Chris Stokel-Walker
@stokel.bsky.social
Tech journalist and author, who increasingly also talks on TV and radio. Interested in the sparks that happen when the online and offline worlds collide
@stokel on the other place. Buy my book: How AI Ate the World!
@stokel on the other place. Buy my book: How AI Ate the World!
Reposted by Chris Stokel-Walker
Ads are coming to ChatGPT... but are advertisers ready to leap in? My latest for The Current chats to them www.thecurrent.com/marketing-st...
Ads are coming to ChatGPT. Are advertisers ready to leap in? | The Current
OpenAI has announced ads are coming to its hugely popular chatbot — so what do advertisers make of that?
www.thecurrent.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Ads are coming to ChatGPT... but are advertisers ready to leap in? My latest for The Current chats to them www.thecurrent.com/marketing-st...
Ads are coming to ChatGPT... but are advertisers ready to leap in? My latest for The Current chats to them www.thecurrent.com/marketing-st...
Ads are coming to ChatGPT. Are advertisers ready to leap in? | The Current
OpenAI has announced ads are coming to its hugely popular chatbot — so what do advertisers make of that?
www.thecurrent.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Ads are coming to ChatGPT... but are advertisers ready to leap in? My latest for The Current chats to them www.thecurrent.com/marketing-st...
The future of Greenland feels... pretty precipice-y, which is why I wrote this for @fastcompany.com about what levers are available to Europe to try and tame tech www.fastcompany.com/91479422/the...
The ‘big bazooka’: How Europe could hit the U.S. tech industry if the Greenland trade war blows up
Europe’s plan to retaliate against U.S. tech companies in response to Trump’s Greenland aggression ‘would unfold more like a slow, grinding campaign: legal, relentlessly procedural, and very expensive...
www.fastcompany.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The future of Greenland feels... pretty precipice-y, which is why I wrote this for @fastcompany.com about what levers are available to Europe to try and tame tech www.fastcompany.com/91479422/the...
Donald Trump's tariff chaos is causing issues for the chip sector, which relies on long lead times and reliable demand. My latest for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91477962/tru...
Trump's chaos is forcing the usually methodical chips industry to learn how xfto pivot quickly
Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on tariffs for chips destined for China throws an industry that moves slowly into turmoil.
www.fastcompany.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Donald Trump's tariff chaos is causing issues for the chip sector, which relies on long lead times and reliable demand. My latest for @fastcompany.com www.fastcompany.com/91477962/tru...
Reposted by Chris Stokel-Walker
Avoiding satellites colliding in space is tricky and usually requires expendable fuel - but new research could keep them moving using magnetic fields. My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Satellites could use magnetic fields to avoid collisions
Two or more satellites could communicate and manoeuvre around one another using magnetic fields, although getting the technique to work at scale in space might be tricky
www.newscientist.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Avoiding satellites colliding in space is tricky and usually requires expendable fuel - but new research could keep them moving using magnetic fields. My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Reposted by Chris Stokel-Walker
I spent as long trying to get between Vienna and the UK earlier this month as it'd take me to get to Las Vegas. For @inc.com I wrote about why - the slow way planes get safe to fly in cold weather www.inc.com/chris-stokel...
Major Flight Delays This Winter Reveal a Weak Spot in Airport Logistics
Ice is a major safety hazard for airplanes. So why is it so difficult for airports to stay on top of de-icing?
www.inc.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:17 PM
I spent as long trying to get between Vienna and the UK earlier this month as it'd take me to get to Las Vegas. For @inc.com I wrote about why - the slow way planes get safe to fly in cold weather www.inc.com/chris-stokel...
Reposted by Chris Stokel-Walker
Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group: “First Davos i’ve ever heard us CEOs worried about the possibility of Europeans boycotting American goods.”
Pressure works.
Pressure works.
January 21, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group: “First Davos i’ve ever heard us CEOs worried about the possibility of Europeans boycotting American goods.”
Pressure works.
Pressure works.
The latest edition of the @newscientist.com Business Insights newsletter just hit inboxes, speaking to the head of a company wanting to be the next Google DeepMind. Sign up for the newsletter here link.newscientist.com/click/436357...
Sign up to Newsletters | New Scientist
link.newscientist.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The latest edition of the @newscientist.com Business Insights newsletter just hit inboxes, speaking to the head of a company wanting to be the next Google DeepMind. Sign up for the newsletter here link.newscientist.com/click/436357...
