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What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future

Slate Podcasts
Artificial Intelligence
Shein
Pedestrian Fatalities
Elon Musk
British Library
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Clear
Suvs
Domestic Violence
Data Privacy
Cyber Attack
Filterworld
Electric Vehicles
Twitter
Openai
Free Speech
Litigation
Retail Industry
Sustainability
Fast Fashion

Every Friday and Sunday, Slate’s popular daily news podcast What Next brings you TBD, a clear-eyed look into the future. From fake news to fake meat, algorithms to augmented reality, Lizzie O’Leary is your guide to the tech industry and the world it’s creating for us to live in.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes661Founded8 years ago
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NewsTechnology

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Artwork for What Next: TBD

Latest Episodes

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, private credit or “shadow banking” grew as an alternative to the regulations and shared risk that institutional banks operate within. What happens if a crisis hits the trillions of dollars that are outside of... more

Artificial intelligence is working its way into every aspect of our lives, including law and immigration enforcement, and the industry is spending millions of dollars to ensure it can continue to do so unregulated. But as evidence of bias appears in ... more

What YouTube and Meta’s loss in the “social media addiction trial” could mean for your feed.

Guest: Ryan Mac, business and technology reporter for the New York Times.

Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to t... more

Why Palantir cofounder and CEO Alex Karp views working with Western militaries not just as a business opportunity, but as a higher calling.

Guest: Jacob Silverman, journalist and author of “Gilded Rage: Elon Musk and the Radicalization of Silicon Va... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jacob Silverman
Journalist and author
Business Insider (writer of Keyboard Warriors)
Episode: War Dot Com
Hank Green
YouTuber, educator, founder of Complexly
Complexly
Episode: Hank Green Still Believes
Mike Hilgers
Nebraska Attorney General
Nebraska Attorney General's Office
Episode: Why He Sued Roblox
Julia Alexander
Media correspondent at Puck News
Puck News
Episode: Why Hollywood Is Afraid of the Paramount-WBD Deal
Justin Wolfers
Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan
University of Michigan
Episode: War in Iran, Shockwaves in Markets
Nadira Goffe
Culture writer at Slate
Slate
Episode: TBD Tries… Wearables
Mario Aguilar
Technology writer who covers wearables
Stat News (as referenced)
Episode: TBD Tries… Wearables
Sonny Kishore
Associate professor at UCSF, hypertension specialist
University of California San Francisco
Episode: TBD Tries… Wearables
Jordi Cohen
Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: TBD Tries… Wearables

Host

Lizzie O'Leary
Lizzie O'Leary is the host of the series, guiding listeners through discussions that analyze technology's role in shaping modern society, emphasizing ethical considerations and societal impacts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 354 ratings
  • Just advert after advert

    Tried to bear it but I’m out

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Flash0983
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Too much ads

    Sick

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    FuuuuuuckThisGame
    United States2 years ago
  • I love this podcast, but …

    It’s played in What Next? also, so I decided to unsubscribe, so I wouldn’t have the same episode show up on my feed. Lizzie O’Leary is awesome. I used to enjoy hearing her in Marketplace. I’m happy to here her again

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    semipenguin
    United States2 years ago
  • Shallow summaries of tech issues filled with ads

    There is a huge demand for deep dive podcasts into the hot topic tech issues like AI and the Metaverse etc. This podcasts taps exactly into that but fails miserably. After summarizing an issue, which basically takes the entire episode because of all the ads (funded by the same companies they critique i.e. Apple), they end each episode with a “ok so what does this all mean?” segment. Except this segment lasts 30 sec followed by more ads and then the podcast ends.

    So if you are looking for dee... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Samd199
    United States2 years ago
  • OMG… now I realize why trump will get re-elected

    Generally enjoy the show, but just listened to

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    bluebill987
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is criticism regarding the frequency and nature of advertisements present in episodes, which can detract from the listening experience.
The host's interviewing style is consistently praised for being informative and thought-provoking, helping to navigate through intricate issues.
Some comments highlight the depth of coverage on complex tech topics, while others feel that more nuanced perspectives could enhance the content.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions and the timely insights into technological advancements and ethics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#242
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#222
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#66
Philippines/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#168
Austria/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#185
China/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#250
South Africa/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are We Ready for A.I. Warfare?
Q: Where does precision fit into this, and what does AI do to the precision question?
AI can improve data processing and pattern recognition, but higher volume can still produce significant civilian harm; precision gains are mitigated by the scale of use and the complexities of different weapon systems.
Are We Ready for A.I. Warfare?
Q: Do we have any idea whether AI was used in the targeting or execution of this strike?
The available reporting suggests it was more likely a human error or outdated intelligence than AI-driven targeting, though AI could assist in vetting data; the full answer remains uncertain.
Hank Green Still Believes
Q: So what do you think this episode says about how people get and receive information on the Internet in 2026?
The core insight is that attention drives what people see, with salience determining what is amplified, and that both creators and algorithms influence what ends up in our feeds. This has led to a landscape where superficial, high-arousal content can crowd out nuanced information, making critical thinking education essential for both kids and adults.
War Dot Com
Q: What exactly does Palantir do for its clients, and why is it seen as an 'operating system' for militaries?
Palantir provides software platforms that organize and analyze vast datasets, enabling defenders and analysts to make informed decisions; it serves as a flexible layer on which other applications can run, including tools used by the military and government agencies.
War Dot Com
Q: So is this pivot toward defense technology philosophical or purely about money?
Mostly about money, but there's also a belief that defense-oriented work is a higher calling and aligns with a broader worldview that valorizes security and patriotism.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About What Next: TBD

What is What Next: TBD about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers a critical exploration of contemporary issues at the intersection of technology and society. Frequent topics include artificial intelligence, data privacy, and technology's impact on politics and daily life. Discussions range from the ethical implications of AI and major tech advancements to the role of digital platforms in shaping public discourse. Unique elements include guest interviews with industry experts and thought leaders, providing listeners with deeper insights into the implications of rapidly evolving tech trends. It's particularly noteworthy for its focus on accountability in the tech sector and its interpretation of current events through a technological lens, appealing to listeners who are both tech enthus... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What Next: TBD?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Next: TBD:

1. What Next | Daily News and Analysis
2. Slate Money
3. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
4. Hard Fork
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of What Next: TBD are there?

What Next: TBD launched 8 years ago and published 661 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What Next: TBD?

Recent guests on What Next: TBD include:

1. Jacob Silverman
2. Hank Green
3. Mike Hilgers
4. Julia Alexander
5. Justin Wolfers
6. Nadira Goffe
7. Mario Aguilar
8. Sonny Kishore

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