The AmberMac Show

WTH is AI Sovereignty? + The Internet Gatekeepers 03.06.2026 52хв

On this week’s episode: Amber and Jeff are together in our Toronto studio to share what they learned at Toronto Tech Week about Canada’s future, including demystifying sovereignty, the untapped potential of physical AI, and the role of our government along the way. Speaking of themes for 2026, our guest this week is Dylan Reibling, the filmmaker behind The End of the Internet, a documentary that dives into Big Tech’s military roots and unpacks the invisible operating system of the modern world. We also share a sneak peek at what makes heat pumps sexy and how they are changing the way we heat and cool our homes.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Dylan Reibling – Director/Producer/Editor of The End Of The Internet: LinkedIn | MovieBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

Humans Dating Chatbots + SpaceX IPO Hype 27.05.2026 51хв

On this week’s episode: What happens when everyday people fall in love with chatbots and AI companions? Victoria Hetherington, Host of Understood: Artificial Intimacy, joins us to share more. In this week’s headlines, Amber and Jeff chat about how Quebec is cracking down on Facebook’s crypto scams that are ruining the reputations of people in the public eye, robot workers at a Japanese airport, and a surprising thing that’s wrong with the Trump phone. In TheOtherMac, Jeff breaks down everything you need to know about the SpaceX IPO, including some strange details about Grok and Mars in the company’s pitch to investors.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Victoria Hetherington – Host of Understood: Artificial Intimacy: LinkedIn | PodcastBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

AI Toys vs. Parenting + A $20 Hearing Aid 20.05.2026 52хв

On this week’s episode, Amano Co-Founder Arish Shahab unpacks how his team designed a $20 hearing device to help millions of people who need a more accessible hearing solution (also known as the world’s most affordable hearing aid). We also break down the first-ever “Christian mobile carrier”, why Netflix is being sued in Texas, how AI is changing the call centre experience (not always for the better), and the latest AI cyber threats with ESET’s Chief Security Evangelist Tony Anscombe. Plus, in this week’s TheOtherMac, Jeff digs into a shocking UK report on just how many kids own AI-enabled toys.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social…Arish Shahab – Co-Founder at Amano: LinkedIn | WebsiteTony Anscombe – Chief Security Evangelist at ESET: X/Twitter | LinkedInBe sure to follow our hosts...Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

Instagram Shuttered Her Business + OpenAI Breaks Canadian Law 13.05.2026 52хв

On this week's episode, we speak to Emily Howard, a visual artist and entrepreneur based in PEI, who lost her Instagram account and, with it, almost 40,000 followers. We also answer your questions about cybersecurity, including how to avoid AI scams that are creeping into every corner of our digital lives. In tech news, Amber and Jeff discuss what we know about OpenAI's violation of Canadian privacy laws, why Anthropic and Elon Musk may be a match made in space, and what’s at stake if the EU caves to Big Tech. Plus, Julia Konefal, Co-Founding Partner at Toronto Tech Week, joins us to talk about what to expect at one of the country's biggest tech events later this month.Send a voice message to The AmberMac ShowCheck out our guest on social:Tony Anscombe - Chief Security Evangelist at ESET: X/Twitter | LinkedInJulia Konefal - Co-Founding Partner and Organizer of Toronto Tech Week: LinkedIn | WebsiteEmily Howard - Visual Artist based on PEI: Instagram | WebsiteBe sure to follow our hosts:Amber Mac: Bluesky | X/TwitterJeff MacArthur: Bluesky | X/Twitter

Is AI Making Us Dumb? + Zuckerberg’s Robot Fantasy 06.05.2026 52хв

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

The Truth About EV Costs + Smart Glasses Showdown 29.04.2026 56хв

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

Save the Wayback Machine, Apple's "Green" Grade, + Inside American Pie 22.04.2026 58хв

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

The Most Dangerous AI Model Ever + Bitcoin’s Canadian Mystery 15.04.2026 54хв

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

Hope on Artemis II, OpenAI Buys TBPN, & Democracy's 2nd Act 08.04.2026 52хв

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

Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton on Chatbots, AGI & Putin (Part 2) 01.04.2026 51хв

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

Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton on AI, Work & Warfare (Part 1) 25.03.2026 54хв

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

David Pogue on Apple at 50 + Trump’s TikTok Payday 18.03.2026 54хв

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

Meta’s “Pervert” Smart Glasses + OpenAI’s Canadian Safety Promise 11.03.2026 54хв

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

Anthropic vs Department of War + David Usher on AI Risks 04.03.2026 51хв

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

AI to “Save the Children” + Moving Beyond Silicon Valley 25.02.2026 52хв

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

Guests Cory Doctorow, Ed Elson, & Brittlestar on the State of the Internet 18.02.2026 52хв

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

Canada’s 2nd Chance + WTH is Moltbook? 11.02.2026 51хв

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

Guy Kawasaki’s Warning + Elon’s Robot Plans 04.02.2026 51хв

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

“The Wealthy Barber” on Smarter Spending + Misinformation in Minneapolis 28.01.2026 51хв

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

The New Science of Alcohol + Grok AI’s Deepfake Disgrace 21.01.2026 51хв

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