The Tokenpocalypse Is Here
7/1/202643 min
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We start this week with Joseph’s story about the Tokenpocalypse, which is companies scrambling to stop spending so much on AI after providers started charging per AI token. After the break, Joseph and Emanuel tell us about the ways companies are trying to do this, including using a tool to make their LLMs talk like cavemen. In the subscribers-only section, Emanuel explains how entirely fake AI-generated flowers are all over eBay, Etsy, and Amazon.
- The Tokenpocalypse Is Here: Companies Are Scrambling To Stop Spending So Much on AI
- Companies Are Making Claude and Codex Talk Like Cavemen to Stop
- AI’s Soaring CostsScammers Sell Seeds for Exotic AI-Generated Flowers That Don’t Exist
Youtube Version: https://youtu.be/Sia4LZGNkVs
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsEmmanuel Maiberg· Host0:00
The most annoying thing in the world is when software is, like, cute. Microsoft made this change years ago where, like, if you have a crash, they're like, "Uh-oh, something bad happened." It's like, "Shut the [beep] up." [laughs] What's the error code? What's the error code? 'Cause I'm gonna have to, like, plug it into Google.
Joseph Cox· Host0:16
[upbeat music] Hello, and welcome to the 404 Media Podcast, where we bring you unparalleled access to hidden worlds both online and IRL. 404 Media is a journalist-founded company and needs your support. To subscribe, go to 404media.co. As well as bonus content every single week, subscribers also get access to additional episodes where we respond to the best comments. Gain access to that content at 404media.co. Also, remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where you can watch all of our episodes. Subscribe at youtube.com/@404mediaCO. I'm your host Joseph, and with me are two of the 404 Media co-founders, the first being Sam Cole.
Sam Cole· Host1:03
Hello.
Joseph Cox· Host1:04
And the other being Emmanuel Mayberg.
Emmanuel Maiberg· Host1:06
Hello.
Joseph Cox· Host1:07
So Jason's not here. He's probably on a private jet somewhere. If you have read the website at the time of recording, you'll know what that's referring to. I won't spoil it. Like, go read that really, really good article if you want, uh, and you should, but otherwise, I'm sure you all will speak about it next week on, on the pod. I don't think I'm here next week,