Corporate AI Overhauls and Controversies: From VMware Pricing to Musk's AI Chatbot

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers several trending topics in the tech world. Broadcom's executives address customer outrage over VMware's pricing changes, arguing that the cost increases are due to customers not using software bundles correctly. Meanwhile, Intel outsources its marketing operations to Accenture, leveraging AI to cut costs, potentially leading to significant layoffs by July 11th under new CEO Lib-Bu Tan. Elon Musk criticizes his AI chatbot Grok for its analysis on political violence, suggesting that it leans too much towards legacy media narratives. Musk vows to fix the chatbot, aiming to align it more closely with his own views. The episode highlights broader implications for enterprise costs, the potential of AI in marketing, and the growing conversation around AI's role in shaping political narratives.

00:00 Introduction and Headlines 00:25 VMware's Controversial Pricing Changes 03:46 Intel's AI-Powered Marketing Overhaul 07:32 Elon Musk vs. His Own AI Chatbot 10:12 Conclusion and Call to Action