TWiT 1075: The Commonwealth Club - Meta Layoffs, DOGE Data Theft, & the Rise of AI Fails

TWiT 1075: The Commonwealth Club - Meta Layoffs, DOGE Data Theft, & the Rise of AI Fails

Author: TWiT March 16, 2026 Duration: 2:55:46

From "gainfully employed robots" to AI that accidentally ruins lives, this week's conversation unpacks the real-world fallout of futuristic promises. Leo, JPT, Iain, and Richard tackle energy sources, social media effects, tech layoffs, and the algorithms quietly taking charge.

  • Meta is planning sweeping layoffs as AI costs mount
  • Meta Said to Push Back Launch of Avocado Model
  • Social media addiction trial: the plaintiff, Meta, and YouTube make closing arguments; jurors begin deliberations Friday on liability for harm to children
  • Trump administration will reportedly get $10 billion for brokering the TikTok deal
  • Bluesky CEO Jay Graber will step aside
  • Digg's open beta shuts down after just two months, blaming AI bot spam
  • X says it suspended 800 million accounts in 2024 over spam and manipulation
  • Fake AI Content About the Iran War Is All Over X
  • Musk admits xAI 'not built right' — weeks after Tesla invested $2 billion
  • Nvidia Is Planning to Launch an Open-Source AI Agent Platform
  • Amazon Wins Court Order To Block Perplexity's AI Shopping Bots
  • Social Security watchdog investigating claims that DOGE engineer copied its databases
  • DOGE Deposition Videos Taken Down After Judge Order and Widespread Mockery
  • U.S. State Bans on Lab-Grown Meats Challenged in Court
  • Easy-to-use solar panels are coming, but utilities are trying to delay them
  • EcoFlow brings its plug-in solar power plant to US homes (related to the plug-in solar story)
  • TerraPower gets permit to build reactor
  • Ex-Uber CEO Kalanick Debuts Plan for 'Gainfully Employed Robots'
  • Tennessee grandmother jailed after AI facial recognition error links her to fraud
  • Justice Department and Live Nation Reach Settlement Terms in Antitrust Case
  • Palantir CEO Makes Shocking Confession on Disrupting Democratic Power
  • Palantir's lethal AI weaponry deployed to find chairs for US government staff
  • How Pokémon Go is giving delivery robots an inch-perfect view of the world
  • 'Flying Cars' Will Take Off in American Skies This Summer
  • YouTube surpasses Disney, Paramount, WBD in 2025 ad revenue
  • Ig Nobel Prize flees US for Switzerland after 35 years over safety concerns
  • Swiss e-voting can't count 2,048 ballots after USB keys fail to decrypt them
  • Tony Hoare, Turing Award-Winning Computer Scientist Behind QuickSort, Dies At 92

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Iain Thomson, Richard Campbell, and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

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Every Sunday, Leo Laporte gathers with a panel of expert guests to break down the most significant and intriguing stories from the world of technology. This isn't just a headlines recap; it's a deep, often lively conversation about what those developments actually mean. You'll hear them grapple with everything from the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics to practical discussions about personal computing, digital privacy, and the gadgets shaping our future. The dynamic roundtable format ensures multiple perspectives, offering clarity and insight that goes beyond the press releases. As the flagship This Week in Tech (Video) podcast from TWiT, it has built a reputation for being both authoritative and accessible, serving as a weekly ritual for anyone wanting to stay informed. The video element adds a layer of connection, letting you see the reactions and camaraderie that fuel these discussions. For those who prefer an uninterrupted experience, ad-free versions are available through the Club TWiT membership. Tune in each week to feel like you're sitting in on a essential briefing with some of the most knowledgeable voices in the industry.
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