
Space Gets Crowded: China To Launch 200,000 Satellites
2026-1-12 | 15 mins.
EU Cracks Down on AI Image Scandals | Hashtag Trending In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love dives into the escalating controversy surrounding Grok's AI image generation tool on X, which has sparked international backlash due to the creation of non-consensual sexual images. The podcast covers government reactions, including the EU's order to preserve records, UK condemnations, and Indonesia's ban on X. Additionally, the episode explores Amazon's AI shopping assistant Rufuss, its impact on retail, and the competitive responses from Google, Walmart, Microsoft, and PayPal. Jim also discusses the growing congestion in low Earth orbit with China's ambitious satellite launch plans, and the potential risks smartphones pose during demonstrations. Wrapping up, the episode thanks Meter for their support in delivering robust networking solutions. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:51 International Backlash Over Grok's Image Generation Tool 04:54 Amazon's AI Shopping Assistant Shakes Up Retail 08:06 The Crowded Race in Low Earth Orbit 11:33 Cell Phone Safety Tips for Demonstrations 14:38 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Project Synapse: AI Backlash
2026-1-10 | 1h 14 mins.
Hashtag Trending: The AI Hype Curve, Backlash, and Ethical Concerns In this episode of 'Hashtag Trending,' host Jim Love, along with guests Marcel Ganger and John Pinard, dive into the latest in AI technology and its societal impact. They discuss how the perception of AI has evolved from overwhelming excitement to backlash, highlighting issues like job loss, ethical concerns, and the increasing prevalence of deep fakes and non-consensual AI-generated content. The trio also explores significant updates in AI, the potential pitfalls of ad-supported AI models, and the importance of adopting AI thoughtfully and responsibly. Additionally, they touch on community movements like the resurgence of Clippy and why understanding and experimenting with AI is crucial for everyone. This episode is packed with insights, critiques, and practical advice for navigating the complex world of AI. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:27 Welcoming the New Year 00:59 AI Advancements and Reflections 05:51 The Battle of Titans in AI 08:14 Monetizing AI: Ads and Recommendations 22:00 Open Source and Quality Concerns 28:11 The Hype Curve and AI Backlash 36:26 Supporting a Canadian Company 36:47 Grok and the Rise of Notify Apps 41:12 The Seriousness of Revenge Porn 42:28 Deep Fakes and the Erosion of Trust 50:22 AI's Impact on Society and Consent 58:36 The Future of AI and Social Backlash 01:00:09 The Clippy Revolution 01:01:51 Navigating AI Tools and User Experience 01:08:42 The Importance of Engaging with AI 01:12:17 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Grok Porn Draws EU Investigation
2026-1-09 | 13 mins.
EU Investigates Grok, GameStop Closures, Billionaire Taxes, and AI Resistance In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers key tech developments: the European Commission's investigation into X's Grok over harmful AI-generated images, GameStop's controversial store closures amidst CEO Ryan Cohen's ambitious $35 billion payday plan, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's surprising support for a proposed billionaire tax in California, and the resurgence of Clippy as a protest symbol against intrusive AI features. Plus, insights into how Clippy's ironic comeback reflects growing concerns over the increasing integration of AI in everyday software. Thank you to Meter for supporting this podcast. Tune in for more tech news and analysis! 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:53 EU Orders X to Preserve Grok Records 03:37 GameStop's Massive Store Closures 06:43 NVIDIA CEO Supports Billionaire Tax 09:37 Clippy: The AI Resistance Symbol 12:18 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

AWS Claims AI Increased Sales By 10 Billion Dollars
2026-1-08 | 16 mins.
AWS Price Hike, Microsoft Office Rebranding, and AI's Role in Fake News In this episode of 'Hashtag Trending,' host Jim Love covers the recent 15% pricing increase by AWS on premium GPU reservations, discusses Microsoft's rebranding of the Office app to Microsoft 365 Copilot app, and addresses the impact of AI-generated fake news with a specific example involving a fake viral video about Venezuelans. Additionally, the episode highlights a hacktivist's live takedown of three white supremacist websites. Listeners are advised on the importance of treating cloud AI pricing as variable and the need for media literacy in combatting misinformation. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:42 AWS Hikes Premium GPU Reservations 03:00 Microsoft Office Rebranding Explained 05:16 The Impact of AI on News and Misinformation 07:37 Hacktivist Takes Down White Supremacist Sites 10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Whitey-Leaks: Hacker Devastates White Supremacist Sites
2026-1-07 | 11 mins.
AWS Price Hike, Microsoft Office Rebranding, and AI's Role in Fake News In this episode of 'Hashtag Trending,' host Jim Love covers the recent 15% pricing increase by AWS on premium GPU reservations, discusses Microsoft's rebranding of the Office app to Microsoft 365 Copilot app, and addresses the impact of AI-generated fake news with a specific example involving a fake viral video about Venezuelans. Additionally, the episode highlights a hacktivist's live takedown of three white supremacist websites. Listeners are advised on the importance of treating cloud AI pricing as variable and the need for media literacy in combatting misinformation. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:42 AWS Hikes Premium GPU Reservations 03:00 Microsoft Office Rebranding Explained 05:16 The Impact of AI on News and Misinformation 07:37 Hacktivist Takes Down White Supremacist Sites 10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts



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