TechStuff

Lauren Vogelbaum, co-host of the Saver and BrainStuff podcasts, returns to discuss the chaotic world of food delivery apps. She reveals that these services are not beneficial for restaurants, drivers, or even the companies themselves. Vogelbaum shares insights on the high commission fees hurting restaurant profits and the gig economy's unfair labor practices affecting drivers. The conversation also touches on ghost kitchens and the industry's struggle for profitability, highlighting critical issues in modern food delivery.

Dive into the tale of two 19th-century brothers who pulled off an audacious scheme by hacking a government-controlled communication network. Explore their clever manipulation of the telegraph system to exploit financial information and gain a stock market advantage. The story's filled with intrigue, mistaken identities, and the fine line between innovation and crime. This incident marks a pivotal moment in cybersecurity history, revealing insights that still resonate in today's digital landscape.

Dive into the dazzling world of holiday light displays! Discover how modern technology has transformed simple strings of lights into spectacular shows synced with music. Learn the basics of electrical circuits and how LED bulbs revolutionized festive lighting. Explore tips for crafting your own dynamic displays with programmable controllers and discover the joy of combining creativity with tech this holiday season!

Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey spark intrigue and speculation, with authorities unsure if they're unmarked drones or misidentified aircraft. The political landscape shifts as tech giants cozy up to Donald Trump, coinciding with the FTC's potential policy changes. The latest Game Awards hype also delivers excitement with the reveal of the Game of the Year. Meanwhile, legal troubles loom for TikTok, and advancements in drone tech and mixed reality raise questions about privacy, efficiency, and ethical use in law enforcement.

The discussion kicks off with a spotlight on three innovative AI startups and their potential impact against bigger players. Notably, the emergence of AI-generated music raises questions about copyright and ownership, leading to a notable lawsuit. The conversation also delves into the ethical challenges faced by human artists and the responsibility of handling sensitive data in AI. Exploring AI's role in education and healthcare showcases personalized advancements, while holiday innovations bring a fun twist to the tech conversation.

Christina Montgomery, IBM's Chief Privacy and Trust Officer and chair of the AI Ethics Board, dives into the world of AI governance. She discusses the necessity of responsible AI practices, emphasizing transparency to build consumer trust. The conversation touches on the role of privacy officers in navigating compliance with data protection laws and the importance of bias detection in AI. Montgomery also explores future regulatory landscapes and advocates for ethical principles that will shape the AI of tomorrow, ensuring innovation meets accountability.

NASA is gearing up to send astronauts back to the Moon with the ambitious Artemis program. The discussion dives into the challenges of budget constraints and historical context from the space race era. The cancellation of the Constellation Project shifted NASA's strategy towards commercial partnerships for future missions. There's an exploration of the Orion spacecraft and the pivotal Lunar Gateway. Additionally, the recruitment process for astronauts is highlighted, showcasing the skills needed for these groundbreaking missions.

The podcast dives into the unsettling online reactions to the murder of a prominent CEO, revealing the dark side of social media discourse. It discusses the backlash against the wealthy, as elites increasingly retreat into their fortified bunkers amid growing resentment. Cybersecurity concerns are raised, with frustrations over the FBI's handling of state-sponsored cyber intrusions. The geopolitical tension over rare earth metals and their impact on technology unfolds, alongside fascinating insights into future transport innovations like driverless cabs in Miami.

Did you know one company has the monopoly on the .com top level domain? How did Verisign become the one DNS registry for .com, and why did some politicians recently challenge the company's practices?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the intricate world of tech and its many scams. Discover how critical thinking can shield us from deceitful practices, from the infamous Theranos scandal to modern Ponzi schemes and cryptocurrency traps. Learn to navigate the complexities of emerging trends like Web 3.0 and the Metaverse with a skeptical eye. The episode also highlights essential innovations in AI and cloud solutions, while emphasizing the importance of merging tech enthusiasm with careful evaluation. Stay informed and vigilant to outsmart the snake oil salespeople!