Hashtag Trending

California's New Data Privacy Tool, Bernie Sanders' AI Moratorium, and the Future of AI Cold Calls In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses several significant tech trends and issues. California has introduced 'Drop', a platform that allows residents to request the deletion of their data from over 500 data brokers. The fallout continues for Grok, an AI tool generating problematic deep fakes, with multiple countries launching investigations. Senator Bernie Sanders calls for a moratorium on new AI data centers to regulate the AI industry's rapid growth. Jason Lemkin has replaced his sales development team with AI agents, signaling potential changes in the cold-calling industry. Additionally, the future of ChatGPT conversations posthumously is discussed, addressing privacy and accountability concerns. The episode wraps up with information about Meter's support for the podcast and how to connect with the show. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:49 California's New Data Deletion Tool 02:17 Grok Deepfake Fallout 03:55 Bernie Sanders' AI Data Center Moratorium 05:48 AI Replacing Sales Development Roles 06:37 The Rise of AI Cold Calls 09:32 AI and Posthumous Conversations 12:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love examines the significant trends in AI and their broader implications for the coming year. Key trends include the intensifying competition between major AI developers, the incorporation of AI into everyday life through audio interfaces, the emergence of agentic AI capable of autonomous actions, and the backlash against AI from various societal quarters. Love also touches on the potential positive impacts of AI, such as advancements in medical technology. Additionally, he introduces the podcast's new associate editor and highlights the launch of a new and improved news site aimed at providing accurate and ad-free tech news. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:22 Welcome Back and Overview 00:52 Trend 1: The AI Arms Race 02:50 Trend 2: AI in Everyday Life 03:39 Trend 3: Agentic AI 05:28 Trend 4: Backlash Against AI 09:32 Positive Impacts of AI 10:53 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, host Jim Love discusses the importance of cybersecurity awareness and training, featuring insights from Michael Joyce of the Human-Centric Cybersecurity Partnership at the University of Montreal and David Shipley of Beauceron Security. They explore the impact of cybersecurity awareness programs, the decay of sustained vigilance post-training, and the nuances between phishing reporting and clicking behaviors. The conversation also critiques recent research claims that question the efficacy of phishing training, emphasizing the need for continuous, empirically supported approaches in cybersecurity education. The episode highlights the value of balanced, layered defenses involving both technical solutions and informed user behavior. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Announcement 00:14 Sponsorship Acknowledgment 00:35 The Nature of Cybersecurity Awareness 01:09 Introduction to the Research Show 01:21 Guest Introductions 02:15 Human-Centric Cybersecurity Partnership 03:46 The Importance of Canadian Research

In this episode, the host shares a pre-recorded favorite interview with David Decary-Hetu, a criminologist at the University of Montreal. They discuss the dark web, its technology, and its role in cybercrime. Decary-Hetu explains how the dark web operates, its users, and the dynamics between researchers and law enforcement in tackling cyber threats. Key topics include the economics of illicit markets, the cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminals, the role of cryptocurrencies, and the evolution of cyber threats. The episode offers insights into the social aspects of cybercrime and the measures being taken to combat it. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:52 Understanding the Dark Web 02:16 Interview with David Decary-Hetu 05:10 The Basics of the Dark Web 06:27 Technology Behind the Dark Web 14:49 Law Enforcement Challenges 21:50 Trust and Transactions on the Dark Web 23:45 Recruitment and Structure of Cybercriminals 26:42 Cultural Dynamics in Hacking Communities 27:32 Researching the Impact of Technology on Crime 29:01 Challenges in Policing the Dark Web 30:12 The Role of Social Engineering in Cybercrime 31:18 Law Enforcement Strategies and Conditional Deterrence 32:09 The Evolution of Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency 41:24 Legal and Ethical Considerations in Cybercrime 43:47 Advice for Policymakers and Corporations 48:44 Educational Resources and Conferences 50:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is an interview with former hacker Brian Black. Brian is now on the right side of the battle and bringing his skills to to the fight against hackers. He finds the weaknesses in corporate security so that it can be patched.  This was one of my favourite interviews this year. Listening to what Brian has learned and understanding how we can use that knowledge and experience kept me on the edge of my seat.  Once more I want to thank Meter for making this possible.  Visit them at meter.com/cst