DSR's Siliconsciousness

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 midt...

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...

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...

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 m...

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...

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...

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,...

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 t...

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 ca...

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 amo...

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...

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...

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 T...

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,...

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.  Th...

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. T...

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 techn...

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...

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 Service...

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...

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 ther...

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 distribu...

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 bei...

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 relationsh...

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...