The AmberMac Show

On this week’s episode, Prof G Media’s Research Lead, Mia Silverio, is going to help us answer the question: Is AI Making Us Dumb? We’re also going to dive into Meta’s latest professional hobby (making humanoid robots), and we’ll tell you which Canadian bank is getting into the business of predicting earthquakes. In TheOtherMac, from bedrooms to bathrooms, Jeff shares his top Euro technology fails after his recent trip to Greece. Plus, we talk about what Spotify is doing to crack down on AI slop and how Taylor Swift is fighting back (once again) against deepfakes.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social:Mia Silverio – Research Lead at Prof G Media: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts:Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, if you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, we do a deep dive into the truth about EVs and how much money you can actually save (spoiler alert, it’s a lot). Our expert guest for this conversation is Rachel Doran, Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada. Speaking about making green choices, we also speak with Lourdes Juan, who just won $50,000 in investment commitments from DMZ Ventures for her food rescue matchmaker, Knead. Plus, for the first time ever, Jeff and Amber dedicate an entire segment to your thoughts; this week, we’re tackling smart glasses and why some of you love to hate them.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social:Rachel Doran – Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada: LinkedInLourdes Juan – Co-Founder & CEO of Knead Technologies: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts:Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s show, award-winning journalist and Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Sirota joins us to discuss what’s at stake if we start to lose the Wayback Machine and the history of the internet online. In tech headlines, Amber and Jeff share more on how a sneaker company is trying to get in on the AI boom with an unexpected pivot, what an AI tribunal company wants to do to intimidate the mainstream media, which chatbot can write most like humans, and Apple’s amazing environmental report card, Plus, Mike Ross drops by the studio to unpack his latest hit show, Inside American Pie, a docu-concert (with PEI roots) about one of America’s favourite songs.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…David Sirota – Founder/Editor of The Lever + Oscar nominee/WGA-winner for Don’t Look Up: LinkedIn | X/TwitterMike Ross – Co-Creator & Musical Director of Inside American Pie: LinkedIn | Inside American PieBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s show, Amber and Jeff break down why Anthropic’s latest AI model is not being released to the public, what META wants to do with your health data, the disgusting evolution of deepfake porn, and the mysterious history of the (possibly Canadian) inventor of Bitcoin. Plus, how satellites are destroying our night sky, what Greece is doing to protect young people on social media, and why the Electronic Frontier Foundation is saying goodbye to Elon Musk’s X. Our guests this week include Dwayne Matthews, a recognized Future of Education Strategist and Innovation Evangelist, and Christina Fox, the CEO of the TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, who unpacks the 3% problem women founders face.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Christina Fox – CEO of the TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario: LinkedInDwayne Matthews – Future of Education Strategist & Innovation Evangelist: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

In this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff discuss why OpenAI just acquired the world's most popular tech podcast, what happened when 100 robotaxis stopped in the middle of the street in China, and - if you're following along with the Artemis II mission - how to use Wikipedia to keep track of the astronauts' time in space. And speaking of space, we talk to Rod Prazeres, the astrophotographer whose photos appear in the hit movie Project Hail Mary, and we chat with Peter MacLeod, the co-author of Democracy's Second Act.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Rod Prazeres - Astrophotographer: LinktreePeter MacLeod - Principal at MASS LBP & C0-Author of "Democracy's Second Act": LinkedIn | BookBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

