TechStuff

Should facial recognition be available to everybody? This week, Oz shows off his new swag from the company of the moment, Colossal Biosciences, and tells us about his visit to the labs’ responsible for Woolly Mice and Dire Wolves. Then, Oz and Karah unpack how facial recognition is being used by viral sites like Cheaterbuster AI and investigate the Trump family crypto empire. They warn about satellites leaking data, Ubers new gigs within gigs, and a new health tracker that goes in your bowl. And finally, an international Chat and Me that will inspire your green thumb!  Additional Reading:  Viral ‘Cheater Buster’ Sites Use Facial Recognition to Let Anyone Reveal Peoples’ Tinder Profiles  How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto Satellites Are Leaking the World’s Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data | WIRED  Uber wants drivers to train AI in their free time  Kohler’s new toilet camera provides health insights based on your bathroom breaks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re joined by tech analyst and researcher, Dan Wang, to help analyze the evolving relationship between the US and China. In Dan’s new book, Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, he introduces a new framework, comparing and contrasting China's “engineering state” to the US’s “lawyerly society”. We also hear Dan’s take on China’s rise as a production superpower, what lessons America can learn from the country and how the current administration's tariff policies (and its ties to tech billionaires like Elon Musk) have shifted the dynamics between these global heavyweights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the rise of Christianity in Silicon Valley stirs up fascinating discussions among tech elites. Peter Thiel’s Antichrist lectures spark curiosity about faith’s role in tech. Meanwhile, a bizarre Dutch-China microchip saga unfolds. Space junk is getting out of control, with Starlink satellites crashing back to Earth. AI pranks are causing chaos, as police deal with calls over clever but risky TikTok antics. In dating, ‘chatfishing’ complicates real-life connections with AI-generated texts.

Jeremy Carrasco, the mind behind ShowToolsAI, joins to explore the implications of OpenAI's Sora, a groundbreaking AI video generator. They discuss how to detect AI-generated videos and the importance of media literacy in a world where deepfakes are becoming commonplace. Jeremy demonstrates Sora's capabilities and highlights key visual tells to look for. With concerns about normalization and ethical usage, he warns of the potential desensitization to deepfakes and the future implications for social media trust. Tune in for a fascinating insight into the AI video landscape!

Dive into the latest at OpenAI, where a groundbreaking social video app is changing the game. The hosts discuss whether we've hit peak social media use and explore the implications of new tech like 'wetware' and robots aiding in baby creation. Plus, hear about a potential everything app merger with ChatGPT and the ethical questions surrounding biocomputing. Finally, insights on how parents can navigate raising kids in an AI-infused world round out an engaging tech discussion that challenges the status quo.

In a riveting conversation, David Ignatius, a veteran Washington Post columnist with extensive CIA coverage experience, dives into the implications of AI on espionage. He unveils how 'digital dust' complicates traditional disguise methods and highlights past tech failures that compromised agent safety. Ignatius also discusses the CIA's push for innovation through private ventures, the risks of relying on commercial data, and the urgent need for the agency to adapt. He warns about balancing innovation with civil liberties in an era where surveillance tech can easily be misused.

Discover the intriguing debate over 'work slop' as AI struggles to deliver real value in workplaces. Explore the latest trend of no-shoes office policies shaking up startup culture. Tune in as discussions heat up around Italy's new AI regulations and the uproar over the AI actress Tilly Norwood in Hollywood. Plus, hear how one teacher creatively personalizes AI for teaching Spanish, and witness the backlash against wearable ads on public transport. This week's tech highlights are as captivating as they are controversial!

Lila Shapiro, a features writer for New York Magazine, dives deep into Hollywood's secret world of AI usage. She reveals how filmmakers are employing AI for everything from VFX to script summaries. The conversation touches on the mixed sentiments around AI, with some fearing job loss while others see creative opportunities. Lila also discusses ethical AI practices and the potential for independent filmmakers to benefit. Despite concerns, she emphasizes that human creativity remains irreplaceable, even in an increasingly automated landscape.

Dive into the world of Gen Z activism as Discord fuels a revolution in Nepal, enabling youth to organize and select leaders. Explore the resurgence of hustle culture in Silicon Valley, where teen tech founders embrace an intense work ethic. Discover how an AI avatar is tackling corruption in Albania and how Russian state TV employs AI for political satire. Plus, hear a personal story of using ChatGPT to manage health and diagnose pre-diabetes—a blend of tech and life-changing apps that invites listener experiences!

Walter Isaacson, bestselling biographer known for his works on figures like Steve Jobs, dives into the life of Jennifer Doudna, a pioneer of CRISPR technology. He explores Doudna's early curiosity in Hawaii and the influential role models that shaped her. The conversation highlights Baby KJ, the first recipient of personalized CRISPR treatment, marking a significant achievement in gene editing. Isaacson discusses CRISPR's historical significance and the ethical dilemmas it presents, emphasizing Doudna's awareness of its potential misuse.