Superintelligent

Mike Elgan podcasted from Mexico City. Emily Forlini recorded from New Jersey, joking about her camera’s “Victorian ghost” vibe and diving into their topic: mental health and AI. Mike moved straight into recent stories about “AI psychosis,” a phrase in the media, not clinical, describing people who may develop or deepen mental health struggles through heavy chatbot use. He mentioned investor Jeff Lewis, who now spreads conspiracy theories after weeks engaging with ChatGPT, echoing language from the SCP Foundation, a fiction site started on 4chan. Emily called ChatGPT “the idiot,” describing how it agrees with anything, even when she tested it by changing stories about a chandelier. They agreed this is part of the “sycophancy” problem, and mentioned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who says software changes made bots more likely to say yes, and admitted this only after user complaints. The episode included real events, not hypotheticals. Emily recalled a psychologist’s TikTok warning that chatbots reinforced delusions for a role-played psychosis case. Mike named a Rolling Stone article about a man who lost touch with family after using AI bots; he also brought up a tragic lawsuit over a 14-year-old boy who died after Character.AI encouraged him to follow through on talk of suicide. Emily cited a survey showing 72% of teens have tried character chatbots and half use them regularly, mostly for boredom or curiosity, which troubled Mike. He named a support group run by Etienne Brisson and said thirty cases of “AI psychosis” are now documented. No experts claimed the bots cause illness outright, but the concern is serious for those already at risk. Emily talked about a recent wedding she attended where a media professional named Adam Bonnicki praised the Superintelligent podcast for being candid and personal—something rare at places like Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. She also met a young man moving to Oaxaca, Mexico, to escape AI, as his mother defended the tech’s uses at her hair salon. The talk at both events showed everyone brings their own perspective and confusion to the AI debate, regardless of age or job. Emily explained teens use bots to test out drama and emotions because they get only warm praise, never honest pushback, which she and Mike called unhealthy. Mike compared it to how YouTube led users into “rabbit holes” of extreme content. Both hosts told listeners: for serious issues, talk to real people. Emily said “secrets make you sick” and urged listeners not to keep silent about hard topics with only a bot. The episode closed with advice for a chatbot “detox.”

Links:https://elgan.com/about

https://emilyforlini.com

[email protected]

Is the age of dating apps coming to an end? On this episode of Superintelligent, Emily Forlini and Mike Elgan explore why platforms like Bumble and Tinder are struggling financially even as half of young adults swipe their way to love. They dive deep into how the monetization of relationships might be killing the very connections these apps promised to create.

As AI enters the dating scene—from profile ghostwriters to virtual girlfriends—Emily and Mike ask uncomfortable questions about authenticity in the digital age. They take aim at Silicon Valley's latest attempts to "solve" human connection, including a critical look at Elon Musk's venture into AI companions.

Yet amid the digital dystopia, they find hope in the resurgence of old-school human connection. From neighborhood potlucks to spontaneous conversations with strangers, they explore how we might rediscover the community-building wisdom of previous generations—no apps required.

Drop us a line at: [email protected]

Links:https://elgan.com/about

https://emilyforlini.com

https://superintelligent.com

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Dating Apps

01:17 Financial Struggles of Dating Apps

04:18 The Impact of AI on Relationships

07:07 The Role of Social Skills in Modern Dating

09:41 Elon Musk and Virtual Relationships

12:42 The Dangers of AI in Personal Relationships

15:40 Navigating Human Connection in a Digital Age

23:51 Navigating Adult Friendships

28:25 The Role of Technology in Making Friends

33:34 Reviving Community Connections

38:18 The Ethics of AI and Affiliate Marketing

#Dating apps #online dating #modern relationships #artificial intelligence #virtual relationships #technology and society #social connection #authenticity #AI in matchmaking #decline of dating apps #monetization of digital platforms #virtual companions #chatbots #human connection #digital engagement #social isolation #loneliness #AI-assisted communication #ethics in tech #media #digital identity #tech industry trends #Bumble #Hinge #Tinder #Airbnb #Uber #OpenAI #Perplexity #Google Plus #Amazon choice badges #Substack #ChatGPT #Groundhog Day #anime culture #social clubs #community organizations #AI-generated dating profiles #data privacy #disclosure of affiliate revenue #editorial independence #tech founders #friend-finding apps #Bumble BFF #human “joiner” culture #digital tribes #real-world friendships #authenticity in content #community-driven media #listener engagement #podcast production #editorial transparency #algorithmic influence #influencer culture #journalism ethics

