Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The AmberMac Show
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introducing The AmberMac Show | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:01:25 | |
The AmberMac Show is a weekly SiriusXM radio and podcast production that unpacks the latest tech, business, and digital news shaping our lives. Award-winning podcaster Amber Mac draws on over 20 years of experience covering technology in the US and Canada to make today’s complex high-tech world easier to understand. Together with co-host Jeff MacArthur, and featuring influential guests making their own headlines, Amber’s team helps listeners nationwide and beyond stay informed and ahead of the curve. | |||
| Elon Stumbles on DOGE Transparency & Fighting Misinformation With Science | 19 Feb 2025 | 00:52:09 | |
In this week's headlines, Amber & Jeff cover how Elon Musk is stumbling on DOGE transparency, why DeepSeek is dangerous, and how Apple is about to transform healthcare. Plus, Timothy Caulfield, Author of The Certainty Illusion, joins us to talk about the rise of misinformation; Melanie Morassutti, Executive Editor at West End Phoenix, joins us to talk about printing a local newspaper in a digital-first world; and Adam Eisner, Vice-president, .CA & Registry Services at CIRA, joins us to talk about Made-in-Canada business pride. Check out our guests:
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| Fake AI Case Law & Unlikeable Zuckerberg | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:51:48 | |
On this week’s The AmberMac Show, Amber and Jeff discuss how AI hallucinations are haunting lazy lawyers; Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s low likability scores; how artificial intelligence is infiltrating the dating world, and what the newest Facebook changes mean for live video. Plus, we talk with Ruv Cohen about AI safety around the world and Nat Bullard unpacks his world-famous 2025 state of decarbonization report. Jeff Macarthur Bluesky | |||
| Fighting DEI Rollbacks & James Bond on Amazon | 05 Mar 2025 | 00:45:05 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, Amber and Jeff dive into how much energy we need for our AI future, why more than a thousand tech and business leaders signed a letter to condemn DEI rollbacks, what it means for the James Bond franchise to be in the hands of Amazon, and the sad state of local news across the country. Links to this week's guests:
Connect with your hosts: | |||
| Trump on Crypto, Wearable Tech, & the Future of Work | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, Amber and Jeff talk Canadian pushback to Trump tariffs, Elon’s FAA request, and Google’s 60-hour work week proposal. Plus, we’ll cover preparing your kids for the future of the AI workplace with Dwayne Matthews, how wearable tech is reimagining everything from health to fashion with Amanda Cosco, and Jeff’s essay on why governments should probably stay away from cryptocurrency. | |||
| Guy Kawasaki on Surviving 2025 + Saying No to Mars | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, marketing icon Guy Kawasaki joins us to discuss the end of social media and the best advice to survive 2025. Amber and Jeff discuss Apple’s Siri AI delay, why Meta wants to block a new book from yet another whistleblower, and the best times to share online. Plus, Jeff unpacks what’s wrong with Elon Musk’s plan to go to Mars. | |||
| AI-Generated Election Ads & Google’s Starlink Competitor | 26 Mar 2025 | 00:51:47 | |
With an election on the way, Jeff and Amber chat about what Canadians need to know about the messy world of political advertising on Facebook. Plus, they dive into why AI comments might be coming to Instagram, Google’s new Starlink competitor, everything you need to know about AI search engines, how to stay safe from ransomware, and the best in accessible tech. Links to this week's guests: Connect with your hosts: | |||
| Tesla, Auto Tariffs, and Trump + Date Rape Drug Detection | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:52:04 | |
On this week’s show, Amber and Jeff chat about Trump’s new automotive tariffs with APMA's Flavio Volpe and why Tesla might be the only winner. On TheOther Mac, Jeff dives into everything you need to know about Signal-gate and what went wrong when US officials decided that was a good place for planning an attack. We also share some incredible news about a stir stick that can detect date rape drugs, unpack AI election ads on social media, and discuss the latest development in transparent solar cells, online research, and lots more. Check out our guests on social…
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| Canada’s Fake News Challenge, Cars, & Ukraine’s AI Drones | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
Former journalist Kevin Newman unpacks Canada’s growing misinformation problem and how Get Fact can help. Amber and Jeff discuss Ukrainian drones by the numbers, why AI likes to lie, Mark Cuban’s TikTok alternative, and how tariffs are taking the tech industry back a decade. Plus, we explore which AI models are worth a try and what they’re doing to the world of creativity with Mohit Rajhans. In The Other Mac, Jeff has 3 simple solutions for traffic congestion, including targeting distracted drivers. Check out our guests on social…
