Apple's Ultra Everything, Gulf AI Money at Risk, and Your Brain on AI

In today's episode: Thoughts on the MacBook Neo, as Apple expands its superpremium tier via “Ultra” products; sources say Apple aims to use 3D-printed aluminum for Watch and iPhone A profile of Nscale founder Josh Payne, a former coal miner in Australia who moved to London and started the data center developer in 2024 amid the AI boom The US-led war in Iran is complicating plans by Gulf nations to spend $300B+ on AI investments, putting at risk a potential source of funding for tech companies A study of ~1,500 US workers finds AI use can reduce burnout but also cause “AI brain fry”, a mental fatigue from using AI tools beyond one's cognitive capacity Kalshi aims to broaden its user base via targeted marketing, enlisting female influencers and others; 26% of current users are women, up from 13% in May 2025 A Lloyds-commissioned study of 5,000 people in the UK finds that 50%+ of the adults used generative AI platforms for financial advice; ChatGPT was the most used