The Times Tech Podcast
The Sunday Times
From Silicon Valley to The City, tech journalists Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott bring you the inside track on the new industrial revolution.Co-hosted from San Francisco and London, this weekly podcast delivers the latest news and freshest interviews with the people creating the future.As West Coast Correspondent for The Sunday Times, Danny is on the ground to witness the technological whirlwind that first roared out Silicon Valley. From London, working as The Times' Technology Business Editor, Katie has seen the waves of boom and bust rolling through one of the world's financial capitals. Together they explore this strange new world of high finance and tech giants, explaining how we got here and what is just around the corner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 4, 2025 • 43min
Sage CEO on the future of work & Stanford’s big study on AI and jobs
Danny and Katie tackle Google's antitrust win, TikTok job cuts and a new Stanford research on how AI is reshaping entry-level roles. Plus, Katie speaks to Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, the FTSE 100 accounting software company, to discuss AI’s impact on hiring, the limits of “copilot” tools, and why Britain needs more homegrown tech champions so he can have 'some friends'.Image: GettyFurther listening: Perplexity CEO on Chrome, AI and challenging the tech giantsAn AI-induced recession on the horizon? Klarna's CEO thinks so Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 28, 2025 • 46min
AMD CEO Lisa Su on the AI chip race and Nvidia
Katie and Danny unpack Nvidia's $47 billion second-quarter revenue – more than it made in all of 2023. But can anyone challenge its dominance? Danny interviews AMD’s Lisa Su, head of the American chipmaker that designs the processors powering everything from PCs to data centres, about the company’s turnaround, China, and whether Nvidia’s crown is within reach.Image: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 54min
Perplexity CEO on Chrome, AI and challenging the tech giants
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, discusses his daring $35 billion bid for Google Chrome and whether it’s a serious challenge to tech giants or merely a PR stunt. He envisions a reimagined internet experience using AI, aiming to ease user interactions and enhance engagement. The conversation delves into the geopolitics of semiconductors, examining its impact on both the tech industry and global power dynamics. Srinivas showcases his ambitions in reshaping the digital landscape, pushing against monopolistic practices with innovative solutions.
8 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 49min
The race for quantum supremacy
Katie is joined by Niccolo de Masi, the CEO of US quantum computing firm IonQ, to chat about the future of quantum and their acquisition of the British firm Oxford Ionics. And as Katie and Danny are reunited they discuss Katie's new smart glasses, NVIDIA's US deal to sell chips to China, and an AI startup's exceptionally bold $34.5bn bid to buy Google Chrome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Lawyers and the AI revolution
AI is coming to the legal world. Danny Fortson talks to Eleanor Lightbody, the chief executive of Luminance, a UK startup using artificial intelligence to automate and augment legal work. So is there to be a looming “white collar recession” or will we be able to have more time for thinking afresh about the law and other professions? Hear how AI is transforming contract review, and the future of the legal profession. Plus, why AI adoption is surging. what happens when AI makes mistakes, and how to avoid over-reliance on a single AI model: A fascinating insight into the practicalities of AI adoption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2025 • 40min
The man behind the NHS mental health bot
AI chatbots are being used by millions. But are they safe? Danny Fortson speaks to Ross Harper, the co-founder and CEO of Limbic AI, a company which has developed artificial intelligence software which can be used clinically as part of mental health treatment. Limbic is now used in 50% of NHS trusts, and has its eye on being used in all 50 States by the end of 2025. They talk about the future - and the reckoning he thinks is coming for wellness apps. Plus the Times' US business editor Louisa Clarence-Smith joins Danny to talk about the Figma IPO and the backlash to the UK's Online Safety Act.Further listening: Interview with Dylan Field, the CEO of Figma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24, 2025 • 39min
How big does a supercomputer need to be really
Danny is joined by the Times' Technology correspondent Mark Sellman whio has been spending time with the UK's newest supercomputer, Isambard AI, which has become the world's 11th most powerful supercomputer and could be used to develop British LLMs (Large Language Models). Plus, flirtatious or insulting AI companions, and a government plan to ban businesses from paying hackers ransoms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2025 • 34min
Can an AI scientist solve humanity's problems?
Danny goes solo this week, in old-school Danny in the Valley style. He speaks to Sam Rodriques, the founder and CEO of FutureHouse – a non-profit organisation developing AI scientists that could revolutionise human discovery. Plus, he rounds up the week in tech – from NVIDIA’s chips making a return to China, to Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious plan to build data centres the size of Manhattan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2025 • 48min
Linda Yaccarino’s X exit & Figma files for IPO
Katie speaks to Dylan Field - the CEO of Figma. The design software firm has filed to go public on the New York Stock Exchange with Dylan calling it the most ‘interesting, intense, and fun time’. Danny and Katie also talk about Linda Yaccarino resigning as CEO of X and discuss a so-called ‘Panda watch’ creeping over Silicon Valley! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
Can a driverless car really cope with London traffic & is the big AI bromance over?
Katie joins the CEO of Wayve, Alex Kendall, for a journey round the busy 'higgledy-piggledy' roads of London in a driverless car, to see the tech in real action. Plus a special AI news roundup on how Sam Altman & Satya Nadella's relationship may be souring; how Meta might be finding AI's best talent, and defining fair use when it comes to the training of LLMs.Have any questions, or feedback? Get in touch: techpod@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
