Crashed

Alex Hudson
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In the Crashed podcast, the tech podcast about everything else, hosts Alex Hudson (@alexhuds) and Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) delve into the complexities of technology and its implications on politics, business and wider society. It’s smart, it’s nerdy and it’s two journalists trying to make sense of a complex tech landscape in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Lampposts could be spying on you... really!

    A lampost with facial-recognition capability has been announced. Why? We don't know. But we'll try and find out. In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker explore the latest developments in surveillance technology, AI mishaps, and the implications for privacy and civil liberties. Our guest, Professor Pete Fussey, shares insights from his extensive research on surveillance systems, facial recognition, and the societal impacts of these technologies. Also, the tech angle on the Clicky Ponting cricket cheating scandal, OpenAI admits to more hacking, and former eBay employees have to pay millions for a campaign of abuse and intimidation against a couple who wrote less-than-complimentary things about them. Follow Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-fussey Key topics: The expansion of surveillance infrastructure like CCTV and lamp postsAI errors and privacy leaks in chatbots like Claude and ChatGPTDemographic biases in facial recognition technologyThe impact of surveillance on marginalized communitiesRegulatory challenges and the need for transparency in surveillance techThe societal effects of surveillance and privacy erosionThe role of human rights law in regulating surveillanceThe influence of political ideologies on surveillance policies To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Jul 23

    The death of British science, innovation and technology (department)

    In a week of a new prime minister, an OpenAI agentic “hack” and France banning social media for under-15s, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker have a lot to get through. They’re joined by investigative journalist Ben Smoke, who has spent the last 18 months investigating alleged corruption in AI policy and the Labour government.  This episode delves into the transparency, conflicts of interest, and societal impact of current AI strategies. And talks about Fast and the Furious as an academic pursuit. Subscribe to Ben's Substack: https://wefightthegoodfight.substack.com/ Or follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bencsmoke/?hl=en Keywords: AI policy, UK government, industry influence, transparency, AI growth zones, AI minister, political accountability, tech industry, public interest, AI regulation Key topics: UK AI policy and government restructuring; Influence of tech industry and vested interests; transparency and conflicts of interest in AI policymaking; AI growth zones and local economic impact; Role of the AI minister and cabinet dynamics To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Jul 16

    The Meta narrative: Instagram, shadowbanning, Meta Glasses, and AI redundancies

    Meta is having a moment, laying off 10% of its staff with the help, it's alleged, of AI while maintaining a 40% profit margin. In this episode, we explore the latest developments in Instagram shadowbanning, how Kylie Jenner's Meta Glasses partnership could cause problems, what the Muse Image and NameTag controversies say about Zuckerberg's mindset. social media, and does what copyright is left in the age of AI. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker are joined by academic, campaigner and activist Dr Carolina Are. We discuss shadow banning, AI-generated content, Meta's controversial features, and the future of digital rights. Also, why is Netflix trying to become YouTube? And why did IBM's share price tank? Read Dr Carolina's work: https://bloggeronpole.com/ To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jul 9

    What does Burnhamism mean in practice? And is the answer just AI everything?

    The next prime minister is probably Andy Burnham. And this means Burnhamism, Manchesterism and devolution are all hot topics. But what does that mean for economic growth? Technological innovation? And the UK’s second cities catching up.  In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker talk to Tom Forth about regional economic disparities in the UK, the impact of devolution, and the potential to transform cities like Leeds and Manchester. We explore how to reduce the North-South divide. Go to Tom Forth’s website: https://tomforth.co.uk/  Follow him on X: https://x.com/thomasforth?lang=en Keywords: UK economy, devolution, regional development, infrastructure, Manchester, Leeds, North-South divide, economic growth, public investment, city regeneration key topics Impact of devolution on regional economiesCase studies of Manchester and LeedsRole of infrastructure projects like tram systemsStrategies for regional growth and prosperityChallenges and opportunities in UK regional developmentTo support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 2

    Does AI need a “kill switch”?

    Sarah Breeden, the Bank of England’s deputy governor for financial stability, has talked about the potential need ot a “kill switch” for markets because agentic AI may force regulators to rethink how the financial system is governed.  Presenters Alex Hudson and Christ Stokel-Walker try to unpick the detail from the fantastic tabloid headlines.  Also, could we be facing the end of the need for websites?  Now that AI and search changes are leaving some news publishers with traffic drops of up to 90%, and online brands are seeing their traffic fall, is this really the end?  And will we all just stare at LLMs, social networks and forums?  Performance marketing pioneer Neil Patel, of NP Digital, discusses the future of search, AI's impact on SEO, and how businesses can adapt to the evolving digital landscape. This episode offers insights into how AI and LLMs are transforming marketing, content creation, and consumer behaviour. Keywords: Neil Patel, AI Search, SEO, LLMs, Digital Marketing, Future of Websites, Content Strategy, AI in Business Key topics The shift from traditional search to AI-driven searchThe impact of LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini on SEOStrategies for optimising for AI and LLMsThe importance of product quality over marketing in AI eraThe future of websites and in-platform transactionsThe role of digital PR and content in AI searchThe changing landscape of journalism and content creationNeil Patel's insights on product-led growth and innovation To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jun 25

    The week the world asked the Internet for ID

    Britain is changing prime minister again, which would be funny if the policy consequences were not so bleak. So this week on Crashed, Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker ignore the Westminster cosplay and ask the question that actually matters: what tech agenda does the next government inherit? From under-16 social media bans to VPN age-gating, facial age estimation at the border, AI regulation, digital ID, Anthropic’s incoming checks, bot paranoia and the collapsing line between public safety and private life, this is an episode about the same pattern appearing everywhere. Every new demand for safety seems to need another identity check. Every new AI panic seems to need another database. Every new political crisis seems to produce another reason why privacy has to give way. Also: hot podium guy, the King of the North, World Cup heat stress, whether blockchain can prove you are human, and the increasingly urgent question of what level of real-world harm society is prepared to tolerate to preserve a private digital life. To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jun 18

    Social media ban could mean more state surveillance

    In this episode, presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker delve into the complexities of social media regulation, government policies on youth online safety, and the influence of AI at the G7 summit. They explore the implications of recent policies, the role of framing in public opinion, and the future of tech regulation. They're joined by Genevieve Broadhead, global industry lead at cloud database platform MongoDB, to discuss who owns the information architecture underneath every AI answer, retail interaction and customer decision To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jun 11

    Royal Mail can't even deliver parcels to the Post Office

    Royal Mail can't even deliver mail to Post Offices... and there's literally no way to speak to a Parcelforce customer service operator directly, no matter how hard you try. Wasn't the delivery revolution meant to make everything better? The regulator keeps fining them for all the targets being missed. Presenters Alex Hudson and Chris Stokel-Walker talk about expensive stamps, the demise of Post Office branches and how hard it is to deliver post to the Post Office. Maybe they could organise a p*** up in a brewery? In the episode, we also cover the "aggressive" investment in British industry and why the iPhone is being blamed for the drop in birth rate. To support, go to https://bit.ly/CrashedPodcast or search Crashed podcast Follow: Alex: www.instagram.com/alexhuds / www.tiktok.com/@alexhuds Chris: www.instagram.com/cstokelwalker / www.tiktok.com/@st0kel Spotify: https://bit.ly/CrashedSpotify Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4qkgmmV RSS: https://bit.ly/CrashedRSS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About

In the Crashed podcast, the tech podcast about everything else, hosts Alex Hudson (@alexhuds) and Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) delve into the complexities of technology and its implications on politics, business and wider society. It’s smart, it’s nerdy and it’s two journalists trying to make sense of a complex tech landscape in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Hudson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alex Hudson
  • Show Website
    Crashed

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