FT Tech Tonic

Bill Gates has become one of the leading tech establishment voices warning of the risks of AI. Madhumita Murgia speaks to the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist about AI hackers, bioweapons that could be ‘significantly worse than Covid’, and the need for stronger oversight from the US government.

Tech Tonic is produced by Edwin Lane, the executive producer is Manuela Saragosa, sound design by Breen Turner. Original music by Metaphor Music. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT’s John Thornhill speaks to Audrey Tang, former Taiwanese minister of digital affairs, and Matthew Rycroft, a former UK civil servant, about how technology can be used to facilitate participatory democracy — giving citizens a greater role in proposing and drafting laws. Could Taiwan’s success be repeated elsewhere? Recorded live at the FT Weekend Festival.

Tech Tonic is produced by Edwin Lane, the executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could AI help us understand ourselves and each other better? Writer and philosopher Alain de Botton speaks to the FT’s Madhumita Murgia about the challenges we face navigating human relationships, and how AI might be able to help. Recorded live at the FT Weekend Festival.

Tech Tonic is produced by Edwin Lane, the executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Murad Ahmed speaks to FT journalist Sarah O’Connor about her new book ‘We Are Not Machines’, which explores the impact AI is already having on workplaces. They discuss how Swedish miners dealt with the introduction of AI-powered vehicles, and how Czech translators found AI stealing the most creative part of their job. Recorded live at the FT Weekend Festival.

Tech Tonic is produced by Edwin Lane, the executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI-related investments are now worth up to half of the entire value of the S&P 500. But is the AI investment boom a bubble waiting to burst? Tim Bradshaw, the FT’s global technology correspondent, speaks to Richard Kramer, founder of Arete Research, and Ophelia Brown, founder of Blossom Capital. Recorded live at the FT Weekend Festival on 5th September 2026.

Tech Tonic is produced by Edwin Lane, the executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Flo Phillips is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.