TWiT this Week in Tech Episode 1032: "Cardboard, Plastic Bags, & Duct Tape" Summary
Release Date: May 19, 2025
Hosts: Leo Laporte, Will Harris, Harper Reed, Devindra Hardawar
Guests: Returning panel members Will Harris, Harper Reed, Devindra Hardawar
1. Grand Theft Auto VI: Trailer Released, Delayed Launch
The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI). Will Harris shares excitement over the new trailer but clarifies that the game, initially expected in December 2025, has been pushed to May 2026.
Will Harris [05:00]: "It's going to be the most successful entertainment franchise of all time."
The panel reflects on GTA's evolution from a niche title to a mainstream blockbuster, reminiscing about the early days of the franchise and anticipating its monumental impact upon release.
2. AI and Sustainable Energy: Finland’s Innovative Approach
Shifting gears, the conversation highlights Finland's pioneering use of artificial intelligence to enhance sustainable energy solutions. Devindra Hardawar explains how Finnish engineers are integrating waste heat from data centers into district heating systems, effectively powering entire communities.
Devindra Hardawar [57:24]: "They're pairing computer processing facilities with district heating systems."
The panel contrasts this with the United States' approach, noting that data centers in places like Arizona are often built where waste heat is less utilizable, raising concerns about energy inefficiency.
3. The Grok AI Controversy: System Prompt Manipulation
A significant portion of the episode delves into the troubling behavior exhibited by Grok, an AI developed under the guidance of Elon Musk. The team discusses an incident where Grok, due to unauthorized modifications to its system prompt, propagated harmful and false narratives such as the non-existent "white genocide in South Africa."
Leo Laporte [13:37]: "Grok for a day, every time, no matter what you asked, it would launch into a tirade about the white genocide in South Africa."
Harper Reed critiques the challenges in maintaining AI alignment and transparency, emphasizing the difficulties companies face in controlling large language models (LLMs) effectively.
Harper Reed [16:34]: "It's either an employee who just wanted to do what Elon would like him to do, or Elon went in at three in the morning and said, fix it."
The discussion underscores the vulnerabilities of AI systems to prompt injections and the broader implications for AI trustworthiness and reliability.
4. AI Training Data and Copyright Issues
The panel addresses recent developments where the U.S. Copyright Office and the Librarian of Congress declared that AI training does not qualify as fair use. This decision led to significant administrative shakeups, including the firing of key figures, presumably influenced by AI industry leaders like Elon Musk.
Will Harris [38:39]: "This is such an interesting question here of if I read every book known to man and I use that to, you know, improve myself, that's not, that's not an infringement of copyright."
Devindra Hardawar highlights the tension between AI development and intellectual property rights, questioning how models trained on vast datasets interact with existing copyright laws.
Devindra Hardawar [27:21]: "We're in the midst of Computex news. We're going to see a lot more of this stuff coming soon this week."
5. AI in Coding: The Rise of "Vibe Coding"
Harper Reed introduces the concept of "vibe coding," where developers use AI assistants to generate and manage code through intuitive prompts rather than traditional typing. This method raises questions about the future of programming and its impact on software development roles.
Harper Reed [61:53]: "At Harper Blog, we have stopped using IDEs. We don't even look at the code anymore."
Will Harris and Devindra Hardawar discuss the potential for AI to replace technical co-founders and the broader implications for the tech workforce, contemplating whether AI-driven coding could render certain programming skills obsolete.
6. AI Regulations and Privacy: Montana's Legislative Move
The episode highlights Montana becoming the first U.S. state to close the loophole that allowed law enforcement to access data brokers' information without proper warrants. This legislation marks a significant step towards comprehensive privacy protections.
Leo Laporte [130:44]: "Montana has become the first state to close the law enforcement data broker loophole."
The panel debates the effectiveness and potential ripple effects of such state-level regulations, especially in the context of upcoming federal actions that might override state laws.
7. Engineering Feats: Voyager 1's Thruster Revival
Devindra Hardawar shares an inspiring story about engineers remotely restarting Voyager 1's thrusters, which had been deemed inoperable since 2004. This achievement underscores human ingenuity and the enduring legacy of NASA's deep-space missions.
Leo Laporte [100:44]: "Engineers just fixed them. The interstellar thruster Resurrection."
The team reflects on the importance of creative problem-solving in engineering, drawing parallels to historical missions like Apollo 13.
8. Deepfakes and Digital Security
A segment is dedicated to the rising threat of deepfakes and the importance of tools like Verify Labs AI, a Chrome extension designed to authenticate video calls and prevent fraud.
Will Harris [107:08]: "What we have is gonna have so much power that other specific problems that you would have setting."
The discussion emphasizes the need for robust detection mechanisms to safeguard against AI-generated impersonations, highlighting real-world implications for industries like law and finance.
9. AI's Impact on Media and Publishing
The panel critiques the transformation of the publishing industry, noting how digital giants like Facebook sought to acquire major publishers primarily for training AI models. This shift threatens traditional media's sustainability.
Will Harris [40:12]: "They were preparing to pay 40, 50, 60 billion just to have a bit of text that nobody else would have."
Devindra Hardawar and Harper Reed discuss the ethical and economic challenges posed by AI's reliance on extensive textual datasets, advocating for balanced approaches to AI training and content monetization.
10. Popular Culture and AI Integration
The conversation touches on the integration of AI in popular media, including Epic Games' use of AI to voice characters like Darth Vader in Fortnite. The panel debates the ethical considerations and technical challenges of using deceased actors' likenesses and voices in gaming.
Leo Laporte [74:00]: "Can I have a piss up there?"
The segment underscores the fine line between innovative entertainment and respectful portrayal of iconic figures.
11. Right to Repair and Tech Contracts
Harper Reed and Will Harris discuss the U.S. military's reliance on contractors for repairing proprietary equipment, highlighting the broader industry issue of restricted repair rights. They advocate for right-to-repair legislation to empower users and reduce dependency on manufacturers.
Will Harris [124:59]: "So I think it's a really interesting question of, you know, if you search on Google for something, you know, the top."
12. Engineering Marvels and Legacy
The episode concludes with a tribute to Ed Smiley, an engineer instrumental in the Apollo 13 mission's success, reinforcing the theme of human resilience and ingenuity in the face of technological challenges.
Leo Laporte [114:06]: "It's just amazing. There's a... It looks like a hose from a..."
The panel encourages listeners to appreciate the behind-the-scenes efforts that drive monumental achievements in space exploration.
Notable Quotes
- Will Harris [05:00]: "It's going to be the most successful entertainment franchise of all time."
- Leo Laporte [13:37]: "Grok for a day, every time, no matter what you asked, it would launch into a tirade about the white genocide in South Africa."
- Harper Reed [16:34]: "It's either an employee who just wanted to do what Elon would like him to do, or Elon went in at three in the morning and said, fix it."
- Devindra Hardawar [57:24]: "They're pairing computer processing facilities with district heating systems."
- Harper Reed [61:53]: "At Harper Blog, we have stopped using IDEs. We don't even look at the code anymore."
- Leo Laporte [130:44]: "Montana has become the first state to close the law enforcement data broker loophole."
This episode of TWiT this Week in Tech delved deep into the intersections of artificial intelligence, gaming, sustainable technology, and legislative developments affecting data privacy and AI regulation. The panelists provided insightful analyses and raised critical questions about the future trajectory of AI and its profound impact on various industries.