This Week in Tech (Audio)

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.

Cory Doctorow, a renowned science fiction author and digital rights activist, joins Shoshana Weissmann, head of digital media at R Street Institute, and Louis Maresca, Microsoft’s Copilot lead. They dive into Cloudflare's role as an internet gatekeeper and the alarming implications of age verification laws. The trio discusses the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in the workplace, privacy concerns from cyberattacks, and challenges in digital ownership. Their lively debate highlights the ongoing struggle for digital rights and the balance between innovation and regulation.

You should buy a faster CPU The Trump-Intel deal is official Trump signals fourth delay of TikTok ban Trump to tap Airbnb co-founder as first government design chief Meet Macrohard, Elon Musk's AI simulation of Microsoft Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with heavy AI integration Gemini for Home is Google's biggest smart home play in years Copilot app gets a glowup, new features, for Windows 11 Apple explores using Google Gemini AI to power revamped Siri Bluesky blocks service in Mississippi over age assurance law 4chan will refuse to pay daily online safety fines, lawyer tells BBC Sports streaming enters a bold new era Waymo can now test its self-driving vehicles in New York City Oura secures decisive legal victory with ITC patent ruling T-Mobile claimed selling location data without consent is legal—judges disagree Developer gets prison time for sabotaging former employer's network with a 'kill switch' Nonprofit search engine Ecosia offers $0 for control of Chrome Perplexity's Comet AI browser tricked into buying fake items online Agentic browser security: indirect prompt injection in Perplexity Comet New zero-day startup offers $20 million for tools that can hack any smartphone YouTuber Mark Rober is getting a Netflix series German court revives case that could threaten ad blockers Satya Nadella says Microsoft must move beyond Bill Gates' software factory vision More frozen shrimp recalled for possible radioactive contamination Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Daniel Rubino and Paris Martineau 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: zscaler.com/security expressvpn.com/twit canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT smarty.com/twit helixsleep.com/twit

Privacy preserving age verification is bullsh!t The Supreme Court lets Mississippi's social media age-verification law go into effect Meta's flirty AI chatbot invited a retiree to New York. AI data centers made Americans' electricity bills 30% higher AI experts return from China stunned: The U.S. grid is so weak, the race may already be over Ford reveals breakthrough process for lower priced EVs More thoughts from Sam on the Ford EV platform Popular car brand wants you to pay monthly to unlock more horsepower Apple Plots Expansion Into AI Robots, Home Security and Smart Displays Elli-q After researchers unmasked a prolific SMS scammer, a new operation has emerged in its wake Starlink tries to block Virginia's plan to bring fiber Internet to residents China Launches Three-Day Robot Olympics Featuring Football and Table Tennis The Key to Crack the CIA's Mysterious 'Kryptos' Sculpture Is Up for Sale PACER Hacked By Malicious Entities, Briefly Turning It Into A Useful Source For Federal Court Documents Court blocks FTC investigation into Media Matters' alleged scheme against X Google AI Overviews linked to 25% drop in publisher referral traffic, new data shows Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, Sam Abuelsamid, and Lisa Schmeiser 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: miro.com storyblok.com/twittv-25 code TWIT25 ZipRecruiter.com/twit expressvpn.com/twit zscaler.com/security