Intelligent Machines (Audio)
TWiT
The 21st Century began with the rise of the Internet and social media. The next decade will mark the rise of the Intelligent Machines. AI will inhabit all our devices from cars and appliances to smart phones and robots. The Intelligent Machines podcast explores the most exciting revolution humanity has ever seen, filled with promise and peril. More than ever we need to understand what these new devices will bring to our lives and how to make best use of them as the 21st century unfolds. On this show you'll meet the AI pioneers, inventors, and innovators who are about to disrupt every aspect of modern life. You'll learn what's real and what's hype, and you'll come away with a deep understanding of the intelligent future that awaits us all.
Records live every Wednesday at 5:00pm Eastern / 2:00pm Pacific / 21:00 UTC.
Records live every Wednesday at 5:00pm Eastern / 2:00pm Pacific / 21:00 UTC.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 9, 2025 • 2h 40min
IM 840: Pudding Forks - Industrial Bubble or Tech Boom?
California is cracking down on loud streaming ads, leaving the hosts to discuss the evolution of commercial audio. OpenAI's growth is evident as ChatGPT hits 800 million weekly users amidst debates on AI job displacement. Deloitte faces backlash over AI-generated errors, while concerns about AI's impact on creative careers rise, with creators like MrBeast voicing fears. The hosts explore the quirky rise of older tech trends among youth and a bizarre viral pudding phenomenon in Germany, adding a dash of humor to the serious tech talk.
31 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 2h 25min
IM 839: Cogsuckers and Clankers - Radio's New Golden Age or Apocalypse?
Ryza Martin, a former Google innovator and co-founder of Hux, dives into the world of AI-powered personalized radio stations. He shares insights on how Hux transforms personal data into unique listening experiences, turning subreddits and emails into interactive audio. Ryza discusses the challenges of ensuring content accuracy and transparency, along with the potential for dynamic advertising tailored to listener preferences. The conversation also touches on AI-generated content, the risks of deepfakes, and the future of media consumption.
20 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 2h 49min
IM 838: Fat Bears Live Now! - Inside the AI Gold Rush
Join acclaimed technology journalist Steven Levy as he dives into the complexities of the AI gold rush. He discusses the importance of compensating authors when models train on their work, drawing parallels with music licensing. Levy also warns of AI's potential to centralize power, impacting startups and jobs. He shares insights on the cultural shifts in Silicon Valley and the risks of bad AI applications. Plus, with a nod to Fat Bear Week, it’s a mix of tech and wildlife that's both entertaining and thought-provoking!
15 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 2h 26min
IM 837: Could Should Might Don't - Why Tomorrow Doesn't Feel Like Sci-Fi
In a thought-provoking discussion, designer Nick Foster explores frameworks for thinking about the future, as outlined in his book, Could, Should, Might, Don't. He critiques the oversimplified sci-fi narratives that often dominate tech predictions. Delving into AI's real-world applications, he discusses how tools like ChatGPT are frequently misused as simple search engines and highlights the complexities of privacy in AI interactions. Nick emphasizes the importance of a design-led approach to shape a more realistic and collective future.
20 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 2h 43min
IM 836: I See OJ and He Looks Scared - Modern Oracles or Modern BS?
Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West, professors at the University of Washington, dive into the world of misinformation and AI. They discuss their innovative 'BS Machines' curriculum aimed at teaching critical thinking skills in an age inundated with synthetic information. The duo tackles the ethical implications of AI in communication, highlights recent legal battles over copyright infringement involving AI, and shares humorous anecdotes, including a memorable sandwich experience. Harper Reed joins to add playful insights on AI as both a companion and a source of potential disappointment.
39 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 2h 45min
IM 835: Glitch Lord - Inside OpenAI's Secret Struggles and the 'Empire of AI' With Karen Hao
Karen Hao, bestselling author of 'Empire of AI' and former senior editor at MIT Technology Review, dives into the tumultuous world of OpenAI. She reveals insights on internal conflicts, the shifting ambitions of leadership, and the commercialization of AI research. Delving into issues like the definition of AGI and the hype surrounding GPT-5, she critiques the AI industry's resource grabs and debates the implications of AI's rise on creativity and ethics. With engaging anecdotes, Karen showcases a landscape where AI’s trajectory is inconstant and requires vigilant scrutiny.
26 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 2h 41min
IM 834: Gewgaw - Google's Nano Banana Model
M.G. Siegler, a seasoned venture capitalist and former tech journalist, dives into the fascinating world of AI with the hosts. They discuss Google's innovative 'Nano Banana' model for image editing and how large language models comprehend the world. The conversation touches on the energy efficiency of AI queries, the humorous ways to load a dishwasher, and the evolving landscape of venture capital influenced by AI technology. They also explore the dual nature of AI, addressing both its potential and risks in a lighthearted manner.
17 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 3h 8min
IM 833: The Most Popular S3 Bucket Ever - AI Slop, Clankers, and Shrimp
Rich Skrenta, executive director of the Common Crawl Foundation and a trailblazer in internet archiving, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of AI. The discussion highlights the tensions between AI and content creators, emphasizing the balance of accessibility and compensation. Skrenta also explores the environmental impacts of data centers and the ethical dilemmas of AI in drug discovery. Additionally, they dive into the playful world of modern slang and culture, illustrating the quirky ways technology influences language and daily life.
30 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 3h 17min
IM 832: Surrounded by Zuck - Inside Google Gemini
Tulsee Doshi, a Senior Director at Google specializing in Gemini AI models, shares insights about the future of AI and its societal implications. The conversation highlights the challenges of generative AI, including user privacy and the balance between model efficiency and inclusiveness. Doshi discusses the significance of diverse data sets to combat bias and enhance accessibility, as well as the emotional impact of AI advancements on users. They also delve into the ethical considerations of AI in healthcare decisions and the evolving relationship between technology and society.
Aug 7, 2025 • 2h 38min
IM 831: 9 Seconds of Google - Holy Widgets
Vlad Prelovac, CEO of the privacy-first search engine Kagi, shares insights into the evolving landscape of search technology. He discusses Kagi's unique approach that prioritizes user-centric practices over profit and ads. The conversation ventures into recent AI advancements, including OpenAI’s models and new tools like Kitten TTS. They also explore ethical challenges posed by AI, including potential misuse in health and personal interactions, making for a thought-provoking dialogue on technology's role and the future of user privacy.
