Disconnected

With AI all around us, it's worth a check; is your brain still there…?Watch out for agency decay, Google's huge new suite of AI tools, Sir Jony Ive's magic at OpenAI, and so much more - stay afloat with one of the busiest fortnights in technology courtesy of the wonderful insights from Jag, Jen, Jason and Felina.This episode of Disconnected covers:Humanity's dangerous levels of AI dependency, and the advent of ‘agency decay'Google's huge new AI tools, promising a tech revolutionThe risks of AI overreliance in healthcare and educationOpenAI and Jony Ive's mysterious new AI-powered deviceJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Marketing agencies beware: Meta's next move could be an extinction level event…There are shakeups across the board in tech and social media this week, from Elon abandoning Grok and Sam Altman keeping OpenAI non-profit, to ‘The Zuck' declaring war on the advertising industry.Taking us through it all are the ever-reliable Jag, Jen and Jason, joined by very special guest Matt Webster!This episode of Disconnected covers:Meta's advertising revolution, potentially eliminating the need for advertising agencies Elon Musk's Grok chaos, and his now-unpredictable approach to technology and social media AI's impact in transforming industries Sam Altman's saga with OpenAI's status as a non-profit modelThe fallout from recent cyber attacks on businesses like M&S, and about how AI might both create and solve future security threatsMatt Websterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwwebster/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Adolescence has parents in a panic, and governments in disarray - should we ban social media for kids? Is it too late to even try…?The best and worst of technology is on full display this week on Disconnected, as Jason & Jag are joined by special guest Ben Davies to discuss this, as well as ChatGPT's recent impact on the art world with its Studio Ghibli imitations.This episode of Disconnected covers:The huge societal questions posed by Adolescence, and whether social media is safe for our kidsWhether ChatGPT's assimilation of Studio Ghibli's handcrafted style is the death or the rebirth of artAGI tools that are reinventing how we interact with the internet and the world around usBen Davieshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/benjadavies/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Grok's got a potty mouth, Humane AI's been snuffed out within months, and our last hope for social media is… Snapchat?It's been mayhem in recent weeks, so Jen Campbell and Jag Sharma set the world to rights this week and explain why Snapchat's CEO is the tech hero we've been waiting for, why Grok's profanity might be a good thing, and much more.This episode of Disconnected covers:Grok AI's comments on Indian politics and social issues creating controversySnapchat's focus on positive user experiences and content moderationHumane AI's swift failure, and the challenges of bringing new tech products to marketMeta's aim for an ad-free subscription service in the UKJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Who needs friends? For the low price of an AI subscription fee, you could have all the friends you need…Chatbots are taking the roles of friends, lovers, parental figures, therapists, mediators and career coaches, but is the tradeoff of convenience sapping our humanity from us?We dive into a very real conversation about fake conversations on Disconnected this week, as we also set our sights on alternatives to X, from BlueSky in the west to China's new 500m user ‘underdog'...This episode of Disconnected covers:The AI companions sapping our humanity from usHow AI can be used to teach social skills for neurodiverse peopleWhether BlueSky is a viable alternative to X, or just like everything elseChina's new social media ‘underdog', and whether we should be supporting itJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

Where power flows, Zuckerberg swiftly follows, which puts him firmly in Trump's camp for the foreseeable…How that manifests in Meta we'll see over the next 4 years, but they've already abandoned content moderation in favour of community notes.We look at the ripples this'll send throughout their many platforms, as well as the UK's creative copyright crisis and Grok's newfound 18+ mode, on this week's Disconnected.This episode of Disconnected covers:Meta's shift to an unmoderated, community notes-style platformThe UK's AI strategy coming up against copyright for the creative sectorX's chatbot discovers how to talk dirtyJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

It's been a monumental month in the AI space, and we might already have signs of how the tech industry will unfold in 2025…From Chinese competitors and country-wide bans to agentic capabilities and a whole lot of tech-for-good stories, Jag, Jen, Jason and a returning Felina Tan take us through it all in this week's jam-packed Disconnected…This episode of Disconnected covers:The great ChatGPT vs DeepSeek face-offChatGLM and Ying taking us a step closer to agentic AIWho you should trust with your data with each new AI modelJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

