Alex Hern

Oct 1, 2024 | theguardian.com | Alex Hern |Chris Stokel-Walker

It’s a wild world out there online, with dis- and misinformation flying about at pace. I’m part-way through writing a book about the history of fake news, so I’m well aware that people making stuff up is not new. But what is new is the reach that troublemakers have, whether their actions are deliberate or accidental.

Sep 17, 2024 | theguardian.com | Alex Hern |Chris Stokel-Walker

We are fast approaching two years of the generative AI revolution, sparked by the November 2022 release of ChatGPT by OpenAI. So far it’s been a mixed bag. OpenAI recently announced it had crossed 200 million weekly active users – nothing to be sniffed at, but it got its first 100 million within two months of release. A recent YouGov study found that the inclusion of AI in a product is as likely to turn off a potential purchaser as much as it is to get them to hand over their cash.

Sep 10, 2024 | theguardian.com | Alex Hern |Chris Stokel-Walker

Trying to figure out what to focus on for the first post-Alex Hern TechScape was tricky. (If you missed it last week, you can and should revisit his valedictory newsletter after 11 years at The Guardian). Why? Well, everything is happening all the time now – so there are any number of topics to dive into. We could talk about the likelihood of Elon Musk running Donald Trump’s “government efficiency commission” if he is re-elected as US president.

Sep 3, 2024 | theguardian.com | Alex Hern

After three years and more than 100 issues, as well as two bouts of paternity leave, two AI summits and an entire cryptocurrency boom-bust cycle, this is my last newsletter. It’s also the end of my 11 years at the Guardian, almost to the week: my first day was the release of the iPhone 5S, and on 9 September we’ll see the launch of the iPhone 16. It’s been a ride. For the last two weeks I’ve been asking readers for questions and have been bombarded.

Aug 30, 2024 | theguardian.com | Eliezer Yudkowsky |Tom Chivers |Alex Hern |Rudi Zygadlo

This week we are revisiting the Black Box series. This episode was first broadcast on 21 March 2024. For decades, Eliezer Yudkowsky has been trying to warn the world about the dangers of AI. And now people are finally listening to him. But is it too late? Illustration: Eleanor Shakespeare/The Guardian Support The Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. And we want to keep our journalism open and accessible to all.