Julia Senkfor & Cameron Berg: Does AI Have an Antisemitism Problem? [AI 2/4]
18Forty Podcast
18Forty
4.7 • 704 Ratings
🗓️ 4 November 2025
⏱️ 68 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast—recorded at the 18Forty X ASFoundation AI Summit—we speak with ASF’s Julia Senkfor and AI researcher Cameron Berg about the relationship between artificial intelligence and antisemitism.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why do large language models have an antisemitism problem?
- Is antisemitism inextricably embedded in Western culture?
- What can we do to reduce antisemitic bias in AI?
Interview begins at 15:33.
Julia Senkfor manages research and operations for American Security Fund. Prior to ASF, she worked as the lead researcher and subject matter expert on Iran (including Iran’s nuclear program), Lebanon, Hezbollah, Yemen, and the Houthis at the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC). She earned her BA in International Affairs and minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Legal Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.
Cameron Berg is an AI researcher working at the intersection of cognitive science and machine intelligence. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Yale and former Meta AI Resident, he builds systems that enhance—rather than replace—human capabilities. His work focuses on alignment, cognitive science, and the emerging science of AI consciousness, with tools and research used across Fortune 500s, startups, and public institutions.
References:
Inception (2010)
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Anti-Judaism by David Nirenberg
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi friends and welcome to the 1840 podcast where each month we explore different topic balancing modern sensibilities with traditional |
| 0:21.5 | sensitivities to give you new approaches to timeless Jewish ideas. I'm your host of I Bischephchen |
| 0:27.4 | and this month we're continuing our exploration of AI. Thank you so much the American Security Fund |
| 0:34.0 | who graciously sponsored our AI summit, which we held together in September. |
| 0:40.4 | This podcast is part of a larger exploration of those big, juicy, Jewish ideas. |
| 0:45.1 | So be sure to check out 1840.org. |
| 0:47.5 | That's 1-8-F-O-R-T-Y.org, where you can also find videos, articles, recommended readings, and weekly |
| 0:53.0 | emails. |
| 0:54.1 | I'm going to be honest, |
| 0:55.1 | I have never really been that focused or really had anything that intelligent or differentiated |
| 1:02.0 | to say when it comes to anti-Semitism. Not to say that I don't think it is an extraordinarily |
| 1:07.7 | important phenomenon that we need to be laser focused on, |
| 1:12.3 | especially at this moment. |
| 1:13.8 | There are so many Jews who are alarms right now |
| 1:16.8 | because of what they see in the political winds, |
| 1:19.1 | what they see in the ballot box, |
| 1:20.7 | what is being openly said vis-a-vis the Jewish people |
| 1:24.0 | seems unimaginable. |
| 1:25.6 | Even to myself, I'm not that old. I did not grow up hearing talk of the |
| 1:29.9 | Jewish people so openly and so negatively within the United States. And it is extraordinarily |
| 1:35.6 | tragic, especially because there has always been an incredibly special affinity between the |
| 1:41.9 | Jewish community and the United States of America. |
... |
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