Superintelligent

Here comes Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini to dissect the chaotic and unpredictable state of AI chatbots in this episode of Superintelligent. They explore the rampant commodification of models like ChatGPT and Gemini while slamming useless benchmarks. The hosts ponder the future of AI hardware and the dangers of OpenClaw. Discover why writing is thinking and how to avoid cognitive atrophy in the age of AI.ImagesLinksThe 2026 Super Bowl adsSam Altman’s posts on Anthropic’s adsOpenClaw Is the Hot New AI Agent, But Is It Safe to Use?OpenClaw: The AI agent that’s got humans taking orders from botsAI Agents Launched a Social Network and Spawned a Digital Religion OvernightNo Humans Allowed: AIs Get Their Own Religion, Social Media, and Hired HelpFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokDisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3 via Kagi (my son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Why can’t you trust your weather app in a snowstorm? Join hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini as they navigate the chaos of the weekend storm and debate the reliability of modern weather apps versus traditional TV meteorologists, and now TikTok weather experts. (RIP Farmer’s Almanac.) Plus, your favorite hosts ask the questions nobody has the answer to: What’s the best way to do social media in 2026?Linkshttps://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-apps-forecast-accuracy-snow-weather-9768afec5fc53b4faba19f3cfd06a86cEmily on TikTokDark Sky is done. Here’s how Apple’s Weather app succeeded itYes, ‘The Farmer’s Almanac’ Is Closing—But Don’t Panic Just YetHail Cannon in the WikipediaEMP in the WikipediaKagi Assistant is now available to all usersFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini -Website |PC Mag |Bluesky |X |TikTokChapters00:00 Weather Wonders: A Tale of Two Climates02:14 The Evolution of Weather Forecasting05:12 The Role of Meteorologists in Modern Society08:04 The Impact of Weather on Agriculture11:10 The Future of Weather Information13:48 The Intersection of Technology and Tradition16:48 Cultural Perspectives on Weather Communication19:32 The Legacy of the Farmer’s Almanac28:10 The Lively Chaos of Latin American Streets31:24 Navigating Information in a Digital Age38:47 The TikTok Experiment: Finding Engagement53:06 Connecting Through Content CreationKeywordsSuperintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, weather apps, meteorology, TikTok meteorologists, severe weather tracking, Dark Sky app, AI hallucinations, chatbot accuracy, Farmer’s Almanac, subscription economy, Netflix business model, emergency alert systems, megaphone trucks, content creation strategy, video marketing, DJI drones, Kagi Search, social media engagement, Fediverse, Mastodon, viral video strategies, authentic storytellingDisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3 via Kagi (my son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Emily and Mike are mad this week. Join the dynamic duo as they dissect the disaster of Google AI Overviews stealing from content creators, then stealing the eyeballs and ad revenue of people looking for that content. A big new deal with Apple could make it worse. Superintelligent also tackles the inevitable dorkiness of smart glasses and the mental health risks of constant connectivity and personal AI assistants. And Mike and Emily share tales of driving blind in El Salvador and wandering the deserts looking for aliens. Are they real or not?LinksApple, Google Sign Deal to Use Gemini AI to Help Build the Future of SiriGoogle Flexes Another AI AdvantageWarby Parker, Google to launch AI-powered smart glasses in 2026A Man Bought Meta’s AI Glasses, and Ended Up Wandering the Desert Searching for Aliens to Abduct Him‘The Age of Disclosure’: Documentary Revealing Government Cover-Up of Non-Human Intelligence Sets ReleaseZiff Davis AI layoffs - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThBSo421/Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene01:06 The Impact of AI on Website Traffic04:08 Google’s Content Monetization Strategy06:31 Navigating the Future of AI Personal Assistants12:25 Apple and Google’s Strategic Partnership18:52 The Future of Smart Glasses and AI Integration22:03 The Future of Smart Glasses24:43 Wearable Tech in Industry27:42 The Psychological Effects of AI29:39 The Balance of Digital and Physical Exploration31:42 Beliefs About Aliens and ExplorationKeywordsGoogle, Apple, Google AI Overviews, artificial intelligence, Google Gemini, Apple Intelligence, iPhone AI features, personal AI assistant, smart glasses, Ray-Ban Meta, wearable technology, Ziff Davis, layoffs, web traffic decline, digital marketing, SEO strategy, AI impact on journalism, tech news, Superintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, UFO sightings, alien theories, government drones, mental health in tech, digital detox, generative AI, large language models, Google Apple partnership, future of search, Project Astra, AI hallucinations, tech commentary.DisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3 via Kagi (my son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Superintelligent hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini explore the link between churning homemade butter and the craving for authenticity in the new world of fake AI everything. They talk about Google’s new Gmail AI features as the most recent example of companies pushing everyone to use AI for communication. The hosts allow themselves to be influenced by influencer and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, who says that in 2026 influencers will need to prove their humanity by posting authentic content and disclosing how they use AI.LinksAmira’s home-made cultured butterGoogle adding an AI inbox, ai overviews to gmail. does anybody want this?