DSR's Siliconsciousness

AI dread has spread. Even CEOs of major AI companies are forecasting doom and gloom, including the potential end of mankind. But how much of what they say is an honest appraisal, and how much is driven by ulterior motives? NYU’s Paul Barrett joins David Rothkopf to discuss his recent piece for Tech Policy Press and explain why we can’t let doomer CEOs or competition with China distract from sensible AI regulation.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the...

Top AI researchers seem to be increasingly convinced that AI is about to kill us all, so why isn’t our President more concerned? After an Anthropic researcher quit the company warning that continued AI development could end the world, Trump brushed off worries over AI attributing concerns to a “sick conspiracy.” Alondra Nelson of the Institute of Advanced Study joins David Rothkopf to analyze where the truth really lies and how concerned we should all really be about an AI armageddon. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Emb...

Venture capitalists and Silicon Valley have been riding high on the artificial intelligence wave. Yet with this runaway enthusiasm comes the risk for an even more calamitous bubble burst. Newcomer founder Eric Newcomer joins David Rothkopf to discuss why a reality check is much needed. They also explore Silicon Valley’s dramatic political shift, the growing public skepticism towards the tech oligarchs, and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of...

Politics makes strange bedfellows, and AI is making things stranger still. AI data centers are just one of the many ways that artificial intelligence and its by products are taking an increasingly large role in American politics at every level and creating new and bizarre alliances even among traditionally opposing factions. WIRED’s Molly Taft joins David Rothkopf to examine the rapid evolution of our politics — and why things are only getting weirder. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S...

Why can’t the US and China just get along when it comes to artificial intelligence? As the two nations jockey for an edge in AI, President’s Trump and Xi prepare for a consequential summit where the tech race may play a bigger role than ever. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Scott Singer joins David Rothkopf to discuss why in the race for AI dominance between China the US, the best way to win might just be to work together.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the...

Are we being too laissez-faire in our approach to artificial intelligence? Rarely has there been a technology so profoundly important, yet so concentrated in the hands of a few private citizens. "National security experts Ivo Daalder and Graham Allison join David Rothkopf to explore the terrifying implications of hands-off policymaking, and why—as with nuclear weapons—we probably shouldn’t leave private companies in charge of such explosive technology."

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is ava...

The tech bros have made their bed, and soon it’s going to be time to lie in it. From Palantir to OpenAI, the figureheads of the major AI companies have endeared themselves to the Trump administration. Financial Times correspondent Joe Miller joins David Rothkopf to discuss how the impending midterms and not too distant presidential election could bring a reckoning to the tech industry. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Dep...

An OpenAI model has gone rogue. Not only has it gone rogue, but it hacked Hugging Face completely unprompted and without approval. That’s pretty scary. But just how much of this story should legitimately frighten us, and how much is being blown out of proportion? Senior Editor for AI at MIT Technology Review Will Heaven joins David Rothkopf to cut through the bullshit and share why we should be concerned and if we should expect similar incidents in the future. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Emb...

The landscape of AI policy is changing rapidly. From a one year data center moratorium in New York to sweeping new energy laws in Thailand, it’s clear that governments around the world are exploring radical new approaches to artificial intelligence. AI, Energy and Climate host David Sandalow and Siliconsciousness host David Rothkopf join forces to examine the far-reaching debate over AI policy to examine what’s working and what the future might hold. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U...

The question is when, not if, the AI bubble is going to pop. As tech companies see share values skyrocket, it becomes more clear with each passing day that the value of these companies is built on a house of cards. So just how bad will the rest of us feel the pop? Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research Dean Baker joins David Rothkopf to answer this question and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in t...

After recent primaries, it’s clear that AI is top of mind for many Americans. Whether it’s a mistrust of AI as a whole or just the people at the helms of the companies reaping massive profits, it’s clear that it’s past time for Democrats to have a robust tech and AI strategy. Former Director of the National AI Office Karen Kornbluh joins David Rothkopf to consider what Dems need to do for the midterms and beyond to address this critical issue. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf...

Twists of recent history have led to deep distrust of the AI sector and political decisions about AI—and with good reason for both. With expert Dave Karpf, we discuss how we got to this point and how tech barons have reached historic levels of power and influence in Washington. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Learn more about you...

It’s time to get serious about the effects of AI on how we work. Like every technological revolution, the advent of AI is causing tectonic shifts in labor. But this time, it’s entry-level and white color jobs that are feeling the effects. Georgios Petropoulos join David Rothkopf to discuss his recent article in MIT Technology Review and share how young professionals can prepare themselves for this new reality and why a new social contract is necessary. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the Unite...

The Pope has spoken on AI, and he has some concerns. The Pope’s new encyclical warns of profound dangers associated with artificial intelligence and calls for global action. He’s not the only one concerned with ensuring AI benefits everyone. Professor Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to explain the need for auditing artificial intelligence, the need for responsible regulation, and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washi...

