Uncanny Valley | WIRED

WIRED

Summary

Uncanny Valley is the essential guide to the messy, high-stakes collision between Silicon Valley power and the rapidly shifting political landscape. Each week, the team at WIRED pulls back the curtain on the tech industry’s most ambitious—and often most alarming—developments. Whether they are breaking down the internal turmoil at giants like Meta and Anthropic, analyzing the legislative efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, or exploring how corporate interests are quietly rewriting the rules of media and film, the hosts deliver sharp, informed reporting that cuts through the industry hype. The podcast excels at connecting the dots between technical milestones and their real-world consequences. You will hear from key players, from government officials and policymakers to whistleblowers and cultural disruptors, all providing an insider’s view on the issues that define our modern era. From the implications of data center expansion to the urgent debate over digital rights and press freedom, the show addresses the paradoxes of the current age: we are living through a technological revolution that promises to improve our lives while simultaneously threatening our privacy, our workforce, and our democratic institutions. If you want to understand how the invisible hands of Big Tech are shaping the future of society, Uncanny Valley provides the necessary context, critical analysis, and candid conversation required to stay ahead of the curve.

Updated Jul 7, 2026

Episodes

From Mixed Signals: Bluesky COO Rose Wang on building a better social network

Jul 7, 202638 min

Blue Sky COO Rose Wang on building a decentralized alternative to social media and balancing user growth with scale.

Bernie Sanders Wants You to Own Half the Profits from AI

Jun 30, 202634 min

Bernie Sanders argues that public ownership of AI through a sovereign wealth fund is essential to curbing tech power.

Why Amazon Dropped Its OpenAI Movie; Data Center Workers Are Fighting Back

Jun 25, 202632 min

Amazon bins its controversial OpenAI movie, while growing backlash against data centers sparks labor resistance.

Until Trump Fires Her, Anna Gomez Will Fight for Press Freedom

Jun 23, 202636 min

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is fighting to defend press freedom against a coordinated campaign of political censorship.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Will Fight for Press Freedom—Until Trump Fires Her

Jun 23, 202636 min

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is fighting to defend press freedom against a campaign of government censorship and control.

Meta's AI Workers Are Revolting; Peter Thiel's Secret Society; Will Trump Free SBF?

Jun 18, 202632 min

Meta employees revolt against menial AI tasks, Peter Thiel’s secret society leaks, and SBF chases a Trump pardon.

Tim Heidecker Thinks Twitter Should Be a World Heritage Site

Jun 17, 202639 min

Tim Heidecker details his plan to transform InfoWars into a satirical streaming hub for independent comedy.

Why Anthropic Shut Down Its Best AI (Special News Update)

Jun 15, 202619 min

The Trump administration forced Anthropic to pull its most powerful AI models offline amid a standoff over security.

Why You Might Already Own SpaceX Shares; Inside the Knicks' Owner's Surveillance Machine

Jun 11, 202640 min

The world’s largest IPO and a high-tech surveillance dragnet at Madison Square Garden are shifting the power landscape.

Trump Foe Mounts Competitive Senate Bid in Florida

Jun 9, 202639 min

Former impeachment witness Alex Vindman discusses his competitive Florida Senate run and views on tech regulation.

The AI IPO Race Gets Weird; Elon Musk Sued By DOGE Whistleblower; Instagram's Hacking Incident

Jun 4, 202626 min

AI companies race toward IPOs, Instagram’s chatbot gets hacked, and a DOGE whistleblower sues Elon Musk.

The Tech Behind McLaren Racing’s F1 Dominance

Jun 2, 202638 min

McLaren CEO Zak Brown details how tech-driven innovation and team culture fueled his squad’s dramatic F1 comeback.

How Crypto Scam Compounds Use Romance to Make Billions

May 28, 202616 min

Inside a high-tech human trafficking hub, a whistleblower exposes how crypto syndicates use romance to steal billions.

How the Internet Could Help the Iranian People

May 26, 202643 min

Providing satellite internet access to Iranian citizens could empower a population cut off by a repressive regime.

Why Is Meta In Crisis?; Google Search Is Over; AI Gets Booed by Graduates

May 21, 202639 min

Meta faces internal turmoil while Google rebrands search into a bot, signaling a grim shift for the future of work.

Tom Steyer Makes His Case for Billionaires

May 19, 202635 min

Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer discusses his campaign to reshape California and the power of shared prosperity.

Artemis II Astronaut Reflects Upon Return

Apr 17, 20266 min

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, host Brian Barrett sits down with Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover for an intimate reflection following the crew’s historic return to Earth. The conversation moves beyond the technical specifications of space travel to capture the human experience of voyaging around the moon. Glover provides listeners with a firsthand account of the mission’s most critical moments, offering perspective on the profound sensations of deep space exploration and the realities of orbital reentry. Beyond this interview, the program continues its mission of examining the complex intersection of technology, global politics, and finance. Listeners can expect a thoughtful discussion that highlights the intersection of modern aerospace innovation and the logistical hurdles defining the future of lunar exploration. It is a compelling look at the personal impact of a journey that pushes the boundaries of human achievement.

Kara Swisher Is Trying To Live Forever

Apr 16, 202631 min

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, WIRED’s Katie Drummond sits down with veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher to investigate the rapidly expanding longevity industry. As the field promises to optimize human health and delay aging, Swisher brings her characteristic skepticism and deep industry expertise to determine what is grounded in genuine science and what is merely hype. The discussion moves beyond the common narrative that longevity research is solely the playground of wealthy tech moguls, exploring whether these efforts offer real medical breakthroughs for the general population. Listeners can expect a critical analysis of the current state of life-extension technologies and a thoughtful debate on the motivations behind the quest to live forever. It is an insightful conversation for anyone curious about the intersection of cutting-edge biotechnology and the human desire to defy the natural limits of our lifespan.

Silicon Valley Is Spending Millions to Stop One of Its Own

Apr 14, 202640 min

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, host Katie sits down with New York Assemblyman Alex Bores to discuss his bid for Congress and the unexpected obstacles he faces. As a former Palantir employee now advocating for increased guardrails on artificial intelligence, Bores has found himself in the crosshairs of powerful pro-AI political action committees determined to block his candidacy. The conversation provides an inside look at how his legislative efforts in AI safety have turned his campaign into a high-stakes battleground. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the complex intersection of technology and national politics, examining how industry influence is reshaping the democratic process. By tracking Bores' response to these well-funded opponents, the episode highlights the growing tension between Silicon Valley interests and the push for federal AI regulation, offering a compelling preview of the technological issues defining this election cycle.

OpenAI and Musk Fight Again; DOJ Mishandles Voter Data; Artemis II Comes Home

Apr 9, 202631 min

In this episode of Uncanny Valley, the hosts explore the latest developments in the high-stakes legal battle between OpenAI and Elon Musk, examining how this ongoing dispute intersects with SpaceX’s recent IPO filing. The discussion shifts to a troubling report involving the Department of Justice, where a lawyer misled a judge regarding the handling of sensitive voter data. Shifting gears to space exploration, the team celebrates the awe-inspiring return of the Artemis II mission and analyzes why the lunar flyby captivated the public imagination so deeply. Listeners can expect a sharp, thought-provoking breakdown of these intersecting stories. By synthesizing news from the worlds of technology, law, and space, the hosts provide clear context on how these events influence the broader landscape of business and government accountability. It is an essential listen for those tracking the rapidly evolving technological status quo.

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