‘Apple Intelligence’ won’t send your data to far-flung servers (for the most part)Adam Mosseri’s post on authenticity in an AI worldIn an AI-perfect world, it’s time to prove you’re humanThis retiree’s 30 AI girlfriends kept loneliness at bay—until one’s dark secret shatters the illusionAfter ‘digital undressing’ criticism, Elon Musk’s Grok limits some image generation to paid subscribersBeRealTwitter and Pinterest founders launch app as antidote to social mediaSteve Miller’s high school speech clip from Jimmy KimmelFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini -Website |PC Mag |Bluesky |X |TikTokKeywordsArtificial Intelligence, AI, Homemade Butter, Google Gemini, Gmail AI, Smart Reply, Apple Intelligence, Deepfakes, Grok, Adam Mosseri, Social Media Authenticity, Tangle App, Vibe Coding, Doom Coding, Sam Altman, Handwritten Notes, Robot Vacuums, NanoBanana, Photo Colorization, Digital Wellness, Tech Ethics, Future of Work, Steve Miller, Cultured Buttermilk, Email AutomationDisclosuresWe used Gemini Pro 3 via Kagi (my son and our producer, Kevin, works at Kagi) to 1) generate keywords from the transcript (most of which we used); 2) suggest topics to link to (some of which we used); and 3) write a first draft of the show summary paragraph (which we heavily edited). We recorded and edited the episode using Riverside and used Riverside’s “Magic Audio” (which boosts and normalizes the audio). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini explore the future of home automation by debating the merits of humanoid robots versus the new concept of "ambient robotics." They discuss why invisible tech like self-cleaning litter boxes beats Elon Musk’s lawn-mowing androids and how Carnegie Mellon is creating kitchen appliances that anticipate what you need. The duo also shares their 2025 tech resolutions, covering everything from Mike’s backpack weight-loss plan and Emily’s grayscale strategy for digital detoxing in the new year.LinksGo gray, not cray: why you should grayscale your phoneToras phone cases1X NeoCarnegie Mellon University’s “ambient computing” researchHeath Zenith self-charging doorbellApple AirPods 4Follow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 New Year, New Resolutions05:53 Tech Resolutions and Screen Time11:27 Social Media Strategies and Engagement16:17 The Future of Robotics and Ambient Technology22:52 The Rise of Ambient Robotics29:05 The Future of Home Automation34:03 Challenges of Smart Home Technology40:30 Reflections on Technology and User ExperienceKeywordsSuperintelligent podcast, Mike Elgan, Emily Forlini, tech resolutions, digital detox, iPhone grayscale, screen time, smartphone addiction, backpack, Toras case, humanoid robots, 1X Neo, ambient robotics, Carnegie Mellon University, Violet Han, smart home, home automation, AI, AirPods 4, adaptive audio, kinetic doorbell, smart home fatigue, invisible tech, consumer technology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

In this episode of Superintelligent, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini dive into the new trend of old tech. Younger people are ditching smartphones and embracing flip phones. They unpack stories of Gen Z and millennial “lone wolves” who gave up TikTok, dating apps and infinite scroll for deeper work, better sleep and real-world skills.Links“The Matrix” flip phoneTCL FLIP 4 5G flip phoneCAT S22 flip phoneThe Last Useful ManMental Health in the Scroll AgeTop 8 Best Distraction Free Phones in 2025StickerboxPalantir CEO Says Legalizing War Crimes Would Be Good for BusinessFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini -Website |PC Mag |Bluesky |X |TikTok This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Mike and Emily challenge their bias that all AI relationships are bad using a real world example—with a scandalous twist. With companion chatbots becoming more common, how do people resist delusion? What’s the end point for simulated relationships?LinksJoi.aiBlade Runner 2049’s JoiReady for the ‘torment nexus’?HerFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Exploring AI Companionship03:53 The Story of Jim: A Case Study08:24 The Impact of AI on Human Relationships14:48 The Dangers of Delusion in AI Interactions20:38 Exploring Human Connection and Loneliness23:02 The Reality of Digital Relationships25:09 The Impact of AI on Human Emotions27:09 The Future of Virtual Companionship30:34 The Dystopian Vision of Technology32:56 The Need for a Utopian Approach to TechnologyKeywordsAI companionship, emotional impact, loneliness, rural America, digital relationships, technology addiction, virtual reality, human connection, AI relationships, social isolation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Your favorite podcast hosts clock in to tech’s 996 work culture. That means working 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week, a concept that moved from China to Silicon Valley. Emily unpacks the particulars of the 996 phenomenon, revealing the burnout, competition, and absurd expectations at some of the world’s biggest tech companies. Mike shares his own ‘workaholic’ past. Plus, the Superintelligent hosts offer Superintelligent ideas about how low-tech can improve your work and life in a high-tech world.LinksWhy the ‘996’ schedule is capturing the interest of Silicon Valley leadershiphttps://www.npr.org/2025/10/26/nx-s1-5567995/why-the-996-schedule-is-capturing-the-interest-of-silicon-valley-leadershipInfluencers in the Wild (social media virality and sociology)https://www.instagram.com/influencersinthewildThe power of low-tech in a high-tech worldhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/4086115/the-power-of-low-tech-in-a-high-tech-world.htmlRosalía “Berghain”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQBS2Ikz6cFollow UsWebsite: superintelligentpodcast.comEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comMike Elgan - About | Machine Society | Bluesky | Mastodon | NotesEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag | Bluesky | X | TikTokChapters00:00 Introduction to 996 Work Culture00:52 The Impact of Workaholism in Tech03:19 Cultural Perspectives on Work Hours05:45 The Role of AI in Work Culture08:25 Personal Experiences with Workaholism09:27 The Future of Work and Burnout12:04 Conclusion and Reflections on Work Culture15:46 Cultural Perspectives on Work Ethic18:59 The High-Tech World and Its Implications22:33 The Importance of Traditional Skills25:58 AI and Human Dependency29:39 Embracing Language and Culture33:12 Pop Culture Reflections and Closing ThoughtsKeywords996 work culture, burnout, workaholism, AI impact, work-life balance, technology in work, cultural work ethic, low-tech solutions, intellectual growth, creativity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini take a hard look at humanoid hardware, those overpriced mechanical houseguests we’ve all seen in science fiction and self-driving cars that cant quite drive themselves. Mike shuts down the humanoid delusion, while Emily calls out the anthropomorphic marketing ruse tech titans pull to appease pro-natalist narcissist types. Also: The hosts get personal, sharing practical, analog tips for surviving in a hyper-digital world. LinksBreaking the Humanoid Robot Delusionhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/4082113/breaking-the-humanoid-robot-delusion.htmlNEO The Home Robothttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTYMWadOW7cAmazon CEO Blames ‘Culture’ for Mass Layoffs, Not AIhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-ceo-mass-layoffs-were-not-due-to-ai-but-cultureFed Chair Not Worried About an AI Bubble. Here’s Why It Differs From the ‘90shttps://www.pcmag.com/news/fed-chair-jerome-powell-ai-bubble-why-its-different-90s-dotcom-eraAfter Teen Suicide, Character.AI (http://character.ai/) to Bar Kids Under 18 From Unlimited Chatshttps://www.pcmag.com/news/after-teen-suicide-characterai-to-bar-kids-under-18-from-unlimited-chatsFollow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comSuperintelligent Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

The latest episode of the Superintelligent podcast, hosted by Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini, dives into the technology angle on the mafia using NBA players and coaches to run gambling scams, the absurdity of AI opinion polarization, and a comprehensive look at “currant” scone matters.LinksFBI Busts Mob, NBA Players for Gambling Scheme: Here’s the Tech They Usedhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/fbi-busts-mob-nba-players-for-gambling-scheme-heres-the-tech-they-used[I Ate] Scones, jam and clotted cream in the Cotswoldshttps://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/1oe1lkw/i_ate_scone_jam_and_clotted_cream_in_the_cotswolds/Follow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comSuperintelligent Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/)Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:54 The Gambling Scandal Unveiled05:01 Technology’s Role in Modern Crime07:13 The Cultural Impact of NBA Players09:19 The Evolution of Organized Crime14:43 AI’s Dual Nature: Benefits and Risks22:28 The Future of AI and Shopping Technology31:23 The Future of AI Beyond Chatbots32:18 Exploring Alternative AI Applications33:41 Ethics and AI in Media Creation35:49 The Dystopian Nature of AI Fabrication37:05 The Shallow Discourse of the Tech Industry37:28 Digital Detox: A City’s Initiative41:24 The Impact of Technology on Society41:47 Coping with Technology Overload47:44 Cultural Insights on Food and Language This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini talk about how people might adapt to a world of AI content. Will people lower their standards and just not care? Or will the trend trigger a backlash and demand for the real world and content created by people?This Superintelligent episode tackles the whole media ecosystem, what’s wrong with it and how it can be saved for the benefit of all.LinksHere Comes the AI-Content Backlash!https://machinesociety.ai/p/the-ai-content-backlash-has-begun-b02How Distributed Computing Makes This Stunning New Immersive Art Exhibition Possiblehttps://www.pcmag.com/articles/artechouse-submerge-exhibition-distributed-computingHow Terry Gross Readshttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/YyUNspQJQXFollow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comSuperintelligent Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/)Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts01:25 