Tech Tent - tech trends for 2020
- 3 January 2020
- From the section Technology
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Getty Images
Will we start the journey to a better, kinder internet? Which countries are best placed to win the AI race? And should Ivanka Trump be speaking at a tech show? Just some of the questions we address in the first edition of Tech Tent this year.
Last month, the creator of the World Wide Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee, told us of his plan to put it back on the right track. His Contract for the Web aims to get companies, countries and individuals to work together to combat cyber-bullying, misinformation and other online harms.
Catherine Miller of the think tank dot everyone, which describes its mission as championing responsible technology for a fairer future, gives us her assessment of how likely it is that we will make the web a better place in 2020. She stresses that better regulation will be key, changing the economic incentives that mean the tech giants fight to keep people hooked to their platforms, and reward damaging behaviour.
When it comes to the race to build what is arguably the key technology of our times - artificial intelligence - the consensus has been that the United States is in the lead, but China is catching up fast. Now a new global AI index produced by the online news site Tortoise has come up with a more nuanced picture.
It found that, yes, the US and China were one and two in AI, with the UK in third place. But Alexandra Mousavizadeh, the data scientist who led the project for Tortoise Intelligence, tells us that China was much further behind than they had expected.
5G mobile networks are not ready for primetime
- 19 December 2019
- From the section Technology
This was the year that 5G came to the UK, promising a new era of mobile communications. But how is it working out for those few consumers who have taken the plunge and signed up for a service?
I have conducted a not very scientific audit. My conclusion is that 5G is not ready for mainstream adoption yet.
Read full article 5G mobile networks are not ready for primetime
Tech Tent: Was it a Facebook election?
- 13 December 2019
- From the section Technology
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AFP
It was an election in which tens of thousands of targeted adverts from all sorts of organisations reached voters via social media.
On this week's Tech Tent podcast, we explore the role played by Facebook and other platforms in the UK election, and ask whether there are lessons to be learned for global regulators.
General election 2019: Do social media ads work, are they fair?
- 11 December 2019
- From the section Technology
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Getty Images
In early November, we asked you to send us targeted election ads you had seen on social media. We've had a tremendous response, with more than 1,800 messages so far.
Looking through them, a number of questions arise. How are these ads targeted, do they work, and are new laws needed to control them?
Choosing the targets
Read full article General election 2019: Do social media ads work, are they fair?
Tech Tent - face data versus health data
- 6 December 2019
- From the section Technology
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Getty Images
There is a data revolution transforming just about every aspect of our lives. And on Tech Tent this week we look at two areas - surveillance and health - where we have rather different attitudes to how our personal data is used.
When it comes to the mass retrieval of facial recognition data and its use in security and surveillance, China certainly leads the way. It has been used everywhere from schools to shops to public parks, to verify identity.
Artificial intelligence apps, Parkinson’s and me
- 6 December 2019
- From the section Technology
In my work as a journalist I am lucky enough to meet some brilliant people and learn about exciting advances in technology - along with a few duds.
But every now and then I come across something that resonates in a deeply personal way.
Read full article Artificial intelligence apps, Parkinson’s and me
General election 2019: Parties splurge on Facebook ads
- 2 December 2019
- From the section Technology
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Getty Images
The political parties' Facebook ads campaigns had been lively enough since the general election was called a few weeks ago - but suddenly over the weekend they caught fire.
On Sunday, the Conservatives unleashed a tidal wave of adverts. Their two themes were getting Brexit done, and improving the NHS.
Read full article General election 2019: Parties splurge on Facebook ads
Tech Tent: Tik Tok and the Uighur Muslims
- 29 November 2019
- From the section Technology
It is a place where a mostly teenage audience goes to mime to music, share memes and generally have a laugh.
But on the Tech Tent podcast this week, we find out how TikTok got immersed in a deadly serious row about censorship.
General Election 2019: Which non-party groups are sending you ads?
- 27 November 2019
- From the section Technology
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Getty Images
As the messages keep pouring in to our election ads project one thing stands out - just how many non-party groups want to get involved in this election campaign.
In the last few days we have seen ads from new anti-Labour groups City Future, Capitalist Worker and Reignite.
Read full article General Election 2019: Which non-party groups are sending you ads?
General election 2019: Palaces charity apologises over pro-Tory Tweet
- 25 November 2019
- From the section Technology
Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which maintains a number of royal palaces including Kensington Palace and Hampton Court, has apologised after its Twitter account sent out a message in support of the Conservative manifesto.
The tweet, which appeared briefly this morning before being deleted, read:
Read full article General election 2019: Palaces charity apologises over pro-Tory Tweet
