Systems and Power

Is Big Tech gaining too much control over artificial intelligence, our economy, and even our elections? And could open-weight AI models be the key to preventing a future dominated by a handful of powerful corporations?In Episode 17 of Systems & Power, host Moses Parente sits down with Niel Pal to discuss the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, business, and politics.From the growing debate over open-weight AI models and government regulation to the enormous political influence of Silicon Valley, Moses and Niel explore who stands to benefit from the AI revolution — and who risks being left behind.The conversation dives into the rise of autonomous AI agents, the future of enterprise software, Anthropic's potential IPO, the semiconductor industry, and the growing popularity of prediction markets. They also examine whether AI could eventually make universal basic income necessary and how automation may fundamentally reshape employment, education, and the global economy.Beyond technology, Moses and Niel discuss the relationship between money and political influence, the role of charisma in leadership, and why human judgment and interpersonal skills may become more valuable as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable.Topics covered in this episode:Why open-weight AI models matter for innovation and competitionOpen-weight vs. closed-source AI and the debate over safety regulationsBig Tech's political influence, campaign spending, and AI legislationThe rise of personalized AI agents and autonomous workflowsAnthropic's potential IPO and the future of AI companiesThe semiconductor industry and the infrastructure behind AIUniversal basic income and the future of employmentPrediction markets and their growing influence on politicsHow AI is transforming enterprise software and businessThe future of computer science degrees and technical educationWhy charisma, critical thinking, and human relationships still matterTime Stamps:02:11 – Open weight models, China, and AI regulation (including the Anthropic IPO and monopoly debate)08:17 – Democrats, populism, and inequality (Trump accounts, universal basic income) 13:18 – Trump, his base, and the Texas primary races17:09 – Charisma in politics and SF/NYC politics18:50 – Prediction markets: Kalshi vs. Polymarket21:58 – Enterprise software and AI deals (Dreamforce, Salesforce, Nvidia acquisitions, Cognition and Factory)28:58 – Semiconductor stocks, the Anthropic IPO financials, and the AI model race33:23 – Personal agents and AI in the workplace35:34 – Politics and AI adoption (Democrats, Bloomberg, the internet comparison)38:52 – Training data jobs, NYC tech, and engineers who no longer hand-write code42:47 – Education and careers: CS vs. MBA, systems thinking, and human skills50:07 – Interruption and sign-offAs artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, the stakes extend far beyond technology. Who will control AI, who will profit from it, and how much influence should Big Tech have over our political system?Join us for a conversation about the future of artificial intelligence, political power, and the changing relationship between humans and technology.🔔 Subscribe to Systems & Power for conversations with leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers exploring the forces shaping our world.💬 Let us know in the comments: Should AI models be open-weight and accessible to everyone, or should powerful AI systems remain restricted for safety?

Who REALLY pays for political protests? Are grassroots movements always organic, or is there an entire business behind political outrage?In Episode 16 of Systems & Power, host Moses Parente sits down with Adam Swart, Founder and CEO of Crowds on Demand, a company specializing in public advocacy, grassroots organizing, and mobilizing support for political and corporate campaigns.Adam offers an inside perspective on the business of political advocacy, the role of wealthy donors in shaping public opinion, and how money and messaging influence American politics.With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, we also explore the growing divisions within the Republican and Democratic parties, the influence of younger voters, and what these political shifts could mean for 2028.In this episode, we discuss:💰 Who funds political protests and advocacy campaigns?📢 The business behind organized political movements🇺🇸 The 2026 midterm elections and the future of both parties📊 Prediction markets vs. traditional political polling🗳️ Donald Trump's influence over the Republican Party🔥 The rise of democratic socialism and changing political attitudes among Gen Z🌎 Israel, Palestine, and the changing landscape of American foreign policy🏛️ Potential congressional investigations, impeachment, and the balance of power in Washington🎯 Adam's advice on effective advocacy and influencing decision-makersTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Adam Swart00:26 – Predicting the 2026 Midterm Elections03:41 – Are Polls and Prediction Markets Reliable?05:22 – The Business Behind Political Protests07:18 – Billionaires and Political Influence08:11 – Crowds on Demand and Its Campaigns09:42 – Are Democrats Heading Into 2028 Without a Leader?12:01 – Could Donald Trump Jr. Run for President?13:28 – The Future of MAGA and the Republican Party16:39 – Ken Paxton, Trump, and Political Loyalty19:48 – Are Political Parties Delivering for Their Voters?21:44 – The Rise of Democratic Socialists23:28 – Gen Z, Israel, and Changing Political Attitudes25:49 – TikTok Politics and Political Messaging27:18 – What Happens if Democrats Take the House?29:15 – Could Trump Face Another Impeachment?30:01 – Hakeem Jeffries vs. Nancy Pelosi32:03 – How to Advocate Effectively33:52 – Closing RemarksAbout Systems & PowerSystems & Power explores the intersection of technology, business, politics, and the people shaping our world. Through conversations with entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, we examine the ideas, institutions, and systems influencing our future.Subscribe for new conversations and perspectives.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent those of their employers, affiliated organizations, or institutions. This conversation is presented for informational and public-interest discussion purposes.

