Meta Unveiled Its Spark AI Model, And China Shipped A Record Number Of EVs
April 10, 2026·6 min
The episode opens with host Lana introducing two main stories: Meta's new AI model and China's EV export boom. Meta unveiled Muse Spark, its latest AI model developed with a $14 billion investment in its rebuilt AI division. The model will be integrated across Meta's products including Facebook and WhatsApp. Early reviews were mixed but investors responded positively, sending Meta's stock up over 9%. Mark Zuckerberg previously advocated for open-source AI, but Muse Spark's training and code won't be public, representing a strategic shift toward controlled access. The episode discusses broader AI industry trends, noting companies are spending up to $675 billion on AI infrastructure this year. Revenue is picking up with Anthropic on track for $30 billion annually, OpenAI set for $24 billion, and Perplexity reaching $450 million. The Q&A segment features analyst Carl answering a listener question about fractional shares, explaining how they allow investors to buy portions of stocks without needing full share prices. The second main story covers China's EV market, where exports surged 140% to 349,000 vehicles in March. China's EV dominance stems from years of domestic competition, scaling capabilities, and battery cost advantages. However, domestic EV demand in China fell 14% to 848,000 vehicles, marking the third consecutive monthly decline. Higher gasoline prices are making EVs more attractive by widening the cost savings gap. The episode notes that Chinese EVs face barriers in the US market due to high tariffs and price differences, with new models needing to drop below $40,000 to compete. As a result, US consumers are turning to the used EV market, where sales rose 12% last quarter.
