This Week in Tech (Audio)

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

Guests Doc Rock, a YouTube star and strategic partnerships director at Ecamm, Owen Thomas, managing editor at the San Francisco Business Times, and Wesley Faulkner, founder of worksnotworking.com, discuss the implications of Apple's AI strategy. They dive into the ethical concerns surrounding AI technologies and the evolving landscape of workplace culture. The conversation touches on layoffs in the San Francisco tech scene, as well as fun topics like building sustainable moon bases and the quirky evolution of online privacy laws.

Joining the discussion are Richard Campbell, co-host of RunAs Radio and .NET Rocks!, Brian McCullough, an internet historian, and Mike Elgan, a tech journalist. They dive into Tesla's hefty $240 million bill following a crash involving Autopilot, raising questions about accountability in AI. Apple’s strategic moves in AI and revenue growth are unpacked, while YouTube’s challenges with content regulation and network security innovations also take center stage. Get ready for insights on tech trends and the rising stakes of AI in today's landscape!

Molly White, a software engineer and web3 critic, joins tech journalist Janko Roettgers and science journalist Jacob Ward for a lively discussion on the pressing issues in tech today. They explore the upcoming release of GPT-5 and the implications of AI's rapid advancements. The panel debates the need for effective regulation in AI, particularly regarding trust in finance and the ethical concerns surrounding AI's use in content creation. They also touch upon the growing influence of TikTok and examine the significant shifts in the tech landscape.

Iain Thomson, a tech journalist from The Register, joins Devindra Hardawar from Engadget, and CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti for a lively discussion. They dive into the implications of surveillance culture through humorous celebrity moments. The trio talks about AI's impact on jobs, ethics, and the explosive talent race in the industry. Cryptocurrency news takes center stage with recent legislative changes that may reshape the market. They also tackle digital privacy concerns and the risks of cyber operations, all while sharing personal anecdotes and insights.

Tech innovator Harper Reed, known for his work at 2389.ai, joins futurist Amy Webb to delve into the complexities of digital regulations. They discuss Australia and the UK's age verification measures and the implications of stablecoins in the U.S. financial landscape. The conversation shifts to deepfakes, highlighting Denmark's copyright regulations. A quirky segment on a viral $100,000 stapler incident adds humor as they explore tech's unexpected intersections with culture and community. A lively mix of serious issues and entertaining anecdotes!

Cathy Gellis, an attorney specializing in IP law and Supreme Court contributor, joins Nicholas De Leon, a senior electronics reporter at Consumer Reports. They dive into the alarming rise of YouTube piracy, revealing over 9,000 pirated films with 250M+ views. The conversation navigates recent Supreme Court cases impacting digital free speech, the complex world of copyright laws affecting creators, and the significant ramifications of AI on cybersecurity. Intriguing insights into the tech industry's challenges and legal implications make for a thought-provoking discussion.