Inside the hottest personal tech stories of the week; mobile apps, gear, social networking, and entertainment.
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Listeners of Gadget Lab: Weekly Tech News that love the show mention: url, arielle,The Gadget Lab: Weekly Tech News podcast is an absolute gem in the tech podcast world. Hosted by Michael, Arielle, and Lauren, this podcast offers the perfect blend of tech product discussions and non-tech recommendations that make you feel like you're having a cup of coffee with friends every week. It's the perfect way to stay up to date on all things tech while enjoying some lighthearted banter and insightful commentary.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the hosts themselves. Michael, Arielle, and Lauren are not only well-educated and experienced writers, but they also have a knack for delivering their opinions in an agreeable and relatable manner. Their chemistry is evident, creating an enjoyable listening experience that keeps you coming back for more. Additionally, their coverage of major tech conferences and interesting interviews add depth and variety to each episode.
Furthermore, The Gadget Lab excels at keeping listeners informed about the latest tech news, issues, and gadgets. The hosts cover a wide range of topics that cater to both tech-savvy individuals and those who may not be as involved in the tech world. This makes it accessible to a broad audience while still catering to hardcore enthusiasts. Moreover, their recommendations segment provides valuable insights into products worth considering or exploring further.
While it's challenging to find any significant flaws with this podcast, there are a few minor areas for improvement. Some listeners may wish for more frequent news segments within episodes to hear the hosts' opinions on current events outside of articles. Additionally, occasional issues with audio quality have been reported which can detract from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
In conclusion, The Gadget Lab: Weekly Tech News podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest tech products and trends while enjoying entertaining discussions among knowledgeable hosts. Its informative yet casual format makes it accessible to both tech aficionados and those looking to dip their toes into the tech world. With a perfect mix of information, entertainment, and camaraderie, this podcast is sure to keep you engaged and eagerly awaiting each new episode.
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
In today's episode, Zoë is joined by WIRED's Jake Lahut to run through five of the most important stories we published this week — from how bitcoin miners have been racing this year to beat the tariffs, to how AI was used to find a missing hiker in the Italian Alps. Then, Zoë and Jake discuss the details around OpenAI's latest partnership with the federal government. Live show tickets at: https://www.kqed.org/event/5459 Articles mentioned in this episode: OpenAI Announces Massive US Government Partnership | WIRED Trumpworld Knows Epstein Is a Problem. But They Can't Solve It | WIRED Charter Planes and Bidding Wars: How Bitcoin Miners Raced to Beat Trump's Tariffs | WIRED Google Will Use AI to Guess People's Ages Based on Search History | WIRED US Coast Guard Report on Titan Submersible Implosion Singles Out OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush | WIRED A Hiker Was Missing for Nearly a Year—Until an AI System Recognized His Helmet | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
AI chatbot premium subscriptions like ChatGPT Pro and Claude Max currently cost around $200, but it's not entirely clear why. Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED's Reece Rogers to find out what's behind these models that AI companies bill as their most powerful, and whether they could become a staple in our future. Live show tickets at: https://www.kqed.org/event/5459Articles mentioned in this episode: Seriously, Why Do Some AI Chatbot Subscriptions Cost More Than $200? | WIRED Cheap AI Tools May Come at a Big Long-Term Cost | WIRED 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 of the most important stories we published this week — from Meta continuing its AI talent poaching spree, to how much faster our brains have really aged since the pandemic. Afterwards, they dive into the surprising reason behind why ChatGPT reportedly went full demon mode last week. Articles mentioned in this episode: The Real Demon Inside ChatGPT | WIRED Meta's AI Recruiting Campaign Finds a New Target | WIRED The Pandemic Appears to Have Accelerated Brain Aging, Even in People Who Never Got Covid | WIRED Age Verification Laws Send VPN Use Soaring—and Threaten the Open Internet | WIRED This Smart Basketball Tracks Data About Every Shot. It Could Be Headed to the NBA | WIRED The First Planned Migration of an Entire Country Is Underway | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Blood boys. Cryogenic freezing. Living by the algorithm. Silicon Valley is known for a culture of health optimization, but some recent biohacking ventures are becoming more extreme–aimed not just at longevity, but at beating death altogether. This week, we talk about the Silicon Valley moguls obsessed with living forever and the radical measures they're taking to do so. 