Can’t afford a picnic: Microsoft cut contractors, laid off an entire division, and tightened its expense belt. Between gloomy cloud forecasts and regulations, things could get tougher for Big Tech.

On today's episode, we discuss Netflix choosing Microsoft to help with the streaming service's upcoming ad-supported tier, the need for a chief media officer, what to make of inflation still not slowing down, whether YouTube is the future of cable, whether customers will buy into in-car subscription services, an unpopular opinion about the term "influencer," what exactly a "black box" really is, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Dave Frankland, Evelyn Mitchell, and Max Willens.

Netflix losses deepen as it bets on an ad-supported future: An early 2023 ad launch is good news for marketers, but may not be enough to reverse churn.

AI to help train drones: Microsoft’s Project AirSim combines its expertise in AI, flight simulators, cloud computing, and military-grade security to develop the next generation of drones.

Netflix is the perfect testing ground for Microsoft’s adtech: The tech giant lacked a high-demand, growing catalog of content to flesh out its ad offerings.

Netflix announces its long-awaited ad partner: The streamer’s partnership with Microsoft will ease anxiety about its rushed ad-supported tier.

The layoff-hiring puzzle: In what seems like a paradox, scores of layoffs coincide with hiring growth. Tech moves away from broad expansion plans while still needing software innovation to stay afloat.

Activision-Blizzard acquisition rocked by UK antitrust probe: A prolonged investigation could have wide implications as regulators study whether the deal will lead to higher prices, lower quality, and fewer consumer options.

A new Frontier for startups: A handful of startups just got funding to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Using carbon as a raw material could help them reach market viability.

Big Tech post-Roe: As tech giants like Google respond to abortion rights loss, they face a quagmire of choices about strengthening digital privacy, censorship, and where to do business.

Meta’s new prototypes show promise: Unveiling future VR headsets and announcing brand partnerships could stoke interest in the metaverse, but Meta still has a long way to go to push the platform into the mainstream.

$52B chip bill stuck in legislative limbo: The CHIPS for America Act would help offset some of the losses suffered by American chipmakers or allow them to pursue expansion plans.

Metaverse events roll out welcome mat for LGBT+ community: Brands seize on opportunities to celebrate Pride Month in the virtual world.

Apple raising worker pay by more than 10%: It’s the latest Big Tech company to take steps to retain talent during the Great Resignation, a move that could set the tone for various industries.

After two years of booming business for tech and media, the industries are now facing a wave of cost-cutting measures like layoffs and shutdowns that signal a focus on profitability but could harm companies’ reputation with prospective employees in an already-tight labor market.

Competitive talent requires competitive pay: The overall economy and tight labor market mean companies like Microsoft have to sweeten compensation to keep top talent. But will it be sweet enough?

Big Tech gets corrected: Tech industry stocks have taken a beating so far in 2022, but given the pandemic’s upheaval, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Another reincarnation looms.

Brands and retailers are adopting new technologies as they pursue supply chain optimization: Kraft Heinz, UPS, and Amazon are looking to AI, the cloud, and other tools to streamline operations.

Gaming’s labor problem could affect its brand opportunities: The industry is experiencing rapid consolidation, but workers are pushing back.

Big Tech gets old-fashioned: Apple summoning its employees back to the office isn’t going over well. As workers threaten to quit, other tech companies could fill the satisfaction gap.