The Short Fuse

Short Fuse

Technology and socio-economic big bets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Education

    18 HRS AGO

    Education

    Are teachers obsolete? Duncan and Ollie place their bets on the future of education in an age of AI tutors, personalised learning, and students who are angrier about AI than you'd expect. From Alpha Schools and their two-hour AI-led curriculum to Duncan's catastrophic one-out-of-ten test score that got a standing ovation from a chatbot, this one gets into the real questions: what is education actually for, who benefits when human teachers get replaced, and does any of this solve the fact that seven years of French lessons produced zero French speakers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  2. Capitalism

    MAR 6

    Capitalism

    What happens to capitalism when AI can outproduce 10,000 workers on a single GPU? When white collar jobs vanish, software builds itself, and the middlemen connecting buyers to sellers get replaced? Duncan and Ollie go long and short on the future of the entire economic system, using a viral (and wildly controversial) research report as their launchpad. They cover the barriers standing between today and full AI automation, why developer hiring keeps rising despite coding AI, the hidden RAM crisis driving up the price of everything from phones to cars, and what happens when consumers start pushing back against an infrastructure they never asked for. The answer to whether capitalism survives might be less about technology and more about how greedy, stubborn, and inventive humans turn out to be. Plus, a live AI-generated poem about economic collapse that invents at least one word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  3. SHORT FUSE NEWS

    MAR 2

    SHORT FUSE NEWS

    Ollie and Duncan are back with a quick news roundup, from layoffs and market-moving essays to the growing debate around AI safety and government contracts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  4. Leadership

    FEB 12

    Leadership

    Are human leaders becoming obsolete in the age of AI? Join Duncan and Ollie as they dig into the future of leadership. Discover if AI can truly replace the intuition, inspiration, and moral judgment of human leaders. This episode explores the subtle ways AI is reshaping leadership roles and questions whether our uniquely human traits can keep leadership alive. Perfect for anyone curious about the future of leadership in a tech-driven world. Hit play to find out if the future is leaderless or more human than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  5. Moltbook, AI Catfighting, Silent Speech

    FEB 3

    Moltbook, AI Catfighting, Silent Speech

    On this week's Short Fuse podcast, Duncan and Ollie dive into the latest tech intelligence dashboard to dissect the biggest stories shaking up the industry. From the persistent debates on government surveillance and job displacement to the "catfight" between AI giants, we break down what's hype and what's actually happening. We explore the rise of local AI agents like "MoltBot" and the security nightmares they might bring, alongside Apple's fascinating (and slightly creepy) acquisition of Q.AI for silent speech. Plus, we discuss Elon Musk's latest moves with SpaceX acquiring xAI and what it means for the future of tech valuation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  6. Advertising

    JAN 26

    Advertising

    OpenAI is finally bringing ads to ChatGPT. In this episode, Duncan and Ollie decide if they are Long or Short on this strategy. The cost of computing power is massive. We discuss whether advertising is the necessary answer for OpenAI or if it fundamentally breaks the utility of the product. The discussion covers the incentives behind the move, the likely impact on user behaviour, and what this signals for the wider industry. We debate if this is a smart commercial play or a sign of trouble. In this episode: Are we Long or Short on ChatGPT ads? The trade-off between user experience and revenue. First principles: Why ad-supported AI might look different than search. Subscribe to Short Fuse for more analysis on tech, culture, and where we are placing our bets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  7. CES 2026: Gadgets!

    JAN 12

    CES 2026: Gadgets!

    Join Duncan and Ollie in this episode of "Short Fuse" as they dive into the latest and quirkiest gadgets from CES 2026. From humanoid robots with Brad Pitt's hair to AI companions that wink, the duo explores the fascinating and sometimes bizarre world of consumer electronics. Tune in for a blend of humor and insight as they debate the practicality and future of these innovations. Don't miss their candid takes on what might just be the next big thing—or not! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  8. Metaverse, VR, AR, XR

    2025-12-15

    Metaverse, VR, AR, XR

    The Metaverse was promised as the next great leap for the internet—a decentralised, immersive world where we would work, shop, and socialise. But as we approach the dates set by major analysts for mass adoption, the reality looks very different. In this episode of Short Fuse, Ollie and Duncan take a critical look at the state of Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse. We explore the massive disconnect between the aggressive predictions made by industry experts and the actual adoption rates we see today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
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About

Technology and socio-economic big bets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Short Fuse
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Short Fuse
  • Show Website
    The Short Fuse