The Times Tech Podcast
Technology
About
From Silicon Valley to The City, tech journalists Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott bring you the inside track on the new industrial revolution.Co-hosted from San Francisco and London, this weekly podcast delivers the latest news and freshest interviews with the people creating the future.As West Coast Correspondent for The Sunday Times, Danny is on the ground to witness the technological whirlwind that first roared out Silicon Valley. From London, working as The Times' Technology Business Editor, Katie has seen the waves of boom and bust rolling through one of the world's financial capitals. Together they explore this strange ne...
Episodes
- Elon Musk vs OpenAI and the Met Gala tech takeover
This episode of The Times Tech Podcast discusses the Met Gala's shift towards tech, Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, and the broader impact of AI on companies and culture. It also covers the relaunch of the social network Bebo and conce…
- AI in security and defence: is tech making us safer?
This episode of The Times Tech Podcast explores the increasing involvement of AI in security and defence, focusing on deals between Silicon Valley tech companies and the US military. It also discusses the potential implications of AI in wa…
- How to build your AI agent
This episode of The Times Tech Podcast explores the development of AI agents, featuring the creation of "Norman" by Katie Prescott. Discussions include the impact of AI on human work and the future of the internet, with insights from Jense…
- Is AI anxiety fuelling real world hostility?
This episode of The Times Tech Podcast explores the debate surrounding AI anxiety, focusing on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the recent New Yorker investigation. The hosts discuss the accelerating race among AI companies and the fears about lo…
- Why data centres became a target in the Iran war
This episode of The Times Tech Podcast discusses how data centers have become targets in the Iran war, affecting cloud services in the region. It also examines the broader impact of this critical infrastructure on energy, infrastructure, a…
- Social media ban for children and Big Tech’s Big Tobacco moment
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott interview Baroness Kidron about the potential for a social media ban for children under 16. They discuss online safety regulations, the impact of addictive design features, and concerns regarding AI chatbot…
- Forget your employees – how hard is your AI agent working?
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss the rise of AI agents in the workplace and potential impacts on job security. The episode also features an interview with Forterro CEO Dean Forbes about his career journey.
- Will this AI actress be the next Oscar winner?
Danny and Katie explore the influence of AI on the creative industries, including Hollywood and podcasting. They interview Eline Van der Velden, creator of the AI actor Tilly Norwood, about the use of AI performers.
- The $14 billion Nscale story and how founders succeed in Silicon Valley
This episode explores the $14.6 billion valuation of the British AI company NScale and examines the journey of founder Josh Payne. Guests also discuss the process of building tech startups and a landmark social media case in California inv…
- Bonus episode: Will quantum computing change everything?
James Palles-Dimmock of Quantum Motion discusses the current state and potential future impact of quantum computing. The episode explores industry investment, the race to scale the technology, and its potential applications in fields like…
- Anthropic vs Pentagon: How AI is changing war
Former Pentagon adviser Sean Gourley joins hosts Danny and Katie to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in military operations. They explore the debate surrounding Silicon Valley's involvement in national security and the ethical i…
- Inside Nvidia: The company powering the AI gold rush
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott examine Nvidia's recent financial performance and its role in the artificial intelligence industry. They are joined by author Stephen Witt to discuss the company's growth, influence, and its CEO, Jensen Hua…
- Bonus episode: Agentic AI explained – The next phase of artificial intelligence
In this sponsored episode of The Times Tech podcast, Katie Prescott interviews PwC's Lilia Christofi about the development of agentic AI. The discussion covers how these systems differ from traditional chatbots by coordinating tasks and ac…
- AI safety meets OpenClaw – what India’s AI summit tells us
Danny Fortson and Mark Sellman discuss the effectiveness of global AI summits and examine key themes such as risks, jobs, and safety with Carina Prunkl. They also cover OpenAI's acquisition of OpenClaw and the progress of AI safeguards.
- Nikola Mrksic on PolyAI, Super Bowl ads, and the future of voice AI
Nikola Mrksic, CEO of PolyAI, discusses the role of voice AI in customer service and the impact of AI on jobs. The episode also covers the 'SaaSpocalypse' and current trends in AI software investment.
- Bonus episode: The ‘secret sauce’ of success - With Octopus Energy CEO, Greg Jackson
Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson discusses the success of his company and the Kraken software platform. He also reflects on his past career as a game designer and his perspective on business leadership in a challenging economy.
- Is OpenClaw about to burst the AI bubble?
This episode explores the potential impact of the open-source AI agent OpenClaw on technology business models. Additionally, Jurgi Camblong of SOPHiA Genetics joins to discuss how AI is currently being applied in hospitals for cancer diagn…
- Is AI growing too fast for humanity?
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss the rapid growth of artificial intelligence with Cleo CEO Barney Hussey-Yeo, weighing the risks against industry hype. The episode also covers reactions to tech CEOs engaging with President Donald T…
- Can Europe rely on Silicon Valley in the age of Trump tariffs?
Danny and Katie discuss the concept of European digital autonomy and tech sovereignty with guest Hany Farid. They explore the geopolitics of infrastructure and the validity of concerns regarding an potential AI kill switch.
- Grok, deepfakes and who should police AI
Danny, Katie, and AI computer scientist Kate Devlin from King's College London discuss the misuse of Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, image editing restrictions, and the future of global AI regulation.
- Tech in 2026 – AI winners, losers and what happens next
In this episode of The Times Tech Podcast, hosts Katie and Danny discuss the future of technology in 2026 with venture capitalists Hannah Seal and Jon Callaghan. The conversation explores predictions for potential AI bubbles or booms and s…
- Holiday Special: Part 2 - Has AI already taken your job?
This Christmas special explores the real-world impact of AI, discussing its integration into business, robotics, and the workforce. The episode reflects on insights from prominent technology leaders featured since the podcast's launch.
- Holiday Special: Part 1 - AI Hope vs Hype!
In this first part of a two-part special, hosts Katie and Danny review insights from a year of interviews with leaders in the technology industry. They examine the current landscape of artificial intelligence by revisiting commentary from…
- Are venture capitalists the new power brokers?
Harry Stebbings of 20VC joins Danny and Katie to discuss the influence of venture capital on the tech industry, including its role in the AI race and future expectations for 2026. They explore whether venture capitalists, governments, or b…
- The humans training AI to be better
Danny and Katie discuss the development of Artificial General Intelligence and the global race to achieve it. They interview Surge AI CEO Edwin Chen about his company's role in using human expertise to train AI frontier models for organiza…
- Realising the AI advantage for the UK
In this episode of The Times Tech Podcast, strategists from IBM discuss the impact of AI on productivity, growth, and innovation. They explore the challenges and opportunities for businesses looking to transition into AI-first organization…
- Can AI be you? (Or will the ‘bubble’ burst first?)
Danny interviews Dara Ladjevardian of Delphi about creating AI versions of individuals, while Katie discusses the Bank of England's warnings regarding a potential AI investment bubble.
- The Budget and the battle for tech entrepreneurs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a new UK budget with promises to support tech founders and investors. The episode examines how these policy changes might impact tech entrepreneurs currently based abroad.
- Nvidia and the AI Bubble? What bubble!
Danny and Katie discuss the current state of the AI market with venture capitalist Suranga Chandratillake. They examine market trends, including demand for Nvidia chips and new investments, while considering the possibility of an AI bubble.
- Lyft’s CEO on the end of driving
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss the development of self-driving car technology and new UK autonomous vehicle legislation. They are joined by Lyft CEO David Risher to explore the future of driving and its potential impact on urban…
- Who holds the power in the age of AI?
Katie examines the influence of leading figures and companies in artificial intelligence, including Nvidia, Meta, and OpenAI. The discussion covers recent industry deals and the future of AI technology, plus the announcement of the Collins…
- Can AI be your friend?
Danny explores an AI pendant that listens to conversations, while he and Katie discuss OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit business model.
- How to stop Britain being a technological ‘vassal state’?
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss key themes from The Times Tech Summit 2025, including AI energy requirements, content compensation for tech companies, and concerns regarding Britain's status in the global technology sector.
