
Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
New technologies like artificial intelligence, facial recognition and social media algorithms are changing our world so fast that it can be hard to keep up. This cutting-edge tech often inspires overblown hype — and fear. That’s where we come in. Each week, CNN Tech Writer Clare Duffy will break down how these technologies work and what they’ll mean for your life in terms that don’t require an engineering degree to understand. And we’ll empower you to start experimenting with these tools, without getting played by them.
Latest episodes

Apr 22, 2025 • 28min
What’s Going on When Airport Security Scans Your Face
If you’ve been to the airport recently, you might have noticed something different while going through security: a TSA agent taking your photo. Face scans can speed up the security process, but according to Dr. Joy Buolamwini, this technology comes with big picture risks. She explains what’s going on with these face scans — and how to opt out.Read more about Dr. Joy’s nonprofit, the Algorithmic Justice League, here.What questions do you have about the technology in your life? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 15, 2025 • 29min
This Tech Could Change Conspiracy Believers’ Minds
Conspiracy theories can take many forms, from misgivings about the first moon landing to false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. As anyone who’s tried to reason with a conspiracy theorist knows, it’s hard to debunk such deeply held beliefs – and arguing with a loved one about them can be emotionally taxing. What if an AI chatbot could help? A recent study, published in Science, asked that very question — and the results were surprising. Thomas Costello, an assistant professor of psychology at American University and co-author of the study, breaks down the findings.Try chatting with the bot yourself at debunkbot.com.What questions do you have about the technology in your life? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 8, 2025 • 26min
Can Grief Bots Help Us Heal?
Grief is one of the most human experiences we have—so what happens when AI gets involved? How are people using it in their healing process? Audio producer Rebecca Nolan shares her own experience creating an AI chatbot based on her deceased father, and University of Arizona psychology professor Mary-Frances O’Connor talks with Clare about whether using AI for the grieving process has therapeutic benefits.Mary-Frances’s latest book is called The Healing Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 1, 2025 • 26min
Think Before You Ring: Keeping Home Surveillance Safe
In the past decade, technology has transformed the way we use doorbells. Home security cameras that capture footage of people around your home give some people peace of mind in the face of potential break-ins or theft. Clare talks with Matthew Guariglia, a senior policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation working on issues of surveillance and policing, about where that footage is going and what it’s being used for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 33min
Online Genetic Testing: How Private Is Your DNA?
The popularity of for-profit genetic testing services like Ancestry and 23andMe has skyrocketed in recent years. These tests can teach users more about their ancestry or health. But they can also have some unexpected outcomes. 23andMe recently filed for bankruptcy to pursue a sale, raising questions about what could happen to users’ data under a new owner. University of Iowa law professor Anya Prince digs into the privacy considerations around sharing your DNA. Plus, Alexis Hourselt of the DNA Surprises podcast shares her own journey with genetic testing.If you’re navigating an unexpected discovery about your family because of a genetic testing service, 23andMe has a support page here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 18, 2025 • 26min
Baby Tech: What Do New Parents Actually Need?
Sophie Brickman, a reporter and author of 'Baby, Unplugged,' dives into the cluttered world of baby technology. She discusses the overwhelming choices facing new parents, questioning which gadgets are genuinely useful. Highlighting the challenges of balancing monitoring with fostering independence, she emphasizes the importance of authentic connections over high-tech solutions. Sophie advocates for a minimalist approach to parenting, addressing the psychological pressures and privacy concerns that come with modern baby tech.

Mar 11, 2025 • 28min
Can AI Turn Music into Medicine?
It’s no surprise that music can affect our emotions. But can music actually improve our mental health? Aaron Labbé, founder and chief technology officer at the Toronto-based company LUCID, believes it can. With the help of AI-curated music playlists, and technology that reads your facial expressions as you listen, LUCID is trying to turn music into medicine.LUCID has an app called Resonance Rx that can be prescribed to patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, as well as a public-facing platform where you can try this technology yourself at vibemusic.ai.What questions do you have about the technology in your life? Email us at CNNTermsofService@Gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 4, 2025 • 35min
Robot Recruiters: How AI is Helping Decide Who Gets Hired
Hilke Schellmann, an investigative reporter and assistant professor at NYU, dives into the intriguing world of AI in hiring. She discusses how AI tools evaluate job applications and the unexpected biases that persist within these technologies. The conversation also touches on AI-driven video interviews and the implications of AI monitoring in remote work settings. Hilke offers practical advice for job seekers on optimizing resumes for AI systems and navigating the complexities of an automated hiring landscape.

Feb 25, 2025 • 30min
Are Your Conversations With AI Killing the Planet?
Every time users talk to AI chatbots, their queries go to data centers, where stacks of computers do rapid, complex calculations in order to respond. This process requires significant amounts of electricity and water, and experts worry about the environmental cost of this rapidly growing technology. But what is that cost, exactly? And is there anything we can do as individuals to reduce the impact of our AI use? Sasha Luccioni, the Climate and AI Lead at Hugging Face, has some answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 18, 2025 • 30min
What Happens to Your Digital Footprint When You Die?
Elaine Kasket, a psychologist and author of "All The Ghosts in the Machine," delves into the digital afterlife of personal data. She discusses the growing number of deceased individuals with active online accounts and the challenges this poses for loved ones. Kasket emphasizes the need for proactive planning to manage digital legacies, exploring the ethical implications of AI replicas and digital memorials. She offers insights on setting up legacy contacts for major platforms, ensuring your online presence is handled according to your wishes after you're gone.
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