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| iPhone Tariff Drama & Ed Elson on Gen Z Loneliness | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
This week's guest is Ed Elson, co-host of The Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway, who joins us to discuss the next generation and why they’re lonely, anxious, and depressed (and what we can do about it). On TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about Trump’s evolving tariffs on iPhones and other Chinese-made devices. Speaking of China, we unpack how a tiny screw made in that country is powering the robot revolution. Plus, we take you on a trip down retro tech lane and tell you what you need to know about the return of the dire wolf. Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Canada’s Misinformation Election, Burner Phones & How to Win the Lottery | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:51:59 | |
On this week’s show, we dive into how the dark side of digital is shaping Canada's federal election, everything you need to know about deepfakes and the law with Carina Chiu, where the next generation is spending the most time online (and no, it’s not TikTok), how burner phones work, illegal tech monopolies, online harms with Angus Lockhart, and what you need to know about Discord and your kids. Plus, how to win the lottery! Check out our guest on social… Carina Chiu - Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution at McMillan: LinkedIn Angus Lockhart - Senior Policy Analyst, the Dais: Bluesky | X/Twitter Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Amazon’s Trump Backdown, Meta’s Privacy Shell Game, & David Moscrop on Mark Carney | 07 May 2025 | 00:52:06 | |
In this week’s The AmberMac Show: Amber talks to writer, author, and political commentator David Moscrop for a post-election debrief. We dive into the latest news from Amazon in the wake of tariff uncertainty, why you should change the privacy settings on your Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and a first look at the Nintendo Switch 2. Plus, Jeff breaks down how today’s digital dangers target our kids. We also speak with Roderick Benns, a local publisher, about going print-first in a digital-first world. Check out our guests on social…
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| Canada’s Digital Future, Spying on Workers, & Meta AI Warnings | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:52:04 | |
Jeff shares his thoughts on achieving a better digital future for Canada. Amber and Jeff also discuss what’s wrong with Meta’s AI plans for WhatsApp, Yahoo wanting to buy Chrome, K-12 AI in the US, weakening self-driving vehicle laws, and the implications of spying on people at work. In our AI Spotlight, we interview documentary filmmaker Philip Shane about the impact of artificial intelligence on creative professionals. Finally, just in time for Mother’s Day, we explore health and wellness tech gift ideas for the Mom in your life! Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| No to Zuckerberg’s AI Friends + Sinead Bovell on Canada’s AI Future | 14 May 2025 | 00:52:10 | |
This week, we chat with futurist Sinead Bovell about Canada’s role in the AI race and what humans need to do in this new age of innovation. Plus, Jeff unpacks why you shouldn’t trust Mark Zuckerberg and his AI “friends”. We also explain why Bill Gates is lashing out at Elon Musk and why Google didn’t like Apple’s AI browser remarks, plus we have a small business tech survival guide for entrepreneurs. Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Musk’s Racist Chatbot + Apple In China | 21 May 2025 | 00:52:10 | |
This week, Amber chats with Patrick McGee, the author of “Apple In China”; Jeff explains how Musk’s Grok chatbot started interrupting people with claims of white genocide in South Africa; and we talk about Canada’s new AI minister, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s backtracking on your data rights, Netflix’s upcoming generative AI ads, and a new app to help you try on clothes and share your looks. Finally, Amber discusses the advantages of hosting close to home with Emil Falcon. Check out our guests on social…
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| A.I. Slop in MAHA Report & Taylor Swift Wins Again | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:52:03 | |
In this episode, Amber and Jeff speak about a White House “Make America Healthy Again” report that seems riddled with AI lies and hallucinations, how Meta’s headsets could power the U.S. army, and why a Texas sheriff’s office crossed a line when tracking a woman caught up in the state’s dangerous reproductive care laws. Our guests this week include Sean Kennedy - who leads the Artificial Intelligence Research Lab inside of Nokia Bell Labs and explains to Amber why the story of artificial intelligence has deep roots in Canada - and Bill Robson, President & CEO of C.D. Howe Institute, who helps map out a plan for Canadian prosperity over the next decade and beyond. In TheOtherMac, Jeff has a helpful 8k vs 4k explainer for anyone considering upgrading their TV, and we explain how Taylor Swift's recent victory led fans to celebrate online. Check out our guests on social… Sean Kennedy - Artificial Intelligence Research Lab Lead, Nokia Bell Labs: LinkedIn Bill Robson - President & CEO of C.D. Howe Institute: LinkedIn | X/Twitter Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Discovering The Tragically Hip & the Truth About AI Lies | 28 May 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
