About this episode
Algorithms and AI don't just show us reality — they warp it in ways that benefit platforms built to exploit people for profit, says etymologist Adam Aleksic. From ChatGPT influencing our word choices to Spotify turning a data cluster into a new musical genre, he reveals how new technology subconsciously shapes our language, trends and sense of identity. "These aren't neutral tools," he says, encouraging us to constantly ask ourselves: How am I being influenced? (After the talk, Aleksic sits down with Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily podcast, to discuss how he became interested in language and its evolution — from writing on leaves, clay and stone to AI models like ChatGPT.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.