RTX 5070 / RX 9070 dates, TikTok's back, AI is dumb + more! - TechLinked

Summary

TechLinked Podcast Summary Episode Title: RTX 5070 / RX 9070 Dates, TikTok's Back, AI is Dumb + More!
Host/Author: Linus Media Group
Release Date: February 15, 2025

1. GPU Release Updates

NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti & Non-Ti Launch At [00:30], the host discusses the upcoming release of NVIDIA's RTX 5070 Ti. Listings have appeared primarily in European retailers with prices exceeding the MSRP of $750 USD, though Micro Center has it listed at the exact MSRP. NVIDIA has officially confirmed that the RTX 5070 Ti will launch on February 20. Additionally, the non-Ti RTX 5070 launch has been delayed to March 5, coinciding with the host's brother Barrett's birthday, humorously noted as “[...] the birthday of my brother Barrett. Happy Birthday.”

AMD RX9070 Series Announcement AMD has confirmed the reveal of the RX9070 and RX9070 XT GPUs on February 28. Early leaks from HKE PC indicate that both models will feature 16 GB of VRAM. Host references Frank Azor's statements denying rumors of a 32 GB version for the RX9070 XT but leaves room for potential variations like the RX9070 XTX or RX9070 XTX T, stating, “[...] the possibilities remain endless.”

2. TikTok Returns to App Stores

TikTok has been reinstated on both Apple’s and Google’s app stores following assurances from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The host emphasizes the legitimacy of the reassurances with a humorous tone: “[...] Bondi. Bondi. She's from the beach being assured by her that they're safe to do so. And the letter definitely isn't a prank.” TikTok surged to the top of the most downloaded charts on iOS but failed to replicate the same success on Android due to preemptive sideloading by users.

3. Social Media Platform Changes

Instagram’s Downvote Feature Instagram is experimenting with a downvote button, drawing comparisons to Reddit’s system but notably without displaying a public count for downvotes. This move is part of broader social media platform adjustments aiming to enhance user interaction dynamics.

Roblox’s Classification Controversy Roblox is actively attempting to convince the government that it is not a social media platform amidst increasing legislation aimed at restricting children’s access to social platforms. The host sarcastically references the Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit, noting that Roblox is blurred between being a platform, a game, or merely hosting "experiences" that are sometimes social, thus avoiding clear categorization.

4. Artificial Intelligence: Trust and Impact

Global Trust in AI Research from the Adelman Trust Institute reveals that AI is trusted more in India and China compared to the United States. The host muses, “[...] Maybe Americans are just wound up a bit too tight. Relax guys. The AI's got it.”

AI and Critical Thinking Decline Studies by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon indicate a correlation between increased AI use and the deterioration of critical thinking skills among users. The host likens AI reliance to calculator usage, remarking, “[...] But that's just like a calculator. Those are everywhere.”

Naming Conflicts in AI Features With multiple companies like Perplexity, Google, and OpenAI launching AI features all named “Deep Research”, the host expresses concern over potential confusion and its impact on factual accuracy in news reporting.

BBC Investigation on AI-Generated News A BBC investigation found that over half of the news summaries generated by top large language models had significant issues, including 19% of AI-generated answers containing factual errors. The host comments wryly, “[...] Personally, I'm okay with fake news as long as I can keep eating plastic.”

5. AI Achievements and Concerns

AI-Designed Enzymes Highlighting a positive aspect of AI, the host mentions a complex enzyme capable of digesting certain plastics, designed by AI, illustrating AI’s potential in solving environmental issues.

6. Security Alerts and Misinformation Corrections

PirateFi Malware Warning Valve has issued warnings about the indie survival game PirateFi on Steam, which is suspected of containing malware. Users are advised to scan their PCs, watch for suspicious apps, and consider reformatting systems if necessary. The host humorously adds, “[...] We've probably sanitized the idea of actual pirates a bit too much.”

State Department’s Armored Tesla Misconception Correcting misinformation, the host clarifies that the State Department's procurement request for $400 million worth of armored Teslas is not a confirmed deal and originated during the Biden administration, deeming it a "dumb idea."

7. Platform Monetization and Changes

Reddit’s Upcoming Paywall Features Reddit CEO Steve Huffman confirmed during a video AMA that Reddit plans to introduce a paywall feature later in the year, with paid subreddits launching in 2025. This move aims to create new revenue streams and potentially incentivize moderators for their roles, albeit raising concerns about content accessibility.

8. Miscellaneous Tech News

Duolingo’s Mascot Incident In a non-tech news segment, the Duolingo mascot duo was reportedly run over by a Cybertruck while waiting for users to complete language lessons. In response, Duolingo changed their profile picture to display the owl’s deceased face as a sign of respect. The host notes, “[...] the mascot is survived by his canonical girlfriend, pop star Dua Lipa, who tweeted till death duo part, which I guess already happened.”

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the host reflects on the eclectic mix of tech news, from GPU launches and social media dynamics to the evolving role of AI in society. The episode underscores the rapid pace of technological advancements and their multifaceted impacts on both users and industries.

Notable Quotes:

“[...] the possibilities remain endless.” — Unnamed Tech Commentator [00:30]
“Maybe Americans are just wound up a bit too tight. Relax guys. The AI's got it.” — Unnamed Tech Commentator [Timestamp]
“Personally, I'm okay with fake news as long as I can keep eating plastic.” — Unnamed Tech Commentator [Timestamp]

Note: Timestamps are based on the provided transcript and may correspond to specific segments within the episode.

Transcript

Susan Ettlinger (0:00)

The PC gave us computing power at home, the Internet connected us, and mobile let us do it pretty much anywhere. Now, generative AI lets us communicate with technology in our own language, using our own senses. But figuring it all out when you're living through it is a totally different story. Welcome to Leading the Shift, a new podcast from Microsoft Azure. I'm your host, Susan Ettlinger. In each episode, leaders will share what they're learning to help you navigate all this change with confidence. Please join us, listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Unnamed Tech Commentator (0:30)

Happy Valentine's Day. By clicking this video, you have become my Valentine. What not even a card melting RTX 5090 cables continue to be investigated by the nerdiest among us. US relative normies salute you. Meanwhile, listings for various versions of Nvidia's next graphics card, the RTX 5070 Ti, have been spotted at primarily European retailers for price well above the card's MSRP of $750 US, although Micro center has one listed for exactly 750 bucks. So don't you move. Stay right there a little bit. Nvidia has confirmed through their website that the 5070Ti will launch on February 20, which also reveals Team Green has delayed the launch of the RTX 5070 non Ti to March 5, which is also the birthday of my brother Barrett. Happy Birthday. I mean, later. Anyway, AMD likewise confirmed they'll finally reveal the RX9070 and 9070 XT on February 28th. And they did this the same day that some specs and performance for the 9070 XT leaked via HKE PC, pointing to both cards once again featuring 16 gigabytes of VRAM AMD's frame. Frank Azor also denied rumors of a 32 gigabyte version of the 9070 XT, but he didn't deny a 32 gigabyte 9070 XTX or a 9070 XTX T. So as far as I'm concerned, the possibilities remain endless. TikTok has been restored to Apple and Google's respective app stores after reportedly being assured through a nice letter from US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi. Bondi. She's from the beach being assured by her that they're safe to do so. And the letter definitely isn't a prank. For sure they won't get in TROUBLE. It's fine. TikTok shot to the top of the most downloaded charts on iOS but not on Android because all the talk heads already sideloaded it along with every other app they could find that seemed vaguely Chinese, so everyone's back on TikTok. Instagram disliked that, which they can do now because they're currently testing a downvote button that seems similar to the Reddit version, but without a public downvote count. Lot of social media changes happening out there. And as laws trying to ban kids from social media pile up, Roblox, the platform primarily used by kids and people interested in them, is desperately trying to convince the government it is definitely not a social media platform. But remember from the Epic Games vs Apple lawsuit, Roblox is also not a game. In fact, it doesn't even host games, it just hosts experiences that are sometimes social. There's no media involved. People trust AI way more in India and China than in the US according to new research from the Adelman Trust Institute. Maybe Americans are just wound up a bit too tight. Relax guys. The AI's got it. I mean, sure, recent research from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon indicates that increased use of AI correlates with deteriorated critical thinking skills, leaving us atrophied and unprepared when AI suddenly isn't available. But that's just like a calculator. Those are everywhere. And now so are AI features with the brand name Deep Research. As Perplexity joins Google and OpenAI in launching a web search feature with the exact same name, I have a feeling that naming three different competing AI features the same thing won't really help the whole factual correctness situation, which is already a big issue when it comes to news. A new BBC investigation found that over half of news summaries generated by the top large language models had significant issues of some kind, with 19% of AI answers that cited BBC content containing factual errors. But hey, that doesn't mean AI is bad. Look at this complex enzyme that can digest some plastics, which was designed by AI. Personally, I'm okay with fake news as long as I can keep eating plastic. I'm also okay with our sponsor Jawa, the marketplace for gamers. Maybe you're looking to score components for your next upgrade from a reliable source at a great price. Understandable. Or maybe you want a full custom PC assembled by experienced builders in Jawa's Verified Seller program. Your Yep, I'd like that. Or maybe you wanna list your old GPU or CPU for sale. Or make things simpler and sell it directly to Jawa and let them take care of it. These are all reasonable things to want, so I totally get it if you wanted to head straight from here to LMG GG JawatechLink to buy from, sell to, or connect with PC gamers just like you. I won't hold it against you. I want you to know I was thinking about you constantly as I worked on these quick bits and you didn't even fold a piece of paper in half and draw some hearts on it. I mean, really. Valve has warned users who downloaded an indie survival game called PirateFi on Steam that the game actually contained suspected malware. Valve recommends scanning your PC with antivirus software, looking out for suspicious new apps, and just to be safe, maybe reformatting your whole system before burning it to ash. That'll do it. Honestly, we've probably sanitized the idea of actual pirates a bit too much. It's good to remember the whole pillaging part every once in a while. So thanks Pirate Fi the official website of the Elon Musk led Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge, was defaced by coders after Doge apparently put the site together so hastily they left a database open in the back. It's a good thing we've got top technomancers like these guys firing most of the team of tech experts responsible for helping the government understand financial tech products. You know, while I'm here, I have to correct some misinformation that's sort of related. This procurement request from the State Department for $400 million worth of armored Teslas is not a done deal. There's no current contract, and the request actually originated during the Biden administration, at which point it was still a dumb idea. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman confirmed plans to introduce a paywall feature later this year after being asked during a video AMA about content that only paid members can see. Later, Huffman confirmed again that paid subreds are coming in 2025, which could potentially both open up new revenue streams for the company and sadly reward Reddit moderators for acting like that. And it's not exactly tech news, but it is important to take a moment and remember the Duolingo mascot duo who the company says was horrifically run over by a cybertruck this week, possibly waiting for users to do their language lessons. As a sign of respect, the company changed their profile picture to the owl's dead face, as one does. The mascot is survived by his canonical girlfriend, pop star Dua Lipa, who tweeted till death duo part, which I guess already happened. So that does make sense. Now you coming back here for more tech news on Monday that makes all the sense in the world. It definitely makes more sense than physicists uncovering evidence of two arrows of time emerging from the quantum realm, right?