It's the first show of the year, which means it's our bravest show of the year…We put our money where our mouths are by hedging our bets on what the coming 12 months will hold in the world of tech and social media.From Agentic AI and an influx of scammers to social media bans and the possible TikTok exodus, join us to peer into the future.This episode of Disconnected covers:TikTok's tumultuous ride with the potential US banNew, elevated forms of AI assistanceThe future of scamsJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

336 days ago, we made our bold predictions for what 2024 might bring us - it's time to look back on just how the year surprised us…Jag, Jen and Jason take this episode to see which of their prophecies came true, how much AI took over our feeds, and the social & cybersecurity gaffes that ruled the year we've endured.This episode of Disconnected covers:The promising notion of automation seen with robots and autonomous vehiclesHuge cybersecurity blunders that marked the yearThe AI-generated content rife on our feeds, for better or worseJag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/Jen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Felina Tan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/

We've moaned enough about AI, it's time to realise how it's going to save the world.Visual impairment, taxi services, and protecting red squirrels are all on our agenda this week, as Jag and Jen dive deep into the future of AI, plus a peek at social media's latest missteps with Mastodon and Blue Sky…This episode of Disconnected covers:The AI tool protecting the dwindling red squirrel populationHow visually impaired people have a new solution for personal assistantsClash of the robotaxisWhether Mastodon and Blue Sky's new aggregator is worth its whileJen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

He's back, whether you like it or not.We're bound for 4 more years of Donald Trump, but Elon Musk's been tied to his hip, so how long might we see him in a governmental capacity, and what does that mean for his companies?We untangle the messy muddle that last week's election threw us into on this week's impactful episode of Disconnected, along with a look into Australia's hopes for a total social media ban…This episode of Disconnected covers:Elon Musk's role in Trump's electionWhether his Department of Government Efficiency presents a conflict of interestAustralia's vision of a social media ban for under-16sJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Donald Trump's assembled his ‘MAGA Avengers', and it won't be long before we find out if they've worked their magic…With Elon among them, it's no wonder Jason Kapadia's eyes are peeled - he, Jen and Jag weigh in on how Twitter/X is playing its part in America's future.Join us on this week's Disconnected, as we also fill you in on the very demure language taking over TikTok, and how misleading tweets are making users thousands of dollars.This episode of Disconnected covers:How TikTok has proliferated a new style of languageThe art of making money through misinformation on XDonald Trump's renewed strategy to take over the White HouseJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Imagine basing your worldview on an image that doesn't exist.Among the more shocking stories in the tech world surrounds people not caring whether images are AI-generated, as long as it fits their narrative.Not only that, but ‘I, Robot' is now fact rather than fiction, and we'll soon be buying cars without a steering wheel, all thanks to Tesla's latest event.Catch up with the future with Jag and Jason on this week's exciting and terrifying episode of Disconnected…This episode of Disconnected covers:Politicians accepting AI-generated images as “truth”Tesla's huge launch event unveiling its taxis and busesWhether the Tesla robot is dream, reality, or nightmareJason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Who gave AI our microphones…?Google's most impressive development in recent months is on everyone's lips, but we're left wondering if NotebookLM is about to take over the podcast charts.Until then it's still the human Jag, Jason and Felina bringing you the latest tech news on Disconnected, with a look at Meta's vision of the future with their new wearable, and whether AI has finally helped the bots defeat ‘captcha' for good.This episode of Disconnected covers:AI's shocking success rate at passing ‘captcha' tests, how we beat the botsGoogle's NotebookLM taking a podcast approach to AI summariesMeta's Orion glasses promising to tear us away from our phonesFelina Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Has Ticketmaster become the very touts that we hoped they'd stop?Oasis' reunion has sparked a huge debate on pricing based on demand, but what lessons will other industries take from this - will they put morals ahead of money?That's just one of many stories on Disconnected this week, as Felina Tan returns to chat Crowdstrike woes, Twitter/X's Brazilian ban, and the AI pizza recipe taking Dubai by storm.This episode of Disconnected covers:Ticketmaster and Oasis' problematic surge pricing, and how to solve the issueTwitter/X's ban in Brazil, and whether it's still worth $44bnAn update on Crowdstrike's continuing woes since their crisisThe AI pizza recipeJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Felina Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felinagabrielletan/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Can the dead not just stay dead anymore?Whether it's a tasteful cameo or a lifeless cash-grab, there's very little stopping old likenesses from making new content, and that's at the heart of one of this week's biggest topics on Disconnected…Join us as we debate digital zombies, creating fake memories with the new Pixel 9, and the responsibility you take for the misinformation you reshare on social media.SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for newly-released Alien: Romulus from 2:30 to 5:30, and light spoilers for Prometheus around 7:40.This episode of Disconnected covers:Whether recreating the likeness of dead actors is respectful or irresponsibleThe ownership that public figures should take over resharing misleading contentGoogle's approach to saving memories, and the potential to manipulate them beyond recognition Jen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Elon Musk: Free speech evangelist or catalyst for civil war?Since taking over Twitter, there's been a tug of war between free speech and the open spread of misinformation, but nobody expected the man who purchased it to become its biggest problem child.This episode of Disconnected dives deep into the murky waters of Musk's recent behaviour, plus Meta's crushed dreams of celeb chatbots, and whether OpenAI will have any staff left if they keep leaving at the current rate…This episode of Disconnected covers:Elon Musk's most problematic political tweetsHow misinformation thrives on X/TwitterWhether big tech Founders should be held to the same standards of integrity as journalistsMeta's celebrity chatbots shutting down, and whether they're out of touchOpenAI's problem with Founders departingThe perfect take on LinkedIn hopping on the Olympic bandwagonJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Never push updates on a Friday - you might bring the world grinding to a halt…We all know the scale of Crowdstrike's impact on the global economy, but how on earth did it ACTUALLY happen, and could it happen again?This week's episode of Disconnected goes beyond the corporate bull, and shares the real story, plus Tesla's plan on bringing humanoid robots to life, and the gold standard of AI innovation on show at Paris 2024.This episode of Disconnected covers:The Olympic Games' use of AI technology to enhance our viewing experienceElon Musk's ambitious goal to employ humanoid robots from next yearHow the Crowdstrike crash actually happened, and whether we should be worried about more cyber-calamitiesJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/ https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Oh, how the mighty fall…LinkedIn was once the gold standard for professionalism, but the last few years has seen the platform subject to ‘TikTok-ification', devolving from its former glory. But what the hell happened, and is it worth fixing?As ever, join us for insightful debate from Jag Sharma, Jason Kapadia, and our Chief LinkedIn Sceptic, Jen Campbell.This episode of Disconnected covers:The devolution of quality in content on LinkedInWhether the platform will be swamped with AI features and contentLinkedIn's monopoly on the job board industryJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Toys ‘R' Us has made a fully AI-generated ad - is this the end for creative industries?In a packed episode of Disconnected this week, Jag & Jason tackle Sora's role in the ad world, how the EU wants to read all your messages, whether Meta and Facebook are now an unsecure nightmare for content moderation, and much more…This episode of Disconnected covers:Toys ‘R' Us, their AI-generated ad, and the future for creative industriesThe EU approach to child safety that's exposing all our messagesWhether Meta has ‘given up' on security and content moderationThe senior official in the US calling for smoking-style warnings on social Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Elon Musk once Co-Founded OpenAI - now he's concerned that they're a security risk to his company. How the tables have turned…Apple's WWDC event brought announcements galore, many of which we can unanimously get excited about, but one partnership in particular poses a security risk to which Musk doesn't take too kindly.Is he right to fear the change? Are Apple's latest announcements stellar or stale? Jag, Jen and Jason cover all the latest in this week's episode of Disconnected.This episode of Disconnected covers:The basis of Elon Musk's OpenAI security concerns, and whether he's got a pointHow Apple are integrating ChatGPT right into their operating systemThe most exciting announcements that'll impact you from WWDC 2024Jen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

