Alexa, How Do You Really Work?

Alexa, How Do You Really Work?

On this week’s If Then, Slate’s April Glaser and Will Oremus discuss the outrage at the largest television station owner in the country—Sinclair Broadcasting—after the media conglomerate forced its local news anchors read a script that echoes Trumpian talking points. They also unpack Trump’s beef about Jeff Bezos owning what he calls #AmazonWashingtonPost. Meanwhile, music streaming site Spotify went public this week in a totally new kind of way. The hosts take a look at its unorthodox move, and what it means for the company’s future.

Will is joined by Al Lindsay, vice president of Alexa Engine Software at Amazon to talk about how exactly Alexa works, what privacy concerns it raises, and why it started scaring the bejesus out of people a few weeks ago by emitting peals of creepy laughter for no apparent reason.

Don’t Close My Tabs:

The New York Times: ‘I Can’t Stop”: Schools Struggle With Vaping Explosion

BuzzFeed: Growth At Any Cost: Top Facebook Executive Defended Data Collection In 2016 Memo - And Warned That Facebook Could Get People Killed

Podcast production by Max Jacobs.

If Then plugs:

You can get updates about what’s coming up next by following us on Twitter @ifthenpod. You can follow Will @WillOremus and April @Aprilaser. If you have a question or comment, you can email us at ifthen@slate.com.

If Then is presented by Slate and Future Tense, a collaboration among Arizona State University, New America, and Slate. Future Tense explores the ways emerging technologies affect society, policy, and culture. To read more, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(2342)

Mexico’s Cartel War

Mexico’s Cartel War

With President Trump’s urging and support from CIA drones, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s more confrontational approach to the drug cartels culminated in the death of “El Mencho,” the most want...

25 Feb 23min

She's Skipping the State of the Union

She's Skipping the State of the Union

Why a number of Congressional Democrats are skipping tonight’s State of the Union address—and why some are still going.Guest: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representing Texas's 16th Congressional D...

24 Feb 26min

Does Legal Immigration Still Exist?

Does Legal Immigration Still Exist?

Counter to claims that immigrants just need to come to America “the right way,” DHS has begun using the department that administers legal immigration to arrest, detain, and deport people—including tho...

23 Feb 24min

The Future of Retail is A.I.

The Future of Retail is A.I.

You might not think you need artificial intelligence added to your shopping experience. Store employees might not see the point either. So why is it there anyway?Guest: Mia Sato, reporter at The Verge...

22 Feb 20min

The A.I. Disruption Is Here

The A.I. Disruption Is Here

Tech companies proudly touting that the imminent artificial intelligence revolution are pushing the stock market to ever higher heights, even as workers wonder what their role will be in this brave ne...

20 Feb 24min

Preview: Epstein, the Ex-Prince, and Consequences

Preview: Epstein, the Ex-Prince, and Consequences

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested after a release of Epstein files revealed he had allegedly shared confidential trade reports with the financier. Guest: Imogen West-Kni...

19 Feb 4min

Stephen Colbert Vs. CBS

Stephen Colbert Vs. CBS

From the hundreds of Washington Post staffers fired, to Anderson Cooper leaving 60 Minutes, to Stephen Colbert and his own network fighting in public, Trump’s return to the White House is transforming...

19 Feb 29min

What Even Is Trump’s “Board of Peace”?

What Even Is Trump’s “Board of Peace”?

Trump’s “Board of Peace” emerged from last year’s ceasefire negotiations to govern Gaza after the war. But since then, the board has evolved into a motley group of countries that are willing to pay a ...

18 Feb 23min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
i-retten
forklart
aftenpodden-usa
stopp-verden
popradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-ness
hanna-de-heldige
nokon-ma-ga
aftenbla-bla
e24-podden
frokostshowet-pa-p5
bt-dokumentar-2
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk