

Big Technology Podcast
Alex Kantrowitz
The Big Technology Podcast takes you behind the scenes in the tech world featuring interviews with plugged-in insiders and outside agitators. Alex Kantrowitz, a Silicon Valley journalist who's interviewed the world's top tech CEOs — from Mark Zuckerberg to Larry Ellison — is the host.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 27, 2023 • 39min
Palantir and Clearview Are Turning Ukraine’s War Into an R&D Lab — With Vera Bergengruen
Vera Bergengruen, a senior correspondent at Time, dives into her experiences reporting from Ukraine, where tech companies like Palantir and Clearview are testing their innovations in real-time warfare. She discusses the ethical dilemmas of facial recognition technology used to identify soldiers amidst chaos. The conversation highlights how Ukraine is leveraging this conflict to build its own military tech industry and questions the broader implications of using sophisticated technology in warfare. It's a riveting exploration of tech's role in modern conflict.

Dec 22, 2023 • 49min
2023 In Review, 2024 Predictions — With Casey Newton
Casey Newton, editor of Platformer and co-host of Hard Fork, shares his insights on the tech landscape. He reflects on 2023's standout tech moments, including GPT-4's rise and the AI competition among Google and OpenAI. The discussion dives into the future of search engines and the implications of AI-generated content. Newton also explores Apple's Vision Pro, comparing it to IMAX on the go, and discusses the ethics of AI romantic relationships. Plus, hear about the exciting developments in autonomous driving and the challenges faced by industry leaders.

11 snips
Dec 20, 2023 • 49min
Is Generative AI Killing Creativity Or Enhancing It? — With Scott Belsky
In this engaging discussion, Scott Belsky, Chief Strategy Officer at Adobe, dives into the complex intersection of generative AI and creativity. He debates whether AI hinders originality or opens new avenues for artistic expression. The conversation highlights AI's role in democratizing creative tools while addressing concerns about authorship and creative attribution. Belsky also reveals how AI can create emotional connections in consumer products and fosters resilience through challenges. This thought-provoking chat won't leave you indifferent!

Dec 15, 2023 • 49min
AI Scandals Rock Newsrooms, Uber’s Road to Profitability, NVIDIA’s Underappreciated Weakness
Ranjan Roy, a tech industry contributor at Margins, dives into the latest turbulent trends in the tech landscape. The discussion covers AI’s contentious role in journalism, with publishers caught misusing AI-generated content. Roy also examines Uber's controversial path to profitability while drivers grapple with pay cuts. The conversation highlights NVIDIA’s potential vulnerabilities amidst its success, stories from a timeshare presentation in Vegas, and the evolving ethical landscape as technology reshapes media. A thought-provoking exploration awaits!

Dec 13, 2023 • 28min
Intel's CEO Shares His Plan To Win The AI Chip War — With Pat Gelsinger
Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, dives into the intensely competitive AI chip landscape. He discusses the differences between CPUs and GPUs, emphasizing NVIDIA's weaknesses and the rise of new rivals. Gelsinger outlines Intel's resurgence plans, including its renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and the foundry business. He also shares insights on Apple's chip design strategy and how it impacts the industry. This engaging conversation highlights the future of AI and Intel's commitment to leading the charge in innovation.

Dec 11, 2023 • 38min
2024's Big Ideas — With Jessi Hempl and Hello Monday
Join Jessi Hempel, a Senior Editor at LinkedIn and host of Hello Monday, as she dives into the future of technology. They discuss the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT in education, the intense tech arms race among giants like Microsoft and Google, and how Zuckerberg is pivoting Meta's focus towards AI innovations. The conversation highlights social media's evolution, examining shifts in user engagement and the effectiveness of platforms. Hempel also shares innovative ideas for the coming year, emphasizing the importance of diverse media consumption.

Dec 8, 2023 • 35min
Google’s Deceptive Gemini Release, More Tech Layoffs, George Santos Saves Cameo
Ranjan Roy, a Contributor to Margins, joins to discuss compelling tech topics. The conversation dives into Google's Gemini launch, revealing its competitive nature and questionable marketing tactics. Layoffs at Spotify raise concerns about the media sector's resilience amid economic strains. They also explore how data influences tech innovation in a commoditized market. Additionally, George Santos's unexpected role in boosting Cameo highlights the intersection of celebrity culture and the job market in today’s economy.

Dec 6, 2023 • 38min
Tech's Big November Rally, Apple's Path Forward, The State of Tesla — With Dan Ives
Dan Ives, a managing director at Wedbush Securities, shares his insights on the tech landscape. He discusses the surprising November rally in tech stocks, driven by optimism and advancements in AI. Ives sheds light on the challenges Apple faces in a competitive market and examines Tesla's evolving sales strategy amidst pricing shifts and the anticipated launch of the Cybertruck. He also predicts trends for 2024, including the ongoing significance of AI and the implications of Elon Musk's role at X, alongside thoughts on Bitcoin's resurgence.

Dec 1, 2023 • 50min
ChatGPT Gets Lazy, Elon Musk Blasts Advertisers and Releases The Cybertruck, Jack Ma Returns
Louise Matsakis, a savvy reporter at Semafor specializing in AI, joins the conversation to dissect the latest tech headlines. She highlights ChatGPT's waning effectiveness and discusses the competitive rise of Anthropic with its unique governance model. The chat also dives into Elon Musk's bold remarks towards advertisers, questioning brand safety norms. Expect exciting insights on Amazon's new chatbot Q and the innovative Cybertruck, alongside the significance of Jack Ma's public appearance for China's regulatory landscape.

Nov 29, 2023 • 49min
Silicon Valley's Effective Altruist vs. Accelerationist Religious War
Molly White, a crypto researcher and author of 'Citation Needed', joins internet culture reporter Ryan Broderick, creator of 'Garbage Day', and Deepa Seetharaman, a Wall Street Journal AI reporter. The trio dives into the clash between Effective Altruism and Effective Accelerationism in Silicon Valley, discussing how these ideologies shaped the OpenAI debacle. They explore the implications of each group's philosophy on AI ethics, corporate culture, and the future of technology, revealing the complex dynamics of risk versus rapid advancement in the tech landscape.


