Crashed

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Chris explore the chaotic intersection of AI, military technology, and the future of media and society, sharing insights from recent research and personal anecdotes. keywords: AI, military tech, quantum computing, media, society, innovation, future trends key topics AI and military technology Quantum computing advancements Media consumption and long-running series...

Crashed is celebrating its 50th episode, which is silly. Also silly is choosing to celebrate it by trying to fit 50 things you need to know about AI in a single episode. But we did it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of Crashed and making it into the ridiculous thing it has become. If you want cake, email us and we'll try to send you some. In this episode, Alex Hudson an...

In this special Q&A episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the complex and often alarming intersections of AI, government influence, privacy, technological innovation, and much more besides. They discuss recent developments, historical parallels, and the future implications of AI and tech in society. Keywords: AI, government influence, privacy, technology, innovation,...

Chayn founder and CEO Hera Hussain joins Alex Hudson and guest presenter Dr Carolina Are to discuss the complex issues surrounding image-based abuse, consent, and digital safety, especially in conservative cultures and diaspora communities. She highlights the importance of nuanced policies, community impact, and technological solutions. Also in the episode, have we finally reached late-stage algor...

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Taylor Lorenz explore the evolving landscape of influence, AI, and digital regulation, discussing the impact of technology on society, politics, and media. They delve into the future of AI, the role of influencers, and the challenges of regulation in a rapidly changing digital world. Follow Taylor Lorenz's Power User on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb...

In this episode, Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments in AI, social media trends, and the future of warfare, delving into the ethical, societal, and technological implications of these rapid changes. Keywords AI, social media, warfare, technology, ethics, future of work, TikTok, Vine, Ukraine, autonomous weapons Key topics AI in warfare and defense The resurgence of...

In this episode, Bloomberg columnist Dave Lee joins hosts Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker to discuss if the computer keyboard is on its last legs. Only around half of users see it as a primary device and 20% don't use it at all. What's the future of interfaces, and will typing be entirely unnecessary? We explore the future of interfaces, the role of writing and AI, and the cultural implication...

Quantum is about to change the world, so we’re told. It will make computers exponentially faster. It will challenge the cryptographic foundations that underpin security. It has the potential to fundamentally reshape the world, similar to the shift from before the web to after.  According to Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger of cat-owning/not-owning fame, quantum mechanics requires an entir...

Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker discuss "The UK’s first TikTok prime minister", and if Andy Burnham really is channelling New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he hit social media. Other ministers, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood talking about small boat crossings, or AI minister Kanishka Narayan talking about Backing British while eating a strawberry, are following suit.&n...

A lampost with facial-recognition capability has been announced. Why? We don't know. But we'll try and find out. In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments in surveillance technology, AI mishaps, and the implications for privacy and civil liberties. Our guest, Professor Pete Fussey, shares insights from his extensive research on surveillance sys...

In a week of a new prime minister, an OpenAI agentic “hack” and France banning social media for under-15s, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker have a lot to get through. They’re joined by investigative journalist Ben Smoke, who has spent the last 18 months investigating alleged corruption in AI policy and the Labour government.  This episode delves into the transparency, conflicts...

Meta is having a moment, laying off 10% of its staff with the help, it's alleged, of AI while maintaining a 40% profit margin. In this episode, we explore the latest developments in Instagram shadowbanning, how Kylie Jenner's Meta Glasses partnership could cause problems, what the Muse Image and NameTag controversies say about Zuckerberg's mindset. social media, and does what copyright is left in...

The next prime minister is probably Andy Burnham. And this means Burnhamism, Manchesterism and devolution are all hot topics. But what does that mean for economic growth? Technological innovation? And the UK’s second cities catching up.  In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker talk to Tom Forth about regional economic disparities in the UK, the impact of devolution, an...

Sarah Breeden, the Bank of England’s deputy governor for financial stability, has talked about the potential need ot a “kill switch” for markets because agentic AI may force regulators to rethink how the financial system is governed.  Presenters Alex Hudson and Christ Stokel-Walker try to unpick the detail from the fantastic tabloid headlines.  Also, could we be facing the end of the nee...

Britain is changing prime minister again, which would be funny if the policy consequences were not so bleak. So this week on Crashed , Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker ignore the Westminster cosplay and ask the question that actually matters: what tech agenda does the next government inherit? From under-16 social media bans to VPN age-gating, facial age estimation at the border, AI regulation,...

In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker delve into the complexities of social media regulation, government policies on youth online safety, and the influence of AI at the G7 summit. They explore the implications of recent policies, the role of framing in public opinion, and the future of tech regulation. They're joined by Genevieve Broadhead, global industry lead at cloud d...

Royal Mail can't even deliver mail to Post Offices... and there's literally no way to speak to a Parcelforce customer service operator directly, no matter how hard you try. Wasn't the delivery revolution meant to make everything better? The regulator keeps fining them for all the targets being missed. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker talk about expensive stamps, the demise of Post Of...

This episode explores the recent experiences at South by Southwest (SXSW) London, the state of XR and AI markets, and the implications of upcoming IPOs in the tech industry, including the $135-a-share gamble with SpaceX that would make it the largest IPO ever and worth nearly $1.8 trillion.  Hosts Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker share insights, critiques, and future predictions about the...

This episode explores the complex issues of shadow banning, content moderation, and the influence of AI and religion on digital society. Featuring Dr. Carolina Are, of the LSE, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker get deep into platform policies, free speech, and the moral implications of AI development. Oh, and what “don’t be evil” did (or didn’t mean) to Google, how North Korea might b...

Britain’s next-generation high-speed rail network (HS2) was going to lay 530km of track, offer speeds of up to 225mph, cost around £33bn, and launch in 2026, when it was announced in 2012.  Now in 2026, it’ll cost up to £103bn, be under half the length (225km), slower, and won’t be completed until, potentially, 2043.  It’s gone laughably wrong. Even the government calls it “the world’s m...

Shein, the fast-fashion brand accused by many of stealing designs and ignoring copyright, accuses fast-fashion brand Temu of stealing designs and ignoring copyright. What is going on? And what does this mean for the future of copyright law? Presenters Alex Hudson get into that, the latest developments in AI regulation, the ongoing UK and EU legislative efforts, and whether Minstrels belong in popc...

Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the rise of surveillance technology, particularly by police, with investigative journalist Mark Wilding, of Liberty Investigates.  They also discuss digital ID systems, what self-sovereign identity would mean in practice, why nobody should say “purdah” any more, and the cultural significance of moustaches. Keywords: surveillance, digital...

The trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has reached the courtroom. Well-known philanthropist Musk claims that OpenAI, which was set up as a charity, has been stolen, is no longer open source and is sufficiently non-profit. The tail is wagging the dog, Musk has said. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker look at how this case might actually have a huge impact on the future of AI, the fu...

Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the emerging role of AI in polling and market research, examining its accuracy, ethical considerations, and future potential. Damian Lyons Lowe, CEO of polling company Survation, shares insights on synthetic data, the challenges of traditional polling methods, and how AI might reshape the industry. So can public polling work without the public...

The UK has not created a new music genre in a decade, DJ/producer Lo-Wu tells Crashed. As AI now accounts for around 40% of music uploads, what happened to innovation in music? Where’s the next garage, the next grime, the next dubstep coming from?  If streaming doesn't work, and live music doesn't work, if record sales don’t work, and if AI music, as Nick Cave says, is a “grotesque mockery of...