The writers Charles Duhigg, Cal Newport, and Anna Wiener join Tyler Foggatt for a conversation about artificial intelligence and the promises, myths, and anxieties surrounding it. The discussion was recorded before a live audience at The New Yorker Festival this fall. They explore the gap between Silicon Valley’s sweeping claims and what generative A.I. can actually do today, how people are using the technology for work, creativity, and emotional support, and why the tech’s most immediate political consequences may be the hardest to grapple with. 

This week’s reading:

• “Trump Dishonors the Kennedy Center,” by David Remnick
• “The Biggest Threat to the 2026 Economy Is Still Donald Trump,” by John Cassidy
• “The Right Wing Rises in Latin America,” by Jon Lee Anderson
• “Peter Navarro, Trump’s Ultimate Yes-Man,” by Ian Parker
• “Americans Won’t Ban Kids from Social Media. What Can We Do Instead?,” by Jay Caspian Kang 

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. 

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.

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