How the Biggest Cloud Players Got Even Bigger
Amazon, Google and Microsoft cemented their place as the most dominant players in cloud computing during the pandemic. WSJ enterprise-tech reporter Aaron Tilley joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what their growth means for smaller rivals, customers and regulatory concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Jul 07, 2022
14m
EU Lawmakers Pass Landmark Tech Rules
Legislators in the European Union have approved two sweeping digital regulations aimed at tech companies and online businesses. The laws are the most far-reaching efforts by Western countries to rein in big tech in a generation. WSJ tech reporter Sam Schechner joins host Julie Chang to explain the new rules and how companies are assessing them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
13m Jul 06, 2022
13m
AI’s Perception Gap Masks Its Shortfalls
A recent incident involving a now-suspended Google engineer has sparked debate about artificial intelligence and whether it could become sentient. WSJ reporter Karen Hao joins host Julie Chang to discuss where this tech really stands, and why a perception gap around AI can have real-life consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m Jul 05, 2022
12m
Introducing: Hack Me If You Can
Wall Street Journal reporter Robert McMillan has spent years trying to find a Russian hacker who would tell him their story. And then, he met Dmitry Smilyanets, the man who managed one of the most notorious hacking teams to come out of Russia.Dmitry’s story is the story of how a generation of hackers grew up in Russia. It follows the dramatic game of cat and mouse that America plays trying to c...
40m Jul 02, 2022
40m
Will Twitter’s Data Dump Push Elon Musk Deal Forward?
Elon Musk says he put his $40 billion acquisition of Twitter on hold over bots on the platform, and he demanded to see the social-media company’s data on fake or spam accounts. In recent weeks, Twitter complied, sending over a massive data dump. Now the billionaire and his team need to sort through it. WSJ tech reporter Sarah Needleman joins host Julie Chang to explain why that won’t be easy. ...
11m Jul 01, 2022
11m
Celsius Said It Was Low Risk; Documents Show the Opposite
Celsius, one of the largest crypto lenders, has been under pressure. And people active in the sector have been keeping a watchful eye. The lending giant promoted itself as lower risk but higher reward than traditional banks. But investor documents from last year show Celsius was actually built on risk. WSJ reporter Eliot Brown joins host Julie Chang to discuss the latest insights into Celsius’ ...
12m Jun 30, 2022
12m
After Roe v. Wade Ruling, Period-Tracker Apps Look to Anonymize Data
Apps that track menstrual cycles or fertility collect a trove of sensitive data about users. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last Friday, striking down the constitutional right to an abortion, some of those app companies are moving to change how they handle that data. On today’s show, WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host Julie Chang to discuss how that data is col...
12m Jun 29, 2022
12m
Do Kwon Tries Again After $40 Billion Crypto Crash
Algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD was supposed to maintain its value at $1 with the help of its sister-crypto, Luna. But TerraUSD’s price collapsed to pennies in May, while Luna plunged by more than 99%, wiping out around $40 billion in value. Their creator Do Kwon has been attempting a comeback by relaunching Luna. WSJ markets reporter Alexander Osipovich joins host Julie Chang to explain the co...
13m Jun 28, 2022
13m
VR Tech to Combat Social Isolation Among Seniors
To tackle social isolation among seniors, some caregivers have turned to virtual reality. One company developing that technology is Rendever. At The Wall Street Journal's recent Future of Everything Festival, personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen spoke with Rendever’s co-founder and CEO about where this tech stands today and how it can be leveraged to transform the day-to-day lives of residents...
13m Jun 27, 2022
13m
Why Amazon’s CEO Is Working to Undo A Bezos-Led Overexpansion
Andy Jassy took over as Amazon CEO nearly a year ago. Since then the company’s stock price has fallen, online shopping demand has shrunk and the e-commerce giant has been left with excess warehouse space. As a result, Jassy has been forced to reverse course on some initiatives started by founder Jeff Bezos. WSJ reporter Dana Mattioli joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Jassy handled his first ...
13m Jun 24, 2022
13m
Why Many Rural Americans Are Still Waiting For Fast Internet
The federal government has set aside billions of dollars aimed at improving internet speeds for rural Americans. But, despite multiple government programs designed to fix the problem, many in those communities are still waiting for faster speeds. WSJ reporter Ryan Tracy joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how communities are being impacted by slow internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
13m Jun 23, 2022
13m
Crypto Volatility: Your Questions Answers
Crypto has been on a wild ride lately, experiencing huge dips and volatility impacting investors and companies, and catching the eye of regulators. WSJ crypto reporter Paul Vigna joins host Zoe Thomas to answer your questions about how the market is supposed to work, how the government is responding and what the future could hold for the cryptocurrency space. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
13m Jun 22, 2022
13m
How YouTube Shorts Became TikTok’s Biggest Rival
Short-form videos have become the latest big battleground for social-media platforms. TikTok is the most popular, but hot on its heels is Google’s rival service YouTube Shorts. WSJ reporter Salvador Rodriguez joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how YouTube Shorts grew in popularity so quickly and the surprising audiences it is attracting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
12m Jun 21, 2022
12m
Musk Tells Twitter Employees His Plans for the Company
In a town hall meeting with rank-and-file Twitter employees, Elon Musk fielded questions on free speech, his plans for company leadership and returning to the office. WSJ tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what was learned at the meeting and what it means for the future of the billionaire’s $44 billion takeover bid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...
