This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping jobs, education, politics, and personal identity—sharing examples from scam calls and students cheating to Darth Vader swearing in Fortnite. The panel also discusses how Democrats are failing to attract young men, no matter how much money they spend. Finally, they examine President Donald Trump's latest trade policy contradictions from the past week.
0:32—What is one way AI has made life weird?
3:08—Writing with AI is about to get a lot weirder
9:12—Excitement and fear about AI
11:13—How to make entry-level workers more productive
16:12—Has AI created any cultural problems?
22:49—Is AI helping students "cheat" in college?
26:27—How is AI affecting grade school students?
29:18—The AI race with China
36:20—Do Democrats have a problem with men?
44:42—Listener question: Is White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller correct in saying that the 'big beautiful bill' will actually reduce the deficit?
49:28—What is going on with Trump's tariffs in the courts?
53:19—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this podcast:
"Budget Reconciliation: Tracking the Trump 2025 Tax Cuts," by Erica York, Garrett Watson, William McBride, Alex Muresianu
"MP holds up a naked photo of herself in parliament to prove an important point," by Sarah Hooper
"The Southern Surge: Understanding the Bright Spots in the Literacy Landscape," by Karen Vaites
"Stephen Miller Egregiously Misrepresented a Supreme Court Order While Trump Nodded Along," by Damon Root
Nick Gillespie on X: "After almost two decades of waning interest in recorded music, Napster rekindled my interest in buying CDs, mostly by acting as a listening service."
Upcoming Reason events:
Reason Versus debate: Jacob Sullum and Billy Binion vs. Charles Fain Lehman and Rafael Mangual, June 24
Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Elizabeth Nolan Brown on the MAHA Movement, June 25
The Reason Roundtable Live in NYC! July 15
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- Video editor: Ian Keyser
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