This Week in Tech 1037: Teach Amanda Fish Released: June 23, 2025

Hosts and Guests:

• Leo Laporte – Host of This Week in Tech
• Father Robert Balisar – Digital Jesuit from Vatican City
• Jason Calacanis – Host of All In podcast
• Amanda Silberling – Senior Culture Writer at TechCrunch

1. Introduction

In episode 1037 of This Week in Tech, titled "Teach Amanda Fish," Leo Laporte engages in a profound discussion with tech luminaries Father Robert Balisar from the Vatican, Jason Calacanis of the All In podcast, and Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch. The conversation delves deep into the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, the future of work, cybersecurity, and the evolving landscape of journalism.

2. AI's Societal Impact and Future

Job Displacement and Universal Basic Income (UBI): Jason Calacanis raises concerns about the rapid pace at which AI is displacing jobs across various sectors. He states, "[...] I think the job displacement this time will be different. In the next 10 years, we're going to see serious job displacement." (09:25) Calacanis argues that traditional solutions like UBI may be inadequate, highlighting the underwhelming support systems currently in place. Father Balisar echoes these sentiments, emphasizing that AI will not only alter the economic structures but also fundamentally transform societal relationships and community dynamics.

Autonomous Vehicles: The conversation shifts to autonomous vehicles, with discussions about Tesla's self-driving cars and their implications for employment, particularly for truck drivers. Calacanis shares his personal experience, noting, "I have the latest hardware for Tesla's Model Y, and I put a couple hundred miles on it doing self-driving." (12:57) The group debates the efficacy and safety of these technologies, underscoring the regulatory challenges they present.

Social Changes: Father Balisar introduces a thought-provoking perspective on how AI could reverse urbanization trends initiated during the Industrial Revolution. He suggests that widespread job automation might lead to a dispersal of populations away from expensive city centers, fostering more isolated and potentially fragmented communities. This societal shift could have profound implications for how individuals interact and build communities.

3. The Changing Landscape of Journalism

AI and Content Consumption: Jason Calacanis discusses his article on AI and job destruction, questioning the sustainability of job creation in the face of technological advancements. He mentions, "As an investor in technology companies, I believe that we will see radical self-reliance become more and more necessary." (20:53) Amanda Silberling expresses skepticism about the tech industry's ability to responsibly manage job transitions, noting the precarious nature of gig economy roles like those at Amazon fulfillment centers.

TechCrunch Ownership: The episode touches upon the recent sale of TechCrunch to private equity, with Calacanis and Silberling sharing their experiences. Calacanis remarks, "Private equity overlords... making my paychecks," (55:19) highlighting concerns about the potential erosion of editorial independence and the shift towards profit-driven motives.

Self-Reliance for Journalists: Amanda emphasizes the importance of journalists building personal brands and diversifying income streams to safeguard against corporate instability. She states, "I have a podcast that I do that's separate from TechCrunch... laying the groundwork in case new ownership doesn't work out." (57:54) This aligns with the broader theme of radical self-reliance discussed throughout the episode.

4. Cybersecurity and Surveillance

Data Breaches and Cyber Warfare: Father Balisar provides insights into the Vatican's involvement in AI conferences and the global discussions on AI's role in society. The conversation briefly touches upon cyber warfare, referencing the cyber attacks on Iran's financial system and the broader implications for global security. Calacanis points out the vulnerabilities in the US telecom infrastructure, emphasizing the colossal challenges in eliminating advanced persistent threats without massive infrastructural overhauls.

Surveillance Cameras and Privacy: The panel discusses the proliferation of surveillance cameras, from baby monitors to bird feeders, and their susceptibility to hacking. Leo Laporte highlights a concerning trend, stating, "These 40,000 cameras are probably just the tip of the iceberg." (131:07) Amanda raises ethical concerns about AI's role in analyzing surveillance footage, particularly regarding biases in facial recognition technologies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

5. Financial Technology and Stablecoins

Introduction of Stablecoins in the US: Jason Calacanis introduces the concept of stablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to the US dollar, and discusses their potential to revolutionize financial transactions by reducing transfer fees. He explains, "Stablecoins are a tool for transporting currency between different systems." (142:47) Calacanis advocates for regulated onshore stablecoins, contrasting them with offshore counterparts like Tether, which have faced scrutiny over transparency and regulatory compliance.

Impact on Banking and Transfers: The discussion covers how stablecoins can enhance financial efficiency, citing examples like reduced transfer costs for businesses. Calacanis envisions a future where mainstream financial activities leverage stablecoins for seamless and cost-effective transactions, potentially disrupting traditional banking models.

6. Health Care and Radical Self-Reliance

The Cost of US Healthcare: The panel critically examines the exorbitant costs of healthcare in the United States compared to other countries. Father Balisar shares his personal experience, highlighting the stark differences in treatment costs between the US and Italy. He states, "In Italy, it cost me €28, whereas in the US, the same procedure cost $72,000." (103:15) This disparity underscores the urgent need for healthcare reforms and the exploration of self-directed health solutions.

Alternative Health Care Solutions: Jason Calacanis discusses emerging startups that empower individuals to take control of their healthcare through services like annual blood work and personalized health coaching. He remarks, "We are seeing people start to take control of their health care and find ways to manage costs independently." (104:33) This aligns with the broader theme of radical self-reliance, advocating for innovative approaches to mitigate the systemic inefficiencies in the US healthcare system.

7. Streaming vs. Traditional TV

Shift in Viewership Trends: Leo Laporte highlights a significant shift in media consumption, noting that streaming services have surpassed traditional cable and network television in viewership for the first time. This transition reflects changing consumer preferences and the growing dominance of on-demand content platforms. The panel discusses the implications of this trend for advertisers, content creators, and the future of television broadcasting.

8. Concluding Thoughts

Radical Self-Reliance and Empathy: The episode concludes with a deep reflection on the balance between individual self-reliance and societal empathy. Jason Calacanis advocates for combining radical self-reliance with deep empathy to address the multifaceted challenges posed by AI and technological advancements. He emphasizes, "Radical self-reliance and deep empathy will be essential for navigating the biggest challenges of our lifetime." (110:27)

Optimism Amid Challenges: Despite the daunting discussions, the panel remains cautiously optimistic. Father Balisar envisions a future where humanity leverages technology to foster more meaningful and satisfying relationships, countering the isolating tendencies exacerbated by AI. Leo Laporte emphasizes the enduring human spirit, stating, "There is hope. We have to give advice to people and empower them to learn something new." (162:21)

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Calacanis (09:25): "I think the job displacement this time will be different. In the next 10 years, we're going to see serious job displacement."

• Father Robert Balisar (06:33): "AI is not a buzzword around here. It's a thing. It's going to be a signature part of Pope Leo's pap."

• Amanda Silberling (17:14): "I just fundamentally don't trust the tech industry to make changes to people's jobs in the way they have in the past."

• Jason Calacanis (20:53): "Radical self-reliance is going to become more and more necessary."

• Leo Laporte (131:07): "These 40,000 cameras are probably just the tip of the iceberg."

• Jason Calacanis (142:12): "Stablecoins are a tool for transporting currency between different systems."

Conclusion

Episode 1037 of This Week in Tech offers a comprehensive exploration of AI's multifaceted impact on modern society. From job displacement and the future of autonomous vehicles to the ethical dilemmas in journalism and cybersecurity, the panelists provide insightful perspectives on navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape. The recurring theme of radical self-reliance, coupled with a call for deep empathy, underscores the necessity for both individual empowerment and collective responsibility in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.

This summary captures the essence of the discussions held in the episode, providing a coherent and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.