Trump Is Selling a Phone + The Start-Up Trying to Automate Every Job + Allison Williams Talks ‘M3GAN 2.0’

In this episode of Hard Fork, Casey Newton and Kevin Roose discuss the Trump family's new ventures, including Trump Mobile and a gold-colored smartphone called the T1, questioning the ethics and potential conflicts of interest arising from a president profiting from public office. They then interview Matthew Barnett and Ege Erdil, founders of Mechanize, about their ambitious goal to automate all labor using AI, exploring the potential economic and societal impacts. Finally, they interview Allison Williams, star of M3GAN 2.0, about the film's themes related to AI, parenthood, and ethical responsibility, as well as the evolving role of AI in the entertainment industry.

Outlines

Part 1: Trump Mobile - Business and Ethics

Part 2: Mechanize - Automating Labor

Part 3: M3GAN 2.0 - AI and Ethics in Film

Part 4: Conclusion

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Hard Fork

Part 1: Trump Mobile - Business and Ethics

Introduction to the Trump Phone and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

Trump Mobile's Service and the Feasibility of a U.S.-Made Smartphone

Conflicts of Interest and Monetizing Influence

Monetizing Influence and the Erosion of Norms

The Shock of Authoritarianism and Desensitization

Part 2: Mechanize - Automating Labor

Introduction to Mechanize and the Goal of Automating All Labor

Addressing Concerns About Hype and the Impact of Automation on Workers

Alternative Income Sources and the Automation of Software Engineering

Mechanize's Reinforcement Learning Process and Venture Capital Expectations

The Ethics of Automating Jobs and the Potential for a Higher Standard of Living

The Role of Government and the Importance of Honesty

Government Programs and Empathy for Workers

Part 3: M3GAN 2.0 - AI and Ethics in Film

Introduction to Allison Williams and M3GAN 2.0

Screen Time Crusades and Ethical Responsibility

A.I. Toys and the Nickname "Chappatitty"

Navigating the Tension of A.I. and the Importance of Wonder

A.I. in Hollywood and Job Security

M3GAN 2.0 as an Action Film and the Evolution of Genre

The Moral of M3GAN 2.0 and Gay Culture

Part 4: Conclusion

Conclusion and Credits

Trump Is Selling a Phone + The Start-Up Trying to Automate Every Job + Allison Williams Talks ‘M3GAN 2.0’

Hard Fork

Part 1: Trump Mobile - Business and Ethics

00:00Introduction to the Trump Phone and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

Introduction to the Trump Phone and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

04:22Trump Mobile's Service and the Feasibility of a U.S.-Made Smartphone

Trump Mobile's Service and the Feasibility of a U.S.-Made Smartphone

10:11Conflicts of Interest and Monetizing Influence

Conflicts of Interest and Monetizing Influence

13:10Monetizing Influence and the Erosion of Norms

Monetizing Influence and the Erosion of Norms

16:01The Shock of Authoritarianism and Desensitization

The Shock of Authoritarianism and Desensitization

Part 2: Mechanize - Automating Labor

20:25Introduction to Mechanize and the Goal of Automating All Labor

Introduction to Mechanize and the Goal of Automating All Labor

23:30Addressing Concerns About Hype and the Impact of Automation on Workers

Addressing Concerns About Hype and the Impact of Automation on Workers

27:33Alternative Income Sources and the Automation of Software Engineering

Alternative Income Sources and the Automation of Software Engineering

30:14Mechanize's Reinforcement Learning Process and Venture Capital Expectations

Mechanize's Reinforcement Learning Process and Venture Capital Expectations

33:21The Ethics of Automating Jobs and the Potential for a Higher Standard of Living

The Ethics of Automating Jobs and the Potential for a Higher Standard of Living

35:54The Role of Government and the Importance of Honesty

The Role of Government and the Importance of Honesty

39:07Government Programs and Empathy for Workers

Government Programs and Empathy for Workers

Part 3: M3GAN 2.0 - AI and Ethics in Film

42:31Introduction to Allison Williams and M3GAN 2.0

Introduction to Allison Williams and M3GAN 2.0

45:26Screen Time Crusades and Ethical Responsibility

Screen Time Crusades and Ethical Responsibility

47:43A.I. Toys and the Nickname "Chappatitty"

A.I. Toys and the Nickname "Chappatitty"

51:22Navigating the Tension of A.I. and the Importance of Wonder

Navigating the Tension of A.I. and the Importance of Wonder

54:20A.I. in Hollywood and Job Security

A.I. in Hollywood and Job Security

57:09M3GAN 2.0 as an Action Film and the Evolution of Genre

M3GAN 2.0 as an Action Film and the Evolution of Genre

1:00:22The Moral of M3GAN 2.0 and Gay Culture

The Moral of M3GAN 2.0 and Gay Culture

Part 4: Conclusion

1:04:25Conclusion and Credits

Conclusion and Credits