Oprah Winfrey is bringing her signature interview style to the world of AI, bringing along some of the biggest names in technology and politics for a new TV special.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and others will appear to discuss and demonstrate artificial intelligence with Winfrey. “AI and the Future of Us” will air on ABC on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET, and stream on Hulu the following day. Winfrey’s special is designed to demystify artificial intelligence and explore how it will impact our lives.
Altman will explain the fundamentals of AI. Gates will then expand his vision to the changes AI can bring to education, healthcare and other sectors, and Wray will address what AI means for law enforcement and national security.
For a more practical demonstration of AI’s capabilities, YouTube creator and technologist Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) will showcase existing products with AI already built in. She’ll also discuss the growing influence of digital content creators in educating the public about technology, including AI. Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin, co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology, are set to discuss ethical issues around AI with Winfrey, as is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson.
“AI can either fascinate you or scare you. Or, if you’re like me, it can do both,” Winfrey explains in her promo for the show. “So let’s take a breath and find out more about it. I’ve gathered some of our country’s leading experts to answer all of our questions.”
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Oprah's Artificial Intelligence
“AI and the Future of Us” comes at a time when AI is becoming increasingly capable and powerful, while also generating increasing criticism and concerns about its potential negative impact on the world. Given the lineup of influential speakers and the current public interest in AI, “AI and the Future of Us” is likely to appeal to a wide audience.
Oprah Winfrey’s appearance is undoubtedly the biggest sign that AI is becoming a mainstream trend. The way she presents AI can influence many people in developing their own opinions about it. By devoting primetime slot to this topic, ABC and Winfrey are recognizing the growing importance of AI and the need for informed public discourse.
