Short Fuse

Join Duncan and Ollie in this lively episode of "Short Fuse" as they dive into the fascinating world of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). From the potential of controlling devices with your thoughts to the ethical dilemmas and regulatory challenges, they explore both the thrilling possibilities and the daunting risks. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future, this episode o...

Is the internet already dead? The "Dead Internet Theory" suggests the web is no longer a human place but is dominated by bots and AI-generated content In this episode, Duncan and Ollie use the Short Fuse Tech Tracker as evidence to debate the theory. We discuss how AI "slop" and bot-to-bot engagement (especially on LinkedIn) are killing authentic human interaction This leads to a "bifurcation" of...

Join Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue for the Short Fuse October Tech Tracker review. This month, the team analyses the biggest movers in technology. Cloud computing takes a significant dive, landing in the hype trap following major AWS and Cloudflare outages. Duncan and Ollie discuss the growing public backlash against "AI slop" and explore why Generative AI's sentiment is falling while techni...

Duncan and Ollie dive into humanoid robots as products and as markets. Pricing, upkeep, touch and balance, messy homes, smart home integration, and use in care and manufacturing. A sharp, funny, data led guide to what matters now and what could matter by 2050. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ollie and Duncan put their emerging tech tracker tool to work, analyzing real data to uncover what's actually happening beneath the AI hype. Are we heading toward a bubble burst, or is something more nuanced unfolding? Using insights from their tracker, they examine how big tech companies are positioning themselves, explore the interconnected web of emerging technologies from quan...

In this episode of Short Fuse, Duncan and Ollie unveil their brand new website and innovative platform designed to track tech trends and sentiment. Dive into their journey of building this hub, and explore how it will shape future discussions. Plus, enjoy their signature banter as they tackle topics like quantum computing and the curious case of ultrasonic kitchen knives. Tune in for a blend of te...

Duncan and Ollie pull apart the future of crime and punishment, asking how AI and technology might reshape the way we deliver justice. From smarter legal outcomes and rethinking juries to personalized, rehabilitation-focused sentencing, they challenge the status quo and explore what happens when human judgment collides with machine intelligence.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

From the billionaire space race and mining the moon to the scientific imperative to explore, Ollie and Duncan cover whether humanity's future lies in the stars or if we should be fixing problems closer to home first. Plus, a vital discussion on the statistical probability of aliens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duncan and Ollie are back to gaze into their crystal balls and talk all about the future. Are we headed for doom and gloom, or is it all sunshine and rainbows? They tackle the wild ride of tech and automation, wondering if robots will just end up talking to other robots. Plus, they dive into why it's so hard to predict what's coming next, especially when things move at warp speed. From flying cars...

Duncan and Ollie are back on "The Short Fuse" to tackle social media. Is it here to stay, or are things about to get weird? They dive into LinkedIn's wild side, AI-generated posts, and those pesky "rage-bait" algorithms. Plus, they chat about bots taking over and whether our digital lives are heading for a total shake-up. Will social media fizzle out or just get more ludicrous? Hosted on Acast. Se...

Ever wonder how much online reviews actually matter? Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue jump into the deep end on Short Fuse to chat about how reviews are changing and what that means for us, especially with all the new AI knocking about. They get into the nitty-gritty of dodgy reviews, like those weird "packet of seeds" scams, and how a bad review could totally sink a business if AI starts takin...

Dive into the series two finale of 'The Short Fuse' with hosts Ollie O'Donoghue and Duncan Roberts as they tackle a rapid-fire round of diverse topics! This isn't your typical deep-dive—expect a dynamic, quick-witted exchange covering everything from the evolution of internet memes and the impact of influencers to the rise of virtual avatars and the future of subscription models. Ollie and Duncan...

In this episode, Duncan and Ollie wrestle with the thorny issue of open source versus proprietary software, especially when it comes to AI. They explore why people contribute to open source projects (is it really just for "fun"?), the challenges of keeping those communities thriving, and the potential downsides of giving powerful AI models away for free. They also consider the allure of closed, pr...

Join Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue on Short Fuse as they discuss the turbulent world of video games. In this episode, they debate the current state of the gaming industry, questioning the value of expensive, subscription-based "AAA" titles versus the charm of indie games and modding communities. Are big studios in trouble? Is the era of the console coming to an end? If you're a gamer, or jus...

Join Duncan and Ollie on Short Fuse, on this Valentine's Day special, as they dissect online dating. From AI boyfriends and girlfriends, catfishing and algorithms, all the way to demographic collapse. Is online dating helping or hindering us? Find out in this weeks episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duncan and Ollie dive into the weird world of "going viral" these days. They chat about how algorithms have messed with what it even means to be viral, how our feeds are all hyper-personalized now, and whether we're all starting to enjoy missing out on stuff instead of being scared of it. They also get into what's next for viral content, how comedy's changing, and why real, unscripted moments stil...

In this episode of Short Fuse, hosts Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue delve into the intersection of technology and sports. They discuss the impact of technology on performance, the role of innovation in sports, and the ethical implications of technological advancements, including cheating. The conversation also explores how technology enhances audience experience and the potential for technolo...

In this episode of Short Fuse, hosts Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue explore the complex relationship between technology and crime. They discuss how advancements in technology, particularly AI and surveillance, are changing the landscape of criminal activity and law enforcement. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of using technology in crime prevention, the dual nature of te...

In this episode, Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue delve into the world of spatial computing, exploring its various facets including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). They discuss the current state of technology, its applications in both consumer and enterprise sectors, and the challenges it faces in gaining widespread adoption. The conversation highlights the...

In this episode of Short Fuse, hosts Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue engage in a lively discussion about the future of the internet, particularly in the context of generative AI and its implications for content creation, monetization, and consumer behavior. They explore the concept of the 'dead internet theory', the role of tech giants in shaping the digital landscape, and the evolving ways in...

In the pilot episode of the Short Fuse podcast, hosts Duncan Roberts and Ollie O'Donoghue introduce their format of discussing various concepts and technologies, starting with WorldCoin and Universal Basic Income (UBI). They explore the implications of WorldCoin's biometric verification system and its potential link to UBI, debating the necessity and feasibility of UBI in the context of advancing...