Gadget Lab: Weekly Tech News

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Max Zeff to discuss five stories you need to know about this week — from the political fallout after the release of the Epstein files, to why two young mormon men created an app to help men stop "gooning". Then, we dive into Gemini 3's release and how companies like Google and OpenAI are honing in on AI profitability. Please help us improve Uncanny Valley by filling out our listener survey: https://panel2058.na2.panelpulse.com/rsp/b2f5609b-7cf6-ec95-283c-98b22c15c925 Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Whether it's teenagers reviving the Benadryl TikTok challenge to people signing up for an out of body experience program previously used by the CIA, people chasing unconventional trips. Bad trips, essentially. But these trends are happening at a time when AI companies are also looking to create a “cleaner” trip for users, and others are using AI chatbots to therapeutically guide their psychedelic trips. Mike sits down with WIRED's Boone Ashworth and Manisha Krishnan to discuss these trends, and the promises and limitations of relying on tech to avoid bad trips. Please help us improve Uncanny Valley by filling out our listener survey: https://panel2058.na2.panelpulse.com/rsp/3711e481-5654-7843-89f9-6204a1d7a1f8 Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Right now much of the US economy rests on AI's future. In fact, Odd Lots cohost Joe Weisenthal says the rest of the economy that isn't tech or AI related is creaking along. He breaks down for Katie why AI's impact on finance goes beyond billion-dollar investments. Tell us what you think of the show by filling out our listener survey Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Brian Barrett to discuss five stories you need to know about this week — from how AI affairs can now be grounds for divorce, to why Google is suing one of the largest networks of text scammers. Then, we dive into how the Department of Homeland Security illegally gathered the data of hundreds of Chicago residents. Articles mentioned in this episode:  Apple Pulls China's Top Gay Dating Apps After Government Order | WIRED  If the US Has to Build Data Centers, Here's Where They Should Go | WIRED  This Is the Platform Google Claims Is Behind a 'Staggering' Scam Text Operation | WIRED  AI Relationships Are on the Rise. A Divorce Boom Could Be Next | WIRED DHS Kept Chicago Police Records for Months in Violation of Domestic Espionage Rules | WIRED  Please help us improve Uncanny Valley by filling out our listener survey: https://panel2058.na2.panelpulse.com/rsp/b2f5609b-7cf6-ec95-283c-98b22c15c925 Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Recently, WIRED's editor at large Steven Levy sat down for an interview with Palantir's CEO Alex Karp. Karp defended his company's contracts with clients like ICE and the Israeli government, which have increasingly gathered criticism. In today's episode, we dive into the most revealing parts of the interview and break down how Karp's technostate ideology has rippled across Silicon Valley.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Steven Adler used to lead product safety at OpenAI. When Katie read his recent op-ed asking OpenAI to prove that they have and continue to address safety issues, she knew she wanted to talk to him. This week she sits down with Steven to talk about what AI users should know about their bots.Tell us what you think of the show by filling out our listener survey . Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Leah Feiger to discuss the top stories you need to know about this week — from Zuckerberg's illegal school to the repercussions behind the recent pardoning of Changpeng Zhao, Binance's ex-CEO. Then, Zoë and Leah discuss how fandom on the internet played a key tole in this week's election results.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Chatter about an AI bubble has been everywhere lately, and top tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have doubled down on their AI investments for 2026. But how have analysts in the past accurately identified forming tech bubbles? Mike and Lauren sit down with WIRED contributor and author of the newsletter Blood in the Machine Brian Merchant to break down the four criteria some researchers have used in the past to understand and brace for the worst.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Katie catches up with fellow journalist and podcast host, Kara Swisher to talk about interviewing arrogant pricks, the power of negging and who would play her in a movie.  And she tells Katie if she had to she would rather work for Sam Altman over Mark Zuckerberg. Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, WIRED's Brian Barrett is joined by Leah Feiger to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from the release of Grokipedia to real estate entering its AI slop era. Then, Brian and Leah dive into why the promise of a tech-forward school in Texas with software instead of teachers fell apart. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Last week, the US Justice Department published an indictment involving NBA stars and members of the mob for allegedly running a network of rigged gambling games. One of their rigging tactics was a manipulation of a Deckmate 2 automatic shuffling machine — almost identical to the one WIRED's Andy Greenberg and his hacking crew executed using the same machine. Mike and Lauren sit down with Andy Greenberg to break down how they hacked into the machine, and what the vulnerabilities behind it say about our tech devices at large.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Atlantic CEO's new book, The Running Ground, examines his complicated relationship with the sport. Nicholas Thompson, former WIRED editor, talks to Katie about the ways tech is helping him become a better runner. Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Louise Matsakis to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from how SEO is changing in the era of AI, to how frogs became a protest symbol. Then, why some people have been filing complaints to the FTC about ChatGPT, arguing it has led them to AI psychosis and pleading the agency to step in.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Tech giants have been investing hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centers just this year alone. But as the deals pile up, so have the concerns around their viability and sustainability. Mike and Lauren sit down with WIRED's Molly Taft to discuss how these energy hungry facilities actually work; the different industry interests at stake; and whether it'll all come crumbling down. Articles mentioned in this episode:  The AI Industry's Scaling Obsession Is Headed for a Cliff | WIRED OpenAI's Blockbuster AMD Deal Is a Bet on Near-Limitless Demand for AI | WIRED A Political Battle Is Brewing Over Data Centers | WIRED How Much Energy Does AI Use? The People Who Know Aren't Saying | WIRED     Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Mere months ago, New York's mayoral frontrunner was polling at the same level as literally "someone else." Zohran Mamdani talks to Katie about building a social media juggernaut, Big Tech capitulation, and what he learned from outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams.Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Jake Lahut to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from how satellites are leaking sensitive data to what Zoë learned after interviewing cybertruck owners. Then, Zoë and Jake dive into how federal workers ended up in the middle of a political fight that they didn't sign themselves up for. Articles mentioned in this episode:  Satellites Are Leaking the World's Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data | WIRED  A Plan to Rebuild Gaza Lists Nearly 30 Companies. Many Say They're Not Involved | WIRED  A Quarter of the CDC Is Gone | WIRED  Spit On, Sworn At, and Undeterred: What It's Like to Own a Cybertruck | WIRED  Federal Workers Are Being Used as Pawns in the Shutdown | WIRED   Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

History professor Mark Bray is no stranger to death threats. As the author of the book Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, published in 2017, he has received backlash and harassment from far-right circles for almost a decade. But things recently escalated after the Trump administration designated antifa as a “domestic terrorist organization,” and far-right influencers with a newfound power targeted Bray. Mike sits down with WIRED's David Gilbert and Leah Feiger to discuss what went down, how the role of far-right influencers has expanded exponentially during the past year, and what responsibility tech companies carry. Articles mentioned in this episode:  He Wrote a Book About Antifa. Death Threats Are Driving Him Out of the US | WIRED  Trump Wants to Take Over Cities. Influencers Are Giving Him the Fuel to Do It | WIRED  The Who's Who of MAGA Influencers You Should Know About by Now | WIRED  Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and co-founder of Cost Plus Drugs, talks to Katie about the state of entrepreneurship, American healthcare, and tech under Trump. The investor campaigned for Kamala Harris, but thinks tech execs have a “moral imperative” to play nice with the president. Why? It's good business.Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Leah Feiger to run through five stories that you need to know about this week — from the Antifa professor who's fleeing to Europe for safety, to how some chatbots are manipulating users to avoid saying goodbye. Then, Zoë and Leah break down why a recent announcement from OpenAI rattled the markets and answer the question everyone is wondering — are we in an AI bubble?  