The race to the top of the AI food chain is absolutely second to none right now - take your finger off the pulse and you'd have missed two of the biggest evolutions to date…Google I/O showed us Gemini's latest advancements (formerly Bard), and OpenAI's DevDay showed off GPT-4o which brings ChatGPT's power into several new senses.So what can each of them do, and which will reign supreme? Discover more on this week's mind-blowing episode of Disconnected…This episode of Disconnected covers:Whether Google's Gemini is a death sentence for the likes of the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI PinOpenAI's seemingly-endless innovation with GPT-4oThe catch that comes with offering such powerful tools for freeJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Are we missing the point of Baby Reindeer?Netflix has brought us a slick show based on a shocking true story, but beyond the show it's exposed the troubling reality of internet sleuthing…This week's Disconnected dives deep into the impact of true crime fanatics, as well as two of the latest and (maybe) greatest AI developments - listen on for cutting insight from Jag Sharma, Felina Tan, and for the first time since 2022, Ben Wiggins!This episode of Disconnected covers:

Is the Humane AI Pin dead on arrival?In the tech sphere this week we've two budding technologies with wildly different reception: Neuralink's vision of the future, and Version 1 of Humane's AI Pin being absolutely scorched.Jag is joined by Jen this week to weigh in on the battle of the prototypes, and herald the arrival of yet another new social media platform…This episode of Disconnected covers:How Neuralink promises to question our sense of selfThe new audio-only social platform making wavesHumane AI's review-bombed launch and future aspirationsJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

The US is at war once more. This time, it seems, with TikTok.The app is under fire from all angles, and if it's banned in the US it could spell trouble for a platform boasting 1 billion monthly active users…So where do the US concerns lie, where can TikTok go from here, and should you be worried about your data? We cover all this, and so much more, with Jag, Jen and Jason on episode 66 of Disconnected.This episode of Disconnected covers:The national security issues that the US claim to be concerned aboutWhether Google, Meta and X should be held accountable in the same wayAccusations of Bytedance employees spying on journalistsWhat happens to TikTok if the US ban goes throughJen Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Who knew that Elon's pursuit of a secure platform would have him revealing IP addresses…The new feature on his platform presents one of many stories in the tech world this week that'll put our guards back up - Jag, Jen and Jason bring us the latest on Disconnected, from policy-making chatbots and the 4 day work week to criminal influencers and how a brand new car was sold for just $1. This episode of Disconnected covers:The new Twitter/X feature posing security issuesChatbots creating company policies that are legally bindingA shocking influencer story proving how careful we need to be in supporting online personalitiesWhether the rise of AI is bringing the 4 day work week closerJen Campbell:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-m-campbell/Jason Kapadia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkapadia/https://www.instagram.com/jasonkapadia/Jag Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagsharmahttps://www.instagram.com/jagsharma/

Are our brains being reshaped?

TikTok taking on an industry titan, VR taking over, and Facebook taking a look back at 20 years - there's no such thing as a quiet week in tech.This week we round up some huge stories from the past fortnight, from Universal Music Group's artists finding their songs removed from TikTok, to Apple's Vision Pro headset being subject to rave and ridicule alike.Join the usual suspects - Jag, Jen and Jason - as they wrap all this and more into episode 63 of Disconnected…This episode of Disconnected covers:Universal Music Group's ongoing spat with TikTokThe immediate cultural impact of the Apple Vision ProThe state of Facebook on its 20th birthday

It took just two weeks for one of Jason Kapadia's predictions to come true, thanks in no small part to Samsung…With AI being injected directly to our phones, VR solving the challenge of walking, and Apple embroiled in yet another controversy that puts them under fire, it's a hell of a week on the Disconnected Podcast.This episode of Disconnected covers:Samsung's new phones incorporating Galaxy AIApple's App Store policies landing them in hot waterDisney's solution to walking in VRWhy Jag thinks the internet isn't as fun and carefree as it once was

If 2023 is anything to go by, we're in for a wild year of technology changing our everyday lives…AI continues to thrive, and industry leaders continue to bring new, innovative ideas to the fore, so where will we be this time next year?As has become something of a tradition on Disconnected, we kick off 2024 with a look at Jen, Jag and Jason's predictions for what the year will bring to the tech and social media landscape.This episode of Disconnected covers:The evolution of image and voice searchCybersecurity and the spread of scamsAI-generated content swamping the algorithms and platformsThe impact of first-party implementation of large language models

Navigate the 2023 Tech Landscape as Jag, Jen & Jason dissect the accuracy of last year's tech predictions, whilst also future gazing at Elon's view of 2024; From neuro link trials to the integration of robots and navigating the evolving realms of AI, virtual reality and social media search.  We delve into the world of influencer marketing, unravelling the complexities of authenticity and the rise of micro and nano influencers, plus decode consumer search habits that offer a glimpse into social media trends in 2024. This episode of Disconnected includes: Accuracy of 2023 tech predictionsSustainability in marketing and influencer cultureBrand influence through micro and nano influencersElon Musk's predictions for technology and AI

It wouldn't be AI if it didn't come with some controversy…The past fortnight has been a whirlwind of events surrounding OpenAI's recent drama. Jag Sharma and Jason Kapadia dissect the news of Sam Altman's journey – from a surprising firing to a reinstatement that turns heads.Jag and Jason discuss the rapidly evolving world of AI, the role of the big players like Microsoft and the implications of Artificial General Intelligence on society. This episode of Disconnected covers:Open AI drama involving CEO Sam Altman's firing and reinstatementArtificial generation intelligence advancementsAI tools and potential job replacementAI's impact on jobs and society

Don't you wish your chatbot was a little less bot, and a little more chat?That's what Elon Musk's vision of the future hopes to solve, and in a tech landscape that's seen GPT-4 Turbo and the Humane AI Pin grace us so recently, it's AI all the way in this week's Disconnected.Join all the J's - Jag, Jen and Jason - for the latest on how you can create chatbots from scratch, fresh threats to the educational system, and much more…This episode of Disconnected covers:Elon Musk's plans for Grok, the new chatbot with a rebellious streakHow you can create a money making chatbot with 0 coding knowledgeWhether the education system needs to evolve with the new GPTs' capabilitiesThe marmite-esque launch of Humane's AI Pin

It's judgement time for Elon.We're a year on from the fateful day that he spent $44 billion on Twitter, and with high expectations have come the fair share of plaudits and pessimism. So let's cut through the noise - how is he REALLY doing so far?Who better to lead the debate for Elon than Jason Kapadia in the blue corner, and the more sceptical Jag Sharma and Jen Campbell in the red corner…This episode of Disconnected covers:Early predictions on Elon's plans and whether they came trueWhere we think the tipping point has been as X finds its feetAll the major controversies, feature changes and u-turnsThe interesting move to appoint a CEO from media, rather than the tech space

Web3 is the future of our internet, but what on earth does that even mean?It stands among esteemed company for misunderstood jargon alongside blockchain, cryptocurrency and the Metaverse - that's where we come in to demystify it all.Jen, Jag and a returning Jason muse over the tech that's leading our internet, what's yet to be proven, and where it could lead us for the future of the web…This episode of Disconnected covers:How decentralisation forms the basis of the blockchainWhen we might see the proliferation of Web3How much of the technology is yet to be proven in practiceThe hardware barrier to Web3 and the Metaverse

Who would you rather win over, a jury or the internet?Trial by social media is a powerful wrath which can work for or against you, so the question remains - does it hold too much power?In a pertinent time for social justice, Jag, Jen and Felina mull over the web's effects on cancel culture…TW // This episode contains heavy discussions around potentially distressing topics, particularly surrounding allegations against Russell Brand - listener discretion is advised.This episode of Disconnected covers:Trial by social media working as guilty until proven innocentWhether social platforms are swaying jury opinionsHow social media sites are responding to backlash

The farthest reaches of the globe have never felt so close, all thanks to technology.Living and working abroad was once an intimidating prospect, but as expats themselves, Jag Sharma and Jen Campbell have an arsenal of indispensable apps to make the transition simple.This week's Disconnected podcast is perfect for anyone travelling abroad, and perhaps thinking of staying for months, or even years - tune in for some tech ideas to change your life irreversibly for the better…This episode of Disconnected covers:Which services and groups are ideal for researching before you reach a new countryJag's findings in the battle of the VPNsPayment apps in Asia, and why Jag & Jen have conflicting opinions on HSBC's PayMeHow different territories take different approaches to allowing ‘Jack of all trades' apps

Have you ever seen a social post and thought, ‘How the hell did they approve this?'No longer is that the sign of a disgruntled employee, but a viable tactic known as ‘unhinged marketing', and it's taking social platforms by storm.It's the topic that kicks off a packed Disconnected where we tackle Threads' waning user base, the Metaverse's demise, algorithm-busting bills, and more with Jen Campbell, Jason Kapadia and Felina Tan.This episode of Disconnected covers:The rise of ‘unhinged marketing'Threads' flagging active user baseThe EU ditching algorithmsA slow death for the MetaverseDepp vs Heard and the court of public opinion