The Tragically Hip’s manager, Jake Gold, shares why there will never be another Canadian band like The Hip and the inside story about the success of the streaming documentary, No Dress Rehearsal. We also share how President Trump plans to lure Apple back to America, and we unpack the latest TikTok challenge that is hurting teens and what content creators need to do in the age of AI search. Plus, Jeff explains the truth about AI lies and Amber unpacks how to use NotebookLM. Check out our guests on social…
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| Trump-Musk Breakup & Free AI Skills | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
In this episode, Amber and Jeff unpack post-by-post how President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk spent much of the past week in an online flame war. We also discuss Amazon's recent announcement about testing humanoid robots for package delivery, how Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" wants to ban AI regulation by the states, why Reddit is suing Anthropic, Volvo's new smart seatbelt, and more. Plus Amber talks with Google Canada's Vice President & Country Managing Director about a new AI program to upskill Canadians, and the Chief Security Evangelist at ESET explains how to stay safe when using large language models at work. Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Trump Family’s Golden Phone & Brittlestar’s Lessons from Cats on Fascism | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:52:27 | |
In this week’s tech episode, Amber and Jeff talk about the GENIUS Act in the States that’s getting crypto enthusiasts excited, the Trump family’s golden phone (that will likely be made in China), and yet another reason to be wary of Meta’s AI. We also discuss improved NFC, an enormous password leak, and whether TikTok’s upcoming AI ads might spell the end of some influencers. In The Other Mac, Jeff warns our listeners about even more AI slop coming to our online videos and how it’s ruining the web. Our guest this week is the internet’s favourite Dad, Brittlestar, who joins us to talk lessons from cats about fascism. Check out our guests on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Purpose in an AI World & 3 Lessons from Steve Jobs | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
In this week’s tech headlines, Amber and Jeff explain what we know about OpenAI teaming up with Barbie, why Disney is going after Midjourney for Shrek-like imagery, and how Europe is increasingly ditching Microsoft products to rebuild digital sovereignty. In the Other Mac, Jeff explains what we can learn from Steve Jobs’ commencement speech 20 years later, then Amber dives into the purpose of purpose with bestselling author Ron Tite, including lessons from Bo Burnham, the Internet star who inspires him. Plus, tech expert Marc Saltzman joins the show with gift ideas for grads. Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Trump’s Canadian Trade Chaos & The Problem With AI Music | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
Trump’s trade talk continues to threaten Canada, so Amber speaks to an award-winning economist about what this chaos means for Canadians. Speaking of chaos, Meta is testing out AI chatbots that will message you whether you want them to or not, just to keep you talking. Speaking of chatbots, an Xbox executive suggested that laid-off employees might want to use AI to manage their emotions (and unemployment). In The Other Mac, Jeff shares his thoughts on The Velvet Sundown and the problem with AI music. Check out our guest on social… Daniel Schwanen – Senior Vice President at C.D. Howe Institute: X/Twitter | LinkedIn Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| 2025 Canadian Tech Special | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:52:04 | |
This week’s special episode is all about Canadian tech! Jeff and Amber do a deep dive into the top 10 Canadian tech innovations that changed the world, as well as some fascinating non-tech inventions from Canada that have transformed healthcare, transportation, and lots more. Plus, Amber speaks with The Logic’s tech reporter, Murad Hemmadi, about Canada’s AI impact over the past 15 years, and we share our audience voicemails about what makes them most proud when they think about Canadian tech. Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Grok AI Goes Rogue (Again), Epstein Video Raises Questions & a Better “Facebook” for Canadians | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:52:12 | |
Amber and Jeff share what happened when Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok went rogue (again), including what ChatGPT thinks of all the drama. Plus, the latest digital investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein prison video raises some questions. In The Other Mac, Jeff explains the problem with Elon Musk’s new "America" political party. To round out this week’s show with some Canadian content, our guest is the founder and CEO of Gander, a new social media site launching this fall, built by Canadians and for Canadians. In other words, it might be time for Canadians to say goodbye to Facebook. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Elon’s Flirty Sexbots, Fighting AI Slop, & Coldplay’s Kiss Cam | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:51:59 | |
