Crashed

Investigative journalist Lydia Morrish of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism joins presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker to discuss the millions of non-consensual deepfakes produced on X's Grok in under two weeks.Elsewhere in the episode, we unpack the UK budget’s technology priorities, including AI investment, cybersecurity, data centres, and support for scale-ups; examine Anthropic’s prospective IPO, the company’s financial disclosures, and what its public offering could reveal about the AI boom.We also spend slightly too long talking about fish and chips.Follow Lydia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydmorrish/?hl=en-gbRead her investigation into Grok: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-09-29/grok-deepfakes-police-justiceAnd her follow-up: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-10-22/grok-deepfake-case-reopened-after-bureau-reportingOr watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDb5ayMG694

We tried to make a positive-news-only episode of Crashed and ended up talking about climate change, drilling in the North Sea, the collapse of societal norms, and a lot about a receipt printer for reasons only co-presenter Chris Stokel-Walker knows. Co-presenter Alex Hudson and Chris celebrate Crashed's first birthday with a look at how tech has already made life better and how it might be about to in the years and decades to come. Keywords: technology, future, green energy, medical tech, quantum computing, AI, innovation, podcast anniversaryKey topicsCelebration of the podcast's one-year anniversaryAdvancements in green energy and battery techMedical innovations like AI in cancer detectionQuantum computing and brain interface breakthroughsThe politics of energy and climate changeFuture predictions for technology and society

Nobel Peace Prize winner Beatrice Fihn helped pioneer efforts to achieve a treaty-based ban on nuclear weapons. She's now turned her attention to the use of AI in warfare. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker discuss with her how AI is already being used on the battlefield, the parallels with nuclear disarmament and just how much the Geneva Convention stands up to scrutiny. The documentary discussed in the episode, Will We Let AI Kill People, can be watched in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLIT00ZHgYE Elsewhere in the episode, we talk about MI5's renewed focus on AI, Mia Goth's AI deepfake issue, and what's the point of Apple's HomeView? keywords: AI warfare, international regulation, autonomous weapons, human control, global coalition, AI ethics, nuclear analogy, treaty negotiationsAI safety, deepfakes, MI5, cybersecurity, biological weapons, AI regulation, tech ethics, AI threats, AI deepfake, AI governancekey topicsMI5's AI Threat Assessment Centre (AI TAC)AI in warfare and automated weaponsInternational regulation and treatiesThe importance of human control over AI weaponsThe role of global coalitions and civil societyLessons from nuclear and chemical weapons regulationThe potential and risks of AI in military applicationsDeepfake incidents involving Mia GothRisks of AI in biological weapon synthesisRegulation and safety of AI systemsThe AI arms race among global intelligence agenciesThe challenge of verifying AI safety and honestyThe impact of AI on national security and global stability

***Trigger warning: difficult discussions about sexual predators and child abuse take place in this episode.***The TikTok farlands are what media studies professor Jessica Maddox calls “the end of the internet where things get weird. You’ve left the mainstream and taken a wrong turn.” This wrong turn is regularly just a weird, glitchy nightmare of surreal AI but there is a darker piece to this puzzle. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker talk to investigative journalist Katherine Denkinson about a Prospect investigation about the darker corners of TikTok. Also in the episode, what price with ASOS's hack have on the brand? And why on either are digital price panels having a moment? Read Kat's piece here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/technology/internet/telecoms/social-media/75143/they-trade-child-sex-abuse-material.-they-find-each-other-on-tiktok Go to Kat's homepage: https://kdenkwrites.com/

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Chris explore the chaotic intersection of AI, military technology, and the future of media and society, sharing insights from recent research and personal anecdotes.keywords: AI, military tech, quantum computing, media, society, innovation, future trendskey topicsAI and military technologyQuantum computing advancementsMedia consumption and long-running seriesThe economics of hardware and AI infrastructureThe social implications of technological change

Crashed is celebrating its 50th episode, which is silly. Also silly is choosing to celebrate it by trying to fit 50 things you need to know about AI in a single episode. But we did it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of Crashed and making it into the ridiculous thing it has become. If you want cake, email us and we'll try to send you some.In this episode, Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments and misconceptions in AI, from superintelligence to AI regulation, water usage, and the future of AI technology.Keywords: AI, superintelligence, AI regulation, water usage, AI ethics, AI models, AI impact, AI safety, future of AIKey topicsWhat Donald Trump means by superintelligence and its implicationsThe reality of superintelligence and its development pathAI safety concerns and containment issuesThe impact of AI on water and energy consumptionRegulatory efforts and international cooperation on AI safetyThe influence of capitalism and geopolitics on AI developmentThe role of open source and corporate AI modelsThe bias and ethical challenges in AI systemsThe potential of AI to reduce conspiracy beliefs and improve productivityThe future of humanoid robots and AI integration

In this special Q&A episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the complex and often alarming intersections of AI, government influence, privacy, technological innovation, and much more besides. They discuss recent developments, historical parallels, and the future implications of AI and tech in society.Keywords: AI, government influence, privacy, technology, innovation, regulation, societal impact, future of AI, surveillance, global cooperationKey topics: AI influence on government decision-making, AI and its historical parallels with the Manhattan Project and financial crises, the role of lobbying and regulation in AI development, privacy concerns with facial recognition and surveillance, global cooperation and AI governance, the impact of AI on jobs and society

Chayn founder and CEO Hera Hussain joins Alex Hudson and guest presenter Dr Carolina Are to discuss the complex issues surrounding image-based abuse, consent, and digital safety, especially in conservative cultures and diaspora communities. She highlights the importance of nuanced policies, community impact, and technological solutions.Also in the episode, have we finally reached late-stage algorithm? And what would it take for the presenters to start dating an LLM? Read Chayn’s report: https://reports.chayn.co/ Follow Carolina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloggeronpole Keywords: image-based abuse, consent, digital safety, Hera Hussain, social media, privacy, gender-based violence, tech policy, Pakistan, social media, algorithms, regulation, aura battles, extremism, digital literacy

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Taylor Lorenz explore the evolving landscape of influence, AI, and digital regulation, discussing the impact of technology on society, politics, and media. They delve into the future of AI, the role of influencers, and the challenges of regulation in a rapidly changing digital world.Follow Taylor Lorenz's Power User on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/taylor-lorenzs-power-user/id1733535260 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iganPXXEoTDB9lIQzY7Fh?si=85fed5daa4ad42e9 Or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/taylorlorenz keywordsAI, influencers, digital regulation, social media, technology, politics, media, privacy, future of AI, influence economykey topicsThe influence economy and its evolutionThe role of AI in everyday life and workChallenges of regulation and liability in AI systemsThe changing landscape of social media and influenceThe impact of legislation on free speech and digital contentThe rise of agentic AI and its implicationsThe concept of fame in the digital eraThe intersection of technology, privacy, and ethics