Hashtag Trending

In this episode, the host shares a pre-recorded favorite interview with David Decary-Hetu, a criminologist at the University of Montreal. They discuss the dark web, its technology, and its role in cybercrime. Decary-Hetu explains how the dark web operates, its users, and the dynamics between researchers and law enforcement in tackling cyber threats. Key topics include the economics of illicit markets, the cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminals, the role of cryptocurrencies, and the evolution of cyber threats. The episode offers insights into the social aspects of cybercrime and the measures being taken to combat it. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:52 Understanding the Dark Web 02:16 Interview with David Decary-Hetu 05:10 The Basics of the Dark Web 06:27 Technology Behind the Dark Web 14:49 Law Enforcement Challenges 21:50 Trust and Transactions on the Dark Web 23:45 Recruitment and Structure of Cybercriminals 26:42 Cultural Dynamics in Hacking Communities 27:32 Researching the Impact of Technology on Crime 29:01 Challenges in Policing the Dark Web 30:12 The Role of Social Engineering in Cybercrime 31:18 Law Enforcement Strategies and Conditional Deterrence 32:09 The Evolution of Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency 41:24 Legal and Ethical Considerations in Cybercrime 43:47 Advice for Policymakers and Corporations 48:44 Educational Resources and Conferences 50:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is an interview with former hacker Brian Black. Brian is now on the right side of the battle and bringing his skills to to the fight against hackers. He finds the weaknesses in corporate security so that it can be patched.  This was one of my favourite interviews this year. Listening to what Brian has learned and understanding how we can use that knowledge and experience kept me on the edge of my seat.  Once more I want to thank Meter for making this possible.  Visit them at meter.com/cst

Some of you may have missed this yesterday as the Google feed didn't catch it. It's a great episode and I want to make sure everyone gets it. I'll be posting another great repeat episode on Saturday Morning. 

Jim takes a break for some R&R during the holidays and shares his favorite podcast episodes from the year. He acknowledges that some listeners might have heard these episodes already, while others may find them new. The podcast's production is supported by Meter, a company providing integrated networking solutions. Additionally, support from listeners through the Buy Me a Coffee program has helped sustain the shows and expand their content offerings. Jim thanks Meter and the listeners, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Plans 00:33 Sponsor Acknowledgment 01:08 Support and Growth 01:55 Final Thoughts and Episode Introduction

Over the holidays we are rerunning some of our favourite episodes. This one first aired this summer and was one of my first conversations with the fascinating head of Operation Shamrock.  We'll be back with regular programming on January 5th. 

AI Showdown: Gemini vs. ChatGPT – The Great Debate In this episode, the hosts explore the nuanced differences between Gemini and ChatGPT, likening Gemini to a temporary assistant and ChatGPT to a long-term partner. They delve into the new features of ChatGPT's image generator, showcasing its capabilities with live demos. The discussion broadens into the implications of AI for society, highlighting perspectives from Doomers, Scouts, and Accelerationists. They also touch on the potential of AI to support seniors and those living in isolation, and question the future of AI governance and policy. The episode wraps up with seasonal cheer, encouraging the audience to use AI tools to enhance their holiday experiences. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Comparing Gemini and ChatGPT 00:55 Welcome to Project Synapse 01:11 The Challenge of Keeping Up with Fast-Moving Tech 01:53 Personal Anecdotes and AI Experiences 02:20 AI's Role in Daily Life 06:42 The Disappointment with Gemini 3.0 10:22 Mail Synth: A Revolutionary AI Tool 14:04 Security Concerns with AI 19:19 Customizing AI Personas 22:28 ChatGPT's New Image Generator 24:12 Fun with AI-Generated Images 32:17 Local Speaking Engagements and AI Misconceptions 34:12 AI's Benefits for Older Adults 37:05 The Future of AI: Star Trek vs. Star Wars 37:44 Teaching AI Safety and Practical Uses 42:04 Historical Technological Changes and AI 46:05 Global AI Investments and National Interests 50:20 The Role of AI in Society's Future 01:03:55 Holiday Reflections and AI's Everyday Uses

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Miriam Webster's and Oxford University Press's Words of the Year for 2025, highlighting the impact of low-quality AI-generated content and emotionally provocative posts. The episode also covers the high frequency of near-collisions in low earth orbit, emphasizing risks to satellite operations. Additionally, the podcast details significant stock declines in AI infrastructure companies and the recent patch by Amazon for a critical Kindle vulnerability. The show concludes with reflections on the year's events, personal notes from Jim, and gratitude towards listeners and sponsors like Meter. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Word of the Year: Slop and Rage Bait 02:50 Satellite Near Misses and Space Traffic Concerns 05:52 AI Infrastructure Stocks Take a Hit 09:12 Holiday Season Cybersecurity Warnings 10:43 Kindle Vulnerability and Amazon Account Risks 11:56 Year-End Reflections and Thank You 15:28 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Acknowledgment

Near Miss in Space, Starlink Plan Removal, LG TV Controversy & Hacking for Good | Hashtag Trending In today's episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses a recent close call between a Chinese satellite and a Starlink satellite, Starlink's quiet removal of its $40/month plan, LG TV's controversial update adding Microsoft Copilot as an unremovable app, and Fulu's nonprofit initiative that pays hackers to unlock devices restricted by manufacturers. Sponsored by Meter, this episode also contains news on the potential impacts of these events on technology and user rights. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:58 Close Call in Space: Chinese Satellite vs. Starlink 03:05 Starlink's Mysterious $40 Plan Disappears 05:17 LG TVs Get Unwanted Microsoft Copilot 07:14 Fulu: The Right to Repair Movement's New Ally 10:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Schedule

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers the latest in AI technology and innovation. OpenAI quietly launched GPT-5.2, focusing on real-world work performance and introducing a new evaluation method, GDPVal. This model significantly outperforms its predecessors and competitors. Meanwhile, Google is enhancing its AI capabilities, embedding AI into creative tools, hardware, and a potentially new operating system, Aluminum. Disney has signed an agreement with OpenAI to use its animated characters for fan-generated content and made a significant investment in the company. Additionally, a Canadian company set a world record in fusion energy, showcasing advancements in the field. The episode concludes with thanks to Meter for their support. 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 00:21 OpenAI Launches ChatGPT 5.2 04:21 Google's Gemini Updates 06:59 Disney's Multi-Year Agreement with OpenAI 08:54 Canadian Fusion Energy Breakthrough 09:58 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Exploring Tech Jeopardy, the Evolution of AI, and Disney's Collaboration with OpenAI In this episode of Hashtag Trending, the hosts engage in a game of Tech Jeopardy, covering topics such as ransomware, zero trust, and social engineering attacks. They discuss the release of ChatGPT 5.2 and its capabilities, including its impact on various industries and potential security implications. The episode also explores Disney's $1 billion partnership with OpenAI for the use of Disney characters in Sora, touching on the ethical and practical implications of such advancements. The hosts express concerns about the fast-paced development and potential risks associated with AI, emphasizing the need for balancing innovation with safety. 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 00:21 Tech Jeopardy Begins 02:16 Daily Double and Programming Trivia 04:11 ChatGPT 5.2 Release Discussion 05:54 Reddit and Social Media Insights 08:34 AI Advancements and Benchmarks 24:16 Security Concerns and AI Impact 32:36 The Rise of Automated Warfare 33:19 AI in Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword 38:04 The Tipping Point of AI Adoption 46:32 Disney and OpenAI: A Billion-Dollar Partnership 49:53 The Future of AI-Driven Entertainment 55:25 AI-Powered Tools Transforming Workflows 01:00:42 The Race for AI Dominance 01:08:48 Concluding Thoughts on AI's Impact