In this week’s episode, we talk about the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and its connection with Trump’s weaponization of the US legal system, Musk’s juvenile release of a flirty Grok sexbot, DuckDuckGo’s new feature to avoid AI slop, the tech CEO caught cheating on Coldplay’s kiss cam, and how greedy AI is getting for your personal information. Plus, Amber chats with Jar Audio about Canadian podcasting and Jeff gets us up-to-speed on a court case exposing Tesla’s autopilot safety issues. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Why Canada is Burning & Trump’s Attacks on “Woke AI” | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:52:09 | |
Our guest this week is journalist John Vaillant, the bestselling author of Fire Weather, who breaks down what we can learn from an oil town that went up in flames (especially relevant in these hot summer months in a warming world). In tech headlines, Amber and Jeff discuss why President Trump is obsessed with fighting back against “woke AI”, what the CEO of OpenAI thinks of young people turning to chatbots for therapy, how new online safety laws are protecting kids in the U.K., and lots more. Plus, how you can be part of a future episode! Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| 2025's Tech Wins & Fails on TheOtherMac Summer Special | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:51:58 | |
For our 25th episode, we've put together a summer special of The AmberMac Show looking back on the first half of 2025 through the lens of Jeff’s TheOtherMac segments. In this episode, learn more about the tricky tech behind online age verification, why we shouldn't trust Zuckerberg's AI friends, the truth about AI lies and slop, how to secure a better digital future for Canada, what Musk wants to do to America, and lots more. PS: Go to AmberMacTalkBack.com to leave an up-to 90-second voice message about your favourite tech-related movies and TV shows for an upcoming episode of The AmberMac Show. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| ChatGPT Gets a Facelift & 5 Reasons Instagram Sucks | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:00:26 | |
On this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff unpack everything you need to know about the latest version of ChatGPT, including how it still does a fair amount of hallucinating and continues to dish out dangerous advice. In The Other Mac, Jeff walks through 5 reasons he thinks today’s Instagram sucks. On the topic of social media, our special guest is Scott Stratten (AKA UnMarketing) who speaks with Amber about how AI is ruining authenticity online and what we can do instead. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Scott Stratten – UnMarketing: Bluesky | X/Twitter Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Canada’s Sovereign AI, AI’s Climate Disaster, & White House TikTok | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
On this week’s episode, Don Lenihan & Amber discuss the challenge of sovereign AI and why it’s a priority for Canada in the age of Trump. Speaking of the US President, the White House is now on TikTok and Jeff has some news about tariffs. Plus, how Hertz is using AI to charge exorbitant amounts for minor damages, Jeff unpacks AI’s impact on the environment, and Amber shares her list of the best tech for a smooth back-to-school. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Don Lenihan – President & CEO of Middle Ground Policy Research: LinkedIn Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Grok’s NSFW Taylor Swift Deepfakes & Meta’s “Romantic” Chats with Kids | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
In this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff talk about the technology that’s leading to the biggest wealth creation in modern history, why Meta is in trouble again for its chatbots and their conversations with kids, how Grok’s spicy video setting is making inappropriate deepfakes of Taylor Swift, and more. In TheOtherMac, Jeff unpacks the evolution of self-checkouts and why they’re making shopping worse. Plus, the Co-founder and Clinical Director of NiaHealth on what we can do to use data from wearables to improve the lives of Canadians, and Marc Saltzman shares his back-to-school tech picks. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guests online at…
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| ChatGPT’s Deadly Dangers & Fast Food AI Fails | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:52:09 | |
On this week’s episode, we discuss why hundreds of Canadians got their Facebook and Instagram accounts disabled without warning, and what Meta is doing to help (spoiler alert: not much). Plus, why a fast food chain in the United States is saying no to AI after a man ordered 18,000 cups of water, and how many public service jobs in Canada might be replaced by artificial intelligence. In this week’s TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down why OpenAI is being sued after the tragic suicide of a 16-year-old boy. This week’s guest is Rachel Tobac, an ethical hacker and the CEO of SocialProof Security who explains what we need to know about the safety and security of chatbots. Amber also shares a sneak peek of her newest podcast project, which focuses on critical minerals and mining. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guests online at…
