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Hashtag Trending

Technology Podcasts

A daily news program covering the top stories in technology with a weekend in depth interview.

Location:

Canada

Description:

A daily news program covering the top stories in technology with a weekend in depth interview.

Twitter:

@itworldca

Language:

English

Contact:

416-290-2015


Episodes
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Project Synapse - Moltbot, Clawdbot and the Overview Effect

1/31/2026
Exploring AI, Cybersecurity, and the Overview Effect - Project Synapse In this episode of Project Synapse, the panel, including Jim Love, Marcel Gagne and John Pinard, along with special guest Kevin Russell from the Human Space Program, dive into the impact of AI on our world, the explosive rise of Clawdbot, and the meaningful implications of the Overview Effect. They discuss the robust capabilities of new AI agents, their applications in both security and daily life, and the transformative potential of perceiving Earth from space. The episode culminates in a deep philosophical conversation on how AI can be leveraged to enhance humanity and foster greater ethical responsibilities. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:18 Welcome to Project Synapse 01:00 Introducing Kevin Russell 01:54 Discussion on AI and Perception 02:52 The Rise of Claude Bot 06:17 Security Concerns with AI Agents 15:09 Anthropic's Approach to AI Development 20:36 The Role of AI in Industry 25:50 Personal Experiences with Corporate Culture 30:15 The Origin of Human Resources 30:39 Frederick Taylor: The First Management Consultant 31:26 The Philosophy of Human Resources 32:26 The Overview Effect: A Transformative Experience 33:33 AI and the Human Space Program 37:31 The Future of Space Exploration and AI 43:08 Challenges and Opportunities in Space and AI 53:56 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Duration:00:59:23

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The Mother of All Agents: Moltbot Meltdown

1/30/2026
The Rise and Risks of MoltBot: A Revolutionary Local AI Agent | Hashtag Trending In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses the unprecedented rise of MoltBot, a locally-run AI agent developed by Peter Steinberger, and its unique capabilities and security concerns. The podcast also examines internal reports of Microsoft engineers opting for Anthropic's Clode over their own Copilot AI. Additionally, an interview with Tim Berners-Lee in The Guardian is highlighted, sharing his thoughts on the potential to fix the internet's issues. Sponsored by Meter, the podcast delivers insights into the latest in AI, software development, and internet ethics. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:43 Explosive Rise of Moltbot AI Agent 06:38 Security Concerns and Challenges 10:40 Microsoft's Copilot and Internal Use 13:00 Tim Berners-Lee on the Future of the Web 14:08 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:15:06

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Open Source AI Model Challenges ChatGPT 5.2 and Google Gemini 3.0

1/29/2026
Amazon Job Cuts, Alibaba's AI Milestone, and Denmark's Unique Approach to Education In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Amazon's recent layoff of 16,000 corporate employees and how AI is reshaping the workforce. He examines Alibaba's Qwen 3, which has surpassed 200,000 derivative models on Hugging Face, and explores its open-source advantages. Additionally, the episode covers the Linux community's contingency plan for a future without Linus Torvalds and Denmark's counterintuitive approach to using less technology in classrooms to improve education outcomes. Sponsored by Meter, this episode is packed with major tech insights you won't want to miss. Cybersecurity Today would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/cst 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 Amazon's Major Layoffs and AI Impact 02:41 Alibaba's Quinn: A New AI Contender 07:56 Linux's Future Without Linus Torvalds 10:52 Denmark's Counterintuitive Education Reform 14:20 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:15:19

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TikTok Creators Leaving and Users Deleting the App

1/28/2026
Hashtag Trending: TikTok Turmoil, Pinterest Layoffs & AI-Powered Yahoo Revival In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses various impactful tech stories. TikTok is facing unrest as users delete the app and creators question its future. Pinterest announces a 15% workforce cut and bets on AI while struggling to scale. The French government moves to replace US video meeting software with its own sovereign platform, Vizio. Additionally, Yahoo's new AI-powered search experience, Scout, raises questions about a possible revival of the iconic 90s internet brand. The episode also spotlights the support from Meter, a company providing integrated networking solutions for performance and scale. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:19 TikTok's Uncertain Future 03:31 Pinterest's Workforce Reduction and AI Focus 05:37 France's Move to Sovereign Video Conferencing 07:38 Can AI Search Revive Yahoo? 10:54 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:11:51

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Meme or Misinformation?

