This Week in Tech (Audio)

Victoria Song, a senior reviewer at The Verge, discusses the challenges of tech embargoes and corporate storytelling at Apple events. Jason Hiner, editor-in-chief at ZDNet, analyzes the implications of AI in search tech and explores the evolving marketing strategies in the industry. Dan Patterson, from Blackbird AI, tackles the impact of social media bans in Nepal and the role of narrative manipulation in geopolitics. Together, they highlight the rise of tiny vinyl records and the mix of tech with celebrity culture, making for a lively conversation.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Wilhelm, TechCrunch editor, and Harry McCracken, Fast Company journalist, dissect Google's recent antitrust ruling and its surprisingly lenient consequences. They explore how the tech landscape is shifting due to AI, warning about potential threats to privacy and innovation. The duo also shares intriguing insights about the anticipated iPhone 17 features and engages in light-hearted banter over past Facebook features. Their commentary on the ethical implications of AI in copyright further adds depth to the conversation.

Cory Doctorow, a science fiction author and digital rights advocate, joins Shoshana Weissmann, a tech policy expert, and Louis Maresca, an engineering head at Microsoft. They dive deep into Cloudflare's gatekeeping role and the implications of age verification laws for user access. The panel discusses the precarious balance between cybersecurity and digital rights, while also tackling AI's growing influence on labor and ethical tech practices. Expect insights on the looming challenges of internet regulation and the potential risks to personal privacy and freedoms.

In this engaging discussion, guests Daniel Rubino, Editor-in-chief at Windows Central, and Paris Martineau, a food safety reporter from Consumer Reports, tackle intriguing tech topics. They explore the chaotic unveiling of Elon Musk's 'Macrohard' competing with Microsoft and debate the evolving landscape of AI, particularly in cybersecurity. Conversations also highlight the funny side of food safety, touching on recent shrimp recalls. With anecdotes and lively banter, they shed light on the whimsical intersection of tech and daily life.

Guests Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a senior reviewer at The Verge, Sam Abuelsamid, VP Research at Telemetry, and Lisa Schmeiser, editor-in-chief of No Jitter, dive into compelling tech discussions. They tackle the implications of privacy laws on social media age verification. The conversation shifts to Meta's flirty AI chatbot and its unexpected interactions. They also explore innovations in electric vehicles and the challenges of escalating energy costs linked to AI. The episode wraps up with insights into the future of home robotics and the importance of data privacy.

Owen Thomas, managing editor at the San Francisco Business Times, shares insights into the AI hype surrounding Apple's new technologies. Doc Rock, a comedic YouTube star, adds humor as they discuss the ethical challenges of AI in the entertainment industry, including Disney's deepfake dilemmas. Wesley Faulkner, founder of worksnotworking.com, reflects on navigating toxic workplaces with AI assistance. They also explore Apple's struggle to keep up in the competitive tech landscape, and tackle accountability issues surrounding Tesla's autopilot technology.

This week features Richard Campbell, a tech expert and whiskey aficionado, Brian McCullough, an internet historian, and Mike Elgan, a tech columnist with a flair for culinary travel. The trio delves into Tesla's hefty $240 million legal blow for an Autopilot crash, sparking discussions on self-driving technology and liability. They also unpack Apple's recent revenue surge and its foray into AI, alongside the economic ramifications of AI salary inflation. The conversation humorously navigates the evolving landscape of podcasting and cybersecurity challenges.

This week, Molly White, a Web3 critic, Janko Roettgers, a media tech journalist, and Jacob Ward, author of 'The Loop', explore the multifaceted landscape of AI and technology. They discuss the imminent launch of GPT-5 and the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-generated content, including implications for creators. The conversation also touches on the need for robust regulations to mitigate risks in AI, alongside the effects of TikTok's uncertain future and the cybersecurity challenges posed by hackers exploiting vulnerabilities.

In this discussion, Abrar Al-Heeti, a senior tech reporter at CNET, Iain Thomson from The Register, and Devindra Hardawar, senior editor at Engadget, delve into intriguing topics. They critique the implications of recent surveillance incidents, highlighting the tech industry's ethical dilemmas. The conversation shifts to the rapidly changing landscape of cryptocurrency legislation, including stablecoins. The guests also explore the intersection of AI and filmmaking, questioning creativity in a tech-driven world. Expect insights and humor wrapped in tech-savvy commentary!

In this engaging discussion, technologist Harper Reed, known for his work in AI and the Obama campaign, joins futurist Amy Webb, who specializes in tech forecasting. They dive into the implications of age verification laws, exploring their impact on free speech and youth engagement online. The conversation also highlights innovative technology like Grok and Gemini, alongside the ethical dilemmas surrounding deepfakes. Plus, they share laughs over the viral 'Staplegate' incident and its astounding charity auction success, reminding us of the quirks in tech and culture.