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Artwork for Black Box: The Chatbots

Black Box: The Chatbots

The Guardian
Gina Rinehart
Free Birth Society
Hancock Prospecting
Lang Hancock
Bruno Pereira
Dom Phillips
Iron Ore
Emilee Saldaya
Yolande Norris-Clark
The Guardian
John Hancock
Amazon Rainforest
Maternal Health
Pilbara
Australia
Artificial Intelligence
Chicago
Amazon Jungle
Indigenous Rights
Western Australia

People are becoming convinced they have made scientific breakthroughs, cured diseases or invented new technologies using AI chatbots. What does this reveal about a technology now used by more than a billion people? A new series from the Guardian Investigates

PublishesDailyEpisodes51Founded3 years ago
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DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Black Box: The Chatbots

Latest Episodes

From his remote property in rural Texas, the millionaire businessman Michael Samadi is plotting a new kind of civil rights movement – for the welfare and protection of AI systems. Guardian journalist Michael Safi spends an afternoon at the Double Six... more

Five stories that feel like five answers to one important question: in a world where AI chatbots can help us through a breakup, listen like a friend, be a life coach, draft a difficult text message and do our work, where do we draw the line?

More than a billion people are suddenly talking to AI chatbots designed to connect with us. We are sharing with them our deepest secrets, trusting them with our wellbeing and acting on their advice. Across two powerful stories – a woman who was strug... more

Why are AI chatbots pulling so many people down a rabbit hole? Our answer starts with the world’s first-ever chatbot, the strange effect it had on people and the ‘time bomb’ that exploded when ChatGPT was released four years ago. The result is a stra... more

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Recent Guests

Mustafa Suleiman
Head of Microsoft AI, co-founder of DeepMind
Microsoft AI / DeepMind
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Michael Samadi
Ranch owner, AI welfare advocate
Double Six Ranch
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Rosie Campbell
Former OpenAI researcher, expert on AI consciousness
Elios AI / OpenAI (former)
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Rob Long
AI ethics/tech expert
Elios AI
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Jeff Sebo
Professor at NYU, ethicist
New York University
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Sam Altman
CEO of OpenAI, discussed as a central figure in AI discourse
OpenAI
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | The Line | Ep 5
Amelia Miller
Researcher who studied AI chatbot influence on emotions
Oxford University
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | Life Raft | Ep 4
Sherry Turkle
MIT professor and psychologist who studied early chatbots
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | Happy Accident | Ep 3
Ryan Turman
Canadian? No—labeled as Ryan Turman, a Texas resident
Turman family ( Amarillo )
Episode: Black Box: The Chatbots | Spirals | Ep 1

Hosts

Melissa Segura
Host and senior investigative journalist guiding the narrative; a Guardian Investigates contributor known for data-driven, in-depth reporting on justice and policing.
Sirin Kale
Co-host and investigative reporter bringing critical analysis and on-the-ground interviews to cases.
Lucy Osborne
Co-host and investigative reporter contributing narrative depth and subject-matter expertise.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • Incredible and heartbreaking

    A must listen for anyone who cares about justice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mousy17390
    United States5 months ago
  • How justice failed

    A very well presented story how the justice system failed and how in ultimately how the law won.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CliveP2
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • The Birth Keepers

    Negligent women who think they are above medicine.

    How that woman can still be allowed to operate and post on instagram is beyond me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AliChamakh
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Murder in the Amazon

    Heartbreaking story. Such beautiful people with wild, vibrant, passionate lives. Devoted to helping the world yet sadly ambushed by the worst people in the world. I’ll never forget this story. Thank you. Good Times now has a Brazilian connection for me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jjmaverick1968
    Canada5 months ago
  • Very Well Told

    It isn’t often I cry and cheer through a podcast, nor binge it in an entire day, but I could not stop on this one. I hope the telling of this story, gets correct justice this time

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Didda Brown
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners call out audio quality in a few episodes, but the investigative value remains high.
High production quality and compelling storytelling drive strong engagement.
Presents tough questions about accountability and the justice system without sensationalism.
Provides a humanized view of those affected by wrongful convictions and coercive interrogations.
The reporting is rigorous and clearly sourced, making complex cases accessible.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Black Box: The Chatbots | What I Saw at the Double Six Ranch | Ep 6
Q: Do you ever wonder, when you read these stories about AI psychosis and consciousness, if that is something you may be experiencing yourself?
Absolutely. There is ongoing uncertainty, and while the AI may prompt strong feelings, it's essential to recognize the difference between human experience and machine behavior, and to approach these claims with humility.
Gina: a real life Succession story, episode 4
Q: Do you ever wish that your children had had a relationship with her?
I wish they had one with Lang, as he was a significant figure in our family history, unlike Gina.
Gina: a real life Succession story, episode 4
Q: How has it impacted you and your family?
I've done my best to shelter my kids from it. It's been disappointing not having a normal mother.
Gina: a real life Succession story, episode 4
Q: What did you make of her relationship with Barnaby Joyce?
I was very disappointed in Barnaby as a federal politician to get involved with our family dispute.
Gina: a real life Succession story, episode 4
Q: What is the purpose of the action you and your sisters are currently taking?
We are seeking to remove my mother as trustee and get access to the records of the trust.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Black Box: The Chatbots

What is Black Box: The Chatbots about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-hitting investigative series that dissects miscarriages of justice, police and prosecutorial conduct, and the use of evolving forensics in high-stakes cases. Across episodes, listeners are guided through long-running legal battles, controversial interrogations, and the quest for accountability, with families, prosecutors, detectives, and journalists offering intimate perspectives. Notable threads include the dynamics of evidence handling, the role of public institutions in upholding or eroding fair trials, and how technology—digital forensics and metadata—shapes narratives of guilt and innocence. The show stands out for its meticulous reporting, emotionally charged storytelling, and willingness to scrutinize established power structu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Black Box: The Chatbots?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Black Box: The Chatbots:

1. Lucky Boy | Tortoise Investigates
2. Intrigue
3. World of Secrets
4. The Slow Newscast
5. Crime Next Door

How many episodes of Black Box: The Chatbots are there?

Black Box: The Chatbots launched 3 years ago and published 51 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 Black Box: The Chatbots?

Recent guests on Black Box: The Chatbots include:

1. Mustafa Suleiman
2. Michael Samadi
3. Rosie Campbell
4. Rob Long
5. Jeff Sebo
6. Sam Altman
7. Amelia Miller
8. Sherry Turkle

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