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

Max Chafkin, features editor at Bloomberg Businessweek and co-host of the Elon, Inc. podcast, dives into the contradictions of Elon Musk's relationship with government funding. They discuss Musk's fervor for reducing government spending while receiving billions in federal aid for his companies. The conversation explores his significant layoffs and strategic maneuvers that impact federal employees, alongside his vision for America shaped by technology. Chafkin highlights the potential societal changes spurred by AI and the tension between Silicon Valley and government oversight.

Chris Hayes, MSNBC news anchor and author of "The Siren's Call," dives deep into the crisis of social attention in our tech-saturated world. He discusses how algorithms shape superficial interactions and the psychological toll of seeking validation on social media. With relatable party anecdotes, Hayes explores how modern distractions hijack our focus and offers insights into balancing social engagement with meaningful discourse. He also highlights the necessity of solitude and reflects on how attention dynamics influence media and society.

David A. Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into Elon Musk's controversial $97.4 billion offer to buy OpenAI. The conversation reveals the playful yet contentious nature of Musk and Sam Altman’s relationship. Fahrenthold discusses the shift of OpenAI from nonprofit to for-profit and the tension it caused among its founders. The episode also explores the broader implications of Musk's ambitions on AI governance and the potential consequences of blurring business interests with public responsibility.

Using Github, you can watch as government websites are brought into compliance with Donald Trump’s executive orders. Out goes the word “equity;” in comes “fair.” And health and science data, once publicly available, disappears.Guest: Jason Koebler, cofounder of 404 Media.Jeremy Prokop, data science advisor in the MidwestWant 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

Elon Musk is supposed to be running several companies and a new government department—so why is he also spending money to pretend to be good at video games?Guest: Drew Harwell, tech reporter for the Washington Post.This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next TBD—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t doubt the enthusiasm of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. You can question the legality of some of their early moves. Guest: Makena Kelly, senior writer at WIRED. 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 artificial intelligence industry was thrown for a loop when the Chinese start-up DeepSeek rolled out a product that was more energy efficient, cheaper to produce, and open source. Where did DeepSeek come from, and are Silicon Valley and Washington right to be panicking? Guest: Zeyi Yang, senior writer at WIRED.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, Patrick Fort, and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tapped by Trump for the role of health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presents himself as someone willing to say what other politicians won’t. But during his Senate confirmation hearings, both Democrats and Republicans questioned his previous statements about vaccines—and questioned whether he even knows what the job he’s trying to get entails. But his nomination signals that maybe it isn’t about vaccines - it’s about wanting to blow up the whole healthcare establishment. Guest: Dan Diamond, White House correspondent for The Washington PostWant 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, Patrick Fort, and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geoffrey Fowler, a tech columnist for the Washington Post, dives into the intriguing world of AI in medicine. He discusses how AI is evolving in doctor’s offices, promising to ease administrative tasks but also raising questions about its reliability during diagnoses. The conversation highlights the risks of AI giving incorrect medical advice, emphasizing the necessity for human oversight. Fowler explores the delicate balance between embracing technological innovation and ensuring patient safety.

A recent inauguration spotlighted tech moguls, raising eyebrows over their close ties to political power. Elon Musk's provocative gestures stir debate on media narratives and public perception. The discussion digs into the tangled relationships between Silicon Valley leaders and figures like Trump, highlighting their struggle to navigate business interests while dealing with rising political extremism. This exploration reveals how tech influences today's political landscape and the implications for the future.