Blood in the Machine: The Podcast

Cory Doctorow, a prominent science fiction writer and digital rights activist, dives into his concept of 'inshittification,' describing how big tech's monopolistic practices have degraded the internet. He highlights the three stages of this phenomenon and discusses the role of interoperability in maintaining platform accountability. Doctorow also explores the changing power dynamics of tech workers, the dangers of AI layoffs, and how institutions like EFF and Wikipedia resist these harmful trends. His insights on labor organizing and ethical practices offer a hopeful path to a more equitable digital future.

In this chat with Jacob Silverman, an investigative technology journalist and author of "Gilded Rage," the discussion dives into the influence of tech oligarchs and their unsettling shift towards authoritarianism. Jacob highlights the enduring ties between tech elites and Trump-era officials, unpacking the resentment among billionaires stemming from movements like MeToo and BLM. He critiques the limited societal contributions of tech founders and warns of the dangers posed by their admiration for authoritarian regimes. Plus, they explore the implications of sovereign wealth fund investments in Silicon Valley.

In a riveting discussion, tech journalist Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI, shares her early access experiences at OpenAI, revealing a culture of secrecy amid grand ambitions for AGI. She draws parallels between AI companies and colonial empires, exploring how OpenAI seeks global regulatory control. Hao discusses the precarious working conditions faced by contractors in Venezuela and Kenya, and reflects on the ethical implications of generative AI in the context of surveillance capitalism. Ultimately, she emphasizes the necessity of solidarity and scrutiny in the evolving AI landscape.