In this episode, Chris Hadnagy is joined by Jacob Ward, a veteran technology journalist who has reported for NBC News, Al Jazeera, CNN, and PBS, and previously served as editor-in-chief of Popular Science. Jacob is the author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices—and How to Fight Back, a book that anticipated today's commercial AI moment. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is shaping human behavior, decision-making, and autonomy, along with the ethical and societal challenges that come with an increasingly AI-driven world.

[Feb 9, 2026]

00:00 – Intro 01:02 – Intro Links

• Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/

• Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/

• Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

• Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/

• Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/

• Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/

• Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/

• Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb

• CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/

• innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/

01:33 – Meet Jacob Ward

• Jacob's Book - The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back.

04:52 – The Impact of AI on Human Behavior 12:37 – Ethical Concerns & Emotional Attachment to AI 19:27 – The Problem with AI Integration 20:42 – AI and Human Connection 21:49 – The Value of Human Attention 24:25 – The Future of Purpose in an AI World 25:31 – Geopolitical Impacts of AI 31:06 – Mentors and Influences 33:22 – Book Recommendations

• Addiction by Design – Natasha Dow Shull

• How Reason Almost Lost Its Mind – Judy L.Klein, Paul A Erickson, Thomas Sturm, Rebecca Lemov, Michael D. Gordin, Lorraine Daston

• Exit, Voice, and Loyalty – Albert O. Hirschman

• The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back – Jacob Ward

37:21 – Guest Wrap-Up & Outro

• www.social-engineer.com

• www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

Follow Jacob Ward:

TheRipCurrent.com https://www.tiktok.com/@byjacobward https://www.instagram.com/byjacobward https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardjacob/ https://www.youtube.com/@byjacobward

Follow Chris Hadnagy: Twitter: @humanhacker LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy