Factually! with Adam Conover A.I. Companies Believe They're Making God with Karen Hao
May 28, 2025
Karen Hao, author of EMPIRE OF AI and a reporter covering the AI industry, joins to explore the god-like aspirations of tech leaders like Sam Altman at OpenAI. The discussion highlights how narratives shape perceptions of AI, revealing the stark contrasts between utopian dreams and harsh realities. Hao discusses the ethical implications of AI's evolution, drawing parallels with historical empires and addressing the powerful alliance between tech companies and government. She raises critical questions about resource exploitation and the need for responsible tech leadership.
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Altman's Storytelling Power
- Sam Altman excels at persuasive storytelling, aligning with powerful figures like Trump to gain political and economic leverage.
- OpenAI has grown from research dominance to a political and economic empire despite technical competition and open source advances.
AI as a Quasi-Religion
- AI industry uses quasi-religious rhetoric, promising a utopic future beyond description.
- This rhetoric resembles a faith system where belief drives development more than concrete evidence.
Creating God or Devil Stress
- Many AI developers sincerely believe they are creating a god or devil, carrying the heavy burden of this immense responsibility.
- This belief causes genuine emotional stress and profoundly influences AI's development dynamics.
