Subvolts take Understand how safety standards evolve with AI and connected tech. Apr 27, 2026 - Developers
- Understand how evolving safety standards might impact hardware and software development in the AI space.
- Business
- Learn about the challenges and importance of safety standards for tech companies operating in the AI-driven market.
- Everyday users
- Gain insight into the safety certifications behind the connected and AI-powered devices you use daily.
This episode features a solid interview with the CEO of a major safety standards organization discussing AI's impact.
That UL safety logo is a lot more complicated than it looks
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From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Nilay Patel interviews Jennifer Scanlon, CEO of UL Solutions, about the company's history and adaptation to the connected, AI-powered era. UL, founded over 100 years ago for fire and safety testing, now faces challenges in setting tech standards. The discussion touches on whether tech companies still value these standards amidst evolving safety concerns.
UL Solutions started by testing if new electrical devices were safe for homes. Now, with smart gadgets and AI, they are figuring out new ways to test safety for connected technology. This episode explains why these standards still matter for the tech we use daily.
This episode explores how a century-old safety standards organization is navigating the complexities of modern technology, including AI. It's for anyone interested in the intersection of hardware, software, and regulation. Listeners will learn about the evolving definition of 'safety' in tech and the challenges in maintaining standards as companies push new innovations, a relevant topic as frontier AI labs develop increasingly complex systems.
- HostNilay Patel
- GuestJennifer ScanlonCEO, UL Solutions
- Guest: Jennifer Scanlon, CEO of UL Solutions
- Show: Decoder with Nilay Patel
- Length: 63 minutes
- UL Founding Reason: Standardize fire and safety testing as electricity spread into homes.
- UL Adaptation: Adapting quickly to the connected, AI-powered era.
Jennifer Scanlon is CEO of UL Solutions, one of those hidden-in-plain-sight companies we like to poke at here on Decoder. UL's been around for more than 100 years; it started as a way for insurance companies to standardize fire and safety testing as electricity was the new technology spreading into homes.
But now it's everywhere, and "safety" in tech doesn't just mean the hardware. UL is adapting quickly to the connected, AI-powered era... but do the companies making and distributing tech even care about standards anymore?
Links:
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How fake UL certifications led to Chinese ebike suit | Electrek
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FCC IoT program loses UL after China probe | Cybersecurity Dive
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FCC’s Carr probes IoT program lab over “ties to China” | PC Mag
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The US router ban, explained | The Verge
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More than 500,000 hoverboards recalled (2016) | The Verge
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Brendan Carr is a dummy | The Vergecast
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Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt. This episode was edited by Kabir Chopra. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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- AI-powered era
- Jennifer Scanlon
- The current time period where artificial intelligence is becoming widespread and influencing many aspects of life.
1 h 47
Questions people ask
- What is UL Solutions?
- UL Solutions is a company that has been standardizing fire and safety testing for over 100 years, starting with electricity in homes and now adapting to connected, AI-powered technology.
- Why is UL Solutions relevant to AI?
- UL Solutions is adapting its safety standards to the connected, AI-powered era, addressing whether tech companies still prioritize these standards amidst rapid innovation.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to The Verge.