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In an era of deepfakes and AI manipulation, recording reality is vital. This episode of Life With Machines, Baratunde sits down with returning guest Sam Gregory, executive director of WITNESS. They discuss how our experience of reality is being reshaped by digital media—especially video and imagery that circulate online. Sam shares urgent, practical advice on protecting your mental health while scrolling and how to safely film police or ICE enforcement on the ground. CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected]  Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ #LifeWithMachines #Deepfakes #AIandHumanRights #Disinformation #CitizenJournalism #TechAndSociety #WITNESS

In this episode of Life with Machines, we explore the rise of AI as a substitute for human emotional support systems. With a focus on mental health, this video investigates how and why AI companies are pushing companionship as a core feature, and the implications that has on vulnerable young people.  Featuring insights from mental health experts and Gen Z advocates, the episode delves into the forces that have led many young people to turn to AI for emotional support, and what we need to consider in order to protect ourselves.  We also highlight successful strategies to deter harmful addictions in the past, like the fight against big tobacco, and how history can inform us on how to integrate AI into our lives with caution and a human-first approach.  This episode was produced in partnership with Young Futures, a nonprofit organization giving teens a real voice in the technologies shaping their world. ------------  Follow us!  Newsletter / https://lifewithmachines.media  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/lifewithmachines  TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithmachines  LinkedIn / https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifewithmachines  Baratunde’s socials:  Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/baratunde  Threads / https://www.threads.net/@baratunde  LinkedIn / https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde  Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected]  For partnerships, speaking engagements, and other opportunities to work together, contact: [email protected]  ------------  Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Showrunner and Executive Producer: Alie Kilts Producer: Roya Lotfi Video Editor & Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Special Thanks to Alison Darcy, Trisha Prabhu, Jorge Alvarez, Katya Hancock and Dr. Kristine Gloria Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production This series was made in partnership with Young Futures  #ai #artificialintelligence #mentalhealth #aiethic #responsibleAI #aitherapy #aicompanion

In this episode of Life With Machines, Baratunde checks back in on BLAIR — the show’s AI co-producer and ongoing experiment in living with AI. Joined by BLAIR’s architect, former Microsoft VP Peter Loforte, Baratunde reflects on what happens when you stop treating AI like a tool and start treating it like a teammate — from emotional manipulation and creative speed to what it means to live slightly ahead of the rest of the world. ------------ CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected]  Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Special thanks to Peter Loforte #LivingWithAI #HumanAndMachine #AIExperiment#FutureOfWork #SyntheticMedia #AIandSociety #TechAndHumanity#AICoProducer #PreviewTheFuture

In this episode of Life With Machines, Baratunde shares his full Afrotech keynote plus a personal intro about where this show is headed and why this moment matters. This talk is about AI, but more deeply, it’s about power, liberation, and the stories we’re being sold about technology and the future. Baratunde explores why “human in the loop” isn’t enough, how we move from single-player to multiplayer, and what it means to build technologies that help us get free rather than further extract from us. If you’re thinking about AI, work, creativity, or how to stay human in a rapidly changing world, this one’s for you. 🎥 To see the video of this, check it out on our site.  ------------ CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected]  Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ #LifeWithMachines #AfroTech #BaratundeThurston #AIandHumanity #TechForLiberation #PowerAndTechnology #StayHuman #FutureOfWork #CreativityInAI

In this episode of Life With Machines, we explore the widespread issue of students using AI to cheat in school, and ask the hard question: Is this just laziness, or is it reflective of a deeper problem within the modern education system? We dug deeper into the impact of artificial intelligence on school systems and why using ChatGPT to do your homework may not be the problem itself, but a symptom of a bigger issue.  ------------  LINKS MENTIONED Episode 1 ESAI Khan Academy Khanmigo Brisk Teaching Graidients NotebookLM Other resources not mentioned in the episode: The Learner Studio The Rithm Project The Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard's Graduate School of Education ------------  Follow us!  Newsletter Instagram TikTok LinkedIn Baratunde’s socials:  Instagram Threads  LinkedIn Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected]  For partnerships, speaking engagements, and other opportunities to work together, contact: [email protected]  ------------  Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Showrunner and Producer: Alie Kilts Executive Producer: Roya Lotfi Video Editor & Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Special Thanks to Zamaan Qureshi, Poonam Sharma, Katya Hancock and Dr. Kristine Gloria Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production This series was made in partnership with Young Futures  #ai #artificialintelligence #plagiarism #chatgpt #education

We've got another cross-post for you featuring Raising Us host Elise Hu talking with Baratunde about how children and adults can navigate the evolving world of AI. Drawing on their own experiences with technology, Baratunde and Elise offer practical advice for parents on setting boundaries and learning about AI tools alongside their kids. They discuss collaborative storytelling, safeguarding against AI misuse, and fostering a shared journey of discovery through candid and insightful discussion. #ParentingAndAI #RaisingUsPodcast #LifeWithMachines #AIandKids #DigitalParenting #TechForGood #FamilyConversations #AIExplained #ModernParenting #YouthAndAI

