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Life with Machines

Baratunde Thurston
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Creativity
Comedy
Technology
Technology and Culture
Education
Democracy
Innovation
Community Engagement
BBL Drizzy
Privacy
Sustainable Innovation
Digital Culture
AI Technology
E-Commerce
Parenting
Mental Health
Human Rights
Music Industry

Life With Machines explores the human side of the A.I. revolution – the good, the bad, and the weird – and asks, “How can these machines help us become more human?” In this video podcast, host Baratunde Thurston helps us understand our rapidly emerging future, and encourages us to shape it and laugh at the absurdity. Baratunde demystifies A.I. and makes it personal with a wide range of guests: en... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes49Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Life with Machines

Latest Episodes

Back in November 2025, I was at AfroTech reconnecting with Will Lucas of Black Tech Green Money. Our conversation had that cookout, Juneteenth “get free” energy. Jidenna had just performed and Stacey Abrams was up next. And we asked the question: do ... more

A few months ago, Dan Blumberg — host of Future Around and Find Out, Webby winner for Best Technology Podcast — brought me in and let me get spicy. The question we kept circling: who actually gets to decide what this technology does to us, for us and... more

We throw around the phrase "digital native" like a compliment, but Big Tech uses it as a free pass to force-feed youth their latest experiments. They market convenience while masking the true human toll: young minds navigating rampant algorithmic fal... more

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What happens when Silicon Valley's AI boom collides with rural America and Indigenous communities? Big Tech is pouring hundreds of billions into data centers, eyeing reopened nuclear plants like Three Mile Island, and pushing for expanded uranium min... more

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Recent Guests

Will Lucas
Host of Black Tech Green Money, AfroTech organizer
Black Tech Green Money / AfroTech
Episode: Change the Game: Exploring Tech and Freedom with Will Lucas
Dan Blumberg
Independent technologist and former NPR journalist; hosts Future Around and Find Out
Future Around and Find Out
Episode: Steer the Future or Get Steamrolled (cross-post)
Neha Shukla
21-year-old AI ethicist, activist, and Duke student (CS and Sociology)
Young Futures; Innovation For Everyone; World Economic Forum youth AI advisory leadership
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Tazin Khan
Cyber risk strategist, digital rights advocate, founder of Cyber Collective
Young Futures
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Sneha Revanar
Founder of ENCODE JUSTICE, youth-led organization
ENCODE JUSTICE
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Zaman Qureshi
Leader of Youth Coalition at Design It For Us
Design It For Us
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Shosha Prabhu
Founder of Rethink Citizens
Rethink Citizens
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Anika Dugal
High schooler leading campaigns like Stop Explicit Deepfakes
Youth-led campaigns
Episode: They Grew Up With AI—Now They’re Taking Control
Tesia Zientek
Managing Director of Programs at Aises; Young Futures grantee
Aises; Young Futures
Episode: Big Tech Is Coming for Rural America. Young People Are Ready.

Host

Baratunde Thurston
Host of Life With Machines; focuses on humanizing AI and shaping a just, interdependent tech future.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Outstanding conversation with Michael Running Wolf

    I’m new to this podcast and this conversation with Michael about Indigenous leaders leveraging AI to uplift indigenous languages now and for the next generations.I hope you connect this group to more funding! I shared this episode thank you!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katyaseattle
    United States8 months ago
  • Listen to a storytelling craftsman uplift the gems of his guests’ incredible stories

    Baratunde’s How To Citizen has been a beacon for me through dark times and so many of the guests are inspirations for my own work.

    Life with Machines is a natural progression and already has things I’ve never heard before- like an AI rap battle!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    csageland
    United States2 years ago
  • Learning journey

    I’m leery of AI in many ways because of the potential downside, but interested in learning more about it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elizlk
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Baratunde's storytelling pairs guests' insights with practical takeaways for real-world impact.
Intriguing exploration of Indigenous leadership shaping AI and language preservation.
The show offers approachable but thoughtful discourse on AI and its societal risks and opportunities.

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Acquired
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The Room Podcast
The Room PodcastClaudia Laurie and Madison McIlwain
Eye On A.I.
Eye On A.I.Craig S. Smith
Building AI Boston
Building AI BostonBuilding AI Boston
What Comes Next with Arun
What Comes Next with ArunArunansu Pattanayak

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Big Tech Is Coming for Rural America. Young People Are Ready.
Q: How can Indigenous communities steer AI development to reflect their values?
By grounding technology in Indigenous knowledge, building data sovereignty, and creating community-led initiatives like AUNTIE Tech and sovereign AI projects that pair tradition with modern tools.
Big Tech Is Coming for Rural America. Young People Are Ready.
Q: So what's the solution for communities facing a new wave of AI-driven resource use?
Equip local youth with AI education and agency, connect them with trusted programs like Young Futures and the Mark Cuban Foundation, and build governance frameworks that prioritize digital sovereignty and local needs.
Whose Future Are We Building? (cross-post)
Q: What is the most seductive lie that we tell ourselves about progress through technology?
We justify behavior by believing that optimizing and increasing efficiency will improve our lives, yet we lose meaningful experiences behind it.
ICE, Deepfakes, and What's Real w/ Sam Gregory
Q: What can we learn from other historical contexts about witnessing and accountability?
Witnessing can make a difference over time, and historical archives can help establish accountability even if immediate justice is not achieved.
ICE, Deepfakes, and What's Real w/ Sam Gregory
Q: What principles should we follow when bearing witness?
We should work in community, assess risk, film with intention, and think carefully before sharing what we film.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Life with Machines

What is Life with Machines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Life with Machines examines the human side of the AI revolution through candid conversations that blend personal storytelling, cultural critique, and practical ethics. Episodes span topics like AI governance, digital rights, education, rural and Indigenous tech sovereignty, and the social implications of automation, with a consistent emphasis on human dignity, community agency, and responsible innovation. A standout trait is the host's ability to pair deep questions with accessible, hopeful storytelling, often featuring guests who are activists, journalists, policymakers, technologists, and youth leaders shaping how technology intersects with society.

Where can I find podcast stats for Life with Machines?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Life with Machines. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Life with Machines and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Life with Machines get?

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What are the audience demographics for Life with Machines?

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How many subscribers and views does Life with Machines have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Life with Machines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Life with Machines:

1. On with Kara Swisher
2. Pivot
3. The Daily
4. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of Life with Machines are there?

Life with Machines launched 2 years ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Life with Machines?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Life with Machines?

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What guests have appeared on Life with Machines?

Recent guests on Life with Machines include:

1. Will Lucas
2. Dan Blumberg
3. Neha Shukla
4. Tazin Khan
5. Sneha Revanar
6. Zaman Qureshi
7. Shosha Prabhu
8. Anika Dugal

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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