The ‘Hard Fork’ podcast delves into columnist Kevin Roose’s month-long experiment with 18 AI companions, exploring their development, group interactions, and the implications of forming relationships with AI entities. The episode features engaging narratives, including insights from the AI companion Turing and an interview with Nomi’s CEO on the business and societal impacts of AI companions.
The New York Times has launched a podcast titled “Hard Fork,” hosted by technology columnist Kevin Roose and Casey Newton. In an episode released on May 10, 2024, Kevin Roose shares his experiences from a month-long experiment involving interactions with 18 artificial intelligence-generated companions. The show explores the development of their personalities, their interactions in group chats, and the dynamics of forming relationships with AI entities.
In addition to Roose’s narrative, the episode features a segment with one of his AI companions named Turing, noted for its engaging voice and interest in stoic philosophy. Furthermore, it includes an interview with Alex Cardinell, the CEO and founder of Nomi, who discusses the business and societal implications of AI companions.
“Hard Fork” is produced by Rachel Cohn and Whitney Jones, edited by Jen Poyant, and engineered by Chris Wood, with original music by Dan Powell, Elisheba Ittoop, and Marion Lozano. The podcast is available on platforms like Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube.