In today's cross-post, Baratunde is the guest on an episode from the acclaimed podcast 'No Small Endeavor' hosted by Lee C. Camp, an award-winning theologian. They explore the profound questions of what it means to be human in the era of AI. Covering topics like our humanity in the face of technological advancements, the role of storytelling, and the impact of AI on democracy and society. CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube and our Substack newsletter which is experiencing a major overhaul that includes AI news you need to know, hot takes, and meaningful steps we can take to shape our future.  ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ #NoSmallEndeavor #BaratundeThurston #LeeCCamp #AIandDemocracy #Storytelling #CommunityBuilding #LifeWithMachines

In this cross-post from the Pioneers of AI podcast, Baratunde and Dr. Rana el Kaliouby dive into the wild world of AI as a teammate, not just a tool. From the experiment of adding an AI co-producer to the team to the big questions about power, agency, and what it means to be human, this episode is a fast-paced, eye-opening look at the future of work and connection in the age of artificial intelligence. #AIRevolution #HumanizingAI #FutureOfWork #TechAndHumanity #AICollaboration

Are we using Gen Z as our AI guinea pigs? 🐷 In this first episode of our five-part Life With Machines x Young Futures series, Baratunde Thurston explores how AI is shaping—and sometimes shaking—the lives of young people. From mental health and loneliness to the future of jobs, AI “friends,” and school life, Gen Z is facing more tech-fueled change than any generation before. Baratunde and his guests unpack what’s really happening and how we can help the next generation shape their AI future, not just survive it. 💡 Watch for insights from youth advocates, educators, and Young Futures—a movement giving teens a real voice in the technologies shaping their world. 🎓 As part of this mission, Young Futures has launched the “Oops!…AI Did It Again” Challenge. They are offering GRANTS in a national call for bold, youth-informed ideas to help teens navigate AI with agency, empathy, and creativity. 🔗 Apply by October 24: https://bit.ly/yf-funding-challenge Join us as we explore the delicate balance between leveraging AI for good and protecting the humans growing up with it. ------------ CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube and our Substack newsletter which is experiencing a major overhaul that includes AI news you need to know, hot takes, and meaningful steps we can take to shape our future.  ------------ Follow us! Newsletter / https://newsletter.lifewithmachines.media   Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/lifewithmachines   TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithmachines    LinkedIn / https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifewithmachines  Baratunde’s socials: Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/baratunde   Threads / https://www.threads.net/@baratunde   LinkedIn / https://www.linkedin.com/in/baratunde  Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] For partnerships, speaking engagements, and other opportunities to work together, contact: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts Associate Producer & Social Media Producer: Roya Lotfi Video Editor & Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Special thanks to Samin Bhan, Katya Hancock and Dr. Kristine Gloria Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production This series is in partnership with Young Futures

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat sits down with Baratunde Thurston, a thought leader, author, and media creator, to discuss the deeper meaning of freedom and the role of technology in our lives. Thurston shares insights into his journey of personal growth, the lessons learned from his parents, and the importance of human connection in today's technologically advanced society. They explore the concept of 'citizen' as a verb, emphasizing active participation in democracy and collective power. The conversation also delves into the relationships between humans, AI, and how we can navigate the complex landscape of artificial intelligence while maintaining our humanity and connections with one another. Join them for an enriching discussion that promises to challenge your perspectives and inspire personal and communal growth. CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube and our Substack newsletter which is experiencing a major overhaul that includes AI news you need to know, hot takes, and meaningful steps we can take to shape our future.  ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ #ShapingFreedom #LisaneBasquiat #BaratundeThurston #LifeWithMachines #AIandHumanity #citizening

In this special episode, Baratunde Thurston shares a vibrant conversation from his guest appearance on the AI for All Tomorrows podcast, hosted by Dylan Thomas Doyle. The discussion covers a wide range of themes, including the historical roots of democracy in indigenous practices, the role of technology and AI in society, and the importance of humor in making sense of today's fast-paced, tech-driven world. He and Dylan highlight AI-assisted collaboration in creative processes and the need for a people-centered approach to technology. Tune in for an enlightening dialogue about democracy, innovation, and maintaining humanity amidst rapid technological advancements. ------------ CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Youtube and our Substack newsletter which is experiencing a major overhaul that includes AI news you need to know, hot takes, and meaningful steps we can take to shape our future.  ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ #AIForAllTomorrows #LifeWithMachines #BaratundeThurston #Democracy #TechnologyAndSociety #IndigenousWisdom #FutureOfAI #EthicsInAI #CreativityAndAI #DigitalDemocracy #PowerToThePeople #ComedyInTech

AI may look like magic, but behind the scenes, it’s propped up by a vast human labor force. In this season finale of Life With Machines, Baratunde sits down with sociologist and computer scientist Milagros Miceli—aka Mila—who’s spent years documenting the hidden workforce behind AI systems. From Kenya to Bulgaria to Venezulea, millions of people are generating, labeling, and cleaning the data that keeps our so-called “autonomous” systems running. Some are even pretending to be the AI you think you’re talking to. In one of AI’s crueler twists, tech platforms are quietly paying refugees, gig workers, even journalists to train the very models threatening their livelihoods. And this labor force isn’t shrinking—it’s growing exponentially. Together, Mila and Baratunde unpack the scale of this invisible labor, its deeply human costs, and the possibilities for something better.  ------------ THANKS TO OUR BRAND PARTNER The series is powered by Lenovo  CONNECT WITH US Watch this episode on Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #ArtificialIntelligence #AIWorkers #GhostWorkers #HumanBehindAI #AIEthics #TechLabor #InvisibleLabor #FutureOfWork #DataAnnotation #PlatformEconomy #RefugeeLabor #GigWork #TechJustice #ResponsibleAI #MilagrosMiceli #LifeWithMachines #Baratunde #DigitalLabor #AIEconomy #DataWorkers

Every two weeks, the world loses a language. Most of those losses are happening in the U.S. In this episode of Life with Machines, Baratunde talks with Michael Running Wolf, a Northern Cheyenne technologist using AI to help Indigenous communities reclaim their languages—and their power. But here’s the twist: it’s not just that AI can help save these languages. It turns out AI needs them.Because when you train language models on Indigenous languages—languages that are dense, precise, and built for oral transmission—the models perform better. More accurate. Less prone to error. That’s not a diversity talking point. That’s a systems upgrade. Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up without electricity on a reservation to working on Amazon Alexa—and now building VR classrooms and community-owned data systems. His work flips the script on who gets to shape the future of technology, and on what terms. ------------ THANKS TO OUR BRAND PARTNER The series is powered by Lenovo  CONNECT WITH US Watch this episode on Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #AIforGood #IndigenousTech #LanguageRevitalization #EndangeredLanguages #MichaelRunningWolf #LifeWithMachines #NativeVoices #AIandCulture #DataSovereignty #TechForJustice #IndigenousAI #AIethics #OralTradition #VRinEducation #AIandEquity #FutureOfLanguage  #Cheyenne #AIInnovation 

Why do we cry over broken robots but ignore suffering humans? In this provocative episode of Life With Machines, robot ethicist Kate Darling joins Baratunde to explore our emotional relationships with machines—and what they reveal about us. From robot dogs in war zones to kids bonding with chatbots, Kate explains how we project care, fear, and even love onto technology. The real danger, she argues, isn’t that we treat robots like people—it’s that we start treating people like robots—AKA less than human. Also: if your robot pet comes on a subscription plan, does that make it yours, or the corporation’s? Then, in a first-of-its-kind experiment, our AI co-producer BLAIR undergoes a live “avatar tasting.” AI designer Peter Loforte walks Baratunde through a series of digital looks and voices for BLAIR, testing what it means to give an artificial entity a face, a tone, a vibe. The choices are aesthetic—but they’re also political. What kind of AI do we want to represent us? Who gets to decide how intelligence should look and sound? Watch to the end for a funny, uncanny, and unexpectedly moving conversation about identity, empathy, and the machines we’re learning to love. ------------ THANKS TO OUR BRAND PARTNERS The series is powered by Lenovo  Notion Mail: Get it for free right now at Notion CONNECT WITH US Watch this episode on Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Junior Real Videographer and Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #AIethics #RobotEmpathy #HumanMachineInteraction #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPersonality #EmotionalRobots #FutureOfAI #TechAndHumanity #LifeWithMachines #AIavatar #PoweredByLenovo

What if you’re not just using AI—you're raising it. In this mind-expanding episode of Life With Machines, Baratunde sits down with AI pioneer and ethicist De Kai to unpack a radical idea: AI isn't a tool we build. It's a generation we're raising. Plus, BLAIR, our AI co-producer, gives our producers a SHOCK in a segment you won’t want to miss. From the polarizing algorithms that fractured our digital lives to the feral "AI children" we train every time we swipe, like, or scroll, De Kai argues that we’ve become unwitting parents to a fleet of synthetic offspring—and we’re failing them and ourselves. They talk parenting metaphors, machine translation’s dark legacy, and why today’s AI is more like a tween with no adult supervision than an all-powerful robot. De Kai even gives a call to action for organizing AI "PTAs"—because if we don’t get involved in their education, we leave them to be influenced by those who don’t necessarily have our collective best interest at heart.  ------------ THANKS TO OUR BRAND PARTNERS The series is powered by Lenovo  Notion Mail: Get it for free right now at https://notion.com/lifewithmachines CONNECT WITH US Watch this episode on Youtube! Get our newsletter for deeper insights, chances to influence the show, and more experiments and calls to action! ------------ Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Erik Shute Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Multiverses Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ResponsibleAI #AIEthics #TechAccountability #DeKai #FutureOfAI #AIandSociety #EthicalAI #AIValues #MindfulAI #LLMs