Best Hacker Valley Media Podcasts (2025)

1
20-year-old dropouts built AI notetaker Turbo AI to 5 million users; plus, YouTube paid out $8B to the music industry in 12 months 7:21

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6h ago7:21

7:21

Rudy Arora and Sarthak Dhawan, two 20-year-old college dropouts, grew an AI note-taker app to five million users and an eight-figure ARR. Also, The milestone marks a new record for the platform, as YouTube’s annual music industry payout increased by $2 billion since 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
As China’s 996 culture spreads, South Korea’s tech sector grapples with 52-hour limit 9:12

11h ago9:12

9:12

South Korea's 52-hour workweek cap is stricter than the U.S. and Singapore but more flexible than much of Europe. Still deep tech founders and investors worry it's too restrictive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Sumble emerges from stealth with $38.5M to bring AI-powered context to sales intelligence 8:15

1d ago8:15

8:15

The founders of machine learning community Kaggle are trying to upend the crowded sales prospecting market with AI. And they're making headway. Also, Starbridge raises $42M Series A led by Craft Ventures to help businesses better monitor public service opportunities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Airbnb is becoming more social by allowing users to connect with fellow travelers 4:30

10h ago4:30

4:30

The company is also improving search by suggesting properties that you might have missed due to your filters and has redesigned the Maps view to let you search for points of interest such as nearby landmarks, attractions, and restaurants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
How Funding Cuts Are Changing Public Radio 16:17

2d ago16:17

16:17

This summer, Republicans clawed back over a billion dollars that had been pledged to public media. But it wasn’t until this month that the corporation for public broadcasting – longtime distributor of that money – started to wind down operations, and those federal funds finally ran out. Now, many stations are weighing whether to spend their shrinki…

1
OpenAI launches an AI-powered browser: ChatGPT Atlas 4:38

20h ago4:38

4:38

The company says Atlas will first roll out on macOS, with support for Windows, iOS, and Android coming soon. OpenAI says the product will be available to all free users at launch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Cards Against Humanity settles trespass lawsuit against SpaceX 5:03

1d ago5:03

5:03

The dispute centered on a plot of land along the Rio Grande River in Cameron County, Texas, that Cards Against Humanity purchased in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
FTC removes Lina Khan-era posts about AI risks and open source 4:27

2d ago4:27

4:27

These removals are part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration, which began issuing executive orders to direct federal agencies to remove or modify substantial amounts of government content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Wikipedia says traffic is falling due to AI search summaries and social video 3:49

2d ago3:49

3:49

The online encyclopedia is not completely immune to broader trends, with human pageviews falling 8% year-over-year, according to Marshall Miller of the Wikimedia Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

51
Silicon Valley spooks the AI safety advocates 7:07

3d ago7:07

7:07

Silicon Valley leaders including White House AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks and OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon caused a stir online this week for their comments about groups promoting AI safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Big Tech is Silencing the ICE Watchers. Plus, Why a Scholar of Antifa Fled the Country. 50:39

7d ago50:39

50:39

Tech giants Apple and Google have been quietly removing ways for citizens to document The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s activities. On this week’s On the Media, one group’s efforts to make sure citizens can see what ICE is doing. Plus, the online right-wing campaign that led a historian to flee the country. [01:00] Host Micah …

1
Ousted Luminar CEO Austin Russell wants to buy the company; also, VLGE is making it easier to world build and shop on Roblox 6:37

7d ago6:37

6:37

Austin Russell was replaced in May following an ethics inquiry, but now he wants to use his new AI lab to buy Luminar. Plus, 50 fashion brands are launching their shoppable worlds for VLGE's World Fashion Week, founder Evelyn Mora says. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
VC legend Ron Conway quits Salesforce Foundation ; also, Kayak launches an ‘AI Mode’ for travel questions, search, and bookings 5:28

7d ago5:28

5:28

VC legend Ron Conway quits Salesforce Foundation after Benioff’s National Guard comments Kayak is bringing AI directly to its main platform with a new “AI Mode” that lets travelers research, plan, and book trips through a built-in chatbot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Pinterest adds controls to let you limit the amount of ‘AI slop’ in your feed, also Apple loses another AI exec to Meta , 4:53

8d ago4:53

4:53

Pinterest is rolling out new controls that let users limit how much AI-generated content appears in their feeds. The company is also making its AI content labels more visible. Ke Yang’s departure marks the latest in a string of exits from Apple’s AI unit, putting the company into jeopardy in the lead up to a much-anticipated Siri revamp scheduled f…