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 of the most important stories we published this week — from Trump's newly unveiled AI plan to how supermassive black holes could have originated. Plus, they dive into why the relationship between Silicon Valley and D.C is undergoing some major changes. Articles mentioned in this episode: Trump's AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias'—and Regulation | WIRED Newly Discovered ‘Infinity Galaxy' Could Prove How Ancient Supermassive Black Holes Formed | WIRED How Trump Killed Cancer Research | WIRED The Great Crypto Re-Banking Has Begun | WIRED The GOP's Message for Tech Billionaires: Be Like Peter Thiel | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Brain computer interfaces might have inspired works of science fiction, but the technology behind them is real and quickly developing. Companies like Synchron and Neuralink are racing to build a model that they can commercialize. Lauren and Mike speak with WIRED's Emily Mullin about why Synchron's model is standing out, and what the promises and limitations of these interfaces are. Articles mentioned in this episode: There's Neuralink—and There's the Mind-Reading Company That Might Surpass It | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In today's episode, we look into why Gen Z is having less sex than other generations — and what it says about how we are all relating to each other. WIRED's Zoë Schiffer is joined by writer and journalist Carter Sherman to talk about her latest book, The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future, which reveals how the internet, politics, and conservative legislation have shaped how Gen Z views sex. Articles mentioned in this episode: How Social Media Is Fueling Gen Z's Sex Recession | WIRED Thinking Machines Lab Raises a Record $2 Billion, Announces Cofounders | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Last week, the DOJ released what they described as raw footage from the night of Jeffrey Epstein's death in 2019. WIRED's Dhruv Mehrotra went through the metadata and found that it had been, in fact, modified. In today's episode, we dive into what Dhruv found and what it means.Articles mentioned in this episode: The FBI's Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video Had Nearly 3 Minutes Cut Out | WIRED Metadata Shows the FBI's ‘Raw' Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video Was Likely Modified | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
After Elon Musk's departure from D.C, the future of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency seemed uncertain. But DOGE's work continues unabated — its influence spreading farther and deeper into federal government agencies. WIRED's Makena Kelly and Vittoria Elliott share with Leah Feiger what they found through their reporting. Articles mentioned in this episode: This Is DOGE 2.0 | WIRED WIRED Talked to a Fired DOGE Staffer About Who Was Really in Charge Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
This week, Lauren dives into the show's inbox to answer listeners' questions. With the help of WIRED's Kate Knibbs and Paresh Dave, we look into a range of queries — from how AI is shaping the film industry to brainstorming how the Jony Ive and Open AI's collaboration could look like. Articles mentioned in this episode: This Viral AI Chatbot Will Lie and Say It's Human | WIRED A Political Battle Is Brewing Over Data Centers | WIRED Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Leah Feiger speaks with WIRED's Dhruv Mehrotra about an exclusive WIRED investigation into how serious medical incidents are increasing at some of the country's largest immigration detention centers.Articles mentioned in this episode: ‘They're Not Breathing': Inside the Chaos of ICE Detention Center 911 Calls How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance Here's What Mark Zuckerberg Is Offering Top AI Talent Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Sam Altman is the king of generative artificial intelligence. But is he the person we should trust to guide our explorations into AI? This week, we do a deep dive on Sam Altman. From his Midwest roots, to his early startup days, to his time at Venture Capital, and his rise and fall and rise again at OpenAI. Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Zoë Schiffer is joined by WIRED's Vittoria Elliott to discuss her conversation with Sahil Lavingia. Lavingia worked at Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, within the Department of Veteran Affairs, until he was fired for speaking out about his experience. Lavingia said his time at the VA was marked by a lack of transparency from DOGE leadership, and chaotic day-to-day operations– the ramifications of which are still being felt today. Just this week, Senators called for a federal investigation into the Trump administration's killing of hundreds of contracts for the Department of Veterans Affairs Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Disney and Universal recently filed suit against Midjourney, an AI image generation startup, alleging the company has become a “bottomless pit of plagiarism,” and that it freely reproduces the studio's copyrighted content, including their most iconic characters. The lawsuit has the potential to shape how intellectual property is treated in the AI era. So, we'll dive into the details of the case and others, and explain how this conflict gives us a window into the growing tensions between AI companies, publishers, and creators. Articles mentioned in this episode: ‘Wall-E With a Gun': Midjourney Generates Videos of Disney Characters Amid Massive Copyright Lawsuit Disney and Universal Sue AI Company Midjourney for Copyright Infringement You can follow our hosts on Bluesky—Michael Calore is @snackfight, Lauren Goode is @laurengoode, and Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Meta just announced a major move in its AI efforts – investing in Scale AI and building a superintelligence AI research lab. While Meta has been trying to keep up with big names in the AI race, such as Open AI, Anthropic and Google, the company's new strategy includes dropping some serious cash to acquire talent and invest in Scale AI. Today on the show, we dive into the deal between Meta and Scale AI, including what Meta aims to get out of investment, and we ask the question we are all wondering: What is superhuman intelligence, anyway? You can follow our hosts on Bluesky—Michael Calore is @snackfight, Lauren Goode is @laurengoode, and Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In recent days, Los Angeles residents have taken to the streets to protest the Trump administration's immigration policies and the increasingly frequent ICE raids. WIRED's Senior Politics Editor Leah Feiger joins Zoë Schiffer, Director of Business & Industry, to discuss the related flood of information on social media, and how AI chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT are delivering incorrect and at times, inflammatory answers.Articles mentioned in today's episode: AI Chatbots Are Making LA Protest Disinformation Worse I Joined Every Class Action Lawsuit I Could Find, and So Can You Vibe Coding Is Coming for Engineering Jobs You can follow Zoë Schiffer on Bluesky @zoeschiffer and Leah Feiger @leahfeiger. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In the past six months, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others have released web-browsing agents that are designed to complete tasks independently, with only minimal input from humans. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has even called AI agents “the next giant breakthrough.” On today's episode, we'll dive into what makes these agents different from other forms of machine intelligence, and whether their capabilities can live up to the hype.You can follow our hosts on Bluesky—Michael Calore is @snackfight, Lauren Goode is @laurengoode, and Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
WIRED's Senior Politics Editor Leah Feiger joins Zoë Schiffer, WIRED's Director of Business & Industry to discuss the ongoing fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk, and the future of DOGE.Articles mentioned in the episode: Conspiracy World Thinks the Musk-Trump Breakup Is a 'Psyop' DOGE Is on a Recruiting Spree Silicon Valley Is Starting to Pick Sides in Musk and Trump's Breakup WIRED Talked to a Fired DOGE Staffer About Who Was Really in Charge Trumpworld Is Getting Tired of Laura Loomer. They Hope the President Is Too The Epic Rise and Fall of a Dark-Web Psychedelics Kingpin You can follow Zoë Schiffer and Leah Feiger on Bluesky: @zoeschiffer , @leahfeiger Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Expanded deportations, a virtually shutdown asylum process, increased scrutiny of H1-B visa applicants—immigration policy has been overhauled under the latest Trump administration. And, just last week the Trump administration said it would begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students who are currently studying at U.S. schools. On today's episode, we dive into the impacts that these changes could have on the tech industry from the talent pipeline to future innovations.Articles mentioned in this episode: The Trump Administration Wants to Create an ‘Office of Remigration', US Tech Visa Applications Are Being Put Through the WringerYou can follow our hosts on Bluesky—Michael Calore is @snackfight, Lauren Goode is @laurengoode, and Katie Drummond is @katie-drummond. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices