Tech Gumbo

By Haggai Davis

We started Tech Gumbo in Nov 2014 as a conversational show of news, information & updates about the past, present & future of all things technology in a topical, interesting and digestible way... more

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FAQs about Tech Gumbo:

How many episodes does Tech Gumbo have?

The podcast currently has 503 episodes available.

Tech Gumbo episodes:

April 09, 2026The Jetson’s vs. Reality, Maga Dream Girl, OpenAI’s Strategic Pivot
News and Updates:
The Jetsons Predicting 2062: As we approach the show’s fictional 2062 setting, modern tech like eVTOLs (flying cars) and video calling have arrived, though the "nine-hour workweek" remains a distant dream.
AI Attention Harvesting: Viral "MAGA dream girl" accounts like Jessica Foster use AI-generated imagery of fake soldiers to gain millions of followers, funneling users toward paid adult content sites.
Adult Mode Shelved: OpenAI has "indefinitely" paused plans for an erotic ChatGPT mode ("Citron Mode") following internal concerns regarding child safety and societal impact.
Record-Breaking Funding: OpenAI closed a historic $122 billion funding round, valuing the company at $852 billion as it prepares for a blockbuster IPO later this year.
Cybersecurity Numbness: Former NSA directors at RSAC 2026 warned that Americans have become "numb" to massive data breaches, accepting them as an unavoidable price of the digital age.
...more
23min
April 06, 2026Social Media Negligence Rulings, Utility Infrastructure Costs, Balcony Solar Bill, Wi-Fi Router Ban
News and Updates:
Historic Liability Verdict: A California jury awarded $6 million to a plaintiff, ruling Meta and Google were negligent in designing addictive platforms that caused mental health issues.
Big Tobacco Comparison: Legal experts view these verdicts as a "bellwether," potentially triggering a wave of litigation similar to the 1990s crusade against the tobacco industry.
New Mexico Penalties: A separate New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million for failing to protect young users from online predators and misleading consumers.
Future Platform Changes: Industry experts suggest these losses may force companies to rewrite algorithms, limit auto-scrolling, or implement stricter age-gating to avoid future liability.
Grid Expansion Costs: U.S. utilities are planning $81 billion in upgrades to support AI data centers, sparking debates over whether tech giants or everyday consumers should pay.
Balcony Solar Bill: California’s SB 868 unanimously passed committee, allowing renters to plug small solar systems (up to 1,200W) directly into outlets without utility approval.
National Router Ban: The FCC banned sales of new foreign-made Wi-Fi routers, citing "supply chain vulnerabilities" that could allow foreign actors to exploit residential and business networks.
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22min
April 02, 2026Interview: Dr. Andrew Dalovisio with Director Cellular Therapy w/ Mary Bird Perkins
Interview:
Andrew Dalovisio with Director Cellular Therapy w/ Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Immunotherapy: How immunotherapy intersects with technology
CAR-T cell therapy
Long Term: Potential future of cancer treatments using technology
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23min
March 30, 2026Meta Liability Verdict, Australian Ban Gaps, NY AI Laws, Sora Sunset, NHTSA Probes Tesla
News and Updates:
Meta Liable in New Mexico: A jury found Meta violated state law by failing to protect children from predators, ordering the company to pay $375 million. This marks the first time Meta has been held accountable in a jury trial regarding child safety and deceptive trade practices.
Encryption Rollback: Following pressure regarding law enforcement's ability to track predators, Meta announced it will stop supporting end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram later this year.
Addiction Trial Deadlock: A Los Angeles judge ordered jurors to continue deliberations in a landmark case accusing Meta and YouTube of intentionally designing addictive, harmful features.
Australia Ban Evasion: Data shows 20% of Australian teens still access TikTok and Snapchat despite a national ban, raising significant questions about the effectiveness of age-gating.
Proposed New York AI Law: New York lawmakers introduced a bill to bar AI chatbots from impersonating licensed professionals like lawyers or doctors, allowing duped users to sue.
OpenAI Discontinues Sora: OpenAI is winding down its Sora video app and developer tools to refocus resources on "superapps," coding tools, and long-term robotics projects.
Disney Partnership Ends: Following OpenAI’s shift away from consumer video, a $1 billion deal to feature Disney characters in AI-generated content will not proceed.
Tesla FSD Probe Escalates: U.S. regulators upgraded an investigation into 3.2 million Tesla vehicles after reports of FSD failing to detect obstacles in low-visibility conditions.
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23min
March 19, 2026Apple’s 50-Year Legacy, Gemini’s Office Overhaul, and Anthropic’s Legal Showdown
News and Updates:
Wozniak on Apple at 50: Steve Wozniak reflects on Apple’s start, noting they didn’t predict the future but focused on being one step ahead of the competition.
Apple’s Biggest Hits: From the Apple II to the iPhone, Apple revolutionized tech by mastering the human interface and maintaining absolute control over its ecosystem.
Apple’s Biggest Misses: Not every bite was sweet; products like the Apple III, Pippin, and the recent Vision Pro struggled due to high costs and impracticality.
Gemini Joins Workspace: Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides now feature Gemini AI to draft content, organize data, and sync writing styles across all your files.
Claude’s Bug Bounty: Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6 outperformed humans by finding 14 high-severity Firefox bugs, though it still struggles to actually exploit the vulnerabilities.
Anthropic Sues DoD: Anthropic is suing the Trump administration after being labeled a "security threat" following a disagreement over the military's use of AI guardrails.
Pentagon Tensions: The clash centers on Anthropic’s refusal to allow its AI to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without explicit safety guarantees.
...more
23min
March 16, 2026BYD Battery Breakthrough, Windows 12 Rumors, and Consumer Tech Skepticism
News and Updates:
BYD’s Next-Gen Battery: BYD revealed its second-generation Blade battery, featuring 5% higher energy density and significantly improved efficiency compared to the original lithium iron phosphate packs.
Windows 12 Speculation: Rumors suggest a late 2026 Windows 12 launch focused on AI and modular design, though experts remain skeptical of this aggressive release timeline.
Server 2016 Sunset: Microsoft announced that extended support for Windows Server 2016 ends January 2027, urging users to migrate to Azure or upgrade to Server 2025.
Deepfake Removal Tool: YouTube is piloting a likeness detection tool allowing politicians and journalists to request the removal of AI-generated deepfakes that use their faces.
The Upgrade Slowdown: A 2026 study reveals 73% of consumers now prioritize "tech that works" and longevity over flashy new features or annual status-symbol upgrades.
...more
23min
March 12, 2026Microsoft Discord Chaos, Power Grid Risks, AI Fast Food Coaching, and the Claude Surge
News and Updates:
Microsoft Copilot Discord Backlash: Microsoft’s attempt to ban the term "Microslop" on its Copilot Discord server backfired, leading to massive spamming and the eventual temporary closure of the community.
Data Center Grid Risks: Sudden disconnections of Virginia data centers from the power grid have sparked reliability concerns, as simultaneous shifts to backup power can destabilize regional energy supplies.
Surge in Energy Demand: Projections indicate data centers could consume 17% of U.S. electricity by 2030, placing immense pressure on utilities to balance massive, fluctuating industrial power loads.
Burger King’s AI Coaching: Burger King is piloting "Patty," an AI headset assistant that monitors employee friendliness by tracking phrases like "please" and "thank you" during customer interactions.
Claude Tops App Store: Anthropic’s Claude overtook ChatGPT as the #1 free U.S. app following public disputes over AI safeguards and controversial Pentagon contracts involving OpenAI’s military partnerships.
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23min
March 09, 2026Dark Web Explained, NFL Streaming Inquiry, 25Gbps Light Internet, and Starlink Mobile Update
News and Updates:
Dark Web Definition: The dark web is a decentralized, unindexed portion of the deep web requiring specialized software like Tor for anonymous, often unregulated, online communication.
Legal vs. Illegal: Accessing the dark web is legal in the U.S., but engaging in illicit activities like buying stolen data or illegal substances remains prosecutable.
FCC Sports Inquiry: The FCC is investigating the migration of live sports to paid streaming services, citing concerns over consumer costs and broadcasters' public interest obligations.
25Gbps Light Internet: Alphabet spinoff Taara debuted a compact "Beam" device using near-infrared light to deliver high-speed broadband up to 10km without laying fiber.
Starlink Mobile Rebrand: SpaceX officially renamed its "Direct to Cell" service to Starlink Mobile, aiming to serve hundreds of millions of users via second-generation satellites by 2027. SpaceX VP Michael Nicolls clarified that Starlink Mobile is a "hybrid network" component intended to augment, not replace, traditional ground-based cellular density.
Bluetooth Channel Sounding: A new Bluetooth upgrade called Channel Sounding allows devices like trackers and smart locks to locate each other accurately within just ten centimeters.
...more
23min
March 05, 2026Teen AI Trends, Waymo’s Human Helpers, Remote Guidance Debate, Tesla’s Legal Battle
News and Updates:
Pew Research on Teen AI Usage: A Pew study reveals 54% of U.S. teens use AI for schoolwork. While many use it for research, others admit to frequent chatbot-assisted cheating.
Waymo Using Gig Workers: Waymo is paying gig workers $20–$24 to manually close robotaxi doors. The driverless Jaguars cannot move if passengers leave doors ajar after exiting.
Waymo Clarifies Human Assistance: Waymo defended its use of overseas assistants to "guide" vehicles in complex traffic, stressing that humans provide environmental context but do not remotely drive.
Tesla Suing To Use “AutoPilot and FSD”: Tesla is suing the California DMV, claiming the ban on "Autopilot" marketing violates the First Amendment and ignores the company's clear driver supervision warnings.
...more
23min
March 02, 2026Global Teen Social Media Bans, Discord Delay, Meta Smartwatch, and Louisiana AI Expansion
News and Updates:
Global Push to Ban Teens: Moves to bar younger teens from social media are spreading globally, with France and Spain implementing or proposing bans for ages 14 to 16.
Mental Health Concerns: The initiatives reflect growing political will to address concerns that social-media use is linked to rising teen anxiety and depression.
Tech Company Pushback: Social-media companies like Meta and Snap argue age-limit measures are blunt instruments that could push teens to less safe apps.
Discord Verification Delay: Discord is delaying its global age verification rollout until 2026 to add more options and transparency following user backlash over privacy and data security.
Meta’s First Smartwatch: Meta plans to launch its first smartwatch in 2026, featuring health tracking and a built-in AI assistant to compete with Apple and Google.
Smart Glass Safety: Experts warn daters to spot hidden cameras in smart glasses, as some individuals use discreet tech to record others without their consent.
Facial Recognition Return: Meta intends to add "Name Tag" facial recognition to smart glasses, allowing users to identify people via AI, despite ongoing privacy concerns.
Amazon's $12B AI Investment: Amazon will invest $12 billion in Louisiana data centers, creating hundreds of jobs and funding local power and water infrastructure upgrades.
...more
23min

FAQs about Tech Gumbo:

How many episodes does Tech Gumbo have?

The podcast currently has 503 episodes available.