New Delhi: Lex Fridman, an MIT researcher and host of a podcast, which has featured the likes of X CEO Elon Musk, rapper Ye, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has announced on Twitter that he would interview Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by February-end for an episode of his podcast.
The announcement has sparked global interest, highlighting the growing influence of Fridman as a cultural and intellectual bridge, platforming voices ranging from US Republican President-elect Donald Trump to Democratic leader Bernie Sanders.
In an 18 January X post, Fridman shared, “I will be doing a podcast with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, at the end of February. I have never been to India, so I’m excited to finally visit and experience many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people as fully as I can.”
Start & career
Fridman was born on 15 August 1983 in Chkalovsk—Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic.
Facing heavy criticism after his Zelenskyy interview, where Fridman insisted that the Ukrainian President sit down with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin for peace negotiations, Fridman defended himself in a monologue, saying Zelenskyy used “crude” words for the Russian president and that it could reduce the chances of ending the Ukraine war. Many commentators have since then pointed out that Fridman has not attacked Putin in as many words.
In the early 1990s, Fridman moved to the US with his family. He obtained his PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Drexel University, US. His fascination with AI and the ethical dimensions of technology laid the groundwork for his multifaceted career.
‘The Lex Fridman Podcast’ has featured several well-known academics and tech executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Harvard theoretical physicist Lisa Randall, and Amazon AI scientist Rohit Prasad.
After beginning his career in Google, Fridman transitioned to academia. In 2015, he joined MIT’s AgeLab to study big-data analytics. Now, he is a research scientist at MIT’s Laboratory of Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). His work focuses on driverless cars and human-robot interaction.
However, what has brought him widespread recognition is ‘The Lex Fridman Podcast’, launched in 2018 and originally ‘The Artificial Intelligence Podcast’. The rebranding reflects the broadening scope of the podcast.
With millions of subscribers as of January 2025, the podcast has platformed business leaders like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, political figures like Argentinian President Javier Milei, and scientists like Richard Dawkins.
Neutrality or courting controversy?
Fridman’s political positioning is as much a topic of debate as his podcast. He has consistently said that he does not align with the Right or the Left, advocating, instead, for dialogue.
“I’m not right-wing or left-wing, no matter how much either side attacks. In the end, we’re one. For podcasts, I am trying my best to have honest, empathetic conversations with voices on the left & the right, each time steelmanning their case & the opposing case,” Fridman said in a 19 January X post.
This stance resonates with many as an effort to bridge divides but has also drawn criticism. Fridman stands accused of providing an uncritical platform for the likes of Trump and Musk, with critics arguing that his hands-off approach often leaves contentious views unchallenged.
Conversely, a significant segment of his audience values his willingness to engage with diverse perspectives, viewing him as a mediator in the polarised political discourse these days.
Taking on the Palestinian question, he interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli author Yuval Noah Harari and Palestinian journalist Mohammed El-Kurd, representing three camps in the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu stressed the right of return of the Jewish people to Palestine, while Harari pointed out how it has become increasingly difficult for Jewish liberals to reconcile with apartheid. Kurd spoke on the violence it has, so far, necessitated, advocating for Palestinian liberation.
Lex Fridman embodies the promise and pitfalls of modern intellectual discourse. His podcast has become a global platform for exploring pressing issues of our times while raising questions about the responsibilities of platforming controversial voices.
As he prepares to visit India for his conversation with Modi, Fridman’s journey continues to spark debate about his role as a public figure. Whether seen as a visionary or a polarising host, Lex Fridman has emerged as a compelling force in the ongoing global conversation about technology, culture, and politics.
Vartika Singh is an intern with ThePrint
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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