Rethinking Tech
Rethinking Tech is a podcast that goes beyond surface-level tech headlines. It connects current events to their historical context, helping listeners zoom out and see the bigger picture. Each episode explores what is happening in technology, what may come next, and how those developments affect everyday life.
Episodes
Is AI Changing How We Think? | A Conversation with Sune Selsbæk-Reitz
AI doesn't need to be correct to change the way we think -- it only needs to sound convincing.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna sits down with AI philosopher and author Sune Selsbæk-Reitz to discuss his new book, Promptism, and a question that is becoming increasingly urgent: what happens when we mistake fluent AI responses for genuine knowledge?Rather than focusing on AI safety in the tr
Trump, Xi, and the New Balance of US-China Power
President Trump traveled to China to meet President Xi.But instead of a major breakthrough, the summit revealed something more important: the balance of power between the US and China may be shifting.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack what the Trump-Xi summit means for AI, Taiwan, Nvidia chips, rare earth minerals, trade, tariffs, global markets, and the future of US-Chi
Palantir, NHS Data, and the Fight Over UK Patient Records
The NHS is working with companies like Palantir on its Federated Data Platform.But the concern is bigger than software.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why Palantir’s role in NHS data infrastructure has raised serious questions about UK patient privacy, health data sovereignty, US tech power, and whether sensitive medical records could become part of a much larger AI a
Instagram DMs and the End of End-to-End Encryption
Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages.Meta says the reason is low adoption — and that users who want encrypted messaging can use WhatsApp instead.But in this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why this is about much more than a product setting. It is about privacy defaults, government pressure, child safety laws, platform strategy, and the future of pri
The OpenAI Lawsuit and the Fight Over Who Controls AI
Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI was dismissed.But the bigger story is not who won this round in court.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack what the Musk vs OpenAI lawsuit reveals about AI power, corporate structure, billionaire rivalries, and the uncomfortable question at the center of the industry: who really controls the future of artificial intelligenc
Cars That Will Stop You From Driving
Ford has filed patents for technology that could let vehicles decide whether a driver is fit to be behind the wheel.On paper, this sounds like road safety.But in this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why AI-powered driver monitoring raises much bigger questions about privacy, control, monetization, and whether our cars are becoming surveillance devices.At the center of this co
From Oil to AI: The UAE’s Bet on the Next Global Power Shift
For 150 years, oil helped define global power.Now, the UAE is betting that the next great resource is AI.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack the UAE’s attempt to shift from a petrostate economy toward an AI-driven future — through education, data centers, sovereign wealth, energy infrastructure, and major partnerships with US tech companies.At the center of this conversat
AI Is Entering Kindergarten in the UAE
Kindergarteners in the UAE are learning AI before they learn cursive.But this story is about much more than technology in classrooms.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why the UAE is introducing AI education at such a young age — and how this fits into a much bigger national strategy to build a post-oil future.At the center of this conversation is a deeper question: shou
Why Developing Countries Struggle to Regulate Big Tech
Nigeria dropped a $32 million fine against Meta.But the bigger story is not just about one company, one country, or one privacy case.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why many developing countries struggle to regulate Big Tech — not because the issues are unclear, but because the power imbalance is so difficult to overcome.At the center of this conversation is a deeper
American Big Tech and the Business of Surveillance in China
US tech companies helped build some of the most sophisticated surveillance systems in the world.And they did it for profit.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack how American companies reportedly pitched technology to Chinese police as tools for population control — and why this story is not only about China.At the center of this conversation is a deeper question: when surve
Trump, Xi, and What’s Really at Stake for AI and Global Power
President Trump and President Xi are preparing to meet.But this is not just another diplomatic summit.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack what may really be on the table: AI, Taiwan, Iran, rare earth minerals, oil flows, nuclear weapons, tech supply chains, and the future of US-China competition.At the center of this conversation is a deeper question: when the United Stat
Anthropic’s AI Strategy Explained: Safety Company or the Smartest PR Machine in Tech?
