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Join investigative reporter Karen Duffin and software developer Joshua Aaron as they dive into the world of crowdsourced apps tracking immigration enforcement. They discuss the rise of IceBlock, a tool designed to alert communities about ICE activity, and the challenges Joshua faced, including government scrutiny and collateral damage to his family's life. Hear about the app’s legal battles and its controversial removal from app stores, alongside the community's ongoing efforts to innovate grassroots resistance.

Stuart Clark, an IT professional and sustainable software advocate, dives into the hidden energy costs of AI and the internet. He discusses how AI's demand for power contributes to rising emissions and climate issues. Stuart shares his journey from hairdresser to coder and highlights shocking statistics on internet-related carbon footprints. He reveals how fixing inefficient code can drastically cut emissions—by up to 99%! The conversation emphasizes the potential of sustainable coding practices and AI tools to drive a cleaner tech future.

Discover the fascinating intersection of marine biology and AI as a researcher seeks to decode humpback whale communication. This journey begins with whale sounds that spark curiosity and empathy dating back to the 1970s. Learn about the challenges of isolating individual whale voices amidst ocean noise and how advanced AI models help unravel the complexities of their calls. From social greetings to foraging tactics, these insights could transform conservation efforts, prompting profound reflections on our responsibility towards these majestic creatures.

Richard Hunter, a Bitcoin miner and former timber worker from Mockingbird Holler, Kentucky, shares his journey of attempting to build a mining operation in his home state. He discusses the allure of state incentives and his initial excitement, only to face the harsh realities of local noise concerns and energy challenges. Richard emphasizes the importance of community engagement, advocating for hiring locals and shared revenue, rather than exploiting the region. His candid reflections highlight the ups and downs of crypto ambitions in Kentucky.

Local leaders from eastern Kentucky, including Anna Weitz and Colby Kirk, delve into the region's challenging transition from coal to cryptocurrency mining. They discuss how the state's infrastructure lured miners but may not usher in lasting prosperity. Skepticism rises as residents question the sustainability of boom-and-bust cycles. The conversation also highlights the ambitious but cautious push for AI data centers, raising concerns about the strain on local resources. Amidst hopes tied to rising Bitcoin prices, the community remains wary of repeating past mistakes.

Paris Perdikaris, an AI researcher and associate professor, shares insights on advancing weather forecasting with deep learning. He discusses how AI can augment meteorologists' efforts, improving predictions but not replacing human expertise. Paris highlights the importance of public data from NOAA and ECMWF in training models like Aurora, which predicts hurricanes more accurately. However, he warns that staffing cuts could jeopardize data collection, impacting AI's effectiveness. Optimism remains as new data sources could enhance future forecasts.

Join veteran meteorologist John Morales, known for his insights on weather forecasting, and Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground with a passion for climate science. They dive into how AI is revolutionizing weather forecasts, allowing for faster storm warnings. However, looming budget cuts threaten NOAA's vital data, impacting everything from agriculture to aviation. John shares alarming tales of data gaps in Florida, while Jeff discusses the dire need for funding to safeguard our forecasting future.

Rebecca Brown, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab specializing in digital surveillance, dives into China's relentless campaign against Uyghur identity. She details how surveillance tools have transitioned from physical QR codes to digital malware infiltrating software updates. The conversation explores the alarming Uyghur Edit++ phishing attack and the malware's capabilities, illustrating how cultural tools are weaponized to erase a community's heritage. Brown's insights reveal the bravery of activists fighting against an authoritarian regime's digital erasure of culture.

Abduweli Ayup, a Uyghur linguist and activist, shares his inspiring journey of founding Uyghur-language kindergartens to preserve his culture. He highlights the struggle of teaching Uyghur in a repressive environment where language becomes a form of resistance. Abduweli recounts his harrowing experiences of detention, where he faced brutal interrogations, and his subsequent exile. Now, he continues his fight for Uyghur rights, documenting stories and writing children's books, despite the challenges faced by his community.

In this riveting discussion, Dan Guido, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of Trail of Bits, reveals the vulnerabilities lurking within Zoom's seemingly benign features. He dives into how social engineering can exploit these weaknesses, illustrating the dangers of charm and urgency in phishing scams. Dan emphasizes that in the crypto world, the most exposed targets are often people, not technology, urging listeners to strengthen their operational security. With insights into the shift from hacking smart contracts to human targets, this conversation is both cautionary and enlightening.