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Machines Like Us

The Globe and Mail
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Digital Governance
Disinformation
Canadian Information Ecosystem
Automation
Canada
AI Agents
Democracy
Misinformation
Mental Health
Attention Economy
Journalism
Election Integrity
Historical Movements
AI Ethics
Character AI
Media Landscape
Trust In Media
Higher Education

Machines Like Us is a technology show about people. We are living in an age of breakthroughs propelled by advances in artificial intelligence. Technologies that were once the realm of science fiction will become our reality: robot best friends, bespoke gene editing, brain implants that make us smarter. Every other Tuesday Taylor Owen sits down with the people shaping this rapidly approaching futur... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes66Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Machines Like Us

Latest Episodes

When Demis Hassabis co-founded DeepMind in 2010, his mission was simple: solve intelligence, then use it to solve everything else. What began as a scientific quest would eventually become a fierce global AI race.

Today, DeepMind is owned by Google a... more

You've probably seen one by now: a human-sized robot doing very human feats – landing a perfect backflip, racing through the streets of Beijing, or dancing in a crowd at a Knicks game. But behind these viral moments, there is serious money. Analysts ... more

When Marc Miller became Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, he inherited Ottawa’s oldest, unfinished file in tech policy: regulating social media. He took office at a global turning point. Australia had just banned social media for kids under ... more

“AI for All.” That’s what Canada’s federal government is calling its national AI strategy. It makes the case for building AI with confidence: a homegrown supercomputer by 2031, 60 per cent adoption by 2034. But the new strategy offers little about ho... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Angelica Lim
Roboticist who helped design the world's first mass-produced humanoid
Simon Fraser University
Episode: Can You Really Teach a Robot Empathy? This Roboticist Says Yes.
Marc Miller
Canada's Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture
Government of Canada
Episode: Age Gates & AI: Minister Marc Miller on The Safe Social Media Act
Evan Solomon
Canada's first Minister of AI
Government of Canada
Episode: Canada’s AI minister to Big Tech: “We Won’t be a Digital Colony’
James Surowiecki
Author of The Wisdom of Crowds, advocate for prediction markets
Author, The Wisdom of Crowds
Episode: We Can Now Bet on Almost Anything. Should We?
Candice Odgers
Psychology professor studying digital lives of young people
University of California, Irvine
Episode: Social Media Bans Are Wildly Popular. They Might Also Be a Mistake.
Aza Raskin
President of the Center for Humane Technology; co-founder of Earth Species Project
Earth Species Project
Episode: Animals are Talking to Each Other. Can AI Help Us Understand Them?
Hélène Landemore
Political theorist and author of Politics Without Politicians
Yale University / author
Episode: Does 21st Century Politics Still Need Politicians?
Peter MacLeod
Author of Democracy's Second Act
Citizenship and Democracy Project / author
Episode: Does 21st Century Politics Still Need Politicians?
Michael Pollan
Author of A World Appears, exploring consciousness
Author
Episode: Michael Pollan Says AI Isn’t Conscious – But Plants Might Be

Host

Taylor Owen
Host of Machines Like Us

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 151 ratings
  • Really well done love the topics

    I stumbled across this podcast. Ironically, it was AI that suggested I listen to it. Some really great topics and really interesting. Definitely on my regular playlist. Only two little suggestions one is that at the end of the episode. Can you remind us the name of your guest and what book they wrote. Second is your puffer music in the middle of the episode is really loud on the base I don’t know who your sound mixer is, but hey, if you could adjust that life would be grand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fluff e Katt
    Canada5 months ago
  • A top ten show

    Taylor asks important tech related questions to guests who have keen insights. After hearing the show about China’s progress in high tech I’m more convinced than ever that China has upstaged the US when it comes to capitalism. This paradigm flip is the main reason this podcast excels. It transcends conventional wisdom and thinking providing a fresh, plausible perspective on the future of tech.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OlgaSpanier
    Canada7 months ago
  • The Cowards Podcast

    I waited for the newest episode of 2026 to drop before leaving this review. I had hoped to be proven wrong, but clearly the Globe and Mail is set on avoiding discussing the biggest AI controversy of January in favour of talking about how things are great. The briefest lip service paid to Grok and its deepfake assault on women and children. Not even worth its own segment on an episode about the future of AI. Pathetic

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jake737
    Canada7 months ago
  • Thought-provoking and accessible

    I so appreciate this smart, open-minded podcast to help me think about what to think about.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LotstoLearnCDA
    Canada9 months ago
  • Recommended

    Stimulating, interesting and occasionally challenging

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    imrandall
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Balanced coverage of tech's societal implications, with credible experts
Clear, well-researched interviews that illuminate complex topics
High-quality guests and deep dives into AI and policy
Professional, thoughtful tech discussions with strong guests

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#79
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#18
Finland/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#201
Chile/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#212
Philippines/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Canada’s AI minister to Big Tech: “We Won’t be a Digital Colony’
Q: What safeguards are discussed for radical or extreme viewpoints in AI discourse?
The host and minister discuss balancing extreme perspectives with pragmatic middle-ground views, ensuring that important concerns from the edges of the debate are not dismissed, while recognizing the need for proportional, effective regulation.
Canada’s AI minister to Big Tech: “We Won’t be a Digital Colony’
Q: How does the minister describe Canada's approach to regulation—pragmatic versus ideological?
The minister frames regulation as pragmatic: invest in education, infrastructure, and Canadian tools, and regulate to enable open innovation while protecting citizens, rather than betting on a particular technology or policy or taking an extreme stance.
Canada’s AI minister to Big Tech: “We Won’t be a Digital Colony’
Q: Minister Solomon, what is the core purpose of the two landmark bills in relation to Canada's regulatory landscape?
They establish a single digital regulator with teeth to oversee social media and AI, and they modernize privacy laws to ensure protection of data, children's data, and fairness in automated decisions, while enabling enforcement capabilities.
Social Media Bans Are Wildly Popular. They Might Also Be a Mistake.
Q: What should policymakers prioritize if not broad bans?
Invest in design changes that make spaces safer for youth, support digital mental health resources, and create regulatory frameworks that address data privacy and platform accountability without eliminating access entirely.
Social Media Bans Are Wildly Popular. They Might Also Be a Mistake.
Q: What have you learned about the effectiveness of bans from Australia and other places?
Early data suggest that bans are not the silver bullet policymakers expect; they can lead to unintended consequences like loss of safety features and greater inequalities, while evidence of improved outcomes remains elusive.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Machines Like Us

What is Machines Like Us about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A technology-focused conversation series that touches on AI, policy, ethics, and the social impact of cutting-edge tech. Topics span the promises and risks of artificial intelligence, governance models for democratic participation in tech decisions, privacy and surveillance, and broader questions about how machines shape culture, work, and daily life. Notable for hosting high-profile experts and practitioners across AI safety, public policy, journalism, and philosophy, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, governance, and human-centered outcomes. The show often features one-on-one conversations with researchers, policymakers, authors, and notable industry figures to unpack complex tech trends for a broad audience, making it valuable ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Machines Like Us?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Machines Like Us:

1. The Decibel
2. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Front Burner
5. Pivot

How many episodes of Machines Like Us are there?

Machines Like Us launched 7 years ago and published 66 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Machines Like Us?

Recent guests on Machines Like Us include:

1. Angelica Lim
2. Marc Miller
3. Evan Solomon
4. James Surowiecki
5. Candice Odgers
6. Aza Raskin
7. Hélène Landemore
8. Peter MacLeod

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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