The Tech Download

CNBC

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CNBC’s “The Tech Download,” hosted by Senior Technology Correspondent Arjun Kharpal, cuts through the noise to unpack the technology stories that matter most, exploring what they mean for your portfolio, your business and the global economy. With access to industry leaders and years of experience covering technology around the world, the series delivers sharp analysis and compelling narratives on the trends, risks and innovations shaping the future of tech.

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120 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes120

Newest first

Feb 21, 2024 · 38 min
China appears to be making strides in cutting-edge chips, despite U.S sanctions
Various U.S. export restrictions and sanctions have hit China's semiconductor industry which was already seen as generations behind other countries. Now Chinese firms appear to be making sanction-defying progress in chips, but there are some big challenges to overcome. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 7, 2024 · 36 min
From Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro to VR - face computers are coming
As Apple joins the likes of Meta and Sony in the VR/AR headset race, Beyond the Valley’s Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal join CNBC’s Deputy Tech Editor Todd Haselton to find out what Apple’s new gadget is like to wear and discuss where’s next for this rapidly growing sector. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 1, 2024 · 38 min
How China is dominating the electric car world
China is the world's biggest electric car market with its domestic firms like BYD and battery maker CATL among some of the largest in the world. CNBC's Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal look at how the Chinese government has boosted the industry and how Chinese EV makers are looking to conquer the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 25, 2024 · 28 min
How Western tech is entering sanctioned Russia and powering its military machine
Russia continues to import large volumes of Western technology critical to its war against Ukraine, even as sanctions show some signs of taking hold. CNBC's Karen Gilchrist has been looking at this story for several months and joins Arjun Kharpal and Tom Chitty to talk about how tech, like microchips, is getting into the hands of Russia. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 19, 2024 · 39 min
Robots to autonomous AI: What Davos told us about the future
CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal spent the week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He talks to Tom Chitty about what the biggest names in tech were talking about on the ground. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 12, 2024 · 36 min
The bitcoin ETF has finally arrived - here's what it means for crypto's future
After staunch opposition, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission finally approved a bitcoin ETF. Many have called it a watershed moment for the industry. CNBC's Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal delve in to what it means for the future, with views from some of crypto's biggest names. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 13, 2023 · 38 min
Top tech predictions for 2024
Summary: In the final episode of the year Tom and Arjun round up the big stories from 2023 and take a look at what may be the big tech themes in 2024. Our regular hosts are joined by special guests, CNBC's Silvia Amaro and MacKenzie Sigalos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 6, 2023 · 39 min
Could an AI 'deepfake' cause a national security crisis?
“Deepfake” is a term used to describe an AI created image, sound or video of a real person. This tech is being used to spread false information by doctoring images or audio of political figures and celebs, and has even spurred a prediction from one investment bank that deepfakes could lead to a national security crisis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 28, 2023 · 36 min
AI, crypto and ransoms: How hackers are extorting big firms for millions
Ransomware has become one of the most popular tools used by hackers to extort companies for millions of dollars. And this is getting more advanced with the growth of artificial intelligence. CNBC's Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal unearth how these attacks take place and how hackers are getting smarter with AI. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 22, 2023 · 39 min
The $4.3 billion Binance criminal probe and what it means for the future of cryptocurrencies
Changpeng Zhao or CZ, CEO of Binance, pleaded guilty to criminal charges and stepped down as the company’s CEO as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. prosecutors. Arjun Kharpal and Tom Chitty talk about their interactions with CZ and Binance, the case, and what this could mean for the price of cryptocurrencies in 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 16, 2023 · 34 min
Tech execs says the internet is broken - and this is their plan to fix it
Technology executives from the Wikipedia Founder to the Signal boss think things need to change in an internet dominated by Big Tech. CNBC’s Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal explore the debates and ideas around the future of the internet See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 8, 2023 · 37 min
Inside the wild trial of Sam Bankman-Fried and the battle for crypto's future
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, faces more than 100 years in prison. CNBC's Mackenzie Sigalos was covering the trial from inside the courtroom and tells Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal all about what went down in the hearing full of twists and turns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 3, 2023 · 42 min
Is AI an existential threat to humanity? The world is trying to figure it out
World leaders and top technology executives gathered at a historic site in the U.K. this week to discuss the risks associated with artificial intelligence and how to develop the tech safely. CNBC's Arjun Kharpal was on the ground at the AI Safety Summit in Bletchley Park and chats though all the big themes around AI with Tom Chitty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 25, 2023 · 35 min
Bitcoin is back in the headlines — what you need to know
The price of bitcoin has surged in 2023, showing signs of coming back from a $3 trillion collapse. Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal talk through why excitement is back and what is next for cryptocurrency markets. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 17, 2023 · 26 min
Behind Microsoft's fight to close the $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard
After nearly two years, Microsoft closed its proposed $69 billion acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard following intense scrutiny from global regulators. CNBC's Tom Chitty and Arjun Kharpal break down what went on and what the deal means for the future of gaming. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 11, 2023 · 32 min
Regulators are circling Big Tech. Is the reckoning finally here?
Technology giants from Microsoft to Amazon have grown to become the most valuable companies in the world. Now global regulators are scrutinizing these firms more than ever, questioning their practices and power. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 4, 2023 · 31 min
'Generative AI' and its life beyond ChatGPT
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity thanks to the viral chatbot developed by OpenAI called ChatGPT. But beyond creating poetry or answering questions, generative AI could have a big impact on industries from marketing to medicine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 27, 2023 · 32 min
The curious case of Huawei’s new 5G phone - and the impact on Apple and Washington
Huawei quietly launched the Mate 60 Pro in China. The big feature that’s creating a buzz? It has 5G somehow despite the U.S. government’s best efforts to stop Huawei getting its hands on the tech. We explore why this is potentially a big deal and what it might mean for Apple in China. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 20, 2023 · 26 min
The $54 billion Arm IPO and the future of microchips
Arm is one of the most integral players in the semiconductor space. Its technology is in 99% of the world's smartphones. Arm's hotly-anticipated IPO shone a light on its strengths, the push into A.I. and its challenges ahead. But it also thrust chips back into the geopolitical spotlight. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 17, 2023 · 40 min
Three decades after inventing the web, Tim Berners-Lee has some ideas on how to fix it
The internet landscape is now disempowering for individuals, and its inventor Tim Berners-Lee and Inrupt CEO John Bruce share their visions for the future of the web. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Tech Download

China appears to be making strides in cutting-edge chips, despite U.S sanctions

From Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro to VR - face computers are coming

How China is dominating the electric car world

How Western tech is entering sanctioned Russia and powering its military machine

Robots to autonomous AI: What Davos told us about the future

The bitcoin ETF has finally arrived - here's what it means for crypto's future

Top tech predictions for 2024

Could an AI 'deepfake' cause a national security crisis?

AI, crypto and ransoms: How hackers are extorting big firms for millions

The $4.3 billion Binance criminal probe and what it means for the future of cryptocurrencies

Tech execs says the internet is broken - and this is their plan to fix it

Inside the wild trial of Sam Bankman-Fried and the battle for crypto's future

Is AI an existential threat to humanity? The world is trying to figure it out

Bitcoin is back in the headlines — what you need to know

Behind Microsoft's fight to close the $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard

Regulators are circling Big Tech. Is the reckoning finally here?

'Generative AI' and its life beyond ChatGPT

The curious case of Huawei’s new 5G phone - and the impact on Apple and Washington

The $54 billion Arm IPO and the future of microchips

Three decades after inventing the web, Tim Berners-Lee has some ideas on how to fix it