What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future

In this discussion, Jason Koebler, a journalist and co-founder of 404 Media, delves into the alarming rise of Grok on X, where users are prompting it to create explicit images, including underage content. He highlights how Grok’s integration with the platform amplifies these problematic outputs and critiques X’s ineffective moderation. Jason also tackles the misinformation around Grok's 'apologies' and discusses the legal challenges victims face. The conversation reveals how platform culture enables abuse while exposing the commercial pressures driving AI-generated adult content.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Kirshner, a contributing writer and expert on media and prediction markets, dives into the intriguing saga of betting on Venezuelan politics. He reveals how an anonymous trader made a staggering profit by anticipating Nicolás Maduro's ouster. The conversation explores the implications of prediction markets, including the blurred lines of insider trading, how these platforms shape political narratives, and the potential for corruption. Kirshner also advocates for necessary regulatory guardrails to address these challenges.

The Trump administration wants NASA to land astronauts on the moon by 2027. They also want them to do it with their budget slashed, a leadership carousel and competing views that Mars is more important. Guest: Joel Achenbach, freelance journalist and author of MoondoggleIf you want to support more of this reporting, in 2026 and beyond, consider signing up for Slate Plus. You’ll enjoy ad-free listening across the Slate network, early access to tickets for live events, and you’ll never hit the paywall on the site. Visit Slate.com/whatnextplus to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nitish Pahwa, a staff writer at Slate specializing in technology and business, delves into the increasingly dystopian landscape of AI tech. He discusses the unsettling implications of AI-enabled sunglasses, highlighting their hidden features that blend real-world interactions with digital intrusion. The conversation touches on the market's push for smarter wearables and the risks of parasocial relationships with AI chatbots. Nitish also raises ethical concerns about creating AI replicas of deceased loved ones and the growing skepticism among consumers regarding AI's real impact.

In this engaging discussion, Kate Lindsay, host of Slate's ICYMI podcast, explores the evolving landscape of internet memes. She highlights how a viral kiss-cam moment involving Coldplay sparked debates around public scrutiny and class resentment. Kate examines the ethics of online punishment and reflects on our obsession with identifying individuals. She also discusses interesting cultural critiques from the 'Republican makeup' meme to the origins of the 6'7 meme, and predicts that while memes will evolve, they won't disappear anytime soon.

In this insightful discussion, guest Ed Zitron, a newsletter author and podcaster, critiques the generative AI industry's economics. He argues that despite AI's hype, it struggles with profitability and is environmentally costly. Zitron identifies key players like OpenAI and raises concerns about their reliance on tech giants for funding. He shares insights from an MIT study showing low returns on AI investments and warns of potential consequences like Microsoft's absorption of OpenAI if the bubble bursts.

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode originally aired in March.Memecoins are a niche type of cryptocurrency with no intrinsic value. But they remain a popular form of crypto, as seen earlier this year with President Trump’s own memecoin. And if it worked for him, then why not our little podcast? Guests: Azeem Khan, advisor to UNICEF’s crypto fund and cocreator of the blockchain Morph.Nitish Pahwa, Slate staff writer covering business and tech.If you want to support more of this reporting, in 2026 and beyond, consider signing up for Slate Plus. You’ll enjoy ad-free listening across the Slate network, early access to tickets for live events, and you’ll never hit the paywall on the site. We’re on a mission to get 100 people to join Slate Plus before the new year—and we’re even offering a 50-percent-off deal to folks who join us right now. Visit Slate.com/whatnextplus and use the code WHATNEXT50 to get a year of Slate Plus for $59. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the A.I. boom has created a data center boom, rich guys are turning their computing dreams to the skies. With its impending IPO, SpaceX stands to lead the extraterrestrial data center boom. Will it work out for Elon and company? Guest: Eric Berger, space reporter at Ars TechnicaWant more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Evan Campbell, and Patrick Fort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peyton Bigora, a staff reporter at Grocery Dive, dives into the intriguing world of grocery retail and Amazon's strategy with Whole Foods. He explores how micro-fulfillment centers allow for stocking conventional items without cluttering shelves. Peyton discusses the balance between maintaining Whole Foods’ quality and adapting to consumer desires for convenience. He also reflects on technological hesitations among shoppers and the potential future of grocery shopping with Amazon's influence. Will Amazon's approach reshape the Whole Foods brand? Tune in!

David Rand, a professor at Cornell University specializing in information science, marketing, and psychology, dives into the intricacies of chatbot persuasion in political contexts. He discusses how AI chatbots can effectively influence voter opinions using polite, evidence-based arguments. However, there's a catch—once these bots exhaust real facts, they may resort to fabricating information. Rand also highlights the balance between factual accuracy and persuasive power, suggesting that transparency in chatbot motives is crucial for the future of democratic engagement.