

What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future
Slate Podcasts
Every Friday and Sunday, Slate’s popular daily news podcast What Next brings you TBD, a clear-eyed look into the future. From fake news to fake meat, algorithms to augmented reality, Lizzie O’Leary is your guide to the tech industry and the world it’s creating for us to live in.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 27, 2022 • 23min
Will Bitcoin Ruin El Salvador?
Is El Salvador heading for default after going all in on crypto?Guest: Anna-Cat BrigidaHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2022 • 23min
North Korea's Hacking Army
They’ve stolen billions of dollars. Is the U.S. ready to crack down?Guest: Jason Bartlett, research associate in the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American SecurityHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 2022 • 21min
How Buffalo Could Transform Social Media
The shooting in Buffalo raises questions about the effectiveness of content moderation. Is the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism the answer to how social media can moderate extremist content?Guest: Emma Llansó, director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy and TechnologyHost: Ray Suarez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 15, 2022 • 21min
Inside Trump’s Twitter Clone
Trump's Truth Social network was supposed to be the right's answer to Twitter. What happens to the company if Elon takes over?Guest: Drew Harwell, reporter for the Washington PostHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 2022 • 19min
Can A.I. Know What You're Feeling?
Companies are developing and selling A.I. products intended to tell your boss or your teacher how you're feeling.Guest: Kate Kaye, reporter for ProtocolHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 8, 2022 • 26min
Is Free Speech Online Just a Myth?
A conversation with one of the smartest First Amendment lawyers in the country.Guest: Jameel JafferHost: Lizzie O'LearyThanks Avast.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 6, 2022 • 19min
Can the Internet Rescue Abortion Access?
The pandemic changed the way abortion care could be provided online. So what happens now?Guest: Dr. Mai Fleming, family medicine physician and Fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health.Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 1, 2022 • 18min
The Fantasy of Internet for All
Can Starlink ever fulfill its promise of connecting the world, especially places left behind by traditional internet? Or will it be just another toy for the rich? Guest: Meaghan Tobin, reporter at Rest of WorldHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 2022 • 22min
What Elon Wants With Twitter
Twitter is the platform of choice for politicians, journalists, academics, and many other agenda-setters. Twitter influences conversations that take place in newsrooms and statehouses. What happens if the company’s placed in the hands of a pugnacious, provocative plutocrat like Elon Musk?Guest: Will Oremus, tech reporter for the Washington PostHost: Seth Stevenson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 24, 2022 • 21min
A New High-Tech Weapon in Ukraine
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is uncovering new wartime applications for facial recognition technology.Guest: Aric Toler, director of research and training at BellingcatHost: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


