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Artwork for Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna
Artificial Intelligence
Large Language Models
Open-Source AI
Chatgpt
Meta
AI Deception
Transparency Index
Scientific Discovery
Foundation Models
Ethics In Technology
Democracy
Social Science Research
Nobel Turing Challenge
Llama2
AI Technology
Data Fabrication
Research Methodology
AI Ethics
Media Industry
Tescreal

Artificial Intelligence has too much hype. In this podcast, linguist Emily M. Bender and sociologist Alex Hanna break down the AI hype, separate fact from fiction, and science from bloviation. They're joined by special guests and talk about everything, from machine consciousness to science fiction, to political economy to art made by machines.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes71Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

Latest Episodes

For our last recording of 2025, Emily and Alex take on a TIME article naming the "architects of AI" as their person of the year. We also look back at the year in AI nonsense, and share findings from our Fresh AI Hell Wrapped. Happy Hype-y New Year!

more

There's a new definition of artificial general intelligence in town, and unsurprisingly... it's bad! Alex and Emily rip up the tissue-paper-thin premises behind this latest attempt to define "intelligence." Plus, we discover that AI hypers love using... more

Tech leaders are pushing the idea that automation can strengthen democracy — but as usual, their bold suggestions are based on castles made of sand. Alex and Emily tear down some flimsy arguments for AI governance, exposing their incorrect assumption... more

Last month, Senate Democrats warned that "Automation Could Destroy Nearly 100 Million U.S Jobs in a Decade." Ironically, they used ChatGPT to come to that conclusion. DAIR Research Associate Sophie Song joins us to unpack the issues when self-profess... more

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Recent Guests

Sophie Song
Researcher, organizer, and advocate working at the intersection of Tech and Social Justice
Distributed AI Research Institute
Episode: You Talked to Workers for This Labor Research... Right? (with Sophie Song), 2025.11.17
Decca Muldowney
Journalist and writer in residence at DAIR
Distributed AI Research Institute
Episode: Crunching the Numbers (with Decca Muldowney), 2025.10.20
Reo Eveleth
Reporter and writer, creator of the hit independent show Flash Forward
Episode: Building Worlds Through Better Reading (with Reo Eveleth), 2025.09.29
Maggie Harrison Dupré
Award-winning tech journalist at Futurism
Futurism
Episode: The Robo-Therapist Will See You Now (with Maggie Harrison Dupré), 2025.08.18
Sarah Myers West
Co-executive director of the AI Now Institute; former senior advisor on AI for the FTC
AI Now Institute
Episode: Winning the Race to Hell (with Sarah Myers West and Kate Brennan), 2025.08.04
Kate Brennan
Associate director of the AI Now Institute, spearheading policy work
AI Now Institute
Episode: Winning the Race to Hell (with Sarah Myers West and Kate Brennan), 2025.08.04
Susanna Cox
Consulting AI security researcher and core author team member at OWASP AI Exchange
OWASP AI Exchange
Episode: Vibe Coding: Four Security Nightmares in a Trenchcoat (with Susanna Cox), 2025.07.21
Charles Logan
Former English teacher and PhD candidate in learning sciences at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Et Tu, American Federation of Teachers? (with Charles Logan), 2025.07.14
Petra Molnar
Associate Director of York University's Refugee Law Lab, author of The Walls Have Eyes
York University & Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University
Episode: The "AI"-Enabled Immigration Panopticon (with Petra Molnar), 2025.05.05

Hosts

Emily M. Bender
Professor of Linguistics at the University of Washington, specializing in linguistics and AI discourse.
Alex Hanna
Director of research for the Distributed AI Research Institute, focusing on the societal impact of AI technologies.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 187 ratings
  • We want our morphemes back

    Finally, a corner of the Internet where I don't have to pretend that a data center can spontaneously attain consciousness by feeding Unicode through a linear algebra function. Thank you, Alex and Emily!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GJ-1245
    United Statesa month ago
  • Major WOOF

    Never made it through a full episode. Last episode was a major miss — you should probably have actual coders criticize vibe coding.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BrandongAwesome
    United States5 months ago
  • Intelligent

    Finally some skepticism to counter the hype. Podcast does a good job of deflating the bubble.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ememqut
    United States7 months ago
  • If you’re still sane and you know it listen here

    A bastion of sanity

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IAMAPrisonerOfTheSun
    Canada8 months ago
  • Balance, expert, funny, informative

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Vidrob
    8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticism has arisen regarding the delivery and occasional production issues, but the overall insights are valued.
Engagement with thoughtful guests deepens the understanding of technology's broader social implications.
Listeners appreciate the critical consideration of current AI narratives and enjoy the humor incorporated in discussions.
The podcast does a good job of deflating the hype surrounding AI while maintaining an engaging tone.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#226
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#109
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#193
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#103
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#69
New Zealand/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#228
Denmark/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Three Years of Ridicule as Praxis, 2025.09.19
Q: What is your response to anyone advocating thought partnering with LLMs?
It's a dangerous idea that suggests students should view LLMs as worthy collaborators instead of fostering real human connections.
Petro-Masculinity Versus the Planet (with Tamara Kneese), 2025.01.27
Q: How do you see the relationship between cryptocurrency mining and AI infrastructure?
Both require immense energy and resources, reflecting similar ideologies that prioritize extreme resource use over sustainability.
Episode 21: The True Meaning of 'Open Source' (feat. Sarah West and Andreas Liesenfeld), November 20 2023
Q: What is the underlying goal for talking about open source AI in front of the Senate?
The goal is often to push against any kind of regulatory mandate in AI, focusing instead on open source as a solution while avoiding accountability.
Episode 22: Congressional 'AI' Hearings Say More about Lawmakers (feat. Justin Hendrix), December 18 2023
Q: What do you find policymakers or legislators, when they say that, what's kind of an effective response to them, you think?
An effective response involves a detailed critique of AI claims, emphasizing that legislators must focus on the real implications of AI rather than hype.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000

What is Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the rampant hype surrounding artificial intelligence, the discussions highlight a critical examination of current trends and societal implications related to AI. The hosts utilize a blend of expert interviews and personal insights to dissect various topics, including labor rights, the impact of AI on journalism, and the interactions between technology and societal values. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to dismantling misconceptions surrounding AI technologies, often emphasizing the need for a skeptical approach to the narratives presented by tech leaders and the media. What sets this apart is the incorporation of humor and a conversational dynamic, making complex discussions accessible while maintaining c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000?

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1. Tech Won't Save Us
2. This Machine Kills
3. Better Offline
4. The 404 Media Podcast
5. TRASHFUTURE

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Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 launched 3 years ago and published 71 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 Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000?

Recent guests on Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 include:

1. Sophie Song
2. Decca Muldowney
3. Reo Eveleth
4. Maggie Harrison Dupré
5. Sarah Myers West
6. Kate Brennan
7. Susanna Cox
8. Charles Logan

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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