Podcast / Tech Won’t Save Us / Jun 26, 2025

Chatbots Are Repeating Social Media’s Harms

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, Nitasha Tiku on AI companies, user engagement, and social media.

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.

Chatbots Are Repeating Social Media’s Harms | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of Tech Won't Save Us, Paris Marx is joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how AI companies are preying on users to drive engagement and how that’s repeating many of the problems we’re belatedly trying to address with social media companies at an accelerated pace.

Nitasha Tiku is a technology reporter at the Washington Post.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/THENATION

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

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

Young people look at their phones in the City of London, the capital’s financial district, on 30th May 2025, in London, England.

(Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)

On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us, I’m joined by Nitasha Tiku to discuss how AI companies are preying on users to drive engagement and how that’s repeating many of the problems we’re belatedly trying to address with social media companies at an accelerated pace.

Nitasha Tiku is a technology reporter at The Washington Post.

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

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 We Need a War on Cars w/ Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear | Tech Won’t Save Us
byThe Nation Magazine

Paris Marx is joined by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear to discuss the many ways cars have negatively affected society, how tech companies seek to entrench those problems, and what can really be done to improve mobility in our communities.

Doug Gordon is a TV producer and writer. Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author. They are the co-hosts of The War on Cars and co-authors of Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/THENATION

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 a tech critic and host of the Tech Won’t Save Us podcast. He writes the Disconnect newsletter and is the author of Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation.

More from The Nation

Jeff Teat #7 of the New York Atlas in action during the Premier Lacrosse League Championship game between the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Harrison, New Jersey.

How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA

On the latest episode of Edge of Sports.

Dave Zirin

A protester at the No Kings rally in Venice, Florida, on October 18, 2025.

The Myth of Free Speech The Myth of Free Speech

Historian Fara Dabhoiwala talks to American Prestige about his new book.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on October 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview

On Edge of Sports: Dr. Tom Alter on his unjust dismissal from Texas State University, and Arya Shirazi on the upcoming NBA season.

Dave Zirin

Federal agents clash with anti-ICE protesters at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on October 12, 2025, in Portland, Oregon.

American Sociocide, With Charles Derber American Sociocide, With Charles Derber

On American Prestige: the sociologist on how American society is tearing itself apart.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game at Chase Center on October 5, 2025, in San Francisco, California.

“Black History Is for Everyone,” and a Western Conference Preview “Black History Is for Everyone,” and a Western Conference Preview

Historian Brian Jones joins the show to talk about his book, and Arya Shirazi and I talk about the upcoming NBA season.

Dave Zirin

Elon Musk, during a news conference with President Donald Trump on May 30, 2025, inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington.

The Gilded Rage of Tech Billionaires The Gilded Rage of Tech Billionaires

On Tech Won't Save Us: Paris Marx talks with Jacob Silverman about his new book, Gilded Rage.

Paris Marx

x