1
Learning How to Learn: Mastering the Cyber Fundamentals with Rich Greene 25:38

7d ago25:38

25:38

The real edge in cybersecurity isn’t found in new tools, it’s built through timeless fundamentals and a mindset that never stops learning. In this episode, Ron sits down with Rich Greene, Senior Solutions Engineer and Instructor at SANS Institute, to uncover how true cyber value starts with skills, curiosity, and mindset. Rich shares his remarkable…

1
Cyber giant F5 Networks says government hackers had ‘long-term’ access to its systems; also, Meta partners up with Arm to scale AI efforts 6:20

8d ago6:20

6:20

F5 Networks, which provides cybersecurity defenses to most of the Fortune 500, said the DOJ allowed it to delay notifying the public on national security grounds. Semiconductor firm Arm is partnering with Meta to enhance the social media company's AI systems amid an unprecedented infrastructure buildout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc…

1
David Remnick: How The Two State Solution Ended in Disaster 38:32

9d ago38:32

38:32

For decades, the United States backed efforts to achieve a two-state solution—in which Israel would exist side by side with the Palestinian state, with both states recognizing each other’s claim to contested territory. The veteran negotiators Hussein Agha, representing Palestine, and Robert Malley, an American diplomat, played instrumental roles in…

1
ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for adult users; also, Waymo plans to launch a robotaxi service in London in 2026 8:57

9d ago8:57

8:57

OpenAI says it will soon roll back some of ChatGPT's safeguards, and even allow the chatbot to engage in erotica for adult users. Waymo already has ties to the UK, which began after the autonomous vehicle technology company acquired Latent Logic in 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
You’ll soon be able to shop Walmart from ChatGPT, also, Google’s Gemini can now help you schedule Google Calendar meetings 5:14

9d ago5:14

5:14

Walmart is partnering with OpenAI to let shoppers buy products directly through ChatGPT. The new integration will allow users to link their Walmart accounts, browse items ,and instantly check out — all within the chatbot. Designed for one-on-one meetings, the tool lets you insert available time slots directly into an email, automatically creating a…

1
SpaceX wraps action-packed Starship V2 era, Satellites exposed unencrypted data, and Grindr’s owners may take it private 6:46

10d ago6:46

6:46

SpaceX said farewell to its V2 on Monday night as it sent Starship’s current configuration on one last test flight, in a mission that the company says hit all its key goals, moving the program into its next phase. ecurity researchers have discovered that as many as half of all geostationary satellites in Earth’s orbit are carrying unencrypted sensi…

1
Oura is winning young women and losing gym rats, and it’s fine with that 9:06

9d ago9:06

9:06

Oura's chief commercial officer doesn't seem particularly worried about capturing every demographic. Instead, she's focused on keeping Oura’s core users happy while organically attracting new segments. And young women are becoming part of that core market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
California becomes first state to regulate AI companion chatbots; plus, Salesforce announces Agentforce 360 as enterprise AI competition heats up 8:55

11d ago8:55

8:55

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill on Monday that regulates AI companion chatbots, making it the first state in the nation to require AI chatbot operators to implement safety protocols for AI companions The law is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from some of the harms associated with AI companion chatbot use. …

1
Google Chrome silences those pesky notifications; also, Trump fires back at China’s rare earth mineral restrictions by threatening 100% tariffs 5:11

11d ago5:11

5:11

On Friday, the technology giant announced a new feature that will automatically disable browser notifications for the websites you haven’t interacted with recently, disrupting their ability to pop up alerts and updates that you may no longer be interested in. the President declared Friday that he will impose a 100% tariff on all imports from China,…

1
Authoritarianism, but Make It Look Normal. Plus, the Family Taking Over American Media. 51:29

14d ago51:29

51:29

The Supreme Court has returned to the bench and is poised to hear major cases on tariffs and federal firings. On this week’s On the Media, how a century-old legal theory may help us understand how the highest court handles Trump’s second administration. Plus, meet the Ellisons, who are buying up American media like the Vanderbilts collected railroa…

1
Investors are betting $21 billion that the energy transition isn’t going away; also, UK slapped Google Search with special market status, making way for stricter regulations 8:01

14d ago8:01

8:01

Political shifts might have set back the energy transition, but large investors are betting that renewables are at the future of energy. In other news, the CMA has designated Google as having "strategic market status" in the search and search advertising markets, which means the company has such "a substantial and entrenched" position that it requi…

1
How AI Elevates Cyber Hygiene with Jason Rebholz 21:32

13d ago21:32

21:32

What if protecting your digital twin becomes the new cyber hygiene? In this week's episode, Ron welcomes back cybersecurity leader Jason Rebholz, CEO of Evoke, to discuss how AI is reshaping the fundamentals of cyber hygiene. From data breaches and deepfakes to everyday habits that protect our digital lives, Jason shares how small actions and smart…

