Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson
  • 4.7 (90)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson

A podcast about understanding how tech works and the way it is changing the world. Hosted by Andrew Sharp with Ben Thompson.

  1. 2D AGO

    (Preview) The Delights of Images in GPT, The Future of Graphic Design, Signal and Multiple Dimensions of Security

    Reactions to OpenAI's "Images in GPT," and thoughts on the Trump administration's Signal debacle, including a few points Ben neglected to emphasize earlier this week.

    9 min

  2. 5D AGO

    (Preview) Why Google Wants Wiz for $32 Billion, Xbox One and Bygone Streaming Hardware Dreams, Immortality and Daylight Saving Time

    A look at the logic of Google's plans to purchase an Israeli cybersecurity firm for $32 billion, more tension between Apple, Google and the EU, and an email about Xbox One and Microsoft's checkered history of consumer tech ambitions. At the end: Moana 2 and what led to the decision to abandon windowing, Bryan Johnson's pursuit of immortality, and a few follow-ups on Daylight Saving Time.

    14 min

  3. MAR 21

    (Preview) Deep Research and OpenAI's Business Model, A Counterpoint on White Collar Concerns, The Future of Cognition and Companionship

    After Ben's interview with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Andrew and Ben hold an impromptu symposium on AI and its implications, featuring questions from listeners. Topics include: The long-term UX for Deep Research, OpenAI's allergy to an ads-based business model, a confession from Ben after an Exponent take years ago, how AI might--or might not--change the White Collar economy, an era of startups capitalizing on AI-enabled cost structures, AI for companionship and adult content, and whether generative AI will slowly erode human cognition. At the end: A few follow-ups on Vision Pro, including proof of concept at a bluegrass concert.

    14 min

  4. MAR 17

    (Preview) Should Apple Buy Perplexity?, What Apple Could Learn from IBM, Vision Pro and Its Vaporware

    Answering all your emails in the wake of Apple's intelligence catastrophe. Topics include: whether Perplexity should be an acquisition target, the limits of local AI, the value of long tail product development, Apple's parallels to IBM, the future of Tim Cook, and a report from Ben on his latest experience with the Vision Pro.

    15 min

  5. MAR 13

    Apple History and Apple Psychology, How Apple Should Capitalize On Its AI Potential, Why It Probably Won't

    Revisiting Apple's nadir in the 1990s, along with internal friction that boiled over after Steve Jobs' passing, and explaining why Apple execs should—but probably won't—respond to the Apple Intelligence embarrassment by empowering third-party developers to build great AI products that run locally on the iPhone.

    1h 9m

  6. MAR 10

    (Preview) The Murky Future for the NBA, A Variety of Notes on Apple and AI, In Defense of Tech That Removes Friction

    A question about the future of the NBA as the league sees record revenues and declining ratings, several emails about Apple's continued adventures in AI, and follow-ups to last week's episode on Formula 1, Amazon, chatbots as the AI UI, and tech that removes friction.

    12 min

  7. MAR 6

    (Preview) YouTube Shall Inherit the Earth, NBC’s Peacock Strategy Then and Now, The Grim Future for Cable Networks

    Surveying the streaming landscape in 2025, including YouTube’s opportunity to solve problems for millions of frustrated entertainment consumers, Peacock’s murky future, HBO and the Max mess, and lots more.

    14 min

  8. MAR 3

    (Preview) Amazon Introduces an AI-Powered Alexa, Is OpenAI the New BlackBerry?, The Social Costs of Removing Friction

    Andrew and Ben react to Amazon's announcement for an AI-powered Alexa that has been "100 percent re-architected," and then answer mailbag questions about OpenAI's long-term future, LLM confidence, LLMs and the future of the English language, how a hardware business like Manna should approach aggregators, and the social costs of tech that optimizes for efficiency and eliminates friction. At the end: A word about the most exciting app of 2025.

    13 min
See All (214)

4.7
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

A podcast about understanding how tech works and the way it is changing the world. Hosted by Andrew Sharp with Ben Thompson.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Thompson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sharp Tech Podcast LLC
  • Show Website
    Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson

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