Skip to content

What the Experts Really Think About AI | How I Write Compilation

July 20, 2026 · 55 min

Show notes

Learn more about Alpha School at ⁠https://go.alpha.school/howiwrite

AI and creativity. I've asked dozens of writers for their take; some think it's a godsend, while others believe it's the literal scum of the earth.

Here are 12 of the best responses from literary award winners like Robert Macfarlane, builders like Sam Altman, and journalists like Ezra Klein. This is what people at the cutting edge are saying about how AI will impact writing, creativity, and culture. 00:00 Introduction

00:29 Ezra Klein

08:02 Maria Popova

09:55 Tyler Cowen

17:39 Tom Junod

22:30 Sam Altman

26:32 Steven Pinker

29:12 Jimmy Soni

40:14 Riva Tez

42:43 Yann Martel

46:01 Marc Andreessen

48:14 Robert Macfarlane

50:48 Jon Yaged

About the host Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv X: https://x.com/david_perell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All episodes of How I Write

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.