What's up, everybody? My name is Demetri Gaffinus, and you're listening to Hidden Forces,

a podcast that inspires investors, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens to challenge consensus

narratives, and learn how to think critically about the systems of power shaping our world.

My guest in this episode is Karen Howe, an award-winning journalist and the author

of Empire of AI, an important new book that tells the eye-opening account of arguably the most

fateful technological arms race in history. While the book tells the inside story of open AI,

it is at its heart a meditation on power that

reveals how an idealistic nonprofit devoted to the safe development of artificial intelligence

morphed into one of the most valuable private companies in the world.

Today's conversation takes you inside that transformation, from the heady idealism of Open

AI's founding, through the multi-billion-dollar Microsoft deal and the 2023 boardroom coup, to

the unresolved questions that hang over Silicon Valley and Washington alike about the private

accumulation of immense sources of power around the deployment of this technology and the

nature of the world we are building. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or simply a concerned

citizen trying to make sense of the headlines, this episode will equip you with the context

you need to understand what's really at stake in the race to build AGI, and what levers we still have

to steer it. If you want access to all of our premium content, or you want to learn more about

the Hidden Forces genius community and how to attend one of our many virtual Q&A's, in-person events,

and dinners, you can do that at hiddenforces.io slash subscribe. And if you still have

questions, feel free to send an email to info at hiddenforces.io. And I, or someone from our team,

will get right back to you. And with that, please enjoy this incredibly important and timely conversation with my guest,

Karen Howe.

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