The Times Tech Podcast

Quantum computing has been called the next big technological revolution, potentially as transformative as AI. Governments are investing billions, banks are already experimenting with the technology, and startups are racing to turn decades of research into real-world systems. In this episode, originally from The Business, another podcast from The Times, James Palles-Dimmock from UK startup Quantum Motion talks about the race to scale quantum computing, how close we are to a real breakthrough, and whether the technology could change industries from finance to drug discovery.Presenters:Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuest:James Palles-Dimmock, chief executive, Quantum MotionProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

An explosive fallout between AI giant Anthropic, OpenAI and the US Department of War has ignited a fierce debate in Silicon Valley about who gets to decide how artificial intelligence is used in defence. Former Pentagon adviser and founder of Primer.ai, Sean Gourley, joins Danny and Katie to explain how this technology is already embedded in military operations, and explore whether Silicon Valley bosses should get a say when it comes to national security. Is AI making war smarter or more dangerous?Clip: Bloomberg TVProducer: Marnie DukeExecutive Producer: Priyanka DeladiaGet in touch: techpod@thetimes.co.uk

Do Nvidia’s latest results confirm a tech boom or signal the makings of a bubble? Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott ask how a once-niche graphics chipmaker ended up at the centre of global tech, geopolitics and the stock market. Author Stephen Witt joins them to explain Jensen Huang’s rise and the company’s extraordinary dominance.Guest: Stephen Witt, Author of The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted MicrochipImage: Getty

This episode of The Times Tech podcast is sponsored by PwC.Artificial intelligence is entering a new phase. It’s no longer just about chatbots generating text or analysing data. The next frontier is agentic AI systems that can coordinate tasks, make decisions and act with a degree of autonomy. In this sponsored bonus episode, brought to you by PwC, Katie Prescott speaks to Lilia Christofi, Partner for AI and Data at PwC, about what agentic AI really means in practice. 

As world leaders and tech bosses gather for India’s AI Impact Summit, Danny Fortson and Mark Sellman ask if these global summits are shaping AI or struggling to keep up with it? They also hear from Carina Prunkl, lead author of the new International AI Safety Report, about risks, jobs, autonomy and whether safeguards are keeping pace with technology. Plus, OpenAI snaps up viral agent OpenClaw. Image: GettyEmail us: techpod@thetimes.co.uk

Nikola Mrksic, CEO of Nvidia-backed London startup PolyAI, joins Danny and Katie to talk about AI voice assistants transforming customer service. He explains why voice AI is finally working, how PolyAI handles real-world calls and real-world accents, and what happens to jobs when bots can do the work of thousands. Plus, the ‘SaaSpocalypse’ – the $1 trillion sell-off that signals investors may finally believe AI is eating software.Image: PolyAI