Welcome back to This Week in Stratechery!
As a reminder, each week, every Friday, we’re sending out this overview of content in the Stratechery bundle; highlighted links are free for everyone. Additionally, you have complete control over what we send to you. If you don’t want to receive This Week in Stratechery emails (there is no podcast), please uncheck the box in your delivery settings.
On that note, here were a few of our favorites this week.
- R.I.P. Sora, 2025-2026. AI Sam came, AI Sam saw, and AI Sam stole those GPUs. We’ll always have the memories. Unfortunately, it turns out that Sam would rather have the GPUs, so on Sharp Tech this week, Ben and I eulogized the app that took over the world for about two weeks last year. That included thoughts on copyright battles that may have sealed its fate, why Ben’s reluctant to be too critical, and more signs that OpenAI is serious about its enterprise pivot. Come for that conversation, and then stay for a rollicking spring mailbag that includes a great take on search advertising, F1 venting, the Vision Pro and my wife, kids and phones, and more. — Andrew Sharp
- The 2026 Bullseye List. The NBA Playoffs are only a few weeks away, which means Ben Golliver and I are already in preparation mode, including a delightful episode today running through a “Bullseye List” of superstars who will be under pressure this spring. We discuss everyone from Kevin Durant and Alperin Sengun to Jalen Brunson, Chet Holmgren, and Victor Wembanyama, a debatable inclusion, but undeniably the most magnetic star in the league right now. And yes, given my Luka takes in January, and Luka looking incredible throughout March, I did take accountability and add myself to bullseye list. — AS
- Arm’s Big Shift. If you wanted more evidence that AI is changing everything, look no further than Arm: the company was famous for its high margin IP-licensing business model, but this week announced that instead of (just) facilitating other company’s making chips, it would start making and selling chips itself. Naturally, their first offering is explicitly focused on AI data centers. I explained Arm’s motivations in Wednesday Update, and interviewed Arm CEO Rene Haas to get his point of view on Thursday. — Ben Thompson
Stratechery Articles and Updates
- Arm Launches Own CPU, Arm’s Motivation, Constraints and Systems — Arm is selling its own chips, not just licensing IP. It’s a big change compared to Arm’s history, but not surprising given how computing is evolving.
- An Interview with Arm CEO Rene Haas About Selling Chips — An interview with Arm CEO Rene Haas about the company’s decision to not just license IP but make their own chips.
Sharp Text by Andrew Sharp
- Tilting at Windmills — As the Iran war continues, let’s take a look at the Democratic Party, institutional media, and offshore wind farms.
Dithering with Ben Thompson and Daring Fireball’s John Gruber
Asianometry with Jon Yu
Sharp China with Andrew Sharp and Sinocism’s Bill Bishop
Greatest of All Talk with Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver
- The Intrigue(?) in the East, Peterson and Acuff On Center Stage, Revisiting Draft Kevin Durant
- The BULLSEYE List in 2026: Playoff Questions for Ant, Chet, Tatum, Mitchell, Wemby, and Beyond
Sharp Tech with Andrew Sharp and Ben Thompson
This week’s Stratechery video is on Agents Over Bubbles.
Facts Only
Stratechery sends weekly overviews of content in its bundle, with free highlighted links.
Arm announced it will manufacture and sell its own chips, focusing on AI data centers.
Arm CEO Rene Haas was interviewed about the company’s shift from IP licensing to chip production.
The "R.I.P. Sora" segment discusses the short-lived success of an AI app and its copyright issues.
OpenAI is prioritizing enterprise solutions, as noted in the Sora discussion.
The "2026 Bullseye List" episode analyzes NBA players under pressure in the upcoming playoffs.
Host Andrew Sharp included himself on the list due to past predictions about Luka Dončić.
Sharp Tech covered topics like search advertising, the Vision Pro, and children’s phone use.
Dithering, Asianometry, Sharp China, and Greatest of All Talk are part of the Stratechery bundle.
The latest Stratechery video is titled "Agents Over Bubbles."
Executive Summary
Full Take
The strongest version of this narrative highlights the rapid evolution of AI and its disruptive impact on traditional business models, as seen with Arm’s strategic pivot. The discussion around Sora’s demise underscores the volatility of AI-driven products, where copyright battles and resource allocation (like GPUs) can quickly derail even the most hyped innovations. Meanwhile, the NBA analysis serves as a reminder of how media narratives shape public perception, with accountability playing a key role in maintaining credibility.
Patterns detected: none
Root cause: The underlying paradigm here is the acceleration of technological and market shifts, driven by AI’s growing influence. Arm’s move reflects a broader trend where companies must adapt or risk obsolescence, while the Sora segment reveals the fragility of AI-driven ventures in the face of legal and resource constraints. The sports commentary, though lighter, mirrors the broader theme of accountability in an era of rapid information dissemination.
Implications: For human agency, these developments highlight both opportunities and risks. Arm’s shift could democratize AI hardware, but it also centralizes power in fewer hands. The Sora case shows how innovation can be stifled by legal and resource battles, raising questions about who controls the future of AI. In media, the NBA discussion demonstrates the importance of self-correction in maintaining trust.
Bridge questions: How might Arm’s entry into chip manufacturing reshape the AI hardware landscape? What lessons can be drawn from Sora’s rise and fall for future AI startups? How does media accountability influence public trust in analysis and predictions?
Counterstrike scan: If this were part of a coordinated influence campaign, the playbook might involve exaggerating AI’s disruptive potential to create urgency around certain technologies or companies. However, the content here presents a balanced view, with no signs of manipulation or undue bias. The analysis remains grounded in observable trends and factual reporting.