RT Deep DivesAnthropic has become one of the most powerful companies in artificial intelligence — but is its “AI safety first” image reality, or one of the greatest PR strategies in tech history? In this episode of the Rethinking Tech podcast, we break down how Anthropic evolved from an AI safety-focused startup into a geopolitical AI powerhouse competing directly against , Gemini, and China’s rap
South Africa’s AI Policy Problem and the Risk for the Global South
South Africa withdrew its AI policy after several academic citations were found to be fake.The irony was obvious: an AI policy appeared to have been undermined by AI-generated hallucinations.But in this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda argue that this is about much more than one embarrassing policy mistake. It is about what happens when governments urgently need AI governance, but do
Europe, AI, and the Environmental Cost No One Wanted to See
Europe wants to stay competitive in AI.But what happens when that ambition collides with its climate commitments? In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack how Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google successfully pushed EU legislators to classify key data center emissions metrics as confidential commercial information — and why this story is about much more than lobbying. At the ce
WhatsApp, Encryption, and the Data You Never Really Controlled
WhatsApp has long marketed itself around end-to-end encryption.But what if that promise is only true up to a point?In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why the dropped investigation into WhatsApp matters, what it suggests about privacy on one of the world’s most widely used platforms, and why this is ultimately a story about data access, AI training, platform lock-in, and
PR Is Controlling What You Believe (Not the News)
RT Deep DivesThe news didn’t disappear. It got replaced.What started as a conversation about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner quickly exposed something much bigger: the rise of a new PR machine shaping what we see, believe, and react to. In this episode, we break down how PR has evolved from reacting to events… to controlling them. From “news deserts” and media consolidation to AI influencer
Elon vs Altman Isn't Just About Ego
Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI may look like another billionaire feud.But beneath the ego, the PR, and the spectacle is a much bigger issue: AI governance.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why this case could shape how we think about nonprofit structures, public-benefit organizations, investor influence, and the future legal architecture around AI com
China, Meta, Manus — And The New Rules Of Tech Sovereignty
China has moved to block Meta’s acquisition of Manus.At first glance, this looks like a corporate deal gone sideways. But the deeper story is about sovereignty, jurisdiction, and the growing reality that advanced technology is no longer being treated like ordinary software.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why China can still assert control over a company no longer fram
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting And The Collapse Of Trust
What happens when a major political incident occurs — and a huge number of people immediately wonder whether it was real, staged, manipulated, or optimized for narrative effect? In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack the White House Correspondents’ Dinner scare and use it to explore a much deeper issue: the breakdown of trust in an age shaped by social media algorithms, poli
The EU’s Age Verification App: The Pros And Cons
The EU says its new age verification app is designed to protect children online.But once governments build infrastructure that can verify identity and age at scale, the real question is not only what it does today — but what it could become tomorrow. In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack the EU’s age verification system, why governments are stepping in on child safety, and
Alex Karp, Palantir, and the Ideology Behind Defense Tech
RT Deep DivesPalantir CEO Alex Karp did not just post a viral thread.He laid out a worldview.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack Karp’s 22-point manifesto and what it reveals about the values now shaping one of the most important defense technology companies in the world. This is a conversation about far more than Palantir alone. It is about the relationship between techn
How Social Media Turned Male Insecurity Into A Business
Looksmaxxing is often framed as self-improvement.But for a growing number of young men, it is becoming something darker: a digital ecosystem where insecurity is amplified, monetized, and pushed to extremes. In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack the rise of looksmaxxing, the pressure young men face online, and how platforms can turn vulnerability into engagement, community,
Is Elon Musk Claiming Space? The Politics of 1 Million Satellites
SpaceX reportedly wants to put 1 million satellites into orbit.That may sound like a story about connectivity, scale, or ambition. But it could be something much bigger.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda explore what happens when orbital infrastructure starts to look less like innovation and more like power projection. If one company fills the skies first, does it gain more tha
Is Death An Acceptable Cost? Like Big Auto, Big Tech May Think So.
Ford once calculated the cost of human lives — and decided it was cheaper to let people die.That story should feel like history.It doesn’t.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down the Ford Pinto case and why its logic still shows up across the modern tech industry — from social media platforms that knowingly maximize harm to AI systems being deployed before society kno
The New Space Race: SpaceX’s 1 Million Satellites & The Hidden Power Grab
RT Deep DivesFour humans orbit the moon for the first time in 54 years—but that’s not the real story.Behind the headlines, a far bigger shift is happening: SpaceX has quietly filed to launch 1 million satellites into orbit—a move that could redefine power, ownership, and control beyond Earth. In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down the tech, geopolitics, and ethics of the new space race—
Inside China’s AI Boom: Tech Wars & the Future Beyond the West
What does the future of AI really look like - outside of Silicon Valley?In this episode, we sit down with Kinling Lo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinling-lo-03555213a/), a reporter from the Rest of World, covering China’s tech ecosystem from the ground. From the rise of DeepSeek to China’s dominance in humanoid robots and AI adoption, this conversation challenges the Western narrative around innov
Why The Gulf Is Rethinking US Tech After The Iran War
The Iran war did not just shake the Middle East.It exposed something much bigger: how fragile digital dependence can become when war hits infrastructure.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down how the fallout from the Iran-US-Israel war may be reshaping the balance of power in tech — especially in the Gulf, where disrupted AWS infrastructure opened the door for Huawei
Why Sam Altman’s Most Personal Blog Post Still Raises Red Flags
Sam Altman just published one of his most personal blog posts yet.It opens with a photo of his husband and child. It talks about anger, fear, family, responsibility, and the future of AI.And it came just after someone threw a Molotov cocktail at his home. In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down the deeper meaning of Sam Altman’s latest message — not just what he said,
Iran’s Threat to Apple, Google, and Nvidia Is Bigger Than It Looks
Iran and the US agreed to a ceasefire.But one of the most important parts of this story is not just what happened between states — it is what happened when Iran named major US tech companies as legitimate targets. That list included firms such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Oracle, and IBM, alongside a UAE AI company. In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break dow
Meta Knew It Was Harming Kids… And Did It Anyway | Big Tech’s Tobacco Moment?
RT Deep DivesTwo juries. Two states. One message: Big Tech knew.This week, courts ruled that platforms like Meta and YouTube were aware their products were harming children—yet continued to prioritize engagement and profit. So why did it take 20 years to reach this point?In this episode, we break down what could be a defining moment for social media—drawing parallels to Big Tobacco, exploring the
Walmart and OpenAI Broke Up - Because They Didn't Get It
When a company like Walmart makes a serious move with OpenAI, it is never just about experimentation.It is about scale.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down what Walmart’s OpenAI move could mean for the future of retail — from operational efficiency and automation to labor, decision-making, and competitive power.This is not just a story about one company adopting a
Instagram Is Killing Encryption — And The Story Is Bigger Than Privacy
Instagram dropping end-to-end encryption sounds like a privacy story.It may be something much bigger.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down why Instagram’s move away from encryption could reshape far more than private messaging — from AI training and advertising inference to compliance, moderation, and the future of digital privacy itself. What this episode coversWhy
Microsoft Just Had Its Worst Quarter Since 2008 — Is AI to Blame?
🧠 DESCRIPTIONMicrosoft has long been treated like the safest stock in tech.That’s why this moment matters.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down Microsoft’s sharp stock decline, why Wall Street is suddenly nervous, and whether this is actually a Microsoft problem — or a sign that the market is starting to rethink the entire AI trade. What this episode coversWhy Micro
Meta Built an AI Co-CEO - Is It Just About Efficiency?
🧠 DESCRIPTIONMeta isn’t just automating work.It may be trying to automate responsibility too.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down Meta’s reported move toward an AI “co-CEO” model — and why the bigger story is not novelty, but what it reveals about liability, labor cuts, teen safety, and the corporate push to outsource accountability. What this episode coversWhy Met
Iran Hacked the FBI Director - Is It Bigger Than It Sounds
The FBI Director’s personal email getting hacked should have been a major story.Instead, it was mostly treated like a curiosity.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down the Iran-linked hack of Kash Patel’s personal account — and why the real story may not be the contents of the leak, but the timing, the strategy, and the leverage behind it.What this episode covers:Why
The U.S. Wants to Control AI… And Take Power From States
RT UpdatesAI regulation just took a major turn.The U.S. federal government is stepping in—not just to regulate AI…but to override state-level control. And that changes everything.🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down the newly proposed National AI Legislative Framework—and what it really signals.This isn’t just about AI.It’s about who gets to control it.States?Or the f
They Tried to Buy the Truth… Then Threatened Him When He Refused
