A superhuman artificial intelligence so smart it can decide to get rid of slower-witted humans is a pretty terrifying concept.

What was once strictly the stuff of science fiction is now closer than ever to being a reality.

And if it does, some A-I researchers have gloomy predictions about humanity’s chances of survival.

While the A-I boom continues and companies across the country are heavily investing in the technology, some researchers are begging humanity to pump the brakes.


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The federal government’s approach to public health has changed more in the last eight months than it has in decades.

 
Since President Trump returned to office, he and members of his administration have challenged the safety of the covid vaccine, the overall childhood vaccine schedule, and the causes of autism.

This has upended public health guidance that doctors and patients have relied on for years.

Jen Brull, the President of the American Academy of Family Physicians talks about how doctors and patients are navigating this moment.

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Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Elena Burnett, Brianna Scott, and Megan Lim, with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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President Trump is promising to sweep homeless people off America’s streets. One controversial part of his plan could force thousands of people into institutions where they would be treated “long-term” for for addiction and mental illness. Critics say the policy raises big concerns about civil liberties and cost. But parts of this idea - known as “civil commitment” are gaining traction with some Democratic leaders.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Erika Ryan, with audio engineering by Simon-Laslo Janssen. It was edited by Andrea de Leon and Courtney Dorning.

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The Trump administration is moving fast on a plan to create several holding centers around the country for people detained in a nationwide immigration crackdown. One facility in particular has been rife with problems.

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Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre. With audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna. It was edited by John Ketchum and William Troop. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, who has been in the national headlines just about every day since Charlie Kirk's killing, has long wanted to bring community harmony to national politics. That outlook comes in part from his upbringing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The governor was a critic of President Trump during Trump’s first term, but later endorsed him after the president survived an assassination attempt. Will Charlie Kirk’s killing change Cox’s approach?

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This episode was produced by Avery Keatley, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Ahmad Damen and Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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A 30 second video clip shows a boat bobbing in the water.

Then, a fireball and a huge plume of smoke.

President Trump posted the footage on social media this week, saying he ordered the U-S military to attack what Trump called “narcoterrorists from Venezuela.”

It’s at least the second time this month that President Trump has ordered this sort of a deadly strike on a boat that he claims carried illegal drugs.

It's an example of the new ways Trump is deploying military force.  The President has used the National Guard in American cities.

President Trump has said for years that he wants Jimmy Kimmel off the air. 

Now, ABC and its parent company Disney have put the show on indefinite hiatus. 

One key player here is the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr. 

Today he applauded ABC’s decision, posting on X, “Broadcast TV stations have always been required by their licenses to operate in the public interest.”

Kimmel’s cancellation reopens questions about free speech, the role of the FCC, and the relationship between the commission and the White House.

NPR political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro and former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler shed some light on those questions. 

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This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse and Marc Rivers, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane and Tiffany Vera Castro.

It was edited by Megan Pratz and Sarah Handel.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.


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The first day of President Trump’s historic trip to the UK was dominated by ceremony.

A carriage procession around the grounds of Windsor Castle with the royal family.

Inspection of the guards.

Exhibits from the Royal Collection.

A lavish banquet preceded by a joint US- UK military flypast. 

All the royal pomp and pageantry that might be expected for the first ever second state visit by an elected politician to a British monarch.

But the sights and sounds beyond the castle were far different.

Thousands of protestors filled London’s streets with chants, signs and Trump baby blimps. 

Protestors told us they were demonstrating over what’s happening in the United States over what’s happening in Gaza and over Trump’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The U.K.'s response to Trump is like America's: divided

Coming up, opposing perspectives on President Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom.

This episode was produced by Kathryn Fink and Beth Timmins in London and by Tyler Bartlam and Elena Burnett in Washington. It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Nick Spicer, Roberta Rampton and Nadia Lancy.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Robert Redford died early Tuesday morning, according to his publicist. He was 89 years old.

Redford was a golden child of Hollywood, starring in dozens of movies. But he was never content just being an all-American matinee idol.

He became an Oscar-winning director, founded the Sundance Institute and grew the Sundance Film Festival, and advocated for environmental causes before activism became a Hollywood cliche.

Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, and film critic Bob Mondello look back on Robert Redford’s work and legacy.

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Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Mallory Yu and Connor Donevan, with audio engineering by Jay Cyzs and Ted Mebane. It was edited by Clare Lombardo and Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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