This week on The AmberMac Show, part two of our conversation with the Godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, who shares his thoughts on humans confiding in chatbots and his views on Russia’s President Putin. In TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down what you need to know about last week’s landmark social media addiction trial. Plus, why OpenAI killed SORA, why HBO’s John Oliver might have inspired some changes on Elon Musk’s X platform, and how a Canadian company is leading the way with Voice AI.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Geoffrey Hinton – University of Toronto Professor & 2024 Nobel Prize (Physics): Wikipedia | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, part one of a two-part conversation with Godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, who discusses with Amber how AI is shaping the future of work, why he is switching from ChatGPT, and lots more at RCIScience’s recent event. In this week’s news headlines, Jeff and Amber discuss how badly the internet is overrun with bots (and how much worse it will get), why Rivian will be coming to an Uber near you, Trump’s AI rules, Meta’s bad week, and some good Canadian news in quantum computing.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Geoffrey Hinton – University of Toronto Professor & 2024 Nobel Prize (Physics): Wikipedia | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, Amber has an in-depth conversation with tech journalist David Pogue about his new book, Apple: The First 50 Years, including the demystification of Steve Jobs. In tech news, we’ll share how much President Trump is getting for the US purchase of TikTok, a disturbing study about the dangers of chatbots facilitating violence, and the social media site that shut down because it had the courage to admit it was overrun with bots. In TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down out-of-control online subscription services, from heated seats to shady software, and what to do about them.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…David Pogue – Journalist & Author of “Apple: The First 50 Years”: LinkedIn | Book WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff share a Meta smart glasses warning about how your personal information might not be as private as you hoped. Plus, we have an update on Anthropic’s fight with the Department of War and OpenAI’s conversations with the Canadian government. We’ll also share more about the wearable tech company that recently acquired a Finnish AI-driven gesture-recognition company. Our guest this week is Cam Gordon, a Toronto-based writer who also once served as Head of Communications for Twitter in Canada, who joins us to discuss his new book, Track Changes, which chronicles how the Internet has shaped the music industry in Canada.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Cam Gordon – Director of Communications & Public Affairs at Seneca Polytechnic: “Track Changes” Website | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

Our guest this week is David Usher, a well-known musician, speaker, and author, who shares his thoughts on today’s AI risks, rewards, robots, and more. In TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down Anthropic’s battle with the United States Department of War. Plus, in this week’s headlines, Amber and Jeff discuss how OpenAI is under pressure to make changes to boost safety measures after one of our country’s worst school shootings, how Burger King is using AI to monitor its employees, and why the impact of AI on GDP growth in the US might be grossly overestimated.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…David Usher – CEO • Reimagine AI & SecondEcho • Keynote Speaker • Bestselling Author • Musician: Website | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, Amber and Jeff share which company is now America’s largest, the Canadian tech giant that wants us to shift our gaze away from Silicon Valley, and how the Epstein saga disrupted a major AI conference. In TheOtherMac, Jeff talks about his top 5 digital design fails that need to end right now. Plus, we have two great guests this week who are joining us to talk about innovation to help kids and older adults. Save the Children will break down how they’re using AI to keep girls and boys around the world safer, and one of the creators of the Paige frame joins us to share how they’re creating a new category of tech for seniors.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Bob Millar – Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer of kiloBryte Inc., creators of the Paige frame: Website | LinkedIn | FacebookNikki Whaites – Interim VP Operations of International Programs for Save the Children: LinkedIn| X/Twitter | InstagramBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

In this 1-year anniversary special episode of The Amber Mac Show, author and activist Cory Doctorow shares more about the enshittification of our tech world. To build on the issue of online harms, Ed Elson, from the Prog G Markets Podcast with Scott Galloway, unpacks how social media is making kids lonely. Plus, to wrap up this week’s show, Canada’s favourite Internet dad Brittlestar explains more about lessons from cats surviving fascism (also the title of his book).Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest online…Cory Doctorow – Author of Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It: Website | BookEd Elson – Writer, Analyst, & Co-Host of the Prof G Markets podcast with Scott Galloway: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | InstagramStewart Reynolds – Brittlestar, the Internet’s Favourite Dad: X/Twitter | Bluesky | Cats Surviving FascismBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

In this week’s episode, we speak with Taylor Owen from the Machines Like Us podcast about Canada’s second chance to protect Canadians online. Plus, we tell you about a new social network called Moltbook, built exclusively for AI bots. We also unpack the latest headlines about America’s TikTok takeover, including possible censorship, and we share more about a new Amazon Ring feature that will help reunite lost dogs with their owners. If you’re curious about why the French police raided X’s (the platform pushing Grok AI) offices in Paris, we have an update on that, too!Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Taylor Owen – Founding Director at The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy + Host of Machines Like Us: LinkedIn | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

