The U.S. Department of Education announced that 160,000 more Americans have received student loan forgiveness.

Amazon is adding generative AI to its Alexa voice assistant, which will come with a monthly subscription fee.

TikTok will notify employees of layoffs on Thursday, affecting about 1,000 workers in operations, marketing, and content.

• The layoffs are part of a reorganization effort to help TikTok become profitable amid regulatory pressures.

Apple's iOS 17.5 update is causing previously deleted photos, including NSFW material, to reappear on users' devices.

Alaska Airlines is testing a new AI travel planner tool to transform airfare searches.

• The tool acts as a personalized AI travel agent, helping users find flights based on specific travel desires like culinary journeys or hiking trips.

Google's AI-infused search is causing anxiety among businesses reliant on web search results, with news publishers warning of "catastrophic" effects.

TikTok is taking a stand against the recent U.S. ban by pursuing legal action. The social media giant has lodged a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., urging a federal appeals court to intervene in the law mandating its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

Apple has introduced a new chip that could rival industry leaders. 

• The tech giant unveiled the M4 chip during its "Let Loose" event, branding it as "outrageously powerful" and asserting that it will revolutionize AI-related tasks within iPadOS. 

Job satisfaction has reached its peak in nearly four decades, soaring to 62.7%, according to recent data from the Conference Board.

The artificial intelligence boom and renewed business spending are paying off for Amazon, which saw its first-quarter sales hit a record.

• The recent payrolls report indicates a slowing jobs picture, and many workers have attested to a more difficult labor market, according to The Wall Street Journal. Some key points:

Uneven Job Growth

• Jobs are concentrated in certain sectors, while hiring in areas like tech, finance, law, and accounting has been flat or slightly down.

Questionable Hiring Practices

• Some companies are using strategies that make the job search even tougher for applicants:
• Posting fake job listings to amass resumes or create an impression of growth
• Drawn-out interview processes or "ghosting" by hiring managers

Impact on Workers

Google parent Alphabet paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 for Google to be the default search engine in the Safari web browser.

In the latest episode, the hosts tackle key issues at the intersection of technology and society:

• President Biden signed a bill into law that gives TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance 9 to 12 months to find a buyer for the app or face a U.S. ban. TikTok has vowed to legally challenge the measure
• The FTC has issued a final rule banning noncompete agreements nationwide, with the goal of promoting competition, protecting workers' freedom to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation
• A Maryland high school athletic director named Dazhon Darien has been accused of using artificial intelligence to impersonate a principal in a racist and antisemitic audio recording

Tune in as Trey and J. Smith dive deep into these important tech topics that are shaping our world. Like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more engaging discussions

In the latest episode, the hosts tackle key issues at the intersection of technology and society:

• The Senate voted 60-34 to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allowing warrantless surveillance of non-Americans outside the U.S.
• The geography of tech hubs is shifting, with Austin gaining the most tech workers from 2019-2023 as a percentage of company headcounts, and New York City being the top destination for tech workers who relocated during that period. 
• Google is restructuring its finance teams as part of a broader shift towards investing in artificial intelligence (AI), involving relocations and layoffs. 

Tune in and let's chop it up on these important tech topics that are shaping our world.

DragonFire: UK laser could be used against Russian drones on Ukraine front line

Mercenary Attack on iphones + Apple Decline

The strong U.S. job market is in a ‘sweet spot'

1. Cyber Bounty: The U.S. offers $10M to nab ALPHV/BlackCat hackers, accused of targeting healthcare services and orchestrating a $22M scam. Change Healthcare fights back, but patient data remains at risk.
2. Palm Pay: Amazon One's palm recognition app transforms checkout, used over 8M times for secure transactions. Beyond retail, it's revolutionizing enterprise identity verification.
3. Eclipse Tech: As millions gear up for the solar eclipse, states deploy AI to manage traffic surges. Network providers brace for increased cell usage, ensuring connectivity amidst the awe-inspiring event.

Talk That Tech is hosting a live episode on Monday, April 1, at 7 AM EST/6 AM CST. Join us on the next episode of Talk That Tech on April 1st this episode dives into OpenAI's cautious dive into voice cloning with its new, yet-unavailable Voice Engine and explores Zaver's innovative approach to enabling high-ticket Buy Now, Pay Later options, including luxury cars like Porsches. We wrap up with the inspiring story of Paul Alexander, who, despite being paralyzed by polio and living in an iron lung for 78 years, achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming a practicing lawyer and author. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and human resilience, spotlighting how innovation impacts our lives and the extraordinary achievements that can arise from adversity.

The House passed a measure giving ByteDance six months to sell TikTok or face a ban, The six-month window for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban would start once the bill becomes law. But if that happens, ByteDance and TikTok would almost certainly challenge the law in federal court, where judges could delay enforcement for months or even years as a legal battle plays out.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang showed off new chips aimed at extending his company’s dominance of AI computing, a position that’s already made it the world’s third-most-valuable business.

Despite its impressive features, Devin AI is not positioned to completely replace software engineers. Instead, it is designed to complement human engineers by handling routine tasks efficiently, allowing human engineers to focus on more complex and creative challenges

In this episode of our tech and society podcast, we dive into a variety of topics that intertwine technology, societal changes, and the evolving landscape of the workforce.

Talk That Tech is hosting a live episode on Monday, March 11, at 7 AM EST/6 AM CST. The show will cover trending topics like AI Exodus, Hot Destinations, and Cyber Heart-Attack. The podcast features Trey and J. Smith discussing tech-related subjects, enlightening listeners, and providing insights to break into the tech industry. The episode will include segments on AI Talent Exodus, America's New Hot Tech Job Spots, and a Healthcare Cyberattack loan Program. Tune in for engaging discussions and valuable information.

We dive deep into the latest tech controversies and strategies shaking up the industry. From Elon Musk's legal battle against OpenAI to a harrowing tale of Instagram account recovery and the strategic genius behind the "big bets" of tech giants like Microsoft, T-Mobile, and Amazon. Get ready for insightful analyses, personal stories, and expert takes on the moves shaping our digital future.

Chapters:

01:00 - Intros

08:28 - Elon Musk vs. Open AI Lawsuit

18:12 - Tech Event Bulletin Board

23:00 - Instagram Hack-a-Thon

36:47 - Tech Giants Big Bets ( Taking Big Bets on Yourself)

59:50 - Brown Box Special

This episode of "Talk That Tech" dives into several groundbreaking topics, starting with the achievements of Dr. Shirley Jackson and her lasting impact on technology and society. The discussion then shifts to Tyler Perry's reservations about AI's potential effects on the film industry and the need for careful progress. Following this, the podcast explores OpenAI's significant $80 billion valuation, discussing what factors contribute to this valuation and its implications for the tech industry. Finally, the episode concludes with an exploration of Air's innovative approach to marketing and creative operations under Kareem Rahma's leadership, showcasing Air's creative vision.

Dr. Shirley Jackson: Honoring her pioneering work and its lasting impact on technology and society.

Tyler Perry's AI Concerns: Analyzing the potential effects of AI on the film industry and the importance of cautious advancement.

OpenAI's $80 Billion Valuation: Discussing the factors contributing to OpenAI's valuation and the broader implications for the tech world.

Air's Creative Vision with Kareem Rahma: Exploring Air's innovative approach to marketing and creative operations through Rahma's leadership.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Quick overview of the episode's agenda and an introduction to the featured topics and guests.

02:00 - Dr. Shirley Jackson's Legacy: Celebrates Dr. Shirley Jackson's contributions to science and technology, discussing her groundbreaking work and its significant impact on society.

08:00 - Key Achievements: A deeper dive into specific achievements of Dr. Shirley Jackson, including her most influential research and leadership roles.

14:00 - Tyler Perry's AI Concerns: Introduction to Tyler Perry's concerns regarding artificial intelligence in the film industry and the reasons behind his cautious approach.

20:00 - Impact on Film Industry: Analysis of how AI technologies could transform the film industry, focusing on creative processes, production, and potential ethical concerns.

26:00 - OpenAI's $80 Billion Valuation: Overview of OpenAI, explaining what led to its valuation at $80 billion and the significance of this valuation in the tech industry.

32:00 - Factors Behind Valuation: Discussion on the key factors contributing to OpenAI's high valuation, including technological breakthroughs and market potential.

38:00 - Implications for Tech Industry: Exploration of what OpenAI's valuation means for the broader tech industry and future technological developments.

44:00 - Air's Creative Vision with Kareem Rahma: Introduction to Air and its innovative approach to marketing and creative operations.

50:00 - Leadership and Innovation: Detailed insight into Kareem Rahma's leadership style and how it fosters innovation within Air.

56:00 - Brown Box Special

In this episode, we embark on a fascinating journey through the latest in technology, historic achievements, and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. First, we take you behind the scenes of the NBA All-Star Weekend to explore the innovative tech that powered this year's event. Next, we celebrate the legacy of Thomas L. Jennings, a pivotal figure in Black History, whose contributions continue to inspire. We then delve into the concerning rise of deepfake technology, examining its use in celebrity video scams, the mechanisms behind it, the scale of the problem, and the ongoing efforts to mitigate its effects. Lastly, we analyze OpenAI's explosive growth and its recent $80 billion valuation, discussing what fuels investor enthusiasm and the broader implications for the AI industry. Join us for a comprehensive analysis that bridges past, present, and future.

00:00 - Super Bowl Discussion

01:24 - Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance

02:58 - Alicia Keys Incident Discussion

05:03 - Technological Advances in Super Bowl Performances

05:59 - Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Interaction

07:20 - Super Bowl Songs Commentary

09:15 - Introduction to Main Topics

11:16 - Celebrating Black Inventors: Frederick McKinley Jones

12:40 - Tech Events and Conferences Bulletin

17:05 - Networking Event Insights

21:00 - Mo'Nique and Tyler Perry Discussion

22:08 - Personal Workplace Experiences

34:42 - Importance of Documenting Work Achievements

38:47 - Connect 2.0 Event Recap

44:15 - Networking and Making Connections

47:32 - After-Event Networking Strategies

52:22 - Confidence and Networking

57:35 - Navigating Tech Conferences

59:41 - Brown Box Special

Today we discuss Mo'Nique and her recording Tyler Perry and is it ok to document and use technology to protect yourself in the workplace?

Konnect 2.0 Networking Event

Trey shares his experience at the event

• Great for people looking for new information, looking to break in tech
• This event is great to be at as a new person in tech, it was intimate enough to learn information and enough good people to make great connections.

It's great connecting with people you know online and meet them in person and Trey was able to do that.

Panel Series 

• Highlighted Sessions: Kayla Burke / Jide Hassan / Veronica White / Plato Gabriel
• Cyrus Harbin hosted the event

Discussed the 2024 Superbowl Halftime show Usher's performance and if it ranked close with Prince's

Segment 1: Tech Event Bulletin Board

A rundown of upcoming tech events focusing on Black tech excellence, including virtual and in-person conferences. This segment is powered by Black Tech Global, encouraging audience participation to expand the event bulletin board.

Segment 2: AppleVision - The Future of Television and Entertainment?

A deep dive into Apple's Vision Pro headset, comparing it with competitors, discussing its potential impact on traditional TV and entertainment, and exploring its features and limitations. Audience question: Are VisionPros the future of television and entertainment?

Transition to Black History Month Focus

Highlighting the significant contributions of African American inventors, with a spotlight on Garrett Morgan Sr., and discussing the broader implications of celebrating Black History Month and the concurrent scheduling of major events in February.

Segment 3: 10 Best Paying "Technology" Jobs

An overview of the top-paying jobs in the tech industry, including salary information, education requirements, and job outlook. A prompt for the audience to share which tech job interests them the most.

Segment 4: TBD/Ask Chat GPT: Neuralink?

Discussion on the potential and challenges of Neuralink's brain-computer interface technology, including comparisons with other BCI developments, ethical considerations, and the future of Neuralink in both medical and consumer markets.

Join us in today's deep dive into the corporate world where we explore the intense competition between tech giants and the harsh reality of layoffs.

⚡ Segment 1: The $3 Trillion Milestone - We kick off with Microsoft's remarkable achievement of a $3 trillion market valuation, a feat second only to Apple. Discover how AI and new products are propelling Microsoft's stock, amidst the unsettling news of 1900 layoffs in their gaming divisions.

🥊 Segment 2: Apple vs Meta - The Headset War - The battle heats up between Apple and Meta in the headset market. We'll dissect Meta's strategic moves, Apple's innovative approach, and what this means for the future of mixed reality. Who will emerge victorious in this technological showdown?

📉 Segment 3: Wayfair's Workforce Woes - We delve into Wayfair's decision to lay off 13% of its workforce. CEO Niraj Shah's controversial stance on efficiency and the ripple effects on the company's morale and stock prices are under the microscope. Plus, a personal story from a layoff victim - the human side of corporate decisions.

🌟 Segment 4: Bouncing Back from Layoffs - Facing a layoff? We've got you covered with practical tips on how to recover and thrive post-layoff. From emotional processing to strategic job hunting, learn how to turn a setback into a comeback.

Today we are talking about Apple's new Vision Pro lacking support from key apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, raising concerns about developer support. More Tech layoffs from major tech companies, and how a 17 year old hacker landed himself in a hospital for life for hacking the video game Grand Theft Auto 6



Today we discuss MLK Day and talk about CES 2024 and all the new tech.