Marketplace Tech

Amrith Ramkumar, a reporter at The Wall Street Journal who covers technology and politics, discusses the rise of a pro-AI super PAC network aimed at influencing the upcoming elections. He explores how this movement mirrors the cryptocurrency industry's approach to political funding, highlighting their goal of promoting light regulation for AI. With over $100 million already raised, they’ve set their sights on key state-level targets. The conversation examines whether AI regulation is resonating as a significant issue among voters.

Aaron Perzanowski, a law professor at the University of Michigan and author of "The End of Ownership," dives into the intricacies of digital ownership. He discusses a new lawsuit against Amazon Prime Video, questioning the true ownership of digital assets like movies and music. The conversation touches on licensing agreements, potential content loss, and the lack of federal regulations on digital licensing. Perzanowski also explores the unmet promises of blockchain for digital assets and the growing consumer interest in physical media amidst concerns over digital rights.

Emma Strubell, an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Language Technologies Institute, dives into the environmental impacts of Google’s Gemini AI model. She challenges claims that the model has negligible resource consumption per query, urging a deeper examination of energy and water usage. The conversation covers best practices for making AI more resource-efficient and the need for standardized reporting in the tech industry. Strubell highlights the tension between AI's potential benefits and its environmental costs, pushing for greater transparency.

Explore how invisible borders impact businesses with delays and paperwork in today's complex trade landscape. Discover the effects of Brexit on small businesses and hear a musician's journey through bureaucratic hurdles. Learn about innovative customs tech like Clearnow.ai, harnessing AI to simplify trade compliance. Dive into strategies businesses are adopting to navigate the evolving global market and the importance of staying ahead in tax compliance to avoid costly penalties.

Joanna Stern, a senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal, shares insights on the tech landscape. She discusses Apple's unveiling of the iPhone 17 and its sleek iPhone Air variant, which boasts enhanced battery life and photography features. The conversation takes a turn as they examine Meta's controversial handling of child safety research in VR and its potential impact on young users. Lastly, they touch on the burgeoning competition in the autonomous vehicle market, particularly with Waymo, signaling a shift in transportation dynamics.

A bipartisan push is underway in Congress to pass Sammy's Law, aimed at helping parents monitor their children's social media use. The legislation stems from a tragic incident involving a teen who lost his life due to fentanyl bought online. Discussions highlight the challenges of defining harmful content and the need for better access to kids' online activities. As momentum builds, there’s potential for a House hearing to further explore these critical issues surrounding children's safety on digital platforms.

Craig Grannell, a tech reporter for Wired, dives into the evolution of the iPad and its latest update, iPadOS 26, which adds laptop-like functionality. He shares his week-long experience of substituting his Mac with the iPad, revealing significant improvements in multitasking and usability. Grannell discusses how the iPad fosters better focus through its design, making it a strong contender against traditional desktops. The conversation highlights the transition from a content consumption device to a versatile workstation, bridging the gap between tablets and laptops.

Tens of millions are eligible for criminal record expungement, yet many face daunting hurdles. A justice-tech startup, LegalEase, is using AI to streamline this complicated process, making it more affordable for individuals. The podcast also discusses another innovative AI tool, Wilma, aimed at enhancing access to legal resources and ensuring fairness in the legal system. Personal stories and insights from co-founders reveal the driving passion behind these transformative technologies.

Video gaming is facing escalating costs, with new titles like Mario Kart World priced at $80 and Grand Theft Auto VI expected to exceed $100. The podcast delves into how perceptions of affordability have shifted over time, revealing gamer frustrations and historical pricing contexts. It also discusses the complexities of game development, technological advancements affecting production costs, and the financial strategies required for digital businesses to navigate this landscape. Are gamers unaware of how good they have it, or is the industry really unaffordable?

Natasha Mascarenhas, a reporter at The Information, joins to discuss the latest in tech. She unpacks the Trump family's new digital token, a controversial move that fuses politics with crypto. The conversation shifts to the impact of artificial intelligence, revealing the anxiety it generates in Silicon Valley and the challenges CEOs face. Also highlighted is Google's recent antitrust ruling, which surprisingly lets them off the hook with just a data-sharing requirement, raising questions about competition in the AI-driven future.