We are in the midst of a digital revolution, where the line between our physical world and cyberspace is blurring. Tech Tonic is the show that investigates the promises and perils of this new technological age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode List

Coming soon: Rewiring sport

Jun 24th, 2026 4:00 AM

Are technological advances in sport leaving athletes, fans and competition itself better off? Or are they undermining the spirit of sport? With the World Cup underway, the FT’s sports editor Josh Noble presents a three-part series looking at how tech is transforming sports, from AI-enabled scouting and automated refereeing, to supershoes and performance-enhancing drugs.This season of Tech Tonic is hosted by Josh Noble and produced by Josh Gabert-Doyon. The senior producer is Edwin Lane and the executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Flo Phillips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Labs: Zuckerberg’s $100bn gamble

Jun 3rd, 2026 4:00 AM

Mark Zuckerberg created the world’s biggest social media company in Facebook, before deciding the future lay in the metaverse. Now he’s spending hundreds of billions of dollars to transform Meta again, this time into an AI company. Will it work? Murad Ahmed speaks to FT tech reporters Cristina Criddle and Hannah Murphy about Zuckerberg’s efforts to catch up in the AI race, and whether his vision of ‘personal superintelligence’ will win over consumers. FT articles free to read: Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s turbulent bet on AIMeta releases first AI model since Zuckerberg’s spending spreeMeta to mine AI interactions to help target advertisingTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you’ll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners’ surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Labs: Elon Musk wants AI in space

May 27th, 2026 4:00 AM

Elon Musk’s xAI is lagging behind the likes of OpenAI and Google DeepMind in the AI race. Will a giant IPO of SpaceX, Musk’s rocket company, change all that? Murad Ahmed speaks to FT technology correspondent Hannah Murphy and the FT’s bureau chief in San Francisco Stephen Morris. FT articles free to read: Inside SpaceX’s audacious IPO planElon Musk pushes out more xAI founders as AI coding effort falters‘The race is on’: will Elon Musk be the first to put a data centre in space?Tech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you’ll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners’ surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Labs: Sam Altman may make or break OpenAI

May 20th, 2026 4:00 AM

OpenAI sparked the generative AI boom with the release of ChatGPT. But along the way its chief executive Sam Altman has ruffled plenty of feathers. Colleagues have left to set up rival labs, co-founders have sued him in court and his own company even tried to sack him. Now OpenAI’s early lead in the AI race is evaporating. Can it stay ahead of its rivals, and is Altman the right person to lead the AI revolution?FT articles free to read: Elon Musk loses OpenAI case after 2 hours of jury deliberationsOpenAI investors question $852bn valuation as strategy shiftsOpenAI chief Sam Altman: ‘This is genius-level intelligence’Tech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you’ll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners’ surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Labs: Google DeepMind plans its comeback

May 13th, 2026 4:00 AM

In the latest AI boom Google has been playing catch-up with the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic. But with stacks of cash, its own AI chips and some of the best AI talent in the world, is Google about to make a comeback?Murad Ahmed speaks to the FT’s AI editor Madhumita Murgia and Stephen Morris, the FT’s bureau chief in San Francisco.FT articles free to read: DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis warns AI investment looks ‘bubble-like’DeepMind slows down research releases to keep competitive edge in AI raceGoogle staff urge chief executive to block US military AI useTech Tonic is hosted by Murad Ahmed and produced by Edwin Lane. The executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Tell us what you think of Tech Tonic! Complete this short survey and you’ll get the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones.Prize draw winners’ surnames and regions may be made available upon request, as required by the Advertising Standards Authority. If you do not want your information to be made available, please email Privacy.Officer@ft.com upon entry. For more information on your rights and how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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