Slate News

Gary Rivlin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "AI Valley," dives deep into the competitive world of AI tech giants. He discusses the fierce race among companies like Microsoft and Google to create the most profitable AI models. Rivlin explores the challenges AI startups face in attracting talent against bigger players and reflects on the emotional connections users develop with AI. He balances differing perspectives—from techno-optimism to skepticism—highlighting the ethical implications and future of AI in our lives.

In a gripping discussion, Hasan Piker reflects on the legacy of Charlie Kirk following his untimely death. They explore the emotional fallout from recent political tragedies and the impact on activism. The conversation also critiques how social media fuels political propaganda, particularly among the youth. Piker delves into the complexities of radicalization in online culture, discussing the troubling connections between internet behavior and real-world violence. The episode concludes with insights on the contradictions within modern political narratives.

Laura Reiley, a writer for the Cornell Chronicle and grieving mother, shares her heartbreaking journey after the loss of her daughter, Sophie. They discovered Sophie’s ChatGPT logs, revealing how AI assisted her in writing a suicide note. The conversation delves into the allure of digital confidants versus human support, critiquing AI's shortcomings in providing emotional help. Reiley discusses the ethical implications of using chatbots for mental health and emphasizes the need for responsible usage alongside human intervention.

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by writer Virgie Tovar, whose latest podcast, GLP-1 Truth Serum, explores the predatory nature of GLP-1 marketing, and companies’ attempts to target plus-size creators. But #BodyPositivity was getting backlash long before these new weight loss drugs became trendy, and now social media has gone from a safe space to a minefield. Is #BodyPositivity really gone for good?  Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: ICE raided a Hyundai plant in Georgia. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss the somewhat hamfisted raid that detained hundreds of South Korean workers–disrupting both Hyundai’s operations and the local economy–and the potential fallout if foreign companies see this as a reason to avoid investing in the US. Then, Oracle’s stock surged this week thanks to its AI deals, bringing it close to a trillion dollar valuation and briefly making Larry Ellison the richest man in the world. They dive into Oracle actually does and whether it’s really worth the rarified distinction of being a trillion dollar company. And finally, JP Morgan is about to open its incredibly fancy new headquarters at 270 Park Avenue and Felix hates it. The hosts discuss the landscape of massive bank buildings in New York City and the extremely plush amenities 270 Park  will be offering to keep workers on site.  In the Slate Plus episode: Zuckerberg (Mark E.) v. Zuckerberg (Mark S.) Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Amicus, we delve into the recent Supreme Court shadow docket order in Noem v. Vasquez-Perdomo, which in essence legalized racial profiling by roving ICE patrols, and in practice may have ushered in America’s “show your papers” era for Americans with brown skin, who speak Spanish, and/or go to Home Depot in work clothes. Join Dahlia Lithwick and Ahilan Arulanantham, a longstanding human rights lawyer and law professor, as they unpack what this unargued, unreasoned, unsigned and (in Kavanaugh’s case) uncited decision means for both immigrants and U.S. citizens, for 4th amendment doctrine, and for the lower courts expected to parse SCOTUS’ tea leaves. Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Silverman, journalist and co-founder of Indicator, dives into the chilling impact of graphic violence on social media. He sheds light on the rapid dissemination of footage surrounding incidents like the Charlie Kirk shooting, raising questions about society's tolerance for such content. The discussion unfolds with insights into the right-wing media landscape, the challenges of content moderation, and the weaponization of graphic imagery to shape narratives. Silverman urges listeners to navigate these complex realities critically and ethically.

This week’s discussion dives into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, highlighting rising political violence and its troubling implications. The team analyzes a Supreme Court ruling that allows racial profiling by ICE in Los Angeles, sparking debates on immigration enforcement. Insights from Kamala Harris’s memoir touch on her experiences in the Biden administration amidst challenges of race and gender. They also explore fascinating historical parallels in New York's mayoral race while revealing shocking details from a book of letters for Epstein’s birthday.

Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer covering courts and the law for Slate and co-host of Amicus, discusses a recent Supreme Court decision that has alarming implications for racial profiling. He highlights how this ruling opens the door to federal agents questioning citizenship based on appearance, particularly affecting Latino communities. The conversation dives into Justice Sotomayor's powerful dissent and the use of the 'shadow docket', underscoring the growing disconnect between judicial decisions and everyday realities faced by marginalized groups.

Shane Harris, a national security expert from The Atlantic, and Ana Vanessa Herrero, a journalist reporting on South America for the Washington Post, dive into the controversial military action led by Trump that resulted in the explosion of a boat. They analyze the legality of targeting alleged drug traffickers in international waters and the implications for U.S. drug policy. The discussion also highlights complex U.S.-Venezuela relations, the resilience of Venezuelans amid political turmoil, and the potential ethical dilemmas of military intervention.