Ep. 340 - The Human Element Series - Is AI Changing Human Behavior with Jacob Ward

In this episode, Chris Hadnagy is joined by Jacob Ward, a veteran technology journalist who has reported for NBC News, Al Jazeera, CNN, and PBS, and previously served as editor-in-chief of Popular Science. Jacob is the author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices—and How to Fight Back, a book that anticipated today's commercial AI moment. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is shaping human behavior, decision-making, and autonomy, along with the ethical and societal challenges that come with an increasingly AI-driven world.   [Feb 9, 2026]  00:00 – Intro 01:02 – Intro Links  Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/   Offensive Security Vishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/   Offensive Security SMiShing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/   Offensive Security Phishing Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/   Call Back Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/   Adversarial Simulation Services - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/   Social Engineering Risk Assessments - https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/   Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb   CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/   innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/  01:33 – Meet Jacob Ward   Jacob's Book - The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back.  04:52 – The Impact of AI on Human Behavior 12:37 – Ethical Concerns & Emotional Attachment to AI 19:27 – The Problem with AI Integration 20:42 – AI and Human Connection 21:49 – The Value of Human Attention 24:25 – The Future of Purpose in an AI World 25:31 – Geopolitical Impacts of AI 31:06 – Mentors and Influences 33:22 – Book Recommendations  Addiction by Design – Natasha Dow Shull  How Reason Almost Lost Its Mind – Judy L.Klein, Paul A Erickson, Thomas Sturm, Rebecca Lemov, Michael D. Gordin, Lorraine Daston  Exit, Voice, and Loyalty – Albert O. Hirschman  The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back – Jacob Ward  37:21 – Guest Wrap-Up & Outro  www.social-engineer.com     www.innocentlivesfoundation.org       Follow Jacob Ward:  TheRipCurrent.com   https://www.tiktok.com/@byjacobward   https://www.instagram.com/byjacobward    https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardjacob/    https://www.youtube.com/@byjacobward   Follow Chris Hadnagy:  Twitter: @humanhacker  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherhadnagy