The Times Tech Podcast
The Sunday Times
From Silicon Valley to The City, tech journalists Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott bring you the inside track on the new industrial revolution.Co-hosted from San Francisco and London, this weekly podcast delivers the latest news and freshest interviews with the people creating the future.As West Coast Correspondent for The Sunday Times, Danny is on the ground to witness the technological whirlwind that first roared out Silicon Valley. From London, working as The Times' Technology Business Editor, Katie has seen the waves of boom and bust rolling through one of the world's financial capitals. Together they explore this strange new world of high finance and tech giants, explaining how we got here and what is just around the corner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Lawyers and the AI revolution
AI is coming to the legal world. Danny Fortson talks to Eleanor Lightbody, the chief executive of Luminance, a UK startup using artificial intelligence to automate and augment legal work. So is there to be a looming “white collar recession” or will we be able to have more time for thinking afresh about the law and other professions? Hear how AI is transforming contract review, and the future of the legal profession. Plus, why AI adoption is surging. what happens when AI makes mistakes, and how to avoid over-reliance on a single AI model: A fascinating insight into the practicalities of AI adoption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2025 • 40min
The man behind the NHS mental health bot
AI chatbots are being used by millions. But are they safe? Danny Fortson speaks to Ross Harper, the co-founder and CEO of Limbic AI, a company which has developed artificial intelligence software which can be used clinically as part of mental health treatment. Limbic is now used in 50% of NHS trusts, and has its eye on being used in all 50 States by the end of 2025. They talk about the future - and the reckoning he thinks is coming for wellness apps. Plus the Times' US business editor Louisa Clarence-Smith joins Danny to talk about the Figma IPO and the backlash to the UK's Online Safety Act.Further listening: Interview with Dylan Field, the CEO of Figma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24, 2025 • 39min
How big does a supercomputer need to be really
Danny is joined by the Times' Technology correspondent Mark Sellman whio has been spending time with the UK's newest supercomputer, Isambard AI, which has become the world's 11th most powerful supercomputer and could be used to develop British LLMs (Large Language Models). Plus, flirtatious or insulting AI companions, and a government plan to ban businesses from paying hackers ransoms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2025 • 34min
Can an AI scientist solve humanity's problems?
Danny goes solo this week, in old-school Danny in the Valley style. He speaks to Sam Rodriques, the founder and CEO of FutureHouse – a non-profit organisation developing AI scientists that could revolutionise human discovery. Plus, he rounds up the week in tech – from NVIDIA’s chips making a return to China, to Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious plan to build data centres the size of Manhattan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2025 • 48min
Linda Yaccarino’s X exit & Figma files for IPO
Katie speaks to Dylan Field - the CEO of Figma. The design software firm has filed to go public on the New York Stock Exchange with Dylan calling it the most ‘interesting, intense, and fun time’. Danny and Katie also talk about Linda Yaccarino resigning as CEO of X and discuss a so-called ‘Panda watch’ creeping over Silicon Valley! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
Can a driverless car really cope with London traffic & is the big AI bromance over?
Katie joins the CEO of Wayve, Alex Kendall, for a journey round the busy 'higgledy-piggledy' roads of London in a driverless car, to see the tech in real action. Plus a special AI news roundup on how Sam Altman & Satya Nadella's relationship may be souring; how Meta might be finding AI's best talent, and defining fair use when it comes to the training of LLMs.Have any questions, or feedback? Get in touch: techpod@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26, 2025 • 42min
Sometimes I look into your eyes
Danny meets up with Alex Blania, the CEO and one of the co-founders, alongside Sam Altman, of Tools for Humanity. Their project Worldcoin, aims to help us weed out AI imitators by verifying humans online. All you have to do is scan your iris on one of their orbs to get a unique biometric ID and some cryptocurrency. Danny and Katie also take on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, and question whether it's right and proper for humans to fall in love with AI bots? Spoiler alert! The answer is probably not, for both your sakes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19, 2025 • 36min
Mistral AI: Europe's answer to Silicon Valley?
Katie chats with Arthur Mensch, the 32-year-old co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, a trailblazer in open-source language models based in Paris. They discuss the urgent need for Europe to establish its own AI players to ensure economic and cultural sovereignty. Arthur dives into Mistral's innovative approach, emphasizing cultural tailoring in AI models and the importance of local solutions for European enterprises. He also addresses the funding landscape and the competitive dynamics with US giants, hinting at a bright future for European AI.
Jun 13, 2025 • 37min
Tech's rising stars?
Katie is at 'Founders Forum' in the Oxfordshire countryside surrounded by titans from the world of tech as well as robots, flying cars, and a host of expensive gear proclaiming everlasting health. She talks to four of the 'Rising Stars' who may one day return as titans themselves - from a French startup working on robots that burrow inside your brain to AI tools creating new materials from scratch. Danny listens and is amazed - almost! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 5, 2025 • 39min
An AI-induced recession on the horizon? Klarna's CEO thinks so
Sebastian Siemiatkowski joins the pod from the SXSW festival in London to tell the story of Klarna, the "buy now, pay later" fintech company he co-founded and currently leads. Press coverage suggests that he has gone all in on AI at the company; he claims his position is more nuanced. But what is clear, in his mind, is that an AI-induced recession may be unavoidable.Any thoughts or questions, get in touch - techpod@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