Shesh Narayan Gupta is an AI Researcher, Data Scientist and the Author of Generative AI for Game Development: Crafting Narrative Worlds with Machines.In this episode of Systems and Power, host Moses Parente sits down with data scientist, AI researcher, and author Shesh Narayan Gupta to explore how generative AI is changing the future of video games.From smarter NPCs and dynamic dialogue to AI-generated narratives and adaptive gameplay, Shesh breaks down how artificial intelligence can make virtual worlds feel more responsive, immersive, and alive.But with that power comes a major challenge: how do developers keep AI creative without losing control?We discuss the importance of deterministic rules, AI guardrails, character consistency, ethical safeguards, and the difficulty of proving that AI safety systems actually work in real-world environments. Shesh also shares insights from his book, Generative AI for Game Development, and explains how lessons from gaming can apply to AI systems far beyond entertainment.In this episode:• How generative AI is transforming game development• The future of intelligent NPCs and dynamic dialogue• AI-generated stories and adaptive gaming experiences• Why deterministic rules still matter• How developers balance creativity with control• AI guardrails, bias, and ethical considerations• Why some AI safeguards can actually make systems worse• What gaming can teach us about building safer AI• The future of AI-driven interactive worldsIf you enjoyed the video:• Subscribe for more commentary and Systems & Power episodes• Like the video to support the channel• Leave a comment with your thoughts• Watch the full podcast conversation on the channel📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET🎧 Listen and watch:▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591📱 Follow me:Instagram: @itsmosesparenteTikTok: @itsmosesparenteLinkedIn: Moses ParenteDISCLAIMERSThe Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

Niel Pal returns to the Systems & Power Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about where artificial intelligence is heading next and whether the fear surrounding AI has gone too far.In this episode, Moses Parente and Niel discuss the rise of AI agents, increasingly capable AI models, and the growing debate around AI Doomerism. They explore how quickly these systems are improving, how new AI features could change everyday work and decision-making, and whether public fear is keeping pace with what the technology can actually do.The conversation also moves into prediction markets and insider trading, the role of information asymmetry in markets, and the rapid rise of GLP-1 medications as a potential response to obesity.Topics include:• AI agents and autonomous systems• New capabilities in modern AI models• Whether AI doomerism is overblown• Public perception of artificial intelligence• Prediction markets and insider trading• Information asymmetry and market ethics• GLP-1 medications and obesity• How technology is reshaping culture and behaviorThis episode looks at the intersection of technology, markets, health, and society and what happens when innovation moves faster than public understanding.Check out Siddharth Niel Pal:Instagram: @snpal2000TikTok: @nielpal2LinkedIn: Siddharth Niel PalIf you enjoyed the video:• Subscribe for more commentary and Systems & Power episodes• Like the video to support the channel• Leave a comment with your thoughts• Watch the full podcast conversation on the channel📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET🎧 Listen and watch:▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591📱 Follow me:Instagram: @itsmosesparenteTikTok: @itsmosesparenteLinkedIn: Moses ParenteDISCLAIMERSThe Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

Dr. Mathew Bradbury is an economist and lecturer at Queens College, CUNY, whose work focuses on macroeconomics, monetary economics, political economy, and sovereign debt risk and sustainability. He earned both his B.S. in Economics and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Utah.In this episode of the Systems & Power Podcast, Moses sits down with Dr. Bradbury to break down some of the biggest economic questions facing the United States today — from the national debt and government deficits to inflation, interest rates, monetary policy, and the long-term sustainability of the U.S. economy.We discuss what the national debt actually means, when government borrowing becomes a real problem, how the Federal Reserve influences the economy, and why economic issues that sound simple in political debates are often much more complicated in practice.Whether you're interested in economics, public policy, finance, or simply want a better understanding of how the U.S. economy works, this conversation offers a practical look at the forces shaping our financial system.Be sure to check out the following:Penn-Wharton budget model projections:https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/CBO Debt reduction strategies:https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60557If you enjoyed the video:• Subscribe for more commentary and Systems & Power episodes• Like the video to support the channel• Leave a comment with your thoughts• Watch the full podcast conversation on the channel📅 New episodes every Monday at 12 p.m. ET🎧 Listen and watch:▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@itsmosesparente🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033OlrjypMa5fS2Uqn3zYD🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/tj/podcast/systems-and-power/id6790180591📱 Follow me:Instagram: @itsmosesparenteTikTok: @itsmosesparenteLinkedIn: Moses ParenteDISCLAIMERSThe Systems & Power Podcast does not endorse or assume responsibility for the opinions expressed by its guests.We provide a platform for different perspectives under the premise that ideas should be heard, questioned, and put to the test.The views expressed on this channel are my own and do not represent those of my employer.