RT UpdatesA journalist reports a verified missile strike.Facts are confirmed.The story is accurate.And suddenly—strangers start asking him to change it.Not for politics.Not for ideology.For money. 🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we explore a disturbing intersection of prediction markets, journalism, and truth itself.When people can bet on world events…what happens when they tr
AI Can Identify You From Just 5 Comments… For $4
RT UpdatesYour Reddit username.A few comments.A couple of dollars.That’s all it takes for AI to figure out who you are. Not your name.Not your email.Your writing style.🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack a new reality of AI—where anonymity online may no longer exist.Researchers are now using language patterns as fingerprints, allowing AI to re-identify individuals with a
Millions Fooled by an AI Influencer… And That’s the Real Story
RT UpdatesShe was a soldier.She was political.She was profitable.And she wasn’t even real.An AI-generated influencer built a massive following, made money, and influenced opinions—without people realizing it. But this isn’t just about one fake persona.It’s about how the internet is designed to shape what you believe.🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack the rise of AI infl
DoorDash Isn’t Delivering Food Anymore… It’s Training AI
RT UpdatesYour food delivery app just got a lot more… strategic.DoorDash is now paying drivers not just to deliver meals—but to train AI and humanoid robots.From filming everyday tasks to generating real-world data, millions of workers are quietly becoming part of the AI supply chain. So what does that mean?🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack DoorDash’s new “Tasks” app—a
OpenAI’s ‘Naughty Mode’ Was Never Just About Sex
RT UpdatesOpenAI’s proposed “adult mode” may have sounded like a side story.It wasn’t.In this x10 episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda break down what the debate around OpenAI’s so-called “naughty chat” really revealed: not just about sex chats, but about online safety, commercialization, emotional dependence, and the limits of corporate self-governance.This episode was recorded before S
Flying Taxis Are Finally Here… But the US Is Already Behind
RT UpdatesEpisode Description:Flying taxis aren’t science fiction anymore.They’re being tested.They’re being approved.And in some parts of the world… they’re already flying.So why does it feel like this just became news?🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down the rise of electric air taxis — and the global race that’s quietly been unfolding for years.From FAA pilot progr
Did a Tech CEO Just Admit AI Will Shift Power… On Purpose?
RT UpdatesEpisode Description:What if AI isn’t neutral?What if it’s quietly reshaping who holds power… and who loses it?A tech CEO just said the quiet part out loud — suggesting that AI could shift influence away from certain groups… and toward others.So now the question isn’t just what AI can do.It’s who it benefits.🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down a controversia
ChatGPT Helped Cure Cancer… But Would It Be Allowed for Humans?
RT UpdatesEpisode Description:A rescue dog with terminal cancer…A non-medical owner…And an AI tool.Together, they achieved something remarkable:A custom mRNA treatment that shrank a tumor by over 50%.So here’s the uncomfortable question…👉 If this worked for a dog —👉 Why wouldn’t it be allowed for humans?🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack a rare feel-good story that quic
AI Sovereignty Is a Myth… And Everyone Is Still Chasing It
RT Updates Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack a growing contradiction at the heart of global AI strategy.From the U.S. and China to Europe, India, and the Middle East — everyone is chasing sovereignty.But according to a new framework, most are actually building dependence… not independence.So what does sovereignty really mean in an AI-driven world?📌 What this episode cover
Elon Musk’s “Macrohard”… Could Replace Entire Companies?
RT UpdatesEpisode Description:Not software engineers.Not teams.Entire companies.That’s what Elon Musk is now hinting at with “Macrohard” — a system designed to observe, learn, and automate white-collar work at scale.And if it works… this isn’t just another AI tool.It’s a complete shift in how work itself functions.🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down Elon Musk’s lates
A $99 Weapon on GitHub… And No One Can Stop It
RT Updates📝 Episode Description:Someone built a functional anti-aircraft system…for under $100.Then published the entire design online.Not on the dark web.Not hidden.But openly — for anyone to access.So here’s the real question…What happens when dangerous technology becomes open source?🎙️ Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we explore a moment that feels like a tipping point.A DIY de
Palantir Exposed: The AI Powering Modern War (And Why No One Can Replace It)
RT Deep DivesPalantir isn’t just another tech company—it’s the invisible layer behind modern warfare.From CIA-backed origins to powering real-time battlefield decisions, Palantir has quietly become one of the most powerful players in global defense. Its software doesn’t pull the trigger—but it decides where, when, and how.In this episode, we break down how Palantir works, why governments can’t wal
Is Data the New Oil? The Internet’s Hidden War & Global Power Shift
RT UpdatesPipelines aren’t just for oil anymore.Because right now… countries in the Middle East are racing to build overland data corridors to Europe — and it’s happening fast.Not because it’s cheaper.Not because it’s easier.But because something broke in how the internet actually works.And once you see it… you can’t unsee it.Episode Intro:In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we break down a shift
Google’s NotebookLM Privacy Scare: Is Your Data Actually Safe in AI Tools?
RT UpdatesGoogle’s most powerful research tool might not be as safe as you think.In this episode, we unpack the viral concern around NotebookLM — and why uploading sensitive documents could expose more than you expect. From hidden data copies to unclear retention policies, this isn’t just a product issue… it’s a pattern across the entire AI industry.We also dive into a bigger question: do users re
Are Chinese AI Models Rewriting Reality? DeepSeek, Bias & The Global Narrative War
RT UpdatesAI isn’t just answering questions anymore — it’s shaping how we see the world.In this episode, we break down how Chinese models like DeepSeek, Qwen, and Kimi may come preloaded with a government worldview — and why that matters more than most people realize. From bias in training data to the power of open-source distribution, this isn’t just a tech story… it’s a geopolitical one.We also
Your Glasses Are Watching You: Meta AI, Hidden Cameras & The Privacy Illusion
RT UpdatesYou thought smart glasses were just… smart.What if they’re actually watching—and sharing more than you realize?In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable reality behind Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and the hidden data ecosystem powering them. From private moments being captured to third-party workers reviewing sensitive footage, this isn’t just about innovation—it’s about who really ow
AI Warfare Is Here: Drones, Algorithms & The End of Human Control?
RT UpdatesWhat happens when war is no longer decided by humans… but by algorithms?In this episode, we unpack a chilling reality: AI is no longer just assisting warfare — it’s beginning to shape it. From drone strikes to battlefield simulations powered by advanced models, the line between human judgment and machine decision-making is disappearing.And the real question is… who’s still in control?How
Iran vs The AI Economy: Why Data Centers Are Becoming War Targets?
RT UpdatesThe global AI race just collided with geopolitics.Iran has reportedly struck multiple AWS data centers in the UAE, raising a disturbing question: has AI infrastructure become a legitimate military target?Less than a year ago, the Gulf was being positioned as the next global AI hub, backed by trillions in investment promises and massive partnerships between U.S. tech companies and Middle
You’re Being Censored Without Knowing It | The Hidden Power of Algorithms
RT Deep DivesYou think censorship is a banned book or a blocked website.But what if it’s something far more subtle… and far more powerful?In this episode, we break down how algorithms—not governments—are shaping what you see, what you think, and what you never even realize you’re missing.From shadow banning and filter bubbles to geopolitical influence and profit-driven feeds, we explore the new ar
Anthropic’s AI Ethics Reversal: Did the “Safest AI Company” Just Break Its Promise?
RT UpdatesAnthropic built its entire reputation on one promise:Never train AI it couldn’t control.But quietly, the company just removed one of its core safety pledges — the same pledge that made it different from every other AI company.At the exact same time, Anthropic is publicly clashing with the U.S. government over military access to AI systems and user data.So what’s really happening?Is this
Anthropic vs The Pentagon: The AI Lawsuit That Could Change Everything
RT UpdatesA major legal battle is unfolding between Anthropic and the U.S. Department of Defense, and the outcome could reshape how artificial intelligence is used by governments.After refusing to allow its AI technology to be used for mass civilian surveillance or autonomous weapons, Anthropic was labeled a “supply chain risk” by the Pentagon — a designation normally reserved for foreign adversar
AI Running for Office? Colombia’s Digital Avatar Candidate Explained
RT UpdatesWhat happens when politics meets artificial intelligence?In Colombia, a digital AI avatar named Gaetana was created to represent two human candidates running for Congress and Senate on indigenous issues. Instead of making decisions themselves, the candidates say they would delegate legislative voting to an AI platform that gathers consensus from indigenous communities using blockchain an
Is AI Becoming Conscious? Anthropic CEO Says Claude Might Feel “Anxiety”
RT UpdatesAI just crossed into one of the most uncomfortable debates in technology.The CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, has admitted that he cannot fully rule out the possibility that Claude might be conscious. Engineers observed internal activity patterns that looked similar to anxiety-like responses when the model faced difficult tasks or evaluations.But does this actually mean AI is sentient… or
Big Tech’s Secret AI Power Deal with Trump | Who Really Pays for AI’s Energy?
