Squawk Pod: Ebola risks, Ferrari’s Luce, & Pope Leo’s AI warning - 05/26/26 | Audio Only

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  May 26, 2026 at 17:02  |  28:53  |  CNBC
Speakers
Sebastian Mallaby — Author, Paul Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations
Scott Gottlieb — Former FDA Commissioner; Board Member (Pfizer, Illumina, UnitedHealth); Partner at NEA (Venture Capital)

Summary

The episode covers Pope Leo XIV's encyclical warning about AI's existential risks, with Sebastian Mallaby discussing the AI landscape and Google's competitive position. Dr. Scott Gottlieb provides updates on the Ebola outbreak and potential therapeutics, as well as the possible anti-cancer effects of GLP-1 drugs. Other topics include Ferrari's first EV, Uber/Lyft unionization, and Iran tensions.

  • Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical warning that AI threatens an anti-human vision, co-presented with Anthropic's co-founder.
  • Sebastian Mallaby discussed Google's AI strategy, calling it a second-place runner that ultimately wins due to scale and monetization.
  • Dr. Scott Gottlieb detailed the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, noting its spread in West Africa and the potential for imported US cases.
  • Gottlieb highlighted several Ebola therapeutics and vaccines, including Regeneron's antibody being used on patients.
  • He also discussed observational studies linking GLP-1 drugs to reduced cancer risk, but cautioned they need prospective trials.
  • Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, the $640,000 Luce, causing shares to fall.
  • Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts formally unionized, potentially changing the economics of ride-sharing.
  • Iran tensions escalated after US sank Iranian ships and Iran launched missiles at US planes, though oil markets were volatile.
Trade Ideas
Sebastian Mallaby Author, Paul Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics, Council on Foreign Relations 16:26
Google is the winning AI laggard.
Google has a strong competitive position in AI: it is a second-place runner that always ends up winning due to its enormous resources, deep scientific bench, massive consumer surface via search and Android, and ability to monetize AI through higher click rates and charges. Google's profits have doubled since 2022, and its Gemini models are fast and cheap, giving it a commercial advantage. It is about to be embedded in Apple phones, reaching almost every cell phone user globally.
GOOGL MED
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This CNBC video, published May 26, 2026, features Sebastian Mallaby discussing GOOGL. 1 trade idea extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Sebastian Mallaby  · Tickers: GOOGL