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Trump Is Selling a Phone + The Start-Up Trying to Automate Every Job + Allison Williams Talks ‘M3GAN 2.0’

Hard Fork

2025/06/20
Hard Fork

Hard Fork

2025/06/20

Shownote

This week, President Trump’s family business announced that it was introducing a mobile phone and a cellular network. We tick through the many potential conflicts of interest this new business venture raises. Then, the co-founders of the startup Mechanize ...

Highlights

This episode delves into the intersection of politics, technology, and entertainment. It explores potential conflicts of interest surrounding President Trump's family business venture into mobile phones and cellular networks. The podcast also examines the ambitions and societal implications of an AI-driven startup aiming to automate jobs. Finally, it ventures into Hollywood, where a leading actress discusses her role in a new AI-themed film and reflects on the impact of artificial intelligence on parenting and acting careers.
05:25
Building a modern Android smartphone in the USA for under $500 is considered unlikely.
23:48
AI automation could significantly speed up economic growth.
37:59
Long-term plans for AI job loss are often overrated.
49:35
Host's son nicknames ChatGPT 'Chapatiti' and uses it for explanations.
54:45
Allison Williams wants equal compensation for her digital likeness.

Chapters

How Does Trump's New Phone Venture Blur Ethical Lines?
00:00
Can AI Automation Lead to Radical Abundance?
20:36
What Are the Real Costs of Automating Jobs?
35:19
How Do Movies Shape Our Understanding of AI Ethics?
44:02
Will AI Redefine Acting and Film Narratives?
51:51

Transcript

Casey Newton: Hey, I'm Robert Vinlot , and I'm from New York Times Games, and I'm here talking to people about Wordle and the Wordle Archive. Do you all play Wordle? Ege Erdil: I play it every day. Casey Newton: All right, I have something exciting to sh...