The popular tech podcast Uncanny Valley, hosted by Michael Calore and Lauren Goode, is entering a new era. As the year closes, the pair announce their departure from regular hosting duties, handing the reins to colleagues Brian Barrett, Zoë Schiffer, and Leah Feiger. But this isn’t a cancellation; rather, a shift to continue delivering WIRED’s sharp analysis of Silicon Valley’s power dynamics and emerging trends.
The final episode with Calore and Goode features their signature “WIRED and TIRED” segment, a playful yet insightful rubric for identifying fading and rising forces in the tech world. This is more than just playful banter—it’s a signal of how rapidly the tech landscape shifts, and why staying ahead of these cycles matters for both industry insiders and observers.
The Rise of Ambient AI, The Fall of Voice Assistants
Calore argues that voice-activated AI assistants (watches, rings, smart glasses) are becoming tired, while truly ambient AI—systems that seamlessly react to presence without explicit commands—is the future. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s a privacy trade-off. If devices anticipate needs before being asked, they require constant monitoring, raising serious questions about data security and individual autonomy. OpenAI’s mysterious project with Jony Ive and Meta’s aggressive hiring of Apple designers suggest this transition is already underway, making privacy concerns all the more pressing.
IPOs on the Horizon: Liquidity and Transparency
Lauren Goode predicts a surge in IPOs from major tech companies like Stripe, OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX in 2026. This potential liquidity event could reshape the industry, flooding the market with new capital and potentially inflating valuations. The key shift here is transparency: once public, these companies will face quarterly financial scrutiny, forcing them to prove sustainability beyond venture capital hype. This increased accountability could be a game-changer for how tech companies operate.
The Myth of Tech CEO Saviors
Goode also dismantles the notion of tech CEOs as benevolent leaders. She emphasizes that their primary goal is growth, even if it means bending regulations or exploiting loopholes. This is a critical reminder that tech innovation is driven by profit, not altruism, and that blind faith in leadership is misplaced.
Looking Ahead: New Voices, Unchanged Focus
The transition to new hosts—Brian Barrett, Zoë Schiffer, and Leah Feiger—promises to maintain Uncanny Valley ‘s critical edge. Schiffer, author of Extremely Hardcore (a book on Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover), brings a firsthand understanding of chaotic leadership and rapid decision-making. As the podcast evolves, it will continue to dissect the power structures and ethical dilemmas shaping Silicon Valley, ensuring that the conversation remains as brutal and honest as ever.
The change in hosts doesn’t signal a change in direction. Uncanny Valley will remain a platform for rigorous reporting, challenging industry narratives, and holding tech giants accountable. The future of the podcast is secured, even as its founding voices move on.
