On today’s Tech Bytes, our review of the week’s biggest headlines. Google launches its AI tool Gemini into the public arena — finally. Does its Bard chatbot have a shot at catching up with OpenAI’s ChatGPT? Plus, ousted congressman George Santos becomes a star on Cameo. Has the internet rehabilitated the onetime New York representative’s public image practically overnight?

But first, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the music streaming giant is cutting 17% of its workforce. That’s the company’s third round of layoffs this year. Here’s the thing, though: The size of Spotify’s user base is actually growing right now. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at Reuters Breakingviews, for her take on these stories.

More on everything we talked about

“Spotify cuts 17% jobs amid rising capital costs” from TechCrunch.

“Tech’s New Normal: Microcuts Over Growth at All Costs” from The Wall Street Journal.

“Tech layoffs: Google, Amazon, Snap and Zillow announce new job cuts” from The San Francisco Chronicle.

“Google Opens Access to Gemini, Racing to Catch Up to OpenAI” from Bloomberg.

“Google DeepMind’s new Gemini model looks amazing — but could signal peak AI hype” from MIT Technology Review.

“George Santos reportedly making six figures by selling Cameo videos” from The Guardian.

“Sen. John Fetterman trolls Bob Menendez with social media video recorded by George Santos” from NBC News.

“Cameo to the Moon, and Back” from The New York Times.