Obama on AI, free speech, and the future of the internet

Former President Barack Obama sat down with The Verge’s editor-in-chief and Decoder host Nilay Patel to talk about AI, social networks, and how to think about democracy as both of those things collide. The conversation, which took place just hours after President Joe Biden signed his executive order on AI, covers some of today’s biggest issues in tech and policy. Of course, we also had to ask Obama what apps he has on his homescreen. #AI #Technology #Podcast

0:00 Intro
0:30 Biden’s executive order on AI
05:38 Tech regulation & avoiding mistakes of social media
11:30 Why AI companies are asking for regulating
14:52 Silicon Valley’s pushback against regulation
17:35 AI rules and who’s responsible for following them
19:43 Should tech platforms be treated as common carriers?
22:57 Regulating around the First Amendment; copyright law
25:08 Red Lion v. FCC & the Fairness Doctrine
28:26 The rise of AI-generated social feeds
33:41 AI copyright lawsuits & labor effects
39:47 Obama’s experience using AI chatbots
41:39 Obama’s homescreen apps

[TheVerge]

How should the government regulate AI?

[mkbhd]

Lots of really insightful conversation and answers to questions, loved it.

[garretthamlow]

God I’ve missed when a president can form a coherent sentence. What a breath of fresh air

[djp]

So refreshing when a president can talk like a normal human being and stay on topic.

[davidwilliamdw]

I miss having such a thoughtful and intelligent president. Though not perfect when it comes to foreign policy, there is a lot to be said for a president that genuinely wants to improve things for the marginalized. Best president of my lifetime.

[subhav]

Obama's post-presidency interviews are usually pretty thoughtful, but there's something refreshingly different about the conversational nature of this one. I appreciate that you tried to bring out the wonky law-lecturer side of President Obama and not just the cautious, reflective side. You guys took yourselves _just_ seriously enough.

Great job, Nilay, and thanks for the awesome content!

[maikvoets]

Oh man, the quality of this.... talking about technical progress happening in media today - This feels like having Obama in my living room.. From all the social media out there, YouTube has become my favourite lately.

[miloshp]

I wouldn't usually listen to every politician talk tech. But Mr Obama is amongst the few brilliant ones.

[WhatsInAName]

Every time I hear him speak, I realize how much I miss him. A deep thinker and terrific speaker.

[LeuelFan]

So refreshing to hear a leader merely competent in the basics of technology let alone the nuance shown here. Our next president should be under age 60!

[Mr_Battlefield]

I think these questions also needs to be asked in a interview with the CEO's of each AI company as well. This interview was good. I just need to hear more from different points of view.

[theoaklandpanda]

Great interview. I miss having such an articulate, thoughtful leader. Obama is special.

[AtillatheFun]

This was not President Obama, it was the Lawyer Obama. Fascinating interview that is rare.

[pnketia]

It is so nice and refreshing to listen to a real President speak with intelligence and respect unlike the "Orange Guy". Thank you President Obama!

[Deepblue]

Notably, everyone always has so much respect for President Obama. Why? Inturn, he treats everyone as an equal.

[Unamatrix]

What a fantastic interview.The insight that President Obama was able to impart is highly beneficial to the understanding and shaping of eventual AI regulations.❤

[derek]

Blown away by the video (the quality of the capture/editing along side the personality), great job Verge and Nilay.

[cenonebora]

Man I love how he organizes his thoughts - I mean the topic here is fairly technical and you can tell he has done the research. Very impressed :)

[PatrickJoannisse]

I could feel Nilay on the edge of his seat when Obama started talking about laws and first amendment like he was WAITING for that fire in a theatre example just so he could correct a former President lol

[LeeWoods]

Great interview. He's such a genuinely thoughtful and smart guy