The Apple vs. the Beaker: Apple, Bell Labs, and the 12 Days of OpenAI

How the scattershot AI rollouts in December 2024 evoke the spirit of Bell Labs—and leave Apple-era consumers baffled. Well, stay braced for more bafflement!

Dec 23, 2024

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So I’ve thought about the mess that was the OpenAI rollout in December for awhile, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the problem is NOT marketing. It’s not Mira Murati departing. It’s not the loss of anyone at OpenAI. It’s more fundamental than that.

I’m calling this piece the Apple vs. the Beaker because I think we have two models of innovation in 20…

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