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

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Technica Want 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

In this discussion, tech reporter Gerrit De Vynck dives into the complex relationship between AI regulation and politics, especially within the Republican party. He explores why some states are racing ahead with their AI laws while federal regulations lag behind. De Vynck also highlights the tension between Trump's pro-tech stance and conservative populists who resist it. The conversation touches on the public's growing fears about AI's impact on jobs and mental health, and considers how a potential AI market crash could reshape political dynamics.

A tech mogul who made bank from Paypal with his Stanford buddies and has endeared himself to right-wing politicians and enriched himself the same way? No not him; this one’s South African..no, not him either. Guest: Ryan Mac, reporter for the New York Times.  Want 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Keating, a senior correspondent focused on foreign policy and national security, delves into the complex intertwining of AI and nuclear weapons policy. He highlights how AI is already embedded in military operations, from predictive maintenance to potential automated retaliation. The discussion raises concerns about automation biases and the opacity of AI, especially regarding critical nuclear decisions. Keating warns of an impending AI arms race influenced by U.S.-China dynamics and emphasizes the need for human oversight in an era where nuclear threats are reshaping global security.

Mia Sato, a technology reporter at The Verge, dives into the fascinating world of 'dupes'—affordable knock-offs of popular products. She explains how the internet fuels this trend, enabling rapid creation and distribution through social media and algorithms. Topics include the types of dupes in fashion, beauty, and even travel, along with the psychology that drives consumers to seek them out. Mia also addresses the legal complexities behind design protections and the moral implications of duplication in creativity.

Tracking a license plate across the country has never been easier, which is good news if your car has been stolen, but in an era of ICE and Border Patrol raids, these warrantless searches feel increasingly invasive—and unconstitutional. Guest: Joseph Cox, co-founder of 404 Media and host of the 404 Media podcast. Want 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump promised to stop the “persecution” of the cryptocurrency industry. He did call off the SEC investigations that began under Biden, and pardoned Binance cofounder and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao. But is the crypto industry ultimately better off because of that?  Guest: David Yaffe-Bellany, tech reporter for the New York Times. Want 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices