In this special episode, Whit joins Valerie Sizemore, co-leader of the grassroots organization StopAI, for a wide-ranging conversation about the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the risks they believe it poses to human life and society. Drawing on more than fifteen years of engagement with AI, Valerie explores concerns ranging from environmental impact, autonomous warfare, biosecurity, education, and the erosion of human skills and creativity to the increasingly intimate role AI plays in our relationships, psychology, and spirituality. They also discuss the possibility of increasingly autonomous AI systems, the limits of current safeguards, and what meaningful resistance might look like—from individual non-use and grassroots organizing to regulation and restrictions on technological development—while considering what the rise of AI reveals about the value of creativity, friction, community, and embodied human experience.Valerie Sizemore of StopAI is a former software engineer and mathematics graduate who has spent more than fifteen years studying the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. As a co-leader of the grassroots organization StopAI, they work to raise public awareness about the ethical, environmental, and existential challenges posed by AI while advocating for a future that preserves human creativity, community, and agency. Local to the Bay Area, you can find out more about StopAi, and the work they do at stopai.info.Today’s episode featured Valerie Sizemore. If you’d like to contact Valerie, you can email her at <a href="mailto:valerie@stopai.info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">valerie@stopai.info</a> or visit <a href="http://stopai.info/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stopai.info</a>. Please visit Valerie's website at tarwatir.net. You can find Valerie on socials @tarwatirnoProducersWhit Missildine, Andrew WaitsContent/Trigger WarningsArtificial intelligence, AI psychosis, suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, mental illness, delusions, grief and loss, bioterrorism, warfare, autonomous weapons, terrorism, environmental destruction, climate change, existential threats, misinformation, and discussions of religion and spirituality, explicit language.AI Resources<ul><li><a href="https://www.thehumanlineproject.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thehumanlineproject.org/</a></li><li><a href="https://stopai.info/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://stopai.info</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Social Media<ul><li>Instagram: @actuallyhappening</li><li>Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group</li><li>Website: <a href="http://thisisactuallyhappening.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thisisactuallyhappening.com</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Substack - Beyond the Story<a href="http://whitmissildine.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">whitmissildine.substack.com</a>Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid SubscriberFree subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates.Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show.&nbsp;You can also support on Patreon&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="http://patreon.com/happening" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">patreon.com/happening</a></li></ul>Website for Whit Missildine<ul><li><a href="http://whitmissildine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">whitmissildine.com</a></li></ul>Website for Andrew Waits<ul><li><a href="http://andrdewwaits.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">andrdewwaits.com</a></li></ul>Subscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-FreeAudible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit <a href="http://audible.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audible.com</a>.Shop at the StoreFind This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop:<ul><li><a href="http://thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop</a></li></ul>&nbsp;TranscriptsFull transcripts of each episode are now available on the website:<ul><li><a href="http://thisisactuallyhappening.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thisisactuallyhappening.com</a></li></ul>&nbsp;MusicIntro Music:<ul><li>"Sleep Paralysis" – Scott Velasquez</li></ul>&nbsp;ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:<ul><li>National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988</li><li>National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264</li><li>National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)</li></ul>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.©2026 Audible℗2026 Audible&nbsp;See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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418: AI: A New Kind of Being Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Valerie Sizemore of StopAI

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