Oprah Winfrey assembles top AI experts for exclusive TV special

Timilehin Adejumobi -
Key Points
  • Oprah Winfrey’s new special, “AI and the Future of Us,” will delve into artificial intelligence with Bill Gates and Sam Altman as guests. 
  • Winfrey aims to demystify AI through engaging discussions, reflecting her continued influence on significant societal topics.
  • Winfrey’s net worth has risen to $3 billion in 2024, boosted by investments and donations, including a stake in WeightWatchers to the Smithsonian.

Oprah Winfrey, the world’s richest Black woman, is set to explore artificial intelligence (AI) in her latest television special. Titled “AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special,” the show will feature in-depth conversations with tech leaders including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The special, produced by Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, aims to demystify AI for viewers through engaging discussions. Winfrey expressed her curiosity about AI, stating, “AI, it may fascinate or scare you or if you’re like me it may do both, so let’s take a breath and find out more about it.”

The program will also include conversations with Marques Brownlee, a well-known content creator. Gates will address AI’s impact on science, health, education, and its potential effects on the job market. Altman will explain AI fundamentals and discuss the ethical responsibilities of AI executives.

Oprah Winfrey’s continued influence

Winfrey’s new venture into AI follows her extensive engagement with significant societal topics. Her previous show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which aired from 1986 to 2011, covered a range of issues from health to high-profile legal cases, including the O.J. Simpson trial.

Winfrey remains a leading figure, recently hosting “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution,” focusing on her personal weight loss journey and broader obesity issues in America, after stepping down from the WeightWatchers board.

Wealth and philanthropy

According to Forbes, Winfrey’s net worth has surged by $200 million in 2024, reaching $3 billion. This increase is attributed to the success of her investments, including Dr. Barbara Sturm’s skincare line and a substantial real estate portfolio. 

Earlier this year, she donated her 10 percent stake in WeightWatchers to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She also owns 2,130 acres of land in Hawaii, making her one of the state’s top billionaire landowners. 

Winfrey’s exploration of AI highlights her continued influence and commitment to addressing pivotal issues shaping the future. “AI and the Future of Us: An Oprah Winfrey Special” is set to air on September 12 at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming available on Hulu the following day.