Host Keith Shaw and his expert guests discuss the latest technology news and trends happening in the industry. Watch new episodes twice each week here or listen to the podcast.
OpenAI announces a tool that can clone a person’s voice based only on a 15-second audio clip, while a song generator can now generate a three-minute song from natural language prompts. Brandon Mahne joins the crew as guest co-host as they also discuss Amazon ditching its ‘Just Walk Out’ grocery technology, and we find out who was really responsible for the MGM Resorts hack.
The rise of social media addiction and behavioral issues has also corresponded with the rise of smartphone usage, especially among adolescents. When talking about the behavioral issues caused by social media addiction, how much of this can also be attributed to a device that we have attached to our hip almost 24 hours a day? Keith chats with Professor Joseph Trunzo, a professor of psychology at Bryant University about how smartphones are affecting behaviors, as well as whether there will be long-term effects of social media addiction as this generation moves into the workforce.
FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried will be in federal prison for a very long time for his role in conspiracy and fraud charges from the collapse of the crypto exchange he started. Guest co-host Brandon Mahne joins Keith and Chris to discuss these and other tech stories of the week, including the under-the-radar rise of NVIDIA and Anthropic, as well as the new AI song-writing tool that everyone is obsessed with.
Parents and end users who are worried about the potential effects of social media addiction can take more proactive steps to help stave off potential behavioral issues as a result. Keith chats with John Paul Simon, director of clinical interventions in schools for CarePlus New Jersey, about how to recognize the signs of social media addition, as well as advice to help users become more aware of the dangers.
Using tactics like how Las Vegas casinos keep customers in their seats, big social media companies are designing interfaces to keep users on the platform for longer periods of times. This can be very problematic for younger users, who have brains that are still developing and can be seriously affected by addiction behavior. Keith chats with Dr. Lisa Strohman, a licensed psychologist and director of the Digital Citizen Academy, about the harmful effects of social media addiction.
The last two years has seen more than 310,000 layoffs from more than 200 tech companies, indicating an issue with employment in the technology sector. While some experts say there are plenty of open technology positions at companies, anecdotal evidence suggests that it’s becoming harder to find work. AI-based hiring tools that often screen out qualified candidates before they reach a hiring manager also seems problematic. In our latest technology roundup, Keith and Chris are joined by guest co-host Brandon Mahne, a Silicon Valley veteran technologist and CTO, to discuss the issue. Also discussed is whether Apple and Google teaming up on AI is a good idea, and why people under 30 are so unhappy.
While news publishers have often used ‘clickbait’ and other misleading headlines to sell newspapers and content for years, the rise of generative artificial intelligence means that we can expect even more “junk content” that could be misleading, fake or otherwise unreliable. Add in other AI-based generation such as voice content, images and videos and the world will suddenly become very unreliable when it comes to news. Keith chats with Alex Fink, founder and CEO of Otherweb, to discuss AI-generated junk content and what publishers, companies and even users need to do to combat the issue.
A multi-district lawsuit against the major social media companies (Meta, TikTok, Google, Snapchat) alleges their algorithms are defective because they are designed to maximize screen time, which can encourage addictive behavior in adolescents. Keith chats with Jayne Conroy, a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy, about the lawsuit, its origins and potential consequences, and the process moving forward.
The U.S. Congress takes the first step against a potential ban or sale of TikTok through House legislation, but will this mean the end of the social media app as we know it? Meanwhile, Europe begins adding safeguards around artificial intelligence technology to help protect the privacy of its citizens. Guest co-host Paul Desmond from Saratoga B2B Group joins the show to discuss these issues, as well as whether the U.S. power infrastructure will eventually be unable to support new AI efforts and electric vehicle applications.
With more AI models and tools coming out from companies on a weekly basis, we are beginning to wonder whether this will turn many companies away from the technology as they look for the ‘best tool possible.’ Meanwhile, continued errors and AI hallucinations have companies holding back on fully deploying the technology. Keith chats with Rebecca Parsons, CTO Emerita at Thoughtworks, about how companies need to remain vigilant and responsible in their AI development, while also accepting that we are still in the early days and that errors will happen.
Over the past 20 years, innovation and new products seemed to come mainly from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and other venture capitalist investments. But that may be changing, as research labs, academics and research and development groups come up with new ways to develop “what’s coming next.” In this episode, Keith chats with Chris Shaw, CMO at NTT Research, about some of the big trends in how new products and technologies will be developed over the next 10 to 20 years.
The ‘spatial computing’ Apple Vision Pro has been out for a few weeks now, and reviews have been mixed about whether this is the future of computing or just a really expensive gadget. Keith chats with Macworld’s Mike Simon and Jason Cross, and Computerworld contributing writer Michael deAgonia about their impressions of the device and whether business users will find value in the device.
In our latest technology news roundup, we discuss how scammers were able to grab $25 million from a Hong Kong company’s finance employee by using deepfaked AI video; the rise of dumb people using Apple Vision Pro devices in not-so-smart ways, and whether a mega-sports streaming service will mean the death of the cable TV industry.
