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