277: TechTime Radio: "THANKS" Giving Episode with Dubai’s Flying Taxis, Australia’s Teen Social Ban, CVE vs Hackers, Nike’s Robo Shoes, Unsafe AI Toys, Black Friday Deals, with Guest Nick Espinosa | Air Date: 11/25 - 1/1/25

About this episode

What happens when a holiday “thankful” theme clashes with cutting-edge technology, bold policies, and some notable missteps? We begin with Dubai’s high-profile plan to introduce flying taxis and ask tough questions: can eVTOLs truly reduce travel time after accounting for boarding, airspace management, and vertiport capacity—or will they just be expensive toys hovering above gridlocked cities?

Next, we discuss Australia’s eye-catching ban on social media for users under 16. We openly address the issues it aims to solve—cyberbullying, grooming, and addictive content—and consider the potential loss of social and educational benefits for teens, along with the challenges of age verification, VPN use, and platform switching.

Our guest, cybersecurity expert Nick Espinoza, highlights the CVE database, which quietly supports global vulnerability management. When defenders respond swiftly, it’s because CVE provides a shared map. This connects to real-world enforcement—like the arrest of a suspected Russian hacker in Thailand through international cooperation—and the rapidly evolving frontline where AI counters AI. Modern defenses depend on machine learning and deep learning that analyze CVEs, detect indicators of compromise, and respond faster than humans, narrowing the gap from cyberattackers who automate their tactics.

We also examine Nike’s provocative concept of “e-bikes for your feet,” discussing when robotic assistance improves mobility and recovery—and when it might serve as a shortcut that sacrifices effort for convenience. Additionally, we highlight a notable failure: AI toys that used a loosely constrained model to deliver inappropriate and unsafe content to children before being removed. This underscores that safety measures are essential in consumer AI. We conclude with practical insights: a whiskey worth tasting, worthwhile laptop deals, and advice to delay TV purchases until the Super Bowl.

If this blend of skeptical analysis, useful tips, and cybersecurity insights appeals to you, follow the show, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what story made you nod, and which one made you say “humm”?

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