Podcast / Tech Won’t Save Us / Jun 13, 2024

Silicon Valley Is Courting Gulf Monarchies to Fund AI

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, Nitasha Tiku on tech and Saudi Arabia.

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.

Silicon Valley is Courting Gulf Monarchies to Fund AI w/ Nitasha Tiku | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of the Tech Won't Save Us podcast, Paris Marx is joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how US tech companies are flocking to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to fund their expensive AI ambitions.

Nitasha Tiku is a tech culture reporter at the Washington Post.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) logo seen displayed on a smartphone with an Artificial intelligence (AI) chip and symbol in the background.

(Budrul Chukrut / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)

On this episode of the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast, we’re joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how US tech companies are flocking to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to fund their expensive AI ambitions.

Nitasha Tiku is a tech culture reporter at The Washington Post.

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.

Why Communities Want to Stop Flock Cameras w/ Jason Koebler / Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

No one is comfortable with police surveillance in the US, which is why there’s a bipartisan backlash to Flock cameras. Jason Koebler joins Paris Marx to discuss the rise of Flock, how their cameras are being pitched by right-wing politicians and police agencies, and how they’re being used to stalk residents from coast to coast.

Jason Koebler is a co-founder of 404 Media and co-host of the 404 Media Podcast.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Paris Marx

Paris Marx is the author of Hyperscale: The Ambition and Excess of Big Tech's Data Empires. He hosts the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast and writes the Disconnect newsletter.

More from The Nation

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs on October 20, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.

The Only Western Conference NBA Preview You Need The Only Western Conference NBA Preview You Need

Arya Shirazi joins us again for our annual NBA preseason predictions

Podcast / Edge of Sports

Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 12, 2026, in New York City.

The Only Eastern Conference NBA Preview You Need The Only Eastern Conference NBA Preview You Need

Arya Shirazi joins us again for our annual NBA preseason predictions.

Dave Zirin

The NEXTDC data center in the northern Canberra suburb of Bruce, Australia, on August 26, 2026.

The AI Buildout Is a Boon for the Fossil Fuel Industry—With Ketan Joshi The AI Buildout Is a Boon for the Fossil Fuel Industry—With Ketan Joshi

Paris Marx talks to Ketan Joshi about how the data center buildout is driving a surge in fossil fuel investment, and how it’s all playing out in Australia.

Paris Marx

Google headquarters campus in Mountain View, California.

How Mass Layoffs Changed Working in Tech—Clarissa Redwine & JS Tan How Mass Layoffs Changed Working in Tech—Clarissa Redwine & JS Tan

Discussing the state of worker organizing in the tech industry, including how it’s changed since the mid-2010s and where it needs to go from here.

Paris Marx

Congressional Candidate Sam Husseini and Talking NBA Over-Unders

Congressional Candidate Sam Husseini and Talking NBA Over-Unders Congressional Candidate Sam Husseini and Talking NBA Over-Unders

Green Party candidate Sam Husseini joins the show and Arya returns.

Dave Zirin

Tech Fascism Has Come for American Democracy—With Gil Durán

Tech Fascism Has Come for American Democracy—With Gil Durán Tech Fascism Has Come for American Democracy—With Gil Durán

Paris Marx is joined by Gil Durán to discuss Silicon Valley’s embrace of far-right politics and the tech billionaires seeking to consolidate corporate and political power.

Paris Marx

x