1
While OpenAI races to build AI data centers, Nadella reminds us that Microsoft already has them; also, Andreessen Horowitz denies report of India office, calls it ‘fake news’ 5:14

14d ago5:14

5:14

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella offered a glimpse of the "first of many" massive Nvidia AI systems it is rolling out, starting now. a16z’s Anish Acharya calls India office reports “entirely fake news!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Tesla’s FSD software under investigation; Apple prepares to comply with Texas law; and SoundCloud gets more social 8:21

15d ago8:21

8:21

-The U.S.' top auto safety agency said it had identified more than 50 reports of FSD running red lights, crossing yellow lines, or making illegal turns. -Apple speaks out about how the Texas age assurance law was written, saying it affects the privacy of users. -SoundCloud is evolving into a more social platform with new features like playlists bas…

1
Here’s the tech powering ICE’s deportation crackdown 13:36

14d ago13:36

13:36

From phone spyware and facial recognition to phone unlocking technology and databases and more, this tech powers Trump's deportation machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
SoftBank bulks up its robotics portfolio with ABB Group’s robotics unit; also, Square launches AI voice ordering and an integrated Bitcoin solution for merchants 6:50

16d ago6:50

6:50

Japanese investing conglomerate SoftBank Group is buying a robotics company as the financial behemoth says physical AI is its next frontier. SoftBank announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group’s robotics business unit for more than five billion dollars. The deal is subject to regulatory approval; SoftBank predic…

1
What's Wrong with True Crime? 23:52

16d ago23:52

23:52

This week, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” is the most watched show on Netflix. It’s a dramatized retelling of the life of the serial killer who inspired “Psycho” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The “Monster” franchise, which includes two earlier seasons about Jeffrey Dahmer and Lyle and Erik Menendez, is one of Netflix’s splashiest hits – the Dahm…

1
ICE bought vehicles equipped with fake cell towers to spy on phones; also, North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in crypto 8:37

16d ago8:37

8:37

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement paid eight hundred twenty five thousand dollars earlier this year to a company that manufactures vehicles equipped with various technologies for law enforcement, including fake cellphone towers known as “cell-site simulators,” which can be used to spy on nearby phones. Also, hackers working for the North Kor…

1
Deloitte goes all in on AI — despite having to issue a hefty refund for use of AI; plus Taylor Swift fans accuse singer of using AI in her Google scavenger hunt videos 6:40

15d ago6:40

6:40

By TechCrunch

1
AMD to supply 6GW of compute capacity to OpenAI in chip deal worth tens of billions 6:37

16d ago6:37

6:37

By TechCrunch

1
Waffles eat Bluesky, plus Suspect arrested after threats against TikTok’s Culver City headquarters 7:12

16d ago7:12

7:12

By TechCrunch

1
Tesla’s insurance arm accused of ‘egregious delays’ and ‘systemic failures’ by CA regulator; also, Bezos predicts that millions will live in space in ‘couple of decades’ 6:33

18d ago6:33

6:33

California's Department of Insurance has been warning Tesla to fix its claims process since 2022, but consumer complaints have skyrocketed anyways. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made a rare public appearance at Italian Tech Week in Turin on Friday and used the opportunity to predict that millions of people will be living in space “in the next couple of…

1
Apple removes ICEBlock and similar tracking apps from the App Store; also, Hacking group claims theft of 1 billion records from Salesforce customer databases 6:10

21d ago6:10

6:10

A notorious predominantly English-speaking hacking group has launched a website to extort its victims, threatening to release about a billion records stolen from companies who store their customers’ data in cloud databases hosted by Salesforce. Apple has removed ICEBlock and other apps from its App Store that allow users to anonymously report sight…

1
Jamelle Bouie Says Your Fear of Trump Isn't Helping. Plus, Humphrey Bogart’s Betrayal. 50:15

21d ago50:15

50:15

This week, President Trump said he plans to use the military against America's "enemy within." On this week’s On the Media, how Trump’s rhetoric can obscure the real limits to his powers. Plus, how Humphrey Bogart betrayed the ideals of his most celebrated film. [01:00] Host Micah Loewinger sits down for an extended conversation with Jamelle Bouie,…

1
Hackers are sending extortion emails to executives after claiming Oracle apps’ data breach; also, OpenAI is the world’s most valuable private company 5:38

21d ago5:38

5:38

Google says hackers associated with a prolific ransomware group are sending extortion emails to executives at “numerous” large organizations after claiming to have stolen their sensitive information from a suite of business software products developed by Oracle. Also, OpenAI has sold 6.6 billion dollars in shares held by current and former employee…