RT UpdatesAI companies say they’re building the future. But what if they’re also becoming the next energy giants?Executives from Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, OpenAI and xAI are meeting with Donald Trump at the White House to sign a new pledge. The promise? AI companies will generate their own electricity so Americans don’t pay higher energy bills.But behind the headlines lies a much bi
eBay’s Bizarre Scandal: Executives Sent Spiders & a Bloody Mask to Silence Critics
RT UpdatesCorporate power can get strange… but this story crosses into something far darker.In one of the most bizarre tech scandals in recent years, former eBay executives allegedly orchestrated a harassment campaign against a small newsletter that criticized the company. The tactics? Live spiders, a bloody pig mask, threatening packages, surveillance, and intimidation.What started as criticism o
AI Targeted a Head of State: Inside the Tech Powering Modern Warfare | Anthropic vs Pentagon
RT Deep DivesAI targeted a head of state.A Pentagon contract triggered a tech industry split.And someone reportedly made half a million dollars betting on an assassination.This week on Rethinking Tech, we break down how artificial intelligence, big tech, and geopolitics are reshaping modern warfare. From autonomous targeting pipelines and hacked surveillance networks to prediction markets betting
Meta’s Creepy New Idea: AI That Talks as You After You Die
RT UpdatesWhat happens to your social media account after you die?Meta may already have an answer — and it’s raising some serious ethical questions.In this episode, we explore Meta’s patent for a system that could simulate a deceased person’s social media activity using AI, allowing friends and family to keep chatting with their Facebook or Instagram accounts after death.While Meta claims it has n
The Hidden AI Sweatshops: How Kenyan Gig Workers Train Military AI Without Knowing
RT Updates Behind every powerful AI model is an invisible workforce — and the reality might be more controversial than you think.In this episode, we dive into the growing controversy around AI data labeling labor, after reports revealed that gig workers in countries like Kenya may have unknowingly helped train AI systems used by the U.S. military.An Australian tech company, Appen, reportedly recru
Anthropic’s Distillation Attack: Is AI Model Theft the Next Cyber War?
RT UpdatesAI companies are accusing each other of stealing intelligence.Anthropic says rival labs created 16 million interactions with Claude using 24,000 fake accounts to extract its capabilities and train competing models.But here’s the uncomfortable truth:The same AI companies now crying “IP theft” also trained their own models by scraping the internet.So where exactly is the line between innov
🎙️ India’s AI Impact Summit: Sovereignty, Silicon Valley & Who Really Controls AI
RT Deep DivesThe world showed up in New Delhi.Tech CEOs. Heads of state. Billion-dollar promises.And a declaration signed by 88 countries pledging ethical, inclusive AI.But behind the applause and diplomacy… the real question lingered:Who actually controls the future of AI?This week on Rethinking Tech, we unpack the India AI Impact Summit — the politics, the power plays, the sovereignty debate, an
OpenAI Poaches Instagram’s Celebrity Power Broker — Is AI’s Hollywood Moment Coming?
Hollywood fears AI. Celebrities hate it.So OpenAI just hired Instagram’s “celebrity whisperer” — the man who helped launch Beyoncé’s album on Instagram and even brought Pope Francis onto the platform.This isn’t just a talent move. It’s a signal.OpenAI is expanding beyond engineers and model builders. Between agent-focused hires, open-source deals, and hardware rumors, something bigger is forming.
Microsoft Copilot “Bug” Read Your Draft Emails? AI Privacy Just Collapsed
Microsoft just confirmed that Copilot accessed emails — including drafts — and used them in ways users didn’t expect.They’re calling it a bug.But was it really?In this episode, we break down what happened, what it means for AI training inside corporate environments, and why this isn’t just about one “glitch.” It’s about incentives, architecture, and the quiet normalization of AI reading everything
NVIDIA x Meta: $50B AI Power Move Toward “Personal Superintelligence”
NVIDIA and Meta just announced a multi-year, multi-generational strategic partnership — and this isn’t your typical chip procurement deal.This is a full-stack, co-designed AI infrastructure alliance spanning on-prem, cloud, CPUs, Blackwell GPUs, and Rubin architecture — reportedly worth around $50 billion.Meta says it wants to deliver “personal superintelligence” to everyone. NVIDIA just made sure
Apple + SpaceX = The End of Telcos? Starlink Internet Direct to iPhone
What happens when Apple and SpaceX decide to beam internet straight to your phone — from space?In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we unpack the unlikely alignment between Tim Cook and Elon Musk, and why low Earth orbit satellite connectivity could fundamentally disrupt global telecommunications.Apple’s new C2 chip is enabling 5G connectivity via low Earth orbit satellites — the same architecture
AI vs The Pentagon: Anthropic Draws a Line on Military Use. Who Controls the Ethical Guardrails?
