Podcast · 18 episodes
The Tech Download
by CNBC · English
Skip the noise. Get the download. CNBC’s “The Tech Download,” hosted by Senior Technology Correspondent Arjun Kharpal, cuts through the noise to unpack the technology stories that matter most, exploring what they mean for your portfolio, your business and the global economy. With access to industry leaders and years of experience covering technology around the world, the series delivers sharp analysis and compelling narratives on the trends, risks and innovations shaping the future of tech.
Latest episodes
AI, agents and quantum: The biggest cyber threats aheadHow AI and “agentic” systems will change cyber threats, why AI safety “pacing” is debated, and how quantum computing threatens today’s encryption (plus “harvest now, decrypt later”).24 Sep 2026 · 42 min
The U.S. leads AI. Why other countries want a backup planAI “sovereignty” and backup plans for countries/enterprises as the U.S. dominates AI infrastructure.10 Sep 2026 · 47 min
How BlackBerry found a second life inside cars and robotsBlackBerry’s reinvention from smartphones to “safety-critical” software for cars and robots, plus secure communications and how it approaches AI, cybersecurity, and quantum threats.24 Aug 2026 · 36 min
All episodes
AI, agents and quantum: The biggest cyber threats aheadHow AI and “agentic” systems will change cyber threats, why AI safety “pacing” is debated, and how quantum computing threatens today’s encryption (plus “harvest now, decrypt later”).24 Sep 2026 · 42 min · 15 chapters
The U.S. leads AI. Why other countries want a backup planAI “sovereignty” and backup plans for countries/enterprises as the U.S. dominates AI infrastructure.10 Sep 2026 · 47 min · 20 chapters
How BlackBerry found a second life inside cars and robotsBlackBerry’s reinvention from smartphones to “safety-critical” software for cars and robots, plus secure communications and how it approaches AI, cybersecurity, and quantum threats.24 Aug 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
Europe has startups. Why not more tech giants?Why Europe has many startups but fewer global tech giants, and what it should do for the next waves in AI, quantum computing, and next-generation semiconductors; includes a “sovereignty” and…10 Aug 2026 · 40 min · 15 chapters
How Silicon Valley is changing warfareCNBC’s The Tech Download episode on how Anduril (named after “Anduril/Flame of the West” from The Lord of the Rings) is using AI and autonomy to reshape modern warfare, focusing on software-defined…28 Jul 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters
AI agents face the ROI testROI and pricing for “agentic AI” in enterprises—whether AI agents can reliably resolve customer issues cost-effectively, and how companies should budget and pay for outcomes.14 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 21 chapters
Amazon’s AI plan goes beyond AlexaAmazon’s AI “agents” and AI devices strategy, centered on Alexa Plus, plus broader “ambient” hardware plans (home, on-the-go wearables, smart glasses, and physical AI like Zoox), and the supporting…2 Jul 2026 · 45 min · 19 chapters
AI agents are coming to your devicesQualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon explains “AI devices” and “agentic AI,” arguing that smartphones will gain on-device agents while new wearables (smart glasses, jewelry/pins, earbuds) become major…16 Jun 2026 · 50 min · 26 chapters
Europe wants an AI champion. Can Mistral deliver?Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch explains how Mistral plans to build Europe’s AI future via large-scale compute (data centers), “token” supply, and an enterprise agent platform called Vibe, emphasizing…3 Jun 2026 · 46 min · 16 chapters
How AI gets stress-tested before releaseCan We Control AI? DeepMind’s Plan for Responsible AI29 Jan 2026 · 44 min · 19 chapters
Should AI be allowed in schools?In this episode of *The Tech Download*, hosts Arjun Karpal and Steve Kovac interview Lila Ibrahim, COO of Google DeepMind.22 Jan 2026 · 33 min · 20 chapters
The man behind Google’s AI machineGoogle DeepMind’s role in Google’s AI push, Demis Hassabis’s views on scaling laws, AGI, “world models,” energy/compute constraints, and AI’s societal risks and benefits.15 Jan 2026 · 53 min · 28 chapters
The Tech Download: Inside Google DeepMind - TrailerTrailer for “The Tech Download” season on Google DeepMind and responsible AI.14 Jan 2026 · 2 min · 2 chapters
Why cross-border payments are Asia’s next big tech frontier — Insights from an Indonesian unicornZendit’s approach to making fragmented Southeast Asian payments work for businesses, and why cross-border payments are the next big tech frontier.7 Nov 2025 · 16 min · 11 chapters
VC founder: AI isn't a bubble — but its founders need to think globallySingapore’s role in Asia’s tech rise and how global VC should think about AI (not a bubble), founder grit, and where AI value accrues (application layer vs infrastructure).4 Nov 2025 · 40 min · 18 chapters
Razer changed gaming with its hardware. Now it’s hoping to do the same with AISingapore’s rise as a tech hub through the lens of Razer’s evolution—from pioneering gaming peripherals to building AI tools for gamers, developers, and QA; plus how AI will reshape gaming and…1 Nov 2025 · 27 min · 18 chapters
A top VC’s guide to Asia’s fastest-growing tech hubsRaj Ganguly, co-founder/co-CEO of B Capital, explains why Singapore became a default APAC tech and investor hub, how Asia’s innovation shifted from “copycat” to fundamental innovation, and where VC…26 Sep 2025 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Have the AI job losses started?Whether AI job losses have started, and what’s actually driving recent tech layoffs; also discusses AI talent “land grabs,” peak employment, and the likelihood of AI agents becoming bosses.17 Jul 2025 · 41 min · 17 chapters