What's New
The latest in-depth coverage covering the intersection of technology and culture will help you make sense of a world in constant transformation. Join us as we explore the ways technology is changing our lives.
Latest episodes
Oct 11, 2023 • 9min
Google’s AI Is Making Traffic Lights More Efficient and Less Annoying
Google's AI is using data from its Maps app to optimize traffic light timing, reducing wait times and emissions. The AI system, called Project Greenlight, suggests adjustments based on traffic patterns, making roads more efficient. Google also focuses on other sustainable projects, such as fuel efficient routing and flight routing suggestions.
Oct 10, 2023 • 8min
New York’s Airbnb Ban Is Descending Into Pure Chaos
The aftermath of New York's Airbnb ban has led to the emergence of illegal short-term rentals on social media and lesser-known platforms. The podcast discusses the perspectives of stakeholders on the ban, the risks associated with off-platform rentals, and an alternative website to Airbnb called Howfy.
Oct 9, 2023 • 9min
The Game Theory of the Auto Strikes
This podcast discusses the application of game theory in analyzing the United Auto Workers strike against Detroit's Big Three automakers, exploring negotiation tactics, strategies, and the predicted timeline for the strike's end.
Oct 6, 2023 • 7min
Chatbot Hallucinations Are Poisoning Web Search
The podcast discusses the impact of chatbot hallucinations on web search, specifically focusing on how untruths generated by chatbots can misinform users. It explores the spread of false information and the challenges in detecting and preventing misleading AI-generated text. The chapter also touches on the concerns about AI-powered search tools and their potential impact on search results.
Oct 5, 2023 • 7min
The Team Helping Women Fight Digital Domestic Abuse
Location-enabled tech designed to make our lives easier is often exploited by domestic abusers. Refuge, a UK nonprofit, helps women to leave abusive relationships, secure their devices, and stay safe. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here.
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Oct 4, 2023 • 5min
India Is Using Terrorism Laws to Target Journalists
Discussion on seizure of reporters' devices, targeting of independent media, and concerns about press freedom and privacy violations in India.
Oct 3, 2023 • 9min
What Will Plants Be Like on Alien Worlds?
Scientists know enough about exoplanets to speculate about how simple plants might arise on them. But don't count on them being green. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here.
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Oct 2, 2023 • 7min
X Fires Its Election Team Before a Huge Election Year
The “last man standing” in X’s threat intelligence team has been fired, as the company guts its election integrity response ahead of a year in which more than 50 countries go to the polls. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here.
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Sep 29, 2023 • 10min
An Epic Fight Over What Really Killed the Dinosaurs
A deep learning model has joined a vigorous debate over whether volcanoes began dinosaur doomsday well before the asteroid hit. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here.
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Sep 28, 2023 • 6min
Amazon’s All-Powerful ‘Buy Box’ Is at the Heart of Its New Antitrust Troubles
The US Federal Trade Commission filed a long-anticipated antitrust complaint alleging that Amazon uses its power over sellers to keep ecommerce prices artificially high. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here.
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