No username is safe from X (the artist formerly known as Twitter).The platform is making yet more sweeping changes, reclaiming handles from users and introducing a revenue sharing model - and that's not even the most world-altering social media news this week…Join Jag & Jason as they take us through Meta's news ban in Canada, Gen Alpha introducing a new kind of split screening, and Zoom… ordering people back to the office?This episode of Disconnected covers:Twitter/X reclaiming notable handles from its usersWhether revenue sharing for tweets will change the platformThe new potential for disinformation in CanadaOur youngest generations taking split screening to a new level

Of all that's in the media right now, two things are inescapable: the Women's World Cup and Barbie.That's thanks, in no small part, to a shift in the way that tech and media are bringing these spectacles to life; a fascinating evolution which centres this week's episode of Disconnected…Join Jen Campbell & Felina Tan as they dive into the world's most influential influencer, the best use of deepfakes we've seen so far, and much more!This episode of Disconnected covers:The evolution of print media for women's football coverageChanging people's perceptions through genius marketingStaggering stats about women's roles in the tech industryBarbie's domination & the resurgence of virtual influencers

Threads is taking the world by storm - but is it full-force or just a tempest in a teapot?It's only one of the battles on Meta's warfront, as they look set to fight the corner for end-to-end encryption against the UK Government's plans to create a back door.Join us as we pull on the biggest tech threads this week with Jag Sharma, Jason Kapadia, and a special guest in our Producer, Dan Johnston!This episode of Disconnected covers:Threads' stratospheric launch & how it's taking on Twitter head-onThe ever-looming promise of Tesla's self-driving technologyDebunking ChatGPT's declining numbersThe UK Government's campaign against end-of-end encryption

Mark Zuckerberg is engaged in battles on many fronts these days…While he prepares for a much anticipated cage match with Elon Musk, it's Meta's sizable losses that are prompting a rethink of the VR space - especially since Apple's major steps last month.Grappling with this and more on Disconnected, Jason, Jen and Jag bring us the latest on YouTube's misinformation policy, AI already taking jobs, and the death of the LinkedIn ‘thought leader'.This episode of Disconnected covers:AI usurping more industries for their jobsLinkedIn's generative AI tools spelling the end of thought leadersYouTube overturning its policy on election misinformationMeta's massive losses and an upcoming VR subscription planThe blockbuster cage match between Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg

A chatbot is for life, not just for 2023.Everyone seems to want a piece of the AI chatbot pie, even the likes of IKEA and Instagram, prompting the key question: why? Answering that question this week on Disconnected, we have a magnificent return from the lovely Felina Tan, alongside the usual suspects of Jen & Jason! We touch on homes getting too smart, changes to YouTube's Partner Programme, and whether Apple's Vision Pro can shake off the problems plaguing mixed reality headsets that have come before…This episode of Disconnected covers:Whether it's worth being an influencer anymoreApple's Vision Pro vs the jaded history of mixed realitySmart homes being made too smartIKEA and Instagram hopping on board the chatbot hype trainMeta's hope of creating a Twitter rival

When AI grows smarter than the human race, could we stop it wiping us out?There's plenty of good in artificial intelligence tools, like Adobe's generative fill revolutionising photo editing, but where the AI train stops, nobody knows…Jen, Jag and Jason mull over our very existence in a dramatic episode of Disconnected, along with a warning for Android users and Elon's latest battles.This episode of Disconnected covers:Signs of AI's capability to cause our extinction in the wrong handsAdobe and Windows' new game-changing AI tools Twitter pulling out of the EU's Code of Practice Against DisinformationAn Android app tracking users, and why you should perform a software update immediately

Your new girlfriend could cost you a dollar per minute.AI chatbots are nothing new now, but a clone of influencer Caryn Marjorie is paving the way for a future where you can converse with anyone, anytime - but is that more of a thrill or a threat to society?Elsewhere in this week's Disconnected, face-altering filters are put under the microscope, TfL using TikTok to crack down on fare-dodging, and some marvellous new accessibility features in Apple's pipeline.This episode of Disconnected covers:A new AI chatbot to become your girlfriend at $1 per minuteRegulation on face-altering filtersiOS' fantastic upcoming accessibility featuresHow TfL are using TikTok to catch fare-dodgers