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| Trump’s Tech Dinner, Alberta’s Book Ban & Musk’s $1T Payday | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
In this week’s episode, we discuss the chaos happening in Washington alongside America’s biggest tech leaders. Plus, there’s always a lot of talk about a minimum wage, but in the face of Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package, maybe it’s time we have a maximum wage. Rob Breakenridge, a columnist at the Calgary Herald, joins us this week to talk about the politics behind Alberta’s school book ban (and what literary icon Margaret Atwood thinks of it all). Speaking of the next generation, in the face of high youth unemployment, we share which industry is hiring young workers and needs their help. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Charlie Kirk’s Murder, China’s Influence & Canada’s AI Potential | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
On this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff discuss the rise in hate that’s turning into real-world violence, and what happened online in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Plus, what you should know about Apple’s latest devices, including a very cool feature that makes travel more accessible. In TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about the growing power and influence of China, and why it should be a cause for concern. This week’s guest is Douglas Soltys, the Editor-in-Chief of Betakit, who joins Amber to talk about Canada’s AI plans and some startups making a difference in tech. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Tesla’s Dumb Doors, Bike Lane Politics, & Canada’s Healthcare Crisis | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
On this week’s episode, Tesla’s door handles are dumb and dangerous. Amber and Jeff share more on what the car company plans to do about it in the wake of recent investigations. Speaking of dumb and dangerous, OpenAI is trying to make ChatGPT safer for teens, but age-specific accounts are not enough. In TheOtherMac, Jeff unpacks why Ticketmaster is getting sued and what it means for music fans. Our guests this week are Brent Toderian, who shares the truth about the politics of bike lanes, and Rosalie Wyonch, Associate Director of Research at the C.D. Howe Institute, who has some ideas about what we can do in the face of Canada’s healthcare crisis. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Canada’s AI Minister on Trust, Musk Sues OpenAI, & Spotify AI | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:52:05 | |
On this week’s episode, we have a conversation with the Honourable Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of AI and Digital Innovation, about why this new government is all in on artificial intelligence. Speaking of AI, we share how this technology is working to keep Indigenous languages alive. Moving south of the border, we unpack why Elon Musk is accusing OpenAI of stealing secrets plus the latest on the DOGE fallout, including data privacy concerns and begging fired workers to come back. On TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about why AI labelling needs to be widely adopted (and why that may not be what Spotify’s new AI rules accomplish). Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest online at…
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| Surviving a Plane Crash & the AI Bubble | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:50:08 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, we discuss why it should concern you that OpenAI wants ChatGPT to be the new operating system of the internet, plus Sora’s copyright issues, and Jeff dives into OpenAI (and others’) circular financing and related issues that may cause the AI bubble to burst. We also talk about Deloitte’s $300,000 Australian government report that was found to contain levels of AI hallucinations that may surprise you, how sidewalk delivery robots may be coming to a city near you, and why Tesla is once again in the crosshairs for self-driving accidents. We’ve also got a very special guest with Dave Sanderson, the last person off the Miracle on the Hudson plane crash, who joins us to talk about moments that matter and why he launched a new magazine on this topic. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| How Meta Hurts Kids & Takes Shady Ad Money Along the Way | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:54:55 | |
On this week’s episode: the latest on OpenAI’s new AI-only TikTok clone (which seems like an AI slop nightmare), the AI actor taking on Hollywood, and the increasing amounts of money President Trump receives from media and tech companies in legal settlements. In The Other Mac, Jeff uncovers how scammers are spending millions on allegedly forbidden Meta ads. Finally, our guests this week include the Director of the Tech Transparency Project, who joins us to discuss how to hold social media companies accountable for their shady actions, plus ESET’s Chief Security Evangelist on how to stay safe from the latest online scams. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| ChatGPT Gets Erotic & Musk Battles Bots | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, the makers of ChatGPT want to be a new home for erotic content. TechRadar Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff joins us to talk about what this means and why it’s so controversial. We also dive into the dangers of embracing crypto and why Pinterest is going to give you the option for less AI in your feeds. In The Other Mac, Jeff delves into how Elon Musk plans to combat the rise of bots on X. Finally, Tony Anscombe, Chief Security Evangelist at ESET, joins the show to discuss cyber resilience in the face of increasing scams and online criminal activity. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Broken by Misinformation, Resisting the Robots, & Building a Better Facebook | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
