AXRP - the AI X-risk Research Podcast

38.4 - Shakeel Hashim on AI Journalism

Jan 5, 2025

Shakeel Hashim, Grants Director at Tarbell and AI journalist for the Transformer newsletter, explores the challenges facing AI journalism. He discusses the resource constraints that hinder comprehensive coverage of AI developments and addresses the disconnect between journalists and AI researchers. The conversation highlights initiatives like Tarbell and the Transformer newsletter aimed at enhancing AI literacy and improving public understanding of the field's complex dynamics. Dive into the nuances of bridging the gap in AI reporting!

24:14

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Episode guests

Shakeel Hashim

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The limited resources in AI journalism hinder comprehensive coverage, leaving a gap in public understanding of rapid AI advancements.

A significant disconnect exists between journalists' skepticism and AI researchers' optimism regarding transformative AI, impacting nuanced reporting opportunities.

Deep dives

The State of AI Journalism

There is a significant lack of resources dedicated to AI journalism, which is concerning given the rapid advancements in the field. While tech publications are starting to cover AI news, many national media outlets only have a few designated AI reporters. The fast pace of developments in AI creates a situation where journalists struggle to keep up due to limited time and capacity. As a result, despite some growth in AI journalism, the overall coverage remains insufficient relative to the topic's complexity and importance.

Intro

2min

AI Journalism: Bridging the Divide

6min

The Disconnection Between Journalism and AI Beliefs

3min

The Media Landscape of AI Coverage

7min

Enhancing AI Literacy Through Comprehensive Reporting

6min

AI researchers often complain about the poor coverage of their work in the news media. But why is this happening, and how can it be fixed? In this episode, I speak with Shakeel Hashim about the resource constraints facing AI journalism, the disconnect between journalists' and AI researchers' views on transformative AI, and efforts to improve the state of AI journalism, such as Tarbell and Shakeel's newsletter, Transformer.

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The transcript: https://axrp.net/episode/2025/01/05/episode-38_4-shakeel-hashim-ai-journalism.html

FAR.AI: https://far.ai/

FAR.AI on X (aka Twitter): https://x.com/farairesearch

FAR.AI on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FARAIResearch

The Alignment Workshop: https://www.alignment-workshop.com/

Topics we discuss, and timestamps:

01:31 - The AI media ecosystem

02:34 - Why not more AI news?

07:18 - Disconnects between journalists and the AI field

12:42 - Tarbell