Jaron Lanier on Silicon Valley’s new gods and AI addiction

Has Silicon Valley become “addicted to addiction”? Computer scientist and futurist Jaron Lanier joins Danny Fortson to discuss why he thinks AI companies are repeating the mistakes of social media - and why treating chatbots as a new species is taking the industry in the wrong direction.

He explains why he’s sceptical of promises of AI-powered abundance, shares his alternative idea to addictive chatbots, and questions why some tech workers have to quit their jobs to speak openly about their concerns.

The Interview is our weekly conversation with the people shaping the future of technology.

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Read more: ‘AI psychosis’ warps reality in Silicon Valley

Get in touch: techpod@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Jaron Lanier, Computer Scientist and Futurist.

Presenters:

Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times

Danny Fortson, US West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times

Producer: Robert Wallace and Marnie Duke

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia