In this episode of the Phoenix Cast, hosts John and Kyle kick off 2026 with a jam-packed current events roundup covering the React to Shell vulnerability (think Log4Shell but for the front end), the Marine Corps' new drone training requirements, Google's TPU announcements that might have NVIDIA sweating, and the launch of GenAI.mil. They also share some exciting podcast milestones, dish out their 2026 predictions, and Kyle reveals his holiday vendetta against PowerPoint that resulted in building his own AI-powered presentation tool.

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Links

Kyle’s “The 8 Levels of AI Learning for Modern Commanders”https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-levels-ai-learning-modern-commanders-kyle-kmo-moschetto-mxuyc

ReactShell:

https://securityboulevard.com/2026/01/top-cves-of-december-2025/

TorchTPU:

https://hyperframeresearch.com/2025/12/24/can-googles-torchtpu-eventually-bridge-nvidias-cuda-moat/ 

WSJ: “Why AI Will Widen the Gap Between Superstars and Everybody Else”https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/workplace/ai-workplace-tensions-what-to-do-c45f6b51?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink 

USMC drone program:  https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/4366306/approved-training-requirements-for-small-unmanned-aerial-systems/

USMC AI WORKSHOP MARADMINhttps://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/4367572/united-states-marines-corps-generative-and-agentic-artificial-intelligence-work/

II MEF Leadership AI:

https://www.iimef.marines.mil/News/article-display/Article/4364616/ii-mef-advanced-ai-command-course/ 

Self-Paced AI Training (Military discount available)

https://ftcg.io/self-paced-training 

Vibe Coding book (Gene Kim and Steve Yegge):

https://itrevolution.com/product/vibe-coding-book/

Gas Town:

https://steve-yegge.medium.com/welcome-to-gas-town-4f25ee16dd04