AI Content and the War for Your Attention

What happens when AI starts generating content for everyone—and no one wants to watch it?

In this episode, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and ad tech veteran Antonio García Martínez join a16z General Partner, Erik Torenberg to unpack the shifting economics of attention: from the rise of “AI slop” and spammy feeds to the difference between what we want to pay attention to and what platforms push on us.

They explore:

• How AI changes what gets created and what gets seen
• Why internet ads still mostly suck
• The return of group chats—and the slow death of mass culture

Based on Chris’s new book The Sirens Call, this is a candid look at what AI might amplify or break in our online lives.

Timecodes:

0:00 Introduction

1:47 Meet the Guests: Chris Hayes & Antonio Garcia Martinez

3:01 The Economics of Attention & AI Slop

6:38 Acquisition vs. Retention: The Attention Challenge

10:01 Fame, Identity, and Social Media Fragmentation

13:21 The Group Chat Solution & Privacy

16:01 Business Models, Community, and Technology

19:01 Mass Culture, Fragmentation, and the Algorithm

23:01 Ad Tech, Personalization, and Advertising Effectiveness

29:01 The Future: AI, Growth, and Abundance

Resources:

Find Chris on X: https://x.com/chrislhayes

Find Antonio on X: https://x.com/antoniogm

Learn more about Chris’ book ‘The Sirens' Call’: https://sirenscallbook.com/

Learn more about Antonio’s book ‘Chaos Monkeys’: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/chaos-monkeys-antonio-garcia-martinez?variant=32207601532962

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Stay Updated:

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Find a16z on LinkedIn

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Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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