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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

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments in AI, social media trends, and the future of warfare, delving into the ethical, societal, and technological implications of these rapid changes.KeywordsAI, social media, warfare, technology, ethics, future of work, TikTok, Vine, Ukraine, autonomous weaponsKey topicsAI in warfare and defenseThe resurgence of short-form video platforms like Vine and DivineSocial media responsibility and offline consequencesThe development and risks of autonomous weaponsThe impact of AI training on jobs and societyTakeawaysUkraine has become a key AI battlefield, with data shaping modern warfare.Vine's return signals a shift towards less algorithm-driven, more authentic content.Social media platforms face complex responsibilities for offline actions.AI's role in training and replacing jobs raises ethical and economic questions.The development of autonomous weapons presents profound moral and strategic challenges.

In this episode, Bloomberg columnist Dave Lee joins hosts Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker to discuss if the computer keyboard is on its last legs. Only around half of users see it as a primary device and 20% don't use it at all. What's the future of interfaces, and will typing be entirely unnecessary?We explore the future of interfaces, the role of writing and AI, and the cultural implications of technological change. They debate the significance of the keyboard, voice interfaces, and the enduring value of human storytelling.Find Dave's vibe-coded website: https://www.davelee.me/keywordsfuture of interfaces, AI and writing, voice technology, keyboard vs voice, storytelling, tech culture, AI tools, communication evolutionkey topicsThe evolution of internet access and device usageThe potential decline of the keyboard in favour of voice and AR interfacesThe importance of writing as a thinking tool and its cultural valueThe role of AI in writing, communication, and creative processesThe social and ethical considerations of relying on AI and voice techThe significance of human character and storytelling in a digital ageThe impact of AI on journalism, music, and other creative fieldsFuture trends in human-computer interaction and interface design

Quantum is about to change the world, so we’re told. It will make computers exponentially faster. It will challenge the cryptographic foundations that underpin security. It has the potential to fundamentally reshape the world, similar to the shift from before the web to after. According to Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger of cat-owning/not-owning fame, quantum mechanics requires an entire departure from classical lines of thought:In this episode, Dr Jess Wade, of Imperial College London, joins presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker to explain the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, its potential to revolutionise technology, and how the UK is positioning itself in the global quantum race. She demystifies complex concepts like quantum entanglement and discusses the societal impact of quantum innovations.Also in the programme, why is the cloud seemingly moving to Slough? And what happens now lovebots are banned?

Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker discuss "The UK’s first TikTok prime minister", and if Andy Burnham really is channelling New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he hit social media. Other ministers, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood talking about small boat crossings, or AI minister Kanishka Narayan talking about Backing British while eating a strawberry, are following suit. Even Chancellor John Healey was reviewing pork scratchings with Burnham in a pub in a social video. Why? What's the grand plan here? And what are the 13 new social media hires going to do?Alongside that in this episode, we explore the latest social media trends, political strategies, and bizarre news stories that highlight how digital culture is shaping society. From TikTok's integration with Disney to political social media tactics, we cover it all.keywordssocial media, TikTok, politics, social media trends, viral stories, digital culture, political strategy, social media influence, bizarre news, online activismkey topicsTikTok's partnership with Disney and major brandsThe use of social media by politicians for direct engagementThe impact of viral stories and bizarre news on public discourseReddit's role in AI training data and search resultsControversies involving political figures and social media abuse

A lampost with facial-recognition capability has been announced. Why? We don't know. But we'll try and find out. In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments in surveillance technology, AI mishaps, and the implications for privacy and civil liberties. Our guest, Professor Pete Fussey, shares insights from his extensive research on surveillance systems, facial recognition, and the societal impacts of these technologies.Also, the tech angle on the Clicky Ponting cricket cheating scandal, OpenAI admits to more hacking, and former eBay employees have to pay millions for a campaign of abuse and intimidation against a couple who wrote less-than-complimentary things about them.Follow Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-fussey Key topics: The expansion of surveillance infrastructure like CCTV and lamp postsAI errors and privacy leaks in chatbots like Claude and ChatGPTDemographic biases in facial recognition technologyThe impact of surveillance on marginalized communitiesRegulatory challenges and the need for transparency in surveillance techThe societal effects of surveillance and privacy erosionThe role of human rights law in regulating surveillanceThe influence of political ideologies on surveillance policies

In a week of a new prime minister, an OpenAI agentic “hack” and France banning social media for under-15s, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker have a lot to get through.They’re joined by investigative journalist Ben Smoke, who has spent the last 18 months investigating alleged corruption in AI policy and the Labour government. This episode delves into the transparency, conflicts of interest, and societal impact of current AI strategies. And talks about Fast and the Furious as an academic pursuit.Subscribe to Ben's Substack: https://wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/Or follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bencsmoke/?hl=en Keywords: AI policy, UK government, industry influence, transparency, AI growth zones, AI minister, political accountability, tech industry, public interest, AI regulationKey topics: UK AI policy and government restructuring; Influence of tech industry and vested interests; transparency and conflicts of interest in AI policymaking; AI growth zones and local economic impact; Role of the AI minister and cabinet dynamics