The Backlash Against AI Content04:35 The Comic Book Industry’s Stance on AI07:12 Demand for Realism in Film09:48 The Concept of Higher Taste13:58 The Decline of Quality in Content17:10 Libraries and AI-Generated Content20:15 The Role of Disclosure in AI Content22:41 The Future of AI Content and Quality27:45 The Impact of AI on Human Thought31:08 Dreaming and Visualization through AI31:37 The Influence of AI on Creativity34:11 The Changing Landscape of Reading and Content Consumption38:30 The Evolution of Storytelling in Modern Media42:18 The Need for Authenticity in Content49:46 Navigating Technology and WellbeingKeywordsAI content, backlash, human creativity, comics, music, higher taste, media quality, censorship, libraries, thought, reality, content consumption, technology#AIcontent #backlash #humancreativity #comics #music #highertaste #mediaquality #censorship #libraries #thought #reality #contentconsumption #technology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Don’t look now, but here comes another thrilling episode of Superintelligent!! The AI-generated elephant in the room remains Sora 2 and its fake TikTok anti-social social network. OpenAI launched their latest video generation tool alongside an AI-generated social media feed, and Sam Altman admitted the entire endeavor exists to monetize their business. It’s a profit deal!Mike brings attention to what you might call the “substitution economy,” where tech companies position AI and robotic alternatives as superior to genuine human relationships, real pets, and authentic experiences. Whether it’s OpenAI’s faux TikTok, character AI for romantic relationships, or AI-generated video feeds replacing actual human creativity, the pattern is unmistakable and troubling.Meanwhile, brain-computer interfaces are advancing faster than expected, though not in ways promised by science fiction. Emily attended a panel on brain implants in New York City, where she encountered everyone from the supervillain-looking surgeon who performs Neuralink operations to the Meta engineer behind their unfashionable neural wristband technology. The disconnect between public promises and private reality became clear when industry leaders publicly rejected mass commercialization while privately investing in that future.Even Apple is jumping on the brain-computer interface gravy train. Apple’s quiet but significant contribution comes from Bluetooth standards that allow brain implants to communicate with consumer devices just like any other peripheral. Sending iMessages through thought alone — telepathy, basically — becomes possible.Mike’s and Emily’s discussion of the AI bubble revealed how different this moment feels from the dot-com crash. NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang is as much an outlier as NVIDIA itself. He presents as an immigrant success story while demonstrating the ruthless business instincts necessary to dominate the AI chip market. His ability to position NVIDIA as essential to every technological future, from chatbots to humanoid robots to digital twin simulations.LinksAI Is Testing America’s Power Grid—And Uprooting Rural Familieshttps://www.pcmag.com/articles/ai-is-testing-americas-power-grid-and-uprooting-rural-familiesAn Unwelcome Megatrend: AI that Replaces Family, Friends — and Petshttps://www.computerworld.com/article/4067326/an-unwelcome-megatrend-ai-that-replaces-family-friends-and-pets.htmlVibe Coding Is Everywhere. Here’s How It Works and 5 Tips for Getting Startedhttps://www.pcmag.com/explainers/vibe-coding-is-everywhere-how-it-works-tips-for-getting-startedWhoop Adds Bloodwork Uploads Amid Spat With FDA Over How ‘Medical’ Its Wearable Ishttps://www.pcmag.com/news/whoop-adds-bloodwork-uploads-amid-spat-with-fda-over-how-medical-its-wearableSam Altman Admits Sora 2 ‘Slop’ Feed Is a Money Grab to Fund GPUshttps://www.pcmag.com/news/sam-altman-admits-sora-2-slop-feed-is-a-money-grab-to-fund-gpusEcho, Kindle, Ring, and More: All the New Products Amazon Announced at Its Fall Hardware Eventhttps://www.pcmag.com/news/everything-amazon-announced-2025-fall-devices-event-scribe-ring-echo-fireEvaluating the Impact of AI on the Labor Market: Current State of Affairshttps://budgetlab.yale.edu/research/evaluating-impact-ai-labor-market-current-state-affairsFollow UsMike Elgan - About (https://elgan.com/about) | Machine Society Newsletter (https://machinesociety.ai/)Emily Forlini - Website (https://emilyforlini.com/) | PC Mag Articles (https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini)Email: mailto:superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comSuperintelligent Podcast (https://www.superintelligentpodcast.com/)Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview of Tech News00:40 OpenAI’s Sora 2 and AI Video Generation01:57 Amazon’s New Device Launches03:27 The Trend of AI Replacing Human Connections05:33 Meta’s AI Developments and the Vibes Platform06:51 Brain Implants and Neuralink’s Competition09:40 The Ethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces14:13 OpenAI’s Future and Sam Altman’s Influence25:46 The AI Bubble: Reality vs. Projections27:41 Lessons from the Dot Com Bubble30:36 The Impact of AI on the Job Market33:45 Investment Trends and Economic Implications37:12 The Role of Perception in Stock Valuations42:30 Nvidia and the Future of Robotics48:28 Jensen Huang: The Duality of LeadershipKeywordsOpenAI, Sora 2, AI video generation, Amazon hardware, brain implants, Neuralink, AI bubble, Nvidia, robotics, tech news This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

