Inside Kevin Roose’s race to build a podcast about the machine-god AI era
A new podcast venture
Roose and Casey Newton, his friend and former podcast partner, launched Machine Gods the week before the conversation. The pair had previously co-hosted Hard Fork. Roose is listed as the new company’s CEO after winning a coin flip, he said. He added that he often forgets he holds the title.
Reporting on the AI industry
Roose’s new book, The AGI Chronicles, is a reported account of the companies working to develop artificial general intelligence. It also examines how the culture of leading AI labs has changed as the technology has become more commercial.
The conversation turns to Roose’s experience reporting on the people and events shaping the industry. The interviewer also raises questions about where AI may go next.
Taking a chance on video
Roose left The New York Times after a long career there to create Machine Gods with Newton. The interviewer describes the move as a step toward independent work and notes Roose’s longstanding interest in YouTube.
Roose says media companies have had sound economic reasons to hesitate before committing fully to YouTube or other video platforms. He points to the risk of spending heavily on video that does not cover its costs, and says few institutions are equipped to make a long-term commitment.
Key points
- Kevin Roose and Casey Newton launched the technology podcast Machine Gods.
- Roose’s book, The AGI Chronicles, covers companies pursuing artificial general intelligence.
- Roose left The New York Times after a long reporting career.
- He says media companies face economic risks when investing heavily in video.