In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Jake Lahut to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from Customs & Border Protection efforts to collect American’s DNA to tech billionaire Larry Ellison’s shadowy influence on the White House. Then, Zöe and Jake discuss the surge in popularity of white nationalist influencer Nick Fuentes, who has leveraged the vacuum left behind by Charlie Kirk's death to break into the mainstream. Articles mentioned in this episode:
Nick Fuentes' Plan to Conquer America
Larry Ellison Is a ‘Shadow President’ in Donald Trump’s America
OpenAI Teams Up With Oracle and SoftBank to Build 5 New Stargate Data Centers
DHS Has Been Collecting US Citizens’ DNA for Years
For One Glorious Morning, a Website Saved San Francisco From Parking Tickets
Join WIRED’s best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.
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23:04
Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital?
Earlier this month, we took the show to San Francisco for a live recording in front of a great audience at KQED's The Commons. WIRED'S Lauren Goode, Katie Drummond and Jason Kehe asked themselves and answered a perennial question: Is Silicon Valley still the tech capital of the world? Plus, they put themselves to the test with a new game and some questions from the audience.
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49:42
BIG INTV: Signal's Meredith Whittaker Says AI Is Just A Branding Term
The Signal Foundation president, Meredith Whittaker recalls where she was when she heard Trump cabinet officials had added a journalist to a highly sensitive group chat. And tells, Katie about why it's important she gets paid less than her engineers. Follow the UnCanny Valley feed for WIRED’s best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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45:08
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45:08
WIRED Roundup: The Right Embraces Cancel Culture
In today’s episode, Zöe is joined by WIRED’s Manisha Krishnan to run through five of the best stories we published this week — from OpenAI implementing teen safety features to how human design is the new astrology. Then, Zöe and Manisha discuss the reverberating reactions to Kirk’s death and why some creators, from comic book artists to late night show hosts, are getting their work cancelled. Articles mentioned in this episode:
Cancel Culture Comes for Artists Who Posted About Charlie Kirk’s Death | WIRED
OpenAI's Teen Safety Features Will Walk a Thin Line | WIRED
US Tech Giants Race to Spend Billions in UK AI Push | WIRED
How China’s Propaganda and Surveillance Systems Really Operate | WIRED
Human Design Is Blowing Up. Following It Might Make You Leave Your Spouse | WIRED
Join WIRED’s best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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16:08
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16:08
Move Aside, Chatbots: AI Humanoids Are Here
This week, WIRED learned that OpenAI is ramping up its efforts in robotics — specifically, by hiring researchers who work on AI systems for humanoid robots. Humanoids, robots built to resemble us and perform daily tasks, were famous for their clumsiness just a few years ago. WIRED’s Will Knight tells us how in the era of AI, that’s rapidly changing. Articles mentioned in this episode:
OpenAI Ramps Up Robotics Work in Race Toward AGI | WIRED
Humanoid Robots Are Coming of Age | WIRED
2025 Is the Year of the Humanoid Robot Factory Worker | WIRED
Join WIRED’s best and brightest as they provide an insider analysis of the overlap between tech and politics, from the influence of Silicon Valley on the Trump administration to how inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (Ai) chatbots fanned the fire on social protests.
Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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 Thursdays, WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond is joined by 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, WIRED’s Zoë Schiffer has an urgent conversation about this week in the news.
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