Hashtag Trending

Over the holidays we are rerunning some of our favourite episodes. This one first aired this summer and was one of my first conversations with the fascinating head of Operation Shamrock.  We'll be back with regular programming on January 5th. 

AI Showdown: Gemini vs. ChatGPT – The Great Debate In this episode, the hosts explore the nuanced differences between Gemini and ChatGPT, likening Gemini to a temporary assistant and ChatGPT to a long-term partner. They delve into the new features of ChatGPT's image generator, showcasing its capabilities with live demos. The discussion broadens into the implications of AI for society, highlighting perspectives from Doomers, Scouts, and Accelerationists. They also touch on the potential of AI to support seniors and those living in isolation, and question the future of AI governance and policy. The episode wraps up with seasonal cheer, encouraging the audience to use AI tools to enhance their holiday experiences. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Comparing Gemini and ChatGPT 00:55 Welcome to Project Synapse 01:11 The Challenge of Keeping Up with Fast-Moving Tech 01:53 Personal Anecdotes and AI Experiences 02:20 AI's Role in Daily Life 06:42 The Disappointment with Gemini 3.0 10:22 Mail Synth: A Revolutionary AI Tool 14:04 Security Concerns with AI 19:19 Customizing AI Personas 22:28 ChatGPT's New Image Generator 24:12 Fun with AI-Generated Images 32:17 Local Speaking Engagements and AI Misconceptions 34:12 AI's Benefits for Older Adults 37:05 The Future of AI: Star Trek vs. Star Wars 37:44 Teaching AI Safety and Practical Uses 42:04 Historical Technological Changes and AI 46:05 Global AI Investments and National Interests 50:20 The Role of AI in Society's Future 01:03:55 Holiday Reflections and AI's Everyday Uses

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses Miriam Webster's and Oxford University Press's Words of the Year for 2025, highlighting the impact of low-quality AI-generated content and emotionally provocative posts. The episode also covers the high frequency of near-collisions in low earth orbit, emphasizing risks to satellite operations. Additionally, the podcast details significant stock declines in AI infrastructure companies and the recent patch by Amazon for a critical Kindle vulnerability. The show concludes with reflections on the year's events, personal notes from Jim, and gratitude towards listeners and sponsors like Meter. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Word of the Year: Slop and Rage Bait 02:50 Satellite Near Misses and Space Traffic Concerns 05:52 AI Infrastructure Stocks Take a Hit 09:12 Holiday Season Cybersecurity Warnings 10:43 Kindle Vulnerability and Amazon Account Risks 11:56 Year-End Reflections and Thank You 15:28 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Acknowledgment

Near Miss in Space, Starlink Plan Removal, LG TV Controversy & Hacking for Good | Hashtag Trending In today's episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love discusses a recent close call between a Chinese satellite and a Starlink satellite, Starlink's quiet removal of its $40/month plan, LG TV's controversial update adding Microsoft Copilot as an unremovable app, and Fulu's nonprofit initiative that pays hackers to unlock devices restricted by manufacturers. Sponsored by Meter, this episode also contains news on the potential impacts of these events on technology and user rights. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:58 Close Call in Space: Chinese Satellite vs. Starlink 03:05 Starlink's Mysterious $40 Plan Disappears 05:17 LG TVs Get Unwanted Microsoft Copilot 07:14 Fulu: The Right to Repair Movement's New Ally 10:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Schedule

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers the latest in AI technology and innovation. OpenAI quietly launched GPT-5.2, focusing on real-world work performance and introducing a new evaluation method, GDPVal. This model significantly outperforms its predecessors and competitors. Meanwhile, Google is enhancing its AI capabilities, embedding AI into creative tools, hardware, and a potentially new operating system, Aluminum. Disney has signed an agreement with OpenAI to use its animated characters for fan-generated content and made a significant investment in the company. Additionally, a Canadian company set a world record in fusion energy, showcasing advancements in the field. The episode concludes with thanks to Meter for their support. 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 00:21 OpenAI Launches ChatGPT 5.2 04:21 Google's Gemini Updates 06:59 Disney's Multi-Year Agreement with OpenAI 08:54 Canadian Fusion Energy Breakthrough 09:58 Conclusion and Sponsor Message