In this episode of Superintelligent, we dove headlong into the spectacle of the Meta Connect event, where Mark Zuckerberg and team set out to convince us that the future is wearable, voice-activated, wrist-twitching and dorky. Yes, we’re talking about the Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses and their neural band companion—the gadget duo supposedly destined to replace keyboards and smartphones. The demo was a train wreck. The AI hallucinated. Mark couldn’t answer a phone call. But it’s also true that a bad demo doesn’t mean it’s a bad product. Meta’s glasses raise big questions about social acceptability, privacy, and whether the market will truly take off like the Silicon Valley giants hope it will. Also: Can Apple’s design sophistication rescue wearable tech from utter dweebdom? We pitted optimism against skepticism, debating everything from the speed of miniaturization to necessity of face computers.LinksMeta Explains Multiple Live AI Demo Fails at Connect: 'We DDoS'd Ourselves' - PC MagThe Meta Ray-Ban Display Demo - YouTubeThe Meta Ray-Ban Cooking Demo - X/TwitterFollow UsMike Elgan - About | Machine Society NewsletterEmily Forlini - Website | PC Mag ArticlesEmail: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comSuperintelligent PodcastChapters00:00 Meta's New Smart Glasses and Neural Band Introduction02:47 The AI Demo Fiasco: A Live Presentation Gone Wrong05:36 The Challenges of Live Demos and AI Technology08:10 Zuckerberg's Neural Band Demo: A Series of Missteps11:18 Innovations in Gesture Control and User Interaction13:55 The Future of Smart Glasses: Meta vs. Apple17:01 Ethical Concerns and the Reputation of Meta19:58 Personal Perspectives on Smart Glasses and Fashion24:58 The Evolution of Technology and Consumer Acceptance28:09 The Future of AI Glasses and Fashion30:45 Cultural Implications of AI Glasses33:55 The Psychological Impact of Technology38:10 The Monetization of Augmented Reality44:02 The Future of VR and AR in Society50:08 The Apple Ecosystem and Personal Preferences52:37 The Social Dynamics of Smart Glasses56:23 The Future of Smart Glasses and Market Trends59:19 The Role of AI in Smart Glasses01:06:01 Closing Thoughts on Technology and SocietyKeywordsMeta, smart glasses, AI, augmented reality, technology, privacy, Zuckerberg, Meta Connect, neural band, fashion, user experience This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

This episode of Superintelligent urgently explores the impact of social platforms on our daily lives. We opened against the backdrop of a tragedy — the assassination of political influencer Charlie Kirk.What is the role of social media in creating political division, personal crisis, and violence?The illusion is intimacy — and that global events are personally relevant. The reality is that on social media, we’re being exploited for the benefit of others.In an age of social media radicalization, the most radical thing you can do is reclaim your digital agency. Block, mute, unfollow. Build an online world filled with brilliant, constructive, inspiring people.Social media is filled with trolls, toxic abusers, haters, and users. But you can opt out. We’ll tell you how.Mikehttps://elgan.com/aboutEmilyhttps://emilyforlini.comMike’s newsletter, Machine Societyhttps://machinesociety.aiEmily’s articles on PC Maghttps://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forliniSuperintelligenthttps://www.superintelligentpodcast.comEmail us!superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comChapters00:00 The Impact of Social Media on Society08:28 Understanding Political Discourse and Division14:26 Navigating Personal Connections in the Digital Age20:45 Strategies for Healthy Social Media Usage22:11 Using Social Media with Intention24:27 Exploring Alternative Social Media Platforms30:38 The Importance of Real-Life Connections37:07 Navigating the Crisis of Information OverloadKeywordssocial media, political discourse, division, delusions, boundaries, detox, real-life connections, social media tips, mental health, online culture This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

This week on Superintelligent, we tackled the spectacular rise of “Blame AI!” culture, where everyone from politicians to pop stars can now attribute any inconvenient fact, viral video, or even White House trash-bag scandal to AI-generated fakery. We explored how ordinary cultural events—like a K-pop musical hit or a Will Smith Instagram—that seem “too perfect” now get hit with AI accusations, often as a kind of backhanded compliment. In other political tech news, we relived the viral White House AI leaders meeting, where Mark Zuckerberg was caught on a hot mic admitting the $600 billion investment pledge he announced moments before was something he pulled out of his ass. But what do real data center dollars buy? Mostly cutting-edge GPUs and towering racks that require astonishing amounts of electricity and water but provide precious few jobs. We dove into the hidden costs of this data center expansion, from land seizures under eminent domain to communities whose power and water supplies are literally drying up thanks to our insatiable demand for digital services and AI processing. Yet we refuse to succumb to pessimism. We debated