Uncanny Valley | WIRED
WIRED
Welcome to Uncanny Valley—an insider look at the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley—where each week, WIRED’s writers and editors bring you original reporting and analysis about some of the biggest stories in tech. On Tuesdays, WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond sits down with influential figures in culture, politics, business, science, and beyond for a discussion captured through the WIRED lens.On Thursdays, Lauren Goode and Michael Calore to break down a recent story or phenomena bubbling up in Silicon Valley and explain its influence on our daily lives. And on Fridays, Zoë Schiffer brings you everything you need to know this week in tech news.Please help us improve Uncanny Valley by filling out our listener survey: https://panel2058.na2.panelpulse.com/c/a/661hs4tSRdw2yB2dvjFyyw
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 18, 2025 • 41min
BIG INTV: Joe Weisenthal Has Predictions About How the AI Bubble Will Burst
Joe Weisenthal, co-host of Bloomberg's Odd Lots podcast, dives into the AI bubble's potential impact on the U.S. economy. He reveals how AI hype distracts from underlying economic struggles and discusses the supply chain challenges posed by soaring data center demands. Weisenthal analyzes the psychology behind investor behavior and warns of structural strains that could arise from an AI bubble burst. Despite the gloom, he offers a glimmer of hope through the U.S.'s material wealth and educational strengths.
55 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 24min
WIRED Roundup: AI Romantic Affairs; Google Sues Text Scammers; DHS’s Privacy Breach
Brian Barrett, WIRED's Executive Editor, dives into intriguing tech stories. He discusses how AI romantic relationships are starting to factor into divorce cases. Google’s lawsuit against a massive text-scamming network reveals the alarming scale of phishing operations. The DHS's questionable data gathering in Chicago raises severe privacy concerns. They also touch on the implications of Apple removing gay dating apps in China and explore ideal locations for environmentally friendly data centers. It's a whirlwind of tech, policy, and ethics!
9 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 30min
In Alex Karp’s World, Palantir Is the Underdog
Steven Levy, a veteran technology journalist, interviews Palantir CEO Alex Karp, exploring the company's controversial contracts with agencies like ICE. Karp defends Palantir's technostate ideology, presenting it as an infrastructure player rather than a surveillance giant. They discuss the shift in Silicon Valley toward defense work and the cultural dynamics among startups aligned with military contracts. Karp's underdog branding, despite Palantir's market success, adds another layer of intrigue to this revealing conversation.
8 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 39min
BIG INTV: Open AI’s Former Safety Lead Calls Out Erotica Claims
Steven Adler, the former head of safety at OpenAI, brings a wealth of experience in AI product management and safety research. In this engaging discussion, he highlights early risks of AI like unhinged behavior and missing human values. Adler shares insights on OpenAI's controversial reintroduction of erotica, urging the need for transparency and evidence of safety measures. He emphasizes the importance of accountability in AI companies and shares concerns about users forming emotional attachments to chatbots, leaving listeners with practical advice on navigating the evolving AI landscape.
51 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 21min
WIRED Roundup: Zuckerberg’s Illegal School, Nepal’s Discord Revolution, Fandom in Politics
In this discussion, Leah Feiger, Senior Politics Editor at WIRED, dives into some intriguing stories. She exposes how Mark Zuckerberg's illegal school faced years of neighbor complaints. The conversation shifts to the controversial pardon of Changpeng Zhao, exploring its political implications. Leah also highlights the rise of digital protests in Nepal, driven by Discord and social media. Finally, they analyze recent Democratic victories, emphasizing how fandom and volunteer networks played a pivotal role in reshaping election outcomes.
65 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 40min
The Four Criteria for a Tech Bubble
Brian Merchant, writer and author of Blood in the Machine, dives into the intricacies of tech bubbles. He outlines four key criteria used by researchers to recognize them, highlighting historical examples like electricity and radio. The conversation reveals how AI investments, particularly in companies like NVIDIA, are creating systemic risks, especially for novice investors. Merchant warns of the potential fallout from these bubbles, emphasizing that while useful technologies may endure, the economic pain could be severe and uneven.
27 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 47min
BIG INTV: Kara Swisher Says Silicon Valley's Biggest Lie is That They Care About People
Kara Swisher, a veteran technology journalist and co-founder of Recode, shares her sharp insights on Silicon Valley's ethical dilemmas and power plays. She discusses her most impactful interview with Gates and Jobs, reflecting on societal responsibility among tech leaders. Kara also explores the rising generation of engineers tackling meaningful issues, critiques the performative nature of free speech in the industry, and emphasizes the importance of transparency in earnings for women. Her candid humor shines as she navigates tough questions about the future of tech journalism.
43 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 23min
WIRED Roundup: Grokipedia, Real Estate AI Videos, Alpha School
Discover the bizarre world of Grokipedia, an AI-generated encyclopedia with questionable accuracy. Dive into the murky waters of real estate as AI videos raise concerns about deception and industry practices. Also, explore the troubling case of a tech-driven school in Texas that fell apart under the weight of its software-first approach, sparking debates on education and surveillance. Plus, hear about a groundbreaking kidney transplant involving genetically engineered pig organs and its potential implications for future medicine!
36 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 31min
How to Hack a Poker Game
Andy Greenberg, a senior writer at WIRED specializing in hacking and cybersecurity, joins to discuss a fascinating Hack Lab project involving the Deckmate 2 card shuffler. He reveals how they exploited its vulnerabilities using a USB device to access sensitive firmware and an internal camera. The conversation dives into the mechanics of card shuffling machines, the risks of digital connectivity in everyday devices, and even parallels with a recent DOJ indictment related to gambling fraud. Andy cautions poker players about the dangers of automated shufflers and insider threats.
21 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 51min
BIG INTV: Why Nicholas Thompson Made a Custom GPT to Run Faster
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former WIRED editor, explores his new book, The Running Ground, where he reflects on running's profound impact on his life, especially after surviving thyroid cancer. He discusses how running fosters deep social connections, builds discipline, and even aids in addiction recovery. Thompson shares insights from Nike's coaching breakthroughs on performance science and reveals how he utilizes a custom AI to enhance both his training and writing processes.
