

Karen Hao
Reporter covering OpenAI and the AI industry. Author of the book Empire of AI.
Top 10 podcasts with Karen Hao
Ranked by the Snipd community

169 snips
May 22, 2025 • 52min
Sam Altman, OpenAI and the Future of Artificial (General) Intelligence
Karen Hao is a tech reporter known for her insights on AI and author of "Empire of AI." Keach Hagey, from The Wall Street Journal, dives into Altman's journey in "The Optimist." They discuss the meteoric rise of OpenAI post-ChatGPT and the complexities of its nonprofit to profit transition. The conversation explores Sam Altman's leadership, including the curious circumstances of his firing and reinstatement, and the critical implications for AGI. They highlight the need for ethical governance in AI amidst growing political and economic pressures.

115 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 51min
We All Suffer from OpenAI’s Pursuit of Scale w/ Karen Hao
Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist and author of *Empire of AI*, discusses the troubling impact of OpenAI's relentless pursuit of scale. She highlights how this strategy has led to exploitation, worsened data privacy issues, and environmental harm. The conversation delves into the commercialization of AI and its colonial legacy, critiquing the disconnect between OpenAI's founding ideals and current practices. Hao also emphasizes the risks of overemphasizing generative AI at the expense of other essential research areas, advocating for a more ethical approach to technology development.

110 snips
May 19, 2025 • 1h 7min
Empire of AI: Inside OpenAI’s Race to Conquer the Future | Karen Hao
Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist and author of 'Empire of AI,' shares her insight into OpenAI's evolution from an idealistic nonprofit to a major player in AI technology. She discusses the ethical implications of AI commercialization and the power struggles within the organization, especially after its partnership with Microsoft. Hao emphasizes the risk of a dystopian future driven by profit, urging society to scrutinize the power dynamics at play in Silicon Valley and engage in meaningful conversations around the responsibilities of AI development.

91 snips
May 14, 2025 • 52min
Empires of AI With Karen Hao
In this discussion, Karen Hao, author of *Empire of AI*, dives into the complex world of OpenAI and the implications of artificial general intelligence. She draws parallels between historical colonialism and current AI practices, highlighting transparency issues and labor exploitation. The conversation explores tech leadership's ambiguous persona and its impact on industry perceptions. Hao emphasizes the need to reconnect with broader societal issues beyond Silicon Valley, navigating the intricacies of covering the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

46 snips
Aug 31, 2023 • 46min
The AI ‘Race’: China vs. the US with Jeffrey Ding and Karen Hao
Jeffrey Ding, an academic researcher, and Karen Hao, a journalist, discuss the nuances of China's AI development, including advantages, limitations, and risks. They tackle topics such as China's surveillance and data collection edge, the relationship between Chinese companies and the government, concerns in AI development, challenges of coordination, and the complex AI competition between China and the US. They emphasize the importance of understanding China's progress and the potential for collaboration.

39 snips
May 23, 2025 • 41min
TBD | Inside OpenAI's Empire
Karen Hao, a reporter and author of "Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI", dives into the transformative journey of OpenAI, revealing how it evolved from a nonprofit focused on safe AI to a competitive powerhouse chasing artificial general intelligence. She discusses the organization's culture of secrecy, the chaotic dynamics during its transition to for-profit, and the unexpected rise of ChatGPT, which drastically altered its trajectory. Karen also highlights internal power struggles and the implications of corporate control on society.

35 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 45min
AI Superpower: US or China?
In this discussion, journalist and engineer Karen Hao and China historian Rana Mitter delve into the fierce competition between the U.S. and China in AI. They examine Xi Jinping's ambitious five-year plan for China to dominate this technology and how U.S. export restrictions are spurring Chinese innovation. The duo also reflects on the implications of AI regulation differences, biases in AI data training, and the geopolitical ramifications of the Xi-Putin alliance. Expect insights that highlight the delicate balance between technological power and global influence!

35 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 41min
DeepSeek, Deep State or Deep Pockets? Karen Hao on China’s AI Power Play
Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist specializing in AI, discusses China's groundbreaking AI company DeepSeek. She reveals how DeepSeek is outpacing OpenAI at a fraction of the cost, fundamentally altering the tech landscape. The conversation dives into the geopolitical ramifications of this shift, questioning if the U.S. is inadvertently strengthening its competitor. Hao emphasizes how innovation thrives under constraints, challenging traditional notions of funding and success in tech. This exploration showcases a riveting battle for AI supremacy on the global stage.

26 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 29min
Downstream: Exposing The True Costs of AI w/ Karen Hao
Karen Hao, a tech reporter and author of 'Empire of AI', delves into the hidden costs of the AI industry. She explores the traumatic realities of content moderation and draws striking parallels between OpenAI's evolution and historical entities like the British East India Company. Hao discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by engineers turned advocates, emphasizing the need for transparency. The conversation touches on grassroots activism, encouraging communities to engage with major tech companies and democratize AI resources for societal benefits.

26 snips
May 23, 2025 • 45min
Decolonizing the Future: Karen Hao on Resisting the Empire of AI
Karen Hao, a journalist and author of 'Empire of AI,' dives into the troubling dynamics of artificial intelligence and its imperialistic impact on marginalized communities. She critiques the unethical practices of tech giants like OpenAI and emphasizes the vast disparity between executives and lower-paid workers. The conversation highlights grassroots activism against harmful AI developments and advocates for a future where AI promotes equity in education and healthcare. Hao envisions a world where technology serves humanity rather than undermining it.