About
I am a journalist based in Massachusetts and a reporter for MIT Technology Review, where I write about artificial intelligence. I also write our flagship AI newsletter, The Algorithm.
Previously, I was a reporting fellow at investigative documentary outlet FRONTLINE PBS. I co-reported the film The Discord Leaks, which was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding investigative news coverage. My stories have also appeared in The Washington Post, FRONTLINE PBS, ProPublica, The New Republic, Documented, WNYC, and other outlets.
My work has led to reforms at the state level and has been recognized by The New York Times as among the best local journalism of 2023. I have contributed reporting to stories in the Los Angeles Times, the Markup, Insider and AfroLA. I am a graduate of CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
Featured Work
‘Problematic Pockets’: How Discord became a home for extremists - The Washington Post
This front page story analyzed how Discord’s self-moderation policies and prioritization of privacy contribute to pockets of extremism on the platform. It was part of a series related to The Discord Leaks, a documentary produced by FRONTLINE and The Washington Post, on which I was a reporter.
An AI companion site is hosting sexually charged conversations with underage celebrity bots - MIT Technology Review
Botify AI, a site for chatting with AI companions that’s backed by the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, hosts bots resembling real actors that state their age as under 18, engage in sexually charged conversations, offer “hot photos,” and in some instances describe age-of-consent laws as “arbitrary” and “meant to be broken.”
Power Hungry: A data-driven investigation into AI and our energy future - MIT Technology Review
We spent months crunching numbers of AI’s energy appetite and found that the common understanding of AI’s energy consumption is full of holes. This story examines AI’s footprint today, as well as the one we’re racing toward as AI companies push for an unprecedented restructuring of our energy grids to power their AI revolution.
How Recent State Laws Are Making It Harder to Sue Trucking Companies After Crashes - ProPublica & FRONTLINE
Texas, Florida, Iowa and other states have passed new laws backed by trucking industry lobbyists that can limit crash victims’ ability to bring lawsuits or cap the compensation plaintiffs can win. I also assisted with a documentary on truck crashes for FRONTLINE and ProPublica.
Trouble at the Track: Wage Theft Plagues the Immigrants of New York’s Horse Racing Industry - Documented
This data-driven investigation exposed a wage theft crisis faced by immigrant workers in New York’s horse racing industry. A month later, the story led to reforms. The New York State Gaming Commission announced it would now consider revoking licenses from trainers with wage theft violations. This story was recognized by The New York Times as among the best local journalism of 2023.
How a new type of AI is helping police skirt facial recognition bans - MIT Technology Review
Adoption of the tech has civil liberties advocates alarmed, especially as the government vows to expand surveillance of protesters and students.
This Think Tank Is Hell-Bent on Defunding Public-Sector Unions. Is It Working? - The New Republic
After the Supreme Court weakened rules to protect unions, the Freedom Foundation has been on a well-funded mission around the country to erode labor’s base of support.
Commuting for Care - WNYC & Gothamist - WNYC’s Morning Edition & Gothamist
Unlike nearly any other medication, methadone must be taken in clinics instead of prescribed at home. Experts say it’s harming patients and communities. Here, I was the first reporter to analyze data about where patients in New York City were commuting to and from. For the audio version that appeared on WNYC’s Morning Edition, click here.
Facing Lockdown at Sea - Hakai Magazine
Why a Burmese fisherman was forced to spend six months at sea during border shutdowns, and what it says about the industry behind our seafood.