The Apple Vision Pro has been out for a few weeks now, and reviews have been mixed about whether this is the future of computing or just a really expensive gadget. Macworld’s Mike Simon and Jason Cross, and Computerworld contributing writer Michael deAgonia discuss their impressions of the device and whether business users will find value in it.
What makes a company among the best for IT professionals? The pay? The benefits? Career growth opportunities? Keith Shaw chats with Beck Stackpole and Valerie Potter about Computerworld’s Best Places to Work in IT 2024, now in its 30th year. What benefits, insights and programs make companies more appealing?
Since ChatGPT was released a year ago, generative AI tools have disrupted the way we work, play, draw and create. Keith Shaw chats with resident AI experts Nicholas Mattei (Tulane University) and Mike Mason (Thoughtworks) about what was good, bad and ugly around ChatGPT and genAI — and what we can expect in 2024.
Microsoft has invested $13.1B in generative artificial intelligence, but early indications of Copilot for Windows suggests it’s nothing more than an updated version of Clippy. Can other versions of Copilot, such as M365 for enterprise users, be more successful? Keith Shaw chats with Computerworld’s Preston Gralla about his annoyance with the latest AI tools from Microsoft.
Recent trends indicate continuing problems around generative AI, such as security issues, the ‘dumbening’ of the tech, and cost problems — which leads us to wonder whether we are about to hit the proverbial ‘trough of disillusionment.’ Is this the case or are we just at another plateau, with more greatness to come? Keith Shaw speaks with Mike Mason from Thoughtworks and Nicholas Mattei from Tulane University about whether we have reached “Peak AI."
Technology that can create artificial intelligent avatars of humans is now moving beyond just celebrities and politicians. Influencers, news anchors, college professors and even brand mascots may soon have AI avatars that can interact with customers. Foundry's Keith Shaw chats with Joe Murphy, a technology evangelist with DeepBrain AI, about AI avatars and how they can help people get more done while also reaching new audiences.
Despite hype and negative headlines about generative AI and tools like ChatGPT, companies are finding useful and efficient uses for the tools. We chat with Ajay Mohan, a principal of AI and analytics at Capgemini, about the ways in which businesses will deploy generative AI tools.
With the costs of large language models and generative AI platforms coming down, companies are beginning to explore highly focused systems that can answer questions to specific, niche topics. We explore the pros and cons of this approach with Lawrence Spracklen, senior technical advisor at Numenta.
New research shows that companies involved in a four-day workweek project benefited from improved productivity and better mental health for employees, with the number of hours needed to complete the same amount of work continuing to decline. Lucas Mearian, a senior reporter at Computerworld, talks with us about the latest findings.
The looming launch of electronic data record exchanges will allow more doctors, hospitals and other health providers to more easily share records amongst each other. This should ease the ability for clinicians to see the entire health history of patients, more so than the current fragmented system. Computerworld’s Val Potter and Rob Mitchell talk about the topic with Keith on this episode.
Artificial intelligence, ongoing chip shortages, cybersecurity concerns and business transformation will likely be the biggest technology trends for 2023. We check in with key news editors and writers to see what they think will top the headlines this year.
Join Macworld’s Michael Simon and Computerworld’s Ken Mingus as they discuss Apple product lineup as we head into the all-important holiday shopping season.
The biggest change in years to the Apple Watch line-up is the new Apple Watch Ultra. It’s big — and controversial. Macworld’s Michael Simon and Computerworld’s Ken Mingis weigh in on the new wearable, which users love or hate.
Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Ken Mingis, executive editor at Computerworld, go over the high points of the new iPhone 14 Pro Max. Standouts include the "Dynamic Island" and always-on display.
Join Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis as they look ahead to Apple's big Sept. 7 iPhone event.
Join Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon as they discuss the latest Apple Watch rumors, new features and why this could be the biggest update ever.
Join Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis as they talk about the latest iPhone 14 rumors – everything from anticipated release date to price to design changes. Plus, they'll talk about the features they hope to see in the latest release.
Join Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon as they talk about their favorite features and biggest gripes with iOS 16, macOS Ventura and the rest of the OSes arriving from Apple this fall.
Join Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis as they break down the pros and cons of Apple's newest laptop.
On Today in Tech, join Michael Simon and Ken Mingis as they separate the facts from fiction about the new 13-in. MacBook Pro, the M2 chip, the M2 MacBook Air, and the latest rumors.
On this week's episode of Today in Tech we talk about the state of Apple's laptops, whether you should preorder the M2 MacBook Pro, and what the future will bring.
On today's episode, it's a WWDC wrap-up party! We'll talk all about the new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS updates and which features you'll be most excited to try. And of course we'll have a lot of thoughts about the new M2 processor and MacBook Air.
