TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief

Episode 25 - Meta's Ad Free Subscription & 23andme Files for Bankruptcy

Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;

• Topic Overview: Meta considers introducing a paid subscription model in the UK for ad-free experiences on Facebook and Instagram, following its EU implementation.
• Discussion Points:
  • Prospective cost of £5 per month.
  • Comparison to streaming service models.
  • Mixed reactions from hosts; concerns about social media usage habits and potential user base implications.

• Focus Story: Data breach at American genetic testing firm, 23andMe, leading to bankruptcy fears.
• Key Issues Discussed:
  • Privacy risks associated with sensitive genetic data being accessed by third parties or used commercially without consent.
  • Potential ramifications for users regarding health insurance premiums in countries like the US where private healthcare is predominant.

• Importance of building critical thinking around digital services and technologies among users to understand risks involved in sharing personal data online.

LINKS:

Ad-free Insta: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kglle0p3vo

23andme Bankruptcy: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/25/opt-out-23andme-account-dna-data-privacy

Don't forget to follow Harriet and Numi at @techgirlenergy on all social platforms.

You can find this, and all our other episodes at www.IM-Listening.co.uk or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief

Episode 24 - Subsea Cable Disruption Detection, Humanoid Robots and BYD's Speedy Charging

Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;

Subsea Fibre Cables & Sabotage Detection

• Discussion on new tech that uses acoustic energy to monitor subsea fibre cables for sabotage.
• Insights from Daniel Gerwig of AP Sensing, highlighting the importance of protecting undersea internet infrastructure amidst geopolitical tensions.

The Humanoid Robot Revolution

• Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang predicts humanoid robots in manufacturing within five years.
• Introduction to Apollo by Apptronic, a robot designed for tasks too dull or dangerous for humans.

Electric Vehicle Advancements

• BYD unveils a battery capable of charging as fast as filling a petrol tank.
• This breakthrough could alleviate range anxiety and encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles globally.

LINKS:

Subsea cable sabotage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn52rglxr62o

Nvidia CEO: Humanoid robot revolution: https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-ceo-humanoid-robot-revolution-is-closer-than-you-think-2025-03-19/

Humanoid machine performs real-world task: https://news.sky.com/story/meet-the-human-like-robot-on-its-first-day-of-work-13331516

BYD’s new super fast charger: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/tesla-byd-fast-charging-technology-battery-b2718419.html

Don't forget to follow Harriet and Numi at @techgirlenergy on all social platforms.

You can find this, and all our other episodes at www.IM-Listening.co.uk or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief

Episode 23 - AI Characters in Video Games, Nylon helping Lithium Batteries and Hinge Health App

Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;

Sony Tests AI-Powered PlayStation Characters

• Sony is experimenting with game characters that can converse like chatbots.
• Discussion on how this could transform open-world games by eliminating scripted dialogue trees.
• The implications for voice actors if their voices are used indefinitely by AI.

Nylon-Enhanced Lithium Batteries

• Researchers have discovered that nylon can improve lithium batteries' stability and lifespan.
• Potential applications include electric vehicles and other sustainable energy solutions.
• The irony of using flammable nylon to reduce fire risks in batteries is noted.

Hinge Health Goes Public

• Introduction to Hinge Health, a digital physical therapy startup aiming for an IPO next year.
• How it offers home-based musculoskeletal injury recovery through innovative tech tools.
• Speculation about its potential impact on healthcare accessibility in places like the UK.

• Gaming Addiction Confessions: Harriet shares her experiences with immersive RPGs like "The Witcher" while pondering the future of interactive gameplay with AI-driven NPCs.
• Battery Innovations: Both hosts express curiosity about how such technological advancements might reshape industries reliant on stable power sources.
• Healthcare Digitisation: They discuss whether apps like Hinge Health could alleviate pressure from traditional physiotherapy services or serve as supplementary tools.

LINKS

AI-powered Playstation characters: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-playstation-characters-sony-ps5-chatgpt-b2712813.html

Nylon in lithium batteries: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/11/nylon_additive_lithium_battery/

Hinge Health app: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/07/hinge-health-to-go-public-as-soon-as-april-source-says.html

Don't forget to follow Harriet and Numi at @techgirlenergy on all social platforms.

You can find this, and all our other episodes at www.IM-Listening.co.uk or wherever you listen to your podcasts.