Ben Thompson from Stratechery on AI ads, the end of SaaS, and the future of media

The conversation centers on the application of aggregation theory to AI, questioning whether AI apps will become the new aggregators of value. Thompson argues that AI consumer apps should adopt Meta's advertising model, focusing on user profiling rather than prompt-related ads to avoid conflicts of interest. They explore the potential of AI in e-commerce, envisioning AI agents anticipating user needs and streamlining the buying process. Thompson and Collison also discuss the challenges and opportunities in the SaaS space, the enduring value of human-created content, and the potential for China to dominate commodified sectors. The discussion touches on the semiconductor industry, highlighting TSMC's crucial role and the need for alternative suppliers.