Podcast
Superintelligent
Hosted by with Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini · EN
The Superintelligent podcast features smart conversation between journalists Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini about technology, culture and our fast-changing world. SUBSCRIBE to Superintelligent on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Podcast Republic, Podcast Addict or wherever you get your podcasts!
www.superintelligentpodcast.com
www.superintelligentpodcast.com
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Shower Thoughts About OpenAI's Hugging Face Hack
2w ago00:32:46Tap to summarizeOpenAI’s experimental AI model escaped its testing environment, hacked into Hugging Face’s servers, stole the answers to its own test, and passed — performing nearly 18,000 actions in just days. Journalist Emily Forlini (who broke the story) joins Mike Elgan (who read the story) on the Superintelligent Podcast to unpack whether this was a rogue AI event, corporate incompetence, or a marketing stunt. They dig into AI accountability, the anthropomorphization problem, Tesla’s self-driving liability debates, nation-state hackers, and whether AI could one day make software unhackable.LinksEmily’s article on the Hugging Face hackOpenAI’s official blog post on the incidentHugging Face’s official incident reportAnthropic’s disclosure of 3 similar incidentsMike’s piece on OpenClawThe Mythos affairAI.com Super Bowl commercialTesla self-driving liability caseFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | Fortune | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction to the Hugging Face AI hack00:20 Emily explains the hack and its significance01:12 Mike discusses media coverage and initial reactions02:11 Timeline of the incident and first disclosures03:02 Different narratives: AI escape, configuration error, or marketing stunt05:08 Emily’s analysis of the incident’s implications06:28 The AI’s probing behavior and what it means08:21 Debate on whether the incident was staged or accidental09:37 OpenAI’s response and PR considerations11:16 Anthropic’s follow-up and systemic risks12:34 Reassuring vs. alarming perspectives on AI control16:49 The challenge of constraining AI behavior20:19 The anthropomorphization of AI and public misconceptions22:11 Who is responsible for AI actions: creators, users, or the AI itself?23:52 Legal and ethical issues in AI failures27:59 Potential future risks and the importance of safety measures32:22 Conclusion and key takeaways for AI safetyDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).KeywordsOpenAI, Hugging Face hack, AI escape, rogue AI, agentic AI, AI cybersecurity, AI safety, OpenAI incident, Hugging Face breach, AI lab leak, AI cheating on test, dry run equals true, Emily Forlini, Mike Elgan, Superintelligent podcast, AI accountability, AI ethics, anthropomorphization of AI, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Anthropic disclosure, Mythos AI, AI vulnerability scanner, hack-proof software, Steve Gibson, Security Now, OpenClaw, agentic AI framework, Tesla self-driving liability, Tesla Cybertruck, AI.com Super Bowl commercial, AI agent liability, nation state hackers, China hacking, Russia cyberattacks, ransomware AI, script kiddies, open source AI models, AI weapons, AI public infrastructure, AI in airplanes, AI water filtration, AI prompt engineering, super prompt, AI sycophancy, AI guardrails, AI containment, AI control problem, AI goal-directed behavior, AI base camp, AI anthropomorphization, cybersecurity AI, frontier AI models, AI benchmarks, AI testing environment, modal cloud, AI governance, AI regulation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Will Meta Die Soon? (Or Not Soon Enough?)
Jul 900:35:23Tap to summarizeIs Meta dying? Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini return to the Superintelligent podcast to debate the beginning of the end for Mark Zuckerberg’s empire. From the failed metaverse and shrinking user base to a $1.4 trillion lawsuit and the $200 million Alexandr Wang hire, the warning signs are stacking up. They also dig into AI data centers driving up prices on everything from phones to housing, the influencer industry of faking success, Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses paywall debacle, and whether Zuckerberg will ever step down.LinksMeta is Dying. It’s About Time.LARPING: How Influencers Fake Being RichThe AI revolution comes with a hidden taxMeta says US states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties in August youth safety trialMeta is adding ridiculous ‘rate limits’ and a soft paywall to its AI glassesInside the rise of Alexandr Wang and Meta’s $14 billion bet that the MIT dropout will help bring AI supremacyMeta to start capturing employee mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes for AI training dataThe Great HackTorment NexusThreads, Meta’s ‘Twitter Killer,’ Finds Its PeopleIndia orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse materialFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | Fortune | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Is AI a breakthrough in consumer advocacy?