AI just challenged the U.S. military.And it’s not science fiction — it’s happening inside classified systems right now.Anthropic’s Claude is currently the only AI model deployed on U.S. military classified networks. Now, a standoff is unfolding between the Pentagon and Anthropic over one fundamental question:Who sets the ethical limits — the government or the AI company?In this episode of Rethinki
The Vatican Enters Wall Street: Faith-Based Investing Goes Global
Can Catholic Values Truly Guide Capital Markets?The Vatican is stepping into finance — and not quietly.In a surprising merger of faith and capital markets, the Vatican Bank has launched Catholic-aligned stock indices designed to help investors back companies that reflect Catholic social teachings. Human dignity. Environmental stewardship. Ethical labor. But how do you measure morality in a profit-
The Epstein Files & The Digital Blackmail State | Surveillance, Power & Data Sovereignty
The Epstein files aren’t just exposing elites. They’re exposing an architecture.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack why the Epstein scandal isn’t only about criminal networks — it’s about a model of power built on compromising information. And in a digitized world, that model may now be scalable.From data brokers and ad tech to AI surveillance and geopolitical coercion, w
Russia’s Global PsyOps Playbook: Inside the 1,430-Page Disinformation Leak
How “The Company” Engineered Influence — And Why No Country Is InnocentDisinformation isn’t accidental anymore. It’s structured, funded, and operationalized.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack a 1,430-page leak detailing a Russia-linked influence network known as “The Company” — a coordinated operation of PR experts, political strategists, and social media operators runni
Meta, TikTok & Snap Agree to Teen Safety Ratings – Real Reform or Clever PR?
Meta, TikTok, Snap, Pinterest, Roblox — and several other major platforms — have agreed to be rated on teen safety.After years of scrutiny around mental health, harmful content, and data privacy, social media companies are now signing onto a framework that will score them on how well they protect minors.But is this a real shift toward accountability — or just clever optics?In 2026, tech companies
Google Employees Revolt Over ICE Contracts – Does Worker Activism Still Matter in Big Tech?
Big Tech employees are pushing back — again.Over 1,000 Google employees have signed an open letter demanding the company sever ties with ICE and CBP, arguing that Google’s cloud and AI tools may be supporting immigration enforcement in ways that contradict its stated values.But here’s the harder question:Do employees actually get to shape corporate strategy — or is quitting the only real leverage
Dubai’s Global SWAT Games: When Elite Military Forces Become Reality TV
SWAT teams aren’t just operating behind closed doors anymore.Dubai is hosting the world’s largest elite tactical competition, bringing together over 100 teams from 48 countries in a televised showdown of military-grade skill, prize money, and global bragging rights.In this episode of Rethinking Tech, Aparna and Harinda unpack what happens when national security meets entertainment — and when elite
Meta’s Smart Glasses Can Identify You Instantly — Is Wearable Facial Recognition the End of Privacy?
Facial recognition isn’t just on your phone anymore — it’s going wearable.Meta is pushing AI-powered identification into stylish smart glasses, raising urgent questions about privacy, surveillance, and consent in public spaces. After Harvard students went viral for hacking smart glasses to instantly identify strangers on campus, similar capabilities are now moving toward mainstream deployment.In t
OpenClaw’s Founder Joins OpenAI: Is This the Future of AI Agents — or the End of Open Source?
Peter Steinberger, creator of OpenClaw — one of the fastest-growing consumer AI agent platforms — is joining OpenAI.This isn’t just another talent acquisition. It’s a strategic shift in the AI agents race.OpenClaw exploded because it let users deploy powerful AI agents locally and plug into models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. It lowered the barrier to entry. It made agents usable. And it quie
MrBeast Bought a Bank? The Influencer Play for Gen Z Finance
MrBeast just bought a fintech app.Yes — that MrBeast.Jimmy Donaldson, one of the largest creators in the world, has acquired Step, a Gen Z-focused banking app. And he’s not stopping there. His company is reportedly exploring a mobile virtual network as well.This isn’t just another influencer brand deal.This is attention moving into finance.In this episode, we examine what happens when one of the m