AI Architects, Chatbot Wars, and Workplace Productivity Gaps In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Time Magazine's controversial 'Architects of AI' cover, revealing the overlooked pioneers behind modern AI. The episode also covers the latest shift in the chatbot race, with Google's Gemini outpacing ChatGPT in growth. Additionally, a report from OpenAI highlights a growing productivity divide in workplaces between AI power users and others. The show delves into the importance of habit, depth of engagement, and the potential benefits of wider AI adoption through training. Plus, a special thanks to Meter for their support. Don't miss this deep dive into the AI landscape! 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 00:21 Time Magazine's Architects of AI 02:26 The Fastest Growing Chatbot: Google's Gemini 04:10 OpenAI's Productivity Gap Report 08:01 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers major developments in the AI landscape. China is rapidly advancing in the open-source AI community, with multiple top-performing models. Anthropic has donated its Model Context Protocol (MCP) to the Linux Foundation to support open AI tool integration. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is launching a campaign against global age verification laws and social media restrictions, citing privacy concerns. Additionally, a developer faced severe repercussions after uncovering illegal content in an AI dataset, highlighting risks associated with external data. Sponsored by Meter, the podcast underscores the complexities and rapid changes in AI, technology governance, and policy. 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 00:40 China's Dominance in Open Source AI 03:36 Anthropic's Major Contribution to Open Source AI 05:46 EFF's Fight Against Age Verification Laws 07:59 Developer Banned Over Tainted AI Datasets 09:59 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Tesla's Robot Fail, Microsoft Copilot Outage, Starlink's New Vending Machines & Google's AI Safety In today's episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Tesla's Optimus robot's demo mishap, reliability issues faced by Microsoft Copilot, SpaceX's new move of selling Starlink hardware through vending machines, and Google's approach to ensuring AI safety in Chrome. Additionally, Jim shares a personal milestone about his book becoming a bestseller on Audible. Special thanks to Meter for supporting this podcast. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:44 Tesla's Optimus Robot Demo: Real or Staged? 02:59 Microsoft Copilot Outage: Reliability Concerns 04:47 Starlink Vending Machine: A New Sales Strategy 06:55 Google's AI Safety Measures in Chrome 09:58 Conclusion and Personal Note