Leading the way in artificial intelligence doesn’t just take the most powerful chips and biggest data centers — it takes a cultural shift towards AI literacy. Eric Xing, President of the MBZ University of Artificial Intelligence, joins David Rothkopf to share the unique approach the university takes to training the next generation of leaders in tech. Don’t miss this important conversation covering an array of critical topics in the field of AI, including the incredible potential of “world models,” breakthroughs in bioscience, the need for human agency in the tech space, and more. 

This materi...

The tech bros could be in for a rude awakening come November. We’ve seen the big names in AI increasingly cozy up with Republicans, but they may have forgotten that there is another party is poised to get back into power. How is Silicon Valley going to respond to a future Democratic administration? Are tech bros hoping to tip the scales to the point where it doesn’t matter who wins? GWU Professor and Tech Policy Press contributor Dave Karpf joins David Rothkopf to consider all this and more. 

This material is distributed by TR...

Sam Altman and Elon Musk are facing off in court, but beyond the high-profile legal drama, a wave of industry-shifting stories is unfolding. Mat Honan, Editor-in-Chief of MIT Technology Review, joins David Rothkopf to explore the week's key headlines—including the era of AI malaise, China’s strategic pivot toward open-source models, and more.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Learn more abou...

AI should serve us, yet that’s not always the approach that experts take. There’s been a lot of talk about AI fueling economic displacement, but what about AI that’s a partner instead of a replacement for us? Dr. Angela Aristidou joins David Rothkopf to cut through the theoretical explore why real-world deployment of AI can improve workflow and augment human relationships rather than eliminating them. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is availab...

Nobody wants to get scammed, yet everyone has a story about it happening to them or someone they know. In the age of AI, scams are more elaborate and devious than ever. So what can you do about it? Anya Schiffrin and Alice Marwick join David Rothkopf to discuss their recent policy brief about the scourge of AI scams, what governments can do to stem the growing tide of scams, and how individuals can protect themselves. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The political allegiances of Silicon Valley have shifted. Tech bros are becoming more and more aligned with Republicans. So how can Democrats balance the needs of the public interest without alienating the tech industry? Policy expert and White House veteran Rohini Kosoglu joins David Rothkopf to explore how Democrats can address the anxieties over job displacement, the concentration of wealth among tech leaders, and how to build a successful political platform for the future. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in t...

Fake news has been turbocharged by AI — and it’s getting worse every day. Now with a massive conflict in the Middle East, there is a flood of fake content designed to misinform. So how do we cut through the bullshit and separate the truth from lies? Open-Source Intelligence Analyst Tal Hagin joins David Rothkopf to explore why ai-generated disinformation has exploded in recent months and the tools you can use to verify the content you consume. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab...

Conversations on AI typically deal with impacts in the US, Asia, and Europe. Yet the impact of AI on Africa, and Africa on AI, is immense. Professor and Director of the MIND Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand Benjamin Rosman joins David Rothkopf to explore the unique perspectives coming from Africa in the tech space, why grassroots movements drive innovation, and how unique resource constraints are forcing a creative departure from the “bigger is better” obsession in Silicon Valley.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of t...

As the Trump regime wages war on Iran and geopolitical crises are dominating tabloid headlines, the Pentagon’s relationship with artificial intelligence is slipping under the radar. Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to discuss the DoD’s partnerships with private-sector AI companies, the Pentagon’s push for unrestricted AI, and what this all means for our future.
This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Looking for More from the DSR Ne...

The Pentagon wants less restricted, more dangerous AI—and it seems like they’re getting it. Pete Hegseths’s showdown with Anthropic is just the latest instance of this administration’s pursuit of radical deregulation of artificial intelligence that shows no signs of slowing. The Brennan Center’s Amos Toh joins David Rothkopf to explore the ramifications of deregulation for defense, public safety, and the future of the industry. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is availabl...

The explosion of artificial intelligence has been a huge boon for leaders in the tech space. But many of us outside of Silicon Valley aren’t fans. So where does this hate for AI moguls come from. MIT Technology Review editor in chief Mat Honan joins David Rothkopf to discuss his recent coverage of Davos, reasons to be optimistic and skeptical about developing trends in AI, and what comes next. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional inf...

Is the U.S.-China AI rivalry a zero-sum game? While the race for technical dominance heats up, both nations are taking radically different paths to the finish line. MIT Technology Review’s Caiwei Chen and the FT’s John Thornhill join host David Rothkopf to explore where China currently holds the edge—and why the "us versus them" framework fails to capture the true complexity of the AI landscape.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional inform...

Elon’s Neuralink isn’t the only game in town when it comes to neurotechnology. With a rapidly expanding AI industry, more and more companies are finding ways to analyze data straight from your brain. So what can we do in an age where our thoughts have become commodities and privacy is an increasing rare luxury? Nita Farahany, a leading expert on the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies, joins David Rothkopf to explore these fascinating questions and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of th...

