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Why I changed my mind about Apple and AI

March 18, 2026 · 21 min

Show notes

Welcome to Exponential View, the show where I explore how exponential technologies such as AI are reshaping our future. I've been studying AI and exponential technologies at the frontier for over ten years.

Each week, I share some of my analysis or speak with an expert guest to make light of a particular topic.

To keep up with the Exponential transition, subscribe to this channel or to my newsletter: https://www.exponentialview.co

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Apple may have stumbled into one of the most defensible positions in AI. This was not on my radar – just two months ago, I was describing a credibility crisis at the company; they appeared wrong-footed on the most important technology of our times and an acquisition was their only plausible way out.

In this episode I work through what I and many other commentators missed – and what road lies ahead for Apple. I cover:

(01:16) Why I was wrong about Apple

(02:40) What's behind the Mac Mini shortage

(04:07) China goes OpenClaw crazy

(06:28) Perplexity builds on a Mac Mini

(07:12) The edge case for Apple

(09:05) Apple Moat 1: hardware

(11:31) Apple Moat 2: privacy

(15:47) The K problem: when good enough beats genius

(18:08) Privacy, sovereignty & the diary problem

Read my old position on Apple: https://www.exponentialview.co/p/ev-515
For more practical info about my OpenClaw stack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCG3dFRF3ek

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Where to find me:

Exponential View newsletter: https://www.exponentialview.co/

Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeem/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/azeem

Production by EPIIPLUS1.

Production and research: Baba Films, Chantal Smith, Marija Gavrilov.

About Exponential View:
Welcome to Exponential View, where Azeem Azhar examines how exponential technologies such as AI are reshaping the future. Each week, Azeem shares his analysis or speaks with an expert guest to shed light on frontier shifts across technology, business and society.

To keep up with the Exponential transition, subscribe to this channel or the newsletter: https://www.exponentialview.co/
To keep up with our AI economy research, subscribe to https://www.investmentbrief.ai/

Where to find me:

Exponential View newsletter: https://www.exponentialview.co/
Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeem/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/azeem

Production by EPIIPLUS1.
Production and research: Baba Films, Marija Gavrilov.


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