In this engaging conversation, Chris Gilliard, co-director of the Critical Internet Studies Institute and author of the upcoming book "Luxury Surveillance," delves into the intersections of technology, politics, and society. He critiques cyberlibertarianism and the influence of right-wing ideologies on our perceptions of the internet. Gilliard discusses the troubling ties between Silicon Valley and the military-industrial complex, as well as the dark implications of tech companies evolving from connectivity champions to tools that threaten democracy.

Chris Gilliard, an expert on AI, discusses the risks of AI digital assistants, the authoritarian potential of AI systems, unintended consequences of AI technology, tech dystopia, and the impact of technology on time and culture.

Chris Gilliard, Co-director of the Critical Internet Studies Institute, dives into the repercussions of AI in universities. He warns against AI's reliance on stolen materials and its inherent biases, which contradict university values. The conversation highlights the dangers of AI diminishing writing and critical thinking skills, and raises ethical concerns about plagiarism. Gilliard also critiques the double-edged nature of AI partnerships with underserved communities, questioning genuine empowerment versus exploitation, all while emphasizing the need for authentic human expression.

Chris Gilliard, Tech Fellow, discusses the lack of student protections in AI-driven educational technologies at universities. Topics include the wave of universities adopting AI, limitations of Chat GPT, surveillance concerns, consequences of AI in higher education, privacy concerns in enterprise chatbots, impact of AI on journalism, and misconceptions about public statements and the retirement of a subway robot.

Join Greg Epstein, humanist chaplain and author, Chris Gilliard, a surveillance scholar, and Jim Starlin, the legendary comic book creator of Thanos, as they explore the dark side of tech. They draw unsettling parallels between tech oligarchs and comic book supervillains, discussing the psychological motivations behind their ambitions. The conversation touches on AI's ethical complications, the creative struggles in developing villains, and the vital need for human connections in the tech landscape. Tune in for deep insights and a dose of comic-book flair!