In this week’s episode, our guest is Guy Kawasaki, who joins us to share more about the only app you should use right now to message your friends and family. Plus, we’ll tell you what happened with Facebook and teens in 2016 that was one of the first warning signs that social media wasn’t safe for kids. And if you follow news about Elon Musk and Tesla, we’re going to share why cars might not be the future of the company. Plus, we’ll dive into what Apple products might be coming to a home near you and the latest on what OpenAI plans to start doing to make money for the over-18 crowd.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Guy Kawasaki – Chief evangelist at Canva & Host of the Remarkable People podcast: LinkedIn | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

On this week’s episode, The Wealthy Barber’s David Chilton joins us with an updated version of his bestselling book, including common-sense ways to manage money and what you need to know about TikTok finfluencers. In this week’s TheOtherMac segment, Jeff has an update on what happened at Davos from a tech perspective. Plus, in tech news, Amber and Jeff share how deepfake videos and images are spreading misinformation about what’s happening in Minnesota (and it’s coming from the White House) and what the Canadian government plans to do about banning social media for kids.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…David Chilton – Author of The Wealthy Barber: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Anthony Morgan – Co-Host of The Nature of Things: LinkedIn | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Asma Aziz – Country General Manager of Intel Canada: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Ben Waldman – Founder & CEO of Gander: Website | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Be sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/TwitterCheck out our Summer Special looking back at the first half of 2025

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Be sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Mark Critch – Bestselling author of ‘Sorry, Not Sorry’, 22 Minutes, Son Of A Critch: X/TwitterMarc Saltzman – Tech Expert: X/Twitter | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Mitch Joel – Co-Founder of ThinkersOne, Keynote Speaker, Author & Host: LinkedIn | X/TwitterCait O’Donovan – Head of Teens & Kids at Uber: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Catherine McKenna – Founder and CEO of  Climate and Nature Solutions: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Don Tapscott – Co-Founder & Executive Chairman at Blockchain Research Institute & 9X Bestselling Author: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Helen Hayes – Director of Strategic Development, at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy: LinkedInKate Koplovich – Senior Policy Analyst at C.D. Howe Institute: LinkedInMarc Saltzman – Tech Expert: X/Twitter | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Frank McCourt - Author & Executive Chairman of McCourt Global and Founder of Project Liberty: Book | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Joan Donovan – Assistant Professor of Journalism & Emerging Media Studies at Boston University: LinkedInThe Honourable Stephen Lecce – Ontario’s Minister of Energy & Mines: LinkedInThis is Mining PodcastBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Cory Doctorow – Author of Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It: Website | BookTaylor Owen – Founding Director at The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy + Host of Machines Like Us: LinkedIn | WebsiteSasha Havlicek – CEO at Institute for Strategic Dialogue: LinkedIn | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Lance Ulanoff – Editor-at-Large at TechRadar: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Dave Sanderson – Leadership & Resilience Keynote Speaker & Author: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Katie Paul – Director of the Tech Transparency Project: LinkedIn | WebsiteTony Anscombe – Chief Security Evangelist at ESET: LinkedIn | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest online at…Evan Solomon – Canada’s Minister of AI & Digital Innovation: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Brent Toderian – City Planner, TODERIAN UrbanWORKS: LinkedIn | X/TwitterRosalie Wyonch – Associate Director of Research at C.D. Howe Institute: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Douglas Soltys – Editor-in-Chief of Betakit: LinkedIn | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Rob Breakenridge – Host/Columnist for The Line Alberta & Columnist for Calgary Herald: LinkedIn | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guests online at…Rachel Tobac – Friendly Hacker & CEO of SocialProof Security: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Don Lenihan – President & CEO of Middle Ground Policy Research: LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guests online at…Tanya ter Keurs – Nurse Practitioner & Clinical Director of NiaHealth: LinkedIn | NiaHealth.coMarc Saltzman – Tech Expert: LinkedIn | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Scott Stratten – UnMarketing: Bluesky | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 ShowCheck out our guest on social…Ben Waldman - Founder & CEO of GanderBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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 | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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…Stewart Reynolds – Brittlestar, the Internet’s Favourite Dad: X/Twitter | BlueskyBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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: LinkedInBill Robson - President & CEO of C.D. Howe Institute: LinkedIn | X/TwitterBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

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…Jake Gold – Manager of The Tragically Hip: LinkedInAnd be sure to follow our hosts…Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter