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, The Big Interview with WIRED’s Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond in conversation with influential figures in culture, politics, business, science, and beyond for a discussion captured through the WIRED lens.On Thursdays, WIRED writers and editors Zoë Schiffer, Brian Barrett and Leah Feiger add you to the Slack group thread to let you into what they’re hearing from sources in Silicon Valley and D.C, read you into what trends you should be watching for and how WIRED is thinking about it all.
Episodes
Mentioned books
67 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 35min
Tech Elites in the Epstein Files; Musk’s Mega Merger; Crypto Scam Compound
Andy Greenberg, cybersecurity reporter known for deep investigations into cybercrime, narrates a whistleblower’s escape from a crypto scam compound in Laos. Short segments cover the Epstein files’ tech ties and Elon Musk’s plan to fold xAI into SpaceX. Tense reporting, encrypted sourcing, forced-labor revelations, and the mechanics of pig-butchering romance scams take center stage.
25 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 49min
BIG INTV: Fallout Director Jonathan Nolan Says He's Still a Techno-Optimist
Jonathan Nolan, filmmaker and writer behind Memento, Westworld, and the Fallout TV adaptation, discusses his fascination with AI and tech in storytelling. He talks about an AI inflection point, how tools can help new filmmakers without replacing collaborative craft, and the choices he made adapting a game for television.
55 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 32min
BIG INTV: Silicon Valley Tech Workers’ Campaign to Get ICE Out of US Cities
Lisa Kahn, longtime tech worker and organizer advocating for employee power and anti-violence campaigns. Pete Worden, startup founder and former exec who organizes workers and accepts professional risk to act. They discuss the ICEout.tech campaign, why tech staff signed a public pledge, the personal and professional risks of speaking out, and how worker pressure can shift company and industry behavior.
72 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 35min
Minneapolis Misinformation; TikTok’s New Owners; Moltbot Hype
They unpack how far-right influencers amplified false narratives after violence in Minneapolis. They trace the messy US handover of TikTok, user trust problems, and new data-permission requests. They explore the MoltBot craze, why local AI agents feel different, and the security tradeoffs of giving agents app and data access.
92 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 36min
Trump Davos Drama; AI Midterms; ChatGPT's Last Resort
The hosts delve into the chaos at Davos, spotlighting Trump's provocative remarks and AI leaders vying for attention. They reveal the unsettling rise of ICE in Minneapolis and the community's backlash. With the midterms approaching, tech giants are pouring funds into pro-AI super PACs, shaping political narratives. Discussion also covers OpenAI's controversial move to introduce ads to ChatGPT, a financial response to mounting pressures. The conversation blends tech, politics, and the real-life implications of emerging technologies.
36 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 58min
BIG INTV: Wikipedia's Founder on Holding the Line in a Post Fact World
In a captivating discussion, Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia and advocate for open knowledge, reflects on the platform's humble beginnings and its dramatic growth over 25 years. He shares insights on navigating censorship from authoritarian regimes and the challenges of maintaining neutrality in a polarized landscape. Wales highlights how declining trust in facts impacts society and urges tech leaders to prioritize integrity over short-term gains. Plus, he offers practical ways for listeners to contribute to Wikipedia and foster a healthier information ecosystem.
52 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 52min
BIG INTV: Reid Hoffman Wants Silicon Valley to ‘Stand Up’
Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn and a prominent venture capitalist, calls for Silicon Valley to stand up for truth and democracy. He discusses how his education shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and the philosophical basis behind his tech investments. Hoffman introduces the concept of AI as a 'super agency' that enhances human capabilities and addresses the implications of AI in art and learning. He emphasizes the need for technologists to speak out against political silence, balancing innovation with responsibility to protect democratic values.
41 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 54min
BIG INTV: Margaret Atwood on Doomscrolling: ‘I Want to Keep Up With the Latest Doom’
Renowned author Margaret Atwood, celebrated for works like The Handmaid's Tale, dives into the digital age's impact on society. She discusses the allure of doomscrolling and her concerns about misinformation in tech. Atwood also reflects on the challenges young writers face today and shares her thoughts on corporate power overshadowing democracy. With a glimmer of hope for America's future, she navigates the complexities of political resistance and the role of AI in creativity, exploring how these elements shape our collective narrative.
22 snips
Dec 23, 2025 • 43min
BIG INTV: CTO Elizabeth Stone On The Future of Netflix: “Personalized, Interactive, Immersive”
Elizabeth Stone, the Chief Technology Officer of Netflix, shares her unique journey from a PhD in economics to leading tech innovations at the streaming giant. She delves into the importance of failure and genuine curiosity in tech. Discussing Netflix's future, she envisions a landscape rich in personalization and interactive experiences. Stone also reflects on the balance of data and intuition in content decisions, the challenges of scaling live programming, and the role of AI as a supportive tool for creators, not a replacement.
78 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 31min
WIRED Roundup: The Five Tech and Politics Trends That Shaped 2025
Brian Barrett, WIRED's executive editor with a keen eye on tech and politics, joins to dissect the year's major trends. They delve into the explosive growth of AI data centers and its economic implications. The discussion highlights the rise of AI companions and the risks of social isolation, along with the geopolitical pressures surrounding open-source AI, especially from China. They also examine the chaotic impacts of the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk and the controversial handling of Epstein-related documents, raising questions about data privacy and accountability.