AI Advancements and Challenges: Gemini's Success, Microsoft's Struggles, and AI Governance In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses the surprising success of Android Auto amidst Google's Gemini rollout, highlighting its popularity in enhancing in-car experiences. Geoffrey Hinton emphasizes the enduring value of computer science degrees, focusing on foundational skills despite AI advancements. Microsoft's AI initiatives face backlash with Satya Nadella under scrutiny for lackluster results. Gartner advises companies to block AI-powered browsers due to security concerns, while suggesting that agentic AI systems pose a greater risk.  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 00:50 Android Auto: Gemini's Surprise Hit 03:13 The Value of Computer Science Degrees in the AI Era 05:06 Microsoft's AI Struggles and Satya Nadella's Challenges 06:55 Gartner's Stance on AI-Powered Browsers 09:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tech News: Microsoft's AI Price Hike, OpenAI's Code Red, Meta's Metaverse Acknowledgment, and More! In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers rising Microsoft 365 prices funding new AI and security tools, OpenAI's urgent push to compete with Google's Gemini platform, and Meta's quiet concession on the Metaverse project. Additionally, NVIDIA's CEO warns of China's AI advancements, and issues arise as X terminates the European Commission's account after a hefty fine. Tune in for in-depth analysis and implications of these major tech developments. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:57 Microsoft 365 Price Hike 03:33 OpenAI's Code Red and Gemini's Rise 05:31 Meta's Metaverse Misstep 07:31 China's AI Advancements 09:34 European Commission vs. X 11:21 AI Competition and Safety Concerns 12:27 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Debunking AI Myths and Misconceptions In this episode of Hashtag Trending, the hosts delve into common myths and misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence. They start by discussing the significant contributions of scaling in AI development and tackle the myth that AI provides no business benefits, citing the efficiencies AI offers in various tasks. They further explore AI's perceived hallucinations and why such 'mistakes' are part of its creativity. The discussion also touches on water usage by AI models, setting the record straight on exaggerated consumption claims. The hosts wrap up by emphasizing the importance of questioning and verifying information in this rapidly evolving field. 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 00:22 Myths and Misconceptions: An AI Perspective 01:27 The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Questioning AI 02:05 Guardians of Truth? 02:34 Lists of Myths 03:22 Debunking AI Myths 08:32 AI's Business Benefits 21:02 AI Hallucinations and Human Error 30:27 Creativity and AI 35:31 Filling in the Blanks: Human Intelligence vs AI 36:39 The Flaws of AI Benchmarks 37:23 The Best Multimedia Generation Tools 38:51 Human Perception and AI 42:12 Personalizing AI Responses 44:01 The Importance of Outcomes Over Benchmarks 50:22 Scaling AI and Compute Power 01:02:41 Water Usage Myths in AI 01:10:11 The Future of AI and Continuous Learning 01:10:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses significant shifts and controversies in the tech world. Key topics include AI generating most online articles, ChatGPT showing ads even to premium subscribers, notable departures from Apple's design team, Micron ending its Crucial brand for consumer memory, and a Google AI inadvertently wiping a user's hard drive. Additionally, the episode features insights into AI usage in tech enterprises and invites listener interaction through multiple contact channels. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:50 AI Dominates Online Content Creation 03:04 ChatGPT's Controversial Ads 05:20 Key Apple Designer Departs 07:25 Micron Exits Consumer Memory Market 08:50 Google AI's Catastrophic Error 10:32 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers Amazon's new AI agent capable of coding autonomously for extended periods, China's development of a 14-nanometer AI chip, and the Zig programming language's migration from GitHub to Codeberg. The show also discusses Shopify's recent outages during peak shopping week and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna's skepticism about the economic sustainability of generative AI. Sponsored by Meter, this episode explores key developments in AI, open-source software, and the semiconductor industry. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:56 Amazon's Autonomous AI Coding Agent 03:56 China's Breakthrough in AI Chips 07:31 The Zig Programming Language Moves to Codeberg 09:51 Shopify's Outages During Peak Shopping Week 11:47 IBM's CEO Questions the Economics of Generative AI 14:57 Conclusion and Final Sponsor Message

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses the rapid developments in AI as OpenAI accelerates its new model launch amidst competition from Google's Gemini, and the implications of Apple's AI leadership change. Australia plans to implement a controversial nationwide social media ban for individuals under 16. The episode also explores the retirement of the Kubernetes Ingress NGINX controller, highlighting broader challenges facing the open-source community. Supported by Meter, delivering a complete networking stack. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:46 OpenAI's Urgent New Model Release 03:10 Australia's Bold Social Media Ban for Under-16s 05:32 Apple's AI Leadership Shakeup 07:58 The Future of Open Source Amidst Kubernetes Changes 10:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, hosted by Jim Love, Oxford University Press announces 'Rage Bait' as the 2025 Word of the Year, highlighting the rise of content meant to provoke online anger. Runway's text-to-video model Gen 4.5 tops Video Arena's benchmark rankings. Airbus reveals that solar radiation may have corrupted flight control data on its A320 aircraft, leading to a sudden altitude drop. AMD warns of upcoming memory price hikes post-Christmas due to increased AI-driven demand. Additionally, AI-enhanced phishing attacks are on the rise, targeting Amazon customers and disguising malware as legitimate software updates. Listeners are advised to stay cautious during this holiday shopping season. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:51 Oxford's 2025 Word of the Year: Rage Bait 02:30 Runway Tops Video Arena Leaderboard 05:03 Airbus A320 Solar Radiation Incident 06:37 AMD Memory Price Hike Warning 08:51 Holiday Season Cybersecurity Threats 11:30 Conclusion and Sponsor Message