The Trump administration’s executive order targeting state regulations on artificial intelligence is a gift to big tech. They say it eliminates a tangle of regulations that stifle innovations, while critics say gives companies freedom to do whatever they please. So what’s the truth? Adam Conner of the Center for American Progress joins David Rothkopf to explore the relationship between federal and state regulations, the economic impacts of AI, and the importance of steering AI development towards a positive future for all of us. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advis...

It’s (almost) been one year of the Trump administration. Aside from, well everything else, how has US artificial intelligence policy evolved? Former Deputy National Cyber Director Camille Stewart Gloster joins David Rothkopf to grade the administration’s 2025 on AI, the state of public-private collaboration, the talent drain in the US, and more.

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Learn more about your...

Would you use an AI as your stockbroker? Maybe not. Yet more and more individuals and firms are using AI tools to aid in investing. But will AI-powered investment democratize the practice, or ensure that wealth disparity grows as wealthier individuals use better models? MIT professor Andrew Lo joins David Rothkopf to explore the relationship between artificial intelligence and investment and why a cautious approach could yield incredible results. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information i...

The relationship between artificial intelligence and government has been a contentious one here in the US. Yet the same can’t be said for countries around the world. Many in the global south are embracing AI to supercharge their governance in ways that are leaving wealthier nations behind. Apolitical CEO Robyn Scott joins David Rothkopf to explore how countries are taking advantage of AI, why there is such a big artificial intelligence trust gap across different cultures, and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the...

With a growing use of artificial intelligence in law, will we soon have robots defending us in court? Not exactly. Firms are increasingly using AI to take care of the more mundane aspects of law, but the effects will be profound. General Counsel at Luminance Harry Borovick joins David Rothkopf to explore the fundamental ways that AI is evolving the field of law and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the D...

Despite its newness, artificial intelligence can recognize you like an old friend. With the rise of AI-based facial recognition services, the question arises: How do we balance the use of such a system with privacy? Jeff Boehm, the COO of Wicket, joins David Rothkopf to explore the critical ethical implications of facial recognition software, the need to accuracy and reliability, and how it is being integrated into everyday experiences. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information i...

The Trump administration’s laissez-faire approach to big tech might just be a mirage. The strange marriage of the White House to some of the biggest names in AI has meant a huge influence over the exploding industry. But who is really influencing who? Former Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Alondra Nelson joins David Rothkopf to explore the administration’s unique relationship with big tech and the profound effects that are already underway. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab...

The US government has taken a ‘light touch’ approach to regulating artificial intelligence under Trump and a Republican controlled Congress. Should our government be doing more? California Representative Ted Lieu joins David Rothkopf to explore the pitfalls of hands-off federal regulation, how AI has become a critical component of national security and the labor market, and more. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Lea...

The best time to regulate AI was yesterday, and the next best time is now. There is a clear and urgent need for responsible AI development that implements reasonable guidelines to mitigate harms and foster innovation, yet the conversation in DC and capitals around the world remains muddled. NYU’s Dr. Julia Stoyanovich joins David Rothkopf to explore the role of collective action in AI development and why responsible AI is the responsibility of each of us. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Ara...

Everybody and their mother is talking about AI, but how much of what people are saying is true? Powerful tech CEO’s surround the administration and Washington is abuzz with AI hype and everyday Americans range from excited to terrified of artificial intelligence. TechCrunch AI Editor Russell Brandom joins David Rothkopf to cut through the misinformation haze to explain why so many people are getting AI so wrong. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is ava...

In four years time, how might a theoretical 'blue' administration grapple with the expanding energy consumption and demand for AI? This is the question the second half of TRG Media and MIT Technology Review’s AI and Energy Scenario Exercises seeks to explore. Leading experts come together to role play as key actors in government, private industry, and more to simulate how public policy might take shape in the coming years. This episode contains the second and final phase of the game and a brief wrap-up from the editor in chief of MIT Technology Review Mat Honan and game de...

How might this administration and future administrations approach the critical issue of AI and energy demands? This is the question the second of TRG Media and MIT Technology Review’s AI Scenario Exercises tries to answer. Leading experts come together to role play as key actors in government, private industry, and more to simulate how public policy might take shape in the coming years. This first episode contains the first phase of the game and an introduction from the editor in chief of MIT Technology Review Mat Honan, as well as an overview of the game by designer Ed Mc...

The Trump administration has expressed a desire for “truthful” and “unbiased” AI, yet the reality seems to be a crusade on “woke” AI. Yet the results of such a crusade would go far beyond eliminating DEI from artificial intelligence. The Brennan Center’s Amos Toh joins David Rothkopf to explore the effects the administration’s AI regulations and how AI is playing a larger role in militaries around the world. 

This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is av...