1/27/2026
Hashtat Trending: Georgia's Data Center Backlash, TikTok Privacy Concerns, AI Swarms Threat In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Georgia's emerging resistance to rapid data center development due to its impact on local power grids and community benefits. The podcast also delves into TikTok's recent infrastructure issues and user trust concerns amidst its US transition. Additionally, the ethical implications of altered images by government accounts are examined alongside a stark warning from the Max Plank Society about how AI-driven social media swarms can destabilize public opinion and democracy. Tune in for in-depth exploration of these pressing tech and societal issues. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:55 Georgia's Data Center Controversy 03:14 TikTok's Transition Turmoil 06:14 The Ethics of Digital Manipulation 08:15 AI Swarms and Democracy 10:57 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:11:58

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Windows Update Fails Again

1/26/2026
Windows 11 Patch Issues, TikTok US Ownership Shift, and AI's New Role in Search In this episode, Jim Love discusses Microsoft's problematic Windows 11 January updates that caused major disruptions, leading to emergency fixes. The episode also covers TikTok's transition to a US-led joint venture and how this shift impacts data collection and privacy concerns. Additionally, the role of AI in search and browsing is examined, highlighting concerns about source reliability and the increasing use of AI-generated summaries. Lastly, Anthropic's new 'Constitutional AI' approach is explored, emphasizing the need for ethical and predictable AI behaviour. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:02 Microsoft's Windows 11 Update Issues 03:11 TikTok's US Ownership and Privacy Concerns 06:37 AI as the New Homepage and Information Source 10:25 Anthropic's Constitutional AI Approach 13:56 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:14:59

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Project Synapse Jan 24 The Rise of Anthropic

1/24/2026
Exploring Anthropic's Game-Changing AI Developments | Project Synapse In this episode of Project Synapse, we dive into the advancements and groundbreaking work done by Anthropic in AI. From their unique approach to creating a constitution for AI to developing the cowork environment that can autonomously handle complex tasks, Anthropic stands out in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The discussion also highlights the impact of AI on code generation, the ethical considerations around AI development, and the company's focus on secure and reliable AI applications. Join us as we explore how Anthropic is shaping the future of synthetic intelligence. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Discussion on AI Avatars 02:35 Personal Experiences with AI Tools 04:08 Project Synapse Introduction 04:25 Anthropic's Strategy and AI Industry Insights 08:10 Coding with AI: Experiences and Challenges 11:28 AI in Programming: Real-World Applications 14:46 Business Models and AI Tool Costs 30:49 Punctuation and Grammar Rules 31:20 AI Tools for Manuscript Editing 33:02 Project-Based Approach in AI 35:31 Security Concerns with AI 39:19 Anthropic's Approach to AI Development 45:05 The Future of AI and Synthetic Intelligence 01:08:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Duration:01:09:17

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Paid ChatGPT Users Want It As Homepage

1/23/2026
AI's New Frontiers: ChatGPT Trends, Open Source Quantum Computing, and Cryptocurrency Theft In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love reports on key technological trends and developments. Discover the growing trend of ChatGPT becoming the homepage for many subscribers, and what this means for Google's dominance. Learn about the groundbreaking open-source quantum computer project initiated by researchers at the University of Waterloo. Hear a harrowing tale of cryptocurrency theft affecting ordinary investors, and the MIT innovation that could revolutionize AI by handling 10 million tokens in context. Join us for these stories and insights from the evolving world of technology. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Chat GPT's Growing Influence 03:18 Open Source Quantum Computing 05:51 Crypto Theft: A Growing Concern 08:09 MIT's AI Breakthrough 11:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Duration:00:12:59

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Court Filings Reveal Microsoft Pressuring OpenAI

1/22/2026
Microsoft's Push on OpenAI, Rackspace Price Hike, Anthropic CEO Criticizes NVIDIA, Apple's Chip Dilemma In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Microsoft's aggressive push for OpenAI to commercialize, Rackspace's significant price increase for its hosted email service, Anthropic CEO's criticism of NVIDIA's chip sales to China, and Apple's challenges with chip supply and pricing due to TSMC's focus on high-margin AI accelerators. The episode dives into newly unsealed court documents from Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and examines how changes in the AI and semiconductor markets are impacting major tech players. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Microsoft's Push for OpenAI's Commercialization 03:53 Rackspace's Shocking Price Increase 06:20 Anthropic CEO Criticizes Nvidia at Davos 08:48 Apple and TSMC's Changing Relationship 11:38 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:12:43

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AI Adoption in 2026: The Year of Practical AI?

1/21/2026
AI Adoption in 2026: OpenAI's New Strategy, ServiceNow Partnership, and CGI's Gemini Test In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses several major AI developments set to shape 2026. OpenAI declares 2026 as the year of practical AI adoption, aiming to embed AI agents into real workflows for measurable value. The episode also covers OpenAI's new partnership with ServiceNow to integrate AI into enterprise software, and Google's attempt to deploy its Gemini Enterprise model across CGI's consultants. Additionally, Anthropic's research on neural switches highlights a focus on AI model control and transparency, while a PWC survey reveals mixed results on AI's business impact. Tune in for these stories and more on advances shaping the future of AI. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:19 OpenAI's Vision for 2026 04:30 ServiceNow and OpenAI Partnership 07:25 Google's Gemini and CGI's Real-World Test 10:50 Anthropic's Neural Switches and AI Control 13:08 PWC Survey on AI's Business Impact 16:27 Conclusion and Call for Feedback

Duration:00:17:57

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LinkedIn Phishing Scam Exposed

1/20/2026
AI Impacts: From Memory Shortages to Coding Superpowers In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers various tech-related news including LinkedIn phishing scams that leverage AI, the impact of AI data centers on memory chip shortages, and DocuSign's new AI that helps users understand contracts. Additionally, hear about a non-programmer university student who built an operating system from scratch using AI tools. Stay informed on how AI continues to shape the tech landscape and everyday life. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:53 LinkedIn Phishing Scams Exposed 04:26 AI Data Centers and Memory Chip Shortages 07:03 DocuSign's AI-Powered Contract Advisor 09:09 AI Builds an Operating System 12:36 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:13:37

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Microsoft Issues Hot Fix For Broken Sign In and Shut Downs

1/19/2026
Microsoft Windows 11 Emergency Fix, Threads Overtakes X, and TSMC Capacity Issues In this episode of Hashtag Trending, we dive into the latest tech news including Microsoft's urgent Windows 11 update to fix sign-in and shutdown issues, Threads surpassing X in daily mobile users, and TSMC's capacity constraints that may benefit Intel. Additionally, we discuss Wikipedia's new paid agreements with AI companies to offset infrastructure costs caused by heavy usage. Join host Jim Love as he breaks down these stories and more. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:51 Microsoft's Emergency Windows 11 Fix 02:49 Threads Surpasses X in Mobile Users 03:52 Intel's Unexpected Opportunity 05:30 Wikipedia's New Revenue from AI Companies 07:44 Conclusion and Call to Action

Duration:00:09:17

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AI: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

