Today in Tech

ChatGPT and other AI tools can create content that helps bad actors create better phishing emails or generate malware/ransomware code. But on the other side of the coin, the tools can better educate users about security threats, identify bugs and vulnerabilities on websites faster, and help researchers in their security efforts. We chat with Etay Maor, an adjunct professor at Boston College and industry cybersecurity expert, about these key issues. Etay Maor, Adjunct professor at Boston College, senior director of security strategy, Cato Networks https://www.linkedin.com/in/etaymaor/ 

Growing evidence indicates that Facebook (Meta) is seemingly abandoning its metaverse aspirations as it chases ChatGPT and other AI technologies. Is this the death knell for the metaverse? Keith chats with Dan Roberts from Decrypt and Mike Mason from Thoughtworks about whether this concept has legs beyond “Meta”

Keith and Chris catch up on the tech news of the week, including how people are increasingly concerned over deepfake video and audio creeping into the 2024 election cycles, and whether media (traditional and social) can spot the fakes before they do significant damage. Also, TikTok executives woo European politicians in the face of potential bans of the video-sharing app.

With some pending lawsuits around copyright infringement and questions surrounding liability and ownership, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and others will need to navigate around some rough waters. Keith chats with AI expert Lisa Palmer about how the legal issues around these tools could play out.Guest:Lisa Palmer, chief strategist for AI Leaders, based in Broken Arrow, Okla.  Lisa C. Palmer, former big tech executive and AI doctoral candidate, is the Chief AI Strategist for AI Leaders based in Broken Arrow, OK. She uses outside-in thinking to help Fortune 500 executives, board directors, and product leaders to drive growth, improve profitability, and outperform competitors by staying ahead of emerging trends and risks. 

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) being deployed on the roads continues to escalate, but several challenges around battery technologies and electric grid infrastructures loom ahead. How will the world be able to meet the demand for these vehicles while also maintaining an affordable cost and not completely disrupt the power infrastructure? Keith talks with Nic Tat from Capgemini Invent about how utilities and battery experts are addressing these key challenges. 

Keith and Chris look at the tech news of the week, including continuing AI integrations into other apps; TikTok bans continue in Europe and Canada; and why other parts of the world are returning to offices compared with America.

Apple has stayed on the sidelines for a lot of the ChatGPT/AI tool gold rush of late, but could that change with an AI-boosted Siri? Keith chats with Computerworld’s Ken Mingis and Macworld’s Michael Simon about a bunch of Apple-related developments. 

Keith and Chris look at the tech news of the week about how old gadgets become bricks or valuable properties; the latest on how offices are redesigning themselves to look more like homes; and the effects of increased attacks on the power grid system. 

Keith chats with author Justin Bean, author of “What Could Go Right?” about how technology and society can work together for a better future instead of focusing on crisis, doom and gloom.

Recent missteps and misfires around AI-integrated search functionality by Google and Bing, along with other examples of bad behavior dominated the news this week. Are these bumps in the road or cause for real concern? Keith talks with Jason Mars, Ph.D., from the University of Michigan about the future of the AI technology.