Byline with Ben Dennis: The Forces Behind the Headlines

Ben Dennis
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Candid conversations about what power leaves unsaid—and the questions shaping what happens next. Byline with Ben Dennis is a weekly interview series that goes beyond the headlines to examine how consequential decisions are made and who influences them. Journalist Ben Dennis brings together experts, policymakers and people with firsthand experience for thoughtful conversations about politics, media, technology, law, national security and the forces reshaping public life. Each episode cuts through the noise to explain why the story matters—and what it could mean for everyday people.

  1. Aug 7

    Gen. Joseph Votel: How Does This War End?

    The former CENTCOM commander on an Iran war not going as expected, strained U.S. missile defenses and the risk of a wider conflict.

  2. Aug 5

    It’s Fake. Why Do You Still Believe It? | AI, Misinformation and Trust

    Generative AI is moving deeper into political communication, journalism and the systems distributing information online. The immediate question is no longer simply whether a deepfake can be identified. It is how synthetic content changes trust once it circulates alongside reporting, commentary and propaganda. Ben Dennis speaks with University of Cambridge psychology professor Sander van der Linden about the human behavior driving this shift. They examine why an AI label may not settle whether people accept or share a piece of content, how artificial accounts can draw real users into spreading a message and why that overlap makes manipulation more difficult to confront. The conversation also explores where journalists should draw boundaries around AI, what meaningful disclosure looks like and why large language models should not be mistaken for human judgment. Sander also explains “psychological inoculation”—an approach intended to build resistance to manipulation—and why the challenge ahead is remaining skeptical without becoming cynical.

  3. Jul 30

    Can AI Make Your Voice Matter More in Washington?

    What if your representatives could see how people back home want them to vote—before they cast a vote in Congress? The nonprofit Digital Democracy Project is testing that idea. Its platform allows registered voters to weigh in on pending legislation through their phones, then compares the results with lawmakers’ actual votes. The organization says it uses identification and voter-registration records to determine each participant’s district. These are not official elections, the results are not binding, and participation on the platform does not necessarily reflect the views of an entire constituency. Founder Ramon Perez argues the technology could give voters a more direct voice, expose gaps between lawmakers and their districts, and counter some of the influence held by lobbyists and special-interest groups. But could it create a new set of problems? In this episode of Byline, Ben Dennis presses Perez on whether a platform with limited participation can claim to represent a district; whether organized groups could flood the system; how personal information and ballots are protected; and whether AI can accurately translate complicated legislation into plain language. They also discuss the organization’s funding, oversight and the risk of exchanging today’s political gatekeepers for new technological ones. This is not an endorsement of digital democracy (endorsements are never Ben's goal). It is an examination of an ambitious proposal—and the central question behind it: Can technology give people more power in government without simply amplifying the loudest voices?

  4. Jul 21

    Can Journalism Survive the AI Era? Rebuilding Trust in a Changing Media Landscape

    Artificial intelligence is transforming how people discover information and changing the way journalists work. At the same time, audiences have more choices than ever for where they get their news. This week on Byline, Ben Dennis sits down with Syracuse University professor Emily Sydnor to examine what that means for journalism. They discuss how AI is reshaping reporting and news consumption, the importance of local news, the role of transparency, and how journalists can adapt to new platforms without compromising fairness, accuracy, or trust. They also explore political polarization, social media algorithms, personal branding for reporters, and what the next generation of journalists needs to succeed in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Topics include: How AI is changing journalismWhy local news still mattersCan transparency strengthen audience trust?Should journalists build personal brands?How social media shapes the news people seeAI's role in political polarizationWhat journalism could look like in five yearsIf you're interested in the future of news, media, and democracy, this conversation offers practical insights into where journalism is headed next.

  5. Jul 7

    White House Ballroom to Mega-Arch: Who Gets to Change Washington?

    Who gets to decide when America’s most historic public spaces should change? Washington, D.C., has always evolved. Presidents and first ladies have influenced its landscape, new memorials have reshaped the National Mall, and security needs have changed how the public experiences some of the country’s most recognizable places. Now, projects proposed or advanced during President Donald Trump’s second term—including the White House ballroom and a proposed monumental arch—are renewing questions about presidential influence, historic preservation and public input. Charles Birnbaum, president and CEO of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, joins Ben Dennis to explain how changes to historic landscapes are traditionally reviewed, what Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires, and why his organization has challenged some current projects and review processes. The conversation explores the balance between security and accessibility, the role of presidents and first ladies in shaping Washington, public input in memorial design, original design intent, redevelopment and the question of whether today’s approach could influence how future administrations pursue major projects. Birnbaum also raises questions about how some projects are funded and the role nonprofit organizations play in advancing them. A conversation about how Washington changes, who gets a voice and what happens next.

    White House Ballroom to Mega-Arch: Who Gets to Change Washington?

  6. Jun 9

    What Happens After Trump? The Midterms, Affordability and the Fight for 2028

    The 2026 midterms are still months away, but the political fight for 2028 may already be taking shape. Will voters cast their ballots based on affordability, foreign policy, cultural issues, or frustration with Washington? Are Democrats building a message beyond opposition to President Trump? And what does the future of the Republican Party look like once Trump is no longer on the ballot? Political analyst and Randolph-Macon College professor Rich Meagher joins me to discuss the issues driving voters, why affordability remains one of the most powerful forces in American politics, and whether both parties are preparing for a post-Trump era. In this episode: • Why affordability continues to dominate political conversations • Whether Democrats are finding a message beyond anti-Trump politics • Signs some Republicans are beginning to distance themselves from Trump • Why younger voters may be looking for a new generation of leaders • Whether cultural issues still resonate with voters the way they once did • What the race for 2028 could look like before the 2026 midterms are even over • The role AI, technology, and economic uncertainty could play in future elections What issue do you think will matter most to voters this November?

    What Happens After Trump? The Midterms, Affordability and the Fight for 2028

  7. Jun 3

    AI, Courts, And Consequences

    AI is changing how people find information, make decisions, and interact with technology. But what happens when it gets something wrong? Law professor and former Google trust and safety expert Jess Miers joins me to discuss AI liability, chatbot lawsuits, free speech, and the legal questions courts are being forced to answer in real time.

    AI, Courts, And Consequences

  8. May 26

    The Constitution Meets Artificial Intelligence: Who’s in Charge of America’s Future?

    Artificial intelligence is no longer theoretical. It’s already shaping how we search for information, communicate with coworkers, consume news, and increasingly how society functions behind the scenes. But as AI systems become more embedded into everyday life, a larger question is emerging: Who decides the rules? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, Ben sits down with legal scholar and former Department of Justice attorney Alan Rozenshtein to explore whether America is entering a new constitutional era driven by artificial intelligence. The conversation examines: — whether democratic institutions can realistically keep pace with AI development — how executive power could expand alongside AI systems — the growing influence of private tech companies over public life — whether the Constitution is flexible enough to adapt to machine learning and algorithmic governance — and what kinds of legal guardrails Americans may ultimately demand — or reject Rozenshtein argues the Constitution was designed to survive periods of massive technological and political change. The founders never imagined AI chatbots, recommendation algorithms, or machine-generated speech. But they also never imagined electricity. So what happens when innovation moves faster than regulation? And if government fails to establish meaningful boundaries, are Americans comfortable allowing the people building these systems to increasingly shape the economy, culture, and flow of information themselves? As the United States approaches 250 years since its founding, this conversation asks a broader question: What technological guardrails are Americans willing to accept before AI becomes fully embedded into the next chapter of public life? #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Constitution #Technology #Politics #SamAltman #ElonMusk #AIGovernance #ExecutivePower #MachineLearning #BylineWithBenDennis

    The Constitution Meets Artificial Intelligence: Who’s in Charge of America’s Future?
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Candid conversations about what power leaves unsaid—and the questions shaping what happens next. Byline with Ben Dennis is a weekly interview series that goes beyond the headlines to examine how consequential decisions are made and who influences them. Journalist Ben Dennis brings together experts, policymakers and people with firsthand experience for thoughtful conversations about politics, media, technology, law, national security and the forces reshaping public life. Each episode cuts through the noise to explain why the story matters—and what it could mean for everyday people.

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