Ep. 414 of The Sunday #NYTReadalong (AI and the Elections; Ramaswamy's Attack Ad; #NYT175)
This week, Sree and I will discuss how AI might shape the 2026 midterm elections; Vivek Ramaswamy's vile attack ad in the Ohio governor's race; and the latest coverage of The New York Times' 175th anniversary. We'll also remember former Times managing editor John Geddes and recognize the appointment of Pui-Wing Tam as the paper's next Business editor. Gift links are below.
Sree Sreenivasan and I are hosting Ep. 414 of The Sunday #NYTReadalong on Sunday, Oct. 25. We will be live at 8:30 a.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. GMT and 6 p.m. IST. If you miss the show, you can always watch the replay right on this page.
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AI and the Elections
Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role in the 2026 midterm elections. AI tools are now embedded in major social media platforms, raising concerns about political disinformation and the ability of voters to distinguish fact from fiction.
It's not just social media platforms. Bad actors are finding ways to train the chatbots themselves on misinformation. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of AI data centers has become a political flashpoint over electricity prices and energy demand. But will those concerns actually influence how people vote? We'll look at both issues and what they mean for the elections.
Gift Links
The midterms are the first elections in which AI is integrated into every major social media platform. Efforts to limit its potential harms are uneven.
In Ohio, frustration over rising energy prices and expanding data centers may not translate into changes in voting behavior.
Vivek Ramaswamy's Vile Attack Ad
Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign released an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Dr. Amy Acton, accusing her daughter of lying about parts of her past.
Acton has spoken publicly about being raped by her stepfather when she was 12 years old. Her mother remained with him after he was indicted by a grand jury, and the two have been estranged for decades. The ad has drawn condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Despite widespread criticism, Ramaswamy has stood by the ad, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defending him. We'll examine the controversy, the response from both parties and the boundaries of political campaign tactics.
Gift Links
Trump has backed the controversial ad even as prominent Republicans have criticized it.
The ad features Acton's estranged mother, bringing a painful chapter of the candidate's childhood into the political campaign.
NYT 175 Coverage
As part of The New York Times' ongoing 175th anniversary coverage, we'll look back at Jeffrey Schmalz, a Times journalist who wrote candidly about AIDS after confronting the disease himself. His reporting helped illuminate a health crisis at a time when stigma and discrimination remained widespread.
We'll also take a look at this essay by actress Ellie Kemper, in which she annotates a 2008 essay by Nora Ephron for The Times.
Gift Links
Jeffrey Schmalz wrote candidly about AIDS and the inadequate political and medical response to the epidemic. The article is scheduled to appear in Sunday's print edition.
Kemper reflects on Ephron's understanding of human nature in this anniversary essay, available online.
Two Announcements from The New York Times
Remembering John Geddes
John Geddes, a former managing editor of The New York Times, died this week at age 74. He played an important role in guiding the newspaper through its transition to the digital era. He also helped develop Riptide, an oral history exploring the transformation of journalism in the digital age.
Sree knew Geddes personally and remembers when he spoke at a South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) event hosted by The Times. We'll take a moment to remember his contributions to journalism.
Pui-Wing Tam Named Business Editor
The New York Times has announced that Pui-Wing Tam will be its next Business editor. Tam has helped guide some of the newspaper's most ambitious technology and business coverage.
Tam was one of Sree's students at Columbia Journalism School in 1994. Congratulations to Pui-Wing on her new role!
A Few Quick Messages
Shining Light on Shadows: A Candid Conversation About Mental Health
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Kirby Hansen-McNulty, CEO and founder of Calibrate ADHD, joined me on Shining Light on Shadows for Ep. 59, “Understanding and Living With ADHD; AI as a Tool for Managing ADHD.”
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Kirby discussed the challenges, strengths and realities of living with ADHD. I also shared some of the ways I use AI to help manage my own ADHD.
Sree's Sunday Note
In his latest newsletter “Polling, the Midterms, and a Potential Blue Wave,” Sree looks at what the polls suggest ahead of the midterm elections.
His message to Democrats: “Vote blue no matter who” and “Show that you care.”
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