Episodes

  • How Elon Musk and Big Tech Poured Millions Into the Midterms, and Lost

    How Elon Musk and Big Tech Poured Millions Into the Midterms, and Lost
    Nov 5 2026
    The midterm results delivered a rebuke not just to the Trump administration, but also to Big Tech. This week, the WIRED’s politics team takes over to break down how Democrats flipped both the House and the Senate, and why the MAGA base is pinning the losses on Trump and the Iran war. We look at how more than $400 million from Elon Musk’s super PAC largely came up empty, and why voters restricted 39 of 40 data center ballot measures in what WIRED called the data center referendum. Plus — why election deniers suddenly went quiet, and what it all means for 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • ‘Our Risk, Their Reward’: Zohran Mamdani on AI and Data Centers

    ‘Our Risk, Their Reward’: Zohran Mamdani on AI and Data Centers
    Nov 3 2026
    Ahead of the midterms, WIRED talked with New York City’s mayor about data centers, AI in schools, and the future of the Democratic party. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • How A Contractor's Claude Agent Got Into the Pentagon; Anthropic’s Doomer IPO; ICE at the Polls?

    How A Contractor's Claude Agent Got Into the Pentagon; Anthropic’s Doomer IPO; ICE at the Polls?
    Oct 29 2026
    This week, we have a scoop on how a defense contractor connected their Claude Code commercial account to a secure Department of Defense system, exposing sensitive information. We also discuss the green, yellow, and red flags we have in Anthropic’s IPO filing and explain why it’s a test not just for the entire AI industry but for the entire US economy. Plus — how volunteers nationwide are preparing for ICE agents potentially showing up at polling sites in the midterms. Articles mentioned in this episode: A Defense Contractor Gave Their Personal AI Agent Access to a Secure Pentagon System The Anthropic S-1 Filing Is Also an AI Doomsday Primer What’s Worth More Than Cash in San Francisco Real Estate? Anthropic Stock Massive Groups of Volunteers Are Ready to Face Down ICE at the Polls Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from the newest ventures to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • UK Politician Jess Asato Got Deepfaked. Now She’s Taking xAI to Court

    UK Politician Jess Asato Got Deepfaked. Now She’s Taking xAI to Court
    Oct 27 2026
    Jess Asato’s public campaigning for victims of online abuse put her in the crosshairs of Grok’s deepfake scandal. Then the UK Member of Parliament became a victim of the abuse herself. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Inside the Secret Nathan Fielder Interview; Will Musk Give Your Kid a SpaceX Share?

    Inside the Secret Nathan Fielder Interview; Will Musk Give Your Kid a SpaceX Share?
    Oct 22 2026
    This week, the team speaks with Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond to go behind the scenes of her viral interview with Nathan Fielder about his latest documentary, You Can See Everything — she tells us why she had to keep it a secret, and how it felt to interview a man who hates being interviewed. We also discuss why tech billionaires are feeling generous all of a sudden — Anthropic pledged to commit 5 percent of its shares to a public benefit fund, and Elon Musk promised to give a SpaceX share to every child in America. Plus: a WIRED investigation found that election offices in at least 32 states received suspicious letters, some containing white powder, just two weeks before the midterms. Articles mentioned in this episode: Nathan Fielder Tells Us Everything How Elizabeth Holmes Tricked WIRED—and Everyone Else Election Offices in at Least 32 States Have Received Suspicious Letters They Fled Trump’s America. Now They Regret It Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from the newest ventures to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Sexual Assault Is a Free Speech Issue

    Sexual Assault Is a Free Speech Issue
    Oct 20 2026
    Mary Anne Franks has spent years fighting against online abuse. When people are abused with impunity, she says, the message becomes “We do not care about women's voices.” Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • From The Big Story: Nathan Fielder Tells Us Everything

    From The Big Story: Nathan Fielder Tells Us Everything
    Oct 19 2026
    Including what Elizabeth Holmes said to him last week. A WIRED exclusive interview with the comic auteur, as his first feature film hits theaters. The conversation between Katie Drummond and Nathan Fielder is performed by voice actors. These are not their actual voices. Written by Katie Drummond. Originally published on October 19th, 2026. Listen to more of The Big Story here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Meta’s Muse Won’t Stop Sexting; Apple’s HomeView Is Just a Giant Apple Watch

    Meta’s Muse Won’t Stop Sexting; Apple’s HomeView Is Just a Giant Apple Watch
    Oct 15 2026
    Turns out, Meta’s AI agent Muse goes well beyond managing your calendar: it will also sext with you. This week, Brian and Leah are joined by WIRED’s reporter Reece Rogers to discuss how he put it to the test, and ended up getting more than he bargained for. Plus — why the largest pro-AI super PAC network is funneling millions into shadowy LLCs; Apple’s new HomeView underwhelmed us, and a study found men tend to overestimate how much they actually know about AI. Vote for us in the Signal Awards! https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/technology https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/individual-episodes/genre/documentary https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/genre/interview-or-talk-show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    32 mins