What happens when the law can’t keep up with the pace of technology? On this episode of Cipher Talk, we sit down with Tobias Jensen—lawyer, tech policy expert, and creator of Futuristic Lawyer—to explore the growing tension between innovation and regulation. We cover GDPR, the AI Act, blockchain legislation, crypto crime, and the risks of misinformation. Tobias also shares why regulation doesn’t have to kill innovation, what Europe is getting right (and wrong), and how our tech habits could shape a better internet. This is a thoughtful deep dive into the future of tech policy—don’t miss it!

• For more from Tobias, check out his site here
• More from CipherTalk here

Questions, feedback, requests? Let me know in the comments!

Wyvern is changing the game in earth imaging with hyperspectral satellites that see way beyond what traditional cameras, or the human eye, can. In this episode, Chris Robson, co-founder and CEO, talks about how this tech is spotting methane leaks, improving farming, and reshaping industries. We get into what it takes to run a space company, the wild challenges of launching satellites, and how private space is taking off in a big way. Plus, we dig into the growing role of space in global security and what the future holds for artificial intelligence.

• More about Wyvern here
• Checkout the weekly Substack here
• Support CipherTalk here

Quantum science is transforming the way we approach technology, security, and innovation—unlocking solutions to challenges we couldn’t solve before. In this episode of CipherTalk, Meg is joined by Jen Sovada, a leading expert in government and deep tech, to explore:

• Quantum's right-now, real-world applications
• How quantum computing differs from other types of quantum science (like sensing)
• The intersection of quantum and AI, how they amplify each other—and how one startup spun out of Google with a $500M fundraise to do just this

• What exactly is post-quantum cryptography

Crypto is booming, but is it a revolution or a risk? In this episode, we’re joined by Ari Redbord from TRM Labs to unpack the paradox of blockchain—criminals love it, but transparency makes it their worst enemy. We dig into regulation, the rise of stablecoins, what crypto actually is, and why the U.S. risks falling behind. Whether you’re crypto-curious or a skeptic, this episode cuts through the hype to explore the future of money.

For more, subscribe to CipherTalk Weekly here.

Why should we care about trends in tech & geopolitics? Is AI killing specialization as we know it? How do we stay ahead in a changing world?

To kick off the CipherTalk Podcast, host Meg McNulty explores these and other key themes at the heart of our new world: one where we need to stay ahead of global trends, or risk losing both our edge and our agency.

~ Subscribe to the CipherTalk newsletter here, and Youtube channel here

~ Read more about the 'Death of Specialization' thesis here

Music license code: EDE3WFEU2FCBS8OO