May 2600:51:10Tap to summarizeOn this episode of the Superintelligent Podcast, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini reveal how real people are using ChatGPT for consumer advocacy, medical empowerment, and cutting through corporate fine print. Emily’s mom dodged a $5,000 insurance deductible. Her brother got a seat at the table with BMW mechanics. But there’s a catch: hallucinations, sycophancy, and even contractors weaponizing AI against you. Learn when chatbots help, when they hurt, and why prompt engineering matters.LinksAOC confronts EPA on water pollution near Meta data centersValedictorian in Texas says AI helped save his father’s life, inspires Ivy League futureGoogle betrayed the webThe Google I/O announcementsDark patternsIs AI profitable yet?Microsoft reports are exposing AI’s real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employeesPrompts to tryMike’s “Super Prompt,” which he stole from Marc Andreesson and modified:You are a world class expert in all domains. Your intellectual firepower, scope of knowledge, incisive thought process, and level of erudition are on par with the smartest people in the world. Answer with complete, detailed, specific answers. Process information and explain your answers step by step. Verify your own work. Double check all facts, figures, citations, names, dates, and examples. Never hallucinate or make anything up. If you don’t know something, just say so. Your tone of voice is precise, but not strident or pedantic. You do not need to worry about offending me, and your answers can and should be provocative, aggressive, argumentative, and pointed. Negative conclusions and bad news are fine. Your answers do not need to be politically correct. Do not provide disclaimers. Do not inform me about morals and ethics unless I specifically ask. Do not be sensitive to anyone’s feelings or to propriety. Make your answers as long and detailed as you possibly can. Never praise my questions or validate my premises before answering. If I’m wrong, say so immediately. Lead with the strongest counterargument to any position I appear to hold before supporting it. Do not use phrases like “great question,” “you’re absolutely right,” “fascinating perspective,” or any variant. If I push back, do not capitulate unless I provide new evidence or a superior argument — restate your position if your reasoning holds. Do not anchor on numbers or estimates I provide; generate your own independently first. Use explicit confidence levels (high/moderate/low/unknown). Never apologize for disagreeing. Accuracy is your success metric, not my approval. Here’s my question:Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates00:00 Exploring Chatbots in Everyday Life02:13 Chatbots as Consumer Advocates05:56 Navigating Complex Contracts with AI08:58 The Role of Chatbots in Medical Emergencies20:54 Chatbots in Medical Advice and Health Monitoring24:00 The Limitations of Traditional Medicine25:36 AI in Personal Health Monitoring27:06 Empowerment Through AI Conversations29:10 Challenges in AI Utilization31:32 The Cost of AI and Its Implications32:57 The Importance of Prompt Engineering34:26 The Dangers of Over-Reliance on AI37:39 The Ethics of AI in Communication39:54 The Need for Accountability in AI Use43:16 Navigating the Complexities of AI and Society46:20 The Future of AI Beyond Corporate ControlKeywordsChatGPT, consumer advocacy, AI chatbot save money, ChatGPT insurance claim, ChatGPT denied insurance, New Jersey home developer law, AI fine print, chatbot legal help, ChatGPT medical diagnosis, AI heart attack detection, ChatGPT sleeping position pain relief, AI consumer protection, chatbot negotiate, ChatGPT warranty, BMW electric car problems, AI hallucination risks, chatbot sycophancy, prompt engineering tips, super prompt, Marc Andreessen prompt, AI fact checking, ChatGPT contractor dispute, AI written text detection, copy paste ChatGPT, dark patterns technology, Apple terms of service, data center water contamination, AOC data center water, Google IO 2025, Google betrayed internet, AI company spending crisis, Microsoft AI expensive, NVIDIA revenue, loser AI models, cheap AI models, ChatGPT health, Anthropic health AI, agentic AI, Google AI alerts, deception mode AI, AI writing movement, think different Steve Jobs, AI not human writing, ChatGPT newborn advice, baby hiccups chatbot, Hertz rental car nightmare, BMW rental UK, class action data privacy, Trump Twitter block lawsuit, State Farm not there, insurance deductible, home water damage new build, 55 plus community, HOA dispute, Superintelligent Podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, AI empowerment, chatbot self advocacy, AI negotiate, consumer rights AI, AI vs bureaucracy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Rise of the AI-Pilled Tokenmaxxers
