In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss Apple’s MacBook Neo and what it may mean for the future of the iPad. They also look at OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 release, including benchmark results, agentic coding, AI in medical triage, and the strange story of ChatGPT’s “goblin” habit. Finally, they revisit the ongoing question of AI and jobs, from Jensen Huang’s advice to study engineering to a Chinese court ruling on replacing workers with AI.

SHOW NOTES

MacBook Neo and Future of the iPad

MacBook Neo’s Product Fit – Inc: Apple’s low-cost MacBook Neo appears aimed at first-time Mac buyers, students, and people who need an affordable computer more than a high-end Mac. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/after-45-days-i-figured-out-exactly-who-the-macbook-neo-is-for/91336235

Apple’s iPad Phaseout Has Begun – Macworld: Macworld argues that the MacBook Neo, touchscreen MacBooks, and a future iPhone Fold could put pressure on the iPad from multiple directions. https://www.macworld.com/article/3109565/ipad-demise-touchscreen-macbook-pro-neo-iphone-fold.html

ChatGPT 5.5

Introducing GPT-5.5 – OpenAI: OpenAI positions GPT-5.5 as a stronger model for agentic coding, computer use, knowledge work, and scientific research. https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-5/

GPT-5.5 Benchmarks – VentureBeat: VentureBeat reports that GPT-5.5 narrowly beat Anthropic’s Claude Mythos Preview on Terminal-Bench 2.0, while noting that model competition remains tight across benchmarks. https://venturebeat.com/ai/openais-gpt-5-5-is-here-and-its-no-potato-narrowly-beats-anthropics-claude-mythos-preview-on-terminal-bench-2-0

Where the Goblins Came From – OpenAI: OpenAI explains how a “nerdy” personality training pattern led ChatGPT to overuse goblin and gremlin metaphors. https://openai.com/index/where-the-goblins-came-from/

ChatGPT’s Goblin Obsession – Engadget: Engadget summarizes OpenAI’s explanation of the goblin issue and why personality tuning can have unexpected side effects. https://www.engadget.com/2161234/chatgpt-developed-a-goblin-obsession-after-openai-tried-to-make-it-nerdy/

AI and Emergency Triage – The Guardian: A Harvard study found that AI outperformed doctors in some emergency triage diagnosis tasks, while researchers warned that AI should be treated as a clinical support tool, not a doctor replacement. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/30/ai-outperforms-doctors-in-harvard-trial-of-emergency-triage-diagnoses

Latest on AI Taking Our Jobs

Jensen Huang on AI and Careers – Inc: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues that engineering remains one of the safest career bets because it teaches first-principles problem-solving. https://www.inc.com/leila-sheridan/jensen-huang-engineering-jobs-ai/91337609

AI Layoffs in China – Gizmodo: A Chinese court found that employers cannot use AI automation as a pretext to unilaterally demote or terminate workers. https://gizmodo.com/its-illegal-in-china-to-lay-someone-off-to-replace-them-with-ai-court-finds-2000753791

CONTACT

Website: examining.ca

Twitter: @ExaminingPod

Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: erikchristiansen.net

Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: krishans.ca

• (00:00:00) - Intro
• (00:01:21) - MacBook Neo retrospective
• (00:16:48) - ChatGPT 5.5 and Goblins
• (00:48:13) - Careers safe from AI

In this episode, Kris and Erik discuss the announcement that Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO and turning over the role to John Ternus. Could this be a signal that Apple is returning to products with a hardware engineer at the helm? They discuss what it means for a tech industry focused on subscriptions. The co-hosts also discuss Anthropic's new Mythos model and how it has discovered many major software vulnerabilities. For the tip section, Kris and Erik discuss their experience using NotebookLM for learning new topics and keeping up to date with industry news.

SHOW NOTES

Apple Newsroom: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/04/tim-cook-to-become-apple-executive-chairman-john-ternus-to-become-apple-ceo/

Macrumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/20/tim-cook-stepping-down/

PCWorld: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2816617/microsofts-copilot-gamble-is-a-bustbut-ai-pcs-still-feel-inevitable.htm

Anthropic - Project Glasswing: https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing

Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-mythos-and-why-are-experts-worried-about-anthropics-ai-model/

CONTACT

Website: examining.ca

Twitter: @ExaminingPod

Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: erikchristiansen.net

Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Kris and Erik interview Dr. Hadi Fariborzi, an Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. His research is situated at the intersection of international entrepreneurship. Dr. Fariborzi co-founded Hub Meta — an AI powered tool for conducting systematic reviews.

SHOW NOTES

• Dr. Hadi Fariborzi
• Hub Meta
• Google Scholar

CONTACT

Website: examining.ca

Twitter: @ExaminingPod

Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: erikchristiansen.net

Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host
Website: krishans.ca