The Social Dilemma Discussion

Techquila Podcast

The Social Dilemma, directed by Jeff Orlowski, explores the dangerous human impact of social networking, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.

Erik and JJ provide an overview of the film and share their perspectives on some of the conclusions that the film draws. Erik shares his experience as a student of BJ Fogg’s class, which is heavily referenced in the film, and how behavior design and behavior change is programmed into new products. JJ provides Microsoft’s perspective on using AI in a responsible way, protecting user privacy, and how the tech industry should work with policy makers to ensure innovation is protected, but not at the cost of fundamental human rights.

The hosts also discuss what users can do to protect their data, habits users should develop to better control who has access to their information, and discuss whether the techniques that can be destructive when used in the mode of optimizing for surveillance capitalism can be used to improve technology user’s lives.

The Social Dilemma is streaming on Netflix.