OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's giant pixelated head looming over CBA chief executive Matt Comyn at the bank's inaugural AI summit is a somewhat honest depiction of Australia’s place in the global AI economy at present. While CBA wants to lead Australia’s AI race, technology giants are still the ones wielding the power.

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the federal budget the big four banks and Macquarie have called time on negative gearing, folding to intense pressure and formally tightening policies around lending to investors using the tax break.

We discuss:

• Sam Altman's appearance at CBA’s AI conference and his mixed messages 
• The impending collision between CBA's war on extractive US tech and its deepening AI partnerships
• Whether Altman's pitch for Australia as a data centre superpower is an honest vision or consolation prize
• CBA and Westpac as the hardest hit banks from the negative gearing changes
• Why the banks are rolling over on negative gearing
• Shifting political sentiment on housing affordability and negative gearing

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