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SED News: Apple’s AI Problem, The Real Business Model of AI, and Token Cost Reckoning

SED News: Apple’s AI Problem, The Real Business Model of AI, and Token Cost Reckoning

Author: Software Engineering Daily June 9, 2026 Duration: 51:09
Software Engineering Daily
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SED News is a monthly podcast from Software Engineering Daily where hosts Gregor Vand and Sean Falconer unpack the biggest stories shaping software engineering, Silicon Valley, and the broader tech industry.

In this episode, they cover Apple‘s uncertain path beyond the iPhone. They also discuss Google‘s agentic pivot at Google I/O, a surge in DuckDuckGo traffic following Google’s default switch to AI mode, and payroll platform Remote surpassing 300 million in ARR with flat headcount.

Gregor and Sean also dig into why consumer subscriptions don’t seem to correspond to actual costs, how enterprise is quietly subsidizing the AI economy, why the true moat has shifted from model quality to context management and agentic harness, and what the coming wave of token cost optimization might look like as companies start scrutinizing their AI bills.

Finally, they highlight standout threads from Hacker News including Doom running on a travel router touchscreen, a viral post asking whether AI productivity gains should translate to a day off, YouTube‘s move to automatically label AI-generated content, and SimCity 3000 running in 4K.

Gregor Vand is a security-focused technologist, having previously been a CTO across cybersecurity, cyber insurance and general software engineering companies. He is based in Singapore and can be found via his profile at vand.hk or on LinkedIn.

Sean’s been an academic, startup founder, and Googler. He has published works covering a wide range of topics from AI to quantum computing. Currently, Sean is an AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent where he works on AI strategy and thought leadership. You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn.

Please click here to see the transcript of this episode.

Sponsorship inquiries: sponsor@softwareengineeringdaily.com

The post SED News: Apple’s AI Problem, The Real Business Model of AI, and Token Cost Reckoning appeared first on Software Engineering Daily.


Dive into a curated collection from the vast library of Software Engineering Daily with Greatest Hits Archives-Software Engineering Daily. This podcast isn't about new trends or breaking news; instead, it serves as a thoughtfully assembled replay of the most impactful and enduring conversations from the show's history. Each episode selected for this archive represents a foundational discussion, a pivotal interview, or a deep exploration that has resonated deeply with the technology community over the years. You'll hear veteran engineers, pioneering founders, and insightful researchers break down complex topics-from distributed systems and database architecture to the human elements of building effective teams and sustainable engineering cultures. The archive format allows listeners to experience the essential building blocks of modern software thought leadership, all in one dedicated feed. Whether you're discovering these classic conversations for the first time or revisiting them with fresh perspective, this podcast provides a timeless resource. It cuts through the noise of the daily tech cycle to deliver substantive content that remains relevant long after its original release, offering a masterclass in the principles and practices that define our industry.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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