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Artwork for Computer Says Maybe

Computer Says Maybe

Alix Dunn
Artificial Intelligence
Big Tech
Generative AI
Data Centers
Scams
Cryptocurrency
Climate Change
Enshittification
Genomics
Regulation
Data Privacy
Privacy
Digital Public Infrastructure
Silicon Valley
23andme
Digital Sovereignty
Worldcoin
AI Technologies
AI Summit
Digital Identity

Technology is changing fast. And it's changing our world even faster. Host Alix Dunn interviews visionaries, researchers, and technologists working in the public interest to help you keep up. Step outside the hype and explore the possibilities, problems, and politics of technology. We publish weekly.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes123Founded2 years ago
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Society & CultureTechnology

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Artwork for Computer Says Maybe

Latest Episodes

Israel has a long history of making new technological weapons of war and exporting them to the world. They have used Palestine as a testing ground to show how new tools can enable mass killing. And they are banking that demand for their products migh... more

The Israeli military is using data, surveillance, and AI to kill noncombatants in Southern Lebanon.

More like this: Computer Says Kill: Collapsing the Chain w/ with Matt Mahmoudi

This week, we're kind of taking a break from our Computer Says Kill ... more

Anthropic’s AI systems have been used in illegal American invasions in Iran and Venezuela. They have partnered with Musk in the disastrous Memphis Colossus facility. And yet! News coverage, some civil society, and a lot of normies act like Anthropic ... more

Academia, Big Tech, and the military are caught in a sordid love triangle — and their love language is money.

More like this: Computer Says Kill: The Blank Check to Beat China w/ Lis Siegel

For part five of Computer Says Kill, researcher David Widd... more

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Recent Guests

Madeleine Batt
Legal fellow at Tech Justice Law
Tech Justice Law
Episode: Computer Says Kill: Anthropic is NOT the Good Guy w/ Madeline Batt
David Gray Widder
Assistant Professor, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Computer Says Kill: The Toxic Love Triangle of Big Tech, Big War & Big Science w/ David Gray Widder
Lis Siegel
Doctoral researcher at University of Oxford, expert on US–China AI competition
University of Oxford
Episode: Computer Says Kill: The Blank Check to Beat China w/ Lis Siegel
Jeff Stern
Episode: Computer Says Kill: How a Calculator Company Reshaped Modern Warfare w/ Jeff Stern
Matt Mahmoudi
Assistant Professor in Digital Humanities at the University of Cambridge; Researcher and Advisor at Amnesty International
University of Cambridge; Amnesty International
Episode: Computer Says Kill: Collapsing the Chain w/ with Matt Mahmoudi
Brian Merchant
Author of Blood in the Machine; media critic and commentator on labor and technology
Author/Writer, Blood in the Machine
Episode: Fantasy Factory: Luddite Horror w/ Brian Merchant
Naomi Klein
Author and activist known for The Shock Doctrine and No Logo; author of End Times Fascism
Author and activist
Episode: How to Scare a Fascist w/ Naomi Klein
Valerie Veatch
Filmmaker and director of The Ghost in the Machine
Filmmaker
Episode: Fantasy Factory: One Filmmaker's Fight Against AI w/ Valerie Veatch
Julia Angwin
Investigative journalist and founder of The Markup newsroom
The Markup
Episode: Short: Grand Theft Grammarly w/ Julia Angwin & Peter Romer-Friedman

Host

Alix Dunn
Host of Computer Says Maybe

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 69 ratings
  • My favorite podcast

    An excellent insightful podcast with great guests and intelligent insight. Thanks Alix and team.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joe Sooleeman
    Canada8 months ago
  • Human says definitely listen to this podcast.

    Great insights on tech and global impact.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Supvaf
    Germany2 years ago
  • Epic analysis on top tech issues

    The team at Computer Says Maybe gets at key tech insights through meaningful conversations with leading voices. I love the way they make complex topics accessible and engaging!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    first-time-caller-
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Hosts translate complex topics into actionable ideas for listeners and sponsors.
Smart, accessible discussions with deep insights on tech and policy.
Guests come from diverse sectors, offering practical angles on AI and governance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#244
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#35
Colombia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#177
Finland/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#242
Belgium/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Computer Says Kill: The Toxic Love Triangle of Big Tech, Big War & Big Science w/ David Gray Widder
Q: What are the practical implications for students and academics in this funding ecosystem?
The discussion highlights how grants, internships, and part‑time industry appointments pull academics toward corporate and military priorities, influencing tenure and daily research practices, with a recommendation to build resistance and alternative coalitions.
Computer Says Kill: The Toxic Love Triangle of Big Tech, Big War & Big Science w/ David Gray Widder
Q: Do you want to describe or do you want to define what basic research and applied research are?
Widder explains basic research as foundational inquiry, often funded by the military, with a pathway that can lead to applied, warfighting outcomes; he argues that even basic research serves broader strategic goals and should be scrutinized for its downstream uses.
Computer Says Kill: The Toxic Love Triangle of Big Tech, Big War & Big Science w/ David Gray Widder
Q: Do you want to talk a little bit about how you ended up in computer science academia?
Widder describes a personal journey from an international upbringing to software work, research assistant opportunities, and a pivot toward examining ethical implications of AI in war, culminating in a focus on the money and power networks that shape research.
Logging Off w/ Adele Walton
Q: How do you see lived experience influencing policy?
By elevating voices of those affected, ensuring policies address real needs, and exploring mechanisms like voting power for impacted communities to move from consultation to action.
Logging Off w/ Adele Walton
Q: What motivated you to write Logging Off?
Personal loss from online harms and a broader belief that human stories can persuade everyday people to engage with tech policy, beyond jargon and academia.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Says Maybe

What is Computer Says Maybe about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on technology's real-world implications, exploring policy, ethics, and social consequences with researchers, regulators, lawyers, and technologists who work in the public interest. Episodes frequently dissect AI accountability, digital rights, gig economy dynamics, data privacy, and how policy can counterbalance powerful platforms. A standout aspect is its insistence on concrete examples and action, from state regulation proposals to worker organizing, making complex topics accessible without losing the nuance. Listeners likely value thoughtful scrutiny of tech through the lenses of law, governance, and everyday impact, along with candid conversations from practitioners shaping tech policy and public interest outcomes.

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Which podcasts are similar to Computer Says Maybe?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Computer Says Maybe:

1. Tech Won't Save Us
2. Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
3. The 404 Media Podcast
4. This Machine Kills
5. Jacobin Radio

How many episodes of Computer Says Maybe are there?

Computer Says Maybe launched 2 years ago and published 123 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 Computer Says Maybe?

Recent guests on Computer Says Maybe include:

1. Madeleine Batt
2. David Gray Widder
3. Lis Siegel
4. Jeff Stern
5. Matt Mahmoudi
6. Brian Merchant
7. Naomi Klein
8. Valerie Veatch

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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