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

Slate Podcasts

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.

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23 episodes
weekly
Avg 25 min
English

Episodes 23

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Friday · 32 min
A.I. Enshittifies Everything (Still)
Cory Doctorow on how the bubble bursts.
August 21 · 33 min
Can the Midterms Withstand Prediction Markets?
The popular "contract-trading platforms" have election workers worried about our electoral system - and their lives.
August 14 · 27 min
Are Flock Cameras Watching You?
The surveillance tech company promises safety and the return of missing loved ones. But what else are these omnipresent cameras capturing?
August 7 · 32 min
Artificial Intelligence, Very Real Debt
How did we end up betting the economy on companies that have never turned a profit?
July 31 · 32 min
Can We Trust the Jobs Report?
How well do surveys still work, to tell us who’s working?
July 24 · 6 min
Off-the-Record: Wait, You Ran THAT Boston Marathon?
A close examination of where the rubber meets the road.
July 24 · 24 min
Trump’s Only Friend
Steve Witkoff is doing deals. For America, and the Trump family.
July 17 · 4 min
A.I. Vs. Eh, I’m Walkin’ ‘Ere!
Data’ll show ‘em, Governor.
July 17 · 28 min
Game Over for Video Games?
Tough headwinds have the industry eyeing the reset button.
July 10 · 20 min
Should You Take Trump’s Free $1,000?
How a seemingly universal program still benefits the wealthy the most.
July 3 · 16 min
Diving In | How Food Delivery Killed Competition (And Took Your Budget With It)
Why competition without comparison fails to deliver
June 26 · 32 min
A.I. Enshittifies Everything
Cory Doctorow on how the bubble bursts.
June 19 · 27 min
Can ChatGPT Be a Criminal Accomplice?
With swiftly circumvented filters and no discernment, LLMs deliver “expertise” even when they shouldn’t.
June 12 · 30 min
IPO to the Moon
SpaceX is leading A.I.'s rush to the market. Could these launches blow up your 401(k)?
June 5 · 26 min
Gradu-AI-tion Day
American teachers hit pause on A.I.
May 29 · 29 min
Trump's Disney Shakedown
Companies spent the first year of Trump 2.0 capitulating to him. Will Disney be the first to fight back?
May 22 · 34 min
Can Patreon Build a Better Internet?
CEO Jack Conte Wants to Try
May 17 · 34 min
TBD Tries…Roblox
Is it actually dangerous for kids, or a scapegoat for a larger problem?
May 15 · 22 min
Trump Visits the First World
The president dozes off to China to pass on the global hegemon torch.
May 10 · 31 min
Does Anyone Like A.I.?
Besides the executives raking in millions right now.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes