WSJ Tech News Briefing Episode: How AI Can Protect Underwater Cables That Carry Your Internet Release Date: February 18, 2025 Host: Julie Chang, The Wall Street Journal

1. Introduction to Critical Undersea Infrastructure

In this episode, Julie Chang delves into the often-overlooked undersea pipelines and cables that are vital for transporting fuel and maintaining the backbone of the Internet. Highlighting their significance, Chang sets the stage for exploring innovative solutions to protect this critical infrastructure from potential threats.

2. The Rise of Reward Programs with Bilt Technologies

Before addressing the main topic, Chang discusses the booming market of credit card rewards, introducing listeners to Bilt Technologies—a fintech company revolutionizing how consumers earn points.

• Bilt Technologies Overview:

  • CEO Encore Jain shared insights on expanding Bilt's reward programs beyond rent payments. “We handle everything from ACH payments to even the legacy checks and cash through to debit and credit for these apartment buildings,” Jain explained (01:51).

• Innovative Reward Systems:

  • Bilt allows customers to earn reward points for paying rent, aiming to soon extend this model to mortgages. Jain emphasized the dual benefit for both renters and landlords, stating, “Their vision is essentially to create a platform for businesses to target all these people moving into these new apartment complexes” (03:10).

• Impact on Local Businesses:

  • The program not only rewards tenants but also offers local businesses a streamlined way to reach new residents. As Christopher Mims pointed out, traditional flyer methods are inefficient: “It's really hard to track. It's a lot of ground effort,” leading to Bilt’s rewards ecosystem as a more effective alternative (03:32).

3. Launch of the "Bold Names" Podcast Season

Chang introduces the new season of Bold Names, a sister podcast featuring interviews with influential leaders.

• Guests and Highlights:
  • Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, discusses the transformative potential of AI, acknowledging both its promises and the journalistic pushback on its implications (04:44).
  • Palmer Luckey, known for inventing Oculus, shares his journey from being ousted by Meta to collaborating with Elon Musk on autonomous military technologies aimed at supporting American allies (04:52).

This segment underscores the podcast’s commitment to featuring bold leaders shaping the tech landscape.

4. AI-Powered Protection for Undersea Cables

Returning to the episode's main focus, Chang explores how artificial intelligence is being harnessed to safeguard undersea cables that are essential for global communications and energy distribution.

Interview with William Boston on North IO

• North IO’s Mission:

  • William Boston, a WSJ contributor, discusses North IO, a company leveraging AI to create a detailed digital replica of the ocean floor. Founder Jan Vent aims to transform murky underwater environments into navigable and secure spaces. “We are trying to collect this data... and present it in a standardized way that ultimately creates what they call a digital twin of the ocean,” Boston explains (07:32).

• Technological Challenges:

  • Developing real-time data analysis is crucial for immediate threat detection. Boston highlights, “If we want to prevent something terrible from happening, we have to be able to respond immediately,” emphasizing the need for advanced infrastructure and smarter AI systems capable of distinguishing between benign objects and potential threats like unexploded bombs (09:22).

• Applications and Collaborations:

  • North IO’s primary product, True Ocean, serves multiple purposes—from aiding scientists in monitoring climate change to assisting mining companies in locating valuable resources like magnesium. The company is currently collaborating with the German government on a project named Argus, focusing on AI-driven threat identification (10:48).

5. Conclusion

Julie Chang wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of protecting undersea infrastructure through innovative AI solutions. She acknowledges the strides companies like North IO are making while also recognizing the ongoing challenges in achieving real-time data processing and precise threat detection.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Encore Jain on Bilt’s Innovation:
  “We handle everything from ACH payments to even the legacy checks and cash through to debit and credit for these apartment buildings.” (01:51)

• Christopher Mims on Traditional Marketing Limitations:
  “It's really hard to track. It's a lot of ground effort.” (03:42)

• William Boston on North IO’s Digital Twin Concept:
  “We are trying to collect this data... and present it in a standardized way that ultimately creates what they call a digital twin of the ocean.” (07:32)

• Challenges in Real-Time Threat Detection:
  “If we want to prevent something terrible from happening, we have to be able to respond immediately.” (09:22)

Timestamps Reference

• [01:51] - Encore Jain discusses Bilt Technologies’ payment solutions.
• [03:10] - Jain explains benefits for local businesses using Bilt’s platform.
• [03:32] - Christopher Mims on the inefficiency of traditional marketing methods.
• [04:44] - Overview of upcoming episodes featuring Reid Hoffman and Palmer Luckey.
• [04:52] - Palmer Luckey on his current ventures and collaborations.
• [07:32] - William Boston introduces North IO’s mission and digital twin concept.
• [09:22] - Discussion on challenges faced by North IO in real-time data processing.
• [10:48] - Collaboration between North IO and the German government on Project Argus.

This episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing provides a comprehensive look into how artificial intelligence is being utilized to protect vital undersea infrastructure, ensuring the stability and security of global communications and energy supply. Additionally, it offers insights into the evolving landscape of fintech rewards programs and the launch of influential tech leadership podcasts.