1/17/2026
AI Controversies, Innovations, and Ethical Dilemmas In this episode of Project Synapse, hosts Marcel Ganger and John Pinard dive into recent controversies and developments in AI technology. They discuss the Grok AI controversy involving explicit deep fakes on X, international governmental responses, and regulatory challenges. The team reflects on AI's ethical concerns, including enforcement of existing laws and the risks of new legislation. They also explore breakthroughs like Anthropic's Claude 4.5 coding co-pilot and the emergence of AI solutions for cybersecurity. Finally, they ponder the potential for AI to reach new levels of reasoning and intelligence, surpassing simple next-word prediction models. The episode concludes with a review of tech giants' strategies and the future intersections of AI and privacy. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:18 Welcome to Project Synapse 00:45 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 01:58 Elon Musk and Grok AI Controversy 05:18 Legal and Ethical Implications of AI 15:42 AI in the Tech Industry 16:50 Microsoft's AI Struggles 19:20 Apple's AI Challenges 30:31 Linux as an Alternative 33:44 New Attack on Microsoft Copilot 33:49 Unexpected AI Vulnerabilities 34:42 The Clever Hack: Asking Twice 34:57 Flaws in AI Security Architecture 38:24 Anthropic's Breakthroughs 40:40 Claude's Superior Coding Capabilities 49:15 Concerns Over AI Privacy and Security 56:03 The Future of AI Models and Tools 01:03:16 Closing Thoughts and Sponsor Message

Duration:01:04:13

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AI Hidden Costs - Half A Day A Week Spent Correcting AI Slop

1/16/2026
AI's Hidden Costs & Europe's Open Source Ambitions | Hashtag Trending In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses a Zapier study revealing that while AI boosts productivity, it also has hidden cleanup costs with employees spending significant time correcting AI output. Additionally, Anthropic's new Claude Cowork aims to challenge Microsoft's AI dominance by offering a desktop app for automating office tasks using plain language commands. Lastly, Europe is moving towards open source to enhance digital sovereignty, with the EU launching a strategy to integrate open source solutions across various sectors by 2026. Tune in for in-depth insights on these topics and more. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:46 AI Productivity: Benefits and Hidden Costs 03:18 Anthropic's Claude Co-work: A New AI Workspace 06:23 Europe's Push for Open Source Digital Sovereignty 09:47 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Duration:00:11:11

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Microsoft Promises Data Centres Won'tRaise Your Power Bill.

1/15/2026
Microsoft's Environmental Promises, Lenovo's Hypervisor Solution, and AI Regulations In this episode of Hashtag Trending, Jim Love discusses Microsoft's commitments to mitigate the impact of its data centres on power bills and water usage, Lenovo's new multi-hypervisor option to combat vendor lock-in, and Nvidia's challenges with US-China AI chip trade. Additionally, he explores the legislative response to AI-generated content controversies and the new Defiance Act aimed at regulating AI technologies. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:45 Microsoft's Data Centre Strategy 03:04 Lenovo's Solution to Hypervisor Lock-In 05:18 Nvidia's AI Chip Sales Controversy 07:09 Grok Backlash and AI Legislation 09:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Duration:00:10:56

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ChatGPT Loses Market Share To Google Gemini

1/14/2026
Hashtag Trending: ChatGPT Decline, Google's AI Gains, Healthcare AI Competition, and McKinsey's AI Workforce In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers the latest trends in AI and technology. Traffic to ChatGPT has declined by 21% as Google's Gemini gains ground, now accounting for 20% of global chatbot usage. Anthropic targets healthcare with Claude, posing a significant challenge to OpenAI. A viral script to remove Microsoft Copilot from Windows raises security concerns. McKinsey reveals it now employs 25,000 AI agents alongside 40,000 human employees, signaling a major shift in the consulting industry. Tune in for a deep dive into these pressing tech topics and more. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 ChatGPT vs. Google Gemini: The AI Showdown 03:43 Anthropic's Claude: A New Player in Healthcare AI 05:46 The Controversy Around Microsoft's Co-pilot 07:42 McKinsey's AI Agents: Redefining Consulting 10:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Duration:00:11:33

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Cloudflare May Pull Out Of Olymptics, Apple Partners With Google For Siri Update

