This Machine Kills

Dive into the bizarre world of fringe futurists and biohackers chasing immortality. The discussion highlights the extravagant tactics of the wealthy trying to extend life, featuring a notable profile of Peter Diamandis. Questions about the ethics and feasibility of these pursuits emerge, leaving listeners to ponder the implications of such grand dreams. It's a wild ride into the realm where money meets the quest for eternal life!

Disappointment looms over the release of GPT-5, sparking discussions about the gap between expectations and reality in AI advancements. The hosts delve into the productivity paradox, questioning whether AI truly enhances work efficiency. They tackle the hypocrisy in corporate advocacy, revealing inconsistencies in how modern tech is defended. Humorous anecdotes about robot terminology add levity, as they reflect on societal reactions and the need for creative naming conventions. Skepticism about AI's revolutionary potential highlights the profit-driven motives overshadowing its ethical implications.

Dive into the intriguing intersection of Trump's administration and the cryptocurrency world. Discover how drone regulations might pave the way for amazing delivery innovations. Learn about the Trump family's financially intertwined relationship with crypto, revealing surprising dependencies. Explore how financial turmoil and political ventures are reshaping alliances and influencing decisions in a volatile landscape. Uncover the mysteries behind Trump's key crypto supporters and the implications for his ongoing legal battles.

Paris Marx, the host of Tech Won't Save Us, and Brian Merchant, writer of Blood in the Machine, dive into the complex political landscape of artificial intelligence. They discuss how different countries, especially the U.S., Europe, and China, envision their future AI frameworks. The duo critiques the intertwining of tech and right-wing politics in the U.S., the urgency for mindful AI development, and the challenges posed by overinvestment in tech. Their insights reveal the need for global movements to rethink tech dependency and prioritize genuine social benefits over corporate interests.

We chat for a bit about Trump’s AI Action Plan – more to come on this next week – before getting into broader questions about Silicon Valley imperialism, American force projection and soft power through AI, the endlessly convenient competition against China, the impossibility of winning an AI arms race with no defined finish line, among other things. Plus a new addition to our tech freak watch. ••• Come to Jathan’s book launch in Melbourne on August 14th at 6:00pm! There will be fun conversation, an open bar, and books for sale! Register for free here: https://events.humanitix.com/sadowkski-the-mechanic-and-the-luddite-launch ••• Trump's AI Action Plan is a blueprint for dystopia https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/trumps-ai-action-plan-is-a-blueprint ••• Trump Plans to Give A.I. Developers a Free Hand https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/technology/trump-ai-executive-orders.html ••• Why Big Tech is threatened by a global push for data sovereignty https://restofworld.org/2025/big-tech-data-sovereignty/ ••• OpenAI signs deal with UK to find government uses for its models https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/21/openai-signs-deal-with-uk-to-find-government-uses-for-its-models ••• The metamorphosis of Shaun Maguire https://www.businessinsider.com/shaun-maguire-silicon-valleys-most-maga-firebrand-sequoia-mamdani-2025-7 Standing Plugs: ••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite ••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble ••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)

We are joined by Amba Kak and Sarah Myers West — co-directors of the AI Now Institute — to discuss their excellent new Landscape Report on Artificial Power. We discuss Trump’s AI Action Day and his administration’s use of AI as an alibi to justify further consolidating wealth and power into a few hands, while making vague promises about economic growth and technological progress, without actually delivering any material benefits to everyday people. We then get into the AI Now Institute’s Roadmap for Action which lays out a bold, urgent, and practical policy agenda for creating and enforcing regulations on AI. ••• Artificial Power: 2025 Landscape Report | AI Now Institute https://ainowinstitute.org/publications/research/ai-now-2025-landscape-report ••• People's AI Action Plan https://peoplesaiaction.com/ ••• Come to Jathan’s book launch in Melbourne on August 14th at 6:00pm! There will be fun conversation, an open bar, and books for sale! Register for free here: https://events.humanitix.com/sadowkski-the-mechanic-and-the-luddite-launch Standing Plugs: ••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite ••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble ••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)

The discussion kicks off with Ed’s adventures in Greece before diving into Mark Zuckerberg's audacious quest to build a superintelligence lab at Meta. The hosts explore his extravagant recruitment of top AI talent, likening it to a blockbuster crossover event. They critically examine the motivations behind such massive investments and question the sustainability of this tech funding frenzy. Additionally, the potential impact of Meta's AI ambitions on local communities and its recent legal wins in AI copyright are also unpacked.

Alice Marwick, Director of Research at Data & Society, dives into the dark side of generative AI and its role in amplifying fraud. She reveals how scams have become automated and prevalent, casting a wide net beyond traditional victims. Topics include the chilling effects of AI on job applications and the rise of fake job ads, which mislead both investors and job seekers. Marwick stresses the need for vigilance, collaborative education, and proactive measures to combat the automation of fraud amid increasing social vulnerabilities.

Explore the world of genetic optimization with Nucleus Genomics, a startup aiming to help families rank and select embryos through a unique dashboard. The discussion critiques the ethics of treating genes like assets and highlights the societal implications of genetic hierarchies. Humorously likening embryo selection to video game character creation, the hosts reveal the controversial aspects of this biotech endeavor while connecting it to emerging AI technologies in a thought-provoking manner.

Dive into the controversial surveillance landscape of New Orleans, where a private nonprofit partners with the police to monitor citizens using facial recognition technology. Explore the ethical dilemmas of such practices, including potential biases and civil liberties concerns. The conversation blends humor with serious critiques, discussing everything from urban militarization to quirky examples like 'sandwich recognition cameras.' As policies evolve, the implications for privacy and community rights are more pressing than ever.