TechLinked — Episode Summary

Date: December 9, 2025
Title: Intel Arc B770(?), Chatbot Ads, EU makes Meta better + more!
Hosts: Linus Media Group

Episode Overview

This spirited and fast-paced episode of TechLinked keeps its finger on the pulse of technology and gaming news, delivering updates with signature banter and humor. Key topics include the rumored Intel Arc B770 graphics card, AI chatbots shifting to ad-supported models, sweeping privacy changes for Meta in the EU, surprising console sales results, AI-driven security debates, jaw-dropping robotics demos, and innovative medical tech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intel Arc B770 Battlemage GPU Rumors

[00:45–01:57]

• Intel quietly added support for a mysterious “BMG G31” part in its VTune Profiler; speculation is rampant that this is the long-rumored Battlemage B770 GPU.
• Additional support for upcoming Core Ultra 3 Panther Lake processors hints at significant reveals for CES 2026.
• Leaked manifests reference a 300W Intel GPU (much higher than the current ARC B580’s 190W), fueling the B770 theory.
• Alternatively, the 300W part could be an Arc Pro card, but either way, the hosts are enthused about Intel stirring up a stagnant GPU market.

Memorable Quote:
“Whichever way Intel chooses to shake up the GPU market, I’m down. Because right now, the market could use a good shake.”
— Tech News Host [01:53]

2. Chatbot Advertising and AI Language Drifts

[01:57–03:25]

• Google will introduce ads to its Gemini Chatbot by end of 2026, briefing advertisers ahead of rollout (per Adweek).
• Other AI players, including Elon Musk’s Grok and rumors of OpenAI, are reportedly eyeing similar models, but OpenAI’s Nick Turley publically denied ad-testing in ChatGPT.
• Hosts joke about the intrusion of ads in practical chatbot uses:

  “Nothing says helpful assistant like recommending things that make my shopping list even longer in this economy.”
  — Tech News Host/Co-Host [02:13]

• Study cited: Frequent chatbot users are unconsciously adopting “slop speak” — linguistic quirks like “delve,” “intricate,” “tapestry.”
• Amazon exec claims AI teammates are as essential as human ones, prompting hosts to mockingly suggest learning to speak in AI-influenced jargon.

3. Meta Forced to Offer Better Privacy Controls in EU

[03:28–04:46]

• The EU’s Digital Markets Act compels Meta (Facebook, Instagram) to allow users to opt out of targeted advertising more transparently — not hidden within labyrinthine menus.
• This signals a major loss for data-reliant corporations and a legal turning point, as platforms adapt to offering real consent and more contextual ads.
• Hosts poke fun at just how targeted ads have become and question how Meta will operate without granular toilet paper data, quipping:

“Now you can try selling me something without knowing how many times I’ve gone to the bathroom today. How will you know what size of toilet paper pack I need?”
— Tech News Host [04:37]

4. Console Sales: PS5 Dominates, Surprises in Second and Third

[05:28–06:22]

• PS5 claims a massive 47% share of Black Friday 2025 console sales.
• Xbox Series X/S suffers poor results, not even reaching the top three.
• Nintendo Switch 2 lands in second place.
• The NEX Playground — a previously obscure, family-focused motion console — unexpectedly grabs third.

Banter:
“Talk about extra small sales.” (on Xbox) — Tech News Host [06:05]
“Who needs the X when you can get the NEX?” — Tech News Host [06:19]

5. Security Woes & AI Browsers

[06:24–07:05]

• Gartner warns companies about the “irreversible” and “untraceable” risks posed by employees using AI-enabled browsers, especially their screen-reading powers.
• Google’s Chrome is introducing new AI feature vetting using its Gemini AI to track and block suspect automated actions.
• Hosts remain skeptical about “AI monitoring AI” assurances:

“Am I the only one not put at ease when a company tells me that they've made an AI to monitor their AI's f*ck ups?”
— Tech News Host [06:57]

6. Medical Innovation: RNA Drug for Heart Repair

[07:07–07:45]

• Researchers at Cedars Sinai engineered “TY1,” an experimental RNA-based drug that mimics signals from heart cells to stimulate damage repair by boosting the T rex1 gene (real name!).
• In animal tests, TY1 helped repair DNA, reduced scar tissue, and improved healing, hinting at future heart attack treatments.
• Hosts joke about the gene’s name and stress levels from RAM prices.

7. Robot Showdowns: Engine AI’s T800 vs. Tesla’s Optimus

[07:47–08:22]

• Engine AI posts new videos featuring its Model T800 humanoid robot nearly kicking its own CEO, countering accusations that earlier robot demos were CGI fakes.
• Meanwhile, Tesla’s Optimus Bot tries — and hilariously fails — to dispense drinks in its demo.
• The segment is characterized by playful anxiety about where robotics is going:

“This clanker means business.”
— Tech News Host [08:17]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Intel rumors:
  “Now, consider the fact that a leaked shipping manifest references a heretofore unseen 300 watt Intel GPU... this mysterious newcomer has to be the B770, right?”
  — Tech News Host [01:22]

• On chatbots and slop speak:
  “Researchers found that people who use chatbots a lot are developing a tendency to speak in slop unironically, using words like delve, intricate and tapestry way more than they usually would.”
  — Tech News Host [02:35]

• On EU vs Meta:
  “Meta must now give users more control over whether their personal data can be used in targeted advertising. And unlike previous choices, this one is not allowed to be buried under three menus…”
  — Tech News Host [03:38]

• On AI policing AI:
  “Am I the only one not put at ease when a company tells me that they’ve made an AI to monitor their AI’s f*ck ups?”
  — Tech News Host [06:57]

• On gaming consoles:
  “The PlayStation 5 appears to have crushed Black Friday 2025 sales, making up 47% of all consoles sold. But the same can’t be said for Team Xbox, who absolutely whiffed it.”
  — Tech News Host [05:28]

• On model names:
  “TY1 works by boosting a gene called T rex1. Okay, you gotta be making this up now.”
  — Tech News Host [07:13]

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Topic | Start | End | |------------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | Intel Arc B770 rumors | 00:45 | 01:57 | | Chatbot advertising & "slop speak" | 01:57 | 03:25 | | Meta/EU targeted ads shakeup | 03:28 | 04:46 | | Black Friday console wars | 05:28 | 06:22 | | AI browser security concerns | 06:24 | 07:05 | | RNA drug / Heart repair innovation | 07:07 | 07:45 | | Humanoid robot showdowns (Engine AI, Tesla) | 07:47 | 08:22 |

Final Thoughts

The episode blends technical updates with playful energy, delivering news (and a dash of skepticism about AI and privacy promises) alongside quirky observations about gamer culture, linguistics, and scientific breakthroughs. The hosts’ irreverent approach ensures the tech news is both informative and highly entertaining—perfect for anyone who wants a fun, fast digest of what’s happening in the world of tech and gaming.