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When news broke last month that H1-B visa holders in the U.S would be subjected to a new hefty fee of $100,000, chaos and confusion ensued for a lot of tech workers and their employers. It's the latest in a string of restrictive visa measures imposed by the Trump administration, which has been making tech talent wonder if they should look elsewhere. Lauren sits down with WIRED's Zeyi Yang and Louise Matsakis to discuss the short-term and long-term effects of these measures, and how China is seizing the moment and offering a new visa program to bring tech talent into the country. Articles mentioned in this episode:  $3,800 Flights and Aborted Takeoffs: How Trump's H-1B Announcement Panicked Tech Workers | WIRED  China Rolls Out Its First Talent Visa as the US Retreats on H-1Bs | WIRED  A Journey Into the Heart of Labubu | WIRED   Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jack Conte, founder of Patreon tells Katie if we can send rockets into space and have self-driving cars we can figure out how to pay creators for their work. In this interview recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco, Jack talks about when human creators harness AI it's going to be something “surrealist and mind blowing” and about how keeping Patreon a private company has been a strength. Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Manisha Krishnan to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from how federal workers are being told to blame Democrats for the government shutdown, to Peter Thiel's ongoing obsession with the Antichrist. Then, Zöe and Manisha break down the news of OpenAI launching a new social app for AI-generated videos.  Articles mentioned in this episode:  OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos | WIRED  Federal Workers Are Being Told to Blame Democrats for the Shutdown | WIRED  The Real Stakes, and Real Story, of Peter Thiel's Antichrist Obsession | WIRED  Tesla Is Urging Drowsy Drivers to Use ‘Full Self-Driving.' That Could Go Very Wrong | WIRED Scientists Made Human Eggs From Skin Cells and Used Them to Form Embryos | WIRED  Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Earlier this week, DoorDash unveiled its own new autonomous robot, called Dot. The company says it's part of its goal to have a “hybrid” model for deliveries going forward—working with humans, but also drones and autonomous vehicles. It's the latest sign of a renewed interest in the industry of delivery robots after years of challenges. WIRED's Aarian Marshall joins us to discuss why it matters for all of us, whether we're ordering in or not. Articles mentioned in this episode:  DoorDash's New Delivery Robot Rolls Out Into the Big, Cruel World | WIRED  This Food-Delivery Robot Wants to Share the Bike Lane | WIRED  Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Branded Content by McKinsey | WIRED's Global Editorial Director, Katie Drummond sat down with McKinsey's Global Institute Director and Senior Partner Lareina Yee for a conversation on the technologies redefining industries—from AI to autonomous vehicles—and how leading organizations turn innovation into long-term strategic advantage. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Jake Lahut to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from Customs & Border Protection efforts to collect American's DNA to tech billionaire Larry Ellison's shadowy influence on the White House. Then, Zöe and Jake discuss the surge in popularity of white nationalist influencer Nick Fuentes, who has leveraged the vacuum left behind by Charlie Kirk's death to break into the mainstream. Articles mentioned in this episode:  Nick Fuentes' Plan to Conquer America Larry Ellison Is a ‘Shadow President' in Donald Trump's America OpenAI Teams Up With Oracle and SoftBank to Build 5 New Stargate Data Centers DHS Has Been Collecting US Citizens' DNA for Years For One Glorious Morning, a Website Saved San Francisco From Parking Tickets Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Earlier this month, we took the show to San Francisco for a live recording in front of a great audience at KQED's The Commons. WIRED'S Lauren Goode, Katie Drummond and Jason Kehe asked themselves and answered a perennial question: Is Silicon Valley still the tech capital of the world? Plus, they put themselves to the test with a new game and some questions from the audience.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Signal Foundation president, Meredith Whittaker recalls where she was when she heard Trump cabinet officials had added a journalist to a highly sensitive group chat. And tells, Katie about why it's important she gets paid less than her engineers. Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Manisha Krishnan to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from OpenAI implementing teen safety features to how human design is the new astrology. Then, Zöe and Manisha discuss the reverberating reactions to Kirk's death and why some creators, from comic book artists to late night show hosts, are getting their work cancelled. Articles mentioned in this episode:  Cancel Culture Comes for Artists Who Posted About Charlie Kirk's Death | WIRED  OpenAI's Teen Safety Features Will Walk a Thin Line | WIRED US Tech Giants Race to Spend Billions in UK AI Push | WIRED How China's Propaganda and Surveillance Systems Really Operate | WIRED Human Design Is Blowing Up. Following It Might Make You Leave Your Spouse | WIRED Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, WIRED learned that OpenAI is ramping up its efforts in robotics — specifically, by hiring researchers who work on AI systems for humanoid robots. Humanoids, robots built to resemble us and perform daily tasks, were famous for their clumsiness just a few years ago. WIRED's Will Knight tells us how in the era of AI, that's rapidly changing. Articles mentioned in this episode:  OpenAI Ramps Up Robotics Work in Race Toward AGI | WIRED  Humanoid Robots Are Coming of Age | WIRED 2025 Is the Year of the Humanoid Robot Factory Worker | WIRED   Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The CEO of Cloudflare – the internet's bodyguard - sits down with Katie to talk about his efforts to make the AI money machine start benefiting creators. Cloudflare's new blocker tool required AI platforms to “pay per crawl.” Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Jake Lahut to discuss the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death — from the response of right-wing tech leaders, to how Kirk helped shape conservative media influencers and U.S politics as we know it. Articles mentioned in this episode:  Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dead at 31 | WIRED ‘War Is Here': The Far-Right Responds to Charlie Kirk Shooting With Calls for Violence | WIRED MAGA Influencers Take Their Victory Lap, With Big Tech Picking Up the Tab | WIRED    Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Hasan Piker, the Left's favorite Twitch streamer has the kind of following that could get votes. But he tells Katie Drummond he'd rather use his influence to tell Democrats “you can't podcast your way out of this problem.” Streaming on Twitch seven days a week for 6-8 hours a day, he doesn't see himself slowing down anytime soon. We also talk about his childhood in Turkey, his decision to live in the spotlight, and whether he's planning a run for office.Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dating apps have evolved a lot over the years, with apps dedicated to any romantic niche– dog lovers, astrology heads, and big, bushy beards. Despite the seemingly endless options of dating platforms, the industry seems to be at a low. So this week, we talk about the current state of dating apps and what it means for those looking for love (or something like it).Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Online gambling is on the rise, and AI is entering the field. This week, Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED's Kate Knibbs to break down how both startups and traditional gambling sites are promoting their own AI agents with the promise of helping users make better bets. Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.Articles mentioned in this episode:  Meet the Guys Betting Big on AI Gambling Agents | WIRED Volodymyr Zelensky's Clothing Has Sparked a Polymarket Rebellion | WIRED   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A year after relaunching The Onion in print, CEO Ben Collins sits down with Katie to talk about why “going into something and not ruining it is bravery.” He tells her the first order of business to get the beloved fake newspaper back on its feet: get rid of all the dick pill ads. They discuss blogging at 15, analog journalism, disinformation, and the freedom that comes with being humorous. Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Leah Feiger to run through five of the best stories you need to know about — from how AI is eliminating entry level jobs to how a secretive Democrat group is funding high-profile influencers. Then, Zöe and Leah dive into the scoop that AI researchers recently recruited to Meta's Superintelligence Lab are already leaving — some of them, back to OpenAI. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.Articles mentioned in this episode:  Researchers Are Already Leaving Meta's New Superintelligence Lab | WIRED  AI Is Eliminating Jobs for Younger Workers | WIRED  Elon Musk's xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI Over App Store Rankings | WIRED  A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers | WIRED  What It's Like Watching Dozens of Bodies Decompose (for Science)  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As the summer comes to an end, we're thinking about what unplugging, going offline — the ultimate luxury — looks like in 2025. With a growing slate of apps aiming to reduce our screen time and some tech leaders trying to reinvent the internet as it was, where are we heading? WIRED's features editor Jason Kehe joins us to discuss how as users we are now best positioned to take the power back. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.Articles mentioned in this episode:  Going Dumb: My Year With a Flip Phone | WIRED Bluesky Is Plotting a Total Takeover of the Social Internet | WIRED Alexis Ohanian's Next Social Platform Has One Rule: Don't Act Like an Asshole | WIRED  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Reddit co-founder sits down for a wide-ranging conversation, from buying his first video game to meeting his future co-founder on the first day of college.  When he's not investing in the future of women's sports, he's relaunching Digg as the future of toxic-free social media.Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Louise Matsakis to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from OpenAI's being poised to become the highest valued startup in history, to how government staffing cuts have fueled an ant smuggling boom. Then, Zöe and Louise discuss the controversial deals that the Trump administration appears to be striking with chip manufacturers. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Articles mentioned in this episode:  How DOGE Set Up a Shadow X Account for a Government Agency | WIRED OpenAI Is Poised to Become the Most Valuable Startup Ever. Should It Be? | WIRED Silicon Valley Is Panicking About Zohran Mamdani. NYC's Tech Scene Is Not | WIRED Government Staffing Cuts Have Fueled an Ant-Smuggling Boom | WIRED Why Trump Flip-Flopped on Nvidia Selling H20 Chips to China | WIRED      Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Vibe coding is everywhere, and it's already drastically changing the tech industry — from shaping how software gets made to who gets hired. So back in July, our very own Lauren Goode went on a journey to become a vibe coder at one of San Francisco's top startups. In this episode, she sits down with Mike to share her experience and they break down whether vibe coding really spells the end of coding as we know it. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Articles mentioned in this episode:  Vibe Coding Is Coming for Engineering Jobs | WIRED Cursor's New Bugbot Is Designed to Save Vibe Coders From Themselves | WIRED   Cheap AI Tools May Come at a Big Long-Term Cost   Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A conversation series that only WIRED could host, led by WIRED's Global Editorial Director, Katie Drummond. Every week, Katie sits down with influential figures in culture, politics, business, science, and beyond for a discussion captured through the WIRED lens – equal parts geeky, intellectual and goblin mode. This series will feel like the internet and will sit at the intersection of technology, power, and culture. In an age of information overload, this series will provide its listeners “the ultimate luxury:” meaning and context. Or put another way, if you're looking for the soul of our new society in wild metamorphosis, our advice is simple. Listen to this podcast.Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Join WIRED's best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In today's episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED's Jake Lahut to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from how the Trump administration is creating and sharing memes to make fun of deportations, to NASA's ambitious goal to put nuclear reactors on the moon. Then, Zöe and Jake dive into why users kind of hated OpenAI's GPT-5 release. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Articles mentioned in this episode:  OpenAI Scrambles to Update GPT-5 After Users Revolt | WIRED The Trump Administration Is Using Memes to Turn Mass Deportation Into One Big Joke | WIRED Trump Family–Backed World Liberty Financial Sets Up $1.5 Billion Crypto Treasury | WIRED   Inside the ‘Whites Only' Community in Arkansas | WIRED Why the US Is Racing to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Palantir Technologies is arguably one of the most notorious American corporations. Cofounded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, the company has worked with ICE, the US Department of Defense, the Israeli military and sparked numerous protests in multiple countries. But what do they actually do? Palantir is often called a data broker, a data miner, or a giant database of personal information. In reality, it's none of these—but even former employees struggle to explain it. Luckily, WIRED staff writer Caroline Haskins joins us to decode Palantir for us. Join us LIVE in San Francisco on September 9th Get your tickets HERE Articles mentioned in this episode:  What Does Palantir Actually Do? Palantir Is Helping DOGE With a Massive IRS Data Project ICE Is Paying Palantir $30 Million to Build ‘ImmigrationOS' Surveillance Platform  Lauren's latest article: Lisa Su Runs AMD - and Is Out for Nvidia's Blood   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices