Rethinking Tech

Rethinking Tech
  • 5.0 (2)
  • TECH NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The news often gives us a narrow, surface-level view of what’s happening in the tech world. We help you go deeper by connecting today’s events to the past, helping you zoom out to see the bigger picture - what’s happening, what’s coming, and how it all impacts you.

  1. 1D AGO · BONUS

    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 quietly reshaped how non-technical users interact with AI. Now, Sam Altman has won the recruiting battle. The question is: what happens next? Why OpenClaw disrupted the B2C AI agent market Why OpenAI — not Meta — secured the deal Whether OpenClaw stays open source or becomes a funnel The credit and compute war between Claude and OpenAI How agents could become the next monetization battleground What this means for Gemini, Meta, and the broader AI ecosystem AI agents are likely the next dominant interface layer. Whoever controls the agent layer controls the workflow. And whoever controls the workflow controls the revenue. Is this a nonprofit-backed open ecosystem — or the beginning of platform consolidation? Let’s rethink tech. What this episode covers is Why this matters. 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    6 min

  2. 2D AGO · BONUS

    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 most trusted digital creators in the world enters banking — an industry historically built on institutional authority, not personality. Is this genuine financial empowerment for Gen Z? Or simply the next evolution of influencer capitalism? Why MrBeast acquired Step, a Gen Z fintech app His stated mission around financial literacy Why Feastables — not YouTube — is his cash cow The power of trust in moving from content to banking Whether influencer-led finance is innovation or marketing Why traditional banking may be vulnerable to disruption The risks of mixing attention, trust, and financial services For over a decade, MrBeast mastered attention. Now he’s monetizing trust. Banking has long struggled with credibility among younger generations. If Gen Z chooses a creator-led financial ecosystem over legacy institutions, it could reshape who controls financial relationships in the next decade. The question isn’t whether MrBeast can sell chocolate. It’s whether he can sell trust — at scale — in finance. What this episode covers is Why this matters 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    5 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Super Bowl 2026: AI Propaganda, Claude vs ChatGPT, and the Politics of the Benito Bowl

    The Super Bowl didn’t just sell products this year.It sold narratives. From AI ads dominating the broadcast to Bad Bunny’s halftime performance igniting a geopolitical debate, Super Bowl 2026 became less about football — and more about identity, monetization, and cultural power. This wasn’t just a sporting event.It was a live experiment in how tech companies shape public trust, how platforms amplify division, and how artists challenge national narratives. In this episode, we unpack how the Super Bowl became a battlefield for AI branding, political symbolism, and the future of digital infrastructure. Why AI companies flooded the Super Bowl with ads The Claude vs ChatGPT feud and the battle over monetization models Are AI Super Bowl ads education — or propaganda? Amazon Ring, surveillance concerns, and public backlash Kalshi’s prediction market surge and regulatory scrutiny Tech infrastructure failures during peak cultural moments Bad Bunny’s halftime show and the debate over American identity The geopolitics of Puerto Rico, Latin America, and cultural belonging Should artists use their platform politically — or stay neutral? Why TikTok stayed out of the Super Bowl spotlight The Super Bowl remains one of the last true monoculture moments — with over 125 million Americans tuning in simultaneously. When tech companies choose that stage, they’re not just advertising products.They’re attempting to reprogram society’s relationship with AI. At the same time, a halftime show sparked debates about sovereignty, representation, censorship, and the global image of America. This episode explores what happens when sports, tech, politics, and capitalism collide — and what it reveals about where society is heading next. What this episode covers is Why this matters: 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    40 min

  4. 3D AGO · BONUS

    AI Just Shook India’s $250B IT Industry — Is Outsourcing Dead?

    AI is “coming for your job.” We’ve heard that before. But this time, markets reacted. India’s benchmark IT index dropped roughly 6% following the release of Anthropic’s Claude coworker plugin — a tool designed to automate the exact kind of repetitive, high-volume knowledge work that built India’s outsourcing model. Is this hype?Or is this the beginning of a structural shift? In this episode, we examine what happens when AI threatens a $250B industry that accounts for nearly 10% of India’s GDP and employs millions. This isn’t just about automation. It’s about cost arbitrage, economic evolution, and whether entire growth models can survive intelligent software. Why India’s IT stocks fell after Claude’s release The man-hours billing model behind Indian outsourcing How AI pressures traditional cost arbitrage Whether markets are pricing future capability too early Predictions that up to 50% of outsourcing work could be impacted Why innovation — not pricing — may determine survival Lessons from global outsourcing shifts, including China’s manufacturing evolution AI doesn’t just replace tasks. It reshapes incentives. For decades, outsourcing thrived because labor was cheaper elsewhere. Now, the “lower-cost alternative” isn’t another country — it’s software. The question isn’t whether AI will disrupt outsourcing. It’s whether economies built on it can adapt fast enough. What this episode covers:Why this matters 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    4 min

  5. 4D AGO · BONUS

    Is TikTok Censoring U.S. Users? Free Speech, Ownership & Algorithmic Control

    U.S. TikTok users are reporting that they can’t search certain political terms — including “Epstein” — following changes to TikTok’s U.S. ownership structure. Coincidence? Algorithm update? Or something more structural? After ByteDance split U.S. users from global operations and a U.S.-based investor consortium took majority ownership of the American entity, questions are emerging about algorithmic bias, content suppression, and the First Amendment. If you can technically post a video — but the algorithm ensures no one sees it — is that still free expression? And if governments become stakeholders in platforms, where does the line between moderation and interference sit? This episode examines ownership, incentives, speech, and whether algorithmic visibility is the new battleground for expression. Reports of suppressed search terms on U.S. TikTok TikTok’s U.S. ownership restructuring Algorithmic bias vs. platform moderation The First Amendment and digital platforms Whether visibility suppression equals censorship Comparisons with speech restrictions in other countries Free speech isn’t just about what you can say. It’s about whether your voice can be heard. As governments, investors, and platforms intertwine, algorithmic control may become one of the most powerful tools shaping public discourse. And that raises a fundamental question: Who decides what gets seen? What this episode covers is Why this matters. 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    3 min

  6. 5D AGO · BONUS

    Betting on War? The Rise of Kalshi, Polymarket & Geopolitical Arbitrage

    Betting markets are evolving fast — and they’re no longer just about sports or the Oscars. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket now allow users to wager millions on elections, geopolitical turmoil, military actions, and global instability. Some call it a “friendly wager.” But when 87% of accounts incur losses — and when real-world military events can trigger six-figure payoffs — the stakes look very different. In this episode, we examine the rapid rise of prediction markets, the regulatory gray zone surrounding them, and the deeper concern: what happens when financial incentives intersect with geopolitics? If insider information, speed advantages, or even manipulation can generate massive returns, are we creating a new form of geopolitical arbitrage? And if governments attempt to shut it down, do black markets simply take its place? The growth of Kalshi and Polymarket Why prediction markets are expanding beyond traditional gambling The regulatory uncertainty around event-based betting Insider trading risks in geopolitical events Lessons from high-speed trading and market manipulation Why legislators may be underestimating this space The incentive problem at the core of global instability Prediction markets blur the line between finance, gambling, and geopolitics. If incentives shape behavior — and markets reward instability — we need to ask a harder question: What happens when conflict itself becomes a trade? This isn’t just about betting. It’s about power, incentives, and how fast emerging financial systems can outpace regulation. What this episode covers is Why this matters. 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    5 min

  7. 6D AGO · BONUS

    Is the EU Really Banning “Addictive Design”? TikTok, Dark Patterns & the DSA

    The European Commission has preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA), citing addictive design and transparency failures. But here’s the uncomfortable question: Where exactly is the line between “addictive design” and simply… good design? In this episode, we unpack what the EU is really targeting — from dark patterns and infinite scroll to algorithmic personalization — and ask whether regulating “addiction” is even technically enforceable. If TikTok crossed a line, then what about Google? Meta? Even AI platforms? And if lawmakers can’t clearly define the boundary, what are they actually regulating? This is not a defense of Big Tech. It’s a deeper look at enforcement, power politics, transparency, and whether the DSA is about user safety — or strategic leverage against U.S. platforms. Why the EU Commission says TikTok breached the DSA What “addictive design” actually means in practice Dark patterns, UX design, and algorithmic personalization The enforcement problem: where is the line? Whether transparency could solve the issue Are U.S. tech companies being selectively targeted? The geopolitical angle behind EU tech regulation If “addictive design” becomes a legal standard, it won’t just affect TikTok. It could redefine how platforms design feeds, recommendation engines, opt-outs, and even AI interfaces. And if that line isn’t clearly defined, we may be entering a new era where regulation shapes user experience — without clear rules on what “too engaging” really means. This is about more than TikTok. It’s about who decides how digital platforms are allowed to hold your attention. What this episode covers is Why this matters 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    4 min

  8. FEB 10

    The Silicon Valley Playbook: How Tech Billionaires Bend the Rules

    Silicon Valley is changing the game—and the rules of tech exits will never be the same. From Elon Musk folding XAI into SpaceX to Anthropic’s multi-billion-dollar deals, this episode breaks down how startups are using clever licensing and acqui-hire strategies to stay ahead—and avoid regulatory scrutiny. In this episode, we cover: Elon Musk’s $1.25T XAI + SpaceX deal explained How AI startups use non-exclusive licenses and acqui-hires Why these deals are shaking up investors, regulators, and employees The new power dynamics in Silicon Valley 💡 Why it matters:These deals aren’t just about money—they’re about influence, innovation, and the future of tech. Understand how the next wave of billion-dollar tech moves works before everyone else. 🔗 Connect with Us 📺 YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠

    39 min
See All (105)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The news often gives us a narrow, surface-level view of what’s happening in the tech world. We help you go deeper by connecting today’s events to the past, helping you zoom out to see the bigger picture - what’s happening, what’s coming, and how it all impacts you.

Information

  • Creator
    Rethinking Tech
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rethinking Tech
  • Show Website
    Rethinking Tech