13m Jun 17, 2022
13m
Tesla Tops List of Suspected Driver-Assistance-Tech Crashes
U.S. traffic safety regulators have released a first-ever survey of crashes suspected of involving advanced driver-assistance technology. At the top of the list with the most crashes is Tesla. WSJ autos reporter Ryan Felton joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the limitations of the new data and what it could mean for developments in autonomous driving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
13m Jun 16, 2022
13m
Microsoft Shuts Down Internet Explorer After 27 Years
The web browser that introduced many people to the internet is being retired on Wednesday. WSJ reporter Alyssa Lukpat joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why Microsoft decided to shut down Internet Explorer and the impact the browser had on the online world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jun 15, 2022
11m
Suspended Google Engineer Says AI Chatbot Is Sentient
A software engineer at Google claims the company has developed an artificial intelligence chatbot that is sentient. Google has dismissed the claims, and suspended the engineer. What made the employee believe this system has gained consciousness and deserves the same rights as humans? WSJ reporter Patrick Thomas joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what’s behind the assertion and what it means for A...
12m Jun 14, 2022
12m
Meta Investigates Sandberg’s Use of Facebook Corporate Resources
Lawyers for Facebook’s parent company Meta are investigating the extent to which outgoing Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg used corporate resources for her personal projects. It hasn’t been uncommon for the company to pay for personal or security expenses for Sandberg, so what are investigators looking for now? WSJ reporter Deepa Seetharaman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the investiga...
12m Jun 13, 2022
12m
A Facebook User’s Oculus Odyssey to Reach Customer Service
Many social media users who have problems with their accounts quickly learn there is no one to call, write to, or chat with to fix the issues. Some Facebook users, in particular, have gone to extreme lengths to reach a customer service representative to get help, including spending hundreds of dollars on devices. WSJ reporter Kirsten Grind joins host Zoe Thomas to explain why social media giant...
14m Jun 10, 2022
14m
Carbon Removal Tech Gets Billions In Funding. Can It Deliver?
Investors and businesses, including big tech, are pouring money into the nascent carbon removal industry. The technology holds the promise of reducing the impacts of climate change. WSJ reporter Amrith Ramkumar joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what’s behind the billions in financing and whether this emerging tech sector is likely to deliver on investors' hopes. Learn more about your ad choices...
13m Jun 09, 2022
13m
WeWork Founder Looks For Next Chapter in Web3
Web3, built on blockchain technology, is seen by some as the future of the internet. In fact, some investors are so positive about the idea they are willing to overlook past mistakes by tech founders to get in on the ground floor. WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the founder of WeWork, Adam Neumann, is betting on a Web3 business for his next venture, and ...
13m Jun 08, 2022
13m
Ransomware Groups Break Up Into Smaller Cells to Skirt Sanctions
Hacking groups with ties to Russia are changing their approach to cyber attacks amid an increase in sanctions and pressure from U.S. law enforcement. WSJ Pro Cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why the change in strategy is making it hard for hacking victims and Washington to say who is behind the attacks and how to stop them. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
11m Jun 07, 2022
11m
What’s Behind Sheryl Sandberg’s Departure From Facebook Parent Meta?
After 14 years of helping build Meta into an advertising powerhouse, Sheryl Sandberg is leaving the company. As chief operating officer and the number-two executive at the company formerly known as Facebook, she also took heat for missteps on the social-media platform, including its role in election interference. So what’s behind her decision to leave and what will it mean for the company? WSJ ...
13m Jun 06, 2022
13m
Space Cleanup: What Will It Take to Clear Out Space Junk From Orbit?
It’s no secret that the area just outside Earth’s atmosphere is filling up with dangerous space junk. Tech is under development to clean up all that debris, from satellites to spot where it is to magnet-wielding junk collectors. But how does the industry hope to develop when there are few rules in place to stop the creation of even more space junk? On the final episode of Tech News Briefing’s s...
19m Jun 03, 2022
19m
Space Rules: Who’s in Charge in Space?
