Liz and Jack on AI, Strikes and Barbenheimer

You"ve probably heard the ubiquitous discussion  about AI.  How the bots are coming after your job, and are capable of  even greater nefarious actions. We put the nefarious aside today to address how AI voices are eliminating the need/desire to use human voice actors for many narration projects. So yes, Jack and my conversation is born out of self-interest, some trepidation and curiosity as to where all of this leads.  The development and now widespread  use of AI - for everything from ordering dinner to writing a book to litigating a legal case -  has significant consequences, which we will continue to explore throughout our season. Speaking of significant consequences, Jack and I talk about the SAG-AFTRA theatrical strike,  as well as blockbuster movie openings despite it.  Barbie and Oppenheimer, also known as Barbenheimer, or Oppenbarbie, have moviegoers filling theatre seats in record numbers.  In just three weeks, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, has broken box office records, taking in over one billion dollars globally. Not bad for a girl : ) At the same time, Christopher Nolan"s Oppenheimer"s has taken in  500 million dollars. Not too shabby for a three-hour film about the development of the nuclear bomb, another consequential event. See a theme here? We have some fun, and Jack indulges in some shameless (albeit well-deserved)  self-promotion.  Thanks for listening.