Meta’s Legal Battle, A.I.’s Realistic Timeline, and a Lighthearted Game

In the latest episode of the *Hard Fork* podcast, hosts Kevin Roose and Casey Newton explore three major themes. First, they examine Meta’s ongoing antitrust trial over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, reflecting on how the tech landscape has evolved since those deals were made. They note that the FTC’s case has arguably weakened with time due to changes in market dynamics and newly revealed internal communications. The conversation emphasizes the complexities of defining anti-competitive behavior in fast-evolving industries like social media.

The second segment features Princeton computer scientist Arvind Narayanan, who offers a grounded perspective on the future of artificial intelligence. Contrary to popular beliefs and the hype generated by major AI labs, Narayanan argues that AI’s transformative impact on society will take decades, not years, citing historical patterns in tech adoption and the limitations of current AI systems.

Lastly, the podcast wraps up with a playful segment called HatGPT, where humorous associations are drawn between unrelated items like dolphins, Katy Perry, and A1 steak sauce. This blend of deep analysis and humor reflects *Hard Fork*’s signature approach to covering technology and its cultural ramifications.

Tickets are available for a live recording of the show on June 24 at SFJAZZ in San Francisco.