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 - Offensive Security Vishing Services - Offensive Security SMiShing Services - Offensive Security Phishing Services - Call Back Phishing - Adversarial Simulation Services - Social Engineering Risk Assessments - Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - CLUTCH - innocentlivesfoundation.org - 01:33 – Meet Jacob War d 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 Follow Jacob Ward: TheRipCurrent.com Follow Chris Hadnagy: Twitter: @humanhacker LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ christopherhadnagy

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Ep. 340 - The Human Element Series - Is AI Changing Human Behavior with Jacob Ward is an episode from The Social-Engineer Podcast by Christopher Hadnagy.

This episode is 37:53 long.

This episode was published on Feb 9, 2026.

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