
305: AI’s Cultish Leader
From Conspirituality by Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
April 23, 2026 · 1h 22m
About this episode
The episode discusses Ronan Farrow's investigation into Sam Altman and the implications of AI being controlled by powerful individuals.
Ronan Farrow is at it again. The reporter has a new feature in The New Yorker, written alongside staff writer Andrew Marantz, about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In many ways, the 16,000-word investigation is a meditation on the existential risks of AI being placed in the hands of a few powerful men, and in this case a possible sociopath. Today we discuss the article and then zoom out on broader questions in AI: who is it for, how is it being used, and can it be reined in? Show Notes Sam Altman May Control Our Future—Can He Be Trusted? John Henry for the AI Era: Raging with the Machine Alex Bores rolls out “AI dividend” plan to share AI wealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Topics covered
- AI
- existential risks
- sociopathy
- power dynamics
- technology ethics
Keywords
- AI
- Sam Altman
- Ronan Farrow
- existential risks
- sociopath
- OpenAI
- technology ethics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: OpenAI
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