Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Bitter Rivalries Behind the Race to Build Superintelligence

October 6, 2026·1h 6m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Demis Hassabis are three of the most important figures in AI superintelligence, but each of them have very different ideas about what this technology should become and what it could mean for the future. Kevin Roose, author of 'The AGI Chronicles,' joins Derek to explain the people behind the AI race: the books and ideas that shaped them, what they want for the future, and how their rivalries helped drive the industry to its current moment. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek ThompsonGuest: Kevin RooseProducer: Devon BaroldiAdditional Production Support: Ben Glicksman Comcast Business. Get AI-powered threat detection for small business. Learn More at ⁠https://www.lincoln.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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