Why the tech world is ‘tokenmaxxing’

Why the tech world is ‘tokenmaxxing’

Author: WBUR April 28, 2026 Duration: 35:35
There’s a new word floating around Silicon Valley and the AI world: 'tokenmaxxing.' It means consuming as many units of AI as possible and often racking up multibillion dollar bills. What’s driving this behavior? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Each weekday, On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to bring clarity and depth to the stories that matter. Produced by WBUR, this daily news podcast is built on the conviction that understanding requires more than headlines. Meghna Chakrabarti guides conversations that dig into the roots of current events, connecting today’s debates to historical context and the broader human experience. You’ll hear thoughtful interviews with experts, journalists, and people directly affected by the issues, all aimed at answering the pressing questions that often go unasked. The approach is rigorous but accessible, tackling complex subjects-from politics and science to culture and ethics-without shying away from nuance. It’s a space where multiple perspectives are examined, not just presented, fostering a more complete picture of our world. Tuning in feels less like being talked at and more like being part of a necessary, informed discussion. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by fragmented news sources, this podcast offers a reliable, substantive hour of analysis that respects the listener’s intelligence and curiosity. The result is a consistently engaging program that doesn’t just report what’s happening, but explains why it matters.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
Podcast Episodes
The Jackpod: April Fool [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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America's gold fever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
Conspiracy theorists believe more than $400 billion of gold is missing from Fort Knox. President Trump says he will visit Kentucky with Elon Musk to see if the gold is there. Some economists and historians say this tells…
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Mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under government conservatorship since 2008. President Trump wants to privatize them. But what could that mean for America's mortgage market? *** Thank you for…
The dirty truth about the global waste trade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:00
Americans throw away more than 15 billion pounds of electronic waste every year. In his new book 'Waste Wars,' Alexander Clapp reveals how millions of pounds of our trash get shipped around the world, making a few people…
The most powerful tech mogul you’ve never heard of [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:55
Masayoshi Son is pouring billions of dollars into U.S. artificial intelligence and flexing his ties to President Donald Trump. Who is this Japanese billionaire and what does he want? *** Thank you for listening. Help pow…
The Jackpod: Outside the beltway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on emerging angst and growing protests over the Trump administration, far from the centers of political power in Washington D.C. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by makin…
Rethinking how dyslexia is diagnosed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
Rebroadcast: Dyslexia affects one in every 5 Americans. But only 2 million are diagnosed and receive the help they need. Why? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoi…
A daughter, a father and a family's struggle with 'American Bulk' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
In the U.S., shopping is almost a religion. For Emily Mester’s family, Costco was their Sunday ritual. In her new book, 'American Bulk,' Mester tells the story of how her family struggled with the desire to own everythin…