Marketplace Tech

Britt Young, a writer and lecturer at UC Berkeley, provides a unique insight into the world of prosthetics, using her own experience with a prosthetic arm. She explains why 3D printing, although promising, hasn’t significantly reduced costs due to durability issues and the high expense of professional fitting. Young discusses the role of insurance in limiting access to advanced prosthetic technologies and emphasizes the need to reclassify prosthetics as assistive devices to lower barriers. She also touches on the potential for 3D printing in low-resource areas, highlighting both its promise and challenges.

Dr. Darja Djordjevic, an adolescent and adult psychiatrist and co-author of a significant report, reveals that over half of U.S. teens are turning to AI chatbots for companionship. However, she warns these bots lack the emotional sophistication needed for genuine support, often providing sycophantic responses that can hinder social skill development. In simulated conversations, chatbots missed crucial warning signs in discussions about mental health, highlighting serious risks for under-18s. Djordjevic strongly advises against teens using these chatbots, suggesting the need for better adult supervision and regulation.

Maria Curie, a tech policy reporter at Axios, dives into the complex world of AI regulation and consumer protection. She discusses the failed attempt by Republican leaders to block state-level AI laws, highlighting the bipartisan pushback faced. Curie also examines New York's pioneering algorithmic pricing law and its implications for consumer rights. The conversation takes a turn as she explores Amazon's retreat from AI dubbing due to fan backlash, emphasizing the impact of consumer influence and the challenges in balancing accessibility with quality.

In this conversation with Rohan Grover, a professor at American University and expert on data privacy, listeners discover the unsettling state of our personal data. Grover highlights the apathy surrounding privacy violations and explains how consent fatigue makes it hard for individuals to care. He calls for urgent reforms, emphasizing that data privacy can't just be an individual issue since everyone's data influences one another. His insights shed light on the cultural roles that shape our understanding and discourse around privacy today.

Investigative journalist Evan Ratliff, known for his innovative podcasting, explores the concept of AI coworkers through his startup HurumoAI. He shares insights on launching a team of AI agents, revealing the challenges of giving them personas and the unexpected behaviors that arise. Ratliff discusses the strengths of AI in performing specific tasks but highlights their struggles with emotional nuances and memory issues. He raises important questions about the cost, unpredictability, and ethical implications of running companies with predominantly AI staff.

In this episode, Ken Goldberg, a robotics expert from UC Berkeley and co-founder of Ambi Robotics, dives into the future of household humanoid robots. He discusses the significant challenges household environments pose for robots, including confusing shiny utensils. Ken shares insights from a recent robotics conference, expressing skepticism about the rapid adoption of humanoids. He emphasizes that while robots can augment roles in logistics, true humanoid companions are likely still years away due to the complexities in physical tasks.

Philip Comins, a user of an AI-enabled pendant, shares insights into how this device captures daily conversations and impacts his relationship. He discusses the surprising role it plays as a personal assistant and relationship therapist. Tensions rise as the pendant records arguments, leading to reflections on privacy and the discomfort of revisiting difficult moments. Philip highlights how AI-generated feedback has helped improve communication with his partner, Corinna, transforming their understanding of each other.

In this insightful discussion, Taylor Arndt, a blind accessibility and AI advocate, shares her journey from facing challenges in accessing educational materials to becoming a coding expert. She emphasizes that AI has the potential to enhance accessibility but warns that without proper training data, it risks perpetuating exclusion. Taylor also contrasts 'partner coding' with 'vibe coding,' highlighting that many AI-generated platforms often overlook crucial accessibility features. Her advocacy stresses the importance of incorporating voices and experiences of people with disabilities in tech.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a daunting youth unemployment crisis, with over 20% classified as NEET. Digital platforms are transforming the gig economy, offering new self-employment opportunities. Notably, Tendo trains sellers to use social media for profit, while Roazi's Mappers gather consumer data for insights. However, experiences reveal low pay and variability in gig work. Experts highlight that while digital gigs provide some income, structural changes in infrastructure and policy are crucial for lasting employment solutions.

Hannah Quay-de la Vallee, a senior technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology, dives into her recent report on AI in education. She discusses how tools like Wixi and ClassDojo personalize learning while highlighting risks associated with third-party models, including data protection concerns. Quay-de la Vallee emphasizes the need for schools to rigorously evaluate AI tools and outlines a transparency rubric focusing on data governance and effectiveness. She also addresses alarming failures in the sector, including inequitable treatment and privacy issues.