Jacob Ward
@byjacobward.bsky.social
Journalist at TheRipCurrent.com covering AI, surveillance, disinformation, platforms, the whole shebang. My book "The Loop" about AI mania is out in paperback. Former NBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, PBS.
People are treating AIs like gurus, soulmates, even therapists — and the fallout is getting dark. Teen bans. Lawsuits. Delusions. Even OpenAI’s own data shows millions of users showing signs of suicidal intent, emotional dependence, or psychosis every week. We’re entering a new era where our
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 PM
People are treating AIs like gurus, soulmates, even therapists — and the fallout is getting dark. Teen bans. Lawsuits. Delusions. Even OpenAI’s own data shows millions of users showing signs of suicidal intent, emotional dependence, or psychosis every week. We’re entering a new era where our
Three major insurers just asked regulators to let them exclude A.I.-related losses entirely. They say the risks are “unpriceable.” When the risk people want no part of you, that’s trouble. #AI #TechUpdate #AIBubble #InsuranceCrisis #TechPolicy #ArtificialIntelligence #JacobWard
November 25, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Three major insurers just asked regulators to let them exclude A.I.-related losses entirely. They say the risks are “unpriceable.” When the risk people want no part of you, that’s trouble. #AI #TechUpdate #AIBubble #InsuranceCrisis #TechPolicy #ArtificialIntelligence #JacobWard
Meta’s A.I. scientist just quit the LLM arms race… politely. Yann LeCun is out, starting his own company, and openly saying LLMs will never reach superintelligence. Translation: The A.I. era just cracked down the middle.
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Meta’s A.I. scientist just quit the LLM arms race… politely. Yann LeCun is out, starting his own company, and openly saying LLMs will never reach superintelligence. Translation: The A.I. era just cracked down the middle.
Trump’s leaked AI order would BAN all state AI laws — the only real protections we have. California, Colorado, Illinois… gone. And 80% of Americans actually want regulation. This isn’t about innovation — it’s about removing the last democratic guardrails we have. Full breakdown in today’s episode
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Trump’s leaked AI order would BAN all state AI laws — the only real protections we have. California, Colorado, Illinois… gone. And 80% of Americans actually want regulation. This isn’t about innovation — it’s about removing the last democratic guardrails we have. Full breakdown in today’s episode
A huge turnout of incredibly smart and engaged folks from all corners of tech, academia, and the law on Monday night for my talk on the rise of AI psychosis. Give Scholar a follow so you can attend the next one! #ai #artificialintelligence #tech
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Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
A huge turnout of incredibly smart and engaged folks from all corners of tech, academia, and the law on Monday night for my talk on the rise of AI psychosis. Give Scholar a follow so you can attend the next one! #ai #artificialintelligence #tech
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
The Wall Street Journal‘s latest expose reveals that what I wrote about back in 2018 for The New York Times magazine has now turned into a full-fledged industr. Silicon Valley billionaires are seeking to genetically edit babies, not just to avoid disease but to choose the embryos most likely to be
November 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM
The Wall Street Journal‘s latest expose reveals that what I wrote about back in 2018 for The New York Times magazine has now turned into a full-fledged industr. Silicon Valley billionaires are seeking to genetically edit babies, not just to avoid disease but to choose the embryos most likely to be
You WANT the surprise, believe me. #citylife #travel
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 11, 2025 at 3:37 PM
You WANT the surprise, believe me. #citylife #travel
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
The cultural allergy to AI’s effect on the brain - and the lawsuits that will follow - are the first steps in pushing back effectively. #ai #llm #chatgpt #claude #technology
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 11, 2025 at 6:37 AM
The cultural allergy to AI’s effect on the brain - and the lawsuits that will follow - are the first steps in pushing back effectively. #ai #llm #chatgpt #claude #technology
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
There’s an art and strategy to holding out effectively, and unfortunately doing it wrong and giving up early erases the value you’ve created up to that point. That’s what the Dems seem to have done here. #democrats #politics
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Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
There’s an art and strategy to holding out effectively, and unfortunately doing it wrong and giving up early erases the value you’ve created up to that point. That’s what the Dems seem to have done here. #democrats #politics
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at
Shutdown air travel tips! Don’t fly if you don’t have to, fly on a Wednesday or Saturday, and snack up HARD before you get on board. #airport #travel #shutdown #airplane
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Shutdown air travel tips! Don’t fly if you don’t have to, fly on a Wednesday or Saturday, and snack up HARD before you get on board. #airport #travel #shutdown #airplane
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
These are high-quality problems, I know. If you don’t surf feel free to keep scrolling. #surfing #surf #beach #beachvibes
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 8, 2025 at 5:36 AM
These are high-quality problems, I know. If you don’t surf feel free to keep scrolling. #surfing #surf #beach #beachvibes
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
The Djerassi art hike is an incredible and haunting experience. (And as my Mom pointed out “it should be a feminist pilgrimage site.”) 10/10 would recommend. #art #artist #nature #mentalhealthmatters
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The Djerassi art hike is an incredible and haunting experience. (And as my Mom pointed out “it should be a feminist pilgrimage site.”) 10/10 would recommend. #art #artist #nature #mentalhealthmatters
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
See you in Oakland at Mad Oak for Pub Scholar on Monday November 10th at 6:30pm. Get your tickets on Eventbrite. Hope to see you there!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 5, 2025 at 12:36 AM
See you in Oakland at Mad Oak for Pub Scholar on Monday November 10th at 6:30pm. Get your tickets on Eventbrite. Hope to see you there!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Reposted by Jacob Ward
@byjacobward.bsky.social co-hosts Tech News Weekly with @mikahsargent.com: New tips for spotting AI-generated videos, OpenAI's disclosure of mental health stats in user chats, & AI browser risks. + @ozoneartfoundry.com shares news from Adobe Max's annual creativity conference.
