Universities, Consultancies, and Chatbots: Where AI Is Forcing the Next Trade-offs

The Monkey Patching Podcast: Going Bananas on AI, Data, LLMs & Tech

Thanks for checking in! ❤️

• (00:07) - Intro & weekend catch-up
• (02:22) - Deloitte breaks silence on N.L. healthcare report
• (08:50) - PwC says clients are asking for AI Discount?
• (13:37) - How OpenAI and Google see AI changing go-to-market strategies
• (17:44) - ChatGPT ads are on the way, but iPhone users can avoid them
• (24:30) - Australia’s under-16s social media ban is weeks away. How will it work – and how can I appeal if I’m wrongly banned?
• (34:15) - Are you balding? There’s an AI for that
• (39:24) - Can Dutch universities do without Microsoft?
• (47:10) - iPhone Fold will be ‘first truly crease-free foldable phone’, according to supplier
• (52:30) - New Segment Anything Models Make it Easier to Detect Objects and Create 3D Reconstructions
• (59:01) - Advent of Code changes & AI-assisted puzzling
• (01:02:33) - Upcoming Microsoft Fabric Data Days interview & closing

Deloitte breaks silence on N.L. healthcare report | 2025-11-25
A Deloitte spokesperson says the firm “stands behind” recommendations in a $1.6 million Newfoundland and Labrador health workforce report after errors traced to AI-generated citations came to light. Deloitte says it's revising a small number of citations without changing findings, but hasn't addressed refunds—keeping pressure on the government.
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/deloitte-breaks-silence-on-n-l-healthcare-report/

PwC says clients are asking for AI Discount? | 2025-07-03
PwC is fielding an awkward ask from some clients: if artificial intelligence (AI) makes work faster, where's our discount? The report says firms are nudging prices down and moving to outcome-based fees, signaling pressure on the Big Four’s billable-hour model as automation spreads.
https://www.thefinancestory.com/pwc-clients-ask-for-discounts-because-of-ai-efficiency

ChatGPT ads are on the way, but iPhone users can avoid them | 2025-12-01
Code in a beta of ChatGPT’s Android app points to ads on the way, echoing recent reporting that OpenAI will test advertising to bolster revenue. The twist: iPhone users may bypass ads by invoking Siri’s ChatGPT fallback, raising messy questions about parity across platforms and plans.
https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/01/chatgpt-ads-are-on-the-way-but-iphone-users-can-avoid-them/

Australia’s under-16s social media ban is weeks away. How will it work – and how can I appeal if I’m wrongly banned? | 2025-11-22
Australia’s world-first under-16 social media ban takes effect on December 10, forcing platforms to deactivate teen accounts or face fines up to A$49.5 million. Appeals will rely on age-assurance checks like video selfies or IDs, stoking debate over errors, privacy and free-speech challenges.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/nov/23/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-how-will-it-work-which-platforms-age-verification

Are you balding? There’s an AI for that | 2025-11-26
MyHair AI promises to spot early hair loss by analyzing uploaded scalp photos and tracking density over time, pitching itself as a clearer path through a murky market. The startup claims 1,000 paying subscribers, 200,000 accounts and 300,000 images analyzed, inviting questions about medical accuracy and regulation.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/26/are-you-balding-theres-an-ai-for-that/

Can Dutch universities do without Microsoft? | 2025-11-24
Following a sanctions scare that briefly locked the International Criminal Court out of Microsoft email, Dutch universities are reassessing big-tech dependence. Trials with open-source suites like Nextcloud and OpenDesk show promise, yet experts warn a full break could stall teaching and research unless institutions run costly parallel systems.
https://dub.uu.nl/en/news/can-dutch-universities-do-without-microsoft

iPhone Fold will be ‘first truly crease-free foldable phone’, according to supplier | 2025-11-26
Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold is said to achieve a crease-free display via a custom panel stack and liquid-metal hinge—at a luxury price. Supply-chain reports point to pre-mass-production testing and a potential 2026 launch, with estimates reaching $2,399, setting up a high-stakes debut against seasoned foldable rivals.
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-fold-will-be-first-truly-crease-free-foldable-phone-according-to-supplier

New Segment Anything Models Make it Easier to Detect Objects and Create 3D Reconstructions | 2025-11-19
Meta unveiled SAM 3 and SAM 3D, models that segment objects from text prompts and reconstruct 3D objects or bodies from a single image. The release includes open-source weights, a playground, and claims of state-of-the-art performance—positioning 3D from 2D as a practical tool for creators, robotics and AR.
https://about.fb.com/news/2025/11/new-sam-models-detect-objects-create-3d-reconstructions/