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

Slate Podcasts
Elon Musk
Trump Administration
Artificial Intelligence
Donald Trump
Openai
Tiktok
Cryptocurrency
Meta
Social Media
Tesla
Google
Department Of Government Efficiency
Mental Health
Data Centers
Doge
Misinformation
Silicon Valley
Climate Change
Biden Administration
Spacex

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes674Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for What Next: TBD

Latest Episodes

Under fire for what critics say is inadequate protection of its young user base, Roblox nevertheless remains incredibly popular. Are the company’s new ballyhooed protections up for the task of keeping kids safe? Or is that asking the wrong question e... more

Between artificial intelligence, the Iran War, and the future of Taiwan, there’s a lot for the United States and China to hash out—not least of which being the pecking order.

Guest: Josh Chin, senior global correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.... more

Everyone would probably hate A.I. less if we could just see some upside to it. But despite all the investment—into the companies, into infrastructure like data centers, so much into marketing—it’s widely known: artificial intelligence sucks.

Guest: ... more

The not-always-beloved-but-indisputably-useful Spirit Airlines has given up the ghost. What does this mean for the airline industry and your summer travel plans? 

Guest: Will Guisbond, senior reporter for The Air Current.

Want more What Next TBD? S... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Josh Chin
Senior global correspondent for the Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Episode: Trump Visits the First World
Nilay Patel
Co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Verge; host of Decoder and co-host of Vergecast
The Verge
Episode: Does Anyone Like A.I.?
Will Guisbond
Reporter at The Air Current
The Air Current
Episode: Buy Your Flights Now
Robinson Meyer
Founding executive editor of Heatmap News, climate and energy journalist
Heatmap News
Episode: Big Tech’s Climate Fight…on Pause?
Sara Fisher
Media correspondent for Axios
Axios
Episode: How Mark Zuckerberg Finds Your Perfect Pair of Shoes
Kiera Butler
National correspondent for Mother Jones
Mother Jones
Episode: MAGA's A.I. Schism
Ben McKenzie
Director of Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
McKenzie's documentary project
Episode: Everyone Is Lying to You For Money
Jacob Silverman
Co-author of the book and co-researcher on the documentary
Book author
Episode: Everyone Is Lying to You For Money
Andrew Marantz
Staff writer at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Who is Sam Altman Anyway?

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 356 ratings
  • Just advert after advert

    Tried to bear it but I’m out

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Flash0983
    United Kingdom10 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
#138
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#185
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#248
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#214
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#124
Ireland/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#154
Hong Kong/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why OpenAI Bought a Talk Show
Q: Okay, so for people who are not in Silicon Valley all the time, what is TBPN? Can you just describe it for a normie?
TBPN started as a three-hour daily show by two founders who created a platform for in-depth tech discussion and entertainment, appealing to a highly engaged, online tech audience. It evolved into a distinctive format with light-hearted, self-aware branding, and a gap in mainstream media coverage of tech personalities and startup culture. The OpenAI acquisition raises whether such a show can keep its unique voice while being owned by a major tech company.
Iran's Memes Are Winning
Q: Why do these memes work, and what makes Iran effective in this space?
They mimic the language and formats that people already understand and engage with online, using culturally familiar tropes like diss tracks and popular memes to frame geopolitical narratives, while leveraging the internet's multi-audience nature.
Iran's Memes Are Winning
Q: When did the trolling contest begin, and what kicked it off?
It began with the Trump administration flexing after strikes, and Iran responding through Explosive Media, rolling out a meme-driven campaign that framed Trump in a way that resonated with online communities.
Who is Sam Altman Anyway?
Q: What led to Altman being fired and then rehired at OpenAI, and what does the reporting say about the events?
The reporting indicates a complex mix of governance tensions, power dynamics, and internal disagreements, with Ilya Sutskever and others pushing for leadership changes amid concerns about control and the direction of AI development, though the exact sequence and motivations are nuanced and interpreted differently by sources.
Who is Sam Altman Anyway?
Q: Can you give me a flavor of who had concerns about Altman and what those concerns were?
The concerns ranged from questions about his truthfulness and consistency across different audiences to fears that he prioritized power and speed over safety, with documents and interviews suggesting a pattern of behavior that made some insiders worry about trust and decision-making.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. Political Gabfest
4. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
5. Uncanny Valley | WIRED

How many episodes of What Next: TBD are there?

What Next: TBD launched 9 years ago and published 674 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. Josh Chin
2. Nilay Patel
3. Will Guisbond
4. Robinson Meyer
5. Sara Fisher
6. Kiera Butler
7. Ben McKenzie
8. Jacob Silverman

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