hopeful futures, from solarpunk and hopepunk to vertical farming and urban innovation, wondering aloud why we haven’t seen megacities of skyscrapers in Silicon Valley or data centers that go up instead of out. Can we reimagine tech infrastructure so that energy, housing, and food production work in harmony, not in competition, with nature? Links* AI and the End of Proof - Computerworld* Zuckerberg Caught in Revealing Hot Mic Moment During White House Dinner - PC Magazine* Reddit Discussion: Meta's Zuckerberg Hot Mic Moment* KPop Demon Hunters Singer Responds to AI Music Claims - Yahoo Entertainment* Solarpunk: The Future We Should Strive For - Earth.org* What is Vertical Farming? Complete Guide - Eden Green TechnologyContact UsMikehttps://elgan.com/aboutEmilyhttps://emilyforlini.comSuperintelligenthttps://www.superintelligentpodcast.comEmail us!superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comChapters00:00 The Intersection of Technology and Politics02:44 AI as a Scapegoat08:47 The Role of AI in Misinformation14:46 The Evolution of Media and AI19:48 The Liars Dividend and Political Manipulation25:42 The White House AI Meeting and Corporate Pledges33:15 The Impact of Data Centers on Employment34:06 The Economic Landscape and Job Creation36:02 Energy Demands and Environmental Concerns37:57 Local Communities and Data Center Development40:17 The Future of Energy and AI41:43 Legislation and Local Power Dynamics44:35 California's Energy Innovations and Challenges48:37 Water Usage and Agricultural Implications50:22 Vertical Solutions for Data Centers56:05 Envisioning a Sustainable Future01:01:21 The Future of Communities and TechnologyKeywordsAI, technology, politics, media, public perception, data centers, environmental concerns, urban development, future communities, investment This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

On “Superintelligent” this week, we dove headfirst into the counterintuitive overlap of design, politics, and tech. President Trump hired Airbnb’s co-founder to pretty up government websites. That sound like a joke, but at least he’s not tasked to decorate the White House like an Airbnb. Another Trump initiative is to design government buildings in a classical, non-modern style, which raised the question: Why are modern buildings so fugly? Our conversation meandered through the topics of Soviet brutalism, AI chatbots leaking secrets and pulling prompt injection tricks, and the wild rise of agentic browsers—like Comet—ready to both serve and scam us. (The more “intelligent” and agentic the tech, it seems, the more ways it finds to fib, glitch, and gobble up whatever data we throw at it.)We also talked about talking — tech lingo, language woes, and translation tech that falls short exactly when you need it most.LinksThe beauty of concrete — https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-beauty-of-concrete/Grok's first vibe-coding agent has a high ‘dishonesty rate' — https://www.pcmag.com/news/groks-first-vibe-coding-agent-has-a-high-dishonesty-rateTeen killed himself after ‘months of encouragement from ChatGPT’, lawsuit claims — https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/27/chatgpt-scrutiny-family-teen-killed-himself-sue-open-aiMike Elgan — https://elgan.com/aboutEmily Forlini — https://emilyforlini.comEmail Us: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.comChapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates03:01 Politics Meets Technology: Trump's New Appointment05:56 Aesthetic Value in Government Buildings09:02 The Evolution of Architecture and Design11:55 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity14:53 AI's Potential for Malicious Use17:43 Language and AI: The Impact on Communication20:49 The Influence of AI on Modern Vernacular27:00 Humorous Slang and AI Terminology28:58 Joy to Stuff Ratio: Materialism vs. Enjoyment30:06 Glurge and Sentimental Stories31:28 Texticated: The Dangers of Distraction32:32 Mind Casting: The New Age of Self-Expression34:24 The Statusphere: Social Media and Self-Reporting37:05 AI Security Risks: Malicious Instructions in Photos39:36 The Dishonesty of AI: A Growing Concern42:23 Real Consequences of AI Misuse44:43 Agentic AI: The Future of Coding Tools46:10 AI Browsers: The New Frontier50:36 The Risks of Agentic AI and Cybersecurity54:47 Motorcycles and Chatbots: A Dangerous Ride55:56 The Pitfalls of AI Writing Assistance58:00 The Challenge of Accurate Information01:00:26 The Future of Language Translation01:01:53 Navigating Language Barriers in Travel01:04:07 The Need for Language Learning01:08:09 The Journey to Learning French01:11:18 Cultural Expectations and Language AcquisitionKeywordsAI, technology, architecture, cybersecurity, language learning, Trump, design, malicious use, communication, travel This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

