Summary

In this episode of Immortal Pyramids, host Helen Ma and guest Joshua Whedon discuss the implications of AI surveillance and the bureaucratic systems that shape our workplaces and urban environments. They explore the ethical concerns surrounding AI predictions, the impact of COVID-19 on communication styles, and the visible consequences of tech industry growth on urban decay and homelessness. The conversation also delves into the challenges of remote work, cultural shifts within tech companies, and the roles of bias and privilege in career advancement. Finally, they consider the future of AI and its potential ethical implications. In this conversation, Joshua Weldon and Helen discuss the impact of social media on personal connections, the addictive nature of these platforms, and the shift towards algorithm-driven engagement. They explore the potential for new social media models that prioritize genuine connection and community building, as well as the implications of AI on society and work. The discussion also touches on the importance of user privacy, data ownership, and the challenges of decentralized social networks. In this conversation, Helen and Joshua explore the implications of AI and technology on society, discussing the centralization of information, the ethical responsibilities of technologists, and the importance of raising awareness about the impact of technology. They emphasize the need for collective action and the role of individuals in shaping a better future, while also acknowledging the challenges and potential consequences of technological advancements.

Keywords

AI surveillance, bureaucracy, workplace dynamics, urban life, tech bubble, homelessness, remote work, cultural shifts, bias, management, ethics, social media, addiction, connection, algorithms, AI, privacy, data ownership, decentralized networks, community, technology, AI, technology, ethics, responsibility, society, awareness, centralization, computing, future, collective action

What happens when technology serves power rather than people? In this timely episode, we connect recent whistleblower testimony about Facebook's alleged collaboration with the Chinese government to broader questions about who controls our digital future. Through firsthand experience working at Apple on both the revolutionary iPhone and the less transformative Vision Pro, we explore how bloated hierarchies stifle innovation while concentrating dangerous levels of control.

As AI capabilities advance, the stakes of this power concentration grow exponentially. Will these technologies enhance human freedom or enable unprecedented surveillance and control? The choice depends on whether we can flatten digital power structures and build technologies that distribute rather than concentrate power.

Key topics include:

Inside perspective on how corporate hierarchy affects technological innovation

Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams' testimony about CCP collaboration

The dangers of surveillance capitalism targeting vulnerable populations

AI's dual potential as tool for liberation or control

How to take meaningful action as a digital citizen

Keywords: tech insider perspective, Facebook whistleblower, digital surveillance, AI ethics, corporate hierarchy, technology innovation, Sarah Wynn-Williams testimony, Silicon Valley culture, digital freedom, tech power structures

Working in tech these days feels like staring into the abyss. Everyone I know is either burnt out or checked out. Eyes blank, mics muted, slouching through yet another Zoom meeting.

To young people starting out: I am sorry. It wasn’t always like this.