TechStuff

Open-source innovation is the future of AI. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford discuss the open-source AI community with Jeff Boudier, head of product and growth at Hugging Face. They chat about the history and future of open-source AI, its critical importance to AI progress, the IBM watsonx partnership with Hugging Face, and how businesses can leverage open-source AI for their specific needs. Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalks Learn more about the Hugging Face partnership: https://newsroom.ibm.com/2023-08-24-IBM-to-Participate-in-235M-Series-D-Funding-Round-of-Hugging-Face This is a paid advertisement from IBM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to hold onto information. Paradoxically, it can also be hard to get rid of it. In this episode, we look at why long-term data preservation is a challenge, and the lengths people will go to in order to clear out digital information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They made games like Doom and Quake, but where did id Software come from? In this episode, we explore the origins of a major name in computer games.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese-backed hackers are infiltrating computer systems by compromising routers. Some security researchers say that modern GPUs can steal pixels right off a web site. And Microsoft encounters yet more resistance regarding its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1991, the editor of a satirical science journal launched an award for the scientifically ridiculous (and ridiculed), the Ig Nobel Prize. Learn how it all got started and some of the early tech-related prize winners!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the administration of Barack Obama, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) tried to codify net neutrality into US law. Then, during the Trump administration, the new FCC stripped net neutrality out again. This week, the FCC once again tries to establish an official US stance on net neutrality. Plus more news!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 11th, 2023, MGM Resorts International posted that the company experienced a "cybersecurity issue." That issue links to two different hacker groups, a ransomware attack, and a similar incident that happened to another major casino company earlier in the year. This is the story so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a meme? What are some of the notable tech memes, and where do they come from? How does something become a meme?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fire in 1836 wiped out nearly every patent on file in the United States. How did the patent office rebuild, and how did a second fire in 1877 change things even more?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US founding father Thomas Jefferson gets the credit for establishing the first process in the US for filing and granting patents. But how did patent law change in those early years, and why does Jonathan say the patent office was like the Game of Thrones? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research often reshape the design and utility of AI in both business and society. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the conceptual underpinnings of modern AI with Dr. David Cox, VP of AI Models at IBM Research. They talk foundation models, self-supervised machine learning, and the practical applications of AI and data platforms like watsonx in business and technology. Visit us at: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/smart/talks/ Learn more about watsonx: https://www.ibm.com/watsonx This is a paid advertisement from IBM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan sits down with Sudhin Shahani of Surf Air Mobility to talk about the future of travel. What is Regional Air Mobility? Why is Surf Air Mobility electrifying planes? And how might this affect how you handle short-range travel in the future?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was once the computing conference to attend. Today, it's rapidly fading from memory. How did Comdex begin and what happened to it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple's iPhone 15 reveal fails to impress my producer Tari. Google's antitrust trial is underway. The government starts to ask questions about AI. And much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A blog site called Simplicable outlines several "fundamental principles" of technology. We take a look at a few of them, talk about what they mean, and how they relate not just to tech but how we incorporate tech into our lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, the US Department of Justice begins its anti-trust case against Google. Should it matter if Google commands more than 90% of the web search market share? Plus, a cybersecurity issue creates a huge headache for MGM Resorts and a former Apple employee brings RICO charges against the company.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Figuring out if artificial intelligence wrote a block of text can be tricky. Some companies have created tools that claim to determine if text was likely the product of a human author or AI. But as we have learned, these tools aren't reliable. What makes it so difficult to tell who wrote what?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe McCormick and Jonathan continue their discussion about radio waves, transmitters and radio direction finding. How can you locate a transmitter and what is fox hunting?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How were hackers able to access important email systems belonging to big targets like the US Department of State? It turns out it was a perfect set of circumstances that Microsoft failed to address. Plus, we have a bunch of AI news, the FAA okays delivery drones flying beyond line of sight, and lots more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the World Wide Web, savvy computer users were flocking to USENET to participate in discussions on everything from the latest advance in computing to the worst jokes you could imagine. USENET is still around today. So what the heck is it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As businesses adopt AI, a new era of problem-solving, innovation, and creative decision-making can be brought to scale. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the future of AI in enterprise business AI for business with Kareem Yusuf, senior vice president of product management and growth for IBM software. They discuss the advent of foundation models, how AI can transform data storage and decision-making, and how next-generation AI platforms like watsonx from IBM can empower businesses to use AI at scale.   This is a paid advertisement from IBM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are robots and automated systems going to replace human workers? And if so, what then? The fear about automation has a long history and it's not an irrational fear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe McCormick and Jonathan continue their discussion about radio waves, transmitters and radio direction finding. How can you locate a transmitter and what is fox hunting?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta's Oversight Board recommended that the company suspend a Cambodian leader's account, but the company has declined to acquiesce to the request. Plus, X is rolling out some new features soon, Google is ending a subscription service and Sony is preparing to charge gamers more for PlayStation Plus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all been there. It's a hot day and all we want is a cone of soft serve ice cream. But the person behind the cash register solemnly informs us the ice cream machine is out of order. What's going on? We learn about the ice cream machines used at McDonald's franchises and how service agreements, bad technical manuals and copyright law mess everything up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As US Senator Chuck Schumer prepares to hold a forum on the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence, the US Army and Air Force are each seeking to incorporate AI and robotics in combat operations. Plus, Elon Musk livestreams himself showing off the latest build of Tesla's FSD mode to mixed results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smart Talks with IBM returns this September 5th. This season, host Malcolm Gladwell and a team of correspondents from Pushkin Industries explore how businesses can integrate AI into their workflows — to help them do exponentially more — drive real change, and thrive in this new era of AI.   This is a paid advertisement from IBM.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out that it's not easy to predict what's next to happen in tech. We look at some famously off-the-mark predictions, including some that have been misunderstood or misattributed to the wrong person so that we can set the record straight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wanted to play classic games from old consoles or arcade machines on your computer? Then you need a video game emulator. But are they legal?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Trump's interview really get 74 million views on X? (Probably not). American workers say TSMC management is to blame for delays with construction at the Arizona fabrication facility. Nvidia makes serious bank from AI, and lots more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, venture capitalist Aileen Lee coined the term "unicorn" for startups. What makes a startup a unicorn? How rare are they? And how do investors assign value to a company that might not actually do anything? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked draft agreement from 2022 reveals that US government agencies seek to have extensive oversight into and control over several TikTok operations. Microsoft hopes that handing cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft will save the Activision Blizzard acquisition. And the voice of Mario is changing. Plus more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the state of the metaverse? In late 2021, dozens of companies started to push hard to become players in creating the metaverse. But how many stuck with it? Has any progress been made? And who the heck wants this to be a thing?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is authentication? Why is it important? And what are engineers doing to make it better?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have some disappointing news about that wonder material that appeared to be superconductive at room temperatures. Gartner says that generative AI is about to take the plunge toward the trough of disillusionment. And New York City says city workers can't have TikTok on their work phones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ponzi scheme is an old trick, but it's being used in new ways. Learn how this well worn scam is being tailored for the age of cryptocurrency, and the red flags you should be on the lookout for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A judge has revoked Sam Bankman-Fried's house arrest order and SBF will now have to go to jail to await trial. We've also got a ton of AI news to talk about, including how hackers were able to get chatbots to break their own rules just using words.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first vending machine in recorded history wasn't for soft drinks or snacks. It was for holy water. And how did an English radical think a vending machine was the loophole he was looking for? We look back on the weird history of vending machines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the humble MP3 player get its start? When did the iPod take over as the dominant brand? And what's the MP3 Player business like today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Supreme Court declined a recent request from Epic regarding the company's ongoing legal battles with Apple. Disney is getting ready to hike subscription fees (again) on Disney+ and other streaming services. And some astronomers worry that slamming spacecraft into oncoming asteroids might not actually remove the risk of catastrophe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is an API? Where did the term come from? What does an API do, and why are they important for developers? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pope Francis has called for a day of global reflection on AI. Security researchers warn of technology that can decode keystrokes just from sound alone. Zoom changes its terms of use after customers bring up concerns about using call data to train AI models. And much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In tech, a black box is any technology that hides the processes that take input and generate output. We see what goes in, we see what comes out but what's going on inside? We look at the black box problem in tech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once the Wards Company, Circuit City really established its identity decades after it was founded. How did the company grow and ultimately die, and what comes next?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A security company CEO has some harsh words for Microsoft and the security it relies on for its Azure cloud platform. Microsoft itself warns that Russian hackers are using Microsoft Teams to target a small number of organizations in an effort to get login credentials. And the FBI finds that the FBI was partly responsible for illegal activity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean for a material to be superconductive? Did a team of South Korean researchers create a revolutionary superconductive material? And what would that mean for the world? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk's X company installed an enormous, illuminated "X" sign at the company HQ, and then took it down a couple of days later. Meta is preparing to launch some AI chatbots, including an AI Abe Lincoln. And a court in Europe is forcing Meta to reveal the identity of an anonymous user. Plus lots more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While an elephant may never forget, the same cannot be said for artificial neural networks. What is catastrophic forgetting, how does it affect artificial intelligence and how are engineers trying to solve the problem? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember the electronics superstore called Circuit City? If you shopped in the 80s and 90s, the answer is probably yes. How did it get started?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

X.com will require brands to spend at least $1,000 per month on advertising or else risk losing the verified checkmark on the platform. A city in China has temporarily banned Tesla vehicles. Meta had a very good Q2. And scientists claim they have made a massive breakthrough with superconductors. Plus lots more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon is rolling out palm scanner technology to Whole Foods grocery stores. What's the story on biometrics, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of the technology? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.