Will Oremus

Will Oremus, Washington Post reporter on tech policy, explains how Anthropic bought and destructively scanned millions of books to train AI. Julia Alexander, media reporter, debates whether Netflix will genuinely prioritize theatrical releases and what theaters must do to survive. Jen Pattison Tuohy, smart-home reviewer, troubleshoots IKEA Matter quirks and Thread network headaches.

Will Oremus, a tech reporter at The Washington Post, dives into Elon Musk's role in shaping modern media narratives and right-wing politics, highlighting his controversial feuds and influence on public perception. Becca Lewis discusses Silicon Valley's conservative transition and its impact on technology's role in governance. Elyse Graham reveals how scholars and librarians became unlikely spies during WWII, showcasing the power of narrative manipulation in conflict. Together, these insights unravel the complex interplay between tech and politics both historically and today.

Have you seen the video of the US military bombing Iran spliced with clips of SpongeBob Squarepants? It’s an official video released by the US government and represents a new kind of wartime propaganda. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A screenshot from a White House X post about the Iran war titled "Operation Epic Fury." Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Will Oremus, a technology news analysis writer for the Washington Post, as he dives into the heated debate surrounding AI regulation. He discusses the recent removal of an amendment that would have limited state-level AI laws and the ongoing struggle in Congress to establish a cohesive national AI policy. Oremus explores the shift from regulating AI to increased military funding and highlights the influence of Big Tech on political dynamics. It's a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of legislation and the future of artificial intelligence!

Will Oremus, a technology writer for the Washington Post, dives into the shifting landscape of social media post-election. He discusses the rise of Bluesky and how it’s gaining traction as users flee from X, formerly known as Twitter. Oremus examines the nostalgia for earlier social media experiences and the challenges Bluesky faces in scaling while maintaining user engagement. He also contrasts Bluesky with Threads, highlighting the competitive dynamics shaping online discourse today. Can Bluesky fill the void left by Twitter? Tune in for insights!

Tech futurists have been saying for decades that artificial intelligence will transform the way we live. In some ways, it already has: Think autocorrect, Siri, facial recognition. But ChatGPT and other generative A.I. models are also prone to getting things wrong—and whether the programs will improve with time is not altogether clear. So what purpose, exactly, does this iteration of A.I. actually serve, how is it likely to be adopted, and who stands to benefit (or suffer) from it? On episode 67 of The Politics of Everything, hosts Laura Marsh and Alex Pareene talk with Washington Post reporter Will Oremus about a troubling tale of A.I. fabulism; with science fiction author Ted Chiang about ramifications of an A.I-polluted internet; and with linguist Emily M. Bender about what large-language models can and cannot do—and whether we’re asking the right questions about this technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Oremus, a technology columnist at The Washington Post, dives into the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov by French authorities and its implications for free speech and tech regulation. They discuss how Telegram has influenced political discourse in regions like Russia and Ukraine, while also grappling with privacy and government oversight. Oremus highlights the tension between Silicon Valley's ideals and the growing demands for regulation, raising questions about the responsibilities of social media amidst rising global scrutiny.

Will Oremus, technology reporter at The Washington Post who covers AI and journalism. He walks through The Plain Dealer's use of AI in reporting and writing. He describes daily tools like transcription and scraping. He discusses an AI rewrite desk and the debate over AI replacing local coverage. He shares industry worries and possible near-term roles for AI in newsrooms.

Will Oremus, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the chaos following Hurricane Helene. He highlights the rampant misinformation on social media about FEMA's disaster relief efforts, leading to confusion among storm victims. Oremus also discusses the alarming rise of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that emerged in the wake of the hurricane. He underscores the human cost of such disinformation, particularly in Pensacola, as local officials work tirelessly to combat false narratives and maintain community trust during crises.

Will Oremus, technology reporter at The Washington Post who covers AI and media. He explains how a Cleveland paper uses AI to transcribe meetings, scrape public records, and turn reporter notes into machine-written articles. He discusses newsroom pushback, whether AI is better than no coverage, and how AI might reshape reporting and newsroom roles.