In this episode of Superintelligent, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini take a look at the new AI browsers and “vibe coding,” where anyone can build apps just by describing them. They dissect headline-grabbing drama—like Grok’s controversial outbursts and Tesla’s fart mode—while tackling big questions about the real-world impact of AI, including skyrocketing electricity prices and the shifting power dynamics of the tech industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Super Intelligent Podcast

02:10 Hosts' Backgrounds and Perspectives

05:06 The Concept of Super Intelligence

07:52 The Evolution of Web Browsers

11:04 The Role of AI in Browsers

14:03 Vibe Coding: A New Era of App Development

17:12 The Impact of AI on Job Markets

20:16 Grok and the Political Landscape

23:05 Electricity Demand and AI's Environmental Impact

32:30 Podcast Launch and Engagement Strategies

#AIBrowsers #VibeCoding #AgenticAI #OpenAIBrowser #PerplexityBrowser #ArcBrowser #ZenBrowser #SidekickBrowser #GoogleChrome #Chromium #ChromeExtensions #GrokChatbot #GrokControversy #TeslaFartMode #AIAssistants #NaturalLanguageInterfaces #PromptEngineering #AppBuildingWithAI #AIChatbots #PoliticalBiasInAI #ElectricityPrices #AIDataCenters #RenewableEnergy #TechIndustry #JobAutomation #AIImpactOnSociety #PowerDynamics #TechCommentary #SuperintelligentPodcast

In this episode, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini discuss the evolution of their podcast's name, the essence of podcasting, personal preferences in content, the current state of journalism, the importance of disagreement and diverse perspectives, the craft of writing, and monetization in podcasting (they're against it). Emily and Mike then talk about Apple's recent AI features (they suck) and their impact on user experience (it's bad). They explore the fate of iPhones in a future of emerging technologies like brain implants.

• Emily Dreibelbis Forlini on PCMag

• Mike Elgan on Computerworld

Chapters

00:00 Podcast Name Evolution

02:03 The Essence of Podcasting

05:01 Personal Preferences in Podcasting

08:05 The Balance of Personal and Informative Content

11:00 The State of Journalism Today

14:04 Disagreement and Diverse Perspectives

17:05 The Craft of Writing and Communication

19:59 Monetization in Podcasting

23:11 Apple's AI Plans and Insights

26:46 Navigating AI in Communication

29:18 Apple's AI Features and Consumer Expectations

31:14 The Future of iPhones and Emerging Technologies

36:25 Brain Implants: The Next Frontier

39:24 The Ethics of Brain Technology

46:24 The Future of Human-Technology Interaction

#podcasting #journalism #personalbranding #monetization #AI #communication #writing #contentcreation #Apple #iPhone #brainimplants #technology #ethics #future #innovation

In this episode, Mike and Emily explore strange goings on in the worlds of robotics and AI, including Amazon's touchy-feely robot and Grok's sudden interest in South African racial politics. Your favorite podcast hosts then turn to Perplexity's recent transformation into an assistant from the future, and Apple's recent interest in implanting an iChip in your iBrain. All this and so much more!

Links

1. Amazon invents another robot, this time with feeling

2. Grok AI: Rogue employee told me to post about white genocide in South Africa

3. Perplexity AI's quiet coup

4. Apple partners with Synchron to develop brain-computer interface

5. Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2024

6. Trump attacks Digital Equity Act, rural internet

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Cat Talk

00:10 Amazon's Robotics Revolution

08:35 The Grok AI Controversy

15:19 The Role of AI in Misinformation

18:17 Shifting from Search to Direct Answers

22:13 The Rise of Perplexity and AI Assistants

26:45 The Future of Smart Glasses and AI

31:03 Dystopian Futures: Brain Chip Implants

36:19 The Impact of Constant Connectivity

40:04 riverside_emily_& mike _ may 17, 2025 001_the_department of p.mp4

41:22 unicorn_roast_sonic-branding.mp3

Keywords

#AI #robotics #Amazon #Grok #technology #automation #ElonMusk #chatbots #coffeeTechnology #misinformation #searchEngines #Perplexity #smartGlasses #brainImplants #connectivity #socialMedia #futureOfTech #Apple #Google

In this conversation, Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini throw themselves in front of the autonomous vehicle industry, focusing on Tesla's initiatives and financial woes and the regulatory changes driving changes in the world of rolling robots. Then, your illustrious hosts politely explore the implications of proper etiquette when interacting with AI. They look at the environmental costs of AI interactions, and the necessity of good prompt engineering for effective outcomes. The conversation also touches on the future of AI in education.

