Ep. 157 Who controls culture when media becomes algorithmic, digital, and artificial?

Segment 1. AI Is Changing Human Behaviour

AI isn’t just replacing work. It’s replacing relationships, identity and trust.

China moving to restrict emotional attachment to AI companions

  • Are governments acknowledging AI companionship as psychologically significant?
  • Are AI companies designing for attachment?

Researchers accidentally discover an extremely unusual ChatGPT user

70% of Japanese companies don’t disclose AI-generated creative work

  • Should disclosure be mandatory?
  • Does it matter if audiences can’t tell?
  • Is hidden AI fundamentally deceptive?

LinkedIn filled with AI-generated posts

Segment 2 – Can We Still Tell What’s Real?

Scientists developing AI image detection

People can learn to detect AI faces

  • Are we entering an endless arms race?
  • Should people be trained?
  • Or should AI content simply be labelled?

Segment 3 – Why Physical Media Suddenly Matters Again

People buying CDs again

Hidden content on original game discs

Video Game History Foundation warning about preservation

Kojima on digital ownership

Former PlayStation boss discussing why PS2 success can’t be repeated

Segment 4 – Stories Still Matter (10 min)

Absolute Batman succeeding on TikTok

  • How does Gen Z discover stories?

Josh Sawyer on morally grey RPGs