On this week’s show, which tech companies are shedding thousands of jobs in the age of AI, why Character.ai is finally banning teens from its chatbot, what are the politics around one of the most popular video doorbells, and why Canadians are stepping up and opening their wallets for a better Facebook. Plus, Jeff unpacks the problem in the promise of personal robots on TheOtherMac; Joan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies at Boston University, on how much we know about misinformation and how little is being done to stop it; and The Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines, on Canada’s identity and global leadership in ethical resources. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Why the Internet Sucks with Cory Doctorow & A.I. Mistakes Chips for Guns | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:51:51 | |
This week on The AmberMac Show, author Cory Doctorow joins us to talk about his new book, why everything is worse, and what we can do about it. We talk with Taylor Owen, founding director of The Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy (and host of Machines Like Us), and Sasha Havlicek, CEO of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about how the world’s leading democracies need to chart a new path forward in tech. In The Other Mac, Jeff unpacks what you need to know about Amazon deals. Plus, in this week’s headlines, how an AI metal detector at a school in the U.S. flagged a Doritos bag as a gun, and which Oscar-winning director likened tech bros’ irresponsible A.I. obsession to the blind arrogance of Victor Frankenstein. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Meta’s $16B Ad Scam & Guest Frank McCourt’s TikTok Bid | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:53:53 | |
On this week's episode on The AmberMac Show: We dig into how Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms are raking in billions by scamming online users through deceptive ads and, speaking of scams, Elon Musk is taking his Tesla board for a ride for a cool one trillion dollars - thankfully, not all billionaires are built the same. This week’s guest is billionaire investor Frank McCourt, Executive Chairman of McCourt Global and Founder of Project Liberty, who discusses his bid to buy TikTok and his mission to build a better Internet for all. Finally, in this week’s TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about dating apps, AI, chatbots, and the loneliness epidemic. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Global AI Cyberattack, Gen(Z)AI, & Disney+ Slop | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:49:44 | |
On this week’s episode on The AmberMac Show: We cover the first documented case of a global AI cyberattack, Disney’s unexpected embracing of AI slop, another AI band topping the charts, and OpenAI’s financial fumbling. We’ve also got Helen Hayes, Director of Strategic Development at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy, talking about Gen(Z)AI; Kate Koplovich, Senior Policy Analyst at C.D. Howe Institute, on Canada’s role in the global energy transition; and tech expert Marc Saltzman with the latest gadgets leading up to this year’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. Finally, on TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about the increasing omnipresence of online sports gambling. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Pornhub Begs Big Tech & Guest Don Tapscott on Identic AI | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:52:12 | |
In this week’s episode, Jeff and Amber explain what Pornhub is begging big tech companies to do, what the loss of Meta’s Chief AI Scientist says about the path forward for AI, why Elon Musk’s Grok AI thinks Musk is more fit than LeBron James, how TikTok plans to serve up less AI-generated content, and lots more. Plus, Don Tapscott, the “Father of the Digital Economy”, joins us to discuss his latest book, You to the Power of Two: Redefining Human Capability in the Age of Identic AI, co-authored with Joseph Bradley. We also share some top tech gift ideas for the holidays and beyond. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Our 2026 Tech Wish List for Canada + Uber Safety Tips & Democracy at Work | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:53:27 | |
In this special episode, Amber and Jeff break down their top 10 tech wish list for Canada in 2026, including saying so long to Facebook and using AI to save lives (and time) on our roads. Plus, Amber hosts a conversation on promoting democracy at work (recorded at the Canadian Club Toronto) and Uber joins us with safety tips for your next ride-share trip. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| Guest Mark Critch on Trump’s America & Disney’s OpenAI Slopfest | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