I spent as long trying to get between Vienna and the UK earlier this month as it'd take me to get to Las Vegas. For @inc.com I wrote about why - the slow way planes get safe to fly in cold weather www.inc.com/chris-stokel...
Major Flight Delays This Winter Reveal a Weak Spot in Airport Logistics
Ice is a major safety hazard for airplanes. So why is it so difficult for airports to stay on top of de-icing?
www.inc.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:17 PM
I spent as long trying to get between Vienna and the UK earlier this month as it'd take me to get to Las Vegas. For @inc.com I wrote about why - the slow way planes get safe to fly in cold weather www.inc.com/chris-stokel...
Avoiding satellites colliding in space is tricky and usually requires expendable fuel - but new research could keep them moving using magnetic fields. My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Satellites could use magnetic fields to avoid collisions
Two or more satellites could communicate and manoeuvre around one another using magnetic fields, although getting the technique to work at scale in space might be tricky
www.newscientist.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Avoiding satellites colliding in space is tricky and usually requires expendable fuel - but new research could keep them moving using magnetic fields. My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Hello! Is anyone a secret (or not so secret) Crocs fan and has/collects Jibbitz? Would love to chat to you for a story if so!
January 20, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Hello! Is anyone a secret (or not so secret) Crocs fan and has/collects Jibbitz? Would love to chat to you for a story if so!
Would you look at that: today, the government is consulting on a social media ban
The government feels like it's heading towards banning under-16s from social media. Has it thought the reason why kids spend so long on their phones is they have nowhere else to socialise with their peers after offline spaces shut? By me for @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
Banning under-16s from social media will do more harm than good
The government is in a rush to follow Australia in removing children’s online accounts – but, given how kids' clubs, sports grounds and shopping centres are closing, to do so would complete the erasur...
www.independent.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Would you look at that: today, the government is consulting on a social media ban
Is this the point I say I have a book proposal on smartphones to shop around, if any agents are reading?
Smartphones are one of the 21 biggest, most important, best ideas of the 21st century. Yes, really. Was chuffed to contribute to @newscientist.com's latest feature package
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Smartphones (yes, really): Best ideas of the century
Some might say smartphones have caused more harm than good. Here’s why putting a powerful computer into every pocket was a good idea
www.newscientist.com
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Is this the point I say I have a book proposal on smartphones to shop around, if any agents are reading?
Smartphones are one of the 21 biggest, most important, best ideas of the 21st century. Yes, really. Was chuffed to contribute to @newscientist.com's latest feature package
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Smartphones (yes, really): Best ideas of the century
Some might say smartphones have caused more harm than good. Here’s why putting a powerful computer into every pocket was a good idea
www.newscientist.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Smartphones are one of the 21 biggest, most important, best ideas of the 21st century. Yes, really. Was chuffed to contribute to @newscientist.com's latest feature package
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
www.newscientist.com/article/2510...
Reposted by Chris Stokel-Walker
Given everything that is happening with Greenland, I asked @stokel.bsky.social to investigate whether Europeans should - or even could - wean themselves off US tech www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Should Europe boycott US tech over Greenland, and is it even possible?
As tensions over Greenland rise, some Europeans are asking whether it is time to disentangle themselves from US tech dominance - but from smartphones to cloud services, rejecting US tech is easier sai...
www.newscientist.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Given everything that is happening with Greenland, I asked @stokel.bsky.social to investigate whether Europeans should - or even could - wean themselves off US tech www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Donald Trump's weird threats overnight might have you thinking about forswearing US tech services and hardware. But is it possible, either on a personal or political level? My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
Should Europe boycott US tech over Greenland, and is it even possible?
As tensions over Greenland rise, some Europeans are asking whether it is time to disentangle themselves from US tech dominance - but from smartphones to cloud services, rejecting US tech is easier sai...
www.newscientist.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Donald Trump's weird threats overnight might have you thinking about forswearing US tech services and hardware. But is it possible, either on a personal or political level? My latest for @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
The government feels like it's heading towards banning under-16s from social media. Has it thought the reason why kids spend so long on their phones is they have nowhere else to socialise with their peers after offline spaces shut? By me for @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
Banning under-16s from social media will do more harm than good
The government is in a rush to follow Australia in removing children’s online accounts – but, given how kids' clubs, sports grounds and shopping centres are closing, to do so would complete the erasur...
www.independent.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
The government feels like it's heading towards banning under-16s from social media. Has it thought the reason why kids spend so long on their phones is they have nowhere else to socialise with their peers after offline spaces shut? By me for @the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
www.independent.co.uk/voices/under...
