Generative artificial intelligence has transformed our inboxes, classrooms and even medical records—but at what cost? In this episode, journalist Karen Hao joins Scientific American to discuss her new book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743569/empire-of-ai-by-karen-hao/">Empire of AI</a>, exploring how companies like OpenAI wield power that is reminiscent of historical empires. From ideological quests for artificial general intelligence to the environmental toll of massive data centers, Hao reveals the hidden forces shaping our technological future—and the reasons we should all be paying attention.
 
Recommended Reading:
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/openais-secrets-are-revealed-in-empire-of-ai/">OpenAI’s Secrets are Revealed in Empire of AI</a>
<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/743569/empire-of-ai-by-karen-hao/">Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. Karen Hao. Penguin Press, 2025 </a>
 
E-mail us at <a href="mailto:sciencequickly@sciam.com">sciencequickly@sciam.com</a> if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new everyday: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_subscribetext&amp;utm_term=LP_subscribe_v1_s1_podcast">subscribe</a> to Scientific American and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_signuptext&amp;utm_term=LP_signup_v1_s1_podcast">sign up</a> for our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Generative artificial intelligence has transformed our inboxes, classrooms and even medical records—but at what cost? In this episode, journalist Karen Hao joins Scientific American to discuss her new book Empire of AI, exploring how companies like OpenAI wield power that is reminiscent of historical empires. From ideological quests for artificial general intelligence to the environmental toll of massive data centers, Hao reveals the hidden forces shaping our technological future—and the reasons we should all be paying attention.



Recommended Reading:

OpenAI’s Secrets are Revealed in Empire of AI

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. Karen Hao. Penguin Press, 2025 



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

Journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of AI “empires,” their ideological roots, and the hidden environmental and societal costs of OpenAI’s quest for artificial general intelligence.

Generative artificial intelligence has transformed our inboxes, classrooms and even medical records—but at what cost? In this episode, journalist Karen Hao joins Scientific American to discuss her new book Empire of AI, exploring how companies like OpenAI wield power that is reminiscent of historical empires. From ideological quests for artificial general intelligence to the environmental toll of massive data centers, Hao reveals the hidden forces shaping our technological future—and the reasons we should all be paying attention.



Recommended Reading:

OpenAI’s Secrets are Revealed in Empire of AI

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. Karen Hao. Penguin Press, 2025 



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Hao on Why AI Is Reshaping Society

NASA’s Perseverance rover has spent nearly five years roaming the Martian surface in search of clues to ancient life. But the ambitious plan to return its precious rock samples to Earth is now on shaky ground. Scientific American senior desk editor Lee Billings joins us to unpack the rover’s mission, the stakes of the stalled return effort and the effects it will have on the future of Mars exploration.
 
Recommended Reading
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-recruits-mars-perseverance-rover-to-monitor-suns-activity/">NASA Recruits Mars Perseverance Rover to Monitor Sun’s Activity</a>
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-there-life-on-mars-this-rock-may-hold-the-answer/">This Rock May Hold Proof of Life on Mars</a>
 
E-mail us at <a href="mailto:sciencequickly@sciam.com">sciencequickly@sciam.com</a> if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new everyday: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_subscribetext&amp;utm_term=LP_subscribe_v1_s1_podcast">subscribe</a> to Scientific American and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_signuptext&amp;utm_term=LP_signup_v1_s1_podcast">sign up</a> for our daily newsletter.
Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>NASA’s Perseverance rover has spent nearly five years roaming the Martian surface in search of clues to ancient life. But the ambitious plan to return its precious rock samples to Earth is now on shaky ground. Scientific American senior desk editor Lee Billings joins us to unpack the rover’s mission, the stakes of the stalled return effort and the effects it will have on the future of Mars exploration.



Recommended Reading

NASA Recruits Mars Perseverance Rover to Monitor Sun’s Activity

This Rock May Hold Proof of Life on Mars



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

NASA’s Perseverance rover has gathered groundbreaking Mars samples, but the mission to bring them home is facing serious challenges.

NASA’s Perseverance rover has spent nearly five years roaming the Martian surface in search of clues to ancient life. But the ambitious plan to return its precious rock samples to Earth is now on shaky ground. Scientific American senior desk editor Lee Billings joins us to unpack the rover’s mission, the stakes of the stalled return effort and the effects it will have on the future of Mars exploration.



Recommended Reading

NASA Recruits Mars Perseverance Rover to Monitor Sun’s Activity

This Rock May Hold Proof of Life on Mars



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can NASA Deliver on Perseverance’s Promise to Reveal Life on Mars?

Scientific American associate editor Lauren J. Young breaks down key vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Also, the Food and Drug Administration is considering controversial changes to vaccine approval and administration. Meanwhile a new study warns that light pollution from satellite megaconstellations could severely compromise space telescope observations.
 
Recommended Reading:
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdc-vaccine-panel-scraps-guidance-for-universal-hepatitis-b-shots-at-birth/">CDC Vaccine Panel Scraps Guidance for Universal Hepatitis B Shots at Birth</a>
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/changing-the-fdas-vaccine-approval-process-could-threaten-covid-flu/">Changing the FDA’s Vaccine Approval Process Could Threaten COVID, Flu Protection for Children</a>
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/satellite-megaconstellations-are-now-threatening-telescopes-in-space/">Satellites Swarming Low-Earth Orbit Threaten Space Telescopes</a>
 
E-mail us at <a href="mailto:sciencequickly@sciam.com">sciencequickly@sciam.com</a> if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new everyday: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_subscribetext&amp;utm_term=LP_subscribe_v1_s1_podcast">subscribe</a> to Scientific American and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_signuptext&amp;utm_term=LP_signup_v1_s1_podcast">sign up</a> for our daily newsletter.
 
Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Scientific American associate editor Lauren J. Young breaks down key vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Also, the Food and Drug Administration is considering controversial changes to vaccine approval and administration. Meanwhile a new study warns that light pollution from satellite megaconstellations could severely compromise space telescope observations.



Recommended Reading:

CDC Vaccine Panel Scraps Guidance for Universal Hepatitis B Shots at Birth

Changing the FDA’s Vaccine Approval Process Could Threaten COVID, Flu Protection for Children

Satellites Swarming Low-Earth Orbit Threaten Space Telescopes



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.



Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

Vaccines coming under fire, satellites crowding the skies, and dogs boosting teen mental health.

Scientific American associate editor Lauren J. Young breaks down key vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Also, the Food and Drug Administration is considering controversial changes to vaccine approval and administration. Meanwhile a new study warns that light pollution from satellite megaconstellations could severely compromise space telescope observations.



Recommended Reading:

CDC Vaccine Panel Scraps Guidance for Universal Hepatitis B Shots at Birth

Changing the FDA’s Vaccine Approval Process Could Threaten COVID, Flu Protection for Children

Satellites Swarming Low-Earth Orbit Threaten Space Telescopes



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.



Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CDC Vaccine Panel, Satellite Light Pollution, Puppy Power

Emerging research on the biology of postpartum depression is showing how little it resembles other severe mood disorders in the brain and body. Understanding these differences could be key to better screening, detection and treatment. Science journalist Marla Broadfoot is on our show to talk about her story in the December edition of our magazine, in which she focuses on one woman’s quest for treatment and the personal cure from postpartum depression that this individual found in a promising new drug.  
E-mail us at <a href="mailto:sciencequickly@sciam.com">sciencequickly@sciam.com</a> if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new everyday: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_subscribetext&amp;utm_term=LP_subscribe_v1_s1_podcast">subscribe</a> to Scientific American and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_signuptext&amp;utm_term=LP_signup_v1_s1_podcast">sign up</a> for our daily newsletter.
Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Jeff DelViscio, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Emerging research on the biology of postpartum depression is showing how little it resembles other severe mood disorders in the brain and body. Understanding these differences could be key to better screening, detection and treatment. Science journalist Marla Broadfoot is on our show to talk about her story in the December edition of our magazine, in which she focuses on one woman’s quest for treatment and the personal cure from postpartum depression that this individual found in a promising new drug.  

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Jeff DelViscio, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

This Two-Week Treatment May Reset the Brain

Emerging research on the biology of postpartum depression is showing how little it resembles other severe mood disorders in the brain and body. Understanding these differences could be key to better screening, detection and treatment. Science journalist Marla Broadfoot is on our show to talk about her story in the December edition of our magazine, in which she focuses on one woman’s quest for treatment and the personal cure from postpartum depression that this individual found in a promising new drug.  

E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter.

Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Jeff DelViscio, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Hope for Treating Postpartum Depression?

Scientific American debuts its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction book lists, featuring stories that explore climate change, alien encounters and even love stories in space. Associate books editor Bri Kane joins host Kendra Pierre‑Louis to share the selections that captivated the newsroom’s editors.
 
Recommended Reading
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/five-essential-books-on-plastic-power-and-pollution/">Five Essential Reads on Plastic, Power and Pollution</a>
<a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-vintage-books-science-minded-readers-will-love-paired-with-a-2025-book/">7 Science Book Reviews from Scientific American’s Archives with Modern Recommendations</a>
 
E-mail us at <a href="mailto:sciencequickly@sciam.com">sciencequickly@sciam.com</a> if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new every day: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/getsciam/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_subscribetext&amp;utm_term=LP_subscribe_v1_s1_podcast">subscribe</a> to Scientific American and <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences/?utm_source=promotion&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=may24-marketing2024_signuptext&amp;utm_term=LP_signup_v1_s1_podcast">sign up</a> for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.
 
Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Scientific American debuts its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction book lists, featuring stories that explore climate change, alien encounters and even love stories in space. Associate books editor Bri Kane joins host Kendra Pierre‑Louis to share the selections that captivated the newsroom’s editors.



Recommended Reading

Five Essential Reads on Plastic, Power and Pollution

7 Science Book Reviews from Scientific American’s Archives with Modern Recommendations



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.



Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

Scientific American unveils its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction books of the year, spotlighting stories that blend science, imagination and unforgettable voices.

Scientific American debuts its first-ever best fiction and nonfiction book lists, featuring stories that explore climate change, alien encounters and even love stories in space. Associate books editor Bri Kane joins host Kendra Pierre‑Louis to share the selections that captivated the newsroom’s editors.



Recommended Reading

Five Essential Reads on Plastic, Power and Pollution

7 Science Book Reviews from Scientific American’s Archives with Modern Recommendations



E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!

Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter.



Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientific American Picks the Best Reads of the Year

Host Rachel Feltman, alongside leading science and tech journalists, dives into the rich world of scientific discovery in this bite-size science variety show.

Science Quickly

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