The Fight for Open-Source AI (w/ HRF & Alex Hancock)

The Fight for Open-Source AI (w/ HRF & Alex Hancock)

From Live at PubKey NYC by PubKey Media House

December 23, 2025 · 1h 4m

About this episode

Harrison Friedes and Alex Hancock discuss the significance of open-source AI and its implications for individual rights and technology.

Harrison Friedes (AI for Individual Rights Program Associate at ⁠HRF⁠ ) and ⁠Alex Hancock⁠ (senior software engineer at Block) take the stage in their LIVE AT PUBKEY show at PubKey NYC to discuss the importance of open-source AI and Alex's contributions to Goose (Block's open-source AI that runs locally and operates transparently). Plus: The emergence of open-source AI agents and vibe coding as a once-in-a-generation shift Why open-source is essential for dissident developers operating under authoritarian regimes The tradeoffs between open and closed AI ecosystems (and the risk of centralizing core infrastructure inside profit-driven corporations) Why AI agents are a leveling force that amplifies individual power more than state power Why the future for AI isn't yet determined and is still up for grabs ...and more! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome home. PubKey is a bar and cultural venue located in New York City and Washington D.C. (With more locations coming!) We host FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC events for the curious, the rebellious, and the orange-pilled. Visit PubKey: 🗽 PubKey NYC 🗽 85 Washington Place 🗽 New York, NY 10011 🇺🇸 PubKey D.C. 🇺🇸 410 7th St NW 🇺🇸…

People in this episode

Guests: Harrison Friedes, Alex Hancock

Topics covered

  • open-source AI
  • AI agents
  • authoritarian regimes
  • AI ecosystems
  • individual power
  • technology

Keywords

  • open-source
  • AI
  • Goose
  • Harrison Friedes
  • Alex Hancock
  • technology
  • individual rights
  • authoritarianism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HRF, Block

Products: Goose

Places: New York City, Washington D.C.

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