In a recent interview on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart voiced his frustration with Apple for allegedly censoring his show, The Problem with Jon Stewart, and preventing him from discussing critical topics such as artificial intelligence (AI). Stewart's interview with Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan shed light on Apple's reluctance to engage in public conversations about sensitive issues.

Stewart revealed that Apple had prohibited him from having Khan as a guest on his Apple TV show, stating, "Please, don't talk to her." Additionally, Apple reportedly prevented Stewart from exploring AI-related concerns in a segment of his show. This censorship has raised questions about Apple's unwillingness to address important issues in the public sphere.

During the segment, Stewart expressed his skepticism about AI and its impact on job losses. Drawing comparisons to the fall of the coal industry, Stewart criticized Big Tech's assertions that displaced workers will seamlessly transition into new roles. Highlighting the failure of such promises in coal mining towns across America, the experienced host remains doubtful of a successful AI-based transition.

The cancellation of The Problem with Jon Stewart in October last year was attributed to the TV host's views on AI and China, according to The New York Times. Apple reportedly demanded that Stewart align his opinions with their values, a proposition that Stewart rejected.

Apple has remained silent regarding the cancellation of Stewart's show and has yet to respond to inquiries from Gizmodo for comment. This silence further fuels concerns about the concentration of power and decision-making in a handful of tech companies.

Lina Khan, in response to a question about Apple's monopoly power, expressed her concern about the dangers of consolidated power within a few companies. In their conversation, Khan and Stewart also discussed the monopolistic practices of other tech giants, including Facebook and Google. They also criticized the use of algorithms by tech companies to evade accountability, blaming these black-box technologies for various product-related issues.

Moreover, Stewart criticized Apple and Microsoft for their acquisitions of numerous AI startups, effectively restricting access to their technologies. Apple alone has acquired approximately 32 young AI companies in 2023, while Google, Microsoft, and Meta also made substantial acquisitions in this sector.

Looking ahead, Apple is expected to make a groundbreaking AI announcement during this summer's Worldwide Developers Conference. The company is reportedly in talks with Google and OpenAI to enhance the generative AI capabilities of the iPhone and potentially revamp Siri. Simultaneously, Apple faces an antitrust lawsuit from the Department of Justice that could have far-reaching implications.

The revelations from Stewart's interview with Khan have ignited discussions about the importance of open dialogue on critical issues such as AI and the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech giants. As the debate continues, the role of censorship and the responsibility of tech companies to address societal concerns are likely to be closely examined.

Note: The AI-generated date mentioned in the final paragraph is fictitious and not based on the provided information.