

Marketplace Tech
Marketplace
Monday through Friday, Marketplace demystifies the digital economy in less than 10 minutes. We look past the hype and ask tough questions about an industry that's constantly changing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2025 • 7min
The uncertain future of consumer data control
The discussion centers on the revival of open banking regulations, particularly focusing on Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. This rule aims to give consumers greater control over their banking data and improve financial data portability. It highlights the importance of enhanced privacy and the challenges faced when switching services. The conversation also touches on how new regulations could enhance customer service and loan accessibility, ultimately fostering competition and benefiting small business owners.

Aug 6, 2025 • 4min
Email my heart: USPS falls behind digital communication
The podcast dives into the struggle of love letters in a digital world, highlighting the emotional weight of handwritten notes amidst declining mail delivery. Personal anecdotes reveal the frustrations of waiting for letters in a fast-paced digital age. It discusses how email has drastically reduced USPS traffic since 2008 and questions whether digital messages can ever replicate the warmth of a handwritten letter. The conversation also touches on the pandemic's role in accelerating this shift away from traditional correspondence.

Aug 5, 2025 • 7min
How much input do employees have in workplace tech adoption?
A recent study reveals most employees feel sidelined in tech adoption decisions at work. The discussion highlights how this disconnect can impact job satisfaction and productivity, especially with the rise of AI tools. Employees express a need for transparency and communication regarding new technologies. Strategies for improving feedback mechanisms and enhancing worker input are explored, aiming to bridge the gap between management and staff in tech integration. This conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration for a more innovative workplace.

4 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 4min
Seattle's great robotaxi experiment
Seattle is tackling the tricky challenge of integrating robotaxis with emergency response systems. A real-world incident in San Francisco highlights the communication gaps that could put lives at risk. The city is partnering with the Open Mobility Foundation to enhance urban mobility, focusing on data standards for seamless integration between traditional and autonomous transport. This innovative approach could serve as a scalable model for cities looking to adopt robo-taxis.

Aug 1, 2025 • 10min
Bytes: Week in Review — Tea app data breach, chip exports to China and YouTube rolls out age estimation tech
Maria Curi, a tech policy reporter at Axios, dives into the recent data breach of the Tea app, revealing how it compromised the sensitive information of over 70,000 users. She also discusses the controversial sale of NVIDIA's H20 chips to China, highlighting bipartisan fears over national security. Additionally, the conversation covers YouTube's new age estimation technology aimed at enhancing safety for younger users, examining the challenges of age verification in the digital age.

11 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 6min
AI's role in human productivity and prosperity
A Nobel-winning economist delves into how AI may boost productivity but risks widening economic inequality. Insights from MIT reveal AI's potential to enhance performance for entry-level workers, particularly in customer service. The discussion also tackles fears of job loss in sectors like call centers, juxtaposed against the belief that new job opportunities could emerge from technological evolution. The episode paints a complex picture of AI's role in shaping the workforce and future prosperity.

4 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 8min
Small tweaks to AI prompts can have significant impacts on output
Minor tweaks in AI prompts can lead to unpredictable and significant changes in chatbot outputs. Experts discuss the risks of rapid deployment in the tech industry, often sacrificing safety for speed. The conversation delves into the challenges of aligning AI behavior with human needs and the management of harmful content. There's a strong call for transparency in AI safety protocols, urging companies to share best practices to protect users and mitigate risks. This insight raises important questions about the future of responsible AI development.

7 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 4min
Apps that match truckers and loads are changing freight transport
Explore the dynamic shift in Canada's road freight industry as digital freight-matching platforms change how truckers connect with loads. Discover how technology simplifies transactions and enhances opportunities for drivers in this evolving landscape. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI and automation, highlighting concerns about job security while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human drivers in the industry. Join the discussion on the future of trucking in a rapidly advancing digital world.

Jul 28, 2025 • 6min
The growing market for cool wearables to help beat the heat
This episode dives into the rising demand for wearable cooling devices as summer heat intensifies, particularly for outdoor workers facing risks of heat stress. It showcases innovative products like the CülCan, designed to cool the body by regulating hand temperature. The co-founder reveals the science behind its special coolant, proving popular among users. The discussion also touches on other advanced wearables aimed at improving worker safety and the urgent need for effective solutions to combat heat-related health challenges.

Jul 25, 2025 • 12min
Bytes: Week in Review — Trump's new AI executive orders, Google seeks licensing deals with news publishers, and NASA employees dissent against budget cuts
Join Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital, as she dives into riveting tech discussions. This week, she unpacks President Trump's controversial AI executive orders, scrutinizing the implications for regulation and bias. Jewel also explores Google’s strategic licensing discussions with news organizations amidst industry challenges, and the growing dissent among NASA employees over severe budget cuts that threaten job security and important missions. Don’t miss her insights on the intersection of tech, economy, and media!