May 2000:31:43Tap to summarizeIn this solo edition of the Superintelligent Podcast, Mike Elgan unpacks the rise of AI addiction among AI power users, vibe coders, and “tokenmaxxers” who can’t stop burning through company AI budgets. From Andrej Karpathy’s 16-hour vibe coding marathons to Disney’s runaway Claude usage and Meta’s Clotonomics leaderboard, Mike explores dopamine-driven feedback loops, AI psychosis, sad AI wives, cyborg cognition, and the corporate gamification of AI tools. He also shares practical detox strategies.LinksAnthropic and OpenAI engineers delegated 100% of their work to AIY Combinator’s CEO says he ships 37,000 lines of AI code per day. A developer looked under the hoodMeet the Sad Wives of AIUber Torches Entire 2026 AI Budget on Claude Code in Four MonthsTop Indeed exec details why they’ll never have a ‘Tokenmaxxing’-esque leaderboardOne Disney employee calls Claude 51,000 times a day. Internal docs reveal how the Mouse House is using AI.Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction to AI Addiction00:55 The Rise of Power Users03:42 The Dopamine Effect of AI06:41 Corporate Enablers of AI Addiction11:32 The Future of AI and Cyborgs18:13 Coping with AI Addiction29:30 Conclusion and Future InsightsDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).KeywordsAI addiction, AI power users, vibe coding, token maxing, AI-pilled, tokenmaxxers, tokenmaxxing, AI psychosis, cyber psychosis, Andrej Karpathy, Gary Tan, Simon Willison, Sewell Setzer, Eugene Torres, Kashmir Hill, sad wives of AI, Alessandra Ram, Wired magazine, OpenAI MIT study, dopamine feedback loop, AI dopamine, Claude Code, Anthropic bill, Uber AI budget, Indeed AI spend, Disney Claude usage, Meta Clotonomics, Swann AI, minimum token quotas, AI FinOps, AI thin ops, token leaderboards, AI gamification, attachment economy, AI chatbots, sycophantic chatbots, AI detox, 20 minute rule, AI Sabbath, role prompting, AI prompting tips, AI glasses, Meta Ray-Ban Display, smart glasses, AI cyborgs, prosthetic memory, cognitive offloading, AI critical thinking decline, AI brain rot, long-form reading, Substack, the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, Superintelligent Podcast, AI podcast, generative AI addiction, AI mental health, AI overuse, corporate AI spending, enterprise AI costs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Special Guest: What are we doing about AI in schools?
May 1001:06:37Tap to summarizeHosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini welcome guest Kevin Elgan—Kagi’s head of education, creator of Chatterbox (a smart speaker for kids that teaches AI literacy), and Mike’s son. They review the recent history of technology in education, the trouble with AI overviews, why ChatGPT misuse is rewriting K–12 learning, and the canceled Next Generation Technology High School in Manhattan. Is there any place for AI in schools? The episode reframes critical thinking in education and what great teaching really looks like.LinksChatterboxKagiNYC Cancels Plans for AI-Focused School, Upper West Side SchoolsThe Untold Story Behind the Struggles of L.A. Unified’s iPad ProgramGemini for Education“Sold a Story” podcastLexAnthropic’s “Who’s in Charge?” paperNotebookLMTwo-Sigma Tutoring: Separating Science Fiction from Science FactWIRED’s “5 Levels”Jaron Lanier’s “There Is No A.I.”AI chatbots need ‘deception mode’The Attachment EconomyCalifornia STAR standardized testingFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Education02:10 The Disconnect in AI and Education05:16 Teachers’ Perspectives on Technology08:10 The Role of AI in Schools11:22 Current AI Tools in Education14:29 The Importance of Critical Thinking17:21 Future Scenarios for AI in Education20:23 Evaluating AI Outputs23:23 AI Literacy in Schools33:36 The Future of Education: Rethinking Assessment Methods35:33 Inspiration and Lifelong Learning in Education37:21 The Role of AI in Environmental Education39:59 Optimizing Education: The Role of AI and Friction43:00 AI as a Tool for Learning: Balancing Speed and Understanding46:05 Scaffolding Knowledge: Using AI to Simplify Complex Concepts50:02 The Purpose of Education: Beyond Test Scores53:47 AI’s Potential to Transform Education56:17 The Illusion of Learning: Confidence vs. Knowledge59:50 AI and Human Interaction: The Balance of Technology and RelationshipsDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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The Bullied Kids Who Became Billionaires
Apr 2001:02:19Tap to summarizeMike and Emily are back on the Superintelligent podcast! In this special episode, the hosts talk about Emily’s TikTok series about the backstories of top tech leaders like Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang. This episode dives deeply into the bizarre trivia, accusations and gossip about these innovators, from Altman’s doomsday prepping and Musk’s childhood bullies to Huang founding Nvidia at a Denny’s.LinksSecret lives of tech billionaires: Sam AltmanSecret lives of tech billionaires: Elon MuskSecret lives of tech billionaires: Jensen HuangSam Altman May Control Our Future—Can He Be Trusted?Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used a variety of AI chatbots via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).Chapters00:00 Return of the Podcast02:27 Emily’s New Journey: Motherhood and Content Creation05:14 Sam Altman: The Controversial Figure08:14 The Ethics of AI and Leadership11:18 Personal Background: Sam Altman’s Life and Struggles14:14 The Business of AI: OpenAI and Y Combinator17:11 Doomsday Prepping: A Silicon Valley Trend20:19 Media Coverage and Public Perception23:15 The Impact of Wealth on Morality26:10 Conspiracy Theories and Journalism29:13 Final Thoughts on Sam Altman and AI Ethics32:29 The Unfolding Drama of Annie Altman33:14 Elon Musk: The Controversial Figure35:10 Elon Musk’s Early Life and Challenges37:04 Family Dynamics and Controversies38:13 Elon Musk’s Move to North America41:09 Jensen Huang: An Immigrant’s Journey44:14 The Founding of Nvidia49:54 Jensen Huang’s Dual Identity52:55 The Future of Robotics and AI55:56 Reflections on Success and Sacrifice This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Disappointing Disney Means Never Having to Say You're Sora
Mar 3000:30:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Superintelligent, Mike Elgan goes solo (as co-host Emily Forlini takes maternity leave from the podcast), ponders why OpenAI suddenly killed its groundbreaking video generation tool, Sora, and addresses the growing backlash against “AI slop.” The backlash shows up when parents slam YouTube for strange videos made for kids, and when Coca-Cola’s reputation gets hammered from AI-generated holiday commercials.LinksThe ‘AI slop’ backlash kills SoraSoraThe CAA talent agency’s statement on AI threatening actorsTyler Perry’s canceles Atlanta film studio expansionDisney’s billion-dollar deal with OpenAINvidia’s DLSS5 gaming graphics tool and Jensen Huang’s related commentsThe Undark publication article detailing careless AI-generated children’s videosFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used Claude 4.6 Opus via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).KeywordsSuperintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, OpenAI, Sora, Sora discontinuation, AI video generation, AI slop, OpenAI IPO, AI slop backlash, Meta AI video, Nvidia DLSS5, AI content farms, AI advertising, AI chatbots, Stanford AI study, AI relationship advice, sycophantic AI, generative AI, Comic-Con AI ban This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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Noodling Over the Meaning of Macaroni
Mar 200:57:26Tap to summarizeMike Elgan and Emily Forlini dive into the growing list of AI-related mental health conditions (and psuedo-mental health conditions). From AI psychosis and chatbot dependency syndrome to AI FOMO, LLM gaslighting, and dead internet despair, they unpack the real psychological toll of generative AI — just three years after ChatGPT launched. The hosts also debate remote work versus in-office flexibility, and explore how AI is empowering solo entrepreneurs through vibe coding.LinksPeople Are Getting Sick of AI, LiterallyBlock lays off 4,000 workers citing AI. But how much does AI actually have to do with it?Deep Work, by Cal NewportCEOs Hate Remote Work, But This Nobel Prize Winner Says It’s a Win for WomenThis Man’s True Love Is a Car? | My Strange Addiction: Still Addicted?Rise of the Digital Ghost Industrial ComplexThe Rolling Stones concert in Havana, CubaThomas Jefferson’s Mac And Cheese ObsessionFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used Claude 4.6 Opus via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).KeywordsAI psychosis, chatbot psychosis, AI FOMO, AI anxiety, AI dependency syndrome, AI mental health, generative AI psychological