Apple’s big Worldwide Developers Conference begins June 6. While it’s uncertain there’ll be new hardware , there will be previews of upcoming versions of macOS, iOS, iPadOS and more. Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis look at what software announcements may be in the offing.
Not-so-breaking news: Supply chain constraints continue to challenge technology manufacturers, and Apple is no exception. While the wait for some Macs is quite short, others, like the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro face wait times of eight to ten weeks. And with WWDC looming, could hardware supply chain issues upend any hardware announcement plans? Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss current hardware supply chain issues and how they may affect WWDC.
Some Apple employees are protesting the company’s return-to-work policy, which requires employees to be in the office three days per week. With that in mind, Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis and Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how Apple’s plans compare to other tech firms’ policies and what the hybrid work landscape looks like. But first, the trio looks at the end of the iconic iPod.
Billionaire Elon Musk recently entered into an agreement to purchase Twitter for $44 billion dollars, therefore turning Twitter into a privately held company. While Musk’s acquisition could have serious ramifications for users, it’s still unclear how his Twitter would differ from the Twitter we’re familiar with today. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss what the acquisition could mean for the future of the platform and how it could affect enterprise users and consumers alike.
WWDC speculation has officially begun. Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what to expect this year, including updates to Apple’s operating systems like iOS and macOS and maybe even some hardware announcements.
Microsoft this week announced new Windows 11 features aimed at making hybrid work easier. Some address IT-specific problems, others target the workforce. They include productivity tweaks, deployment improvements and security updates, among other things. Computerworld Manager Editor, Features Valerie Potter and contributing editor Preston Gralla join Juliet to discuss the new features, when they arrive and whether they will solve IT pain points.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on a hardware subscription service that would allow users to lease its devices like people lease cars. This program would differ from the 12- and 24-month loan programs currently available. And while its release date is months away, specs have already leaked about the upcoming iPhone 14. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss why a hardware subscription service could benefit enterprise users and what to expect in the iPhone 14.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month and consequential sanctions against the Kremlin, the threat of cyberattacks in the U.S. and abroad has been looming. While the threat of attacks on critical infrastructure has increased, it hasn’t escalated to the all-out cyberwar that some were expecting. CSO Online senior writer Lucian Constantin joins Juliet to discuss how the cyber threat landscape has evolved as a result of the war in Ukraine and what organizations can do to increase their cyber incident defenses. For more on this topic, check out this article from CSO Online: Conti gang says it's ready to hit critical infrastructure in support of Russian government: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3651498/conti-gang-says-its-ready-to-hit-critical-infrastructure-in-support-of-russian-government.html
Apple's new Studio Display is a conundrum: It's got a great 5K screen, an older iPhone chip, 64GB of RAM, an okay webcam, good speakers — and a $1,599 price tag. Apple is known for recycling hardware from its parts bins, but is the Studio Display a little too recycled? Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what frustrations people have with the display and who should (and shouldn't) use it.
Foxconn partially shut down some of its factories in manufacturing powerhouse Shenzhen as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Foxconn, which is the world's biggest contract electronics manufacturer and Apple’s largest iPhone supplier, said it “adjusted the production line to minimize the potential impact,” and some of its factories have partially reopened. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how this shutdown could have affected the mobile supply chain. They’ll also discuss Macworld’s review of the Mac Studio and what’s new in iOS 15.4.
At its “Peek Performance” event Tuesday, Apple introduced the M1 Ultra chip a new desktop Mac — the Mac Studio (which isn’t quite a Mac mini or a Mac Pro). Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon, Computerworld Executive editor Ken Mingis and Juliet discuss what these\ additions to Apple’s line-up are all about, and who will get the most out of them.
Financial sanctions levied against Russia have caused the Russian economy and its currency, the ruble, to tumble. At the same time, the values of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum soared after Russia had been banned from SWIFT. Computerworld senior reporter Lucas Mearian joins Juliet to discuss whether or not cryptocurrency is a viable option for Russian financial transactions. For more on this story, check out this article from Computerworld: After the SWIFT ban, can Russia find other routes for its money — including crypto?: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3651361/after-the-swift-ban-can-russia-find-other-routes-for-its-money-including-crypto.html
Apple is hosting its first event of the year on March 8, when it's expected to announce a handful of new products including an iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air. It’s also possible that Apple will announce a new MacBook Air with a redesigned M2 chip. Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what to expect.
Google announced it will roll out increased user privacy measures that have intentions similar to Apple’s App Tracking Transparency tool in future versions of Android. These measures, dubbed the Privacy Sandbox, intend to limit ad tracking across websites and apps. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss what to expect out of Google’s new privacy measures and how they compare to App Tracking Transparency.
Apple is getting closer to ditching Qualcomm as its 5G modem supplier, according to a new Digitimes report. The company has reportedly begun coordinating with other chip companies to develop custom-made 5G modems for future iPhones. These chips could appear in iPhones in 2023. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how Apple will transition to its own 5G modems and how doing so affects the components market.
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