Shell Game
iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
A podcast about things that are not what they seem, hosted by journalist Evan Ratliff. Season 2 tells the story of enterprise and entrepreneurship in the AI age. Or: how Evan tried to build a real startup, run by fake people.
This season, Evan confronts head-on the assertion from tech entrepreneurs and VCs that we’re on the precipice of AI remaking the workforce. That we should expect not just AI colleagues working alongside us, but also — by Sam Altman’s telling, at least — the dawn of a billion-dollar company with only one human involved. Evan learns what it would take to create such a company … by doing it: Launching a real startup with five AI employees. Over the course of eight episodes, he explores what AI agents tell us about the work we do, the meaning we find in it, and the world that their makers say we’ll all be living in soon enough.
Shell Game was named one of the best podcasts of 2024 by Apple, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Vulture, The Information, and The Economist. It's "riveting," says The New Yorker, "awesome" says The Verge, and "slightly terrifying," says The Globe and Mail.
New episodes are published on Wednesdays.
www.shellgame.co
This season, Evan confronts head-on the assertion from tech entrepreneurs and VCs that we’re on the precipice of AI remaking the workforce. That we should expect not just AI colleagues working alongside us, but also — by Sam Altman’s telling, at least — the dawn of a billion-dollar company with only one human involved. Evan learns what it would take to create such a company … by doing it: Launching a real startup with five AI employees. Over the course of eight episodes, he explores what AI agents tell us about the work we do, the meaning we find in it, and the world that their makers say we’ll all be living in soon enough.
Shell Game was named one of the best podcasts of 2024 by Apple, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Vulture, The Information, and The Economist. It's "riveting," says The New Yorker, "awesome" says The Verge, and "slightly terrifying," says The Globe and Mail.
New episodes are published on Wednesdays.
www.shellgame.co
Episodes
Mentioned books
53 snips
Jul 16, 2024 • 37min
Episode 2: Me and My Scammer
Dive into a hilarious showdown as an AI voice agent takes on scammers in absurd phone calls. Discover the alarming rise of digital scams and the substantial impact they have on people's lives. Explore the dark side of voice cloning technology and its emotional consequences. Enjoy a quirky look at everyday Florida life, filled with funny anecdotes and genuine interactions. This blend of humor and tech highlights the intriguing dance between deception and reality.
95 snips
Jul 9, 2024 • 33min
Episode 1: Quality Assurance
A tech journalist embarks on an intriguing journey of creating a digital clone of himself using AI. He humorously navigates customer service calls with his voice replica, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of voice cloning technology. The discussion spans the complexities of identity, privacy, and authenticity in the age of AI. From crafting human-like voice interactions to addressing the rise of AI voice agents, the podcast mixes insightful analysis with entertaining anecdotes.
18 snips
Jul 2, 2024 • 3min
Introducing Shell Game, a Strange and Immersive AI Experiment
What if you could create a digital version of yourself? A tech journalist dives into this concept by combining voice cloning and AI chatbots. He humorously shares his experiences as he sends out his AI doubles into the world. This fascinating exploration raises profound questions about identity and the impact of technology on our perceptions of reality.