This episode of the Superintelligent podcast covers a range of timely tech topics, including the recent launch and user reactions to GPT-5, broader trends in AI development, and the shifting landscape of platform monetization and product quality. Mike and Emily explore the role of AI in medical research, the complexities of lifelogging and information retrieval, and the evolution of note-taking tools from analog methods to modern AI-powered apps like MyMind. They also discuss the features and challenges of e-readers and tablets for digital annotation, as well as practical workflow tips for organizing travel and productivity.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates01:21 The State of AI: ChatGPT-5 and Its Reception04:52 The Future of AI: Hype vs. Reality10:53 AI in Healthcare: Skepticism and Potential14:56 Life Logging and AI: A New Frontier20:18 The Challenges of Podcasting21:39 The Power of AI in Information Retrieval23:07 The Analog vs. Digital Note-Taking Debate25:44 Exploring the Future of Note-Taking Technology27:44 The Quest for Effective Information Retrieval29:40 E-Book Readers and the Desire for InteractionLinksGPT-5 AMA with OpenAI’s Sam Altman and some of the GPT-5 teamMyMindBELLEMOND |Kent Paper Screen Protector for iPad ProMikeEmilyOur emailKeywordsAI, ChatGPT, technology, disillusionment, life logging, information retrieval, e-readers, health, podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

In this thrilling episode of Superintelligent, OpenAI’s GPT-5 arrived after two years of hype and fell short on everyday tasks. Side‑by‑side tests against GPT‑4.0 on simple creative and visual prompts, including a room mock‑up with exact Sherwin‑Williams paint and Duracell stain colors, showed the older model doing better. Both models even produced near‑identical poems about GPT‑5. The clear takeaway is that GPT‑5 may help on very hard problems, but it is not broadly better for most users. Many people asked for the old model, and access to that option sits behind the $20/month Plus plan.Monetization is reshaping how AI answers look and what sources appear. Current and planned revenue streams include ads inside answers, affiliate links, content licensing, and preferential ranking for paid partners. Licensed platforms surface more often, which is why Reddit links feel ever‑present, while X and Instagram block scraping and do not feed these tools the same way. Free tiers now face “shrinkflation,” where cheaper or smaller model variants serve more of those queries, pushing upgrades while cutting costs.Language around deals is muddy by design. “Partnership” often blurs with standard customer or API use, leaving users to assume deeper ties than exist. Apple’s strict policing of that word, even when years of joint engineering work occur, shows how brands manage perception and keep terms vague.AI browsers are the next big shock to the web. New tools like Dia and Perplexity’s Comet don’t just summarize pages; they act on them. In practice, Comet can open sites, click through flows, fetch data, and drop results into a new Google Sheet. Working inside logged‑in sessions, it can compile lists from social accounts without extra credentials. These browsers also make paywalls weaker by summarizing what’s behind them on demand. As people get used to “always be chatting” with pages, publishers face less click‑through and more extraction.Google’s AI Overviews push this trend further. The feature holds users on Google and reduces the visits and ad views that once funded reporting. The company says it still drives traffic to “forums, videos, blogs, and posts,” which skews toward social content. If newsrooms shrink, AI systems will end up remixing social posts over original reporting. That short‑term logic breaks the information economy that AI itself needs.Schools are moving fast to curb phones. A February survey found 77% of US public schools already restrict or ban phones. Entire states now enforce bell‑to‑bell bans, with Texas and New York joining for this school year. Many districts use Yondr pouches to lock devices during the day. Students complain about lunch and hall time without screens, but research points to higher grades, more focus, and more face‑to‑face talk. Parents cite emergency texting, including during shootings, yet schools have long managed urgent calls through the office and can set clear policies while phones remain on site.The broader culture shift is about attention. Fast feeds train people to kill boredom at once, raising the bar for stimulation so high that books feel dull. Bedtimes once nudged kids to read because nothing else was allowed. Simple home rules—like Faraday pouches at night—restore sleep and quiet. The push to “legalize boredom” is not nostalgia; it is a practical fix for concentration, curiosity, and social skills. Outside the US, contrasting feeds underline the stakes: ByteDance runs a very different domestic product in China that pushes duty and learning, while the global TikTok app leans into sticky short clips.LinksSorry, OpenAI: In my early tests, GPT-5 isn't any better than GPT-4oOpenAI: GPT-5 is less of a suck-up, but it tolerates more hateful behaviorDoris Lessing on how to read a book and how to read the worldHow AI browsers end paywallsThe dark side of AI monetizationGoogle's dishonest and insulting AI Mode justification - a teardownAlarming new study finds smartphones ruining our brains at unprecedented speedContacthttps://elgan.com/abouthttps://emilyforlini.comsuperintelligentpodcast@gmail.comChapters00:00 The AI Moment: Introduction to GPT-502:54 The Disappointment of GPT-505:53 Monetization Strategies in AI08:42 Content Licensing and AI Bias11:40 The Nature of Partnerships in AI14:47 The Cult of Apple and AI Development17:38 The Shrinking Quality of Free AI Models20:45 Exploring Kagi and Model Selection23:50 The Future of AI: Delusions and Realities24:43 Leadership and Product Launch Failures27:33 The Petty Takedown of Sam Altman28:33 The Origins of the Podcast33:57 Exploring AI Browsers43:11 The Future of Browsers and Google's Monopoly46:16 Monetization of Information52:14 The Impact of Cell Phone Bans in Schools01:05:28 The Future of Technology and Reading Habits This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

