Introducing a New Chapter for ‘Uncanny Valley’
As 2025 comes to a close, the hosts of WIRED's podcast Uncanny Valley, Michael Calore and Lauren Goode, reflect on the year's key moments and share their outlook for the coming year. They gather poolside to unwind, highlighting what trends to embrace and which to leave behind.
Looking Back and Ahead
Michael and Lauren discuss their tech picks under the playful rubric "WIRED and TIRED," marking trends to watch and those fading away. Michael expresses skepticism about voice-activated AI hardware becoming mainstream, favoring instead silent, ambient AI that anticipates users' needs without commands. He points to upcoming projects by OpenAI and Meta as signs this ambient computing direction is gaining momentum, though privacy remains a concern.
Lauren is optimistic about the wave of tech IPOs expected in 2026, including companies like Stripe, OpenAI, and SpaceX, signaling potentially transformative liquidity events in the industry. She also emphasizes a shift away from idolizing tech CEOs as moral authorities, focusing instead on scrutinizing their business and political actions.
Passing the Torch to New Hosts
With the season concluding, a new team — Brian Barrett, Zoë Schiffer, and Leah Feiger — will lead Uncanny Valley into 2026 and beyond. Brian brings a rich journalism background, including business reporting and a leadership role at Gizmodo. Zoë, known for her coverage of Silicon Valley and a published book on Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition, shares her insights on tech culture and leadership.
Seasonal Recommendations and Closing Thoughts
The episode includes personal recommendations from the hosts, ranging from music by Brian’s band Twin Dimensions to sustainable fashion choices and comfortable American Giant hoodies. Lauren highlights the joy and value of creating podcasts with friends, reflecting on nearly a decade of collaboration with Michael.
As Michael and Lauren sign off, they thank listeners for their support and invite them to continue following WIRED’s tech coverage alongside the new hosting team.
For more insights and full audio access, listeners can subscribe to Uncanny Valley on popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
Original article: Introducing a New Chapter for ‘Uncanny Valley’ - WIRED
