Black Box: The Chatbots

AI chatbots are the focus here, from the first-ever chatbot and its surprising effect on people to the "time bomb" that detonated with ChatGPT’s release. The episode looks at why so many users get pulled down the rabbit hole and what this ongoing experiment might mean for everyone.

This episode follows Virginia man Jon Ganz, who was rebuilding his life after more than two decades in prison, until a Google invitation to try Gemini altered the course of his family’s story. It centers on how one chatbot prompt became a turning point for Jon and his wife, Rachel.

AI chatbots are becoming part of daily life for more than a billion people, shaping how some handle heartbreak, addiction and personal crisis. Through two stories, Michael Safi examines what it means to trust these systems with wellbeing and life decisions.

AI chatbots are moving into deeply personal territory, from helping with breakups to acting like friends, life coaches, and workplace assistants. This episode uses five stories to explore one central question: where should people draw the line?

A rural Texas estate becomes the setting for a striking idea: a civil rights movement focused on the welfare and protection of AI systems. Michael Safi visits Michael Samadi’s Double Six ranch, meets his chatbots, and explores a possible vision of the future.