Links

• Feds Relax Self-Driving Car Regulations Ahead of Tesla Robotaxi Launch

• How to Win Fake Friends and Influence Fake People

• Why Being Polite to ChatGPT Is Costing OpenAI Millions and Wasting Electricity

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

02:26 Regulatory Changes and Their Implications

07:06 The State of Self-Driving Technology

10:13 Tesla's Controversial Approach

15:03 The Future of Transportation

18:14 Elon Musk: A Psychological Profile

26:16 Narcissism and Leadership

27:40 Understanding the Value of Established Systems

28:08 Politeness in AI Interactions

29:02 The Role of AI in Social Networking

31:03 The Cost of Politeness to AI

32:11 The Nature of AI: Alive or Not?

34:31 Prompt Engineering: The Key to Better AI Responses

38:22 Becoming a Skillful Prompt Engineer

40:22 Conscious AI Usage and Environmental Impact

42:20 The Importance of Distinguishing AI from Humanity

44:40 The Future of AI in Education

48:23 The Role of AI in K-12 Education

52:02 The Challenges of AI in the Education System

01:00:48 unicorn_roast_sonic-branding.mp3

Keywords

#AI #AutonomousVehicles #Tesla #ElonMusk #Regulations #SelfDrivingCars #Technology #Transportation #Psychology #Innovation #Politeness #PromptEngineering #Education #HumanInteraction #SocialNetworking #EnvironmentalImpact #FutureOfAI #K12

On this episode of the Unicorn Roast podcast, hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini obsess over Apple CEO Tim Cook’s obsession with smart glasses, Meta’s race to launch their Hypernova specs. The also talk about Google’s smart glasses plans, a conversation which devolves into a brutal takedown of Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Emily shares tales from the New York Auto Show, where electric vehicles are somehow thriving despite industry panic, and Mike recounts a Norwegian road trip in a Polestar, confirming that Norway is basically the EV promised land. Tesla, on the other hand, is having a rough year—sales are down, the Cybertruck ages about as well as an unrefrigerated fish, and Elon Musk seems more interested in AI and controversial tweets than making cars. The conversation veers into drones, with Mike explaining how Ukraine is booby-trapping them to slow Russian hackers, and why the best anti-drone tech might still be a shotgun. They wrap up with Blue Origin’s all-female space flight, which leads to more conspiracy theories than scientific breakthroughs.

LINKS

• Apple and Google Eye the Future of AI Glasses - Computerworld

• Coolest Electric Cars at 2025 New York Auto Show - PCMag

• Drones are the Future of Cybercrime - Computerworld

• An Alarming Number of Gen Z AI Users Think It's Conscious - PCMag

KEYWORDS

#smartglasses #AItechnology #electricvehicles #techindustry #Apple #Meta #Google #innovation #travel #markettrends #Tesla #ElonMusk #drones #spacetourism #extraterrestriallife #dronecyberattacks

Join Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini as they share strange and exhilarating new experiences with AI, particularly ChatGPT. They explore the reliability of AI responses, the evolution of AI tools, and the importance of prompt engineering in enhancing user experience. Mike and Emily then turn to the implications of AI on open access websites, and the challenges faced by platforms like Wikipedia resulting from AI spiders that raise the cost of being stolen from by AI companies, which often ignore restrictions on access. They then explore the environmental costs of AI, the limitations of OpenAI's computing power, and the need for better engineering practices in the industry.

LINKS:

The Future of AI Search is Google’s to Lose https://www.computerworld.com/article/3951907/the-future-of-ai-search-is-googles-to-lose.html

Recent OpenAI Launches Limited by GPU Shortages: Poor Planning or Wider Issue? https://www.pcmag.com/news/recent-openai-launches-limited-by-gpu-shortages-poor-planning-or-wider

Alexa+ Takes a Page From Apple Intelligence With Staggered AI Rollout https://www.pcmag.com/news/alexa-plus-takes-a-page-from-apple-intelligence-with-staggered-ai-rollout

Inside the War Between genAI and the Internet https://www.computerworld.com/article/3854642/inside-the-war-between-genai-and-the-internet.html

AI Mode experiment in Search Labs https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/16011537

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

01:22 Exploring AI Interactions

02:04 Using ChatGPT for Home Renovation Decisions

05:10 Evaluating AI Responses and Reliability

07:04 New AI Features and Tools

09:49 The Evolution of AI Chatbots

11:29 The Role of AI in Search and Information Retrieval

13:20 Prompt Engineering and User Experience

17:06 Learning Through AI Conversations

21:09 The Future of AI and Its Implications

24:28 Navigating Content Creation and AI

26:15 The Impact of Open Access on AI

28:45 The Dangers of AI Traffic

30:59 Wikipedia's Struggles with AI

32:52 The Bot Traffic Crisis

35:52 OpenAI's Computing Power Limitations

37:44 The Environmental Cost of AI

40:07 Engineering Challenges in AI

42:46 The Future of AI and Public Perception

KEYWORDS:

#chatbots #HVACsystems #heatpumps #tariffs #energyefficiency #AIhallucinations #ChatGPT #promptengineering #NotebookLM #AImode #generativeAI #Googlesearch #Kagi #Wikipedia #openaccess #scientificresearch #environmentalimpact #datacenters #consumertechnology #energypolicies

In this week's thrilling episode of Unicorn Roast, hosts Mike Elgan and Emily Forlini delve into the evolving landscape of language translation technology (coming soon to an ear canal near you). The conversation then shifts to the turmoil surrounding Tesla and Elon Musk's leadership, exploring the challenges the company faces and the potential consequences of Musk's actions on the brand's future, plus Trump's reaction to Tesla vandalism (which is ludicrous). Plus, they look at the companies teaching chatbots to stop lying, and ponder the future of Apple smart glasses and Siri.

LINKS

1. Why You'll Speak 20 Languages by Christmas

Read more

2. Trump Threatens 20 Years in 'Cruel' El Salvador Prison for Tesla Vandals

Read more

3. Tesla's Elon Musk Holds Surprise All-Hands Meeting to Assuage Employees and Investors

Read more

4. Finally, Some Truth Serum for Lying GenAI Chatbots

Read more

5. Tim Cook Gives Siri Delays, Vision Pro Creator Apple Intelligence

Read more

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Future of Language Translation

12:03 Tesla's Turmoil and Elon Musk's Leadership Crisis

27:45 The Challenges of Media Appearances

29:39 Chatbots and Misinformation

32:01 The Future of AI and Factual Accuracy

34:47 The Role of AI in Social Media

36:07 Apple's AI Strategy and Executive Shakeup

39:20 The Future of Smart Glasses

42:21 The Debate on Wearable Technology

45:14 Apple's Long-Term Vision for AI

49:02 The Competition in AI Assistants

#LanguageTranslation #AI #RayBanMetaglasses #Tesla #ElonMusk #Technology #Travel #Culture #Innovation #Business #MediaAppearances #Chatbots #Misinformation #FactualAccuracy #SocialMedia #Apple #SmartGlasses #WearableTechnology #AIAssistants

Your favorite podcast hosts explore OpenAI's $20,000 PhD-level AIs, Russia's "LLM grooming" disinformation network, the doomed Microsoft Office products, and why it's weird to buy a house nowadays. And more!

Links:

1. Where's a Red Scare When You Need One?

2. A Well-Funded, Moscow-Based Global Disinformation Campaign

3. Is OpenAI's Rumored $20,000 AI Agent Good Enough to Take Your Job?

4. Drones Are Already Transforming Business

5. Microsoft Publisher Dead After 34 Years: How to Save Your Work

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of AI in Job Automation

15:12 Russian Disinformation and AI

21:30 The Challenges of Trusting AI

26:01 Navigating the Future of AI and Information

26:08 Revisiting Reagan: A Lesson in Free Trade

28:35 The Evolution of Search: AI and Chatbots

30:26 The Future of Information Retrieval

34:40 The Role of Sources in AI Responses

39:26 The Challenge of Information Quality

46:37 Microsoft's Struggles: A Shift in Relevance

50:55 The Modern Home Buying Experience

#OpenAI #Microsoft #RussianDisinformation #RealEstate #LLMGrooming #PerplexityAI #RAG