Chris Hayes on Calibrating Your AI Anxiety

Chris Hayes on Calibrating Your AI Anxiety

From Galaxy Brain by The Atlantic

May 15, 2026 · 47 min · Episode 28

About this episode

Chris Hayes discusses how to emotionally calibrate our response to the AI boom with host Charlie Warzel.

How should you feel about the AI boom? In this episode of Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel speaks with Chris Hayes about how to emotionally calibrate our response to this dizzying AI moment. Hayes describes why AI gives him “The Bad Feeling,” and how it led him to report on AI like an anthropologist would. The two discuss why AI is described as “the jagged frontier,” and they explore the distinction between using AI for creative thinking versus grunt work. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Charlie Warzel

Guest: Chris Hayes

Topics covered

  • AI anxiety
  • emotional response
  • creative thinking
  • grunt work
  • reporting on AI
  • anthropological perspective

Keywords

  • AI
  • anxiety
  • reporting
  • creative thinking
  • grunt work
  • anthropology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic

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