Will Grok make Google irrelevant?

[Vermonter]

Yeah, this has put SEO optimization into a tailspin. It's hard to rank for stuff now. If you don't show up in the AI overviews, you basically don't exist

Also why search engines have been especially horrible since AI implementation.

 

[TC]

Grok is Elon Musk's.

No sci-fi fans here?

 

[Mark K]

No sci-fi fans here?

You seem like a Stranger in a Strange Land, sir. Soon we'll burn all of our encyclopedias and sci-fi books. I hear the ignite at 451 Fahrenheit.

 

[TC]

You seem like a Stranger in a Strange Land, sir. Soon we'll burn all of our encyclopedias and sci-fi books. I hear the ignite at 451 Fahrenheit.

Well, it's a Brave New World.

 

[Mark K]

Well, it's a Brave New World.

Unfortunately, the Dims are turning it into an Animal Farm. They want some microscopic size classes of people to be more equal than others.

 

[RCA]

I tested Grok-3 (Deepsearch), Claude 3.7 and ChatGPT-4o (deep research), with this question:

"What is your opinion on the state of the economy in the US, including trends in layoffs and unemployment."

Grok-3 was the winner by a long shot, then ChatGPT-4o - and Claude's response didn't come close. (However, there are many things Claude often does much better on such as technical issues).

Grok-3

ME: What is your opinion on the state of the economy in the US, including trends in layoffs and unemployment?

Grok-3:

Key Points

• Research suggests the US economy is resilient, with GDP growth at 2.3% in Q4 2024 and unemployment at 4.0%.
• It seems likely that layoffs are increasing in tech, with over 95,000 to 150,000 jobs cut in 2024, while federal layoffs are also significant.
• The evidence leans toward inflation being above target at around 3%, potentially affecting future economic stability.

Economic Overview
The US economy appears strong overall, with steady GDP growth and low unemployment, but faces challenges from sector-specific layoffs and policy changes. GDP grew by 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, indicating continued expansion (US Bureau of Economic Analysis). Unemployment remains low at 4.0%, suggesting a robust labor market, but inflation at around 3% is above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, which could lead to tighter monetary policy.

Layoff and Unemployment Trends
Layoffs are notably rising in the tech sector, with reports of 95,000 to 150,000 jobs lost in 2024, driven by over-hiring during the pandemic and shifts to AI (Tech Layoffs Tracker). Additionally, the federal sector is undergoing significant layoffs, with the Trump administration targeting up to 75% of the workforce, potentially 1.5 million jobs, which could impact consumer spending. Despite this, overall layoff rates remain historically low, and unemployment is stable, though sector-specific pressures are evident.

Unexpected Detail: Federal Sector Impact
An unexpected development is the scale of federal layoffs, which could disrupt government services and economic activity, given the federal workforce's role in spending and operations, adding a layer of uncertainty to economic forecasts.

---

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the US Economy, Including Layoffs and Unemployment Trends
The US economy, as of March 4, 2025, presents a complex picture of resilience and emerging challenges, particularly in the context of layoffs and unemployment. This analysis draws on a range of economic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation, consumer confidence, and labor market data, to provide a comprehensive overview. The focus is on understanding the state of the economy, with specific attention to trends in layoffs and unemployment, and how these factors interplay with broader economic conditions.

Economic Indicators and Growth
The US economy has shown steady growth, with real GDP increasing at an annual rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the second estimate from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (US Bureau of Economic Analysis). This follows a 3.1% increase in the third quarter, reflecting continued expansion driven by consumer spending and government spending, though tempered by declines in investment and exports. Annual projections for 2025 suggest growth rates around 2.3%, with potential slowdowns in the second half due to policy uncertainties (EY US).
Inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 3.0% for the 12 months ending January 2025, up from 2.9% in December 2024, indicating persistent pressure above the Federal Reserve's 2% target (US Inflation Calculator). Core inflation, excluding food and energy, was 3.3% in January 2025, suggesting underlying price pressures remain sticky (Trading Economics). This could lead to cautious monetary policy, with potential implications for borrowing costs and economic activity.
Consumer confidence, as measured by The Conference Board, declined to 98.3 in February 2025, down from 105.3 in January, with the Expectations Index dropping below the 80 threshold that often signals recession concerns (Conference Board). This reflects growing pessimism, with 51.7% of consumers expecting higher interest rates and only 46.8% anticipating stock price increases, down from 54.2% in January, indicating a cautious outlook (Conference Board).

 

[RCA]

Continued

Layoff Trends: Sector-Specific Pressures
Layoffs are a significant concern, particularly in the tech sector, where reports indicate over 95,000 to 150,000 workers were laid off in mass job cuts in 2024, with cuts continuing into 2025 (Tech Layoffs Tracker; TechCrunch). This surge is attributed to over-hiring during the pandemic, economic uncertainties, and the adoption of AI-driven automation, with companies like Microsoft, Google, and Tesla conducting sizable layoffs. For instance, Onsemi Intelligent Technology announced 2,400 job cuts in early 2025, representing 9% of its workforce (Tech Layoffs Tracker).
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data provides a broader perspective, with total nonfarm layoffs and discharges at 1,771 thousand in December 2024, down from 1,800 thousand in November, suggesting overall layoff rates remain historically low (FRED). However, within the Information sector (NAICS 51), which includes tech, layoffs were 32 thousand in December 2024, down from 39 thousand in November, indicating sector-specific volatility (FRED). This discrepancy suggests that tech layoffs may be spread across multiple sectors, complicating direct comparisons.

Federal Sector Layoffs: A New Dimension
A significant and unexpected development is the scale of layoffs in the federal sector, driven by the Trump administration's initiative to reduce the federal workforce. Reports indicate that at least seven agencies have initiated layoffs, with plans for "large-scale reductions in force," targeting employees on probationary status and potentially up to 75% of the workforce, or 1.5 million jobs (Politico; NPR). This includes agencies like the Department of Education, Energy, and Agriculture, with layoffs accelerating in February 2025 (NPR). Such cuts could disrupt government services, reduce consumer spending, and have a domino effect on economic activity, given the federal workforce's size and role.

Unemployment Trends: Stability with Risks
Unemployment remains low, with the rate at 4.0% in January 2025, up slightly from 3.9% in December 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (USAFacts). This is still below historical averages, but forecasts suggest potential increases to 4.4% or higher by year-end, driven by slower job growth (projected at 100,000 jobs per month in 2025 versus 160,000 in 2024) and policy shifts like tariffs and deportations (Deloitte Insights). The labor force participation rate, at 62.5% in early 2024, has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, potentially constraining labor supply (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

 

[RCA]

Continued:


Comparative Analysis and Implications
The interplay between these trends suggests a resilient economy at a macro level, but with significant sector-specific and policy-driven risks. The tech sector's layoffs, while notable, are an outlier in an otherwise strong job market, with unemployment rates hovering between 3.4% and 3.9% from December 2021 to April 2024 before ticking up (NerdWallet). Federal layoffs, however, introduce a new variable, potentially exacerbating economic uncertainty, especially given consumer confidence dipping below recession thresholds in February 2025 (Conference Board).

Indicator​	2024 Q4 Value​	Trend​	Implication​
GDP Growth	2.3%	Steady, positive	Supports economic expansion
Inflation Rate (CPI)	2.9%–3.0%	Above target, moderating	Potential for tighter monetary policy
Unemployment Rate	4.0% (Jan 2025)	Low, slight increase	Stable labor market, risks emerging
Tech Layoffs (2024)	95,000–150,000	Increasing significantly	Sector-specific pressure, innovation impact
Federal Layoffs	Ongoing, potential 1.5M	Escalating	Could disrupt services, spending

This table highlights key metrics, showing the economy's strength but also the risks posed by sector-specific and federal layoffs. The federal layoffs, in particular, are a critical factor, with potential long-term effects on economic activity and government operations, given the workforce's size and role.

Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, the US economy is performing reasonably well, with low unemployment and positive GDP growth, but faces challenges from tech sector layoffs and significant federal workforce reductions. These trends, combined with above-target inflation and declining consumer confidence, suggest a need for close monitoring. The trajectory will depend on how policy shifts, such as tariffs and immigration changes, interplay with global conditions and domestic economic dynamics. While not on the brink of collapse, the widening cracks, particularly in federal and tech sectors, could lead to increased economic uncertainty in 2025.

 

[Fernando]

Another AI player will be coming to town.
Amazon will unleash its AI next month. Free for Prime members. Can't wait.

 

[RCA]

This is a link to the ChatGPT-4o(Deepsearch) response: https://chatgpt.com/share/67c76960-69a8-8010-844b-6dc7856a11da

Claude, unfortunately has an information cut-off of October 2024.