In Machines We Trust

MIT Technology Review

Host Jennifer Strong thoughtfully examines the far-reaching impact of artificial intelligence on our daily lives. Produced by MIT Technology Review, the podcast explores the rise of AI through the voices of people reckoning with the power of the technology, and by taking listeners up close with the inventors and founders whose ambitions are fueling the development of new forms of AI. read less
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Episodes

When AI watches the streets
Apr 19 2023
When AI watches the streets
The term ‘smart city’ paints a picture of a tech-enabled oasis—powered by sensors of all kinds. But we’re starting to recognize what all these tools might mean for privacy. In this episode, we meet a researcher studying how this is being applied in Iran and visit one of the nation’s top smart cities, to learn how its efforts there have evolved over time. We Meet: University of Oxford and Article19 Human Rights Researcher Mahsa Alimardani City of Las Vegas Chief Innovation Officer Michael Sherwood City of Hope Director of Campus Support Operations Mark Reed Sounds: How will artificial intelligence change the cities we live in? - BBC Ideas via YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxyCBimRyM  ‘Smart’ cities promise economic and environmental benefits to the developing world - CBC News via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u08A7yiTmu4  Singapore is building a city in China - CNBC via YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP11XeIV1ZA  Global Smart Cities - The China Current via YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qmiqHWD6Uc  Footage appears to show Iranian riot police confronting students at university in Tehran - The Guardian via YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgQshPJohmg  China: facial recognition and state control - The Economist via YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2gMNrUuEY  Facial recognition: Concerns over China's widespread surveillance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT6KEy_QXvM Credits: This episode was reported and produced by Jennifer Strong and Anthony Green with help from Emma Cillekens. It was edited by Mat Honan, and mixed by Garret Lang, with original music by Garret Lang and Jacob Gorski. Artwork by Stephanie Arnett.
Who watches AI watching students?
Mar 1 2023
Who watches AI watching students?
A boy wrote about his suicide attempt. He didn’t realize his school's software was watching. While schools commonly use AI to sift through students' digital lives and flag keywords that may be considered concerning, critics ask at what cost to privacy. We Meet: Jeff Patterson, CEO of Gaggle Mark Keierleber, investigative reporter at The 74 Teeth Logsdon-Wallace, student Elizabeth Laird, director of Equity in Civic Technology at Center for Democracy & Technology Sounds From: "Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of Your Fist" from the band Ramshackle Glory's 2011 album Live the Dream. "Spying or protecting students? CBS46 Investigates school surveillance software" from CBS46 in Atlanta, GA on February 14, 2022. "Student Surveillance Software: Schools know what your child is doing online. Do you?" from WSPA7 News in Greenville, SC on May 5, 2021. "Spying or protecting students? CBS46 Investigates school surveillance software" from News 5 in Cleveland, OH on February 5, 2020. Credits: This episode was produced by Anthony Green and Emma Cillekens with reporting from Mark Keierleber. It was edited by Jennifer Strong and Michael Reilly, and mixed by Garret Lang with original music from Jacob Gorski. Art by Stephanie Arnett. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/oct/12/school-surveillance-dragnet-suicide-attempt-healing https://www.the74million.org/contributor/mark-keierleber/ You can support our journalism by going to http://www.techreview.com/subscribe.
The AI in the newsroom
Feb 8 2023
The AI in the newsroom
We asked ChatGPT to summarize this episode and this is what it wrote: "In the episode, the host discussed the increasing use of AI language models like ChatGPT in newsrooms. The host explained that ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, is being used to automate tasks such as data analysis and writing, freeing up time for journalists to focus on more in-depth reporting. The host interviewed experts in the field who highlighted the benefits of using AI technology in newsrooms, including increased efficiency and consistency, as well as the potential to improve the accuracy and speed of reporting. However, the experts also discussed the challenges that come with using AI in journalism, such as issues around bias and accountability, and the need for human oversight to ensure ethical and accurate reporting. The episode concluded by exploring the future of AI in journalism, and how it will continue to shape the way news is produced and consumed." The episode was written by people. Links: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/31/1067436/could-chatgpt-do-my-job/ https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/27/1067338/a-watermark-for-chatbots-can-spot-text-written-by-an-ai/ We meet: Mat Honan, MIT Technology Review Jonah Peretti, Buzzfeed Sayash Kapoor, Princeton University Francesco Marconi, Applied XL Credits: This episode was produced by Anthony Green and Emma Cillekens, and edited by Jennifer Strong and Mat Honan. It was mixed by Garret Lang with original music from Garret Lang and Jacob Gorski. Artwork by Stephanie Arnett.