This Week in Tech (Audio)

Doc Rock, YouTuber and strategic partnerships lead with social-media anecdotes. Patrick Beja, Paris-based podcaster, offers a European policy lens. Alex Stamos, security and AI expert, brings deep cybersecurity analysis. They debate TikTok's alarming privacy wording, Microsoft's BitLocker key practices, Europe's tech contingency plans, AI-driven bug noise, gambling's impact on news, and internet routing and credential leaks.

Harper Reed, a tech entrepreneur and AI engineer, shares his insights on 'vibe coding' and the rapid rise of Claude CoWork, which makes software development more personalized and accessible. He discusses exciting demos and the risks of prompt injection. Meanwhile, Abrar Al-Hiti, a senior tech reporter, highlights the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles and the implications of AI on consumer technology. Both guests delve into the creator economy, addressing the increasing pay disparities among influencers and trends shaping content creation.

This week features Fr. Robert Ballecer, the 'Digital Jesuit' exploring tech ethics, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge sharing her hands-on CES insights, and Jason Hiner, AI expert analyzing the latest trends. They dive into the strange ideas like toilet cameras for health monitoring and discuss the practicality of humanoid robots versus task-specific devices. The panel also highlights innovations like LEGO's Smart Brick, advanced local AI processing for privacy, and the implications of AI companions. A thought-provoking look at tech’s balance between innovation and everyday utility!

Dan Patterson, a senior director at Blackbird.ai and technology journalist, joins Joey de Villa, an AI developer advocate and blogger, to explore the latest trends in AI. They discuss NVIDIA's recent $20 billion acquisition, Meta's ambitions with Manus, and the competitive landscape among OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini. The conversation dives into DeepSeek's groundbreaking mHC model training and its implications for AI development, while addressing concerns about misinformation and the environmental impact of AI. Get ready for a thought-provoking look into the future of technology!

Join Harper Reed, a seasoned technologist known for his innovative approach to software development, as he dives into the concept of 'vibe coding' and the pervasive influence of AI on coding workflows. He reveals how AI can accelerate code generation while urging developers to balance creativity with speed. Also, get insights from Brian Wolf, a privacy enthusiast, who shares his quirky journey of building an anonymized laptop for secure computing. Together, they discuss the ethical implications of AI in film, job displacement, and the evolving tech landscape.

Join Micah Sargent, a tech journalist, Paris Martineau, an investigative tech reporter, and Steve Gibson, a cybersecurity guru, as they dive into the major stories from 2025. They dissect the fizzling TikTok ownership saga, explore China’s hidden tech dangers, and debate the privacy vs. convenience dilemma citizens face. The trio also tackles the AI hype cycle, revealing how explosive growth has not translated into profit. Plus, insights on data monetization by ISPs and a deep dive into the surveillance landscape make for a riveting discussion about the state of tech.

Iain Thompson, a veteran UK tech journalist, joins Jason Hiner, an AI-focused editor, and Owen Thomas, managing editor of the San Francisco Business Times. They explore whether we’re in an AI gold rush or heading for a crash. Discussion covers the potential benefits of smaller AI models versus massive data centers, the ethical implications of AI in healthcare, and the geopolitical race between the US and China. They also touch on quirky AI holiday uses and the ramifications of recent social media policies.

Kathy Gellis, a tech policy attorney, discusses a significant Supreme Court copyright case that questions internet provider liability. Futurist Amy Webb explores the implications of AI and privacy legislation, while her husband, Brian Wolf, shares his unique experiment in building an anonymous laptop using clever techniques like VPNs and cash purchases. They also delve into FDA-approved glasses designed to combat nearsightedness in children, while analyzing the cultural and technological challenges posed by age verification laws.

Join Daniel Rubino, editor at Windows Central, as he digs into the intriguing dynamics of Black Friday sales data, focusing on inflation's impact. Sam Abuelsamid, an automotive analyst, adds perspective on the troubled Ford F-150 Lightning and the complexities of the EV market. Mike Elgan explores the potential of AI technologies in shopping and the pitfalls of AI-generated content. Together, they debate the implications of AI policy in a politically charged landscape while warning of the growing influence of Chinese tech.

Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ, known as the 'digital Jesuit', advises on tech for the Vatican. Molly White, a crypto and tech accountability writer, dives into the world of web3 grifts. Wesley Faulkner from works-not-working discusses developer relations. They tackle Google's ad monopoly, age verification challenges on platforms like Roblox, and critiqued Microsoft’s Copilot in real-world scenarios. The debate on Cloudflare's central power over the internet and evolving EU privacy regulations adds depth to an insightful tech conversation.