Jonna Mendez, a former CIA Chief of Disguise with a legendary career in espionage, shares gripping tales of her covert operations during the Cold War. Holly Herndon, an artist pushing the boundaries of machine learning, discusses the ethical complexities of AI-generated voices. Anthropologist Mary L. Gray exposes the unseen labor behind online services, while digital fashion designer Gala Marija Vrbanic explores how technology is revolutionizing identity through virtual clothing. Together, they unravel the intricate layers of disguise in our digital and physical realities.

Original broadcast date: August 26, 2022. Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests include former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, artist Holly Herndon, anthropologist Mary L. Gray and digital fashion designer Gala Marija Vrbanic. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/tedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Everything is not what it seems. We can easily disguise ourselves in both the digital and physical world. This hour, TED speakers explore the ways we go incognito... from espionage to virtual reality. Guests include former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, artist Holly Herndon, anthropologist Mary L. Gray and digital fashion designer Gala Marija Vrbanic.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy