This Week in Tech (Audio)

Ashley Esketha, a media professional and founder of Rowdy Skeleton, Ian Thompson, a former writer at The Register turned freelancer, and Janko Roettgers, a media and streaming reporter, dive into hot topics like Elon Musk's staggering pay package and Apple's bold F1 streaming deal. They explore the messy landscape of sports streaming, including YouTube TV's conflict with Disney and the challenges of parental oversight in kids' online lives. The discussion highlights the evolving tech and media landscape, filled with both innovation and significant pitfalls.

From AI-powered code generation boosting productivity to adversaries using the same tools to hunt zero-days, the panel exposes the coming wave of AI-fueled cyberattacks—and why most companies aren't ready for it. Cotton blocks Trump-backed effort to make daylight saving time permanent The End of Cybersecurity Amazon says it didn't cut 14,000 people because of money. It cut them because of 'culture' Here's How the AI Crash Happens US government is getting closer to banning TP-Link routers Neato cloud shutdown sees robocleaners robbed of their smarts FCC will vote to scrap telecom cybersecurity requirements Trump FCC Votes To Make It Easier For Your Broadband ISP To Rip You Off Swedish Death Cleaning But for Your Digital Life The F5 Hack is a Big Deal OpenAI Releases Agentic Security Researcher 'Do not trust your eyes': AI generates surge in expense fraud Proton Data Breach Observatory aims to alert you in near real-time Using a Security Key on X? Re-Enroll Now or Your Account Will Be Locked YouTube denies AI was involved with odd removals of tech tutorials 10M people watched a YouTuber shim a lock; the lock company sued him. Bad idea. Samsung's $2000 smart fridges are getting ads - gHacks Tech News ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels go dark on YouTube TV Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Jill Duffy, Alex Stamos, and Stacey Higginbotham Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: ziprecruiter.com/twit zscaler.com/security miro.com canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT Melissa.com/twit

In this discussion, Richard Campbell, a veteran technology journalist, and Doc Rock, a popular YouTuber and tech strategist, dive into the fallout from a significant Amazon AWS outage that exposed our over-reliance on cloud services. They explore the implications of this digital fragility and dissect security threats like YouTube videos luring kids into malware traps. They also touch on the impact of TikTok's potential US-China deal and how creators adapt in a fragmented digital landscape. Their insights on future tech trends are both eye-opening and entertaining.

Jacob Ward, an investigative technology journalist, Harper Reed, a noted technologist and entrepreneur, and Abrar Al-Heeti, CNET's senior tech reporter, dive into alarming revelations about satellite data vulnerabilities. They discuss how just $750 can allow attackers to intercept sensitive communications. The conversation shifts to the aging systems that permit these issues and the reality of software scams that have netted criminals $1 billion through social engineering. The trio also explores AI’s impact on society, from job automation to regulatory needs.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a senior reviewer at The Verge, discusses the invasion of ads on Amazon's Echo Show and the implications for smart-home privacy. Cathy Gellis, a tech attorney, delves into the Cox v. Sony case and the risky landscape for ISPs and copyright laws. Pulitzer-recognized journalist Gary Rivlin analyzes AI's economic challenges and ethical concerns, including the disturbing trend of AI-generated deepfakes of deceased celebrities. Together, they explore the pressing issues in tech regulation and the future of household automation.

Joining the discussion are Patrick Beja, an independent podcaster known for his tech insights; Georgia Dow, a therapist and media commentator; and Iain Thomson, an investigative journalist from The Register. They dive into the implications of AI-generated videos, debating whether we face a culture crisis as trust erodes. The panel scrutinizes TikTok's influence on news consumption, and the risks of government control over apps. They also explore how platforms like YouTube are responding to legal pressures while navigating the evolving landscape of creative opportunities.

Brian McCullough, tech journalist and host of Tech Brew Ride Home, Dan Shipper, CEO of Every focused on AI in business, and Ari Paparo, ad-tech expert and host of Markitecture, dive into Nvidia's staggering $100 billion investment in OpenAI. They explore the implications for AI competition, the potential for AI as coworkers, and the hype surrounding large language models. The panel also discusses the challenges Gen Z faces in the job market and critiques recent updates from Meta and Apple's AI initiatives.

In this engaging discussion, guests include Devindra Hardawar from Engadget, Nicholas De Leon of Consumer Reports, and Fr. Robert Ballecer, a tech-ethics advocate from the Vatican. They dive into the controversial features of Meta's new AR glasses, highlighting privacy concerns and live demo mishaps. The panel also tackles the growing distrust in Big Tech, the implications of proposed immigration fees, and discussions on TikTok's future ownership. Fr. Ballecer shares insights on AI's ethical boundaries, questioning the potential loss of human connection.

Victoria Song, a Senior reviewer at The Verge, delves into the latest innovations in wearable health tech, while Jason Hiner, Editor-in-chief at ZDNet, shares insights on the impacts of AI in search and social media. Dan Patterson, from Blackbird AI, discusses the challenges of narrative manipulation in politics, especially in places like Nepal. They humorously debate Apple’s product designs and explore the rise of micro dramas and tiny vinyl, connecting nostalgia with modern media trends, all while navigating the complexities of today’s tech landscape.

In this discussion, guests Alex Wilhelm, a seasoned tech journalist from Tech Crunch, and Harry McCracken, an observer of the tech scene at Fast Company, deeply analyze Google's recent antitrust ruling, revealing how the tech giant sidesteps severe penalties. They explore the impact of AI on both innovation and privacy, debate the effectiveness of the regulatory landscape, and touch on the controversies surrounding social media and surveillance. The conversation also delves into exciting rumors about Apple's upcoming products and the dual threat and promise of AI in cybersecurity.