Outer space is like international waters, where rules are set by treaty and enforcement can be complicated. With a growing number of private companies and space-faring countries sending up missions, who decides, for example, who is responsible for space collisions or if a contract for moon dirt is legal? On the third episode of Tech News Briefing’s special series about the developing space econ...
15m Jun 02, 2022
15m
Space Manufacturing: Building an Economy Beyond Earth
Private space companies have big plans, from setting up space hotels and factories to powering missions to distant planets. But to do those things, they first will need to figure out how to build in space to avoid the cost, difficulty and limitations of shipping parts up to space from Earth. On this episode of Tech News Briefing’s special series about the developing space economy, host Zoe Thom...
16m Jun 01, 2022
16m
Now Hiring: Industry Jobs for the New Space Age
The modern space race has taken off, thanks in large part to the growing role played by private companies. As businesses send up more missions, build their own space stations and even think about mining the moon, they will need to find and train new types of workers. On the first episode of Tech News Briefing’s special series about the developing space economy, host Zoe Thomas looks at space jo...
17m May 31, 2022
17m
What’s Next for the Space Economy?
A new era of human activity in space is taking shape, one increasingly defined by private companies rather than government agencies. This week on a special series of Tech News Briefing, we’ll examine some of the thorny questions raised by the privatization of the space industry: How will it get built? What technical hurdles stand in the way? And who gets a say in what its future looks like? Zoe...
3m May 30, 2022
3m
Could the Next School Shooting Be Prevented With Tech?
Software that detects warning signs of violence could help teachers, principals and counselors identify possible school shooters before they act. But the technology comes with limitations and raises questions about students’ privacy. WSJ family and tech columnist Julie Jargon joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss where this software is being used and how effective it can be. Learn more about your a...
11m May 27, 2022
11m
Amazon Grows Beyond E-commerce With Consumer Tech
Amazon wants its gadgets, such as home-assistance robots and Kindle readers, to connect people to the world around them. The company’s senior vice president of devices and services, David Limp, spoke with WSJ Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern about how the company hopes to do that and whether antitrust concerns could derail those plans. Zoe Thomas hosts. Learn more about your ad choi...
13m May 26, 2022
13m
Health Tech Beyond the Pandemic
The use of technology in healthcare boomed during the pandemic and led to record investment in health startups. At The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival, WSJ reporter Chip Cutter spoke with Zus Health CEO Jonathan Bush about what's next for the sector. Zoe Thomas hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m May 25, 2022
12m
Twitter Employees Pay ‘Chaos Tax’ for Musk’s Takeover Plan
Elon Musk’s plans to buy Twitter are creating chaos and uncertainty inside the company, according to staff. Employees say they don't know what their jobs will look like, and some say it is taking a financial toll on them. WSJ tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what this could mean for Twitter and its workers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
13m May 24, 2022
13m
Tech Startups Cut Spending As Investors Pull Back
After a 13-year financing bonanza that saw hundreds of companies reach billion-dollar-plus valuations, the fun may be over for tech startups. WSJ reporter Heather Somerville joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why investors are closing their wallets and what startups are doing to stay afloat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m May 23, 2022
12m
Crypto CEO on Volatility, Ownership and Regulation
Cryptocurrency values have been plummeting recently, raising questions about investors’ safety and regulations. At The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival, WSJ crypto editor Jenna Telesca spoke with Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder about how the crypto exchange is tackling these issues. Zoe Thomas hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m May 20, 2022
14m
Where Is Augmented-Reality Tech Headed Next?
Augmented-reality headsets are already being used in some workplaces. What will it take for them to be more widely adopted? At The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival, Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern spoke with senior executives from Magic Leap, a company pushing to make AR an everyday reality in our lives, about the challenges it faces. Zoe Thomas hosts. Learn more...
13m May 19, 2022
13m
Will ‘Instant Delivery’ Eventually Become Profitable?
At The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival this week, Gopuff co-CEO Rafael Ilishayev spoke with WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims about the challenges of ultra-fast delivery and whether robots and drones could help. Zoe Thomas hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12m May 18, 2022
12m
Buffalo Shooter Live-Streamed Attack; How Platforms Reacted
A mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday left 10 people dead and 3 others wounded. Nearly all the victims were Black, and authorities are investigating it as a racially motivated hate crime. The attack was broadcast live on the streaming service Twitch, before the service took it down less than two minutes later. WSJ reporter Georgia Wells joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how social media ...