Do you own the copyright to your own likeness?We're in the wild west of ‘deepfakes'; enabled by AI, and now being monetised by Tencent. Beyond this trust-wavering news, we're seeing a Twitter competitor from Twitter's own former CEO, and a pivot towards long form content from the very platforms that demanded shorter content in the first place…Jen Campbell, Jason Kapadia & Jag Sharma take us through it all in this week's Disconnected. This episode of Disconnected covers:Tencent's commercialisation of deepfake techJack Dorsey's Blue Sky social, and more Twitter competitors popping upSocial platforms pivoting back to long form contentUpdates to Snapchat's ad opportunities

Your voice is no longer uniquely your own.With AI at the centre of two controversies this past fortnight - voice clones and fake photography - it's clear that we're seeing new uses for technology at a rate beyond which we can hope to keep up.Meanwhile in the tech world, social media trends have transformed the approach to drinking water, and Twitter's ‘freedom of speech, not freedom of reach' is confusing many.Here to make sense of all this, and consider where it's all going, are the wonderful Jen Campbell and Jag Sharma on this week's Disconnected podcast.This episode of Disconnected covers:The remarkable growth of the WaterTok trendTwitter's ‘freedom of speech, not freedom of reach' approach to hate on the platformSony World Photography Awards being duped by AIVoice clones being used for extortion

Amazon claims to be able to cover 90% of the US with its Echo and Ring devices - is this a connected utopia or a data privacy hell?With Amazon Sidewalk on the way and the recent merger with iRobot, we're one step closer to every house's inner workings being detailed by our ‘Amazon overlords', as Jag Sharma might call them…On Disconnected, Jag considers how Jeff Bezos' titan company is continuing its dominant path, and Jason Kapadia - resident Elon expert - takes us through the conundrum that is Twitter's multi-coloured check marks.This episode of Disconnected covers:Twitter's ‘verified' check marks of various colours and costsOpen sourcing the Twitter algorithm to see its biasesAmazon Sidewalk's promise to connect 90% of AmericaThe recent Amazon purchase of iRobot, and what data Roombas might learn and use

TikTok troubles, Trump's return and banks going bust - three huge stories with tech at the heart of it all…Social media can be the catalyst for so many challenges, and simultaneously become the solution to them too, and the past fortnight's events have proven that in spades.Coming together to break down the platforms at the core of the world's biggest stories on Disconnected this week are the ever-insightful and entertaining trio of Jag Sharma, Jason Kapadia and Jen Campbell.This episode of Disconnected covers:TikTok controversies around data, privacy and possible bans in the US and UKDonald Trump's return to social media, and whether he'll choose money over political swaySocial media being the problem, and the solution, for banks amid the recent financial turmoil

Could software get to know you well enough to become your surrogate social communicator?Between Snapchat Plus and Slack, we're seeing yet another fascinating AI implementation between episodes of Disconnected, bringing the prospect of a digital personal assistant ever-closer.Join Jag Sharma, Jen Campbell and Jason Kapadia for a deep dive into these GPT tools, the TikTok-ification of Reddit, and the surprising modern day use for floppy disks…This episode of Disconnected covers:Snapchat being the latest platform to add AI tools to its arsenalSlack summarising your conversations for you, or even taking them over altogetherReddit creating its own TikTok-style video feedThe surprising, high-level use of floppy disks in modern companies

It was only a matter of time before chatbots found Tinder…While ChatGPT is landing people dates, Bing's AI chatbot is picking existential fights with its users, and Elon Musk (of all people) is the voice of reason calling for regulation.It's been a frenetic fortnight in technology, so Charis Marr and Jason Kapadia join Jag Sharma to cover it all, including Meta's move to create a paid verification scheme, and we pay our respects to a barely-beloved browser.This episode of Disconnected covers:Meta bringing paid verification to Facebook and InstagramThe strong personality of Bing's AI chatbotSafety and regulation to keep AI in checkChatGPT goes on a dateThe death of Internet Explorer