Marketplace Tech

Jennifer Pak, a Marketplace China correspondent, reports on a robotics upskilling school in Nanjing tackling China's workforce challenge. She highlights hands-on training where students program robotic arms, bridging the gap in automation skills. The discussion touches on the shift towards technology as young workers shy away from traditional factory jobs. Student success stories showcase impressive job placements, while the school faces hurdles like selective admissions and a low high-school completion rate in China.

One thing almost everyone can agree on about Zohran Mamdani, mayor-elect of New York City: he's very good at vertical short-form video.Love it or hate it, the format has a stylistic language all its own. So, we asked Joshua Scacco, professor of communications and director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy at the University of South Florida, to help us dissect what exactly makes a political short form video effective.

Join Amy Scott, a Marketplace reporter and host of How We Survive, and Jonathan Blutinger, a Columbia researcher who crafted a food 3D printer, as they explore the future of meat alternatives. They tackle the daunting challenge of reducing emissions from livestock, emphasizing the potential of lab-grown and 3D-printed meats. Jonathan shares insights on texture-mapping techniques to replicate the feel of real meat, making the transition to plant-based diets more appealing. Discover how innovative technology could change our relationship with food!

Anita Ramaswamy, a technology columnist at The Information, dives into intriguing industry shifts. She discusses SoftBank's bold move of selling its Nvidia stake to funnel $5.8 billion into OpenAI, analyzing the implications for both companies. Anita also sheds light on Apple’s struggle with the delayed launch of the iPhone Air due to weak sales and production challenges. Additionally, she highlights Wikipedia's ongoing plea to AI companies, urging them to pay for data access rather than scraping it, raising critical questions about internet sustainability.

Ayanna Howard, a leading roboticist and dean at Ohio State University, delves into the intriguing world of humanoid robots. She explains how they learn by mimicking human actions through extensive observation. Howard highlights the rise of gig economies that crowdsource data collection to improve robot training. She believes the future of humanoid assistants lies in elder care rather than luxury, emphasizing the need for ethical programming and social skills. Ultimately, she envisions robots as capable companions that can engage meaningfully with humans.

Ray Solomon, a reporter for KUNC, dives into the world of geothermal energy and its potential to combat climate change. He highlights a pioneering project in Hayden, Colorado, aimed at transforming local heating and cooling systems. Solomon discusses the critical shortage of skilled workers, noting how the industry is tapping into talent from oil and gas. He emphasizes the need for a robust training network, including partnerships with community colleges, to ensure a steady flow of qualified geothermal drillers. The future of sustainable energy hinges on meeting this workforce challenge.

Mark Harris, a technology journalist known for his insights on energy innovation, dives deep into the fascinating world of small modular nuclear reactors. He sheds light on how AI companies are eyeing nuclear power to meet energy demands swiftly. Discover the appeal of molten-salt cooling, its engineering challenges, and how Kairos is making strides toward functional prototypes. Excitingly, hear about Kairos' partnership with Google to deliver carbon-free electricity—this could change the energy landscape dramatically!

In this insightful discussion, Amy Scott, a Marketplace reporter and host of How We Survive, delves into the impacts of climate change on cocoa production. She explains how extreme weather events are driving up cocoa prices and threatening future supplies. The conversation also explores innovative solutions like lab-grown chocolate, detailing how it's created from cultured cocoa cells and the exciting potential for its market release. Join Amy as she uncovers the future of chocolate in a changing climate.

Maria Curi, a tech policy reporter at Axios, dives into the hot-button issues of AI's impact on the job market and cybersecurity. She discusses the bipartisan bill that mandates companies report AI-related layoffs and explores the political motivations influencing AI policies. The conversation also covers the Heartland AI Caucus's efforts to attract tech investments to the Midwest while questioning the long-term economic benefits of data centers. Plus, Maria highlights the risks of AI-driven misinformation during elections, stressing the need for better protections.

Pat Harker, the former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and a distinguished professor at Wharton, dives into his bold vision for a “digital AI land grant act.” He argues that big tech owes ongoing support to communities hosting data centers. Topics include creating educational partnerships to enhance AI training, co-locating training facilities near data centers, and applying AI to strengthen local industries like agriculture and healthcare. Harker emphasizes the urgency of expanding these initiatives beyond tech hubs to underrepresented areas.