope and precision of risk transfer.The true power of prediction markets lies in their distribution of certainty, not just point estimates, which reveals how confident the market is about future outcomes.Liquidity is the critical enabler of effective prediction markets, but its emergence depends more on participant interest than on formal market design. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam delve into Elon Musk's ambitious Terafab project, a revolutionary semiconductor manufacturing facility poised to transform the future of AI and space infrastructure. Discover how Musk's strategy integrates energy, manufacturing, and space into a cohesive ecosystem, aiming to produce trillions of chips and power space colonization. Join us as we explore the implications of this $20 billion venture and its potential to reshape global technology and innovation. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Elon Musk’s Terafab aims to vertically integrate the semiconductor supply chain, turning a complex industry into a proprietary ecosystem that enhances scale, flexibility, and control.The success of Musk's ventures relies on interconnected breakthroughs, such as Starship’s reusability and Moon mass drivers, which must succeed simultaneously to drive exponential growth.By overinvesting in AI compute and semiconductor capacity, companies like Tesla and SpaceX are bypassing traditional supply chain constraints, accelerating innovation, and reshaping industry standards. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam are joined by Frank Downing to discuss how XAI is shifting gears, aiming to turn that raw power into practical, revenue-generating products. Elon Musk’s latest moves reveal a daring strategy: leveraging Tesla’s custom chips, SpaceX’s orbital infrastructure, and a close-knit integration of AI and hardware. The question is, can XAI reinvent itself with this vertical integration, or will it become just another seller of compute? If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: The key to competitive advantage now lies in how models are packaged and integrated for real-world application rather than just their raw capabilities.Success depends on seamlessly combining technological capabilities with the right distribution channels and user interfaces.Dominance in AI is increasingly driven by proprietary hardware and custom chips that reduce reliance on expensive, profit-margined cloud providers. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam are joined by Alap Shah, CIO of Lotus Technology Management, and co-author of the viral Citrini Report. Alap reveals a provocative scenario: an acceleration in AI capabilities might wipe out a significant portion of white-collar jobs faster than expected, risking both economic disruption and widening inequality. He also teases his follow up report, being released in the coming weeks. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: The scarcity of human intelligence, once the economic foundation, is at risk as AI turns this scarcity into abundance, potentially disrupting value and production.AI-driven productivity gains could exacerbate inequality unless systemic changes are made to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.The timing mismatch between technological productivity and job displacement could lead to economic instability, requiring proactive policies to smooth the transition. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam dissect how industry giants like Block are slashing 40% of their workforce overnight while accelerating AI adoption, challenging everything you thought you knew about employment, productivity, and economic growth. You’ll discover the real reason behind Jack Dorsey’s massive layoffs, surprising data on revenue-per-employee ratios, and the shift from tools to agentic systems. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Anthropic's recent conflict with the Department of War over the use of their Claude model highlights the complexities of AI governance and the impact of political stances on market positioning.The rapid downsizing of high-performing companies suggests that AI-driven efficiency gains are fundamentally disruptive, challenging traditional notions of organizational scale.Prediction markets face challenges with transparency and insider trading, but they hold long-term potential for providing real-time intelligence and liquidity in equity markets. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton and Nick Grous sit down with Leif Abraham, co-founder and co-CEO of Public. They examine how the brokerage landscape is shifting as digital-native investors seek more sophisticated tools, and why Public is focused on the top quartile of earners positioned to compound wealth. Leif discusses agentic AI workflows, generated assets, platform design trade-offs, prediction markets, and how Public is balancing short-term monetization with long-term customer lifetime value. Key Points From This Episode:  00:00:00 Public’s positioning in the modern brokerage landscape 00:07:17 The K-shaped economy and focusing on the top quartile 00:09:04 Building a “serious” financial service centered on trust 00:10:06 Product depth vs. simplification in brokerage design 00:11:00 Generated Assets: prompting AI-built custom portfolios 00:13:21 Digital natives as hybrid self-directed investors 00:15:04 How AI is transforming internal product development 00:19:55 Launching agentic workflows for money movement and trading 00:23:38 Compressing the distance from idea to execution 00:27:34 Guardrails, approvals, and trust in AI-driven execution 00:30:26 Short-term trading revenue vs. long-term lifetime value 00:33:32 Agents as retention and lock-in strategy 00:35:05 Replacing financial advisors: automation, advice, and emotion 00:37:54 Tokenization and private asset access 00:40:40 Prediction markets and avoiding sports betting 00:45:55 Building the last investing account customers ever open Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam debate the implications of humanoid robots and AI on society, focusing on themes such as technological unemployment, the competition between the US and China in robotics, and the future of work in an increasingly automated world. They explore whether humanoid robots are overhyped or underhyped, the economic implications of AI, and the role of humans in a future dominated by automation. The discussion is punctuated by viewer questions, adding depth to the exploration of these pressing topics.  If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Humanoid robots are gaining attention, especially from China.Technological unemployment is often overstated; historical examples show job creation.AI and robotics can enhance productivity rather than eliminate jobs.The future of humanoid robots is uncertain in the short term but promising long term. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode of The Brainstorm, Brett, Nick, and Sam are joined by Frank Downing to discuss the current state of the Software-As-A-Service (SaaS) industry, exploring whether it is dead or simply undergoing a transformation due to AI advancements. They delve into the competitive landscape, pricing power, and the challenges faced by traditional SaaS companies. The discussion also touches on the innovator's dilemma in the context of AI and how it affects companies' willingness to disrupt their own business models. Finally, they examine the dynamics of the crypto market and the shift towards institutional adoption. If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: AI is reshaping the SaaS landscape.Competition in SaaS is increasing due to new entrants.The innovator's dilemma remains a challenge for established firms.Crypto markets are maturing with institutional interest. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/

