The Future of You
Tracey Follows
The Future of You is the home of Tracey Follows’ ongoing work on identity, agency, and the changing relationship between systems and selves in an AI-mediated world.This channel now brings together three strands of that work.The Future of You podcast explores how technology is reshaping identity, from digital selves and predictive systems to automation, intimacy, trust, and human futures.The Future of You audio series is the original 2021 book, released here chapter by chapter. It explores what Tracey came to call the technology of the self: a third dimension of identity, alongside the psychology of the self and the biology of the self. These recordings are presented as an audio archive of the original published text. Me:chine Dialogues is a special series from The Future of You exploring identity, agency, and AI-mediated systems — where the machinable and unmachinable selves meet. It follows the emerging synthetic condition shaping who we are becoming: not man versus machine, but the meeting of selves, the part that can be copied and the part that can never be caught. Together, these three strands trace an evolving inquiry into identity: from the digital self, to the technological self, to the Me:chine self.Across all of them runs one continuous question: what happens to human identity when the systems around us begin to see us, sort us, predict us, generate us, and increasingly speak in our name?Identity is becoming infrastructure for systems. This channel explores what remains of the self inside them.Core concepts include:Systems & SelfIdentity as InfrastructureThe Technology of the SelfMe:chine — the machinable and unmachinable selfNew here? Start with:→ Me:chine Dialogues: Manifesto→ The Future of You audio series: Chapter 1, Knowing You→ The Future of You podcast archiveVisit:→ Me:chine World and essays: me-chine.com→ Podcast archive: The Future of You→ Audio series: weekly chapters on this channel Introduction About Tracey FollowsTracey Follows is a futurist specialising in identity, agency, and the relationship between systems and selves in an AI-mediated world. Her work includes the frameworks Systems & Self, Identity as Infrastructure, and Me:chine, exploring the machinable and unmachinable dimensions of human identity.The Future of You was named Best Tech Show at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.Her central premise: “The future is written between the system and the self.”Follow to receive each new transmission as it is released.AI-mediated systems - where the machinable and unmachinable selves meet.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 26, 2026 • 42min
Chapter 2: Watching You — The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? (2021)
These recordings are taken from the original 2021 edition of The Future of You by Tracey Follows. The chapters are presented here as an audio archive of the text as it was written and published at that time.The book explores how emerging technologies - from artificial intelligence to digital identity systems, and genomics - are reshaping the nature of personal identity and the idea of the self.This episode contains from the original 2021 edition: Chapter 2: Watching You — The Future of You (2021)To explore the conversations that followed the book, visit traceyfollows.com or The Future of You podcast at https://www.futuremade.group/podcasts
Mar 26, 2026 • 41min
Identity Slop: The Rise of Synthetic Media Experts
Rob Waugh, technology and investigations journalist who exposed fabricated media experts, discusses the rise of synthetic identities in news. He recounts discovering fake experts, the companies and motives behind them, how publishers and search systems enable the spread, risks from dangerous misinformation, and practical signs and remedies for spotting and countering automated authority.
Mar 19, 2026 • 17min
Introduction — The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? (2021)
These recordings are taken from the original 2021 edition of The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? by Tracey Follows. The chapters are presented here as an audio archive of the text as it was written and published at that time.The book explores how emerging technologies - from artificial intelligence to digital identity, social credit systems, avatar assistants, virtual reality, transhumanism, the digital afterlife and genomics - are reshaping the nature of personal identity and the idea of the self.This episode contains from the original 2021 edition: Introduction — The Future of You (2021)To explore the conversations that followed the book, visit traceyfollows.com or The Future of You podcast at https://www.futuremade.group/podcasts
Mar 19, 2026 • 52min
Chapter 1: Knowing You — The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? (2021)
These recordings are taken from the original 2021 edition of The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology? by Tracey Follows. The chapters are presented here as an audio archive of the text as it was written and published at that time.The book explores how emerging technologies - from artificial intelligence to digital identity, social credit systems, avatar assistants, virtual reality, transhumanism, the digital afterlife and genomics - are reshaping the nature of personal identity and the idea of the self.This episode contains from the original 2021 edition: Chapter 1: Knowing You — The Future of You (2021)To explore the conversations that followed the book, visit traceyfollows.com or The Future of You podcast at https://www.futuremade.group/podcasts
Dec 11, 2025 • 4min
Me:chine Dialogues - The Manifesto
The first in a brand new transmission from The Future of You podcast, called Me:chine Dialogues. Listen to the manifesto and subscribe now to tune into the frequency of Me:chine World. Visit us at me-chine.com***Music "A New Day (intro)" Performed by SkottLicensed courtesy of Cosmos Music, Safari Riot Licensed courtesy of Downtown Music UK Limited, Safari Riot Publishing, Sony Music Publishing
Dec 9, 2024 • 35min
Identity Play and the Artist with Holly Herndon
In this awesome episode, I’m lucky to be talking to Holly Herndon, a Berlin-based artist and groundbreaking musician. With a PhD from Stanford University and a pioneering spirit, Holly merges cutting-edge AI with music to challenge the boundaries of identity. From acclaimed albums like Platform and Proto to her revolutionary project Holly Plus, Holly has redefined what it means to create and perform in a digital age. Holly talks about her thought-provoking exhibition ‘The Call’ currently on display at the Serpentine Gallery. Holly also explains how the creation of her own super hero, Hairy Mutant X, is helping her explore the difference between the person she is and the digital footprint version of herself on the Internet. The Future of You podcast investigates and analyses all the ways emerging technologies are going to affect our identity. Join futurist Tracey Follows as she explores our changing identity in a digital world.Holly Herndon Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_HerndonInterdependence https://interdependence.fm/Tracey's book ‘The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.The Future of You podcast homepage https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-youFind Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttracey
Nov 28, 2024 • 47min
Reconnecting With The Emotional Self Through VR with Sarah Ticho
In this episode, I’m talking to Sarah Ticho, founder of Hatsumi and Co-founder of XR Health Alliance about the fascinating intersection of virtual reality (VR), immersive media, health, and well-being. Sarah’s work focuses on using VR to create human-centred, immersive experiences that redefine how we understand emotions, memory, and identity.We discuss Sarah’s pioneering projects, including Soulpaint - an immersive project that invites and enables users to map their emotions through body mapping, 3D drawing, and movement - giving people a new way to think about their emotions and process their feelings. Soulpaint won the XR experience competition at this year's SXSW festival - a huge and deserved accolade for Sarah who is a pioneer in this intersection between art, technology and health. Here we talk about how immersive technologies are reshaping our understanding of identity, memory, and emotions, as well as potentially revolutionising mental health care, pain management, and more. Find out more about SoulpaintLearn more about HatsumiConnect with Sarah on LinkedIn and InstagramThe Future of You podcast investigates and analyses all the ways emerging technologies are going to affect our identity. Join futurist Tracey Follows as she explores our changing identity in a digital world.Tracey's book ‘The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.The Future of You podcast homepageFind Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttracey
Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 2min
Perspective Agents in the Autonomous Age with Chris Perry
In this episode we delve into the transformative impact of AI on humanity and society with Chris Perry, Chief Innovation Officer and Chair at Weber Shandwick Futures. His new book, "Perspective Agents," challenges traditional views of news media and information gathering, focusing on the emergence of AI and its potential to reshape our knowledge sources. He sees perspective as the primary innovation of our times. And he takes us through Taylor Swift as a powerful research case study. We discuss AI's role in human creativity, exploring its capacity to redefine expertise and truth. We speak about breaking echo chambers, using tools like Blackbird.ai and Notebook LM, and chat about how and why AI is reshaping workplaces and businesses. Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of news media, societal shifts, and the future of human identity in a world of AI. Chris’ book ‘Perspective Agents’ is available hereChris’ ‘Perspective Agents’ SubstackTools mentioned: Blackbird AI, Notebook LMThe Future of You podcast investigates and analyses all the ways emerging technologies are going to affect our identity. Join futurist Tracey Follows as she explores our changing identity in a digital world.Tracey's book ‘The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.The Future of You podcast homepage https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-youFind Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttracey
Oct 31, 2024 • 40min
Supremacy: The Race for AI Dominance with Parmy Olson
Will Microsoft or Google win the race to control the future of AI?In this episode I’m talking to journalist and author Parmy Olson whose new book “Supremacy: AI, Chat GPT, and the Race That Will Change the World” explores the fierce competition between Microsoft and Google to lead the AI revolution.We discuss the motivations of tech pioneers like Deepmind’s Nobel Prize winner Demis Hassabis and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, their groundbreaking work, and the implications of this AI arms race for the future of humanity, agency and identity. The Future of You podcast investigates and analyses all the ways emerging technologies are going to affect our identity. Join futurist Tracey Follows as she explores our changing identity in a digital world.Parmy’s book ‘Supremacy: AI, Chat GPT, and the Race That Will Change The World’ is available here Tracey's book ‘The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.The Future of You podcast homepage https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-youFind Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttracey
Oct 16, 2024 • 53min
Surveillance and Data: Byron Tau on Government Monitoring and AI Risks
Byron Tau is an American investigative journalist and author of the new book "Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance of Tech and Government Is Creating a New American Surveillance State” so in this episode I’m talking to Byron about the intricate world of government surveillance. We discuss how commercial data is leveraged by the US government and other entities for extensive monitoring. We also talk about the public’s seeming lack of awareness, the role of data brokers, the impact of surveillance on personal identity, and the implications of AI. During our conversation Byron shares insights from his own research, talks about how he self-financed his investigation and emphasises the importance of supporting independent journalism. Byron Tau photo credit: Elliott O’DonovanThe Future of You podcast investigates and analyses all the ways emerging technologies are going to affect our identity. Join futurist Tracey Follows as she explores our changing identity in a digital world.Byron’s new book: Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance of Tech and Government Is Creating a New American Surveillance State is available now https://www.amazon.co.uk/Means-Control-Alliance-Government-Surveillance/dp/0593443225Check out Notus at https://www.notus.org/Tracey's book 'The Future of You: Can Your Identity Survive 21st Century Technology?' available in the UK (https://bit.ly/44ObTha) and US (https://bit.ly/3OlDxgk)The Future of You was named Best Technology Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2023.The Future of You podcast homepage https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-youFind Tracey at https://www.futuremade.group/abouttraceyExplore more on The Future of You at https://www.futuremade.group/the-future-of-you