1
Hollywood is not taking kindly to the AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, plus, Apple is shelving Vision Pro overhaul to focus on AI glasses 4:24

22d ago4:24

4:24

London-based actress Tilly Norwood has about 40 thousand Instagram followers. One thing to know though is she’s not real. She is an AI-generated character created by Xicoia, the AI division of the production company Particle6. Also, Apple is sidelining plans to overhaul its Vision Pro VR glasses to focus on developing AI smart glasses that can comp…

1
Securing Software at AI Speed with Varun Badhwar 34:12

21d ago34:12

34:12

The biggest security threat isn’t in the cloud, it’s hidden in the code you trust the most. In this episode, Ron sits down with Varun Badhwar, Co-Founder & CEO of Endor Labs, who shares why research shows that nearly 80–90% of application code comes from open source and third-party libraries, not your own developers. Varun discusses the unseen risk…

1
OpenAI staff grapples with the company’s social media push 7:08

21d ago7:08

7:08

Current and former OpenAI researchers seem torn over how the company's Sora app fits in with its broader mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy TechCrunch

1
Epic Games says Apple’s new install process cuts user drop-offs by 60%, also, Wikipedia data more accessible to AI and U.S. government takes stake in Canadian lithium miner 8:43

23d ago8:43

8:43

-Fortnite maker Epic Games said that Apple’s new installation workflow, implemented in iOS 18.6, has had a positive impact on its user growth, with a 60 percent decrease in drop-offs. On Wednesday, Wikimedia Deutschland announced a new database that will make Wikipedia’s wealth of knowledge more accessible to AI models. The U.S. Department of Energ…

1
Bobi Wine: The People's President 22:05

23d ago22:05

22:05

This week in Uganda, the pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine released his election manifesto to win the presidency in 2026. The current leader, Yoweri Museveni, has held power in Uganda since 1986 and is seeking his seventh term. Last year, Brooke spoke with Bobi Wine and Moses Bwayo, a co-director of the Oscar-nominated documentary Bobi Wine: The…

1
Ted Cruz blocks bill that would extend privacy protections to all Americans, plus Fubo shareholders approve Hulu Live TV deal 4:56

23d ago4:56

4:56

Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, has blocked an effort to pass legislation that would have extended data privacy protections for federal lawmakers and public officials to everyone in the United States. On Monday night, Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, asked the U.S. Senate for unanimous consent from fellow senators to pass his legis…

1
DoorDash unveils its autonomous robot; and Adobe’s video editing app Premiere arrives on iPhones 8:36

24d ago8:36

8:36

On Tuesday, DoorDash unveiled Dot, a small robot it built in-house that can autonomously drive on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks to deliver food and small packages at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. Dot is designed to look friendly and even cartoonish — painted bright red, with big LED eyes and a mouth that swings open to reveal where it holds yo…

1
California Governor Newsom signs landmark AI safety bill; also, Explosion, vehicle fire rock Faraday Future’s LA headquarters 7:02

24d ago7:02

7:02

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, a first-in-the-nation bill that sets new transparency requirements on large AI companies. The bill, which passed the state legislature two weeks ago, requires large AI labs, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind, to be transparent about safety protocols. It also ensures whistleblow…

1
Honda and Astrobotic team up to keep the lights on through the long lunar night; plus, the UK government bailed out Jaguar Land Rover 6:19

25d ago6:19

6:19

Automotive giant Honda and lunar startup Astrobotic are teaming up to explore how a regenerative fuel cell system could help keep the lights on during long nights on the Moon. On Monday, the companies partnered up to study whether Honda’s regenerative fuel cell can be integrated into Astrobotic’s LunaGrid, a scalable power service built around sola…

1
Do EA buyout talks hint at bigger industry troubles? plus, beware coworkers who produce AI-generated ‘work slop’, and AI startup Friend spent more than $1M on all those subway ads 4:36

25d ago4:36

4:36

Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier noted that video game companies are moving towards consolidation and that the deal could reflect EA executives’ broader concerns over the future of the industry. Following a period of rapid growth in the 2010s and during the pandemic, Schreier said gamers in recent years have “tended to stick with old favorites rather tha…

1
Trump v. Tylenol. Plus, How Charlie Kirk Became a Martyr for the Christian Right. 50:35

28d ago50:35

50:35

President Trump has declared that Tylenol should not be used during pregnancy. On this week’s On the Media, how funding cuts and disputed claims linking the drug to autism have sent scientists reeling. Plus, how the religious right are processing the death of Charlie Kirk. [01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with John Tuthill, neurobiology and …