Podcast – Cory Doctorow's craphound.com Podcast – Cory Doctorow's craphound.com

Why businesses lie about AI

Aug 9, 2026

Summary

Cory Doctorow shares updates on his new techno-thriller novel and the success of his recent books, alongside a schedule of upcoming global speaking engagements. He reads and analyzes Nikhil Suresh’s essay on how corporate AI mania drives executives to lie about productivity gains to protect their careers. Doctorow argues that while individual experts use AI effectively, corporate adoption is largely performative, creating a bubble of wasted resources and defective automation.

Topics discussed

Upcoming speaking engagements and tour dates New novel progress and InShittification paperback success Sunday plans: gym, market, and indie cinema Why Businesses Lie About AI: The coordination problem Corporate AI mania and the pressure to conform The hypnotic power of AI demos and fake metrics Navigating AI mania and buzzword compliance Why leaders love AI: Ego protection and Centaurs AI as asbestos and upcoming schedule Credits and closing remarks
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