1/13/2026
Apple's Partnership with Google for Siri, Google's AI Health Issues, and Cloudflare's Italian Struggle In this episode of Hashtag Trending, Jim Love discusses Apple's decision to use Google's Gemini AI to power Siri, the Guardian's exposé on the issues with Google's AI health summaries, Cloudflare's potential exit from Italy due to harsh penalties, and Anthropic's views on the existing presence of artificial general intelligence. Additional insights include the implications of these developments on technological integration, regulatory challenges, and the future trajectory of AI. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:55 Apple Partners with Google for Siri Upgrade 03:40 Concerns Over Google's AI Health Summaries 05:51 Cloudflare's Dispute with Italian Regulators 09:25 Anthropic's Perspective on Artificial General Intelligence 12:18 Conclusion and Contact Information

Duration:00:13:35

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Space Gets Crowded: China To Launch 200,000 Satellites

1/12/2026
EU Cracks Down on AI Image Scandals | Hashtag Trending In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love dives into the escalating controversy surrounding Grok's AI image generation tool on X, which has sparked international backlash due to the creation of non-consensual sexual images. The podcast covers government reactions, including the EU's order to preserve records, UK condemnations, and Indonesia's ban on X. Additionally, the episode explores Amazon's AI shopping assistant Rufuss, its impact on retail, and the competitive responses from Google, Walmart, Microsoft, and PayPal. Jim also discusses the growing congestion in low Earth orbit with China's ambitious satellite launch plans, and the potential risks smartphones pose during demonstrations. Wrapping up, the episode thanks Meter for their support in delivering robust networking solutions. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:51 International Backlash Over Grok's Image Generation Tool 04:54 Amazon's AI Shopping Assistant Shakes Up Retail 08:06 The Crowded Race in Low Earth Orbit 11:33 Cell Phone Safety Tips for Demonstrations 14:38 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:15:35

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Project Synapse: AI Backlash

1/10/2026
Hashtag Trending: The AI Hype Curve, Backlash, and Ethical Concerns In this episode of 'Hashtag Trending,' host Jim Love, along with guests Marcel Ganger and John Pinard, dive into the latest in AI technology and its societal impact. They discuss how the perception of AI has evolved from overwhelming excitement to backlash, highlighting issues like job loss, ethical concerns, and the increasing prevalence of deep fakes and non-consensual AI-generated content. The trio also explores significant updates in AI, the potential pitfalls of ad-supported AI models, and the importance of adopting AI thoughtfully and responsibly. Additionally, they touch on community movements like the resurgence of Clippy and why understanding and experimenting with AI is crucial for everyone. This episode is packed with insights, critiques, and practical advice for navigating the complex world of AI. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:27 Welcoming the New Year 00:59 AI Advancements and Reflections 05:51 The Battle of Titans in AI 08:14 Monetizing AI: Ads and Recommendations 22:00 Open Source and Quality Concerns 28:11 The Hype Curve and AI Backlash 36:26 Supporting a Canadian Company 36:47 Grok and the Rise of Notify Apps 41:12 The Seriousness of Revenge Porn 42:28 Deep Fakes and the Erosion of Trust 50:22 AI's Impact on Society and Consent 58:36 The Future of AI and Social Backlash 01:00:09 The Clippy Revolution 01:01:51 Navigating AI Tools and User Experience 01:08:42 The Importance of Engaging with AI 01:12:17 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Duration:01:14:02

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Grok Porn Draws EU Investigation

1/9/2026
EU Investigates Grok, GameStop Closures, Billionaire Taxes, and AI Resistance In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers key tech developments: the European Commission's investigation into X's Grok over harmful AI-generated images, GameStop's controversial store closures amidst CEO Ryan Cohen's ambitious $35 billion payday plan, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's surprising support for a proposed billionaire tax in California, and the resurgence of Clippy as a protest symbol against intrusive AI features. Plus, insights into how Clippy's ironic comeback reflects growing concerns over the increasing integration of AI in everyday software. Thank you to Meter for supporting this podcast. Tune in for more tech news and analysis! 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:53 EU Orders X to Preserve Grok Records 03:37 GameStop's Massive Store Closures 06:43 NVIDIA CEO Supports Billionaire Tax 09:37 Clippy: The AI Resistance Symbol 12:18 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Duration:00:13:32