The AmberMac Show
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.
Episodes
The Science of Wildfires + Why Cybertrucks Are Bad for Cities
In this week’s episode, we explore the science behind out-of-control wildfires and we ask how we can save our cities from Cybertrucks. Jeff hosts this summer special, featuring two of our most popular past interviews. First, Amber speaks with journalist John Vaillant, bestselling author of Fire Weather, about what we can learn from an oil town that went up in flames – and why the lessons are espec
Billionaire Toymaker Ronnen Harary + Why Prediction Markets Suck
On this week’s episode, Jeff dives into prediction markets – what they are, how they work, and why he thinks they’re a bad idea. We also discuss Meta’s (now reversed) move to let users generate AI images from public Instagram profile photos, and why social media companies continue to fall short when it comes to protecting kids online. Plus Amber sits down with billionaire entrepreneur Ronnen Harar
Anthony “The Mooch” Scaramucci on Trump, Crypto, & Canada
On this week’s episode, one of President Trump’s biggest critics is joining us. Anthony Scaramucci is our guest with the latest on how the US commander-in-chief uses and abuses social media, what to expect in the upcoming midterm elections, how Trump became the Crypto King, and what the US really thinks about Canada. In tech news, Jeff and I chat about how children are adopting AI at a rate three
Canada’s Greatest Tech Hits + Remembering The Hip
This week’s special episode includes a nod to Canada’s 2026 technology newsmakers, including Cohere and Waabi, and a look back at the top Canadian technology inventions and not-so-tech innovations. Plus, in celebration of the upcoming 10-year anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s final concert with frontman Gord Downie, we’re including an encore of our conversation with the band’s manager, Jake Gold
Democracy is Good Business + Debating Online Age Verification
On this week’s episode: Amber and Jeff discuss social media bans and how they can help keep kids safer online, including what makes sense in Bill C-34 (Canada’s Safe Social Media Act) and why age verification isn’t impossible. Plus, we chat with keynote speaker and bestselling author Doug Stephens about his new book, The Future of Competitive Advantage, which unpacks why saving democracy is good b
Canada’s Safe Social Media Act, Just the Facts
On this week’s episode, we unpack Canada’s Safe Social Media Act with Taylor Owen, founding director of the Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy. We discuss Canada’s plans to keep kids – and maybe all of us – safer online, including what the Act proposes and how misinformation is getting in the way. Plus, Amber and Jeff chat about the rising costs of artificial intelligence and the countrie
Heat Pumps Explained + Canada Goes “AI for All”
On this week’s episode, Canada finally has an AI strategy (six months behind schedule). Amber and Jeff unpack what this means for Canadians building skills for the future and where the plan falls short. We’re also going to speak to an expert about heat pumps who will demystify how they work, especially in cold climates. Paul Lambert, Founder & CEO at Quilt, joins us to share more. Plus, our se
BREAKING: Carney's AI Plan for Canada - Our Take
Amber and Jeff break down Canada's new AI plan, called AI for All (released Thursday, June 4, 2026). The plan includes three principles: trust, opportunity, and sovereignty. There are some solid initiatives in the strategy to improve AI literacy, power AI adoption, and build the foundation for Canadian sovereign AI. However, there is also room for improvement. Listen to today's conversation for mo
WTH is AI Sovereignty? + The Internet Gatekeepers
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 d
Humans Dating Chatbots + SpaceX IPO Hype
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, an
AI Toys vs. Parenting + A $20 Hearing Aid
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 bet
Instagram Shuttered Her Business + OpenAI Breaks Canadian Law
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 priva
Is AI Making Us Dumb? + Zuckerberg’s Robot Fantasy
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
The Truth About EV Costs + Smart Glasses Showdown
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 commit
Save the Wayback Machine, Apple's "Green" Grade, + Inside American Pie
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 mai
The Most Dangerous AI Model Ever + Bitcoin’s Canadian Mystery
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
Hope on Artemis II, OpenAI Buys TBPN, & Democracy's 2nd Act
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 pho
Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton on Chatbots, AGI & Putin (Part 2)
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
Godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton on AI, Work & Warfare (Part 1)
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
David Pogue on Apple at 50 + Trump’s TikTok Payday
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
Meta’s “Pervert” Smart Glasses + OpenAI’s Canadian Safety Promise
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 compan
Anthropic vs Department of War + David Usher on AI Risks
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 wo
AI to “Save the Children” + Moving Beyond Silicon Valley
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 innovatio
Guests Cory Doctorow, Ed Elson, & Brittlestar on the State of the Internet
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
Canada’s 2nd Chance + WTH is Moltbook?
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
Guy Kawasaki’s Warning + Elon’s Robot Plans
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 th
“The Wealthy Barber” on Smarter Spending + Misinformation in Minneapolis
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 spre
The New Science of Alcohol + Grok AI’s Deepfake Disgrace
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 Tr
CES 2026 Special – AI Chips, Robot Companions, & Smart Toilets
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
Musk’s Grok Undresses Women & Our Guest on Gander Killing Facebook in Canada
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 Bla
Tech’s Wild Second Half of 2025 with TheOtherMac
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 The
Our 2026 Tech Wish List for Canada + Uber Safety Tips & Democracy at Work
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 ShowCh
Guest Mark Critch on Trump’s America & Disney’s OpenAI Slopfest
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 cov
Elon Musk Takes on EU & Guest Mitch Joel on AI Job Chaos
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 &
AI Toy Dangers & Guest Catherine McKenna on Fighting Online Hate
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 TheOtherM
Pornhub Begs Big Tech & Guest Don Tapscott on Identic AI
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 lates
Global AI Cyberattack, Gen(Z)AI, & Disney+ Slop
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
Meta’s $16B Ad Scam & Guest Frank McCourt’s TikTok Bid
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, Executiv
Broken by Misinformation, Resisting the Robots, & Building a Better Facebook
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, A
Why the Internet Sucks with Cory Doctorow & A.I. Mistakes Chips for Guns
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 p
ChatGPT Gets Erotic & Musk Battles Bots
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 th
Surviving a Plane Crash & the AI Bubble
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 ha
How Meta Hurts Kids & Takes Shady Ad Money Along the Way
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 th
Canada’s AI Minister on Trust, Musk Sues OpenAI, & Spotify AI
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 t
Tesla’s Dumb Doors, Bike Lane Politics, & Canada’s Healthcare Crisis
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. Ou
Charlie Kirk’s Murder, China’s Influence & Canada’s AI Potential
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
Trump’s Tech Dinner, Alberta’s Book Ban & Musk’s $1T Payday
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
ChatGPT’s Deadly Dangers & Fast Food AI Fails
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
Canada’s Sovereign AI, AI’s Climate Disaster, & White House TikTok
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 bes
Grok’s NSFW Taylor Swift Deepfakes & