cover of episode Trump's Next Online Speech Cop + Doctors vs ChatGPT + Hard Fork Crimes Division

Trump's Next Online Speech Cop + Doctors vs ChatGPT + Hard Fork Crimes Division

2024/11/22
logo of podcast Hard Fork

Hard Fork

Key Insights

Why did President-elect Trump pick Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the FCC?

Trump likely chose Carr because of his vocal advocacy for regulating big tech companies and his belief in anti-conservative censorship, aligning with Trump's views on free speech and tech regulation.

What is the historical role of the FCC in American media?

Historically, the FCC regulated broadcast media, particularly television and radio, which were dominant forms of media in the 20th century. It had significant authority over public airwaves and enforced rules like the fairness doctrine.

How has the FCC's role evolved with the rise of the internet?

With the advent of the internet, the FCC's influence waned as people shifted from broadcast to cable and online media. The agency focused more on broadband deployment and net neutrality, leaving traditional speech policing behind.

What is Section 230 and why is it crucial for online platforms?

Section 230 is a federal law that shields online platforms from legal liability for user-generated content. It is essential for the existence of platforms like YouTube, as removing this shield would make them legally responsible for all content posted by users.

What are the potential risks of the Trump administration's approach to free speech?

The administration's approach poses a significant threat to free speech by potentially allowing government regulation of online platforms and third-party content, which could lead to censorship and a chilling effect on expression.

How did ChatGPT perform in a recent study comparing its diagnostic abilities to doctors?

In the study, ChatGPT outperformed both doctors and doctors using ChatGPT, achieving a 92% success rate in diagnosing cases, compared to 25% for doctors alone.

Why did doctors using ChatGPT perform worse than ChatGPT alone in the study?

Doctors tended to disregard ChatGPT's suggestions when they disagreed with their initial diagnoses, showing resistance to AI-provided second opinions, which hindered their performance.

What are the implications of AI outperforming doctors in diagnosis for the future of healthcare?

The findings suggest that AI could potentially enhance patient care by providing more accurate diagnoses. However, it also raises ethical and practical questions about the role of human doctors and the integration of AI in clinical settings.

What is the significance of the FBI's raid on Polymarket founder Shane Copland's home?

The raid is part of a criminal investigation into whether Polymarket operated as an unlicensed commodities exchange, which is illegal. The seizure of Copland's devices indicates a serious inquiry into the platform's operations.

Why was Gary Wang, a top FTX executive, given no prison time despite his involvement in the FTX fraud?

Gary Wang received no prison time because he cooperated extensively with the government, providing essential information that likely led to more significant convictions, such as Sam Bankman-Fried's 25-year sentence.

Chapters

The discussion focuses on Brendan Carr's potential impact as the new FCC chairman, exploring his views on internet regulation and free speech, and how his appointment could shift the landscape of online content moderation.
  • Brendan Carr is known for his strong views on regulating big tech companies and combating perceived anti-conservative censorship.
  • The FCC's historical role in media regulation and its current relevance in the internet age are examined.
  • Concerns about the potential for increased government oversight and the chilling effect on free speech are highlighted.

Shownotes Transcript

This week, President-elect Donald Trump picked Brendan Carr to be the next chairman of the F.C.C. We talk with The Verge’s editor in chief, Nilay Patel, about what this could mean for the future of the internet, and for free speech at large. Then, a new study found that ChatGPT defeated doctors at diagnosing some diseases. One of the study’s authors, Dr. Adam Rodman, joins us to discuss the future of medicine. And finally, court is back in session. It’s time for the Hard Fork Crimes Division.

 

One more thing: We want to learn more about you, our listeners. Please fill out our quick survey: nytimes.com/hardforksurvey).

 

Guests:

  • Nilay Patel), co-founder of The Verge and host of the podcasts Decoder) and The Vergecast.)
  • Adam Rodman), internal medicine physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and one of the co-authors of a recent study) testing the effectiveness of ChatGPT to diagnose illnesses.

 

Additional Reading:

 

We want to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]). Find “Hard Fork” on YouTube) and TikTok).

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.