Why I’m not worried about AI killing us all (and you shouldn’t be, either)
An argument that the real danger is people using AI against one another, not AI turning on humanity.
What he covers
At VentureBeat, Franzen reports on and directs coverage of artificial intelligence: new AI models and the labs that release them, tools for software developers, AI agents, and the systems businesses use to put AI into practice. VentureBeat’s audience is enterprise technical decision-makers.
Across his career his subjects have included:
- Artificial intelligence, generative AI and machine-learning research
- Enterprise technology and business software
- Consumer technology, science and digital culture
- Autonomous vehicles and transportation
- Applied research and R&D inside technology companies
- Real estate and property technology
- Breaking and overnight news
Selected reporting and writing
Ten pieces from across Franzen’s career: reporting, interviews and essays on AI at VentureBeat, data and infrastructure stories for Lyft Rev, and earlier work for Xerox, VICE, Inman and The Verge.
AI is the sixth great revolution in filmmaking (and maybe the most important)
How AI video lets ordinary people turn imagination into film without actors, crews or equipment.
An interview with the most prolific jailbreaker of ChatGPT and other leading LLMs
Pliny the Prompter on jailbreaking leading AI models, and why it counts as red-teaming.
The AI feedback loop: Researchers warn of ‘model collapse’ as AI trains on AI-generated content
Researchers find that models trained on AI-generated data get worse with each generation.
Police Give More Speeding Tickets to Minority Rideshare Drivers Than White Ones, Data Shows
A study of Lyft and Florida data found minority drivers paid 23% to 34% more in fines.
Animal Overpasses Save Bambis … and Benjamins
Wildlife crossings get animals safely across highways and save millions in accident costs.
Xerox Selects Clear as Its Inaugural Color of The Year 2020
A playful announcement naming clear, the color of fishbowls and windows, Xerox’s first Color of the Year.
Climate Change Will Plunge The Real Estate Industry Into Chaos
NASA scientist Mika Tosca on how wildfires and flooding will threaten homes around the world.
Watching People Snort Cocaine on Periscope Is Just the Beginning
What viewers owe one another when livestreams show illegal, stupid or dangerous acts.
Ill-gotten gains: how many museums have stolen objects in their collections?
A feature on the push to return looted artifacts held in museum collections.
Newsroom roles
VentureBeat — Executive Editor
Joined as Head of News in May 2023 and became Executive Editor in April 2024. Leads editorial strategy, standards and publishing cadence for a publication focused on enterprise AI. Hires and directs editorial staff and shapes stories across the website, social media, newsletters and live events.
Translates product launches, research papers and market shifts into clear reporting for business and technical audiences.
Inman — Editor in Chief
Ran newsroom operations for the real estate news publication, covering strategy, the editorial calendar, standards and coverage. Managed writers, editors, video producers and social media staff, and worked with sales and business teams to launch newsletters, article formats and virtual events. The newsroom won ten NAREE awards in 2018 and 2019.
Motherboard / VICE — Managing Editor
Managed writers, editors and video producers at VICE’s technology publication. Created Humans of the Year, a multimedia editorial franchise and gala. Motherboard won a 2017 Webby Award for “Connected.”
Popular Science — Digital Director
Oversaw digital editorial for the science magazine across the website, social media, podcasts and video, leading a team producing news, explainers and features for a mass audience. Edited the story that won the 2016 Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Award.
The Verge — News Editor
Directed daily technology, science and culture coverage, managed the news team and reported on research for a broad digital audience.
Talking Points Memo — Tech Editor
Edited and reported technology coverage for the political news site.
Early roles
Overnight News Editor at The Daily, News Corp.’s iPad newspaper (2010–2011); Breaking News Editor at AOL News (2010); and launch intern at The Atlantic Wire (2009).
Editorial work inside technology companies
Lyft — Founding Editor, Lyft Rev
Co-created and launched Lyft’s first editorial platform, defining its voice, content mix, publishing workflow and standards. Worked with engineers and internal teams to turn transportation innovation, policy and research into accessible stories.
Argo AI — Senior Digital Media Specialist
Led external storytelling for the autonomous-vehicle company across articles, a newsletter, video, social media and podcasts, working with researchers, engineers and safety specialists. Sole author of The Stack, the company’s monthly newsletter.
Xerox — Storyteller-in-Residence
Led digital storytelling about enterprise technology, R&D and applied research, working directly with scientists and technical leaders.
Related pages
Awards and recognition · Speaking and media appearances · Independent AI projects · Full biography · Resume (PDF)