The Short Fuse

The Metaverse was promised as the next great leap for the internet—a decentralised, immersive world where we would work, shop, and socialise. But as we approach the dates set by major analysts for mass adoption, the reality looks very different.In this episode of Short Fuse, Ollie and Duncan take a critical look at the state of Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse. We explore the massive disconnect between the aggressive predictions made by industry experts and the actual adoption rates we see today.

Join Duncan and Ollie in this lively episode of "Short Fuse" as they dive into the fascinating world of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). From the potential of controlling devices with your thoughts to the ethical dilemmas and regulatory challenges, they explore both the thrilling possibilities and the daunting risks. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion with a sprinkle of humour. Tune in and decide if you're long or short on BCI!

Is the internet already dead? The "Dead Internet Theory" suggests the web is no longer a human place but is dominated by bots and AI-generated contentIn this episode, Duncan and Ollie use the Short Fuse Tech Tracker as evidence to debate the theory. We discuss how AI "slop" and bot-to-bot engagement (especially on LinkedIn) are killing authentic human interactionThis leads to a "bifurcation" of the internet: one layer for AI agents and transactions, and another, separate layer for verified humansFull analysis at: shortfuseresearch.com

Join Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue for the Short Fuse October Tech Tracker review.This month, the team analyses the biggest movers in technology. Cloud computing takes a significant dive, landing in the hype trap following major AWS and Cloudflare outages. Duncan and Ollie discuss the growing public backlash against "AI slop" and explore why Generative AI's sentiment is falling while technical AI (like machine learning) moves into the momentum zone.

Duncan and Ollie dive into humanoid robots as products and as markets. Pricing, upkeep, touch and balance, messy homes, smart home integration, and use in care and manufacturing. A sharp, funny, data led guide to what matters now and what could matter by 2050.

In this episode, Ollie and Duncan put their emerging tech tracker tool to work, analyzing real data to uncover what's actually happening beneath the AI hype. Are we heading toward a bubble burst, or is something more nuanced unfolding? Using insights from their tracker, they examine how big tech companies are positioning themselves, explore the interconnected web of emerging technologies from quantum computing to AI, and discuss why public sentiment is shifting. Join them for a data driven conversation that cuts through the noise and reveals what the numbers are really telling us about the future of tech innovation.

In this episode of Short Fuse, Duncan and Ollie unveil their brand new website and innovative platform designed to track tech trends and sentiment. Dive into their journey of building this hub, and explore how it will shape future discussions. Plus, enjoy their signature banter as they tackle topics like quantum computing and the curious case of ultrasonic kitchen knives. Tune in for a blend of tech insights and humour, and be part of the launch excitement.

Duncan and Ollie pull apart the future of crime and punishment, asking how AI and technology might reshape the way we deliver justice. From smarter legal outcomes and rethinking juries to personalized, rehabilitation-focused sentencing, they challenge the status quo and explore what happens when human judgment collides with machine intelligence. 

From the billionaire space race and mining the moon to the scientific imperative to explore, Ollie and Duncan cover whether humanity's future lies in the stars or if we should be fixing problems closer to home first. Plus, a vital discussion on the statistical probability of aliens.