Doing Tech Right

AI’s Environmental Costs, Copyright Battles, and Privacy Risks (Part 2 with Dr. Karen Boyd)In part two of Larry Magid’s interview with Dr. Karen Boyd on Doing Tech Right, they discuss AI’s environmental impact, noting that video streaming often uses more data-center resources than chatbots, and that water for cooling can burden nearby communities while electricity use adds pollution on a fossil-fueled grid. They examine AI training and copyright, possible settlements or taxes, and the unsettled “fair use” debate. They cover privacy and security risks from sharing sensitive data with chatbots, including hacking and potential reuse for training, plus unclear “memory” settings and feedback signals. Magid shares using AI to interpret a CT scan, and Boyd recommends cross-checking models, asking for assumptions, and seeking expert confirmation.00:00 Podcast Intro00:28 Meet Dr Karen Boyd00:53 AI Environmental Footprint02:05 Data Centers And Communities03:16 Mining And Real Costs04:52 Practical Ways To Cut Impact05:44 AI And Copyright Theft07:48 Paying Creators Fairly08:29 Privacy Risks With Chatbots11:17 Data Vaults And Terms12:13 AI In Medical Imaging14:42 Fact Checking And Prompts16:17 Bias And Multiple Views17:31 Future Outlook And Jobs19:53 Trade School And Wrap Up20:19 Book Plug And Credits

We’re moving from the first season of our podcast, where we asked, “Are We Doing Tech Right?” to a new title: Doing Tech Right. This episode marks a fresh chapter, with a deeper focus on actionable advice and tips that make parenting and educating with technology easier.Navigating First Devices: Phones, Tablets, and TimingLarry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely, is joined by our education director, Kerry Gallagher. They dive into the big question: When is the right time to get your child their first device, and how can you help them stay safe while building those critical thinking skills that will last a lifetime?

Kate Lincoln Goldfinch, CEO and founding attorney of Lincoln Goldfinch Law, joins us to discuss how technology impacts immigration policy and enforcement.She shares the challenges and complexities faced by immigrants, particularly under heightened enforcement, technology's role in tracking and detaining individuals based on social media activity, and the spread of misinformation.Additionally, Kate explores the positive aspects of technology, such as enabling communication and money transfers for immigrants. The episode highlights tensions between free speech and surveillance, as well as the difficulties immigration attorneys face in disseminating accurate information online.

In this episode of 'Are We Doing Tech Right?' hosted by Larry Magid and produced by ConnectSafely, Larry interviews Eric Stang, the CEO of Ooma, a company that provides internet phone services for homes and businesses using traditional or modern cordless phones. The discussion covers the declining use and quality of conventional POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) lines and Ooma's services, including emergency response reliability, cost-effectiveness, and additional features like call blocking and mobile app integration.They emphasize the safety benefits of landlines, especially for emergencies, children, and elderly family members.

Larry speaks with Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility & Partnerships at Roblox about safety, civility and parental controls on the popular gaming platform.

This week, Larry chats with James Beser, the Director of Product Management for YouTube Youth Products. They discuss privacy, community and what it means to be a parent of creators on YouTube and other parts of the internet.

This week, Larry sits down with Catherine Teitelbaum, Head of Family Trust at Amazon and a former educator with over 25 years of online safety experience. Together, they explore how Alexa has evolved and discuss innovative ways families can use Alexa and other technology to play interactive games, get homework assistance, or explore topics that spark curiosity.