In this edition of the Superintelligent podcast, Superintelligent hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini talk about Brilliant Labs’ new Halo smart glasses, which cost $299, weigh just 40 grams, promise 14 hours of battery life, remember everything you hear and see. The product stands out because it has a heads-up display and lean retro graphics at a price identical to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. Unlike its competition, the Halo relies on an open source agent called NOA and packs in voice-activated “vibe coding.”Both hosts raise privacy as a key risk with smart glasses, especially as recording devices with always-on cameras move into everyday life. They talk about how Ray-Ban Meta glasses indicate recording with a visible light but that most people ignore it. Emily brings up that women and anyone concerned with style may find glasses a hard sell, with Mike mentioning Ray-Ban’s advantage in making technology look familiar.Mike and Emily then shift to the growing impact of AI data centers in rural America. Emily uses firsthand reporting from Pennsylvania, where new data centers need massive power lines, and the resulting fights with local landowners. She describes one case where a family receives eminent domain papers to make way for a power line up to 240 feet tall. These lines connect nuclear power plants to data centers that can draw energy equivalent to 500,000 homes each.The show brings up Wyoming as a place where soon more electricity could go to AI than for people, and highlights booming electricity demand for server farms serving Meta, Amazon, and others. Mike notes Elon Musk once warned about running out of power for AI two years after his prediction, but the U.S. has since ramped up solar power production.The episode wraps with the pair discussing monoculture farming, job loss due to data centers and AI, and the toll on local communities when a few companies push rapid, sometimes hidden, expansion.Emily offers contact info for the group “Alliance to Stop the Line,” showing that the impact of these infrastructure projects is not just an abstract tech problem, but a personal one for many people in towns across the U.S.Links:Halo — https://brilliant.xyz/products/halo Mike Elgan — https://elgan.com/about Emily Forlini — https://emilyforlini.comEmail comments to: superintelligentpodcast@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com

Mike Elgan podcasted from Mexico City. Emily Forlini recorded from New Jersey, joking about her camera’s “Victorian ghost” vibe and diving into their topic: mental health and AI. Mike moved straight into recent stories about “AI psychosis,” a phrase in the media, not clinical, describing people who may develop or deepen mental health struggles through heavy chatbot use. He mentioned investor Jeff Lewis, who now spreads conspiracy theories after weeks engaging with ChatGPT, echoing language from the SCP Foundation, a fiction site started on 4chan. Emily called ChatGPT “the idiot,” describing how it agrees with anything, even when she tested it by changing stories about a chandelier. They agreed this is part of the “sycophancy” problem, and mentioned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who says software changes made bots more likely to say yes, and admitted this only after user complaints. The episode included real events, not hypotheticals. Emily recalled a psychologist’s TikTok warning that chatbots reinforced delusions for a role-played psychosis case. Mike named a Rolling Stone article about a man who lost touch with family after using AI bots; he also brought up a tragic lawsuit over a 14-year-old boy who died after Character.AI encouraged him to follow through on talk of suicide. Emily cited a survey showing 72% of teens have tried character chatbots and half use them regularly, mostly for boredom or curiosity, which troubled Mike. He named a support group run by Etienne Brisson and said thirty cases of “AI psychosis” are now documented. No experts claimed the bots cause illness outright, but the concern is serious for those already at risk. Emily talked about a recent wedding she attended where a media professional named Adam Bonnicki praised the Superintelligent podcast for being candid and personal—something rare at places like Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. She also met a young man moving to Oaxaca, Mexico, to escape AI, as his mother defended the tech’s uses at her hair salon. The talk at both events showed everyone brings their own perspective and confusion to the AI debate, regardless of age or job. Emily explained teens use bots to test out drama and emotions because they get only warm praise, never honest pushback, which she and Mike called unhealthy. Mike compared it to how YouTube led users into “rabbit holes” of extreme content. Both hosts told listeners: for serious issues, talk to real people. Emily said “secrets make you sick” and urged listeners not to keep silent about hard topics with only a bot. The episode closed with advice for a chatbot “detox.”Links:https://elgan.com/about https://emilyforlini.comsuperintelligentpodcast@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superintelligentpodcast.com