In this episode, ARK’s Cathie Wood and Brett Winton speak with Bryan Pellegrino and Simon Baksys of LayerZero, a leading interoperability protocol aiming to unify fragmented blockchain environments. The conversation covers LayerZero’s origins, the evolving landscape of crypto infrastructure, and the expanding role of stablecoins and tokenized assets. Bryan shares his personal journey from professional poker to crypto entrepreneur, and how LayerZero emerged from a need for seamless cross-chain communication. Together, they explore the trade-offs in blockchain scaling, institutional adoption of crypto, and how LayerZero could power a future shaped by AI agents and global, permissionless finance. Key Points From This Episode:  (00:02:55) Bryan Pellegrino’s path from poker to crypto infrastructure (00:06:31) Why interoperability is critical in a multi-chain world (00:10:36) Institutional adoption and the trade-offs in decentralization (00:13:09) The rise of Layer 2s and the compromises in blockchain scalability (00:16:34) The future of chain proliferation vs. reconsolidation (00:23:22) How LayerZero works from a user perspective (00:31:43) Winning market share and competitive dynamics in bridging (00:43:13) AI x Blockchain: Enabling agentic commerce and microtransactions (00:49:34) Stablecoins as bottom-up globalization and financial empowerment (00:54:04) How LayerZero is becoming the default stablecoin infrastructure (01:02:57) Final thoughts: Stablecoins, tokenization, and AI agents converging Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

In this episode, ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood sits down with Stefanie Drews, the newly appointed CEO of Amova (formerly Nikko Asset Management). Together, they explore the evolution of a decade-long partnership that helped shape both firms — and delve into Stefanie’s remarkable leadership journey as a woman at the helm of a global asset manager. From Amova’s recent strategic expansion in Asia to Stefanie's philosophy of integrating personal, professional, and purpose-driven goals, this conversation blends business insight with human depth. Stefanie also shares how her experiences as a single mother, an environmental advocate, and a structured leader have shaped the way she builds companies and raises a family — simultaneously, and without compromise. Key Points From This Episode:[00:00] Introduction — Cathie Wood introduces Stefanie Drews and Amova’s significance to ARK[02:00] Why “Amova”? The origin and meaning behind the rebrand[06:50] How ARK and Amova (formerly Nikko) first connected — a webinar, a cold call, and early alignment[10:30] Japan’s surprising appetite for innovation and thematic investing[15:00] Fintech’s rapid uptake in Asia and ARK’s early research shifts[16:15] Misconceptions about Japanese retail investors and their sophistication[18:45] Social media, translation, and virality of ARK’s research in Japan[20:00] Amova’s expansion into Southeast Asia: Malaysia, digital wealth, and private equity[22:00] Six-part growth strategy and ticking boxes for Amova’s 10-year global plan[29:20] Stefanie's leadership philosophy: raising children with structure, empathy, and independence[31:25] Career stumbles and moral realignment: learning to face yourself and course-correct[34:10] What’s next? Stefanie on continuous progress, purpose, and leading with intent Amova Asset Management (“Amova”) is a current client of ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK Invest”) in its capacity as a sub-adviser. Amova is also a compensated promoter for ARK Invest. Amova has entered into an agreement with ARK Invest whereby ARK Invest has agreed to pay Amova a fee in exchange for Amova referring investors to ARK Invest’s ETFs. For its services to ARK Invest, Amova will receive 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest for referred seed investors with respect to the initial seed investment. ARK Invest will also compensate Amova 25% of the advisory fees received by ARK Invest from referred investors other than seed investors in respect of the monthly holdings of each referred investor who has invested into one or more of ARK’s ETFs, excluding those of initial investments made by seed investors. The compensation arrangement will continue for so long as the referred investors remain invested in ARK’s ETFs. The advisory fees charged to the ETFs will not be affected by the fees paid to Amova, because Amova’s compensation will be paid solely from ARK Invest’s investment management fee. Amova and its representatives may also receive non-cash compensation from ARK Invest, such as attendance at events, entertainment and gifts. Receipt of cash and non-cash compensation influences Amova’s referral of investors to ARK Invest.  Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

Elon Musk envisions a groundbreaking future where AI infrastructure in space revolutionizes cost, innovation, and competition. This episode explores how SpaceX's satellite ambitions could transform AI, potentially dwarfing terrestrial data centers. We delve into the strategic merging of SpaceX and xAI, revealing a blueprint for the next decade's tech race.  If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Wolf.financial, and sponsored by Public. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today. Key Points From This Episode: Elon Musk's vision of space-based AI infrastructure aims to drastically reduce costs and accelerate innovation, positioning it as a game-changer in the tech industry.SpaceX's satellite initiatives are not just about communication but are pivotal in creating a space-powered AI ecosystem that could surpass terrestrial data centers.The strategic integration of SpaceX and xAI is set to redefine the AI landscape, offering a blueprint for the next decade's technological advancements. To learn more about WOLF: https://wolf.financial To learn more about Public: https://public.com/