Comedian Patti Harrison once believed technology could build a better world. That optimism has since faded.
Harrison spoke with WIRED about her changing views on social media and artificial intelligence. She now sees tech platforms as forces that often harm the people who use them.
Her comedy frequently targets the tech industry’s grand promises. She finds humor in the gap between Silicon Valley’s rhetoric and its actual products.
One popular routine involves impersonating Boston Dynamics’ robot dogs. The bit turns corporate robotics into absurd physical comedy.
Harrison argues that social media companies prioritize engagement over user well-being. She says the resulting algorithms reward outrage and flatten genuine connection.
On AI, she remains skeptical of claims that automation will solve complex human problems. She views such promises as marketing rather than realistic forecasts.
Her critique comes from lived experience, not abstract theory. She grew up with the internet and watched its early ideals give way to surveillance and monetization.
Harrison continues to use digital platforms to reach audiences. She balances that practical need with sharp criticism of the companies behind them.
