Marketplace Tech

Denice Ross, a senior advisor at the Federation of American Scientists and former U.S. chief data scientist, dives into the recent loss of crucial federal datasets during the Trump administration. She highlights specific datasets gone missing, from climate to health data, and discusses how this hinders access for researchers. Ross explores the challenges of private sector attempts to fill the gaps and shares lessons from past disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Finally, she proposes ideas to safeguard remaining data, emphasizing the need for transparency and integration with everyday applications.

Dr. Carlos Chaccour, a physician-scientist from the University of Navarra, uncovers a troubling trend in academic publishing. After spotting errors in a suspicious letter regarding his malaria research, he investigated further. Chaccour reveals a surge in AI-generated letters from new authors, often designed to enhance academic reputations. He discusses the implications of this phenomenon, warning that it could inflate research metrics and lead to a 'science bubble.' The conversation dives into the broader misuse of AI in the publishing world.

Paresh Dave, a Senior Writer at Wired, joins to dive into the recent ruling that Meta is not a monopoly, exploring its impact on tech acquisitions. They discuss the emerging landscape of AI shopping tools, their current limitations, and consumer interest in letting AI handle purchases. Paresh also shares insights on the anticipated return of Vine, now rebranded as 'Divine,' focusing on a platform for human-made videos free from AI influence. The conversation reveals the evolving dynamics of creators, AI content, and the quest for user privacy in retail.

Ryan McGrady, a senior fellow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, dives into the ideological schism between Grokipedia, Elon Musk's AI-driven encyclopedia, and the more democratized Wikipedia. He highlights Grokipedia's top-down approach and lack of transparency, contrasting it with Wikipedia’s collaborative neutrality. McGrady recalls historical forks in Wikipedia's timeline, suggesting Grokipedia reflects a return to controlled knowledge. He warns of the dangers of opaque AI systems, stressing the importance of auditability in knowledge creation.

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.