Uncanny Valley | WIRED Is Elon Musk Really Stepping Back from DOGE?
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May 15, 2025 Elon Musk is stepping back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, raising questions about DOGE's future influence. The podcast delves into how Dogecoin evolved from a meme to a significant player in government operations. It highlights the chaotic dynamics between technology, surveillance, and ethical concerns within the federal landscape. The hosts also discuss refreshing marketing tactics in a changing media environment, alongside a celebration of peonies and a new, privacy-focused photo-sharing app that excites nostalgia.
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DOGE's Ambiguous Government Role
- DOGE is less a real agency and more a network of technologists embedded across many federal agencies.
- It functions with ambiguity in government, blending unofficial presence and influence within formal structures.
AI's Controversial Use in DOGE
- DOGE is using AI and data to surveil immigrants and automate government tasks rapidly.
- This has raised ethical concerns, with insiders reacting negatively to recruitment efforts framing AI as a worker replacement.
DOGE Persistence Post-Musk
- Despite Elon Musk scaling back his time, DOGE operatives remain embedded at dozens of agencies.
- The organization and its influence are here to stay, regardless of Musk's involvement level.