Analyzing the AI Boom Through the Lens of History
The current AI boom has sparked debates about its potential size and sustainability. To gain insights into these questions, we turn to history, particularly the dot-com era of the late ’90s. On a recent episode of the Odd Lots podcast, hosts Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal spoke with Henry Blodget, founder of Business Insider and former Wall Street analyst, about the parallels between then and now.
Henry Blodget, who was a prominent internet stock analyst at Merrill Lynch during the dot-com bubble, was banned from the industry for life following the crash. Now, with his new publication, Regenerator, focusing on business and technology, Blodget shares his perspective on what has changed and what remains the same in the tech industry over the past 25 years.
The discussion covered several key areas:
- The current state of the AI boom and its potential for growth
- Lessons that can be drawn from the dot-com era
- Changes in Wall Street and the media business over the last quarter century
- Political factors influencing the tech industry
Blodget’s insights provide valuable context for understanding the trajectory of technological advancements and their impact on the financial world. By examining the similarities and differences between the dot-com era and the current AI boom, investors and industry observers can better navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The conversation with Henry Blodget offers a nuanced view of the tech industry’s past, present, and future, highlighting the importance of historical context in understanding emerging trends and technologies.