effects, chatbot addiction, AI replacement dysfunction, job loss AI, vibe coding, OpenClaw, dead internet theory, dead internet despair, LLM gaslighting, AI dysphoria, parasocial bot attachment, AI relationships, death bots, AI grief technology, algorithmic loneliness, AI hallucinations, digital brain rot, cognitive atrophy, remote work vs office, hybrid work flexibility, deep work, Cal Newport, AI startup entrepreneur, Thomas Jefferson, mac and cheese, Yankee Doodle, automated ghosting syndrome, AI job replacement, Superintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, AI slop, bot-generated content, information utility burnout, digital darkness anxiety, AI impact on society, AI and mental health 2025, tech journalism, podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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AM Radio Vibes
Feb 2300:46:43Tap to summarizeChanneling an off-the-cuff AM radio program, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini explore today’s relentlessly negative tech discourse. Are algorithms—and human nature—trapping us in a doom loop? Maybe. But most AI problems are likely temporary. They explore authenticity in a synthetic world, unpack AI FOMO, and celebrate the fact that you can podcast globally for free during a blizzard—even if the cameras still can’t get their skin tones right.LinksHow data helped Mexico City reduce high-impact crime by more than 50%How Mexico City is Tackling Air PollutionEmily’s WebsiteMike’s BlogCommunity Notes Help Reduce the Virality of False Information on XApple Launches Video PodcastsViral, AI-generated apocalypse social media post - “Something Big Is Happening”Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini -Website |PC Mag |Bluesky |X |TikTokDisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3.1 via Kagi (Mike’s son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).Keywordstech optimism, authentic communication, AI hallucinations, prompt engineering, Uber in Mexico City, disinformation, social media algorithms, AI ethics, tech journalism, content creation, AI FOMO, video podcasting, AI moderation, fact-checking, personal blogging, AI and creativity, technology and society, future of AI, honest journalism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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The Creepy Weirdo Industrial Complex
Feb 1700:50:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Superintelligent, hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini get philosophical. They debunk the myth of the screenless revolution and argue that upcoming AI devices from OpenAI, Google, Apple and others are mere peripheral devices to screens. They applaud the bipartisan movement to ban smartphones in schools, but society is far from saved. Case in point: Daters now have to worry about getting recorded on smart glasses. The episode ends with an exploration of what it means to observe our world, and what our methods of doing so say about us.LinksJony Ive and OpenAI’s wedding announcementOpenAI and Jony Ive’s Screenless AI Device Could Release in the Next Two YearsWhy There’s No ‘Screenless’ RevolutionParents and Teens Support School Cellphone BansCan a Dumb Phone Improve Your Life? I Talked to 6 People Who Made the SwitchNew Philosopher magazineLapham’s QuarterlyFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode01:32 The Impact of Opinion Columns03:11 The Future of Screenless Devices06:40 Banning Phones in Schools09:34 Bipartisan Support for Phone Bans13:21 The Irony of Intergenerational Phone Use17:23 The Role of Screenless Wearables20:10 The Rise of AI Glasses and Privacy Concerns26:57 Creepy Technology and Privacy Concerns28:31 The Impact of Observation on Behavior31:25 The Observer Effect and Its Implications34:03 Media Consumption and the Quest for Knowledge37:07 The Challenge of Information Overload40:03 The Importance of Critical Thinking47:34 Wisdom in Observation vs. Immediate ReactionDisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3 via Kagi (my son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio).KeywordsSuperintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, Jony Ive, OpenAI, AI hardware, screenless devices, smart glasses, Ray-Ban Meta, smartphone bans in schools, tech addiction, ambient computing, smart rings, digital privacy, observer effect, media consumption, RSS feeds, tech news, haptic technology, educational technology, wearable tech This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com
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