In this engaging discussion, best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari shares his insights on technology and the existential risks of A.I. He reflects on how advancements like Apple's new gadgets can enhance user experience while posing ethical dilemmas. The hosts explore how some recent tech features can improve accessibility, like AirPods as hearing aids. They also dive into intriguing criminal cases, such as a $10 million streaming manipulation scheme and the illegal proliferation of 3D-printed guns, underscoring tech's dark side.
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Quick takeaways
Apple's new devices integrate advanced health features like hearing aid capabilities in AirPods and sleep apnea detection in Apple Watch, highlighting a shift towards medical technology.
Yuval Noah Harari expresses deep concerns about AI's potential threats to human consciousness, urging a balanced perspective on its risks and benefits.
The podcast showcases emerging tech-related criminal activities, emphasizing the urgent need for oversight to prevent exploitation of new technologies for malicious purposes.
Deep dives
The New iPhone Announcement and Its Implications
The recent announcement of the new iPhone models raised questions about the value of upgrading for consumers. While the event showcased various hardware advancements, enthusiasm was tempered by uncertainty regarding when specific AI features would become available. Key features introduced, such as the camera control button and visual intelligence, promised enhanced photography and smart functionalities, yet many changes will not materialize immediately. The delay in the rollout of these features prompts potential buyers to reconsider whether purchasing the new iPhone is justifiable at this time.
Apple's Hearing Aid Integration into AirPods
Apple announced a significant update for AirPods Pro 2, allowing them to function with basic hearing aid features, thereby addressing mild to moderate hearing loss. This advancements is significant due to the challenges posed by regulations in the hearing aid market, which previously limited over-the-counter sales. By enabling users to take simple hearing tests through their AirPods, Apple aims to democratize access to hearing improvement technologies, helping those who may be reluctant to pursue traditional hearing aids. The feature not only showcases Apple's innovative approach to integrating health technology but also emphasizes the need for affordable solutions in the healthcare space.
Apple Watch's New Health Monitoring Feature
The Apple Watch will soon include a feature that detects signs of sleep apnea by monitoring breathing patterns during sleep, signifying Apple's commitment to health monitoring. This addition reflects a broader trend in which smartwatches evolve from fitness trackers to essential health devices. With an increase in features, Apple seeks to position the Apple Watch as a comprehensive health tool, showing its long-term strategy to tap into health technology. However, questions remain regarding the practicality of using the watch while sleeping, as users need to balance charging schedules with health monitoring needs.
Yuval Noah Harari on AI and Its Risks
In a recent discussion, Yuval Noah Harari shared his grave concerns about AI and its potential risks, including scenarios where it could diminish human consciousness. Harari argues that while powerful technologies can bring great benefits, focusing solely on their positive potentials ignores their darker sides. He emphasizes the historical lessons of past technologies like the printing press, which brought both progress and turmoil. This underscores a pressing need for a balanced view of AI, where vigilance around its integration into society is paramount to avoid repeating historical mistakes.
Future Crimes: The Intersection of Technology and Crime
The podcast discusses various emerging crimes made possible by technological advancements, highlighting three intriguing cases of abuse involving AI and social media platforms. One case involves Russian operatives manipulating social media influencers to spread favorable narratives, while another centers on an individual illegally profiting from AI-generated music streams. A third case illustrates the proliferation of 3D-printed guns that challenge existing laws and regulations. These examples underscore the necessity for robust oversight in the tech space to prevent exploitation and ensure that technological advancements do not adjoin an increase in criminal activities.
Apple unveiled its latest gadgets at its big September event on Monday. We discuss the most interesting new features — including AirPods that can function as hearing aids and Apple Watch software that can help detect sleep apnea — and offer our advice on when to buy a new iPhone. Then, the best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari joins us to discuss his new book and his biggest fears about A.I. And finally, we crack open some criminal cases in a new segment we’re calling the Hard Fork Crimes Division. We’ll explain how one man made $10 million by manipulating music streaming services and how online instructions for building a 3D-printed gun have ended up in the hands of criminals around the world.
Guest:
Yuval Noah Harari, author of “Sapiens,” “Homo Deus” and “Nexus.”
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