This week’s conversation on The Intersect is about online privacy – or maybe the slow, confusing erosion of it. I sat down with culture and tech reporter Taylor Lorenz and Stanford privacy fellow Dr. Jen King to unpack what that word – ’privacy’ – even means in a world of AI.
I don’t know anyone who feels totally in control of their digital life. I certainly don’t. I’m a media executive, a journalist, a mother, a woman who’s been online for decades.
I’ve used services like DeleteMe after being ‘lightly’ doxxed. I got off social media properly for a decade. I’m crawling back on my own terms now and I’ve found myself resigned to the idea that most of what I do -- search, walk, swipe, even sleep -- is mediated by data collection. And yet, I’m participating, quite heavily if I’m honest, and still asking: Where is the line? What am I giving up?
This episode started with a question: Is it okay that your AI BFF knows everything about you? By AI BFF I mean ChatGPT who is increasingly our friend, our therapist, our life partner. We are actively feeding the beast every time we start a new chat.
- Date Published:6.22.2025
- Original Publication: The Intersect