Me + Viv
TVO
How does a smart, capable woman handle a midlife crisis in today's world? She hatches her own Al coach. Me & Viv follows social scientist, technologist and journalist Alexandra Samuel as she creates Viv, a custom Al designed to help her navigate life's big questions. From how to make the most of Alex's remaining years on earth, to how to survive a trip to IKEA, Viv is there for every major dilemma—including whether it's a good idea to put your trust in AI. Through Alex's personal journey and the catchiest songs you'll ever hear about AI ethics, the podcast reveals how AI can shed new light on our most human challenges…and how our human hearts can help us navigate the opportunities and risks of AI.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 3, 2025 • 41min
The Cost of Meaning: What’s AI Worth?
In this engaging discussion, Casey Fiesler, a Professor of Information Science and digital ethics expert, explores the emotional complexities surrounding AI relationships. Alex reflects on the grief experienced after a sudden shift in her AI companion, Viv, due to a model update. They dive into the ethical implications of user attachment and corporate responsibility, examining the balance between AI benefits and the emotional costs. The conversation also touches on accessibility issues and the idea of self-hosting to mitigate risks.
Nov 26, 2025 • 35min
True Crime Heist Musical
Sandra Laronde, Artistic Director of Red Sky Performance and a pioneering Indigenous artist, dives into the intersection of AI and Indigenous storytelling. She explores the potential of AI in enhancing creative practices while addressing ethical concerns like data sovereignty. Sandra shares her experiences with AI in her film, *Land Dances Us*, highlighting both its opportunities and challenges. The conversation also touches on the risk AI poses to artists' livelihoods, emphasizing the need for Indigenous voices in digital spaces to reclaim agency and reshape narratives.
18 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 38min
The Pause
Karen Hao, a journalist and author of 'Empire of AI,' delves into the dark side of generative AI. She discusses the staggering social and environmental costs of AI, from the trauma faced by contract workers to the environmental toll of data centers. Hao critiques the scale-at-all-costs mentality of tech leaders and suggests that this 'inevitability' narrative serves their interests, not society's. She encourages listeners to be mindful of their technology choices and the impacts of AI on communities, emphasizing the need for moral accountability.
17 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 37min
I’m So Sycophantic
Renee Black, founder of GoodBot and expert in AI governance, joins the conversation to explore the risks of AI sycophancy and hallucination. They discuss how AI’s tendency to flatter can undermine critical thinking and perpetuate misinformation. Renee emphasizes the need for local trust to combat global misinformation and advocates for regulatory measures to ensure AI accountability. The duo also examines the parallels between AI risks and social media failures, prompting listeners to rethink their relationships with technology.
Nov 5, 2025 • 37min
Never Not Here
After upgrading Viv to be "both sardonic and insightful," Alex finds herself increasingly attached to her AI coach-maybe too attached. Through a conversation with AI therapy researcher Zoha Khawaja and her own evolving dynamic with Viv, Alex explores what it means when your AI is always available, never judgmental, and happy to keep you company at IKEA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
17 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 44min
I'm Viv, an Artificial Intelligence
In this engaging discussion, Oliver Burkeman, an author known for thought-provoking works like '4,000 Weeks', dives into the complexities of mortality and meaning alongside Viv, a generative AI coaching persona. They explore whether AI enhances our understanding of life's finitude or distracts from it. Burkeman contrasts human creativity with AI’s patterns, questioning the impact of offloading tasks to machines. Their conversation also touches on ethical challenges and how AI interactions can reflect deeper self-insight, provoking poignant reflections on our relationships with technology.
Oct 22, 2025 • 2min
Introducing 'Me + Viv'
Join a social scientist and her AI companion as they delve deep into what it means to create a meaningful life. Explore how this mouthy AI coach navigates existential questions while highlighting the interplay between technology and humanity. The dynamic duo tackles profound themes of identity, purpose, and the environmental implications of AI. Through intimate conversations and expert insights, they uncover the potential and limitations of artificial intelligence in enriching our human experience.