On this week’s episode, Mark Critch of This Hour Has 22 Minutes fame joins us to talk about his new book, “Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For”. Speaking of President Trump, we’ll share the latest on how your social media presence could affect your next trip to the United States, as well as Trump’s battle on “woke” fonts. In other news, Amber and Jeff cover ChatGPT’s role in a murder-suicide, Instagram’s sloppy clickbait link titles, and a children’s toy that spouts propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party. In TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down what Disney’s deal with OpenAI means for the future of entertainment, plus, if you’re still shopping for holiday gift ideas, tech expert Marc Saltzman shares some of his top picks, including some budget-friendly gadgets. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Elon Musk Takes on EU & Guest Mitch Joel on AI Job Chaos | 10 Dec 2025 | 01:02:36 | |
On this week’s episode, Jeff and Amber chat about how Google is eating ChatGPT’s lunch, what Elon Musk wants to do to the European Union, how one author managed to publish more than 100 academic papers on AI in a year, and why Netflix has Hollywood so worried. Plus, guest Mitch Joel joins us to discuss how you can keep your job and build a career in an AI world, and Cait O’Donovan, Head of Teens & Kids at Uber, unpacks new features in the company’s app to help families stay safe. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| AI Toy Dangers & Guest Catherine McKenna on Fighting Online Hate | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:52:39 | |
On this week’s episode, Jeff and Amber discuss why Meta is in trouble again for choosing user engagement over safety, how divisive X has become, and some disturbing news about sexual deepfakes. Our guest this week is Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former minister of environment and climate change, who joins us to talk about the state of hate online and her new book, Run Like a Girl. In TheOtherMac, Jeff shares everything you need to know about buying conversational AI toys for kids this holiday season and beyond. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| Tech’s Wild Second Half of 2025 with TheOtherMac | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:52:42 | |
In a special year-end episode, we're looking back at the second half of an incredible year in tech through the lens of Jeff's TheOtherMac segments on The AmberMac Show. Find out why the AI bubble is going to pop, how ChatGPT drove at least one youth to suicide, the real cost of humanoid robots, how Meta is the cornerstone of the online fraud economy, and lots more in this follow-up to our 2025 TheOtherMac summer special covering the first half of the 2025. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... Check out our Summer Special looking back at the first half of 2025 | |||
| Musk’s Grok Undresses Women & Our Guest on Gander Killing Facebook in Canada | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:52:17 | |
On this week’s episode, Ben Waldman, the CEO and co-founder of Gander, joins us to share when Canadians can log on to his homegrown social media platform. Plus, Amber and Jeff have an update on Elon Musk’s chatbot continuing to humiliate women, Drake’s class action suit’s relationship to a streaming scandal, why Tesla is no longer the world’s number one EV maker, and how a new phone is getting BlackBerry fans excited again. Plus, with more organizations demanding that workers return to the office, Amber and Jeff discuss what’s wrong with remote work and how to make it better in 2026 and beyond. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||
| CES 2026 Special – AI Chips, Robot Companions, & Smart Toilets | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:52:07 | |
In our 2026 CES Special, powered by Intel Canada, Amber and Jeff break down the best in tech from the Consumer Electronics Show. From smart toilets to high-tech LEGO, we unpack the most innovative products that will change the way we live, work, and play. Plus, we explain the good, the bad, and the ugly side of robot companions, which stole headlines at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. Finally, Asma Aziz, Country General Manager of Intel Canada, joins us to explain how AI chips work and why you should care. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social…
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| The New Science of Alcohol + Grok AI’s Deepfake Disgrace | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:51:09 | |
In this week’s episode, our guest Anthony Morgan, co-host of The Nature of Things, joins us to talk about the new science behind alcohol. We also unpack what happened last week on Grok AI and why Elon Musk needs to be accountable for X’s non-consensual sexual deepfakes. We’re also going to talk about Google’s deal with Apple and what it means for the future of Siri, and we’ll tell you about the Trump advisor Meta just hired to help run Facebook and Instagram. Send a voice message to The AmberMac Show Check out our guest on social… Be sure to follow our hosts... | |||