What's behind the Google AI shakeup

Google underwent a big AI shakeup this week, leaving a lot of people wondering whether there are big problems on team Gemini. David and Nilay start the show by discussing what's next for Jeff Dean and Demis Hassabis, before diving into the ways in which Google and Reddit have become existentially, problematically dependent on one another. After that, we talk through Disney's plan to turn Disney Plus into an everything app, and all the reasons we think that's a terrible idea and a sign of big problems in the streaming biz. Finally, in the lightning round, Brendan Carr is still a dummy, Snapchat wants AI out of your feed, and BMW has a Spider-Man to sell you. Further reading: The messy politics behind Google’s big AI shakeup | The Verge Google just announced a major shakeup of its top AI leadership Google Assistant will disappear from your phone next month Can Reddit fend off a new wave of AI SEO spam? Reddit is introducing a new moderator: AI Reddit says it plans to “make changes” to old Reddit Bluesky CEO Toni Schneider wants to grow the platform and the protocol Disney says it’s ‘exploring’ adding a free tier to Disney Plus Disney gives TikTok creators official access to Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar characters Despite Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s success, the MCU is on shaky ground Disney Plus is about to go beyond streaming Paramount and WBD’s antitrust trial is set for March 2027 David Ellison promises he’s not going to ruin CNN. Almost half of HBO Max subscribers watch with ads. | The Verge Federal Communications Commission scraps limit on broadcast TV ownership SpaceX is barely Space and mostly X SpaceX is coming for T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon BMW’s in-car Spider-Man ad is villain behavior X product chief Nikita Bier is leaving after one year | The Verge Snapchat will no longer recommend ‘wholly AI-generated videos’ in its vertical video feed Snap reports 971 million monthly active users ahead of its Specs launch event on September 16th Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed. We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11. 0:00 Cold Open 01:05 Google AI Shakeup Explained 03:24 Gemini Product Mess 05:29 Demis Hassabis and the AGI Split 14:06 Is Google Actually Behind? 15:29 AI Overviews Fail Parade 18:12 Gemini Users and Distribution 20:55 Google Plus Warning Signs 24:14 Reddit as Search Lifeline 27:35 AI Slop and Dead Internet 29:32 Google Buys Reddit Theory 33:51 Reddit Earnings Reality Check 35:40 Smoking Community Vibes 38:20 Disney Everything App 44:25 Time Spent Arms Race 47:39 Free Tier and Ads 52:08 Paramount Warner Deal Drama 01:00:23 Brendan Carr is a Dummy 01:11:51 Nikita Bier Leaves X 01:13:53 SpaceX Telecom Dreams 01:20:15 Snapchat Versus AI Slop 01:25:26 BMW In Car Ads 01:31:19 Wrap And Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices