At the Mobile World Congress trade show, two starkly different visions of AI were presented. The first came from Ray Kurzweil, a futurist and advocate for the transformative potential of technology, who also works in research at Google. Speaking via videoconference while dressed in a white shirt and brightly painted braces, Kurzweil argued that AI will greatly enhance humanity, extending our lifespan and abilities, particularly through advancements in healthcare. He claimed that AI is already driving significant improvements and will soon revolutionize every aspect of life, from harnessing solar energy to advancing renewable technologies, which he predicted would dominate in the next decade thanks to AI-optimized designs.
In contrast, Scott Galloway, an author, academic, and tech investor, delivered a more cautionary view in his fireside chat. He warned that rage-driven algorithms are causing harm, particularly among young men, by fueling division. Galloway argued that these algorithms, designed to maximize engagement through anger, are creating a polarized society, with ad-funded AI platforms profiting from the growing disconnect between people in the U.S.
“We’ve never been stronger… and yet we hate each other,” he said, Galloway attributed the rise of isolation and anti-social behaviors, particularly among young men, to AI-driven information sorting, which he believes is fueling a national loneliness crisis.
He also criticized a group of billionaire tech CEOs for their failure to speak out against democratic abuses by the current U.S. government. Specifically, he pointed to Elon Musk, the owner of X, and his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, which is cutting federal programs, while the Trump administration quietly pushes tax cuts that Galloway argued primarily benefit the wealthiest, including Musk himself.
Galloway expressed his frustration with the "domino of cowardice" among the super-wealthy, calling it "disappointing and un-American." He didn’t hold back in his criticism, using harsh language ("f*** you!") to insult tech leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Apple’s Tim Cook, accusing them of siding with Trump instead of defending the democratic principles that allowed them to build their tech empires.