Podcast / May 12, 2026

Down With the AI Overlords—With Sarah Myers West

Tech expert Sarah Myers West discusses how AI is concentrating power among a handful of oligarchs—and how its future could be made more democratic.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Down with the AI Overlords w/ Sarah Myers West / Fighting Fascism
byThe Nation Magazine

You've already heard us rant about AI. What if you could hear someone who's actually super smart and profoundly informed… also rant about AI? We're joined by tech expert Sarah Myers West, who lays out why AI, as it's currently structured, is all about the consolidation of power among a handful of oligarchs, but also how that's not how it needs to be.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives to court at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building on April 30, 2026 in Oakland, California.

(Benjamin Fanjoy / Getty Images)

You’ve already heard us rant about AI. What if you could hear someone who’s actually super smart and profoundly informed… also rant about AI? We’re joined by tech expert Sarah Myers West, who lays out why AI, as it’s currently structured, is all about the consolidation of power among a handful of oligarchs, but also how that’s not how it needs to be.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

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Jonathan Smucker

Jonathan Smucker is cofounder and executive director of Popular Comms, a cofounder of Pennsylvania Stands Up, and the author of Hegemony How-To: A Roadmap for Radicals. He has worked for over 25 years as a political organizer, campaigner, and strategist, and has trained thousands of organizers and social movement participants.

Aaron Regunberg

Aaron Regunberg is a climate lawyer, a contributing editor at The New Republic, and a former Rhode Island state representative.

Matt DaSilva

Matt DaSilva is a co-host of the Fighting Fascism podcast.

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