What's New - podcast cover

What's New

WIREDplay.prx.org

The latest in-depth coverage covering the intersection of technology and culture will help you make sense of a world in constant transformation. Join us as we explore the ways technology is changing our lives.

Episodes

Trump's Prosecution Is America's Last Hope

Social norms—not laws—are the underlying fabric of democracy. The Georgia indictment against Donald Trump is the last remaining tool left to repair that which he’s torn apart. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 29, 202311 min

Brain Implants That Help Paralyzed People Speak Just Broke New Records

Two new studies show that AI-powered devices can help paralyzed people communicate faster and more accurately. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 28, 202310 min

The Myth of ‘Open Source’ AI

A new analysis shows that “open source” AI tools like Llama 2 are still controlled by big tech companies in a number of ways. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 25, 20236 min

How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media and Mental Health

Here’s what the science really says about teens and screens—and how to start the conversation with young people of any age. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 24, 20239 min

A Brain Implant Helped Stroke Survivors Regain Movement

Stimulating the brain with electricity has been used for 30 years to treat Parkinson’s disease. Now, researchers are testing whether it could help restore hand and arm motion. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 23, 20238 min

How the World’s Workers Are Donning Cooling Vests to Battle Record Heat Waves

Garments that can be packed with ice or equipped with fans are becoming increasingly popular among workers exposed to high heat. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 22, 202310 min

In the Dreams Favela, Wi-Fi and Ecommerce Promise a Better Future

A tech-led initiative to bring economic development to Brazil’s shantytowns starts with a radical idea: Listen to the people who live there. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 21, 202310 min

Fake Meat Is Bleeding, but It’s Not Dead Yet

Beyond Meat’s weak sales led to headlines about “peak veganism” and the end of plant-based meats. But demand in Europe shows there’s still life in alternative proteins. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 18, 202311 min

How a Firefly Course Is Saving Japan’s Favorite Glowing Insect

The fireflies of Moriyama City have long been prized (and hunted) for their yellow-green glow. To bring populations back up, amateur conservationists are hitting the books. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 17, 20239 min

This Bold Plan to Kick the World’s Coal Habit Might Actually Work

Novel climate-financing deals are promising to shut off dirty energy plants in developing countries and retrain their staff to work in the green economy. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 16, 202310 min

The Space Force Is Launching Its Own Swarm of Tiny Satellites

Defense satellites used to be big, costly, and “juicy” targets for attack. Now the Pentagon is aiming for a more resilient network of nearly 1,000 mini orbiters. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 15, 20238 min

Robotaxis Can Now Work the Streets of San Francisco 24/7

Robotaxis can offer paid rides in San Francisco around the clock after Alphabet’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise got approval from California’s Public Utilities Commission. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 14, 20239 min

By Seizing @Music, Elon Musk Shows He Doesn’t Know What Made Twitter Good

Since taking over Twitter, Musk has made mistake after mistake. His latest decision proves that he has never understood the average Twitter user—or doesn’t care to build a platform for them. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 11, 20239 min

AI Is Building Highly Effective Antibodies That Humans Can’t Even Imagine

Robots, computers, and algorithms are hunting for potential new therapies in ways humans can’t, by processing huge volumes of data and building previously unimagined molecules. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 10, 20238 min

What Doctors Wish You Knew About HIPAA and Data Security

Think US health data is automatically kept private? Think again. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 09, 20239 min

AI Can Give You an NPC That Remembers. It Could Also Get Your Favorite Artist Fired

As game developers wrestle with the challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI tools across the industry, those same tools continue to increase in complexity. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 08, 20238 min

This Disinformation Is Just for You

Generative AI won't just flood the internet with more lies—it may also create convincing disinformation that’s targeted at groups or even individuals. Read the story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 07, 20237 min

For the Love of God, Stop Microwaving Plastic

A study of baby-food containers shows that microwaving plastic releases millions upon millions of polymer bits. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 04, 202310 min

Extreme Heat Threatens the Health of Unborn Babies

Exposure to excessive heat during pregnancy has been linked to everything from preterm labor to low birth weight, and those risks are rising as the world warms. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Aug 03, 202310 min

Big AI Won’t Stop Election Deepfakes With Watermarks

Researchers found a simple way to make ChatGPT, Bard, and other chatbots misbehave, proving that AI is hard to tame. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 02, 20237 min

Someone Has to Deliver Your Packages in This Scorching Heat

As white-collar workers surf the web in air-conditioned comfort, delivery drivers are moving ecommerce packages through record temperatures. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Aug 01, 20239 min

A Patient May Be Free of HIV, Thanks to This Drug

Five people went into viral remission after stem cell transplants from donors with HIV resistance. A sixth patient received normal cells. Is an anti-inflammatory drug behind his recovery, instead? Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Jul 28, 20239 min

Israel’s Tech Companies Are Fighting Netanyahu—or Leaving the Startup Nation

As protests rage over Israel’s controversial reforms to the supreme court, many tech companies have been moving their money and headquarters offshore. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 27, 20239 min

Beware Your ChatGPT Plugins

Third-party plugins boost ChatGPT’s capabilities. But security researchers say they add an extra layer of risk. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 26, 202310 min

Why These Surfers Want to Restore a Rainforest

In the rainy mountains along Ireland’s west coast, the nonprofit Hometree wants to bring back a temperate rainforest ecosystem that has been gone for centuries. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 25, 20238 min

The New Minstrels Are Here

AI-generated video and images are ushering in an ungovernable reality—where the remixing of stereotypes is not only accepted, but big business. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jul 24, 202310 min

Don’t Ask Dumb Robots If AI Will Destroy Humanity

Robots like Sophia are impressive to look at, but don’t let their humanlike facial expressions trick you into thinking these machines are intelligent. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Jul 21, 20236 min

Want to Win a Chip War? You’re Gonna Need a Lot of Water

The US is spending billions to boost semiconductor manufacturing. For the new plants to crank out silicon chips, they need to source millions of gallons of ultrapure water. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Jul 20, 20239 min

Pure Oxygen Speeds Up Learning. Can It Help Stroke Survivors Recover?

Relearning everyday tasks is difficult for people with brain trauma. Researchers want to know whether combining physical therapy with doses of oxygen will make the process easier. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Jul 19, 202310 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast