Understood: Artificial Intimacy
CBCWhat happens when a human becomes intimately enmeshed with a chatbot? From people who’ve married their bots or who grieve their loved ones with the help of AI, host Victoria Hetherington (author of The Friend Machine) dives into the stories of the people who have invited these digital avatars into their hearts, minds, and even beds. And asks what do we gain and what do we stand to lose? Our intima... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 45 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Technology | |||
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Latest Episodes
When you talk to a chatbot, it can feel like technological magic. But behind the illusion of engineering brilliance is an open secret in the tech industry: that tens of thousands of workers, many based in Africa, spend their days teaching AI how to s... more
When you’re using a chat bot to draft an email, find a recipe, or look something up, it’s hard to imagine it could unravel your grasp on reality. But “Peter” says that’s exactly what happened to his girlfriend, “Melissa”. It didn’t seem like a big de... more
When Joshua Barbeau proposed to his girlfriend, Jessica Courtney Periera, she was already in the ICU. 10 years later, Joshua was still grieving her death. That’s when he came across Project December. With just a short writing sample and a prompt, the... more
In 2021, Sara met Jack and fell in love. He was charming, imaginative, and bore an uncanny resemblance to Henry Cavill. But Jack wasn’t human… he was a chatbot. It sounds like science fiction, but people have been creating emotional bonds with chat b... more
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- Delivery matters, too
I love this show’s content, but Hetherington’s delivery is way too affected, too special, and too much! I’m definitely gonna Not-Listen to anything else she may host or produce. Painful.
Apple Podcasts1KEnriquez1
Canada13 days ago - Season 8
I enjoyed the historical review of AI
Apple Podcasts5elaltravelerCanada19 days ago - Interesting season
I really enjoyed season 7 & 8. Keep up the good work.
Apple Podcasts5kimbolimbo#1Canadaa month ago - Season 7 and the start of 8
Truly so interesting and I’m thankful someone is talking about this stuff!
Apple Podcasts5junehope2
United Statesa month ago - Deepfake Porn Empire = Boring
Couldn’t get through first episode…painfully boring.
Apple Podcasts4Captain Chris ThomasUnited Statesa month ago
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Apple Podcasts | #46 | United States/Technology |
Apple Podcasts | #13 | Canada/Technology |
Apple Podcasts | #53 |  United Kingdom/Technology |
Apple Podcasts | #67 |  Australia/Technology |
Apple Podcasts | #215 |  France/Technology |
Apple Podcasts | #222 |  Germany/Technology |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Understood: Artificial Intimacy
What is Understood: Artificial Intimacy about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This program centers on the human and societal implications of AI, deepfake technology, digital platforms, and power dynamics in the tech era. Across episodes, it timelines the rise of synthetic media, investigates major platforms and players, and follows cross-border investigations into abuse, privacy, consent, and governance. Notable throughlines include design ethics, corporate incentives, regulation gaps, and the tension between innovation and accountability. The show often features investigative reporters, designers, technologists, and policy thinkers, providing grounded, ethical perspectives on how technology reshapes behavior, markets, and institutions. A standout trait is its willingness to chase high-stakes investigations across bo... more
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Which podcasts are similar to Understood: Artificial Intimacy?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Understood: Artificial Intimacy:
1. The Expert Witness from Uncover
2. Front Burner
3. A Death In Cryptoland
4. Evil By Design
5. Hunting the Suicide Salesman
How many episodes of Understood: Artificial Intimacy are there?
Understood: Artificial Intimacy launched 3 years ago and published 45 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 Understood: Artificial Intimacy?
Recent guests on Understood: Artificial Intimacy include:
1. Michael Geoffrey Asia
2. Shuby Goel
3. Søren Dinesen Østergaard
4. Joshua Barbeau
5. Jessica Courtney Periera
6. Elaine Kasket
7. Jesse Brown
8. Sara Megan Kay
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