One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
Category: Backchannel
Who Cares if AI Is Conscious—It’s Basically Alive
While philosophers ponder AI consciousness, the models have ideas of their own.
AI Has Human Doctors Asking: What’s Left for Us?
A recent paper argues that AI is often better at doctoring than doctors. Guess who isn’t thrilled.
Meta’s Big Reckoning Is Here
Meta is in court again over child safety, and this time it’s a landmark case that could force significant changes to core features of Facebook and Instagram.
Tech Visionary Says the Big AI Labs Don’t Get What People Want
Tim O’Reilly built a publishing empire that AI is helping to destroy. Yet he loves AI—as long as it’s open source.
Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Tech Team Is What DOGE Should Have Been
The mayor of New York City has assembled a crew of Silicon Valley and United States Digital Service veterans to overhaul city services with better software.
AI Slop Melodramas Are Taking Over X—and Their Creators Are Cashing In
Viral tales of good triumphing over evil are racking up millions of views. They’re almost entirely AI-generated clickbait.
Silicon Valley Is Completely Divided Over Chinese AI
The AI “startups” worth billions of dollars are raising alarm bells about Chinese AI. The smaller players have a totally different take.
Even If You Hate AI, You Will Use Google AI Search
The search giant’s AI-crafted answers are so convenient, you’ll be sucked in—to the detriment of the web and the artists and thinkers behind it.
Nick Bostrom Has a Plan for Humanity’s ‘Big Retirement’
The philosopher thinks humans should pursue advanced AI and the promise of a “solved world.”