This Hard Fork podcast episode analyzes AI action plans submitted to the Trump administration, revealing tech companies' priorities: minimizing government intervention, gaining access to copyrighted material, and preventing China from surpassing them in AI development. The discussion then shifts to a Gen Z college student who created a tool to help software engineers cheat on coding interviews, sparking debate on outdated hiring practices and the evolving role of AI in coding. Finally, the "Hot Mess Express" segment reviews three tech industry dramas, including a controversial Solana ad, a study on AI anxiety, and a corporate espionage case involving rival HR software companies. The episode highlights the tension between rapid AI advancement and ethical considerations, as well as the changing landscape of software engineering and hiring practices. One key takeaway is the strategic use of the "China threat" narrative by AI companies to influence government policy.