- AI bubble & Cloudflare CEO on the AI content wars
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss the possibility of an AI bubble alongside OpenAI's recent chip investments. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince also shares his perspective on the content wars surrounding AI and the potential for LLMs to…
- The future of social media according to Bluesky's COO & Trump 'saves' TikTok
Rose Wang, COO of Bluesky, joins the podcast to discuss the social network's decentralized model. The episode also covers OpenAI's deal with AMD, concerns regarding an AI bubble, and Donald Trump's return to TikTok.
- Equinix CEO Adaire Fox-Martin on AI’s growing demands on data centres
Danny and Katie discuss California's AI safety law, OpenAI's chat features, and AI actors, while Equinix CEO Adaire Fox-Martin explains the industry's struggle to keep pace with the energy and capacity demands of modern data centres.
- 'Smart thinking about energy and tech for small businesses'
In this bonus episode of The Times Tech Podcast, host Katie Prescott explores how smart meters can benefit small businesses. The episode features insights from a small business owner and an academic expert on the connection between energy…
- Yahoo's CEO on the new challenges for the internet pioneer
Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone discusses the company's evolution and future plans for the 30-year-old brand in the age of AI. Hosts Danny and Katie also discuss recent industry news, including a deal between Nvidia and OpenAI.
- What the £31 billion UK-US tech deal really means
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss the implications of the £31 billion investment pledge from US tech giants in UK AI and data centres, including interviews with CoreWeave executives regarding their expansion.
- Vibe coding with Lovable's CEO Anton Osika
Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott interview Lovable AI CEO Anton Osika about "vibe coding" and his vision for building software. The discussion also touches on the company's recent valuation and includes advice for a game project.
- Sage CEO on the future of work & Stanford’s big study on AI and jobs
The hosts examine Google's recent antitrust ruling, TikTok's job cuts, and Stanford research regarding AI's impact on entry-level positions. Additionally, Sage CEO Steve Hare discusses the role of AI in recruitment and the development of t…
- AMD CEO Lisa Su on the AI chip race and Nvidia
Danny chats with AMD CEO Lisa Su about the company's turnaround, the AI chip market, competition with Nvidia, and challenges in China. Katie and Danny also examine Nvidia's recent financial performance.
- Perplexity CEO on Chrome, AI and challenging the tech giants
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas discusses his company's potential interest in Google Chrome and its strategy for competing with major tech firms. Additionally, hosts Danny and Katie examine the geopolitical landscape surrounding the semico…
- The race for quantum supremacy
Katie speaks with IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi about quantum computing and the acquisition of Oxford Ionics. Additionally, the hosts discuss new smart glasses, NVIDIA chip sales to China, and an acquisition bid for Google Chrome.
- Lawyers and the AI revolution
Danny Fortson discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession with Eleanor Lightbody, CEO of Luminance. They explore how AI is being used in contract review and the broader implications for the future of legal work.
- The man behind the NHS mental health bot
Danny Fortson discusses the use of AI in clinical mental health treatment with Limbic AI CEO Ross Harper. The episode also features US business editor Louisa Clarence-Smith on the Figma IPO and the UK's Online Safety Act.
- How big does a supercomputer need to be really
This episode explores the capabilities of the Isambard AI supercomputer, ongoing developments in AI companions, and new government proposals regarding ransom payments to hackers. It features reporter Mark Sellman discussing the UK's latest…
- Can an AI scientist solve humanity's problems?
Danny speaks with FutureHouse CEO Sam Rodriques about using AI scientists for research. The episode also covers NVIDIA's chip sales to China and Mark Zuckerberg's plans for large-scale data centers.
- Linda Yaccarino’s X exit & Figma files for IPO
Figma CEO Dylan Field discusses the company's IPO filing. Danny and Katie also cover Linda Yaccarino's resignation as CEO of X and recent trends in Silicon Valley.
- Can a driverless car really cope with London traffic & is the big AI bromance over?
Katie rides in a Wayve driverless car through London traffic with CEO Alex Kendall to test the technology. The episode also features an AI news roundup covering developments at Meta, the training of LLMs, and the relationship between Sam A…