Intrigued to see what on earth is behind the X outage - I can simultaneously imagine a world in which it's linked to changes made hastily in response to the Grok issue but can also imagine a world where it's just something gone wrong. If you know and work at X, Signal me!
January 16, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Intrigued to see what on earth is behind the X outage - I can simultaneously imagine a world in which it's linked to changes made hastily in response to the Grok issue but can also imagine a world where it's just something gone wrong. If you know and work at X, Signal me!
There have been some massive moves in tech regulation in the last few weeks - all in aim of trying to keep kids safe online. For @fastcompany.com, I looked at what this tells us about the year to come www.fastcompany.com/91474179/the...
The world is getting tougher on kids’ online safety in 2026
A slew of new laws around the globe are trying to curb minors’ access to social media—but legal challenges are afoot.
www.fastcompany.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:10 AM
There have been some massive moves in tech regulation in the last few weeks - all in aim of trying to keep kids safe online. For @fastcompany.com, I looked at what this tells us about the year to come www.fastcompany.com/91474179/the...
I was always a rubbish chess player but my latest for @newscientist.com suggests I could beat grandmasters if I was willing to cheat just three times in a game www.newscientist.com/article/2511...
Cheating just three times massively ups the chance of winning at chess
Using a chess computer to advise you on just three moves during a game dramatically increases your chances of winning in a way that is difficult for others to spot
www.newscientist.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:19 AM
I was always a rubbish chess player but my latest for @newscientist.com suggests I could beat grandmasters if I was willing to cheat just three times in a game www.newscientist.com/article/2511...
Matthew McConaughey's fighting back against AI stealing his likeness! The way he's doing so is... a little weird. My latest for @thetimes.com on whether you should trademark your mannerisms
www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
How Matthew McConaughey plans to beat AI —all right, all right, all right
The actor has made his face, stance and general McConaugheyness protected intellectual property, says Chris Stokel-Walker
www.thetimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Matthew McConaughey's fighting back against AI stealing his likeness! The way he's doing so is... a little weird. My latest for @thetimes.com on whether you should trademark your mannerisms
www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
www.thetimes.com/life-style/c...
For @nikkei.com Digital Governance, I wrote about how Elon Musk and Grok's nudification is pushing Europe's Digital Services Act to the limit www.nikkei.com/prime/digita...
Grokは「不快極まりない」 性的生成、試される欧州DSA - 日経デジタルガバナンス
男性による女性への嫌がらせは、数千年にわたり社会を悩ませてきた問題のひとつだ。AIの時代になり、その深刻度合いが深まっている。2026年になり、無数の女性たちが米xAI（エックスエーアイ）によるチャットボット兼画像生成ツール「Grok（グロック）」による悪意ある画像出力の標的となっている。NIKKEI Digital Governanceは海外在住のジャーナリストによるリポートをお届けしています。...
www.nikkei.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:47 AM
For @nikkei.com Digital Governance, I wrote about how Elon Musk and Grok's nudification is pushing Europe's Digital Services Act to the limit www.nikkei.com/prime/digita...
Can the knight overcome the edgelord? My latest for @the-independent.com looks at the geopolitical battle that Ofcom is positioning itself at the centre of www.independent.co.uk/voices/ofcom...
The knight vs the edgelord – can Keir Starmer stand up to Elon Musk?
Beneath the sickening scandal of AI-generated abuse is the real fear among government officials that countries like the UK no longer have the muscle to compete with nation-sized tech companies, says C...
www.independent.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Can the knight overcome the edgelord? My latest for @the-independent.com looks at the geopolitical battle that Ofcom is positioning itself at the centre of www.independent.co.uk/voices/ofcom...
@owbennett.bsky.social hello, have sent you a DM!
January 13, 2026 at 8:35 AM
@owbennett.bsky.social hello, have sent you a DM!
Age assurance is a big theme of 2026. But no one wants to be in charge of it. The latest group holding the parcel when the music stops? App stores. My latest for @techpolicypress.bsky.social www.techpolicy.press/the-drive-fo...
The Drive For Age Assurance Is Turning App Stores Into Childhood Regulators | TechPolicy.Press
Lawmakers and parents want Apple and Google to be gatekeepers, but experts warn shifting liability up the stack won’t necessarily keep kids safe.
www.techpolicy.press
January 12, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Age assurance is a big theme of 2026. But no one wants to be in charge of it. The latest group holding the parcel when the music stops? App stores. My latest for @techpolicypress.bsky.social www.techpolicy.press/the-drive-fo...