What’s the point of being wary of AI if the people warning the world aren’t changing course?
A series of warnings from artificial intelligence (AI) industry insiders shows how the debate around AI is creating an extreme news cycle that oscillates between hype and alarm.
As a result, media coverage overlooks the complexity of this technology and its impact on daily life. We examine the real risks, what’s being exaggerated, and what big tech companies stand to gain from all the fear-mongering.
Contributor:
Ruman Chaudhry – Founder of Humane Intelligence
Mutale Nkonde – Founder of AI for the People
Chris Stokel-Walker – Author of “How AI Ate the World”
on our radar
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, has found herself at the center of a political firestorm for statements she never actually made.
Calls for her resignation grew across Europe after a doctored video of Albanians calling Israel an “enemy of humanity” went viral. The UN considered these allegations to be part of a broader smear campaign to discredit Albanians and the UN itself.
Israeli perspectives handpicked for African journalists
For decades, the Israeli government and pro-Israel groups have sponsored trips by politicians, celebrities, and journalists, inviting them to visit and tell the “real story” about Israel. In the past, these invitations were primarily intended for people from Western countries. However, since October 7, we have seen a noticeable change to African journalists and social media influencers.
The purpose is clear. To shape coverage in African media and influence audiences across the continent.
The Listening Post’s Nick Muirhead reports on an African journalist who took part in a fully funded and tightly controlled visit to Israel.
Features:
Hassen Lorgat – media critic and activist
Makdo Sephara – Sunday Times Editor
Timnit Gebru – Founder of the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR)
Njahira Gitahi – The Standard Reporter
Published February 22, 2026