twit.tv/tnw/411
twit.tv/tnw/411
MAX 2025: Adobe's Multi-Model AI Strategy | TWiT.TV
Jacob Ward of The Rip Current joins Mikah Sargent this week! OpenAI disclosed stats on mental health from its users' chats within ChatGPT. How deepfake videos are becoming
twit.tv
October 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
@byjacobward.bsky.social co-hosts Tech News Weekly with @mikahsargent.com: New tips for spotting AI-generated videos, OpenAI's disclosure of mental health stats in user chats, & AI browser risks. + @ozoneartfoundry.com shares news from Adobe Max's annual creativity conference.
twit.tv/tnw/411
twit.tv/tnw/411
How I spotted AI early and began writing The Loop: How AI is Creating a World without Choices and How to Fight Back, from a recent episode of Futures Podcast with Damiani. #ai #llm #tech #psychology
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
November 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
How I spotted AI early and began writing The Loop: How AI is Creating a World without Choices and How to Fight Back, from a recent episode of Futures Podcast with Damiani. #ai #llm #tech #psychology
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
Subscribe to the podcast and newsletter for free at TheRipCurrent.com!
If you're an assignment editor looking for a stringer to cover COP30, Friday's the deadline for registration, and Tiffany's a great hire!
I’m a bilingual US journalist based in Belém with years of experience reporting from the Amazon region. I hope to connect w/ editors for COP30 coverage. I speak Portuguese fluently, have widespread Amazon contacts w// experts & traditional communities' voices. Feel free to fwd
@revkin.bsky.social
@revkin.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 5:38 PM
If you're an assignment editor looking for a stringer to cover COP30, Friday's the deadline for registration, and Tiffany's a great hire!
Am I addicted? Episode 8 of The Rip Current with Jacob Ward grapples with the big questions we all seem to have right now about our habits and our self control. (And I tell the story of my own twisted path away from alcohol.) Please listen, like and share wherever you get your podcasts!l
May 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Am I addicted? Episode 8 of The Rip Current with Jacob Ward grapples with the big questions we all seem to have right now about our habits and our self control. (And I tell the story of my own twisted path away from alcohol.) Please listen, like and share wherever you get your podcasts!l
A really thoughtful and companionable group. I’d join you three anytime!
🤖 Is AI nudging you more than you realize? @byjacobward.bsky.social joins @leolaporte.me @jeffjarvis.bsky.social & @paris.nyc to explore how tech shapes our choices and how to take control.
🎙️ Intelligent Machines 817 #AI #BehaviorTech
🔗 Download and subscribe here:
🎙️ Intelligent Machines 817 #AI #BehaviorTech
🔗 Download and subscribe here:
Wheel 101 | TWiT.TV
Interview with Jacob WardDuolingo launches 148 courses created with AI after sharing plans to replace contractors with AIThe Age of Realtime Deepfake Fraud Is HereThe Hottest
twit.tv
May 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A really thoughtful and companionable group. I’d join you three anytime!
Today I’m recording an episode of The Rip Current with Toomas Ilves, former president of Estonia, who helped turn it into one of the most technologically sophisticated democracies in the world. Taxes paid in two minutes on your phone. Voting done that way too. What questions do you have for him?
May 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Today I’m recording an episode of The Rip Current with Toomas Ilves, former president of Estonia, who helped turn it into one of the most technologically sophisticated democracies in the world. Taxes paid in two minutes on your phone. Voting done that way too. What questions do you have for him?
Democracy vs The Illusion of Democracy
April 27, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Democracy vs The Illusion of Democracy
On Monday I’m interviewing an expert on addiction for my podcast The Rip Current. The big theme is how we went from the attention economy to the addiction economy, but I’m also of course going to touch on my own alcohol abuse, gambling, and why Americans hate admitting we have a problem. What else?
April 27, 2025 at 1:18 AM
On Monday I’m interviewing an expert on addiction for my podcast The Rip Current. The big theme is how we went from the attention economy to the addiction economy, but I’m also of course going to touch on my own alcohol abuse, gambling, and why Americans hate admitting we have a problem. What else?
@noupside.bsky.social on why the craziest folks get all the attention online, while reasonable voices and choices get ignored. Listen to the full episode of The Rip Current wherever you get your podcasts!
April 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
@noupside.bsky.social on why the craziest folks get all the attention online, while reasonable voices and choices get ignored. Listen to the full episode of The Rip Current wherever you get your podcasts!
The relentless gaslighting you see everywhere in political discourse right now? It's called DARVO — Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It's a term coined by psychology professor Jennifer Freyd. Listen to my interview with her on The Rip Current, wherever you get your podcasts.
April 22, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The relentless gaslighting you see everywhere in political discourse right now? It's called DARVO — Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. It's a term coined by psychology professor Jennifer Freyd. Listen to my interview with her on The Rip Current, wherever you get your podcasts.
We’re in the upside-down, where lying has no cost. How did we get here? @jjfreyd.bsky.social knows. Since the 90s she’s tracked the misbehavior of public figures and the ways that institutions betray us. Her work on DARVO changed my life.
Paid subscribers can watch at TheRipCurrent.com now!
Paid subscribers can watch at TheRipCurrent.com now!
March 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We’re in the upside-down, where lying has no cost. How did we get here? @jjfreyd.bsky.social knows. Since the 90s she’s tracked the misbehavior of public figures and the ways that institutions betray us. Her work on DARVO changed my life.
Paid subscribers can watch at TheRipCurrent.com now!
Paid subscribers can watch at TheRipCurrent.com now!