15m May 17, 2022
15m
Tech Industry Warns Remote Work Could Hurt U.S. Competitiveness
A lobbying group for the tech sector warns that remote work may mean highly skilled jobs are headed out of the U.S. Host Zoe Thomas is joined by Jennifer Young, CEO of the Technology Councils of North America, to discuss the solution the industry would like to see, and WSJ reporter Julie Bykowicz to talk about how the message is being received in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
15m May 16, 2022
15m
Why Bitcoin, TerraUSD and Other Cryptos Are Plunging
The values of the most popular cryptocurrencies, and even some stablecoins, have been nosediving, leading regulators to speak out about the lack of oversight in digital currencies. WSJ markets reporter Caitlin Ostroff joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what is behind the drop and what to expect next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m May 13, 2022
14m
Cyber Leaders on the Biggest Threats and How to Defend Against Them
How are cyber leaders from the U.S. and U.K. tackling hacking and ransomware risks as the war in Ukraine continues? At The Wall Street Journal’s recent CEO Council Summit, WSJ Deputy Chief News Editor Gráinne McCarthy spoke with Lindy Cameron, head of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Center, and Anne Neuberger, U.S. deputy national security adviser on cyber and emerging tech. Zoe Thomas hosts...
14m May 12, 2022
14m
SoftBank’s $100 Billion Bet on the Tech Boom Falls Behind
Hailed by its leader as "a goose that lays golden eggs,” SoftBank's Vision Fund launched in 2017 with the goal of funding a whole generation of future tech giants. But five years into its experiment in what was once seen as a bold and visionary investment style, the fund has fallen into an embarrassing position lagging behind the wider market. Reporter Eliot Brown joins host Zoe Thomas to discu...
14m May 11, 2022
14m
Inside TikTok’s Stressful and Secretive Work Culture
TikTok has been adding users and growing rapidly. But employees say that growth is fueling an atmosphere of anxiety, stress and relentless pressure. WSJ reporter Georgia Wells joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the work culture at TikTok and what the company says it is doing to address it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m May 10, 2022
13m
Can Social Media Be Fixed? New Platforms Aim To Change How We Connect
Former employees from Facebook and WhatsApp are among those developing new social media platforms aimed at improving online discourse. WSJ reporter Deepa Seetharaman joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the different approaches those platforms are taking and how they hope to fix social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m May 09, 2022
13m
Facebook Caused Havoc to Influence Australian Law, Whistleblowers Say
Testimony from whistleblowers and internal documents from Facebook reveal that the company deliberately caused havoc in the leadup to the passing of a law in Australia that forces digital platforms to pay for news content. WSJ reporter Keach Hagey joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m May 06, 2022
14m
Smart Buildings Promise Happier Workplaces But Could Pose Cyber Risks
Smart office buildings offer ways to reduce energy use, protect the health of employees and make going to work more pleasant. But once a building is essentially turned into a giant computer, what are the risks for personal privacy and cybersecurity? WSJ real-estate reporter Konrad Putzier joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the vulnerabilities created by these high-tech buildings. Learn more abou...
14m May 05, 2022
14m
Why Meta’s E-Commerce Plans Have Stumbled
Facebook parent Meta hopes e-commerce will help the company offset revenue it lost after Apple started letting users share less of their data with app makers. But its e-commerce push has struggled with operational challenges and the departure of some senior leadership figures. WSJ social-media business reporter Salvador Rodriguez joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss. Learn more about your ad choic...
14m May 04, 2022
14m
Grindr Users’ Data Could Be Purchased Through Ad Networks
The Wall Street Journal reports exclusively that the precise movements of millions of users of the gay-dating app Grindr were collected from a digital advertising network and made available for sale for years, before the company cut off the data it shares with advertising partners. WSJ reporter Byron Tau joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the latest news and what it tells us about the wider risks...
12m May 03, 2022
12m
Open-Source Data Shows Possible War Crimes. Can It Be Used in Court?
Technology and social media have made it easy for everyday people in Ukraine to post images of potential war crimes. But that doesn’t mean the videos and pictures will be admissible in potential trials. WSJ reporter Ian Lovett joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss the technology that is being used to verify the images’ authenticity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15m May 02, 2022
15m
Why Autocorrect Sometimes Gets It Wrong
Autocorrect is a staple of our digital lives. But the software sometimes picks the wrong word or even inserts grammatical errors. WSJ Senior Personal Tech Columnist Joanna Stern joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss what she learned when she dug into how the iPhone’s autocorrect system works (or doesn’t). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15m Apr 29, 2022
15m
Crypto Startups Keep Getting Hacked. Investors Keep Bailing Them Out.
Despite hackers pulling off massive heists and robbing crypto startups and their users of record amounts of money, investors in those companies seem unfazed. WSJ Pro Cybersecurity reporter David Uberti joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss why their faith hasn’t wavered and how they plan to keep others on the platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14m Apr 28, 2022
14m