What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future

The war between Ukraine and Russia is being fought increasingly via drone —and NATO and US military leadership is training troops for future conflicts that will pit man against machine. Guest: Jake Epstein, senior defense reporter for Business Insider. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crypto industry poured tons of money into the last election cycle. Is the GENIUS Act, which has bipartisan support, their big payoff? Guest: Hilary Allen, professor at American University’s Washington College of Law. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OpenAI started as a non-profit dedicated to building safe A.I. Now, they’re obsessed with building artificial general intelligence by any means necessary - even if they don’t quite know what that is.  Guest: Karen Hao, reporter and author of “Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI” Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samantha Cole, cofounder of 404 Media and reporter on deepfakes, joins Joanne Chew, an actress and visual artist from LA who has personally faced deepfake pornography. They discuss the emotional toll of having one's image manipulated and the challenges of reclaiming identity after such violations. The conversation dives into the ethics of AI technology, the complexities of proposed legislation, and the potential repercussions of censorship in the effort to combat deepfakes. It's a harrowing look at a pressing issue in our digital age.

In this discussion, guest Will Guisbond, a staff reporter for The Air Current and an expert on air traffic control issues, delves into the chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport. He highlights how outdated technology and chronic staffing shortages lead to severe delays and cancellations. Guisbond also explores broader aviation challenges, such as FAA funding issues and the complexities of modernizing air traffic control systems. The conversation sheds light on the urgent need for reforms and innovative solutions to enhance air travel safety and efficiency.

Amanda Hess, a critic at the New York Times and author of “Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age,” discusses the complex interplay between pregnancy and technology. She reflects on a poignant sonogram experience during COVID-19, revealing the emotional toll of isolation. The conversation touches on how apps and social media shape parenting experiences, ruminating on the ethical implications of sharing personal stories online. Hess navigates the challenges of a digitally connected pregnancy, addressing privacy concerns and societal pressures faced by mothers today.

Gerrit De Vynck, a tech reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the rapid evolution of AI chatbots and their growing role in everyday life. He discusses how these technologies are reshaping human relationships, often providing companionship to those feeling lonely. The conversation also touches on the commercialization of AI and the ethical responsibilities users and companies face. With fierce competition driving innovation, De Vynck emphasizes the balance needed between progress and caution in AI development.

What is it about the way that Elon Musk wields power that led 65 percent of Americans to agree he has too much influence on the federal government? Guest: Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post tech reporter and author of “Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk.” Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What drove Marc Andreessen’s transformation into a political actor, and what is he looking for from having Washington in his thrall? Guest: Zoe Schiffer, WIRED journalist covering business and Silicon Valley. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has already begun cutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the U.S. National Weather Service. What’s the advantage to understanding the weather less? Guest: Daniel Swain, weather and climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices