Oprah Winfrey Is Hosting a Prime-Time TV Special on AI

ABC announced an upcoming TV special titled "AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special," set to air on September 12. The show aims to explore AI's impact on daily life and features interviews with tech industry figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Bill Gates. Some AI critics have questioned the guest list and the framing of the show, particularly the involvement of YouTube creator Marques Brownlee. Brownlee will walk Oprah through "mind-blowing demonstrations of AI's capabilities." Critics like PR consultant Ed Zitron have expressed disapproval of Brownlee's involvement, calling it a "disgraceful thing to be associated with." However, others argue that it's "fucking cool" for Brownlee to showcase AI use cases in a prime-time network TV special. The guest list also includes critics and skeptics, such as Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin from the Center for Humane Technology, who aim to highlight emerging risks posed by powerful and superintelligent AI. FBI Director Christopher Wray will discuss how criminals and foreign adversaries are using AI, and author Marilynne Robinson will reflect on AI's threat to human values. It's likely that invited guests weren't told who the other interview subjects were, as dozens of hours of interviews were shot for the one-hour special.