
newsJun 9, 20251:17:26pending
Karen Hao: Superintelligence & Supreme Hype on the A.I. Frontier
About this episode
John is joined by journalist Karen Hao to discuss her new book, “Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI,” and both the promise and the perils of the coming age of artificial intelligence. Hao explains how OpenAI went from being an altruistic nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that A.I. would “benefit all of humanity” to a burgeoning commercial colossus valued at north of $300 billion; how Altman wrested control of the company from his co-founder Elon Musk; why skepticism is warranted regarding the claims that superhuman A.I. is inevitable; and how that narrative, true or not, serves the economic and political interests of the cabal of tech bros who are A.I.’s most fervent boosters.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Impolitic with John Heilemann publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Impolitic with John Heilemann

Sebastian Mallaby: The Ghost in the Machine
Impolitic with John Heilemann
Apr 20, 20261:19:48failed

Peter Hamby: Swalwell’s Fall, POTUS v. Pontifex, & The VP’s Podcast Mouth
Impolitic with John Heilemann
Apr 17, 20261:04:53failed

Does Kara Swisher Really Want to Live Forever? Should We?
Impolitic with John Heilemann
Apr 13, 202655:58failed

George Conway’s Single-Issue Congressional Campaign: “Get the F*cker Out”
Impolitic with John Heilemann
Apr 10, 20261:25:52failed