Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna
Guest: Dr. Muhammad Atique, author of Algorithmic Saga: Understanding Media, Culture, and Transformation in the AI Age
Publication: Atique Mindscape Publishing, 2024
Date: November 1, 2025

Episode Overview

The episode centers on the profound impact digital media, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI) have on our daily lives, culture, and social fabric, as explored in Dr. Muhammad Atique’s new book, Algorithmic Saga. Host Dr. Michael LaMagna and Dr. Atique discuss how algorithms shape personal choices, media consumption, social behavior, psychological health, and privacy, offering insight into both the promises and perils of the AI-driven era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Atique’s Background and Inspiration

• Dr. Atique recounts his global journey from Pakistan to China and New Zealand, blending journalism practice with academic inquiry (02:22).
• Cites the ongoing transformation of media – from print to broadcast to digital to AI – as the impetus for his research and writing.
• Emphasizes societal curiosity, fear, and uncertainty about the pace and direction of technological change.

“Now the age of AI is going to change everything that we changed last 20, 25 years. So people are afraid about it and... a little astonished... curious...where we will stop or either it's a constant change in the technology and how the society will take this change...” (03:34, Dr. Atique)

How Algorithms Shape Digital Media and Behavior

• Algorithms underpin nearly every aspect of our digital experiences, from targeted advertising to content recommendations (04:57).
• Data collected from app usage, social media, and online engagement is fed into marketing strategies, often without users fully realizing the extent.
• Companies study preferences to customize products—even at a granular level like distribution of phone colors in different countries.
• Repetition and visibility (“seeing is believing”) amplify influence, creating cycles of affirmation, especially for youth who average 7-8 hours of screen time daily.
• AI tools like ChatGPT have transformed habit and thinking, sometimes reducing users’ depth of independent thought.

“...psychologically, whatever you see, you believe it…we are giving so much time to the screens. So this is a rapid change…unconsciously or consciously our data is going to be used and we are happy to do with this.” (07:55, Dr. Atique)

• Reliance on AI recommendations extends to personal, professional, and even emotional decisions (dating, travel, shopping).

“Even some of my friends...they also asking about their spouses and...with the chat gtp. So...the machine have some standard criteria and they recommended you...even our emotional things is recommended by the algorithm or the machine...” (10:45, Dr. Atique)

Critical Thinking and Confirmation Bias

• The algorithms perpetuate confirmation bias, feeding users information that aligns with existing beliefs and preferences, narrowing outlook and fracturing society (15:04).
• Dr. Atique references legislation, such as Denmark’s limits on AI-assisted academics, as a possible model.
• Biases, both human and algorithmic, permeate everything from skin-tone recognition to relationship advice.

“The confirmation bias is there…now...many companies...recommend that yes, we do have the problem with our algorithms…and the data…it can be biased especially from choosing the skin tone, the colors...” (16:20, Dr. Atique)

• Information overload and ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) affect mental health and self-esteem, as people compare themselves to curated online lives (18:26).

The Loss of Privacy

• The ease of sharing personal data—locations, habits, associations—erodes individual privacy (23:47).
• Dr. Atique shares an anecdote about traffic cameras in France exposing private relationships, underscoring the unintended consequences of ubiquitous data collection.
• The desire to “show off” online perpetuates loss of privacy, envy among peers, and FOMO.

“Our privacy is no more privacy. Everything is public. It's just like the public public say that…Your data is the public public. So our everything is public now.” (28:53, Dr. Atique)

The Expanding Role of AI in Work, Academia, and Daily Life

• Widespread adoption of AI tools for writing, learning, and creative tasks is displacing traditional roles, particularly in academia, the service sector, and creative industries (29:32).
• Dr. Atique is concerned both about job loss and over-reliance on AI—especially among students who may lose the ability to think independently.

“No more need of a teacher. Okay. And being a teacher, I am afraid with my job as well.” (29:40, Dr. Atique)

• AI could, however, create new opportunities for those who learn to harness its capabilities. There is a need for “AI literacy.”

Future Directions and Societal Impact

• Digital media and AI are rapidly changing community structures, social interaction, and even industries like Hollywood and legal work (33:13).
• The importance of balancing the use of technology with authentic human experiences is stressed repeatedly.
• Every sector (law, writing, entertainment) is feeling the impact, prompting both anxiety and innovation.

“Society need to learn some new skill in somehow, in some part that should not disturb your natural life, your natural phenomena. For example, enjoying a coffee... the real life.” (34:38, Dr. Atique)

On Podcasts and the Structure of the Book

• The podcast format exemplifies a shift towards long-form, reflective content people can consume on the go (37:38).
• Podcasts, audiobooks, and digital content have democratized access to expert opinions and in-depth dialogue.

“The good thing is that while you are...doing exercise, playing or cooking...you can learn, you can listen to a one person point of view calmly…So because convenience of the technology, this is becoming more and more the podcast culture as well.” (38:01, Dr. Atique)

• The book is designed for classroom use, with takeaway messages and discussion questions at each chapter’s end (40:37).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the accelerating pace of change:
  “Chat GTP5 has come. I am outdated. You are outdated as well. So everything is becoming very sharply outdated.” (42:43, Dr. Atique)
• Advice for the Future:
  “We need to make our life in a balance. We should give the technology to learn our skill, our business...and we also need to make the balance with our friends and the family, with our health as well and with our sleep...” (42:46, Dr. Atique)
• Reflecting on human connection:
  “Our skill set is getting better with the technology...But if you will give less time to the human beings, so your relationship with the human beings will be poor. Definitely.” (21:52, Dr. Atique)

Important Timestamps

• 02:22 – Dr. Atique details his personal and academic journey
• 04:57 – 14:09 – Core discussion on how algorithms influence consumer behavior, media, and thinking
• 15:04 – 23:23 – Deep dive into confirmation bias, psychological effects, FOMO, and mental health
• 23:47 – 29:20 – Privacy concerns in the algorithmic age
• 29:32 – 37:17 – AI’s disruptive role in work, academia, and creativity
• 37:38 – 40:21 – Podcasting as a reflection of media evolution
• 40:37 – 42:46 – Book structure and educational applications
• 42:46 – End – Final thoughts, balancing technology with real life, Dr. Atique’s future work

Conclusion

This episode offers a lucid and wide-ranging exploration of how algorithms and AI are revolutionizing media, social behavior, and even personal identity. Dr. Atique emphasizes a critical, thoughtful embrace of technology: leveraging its benefits while guarding against its excesses, biases, and intrusions on both individuality and society. The overarching message is the necessity of balance—between digital innovation and authentic, human-centered living.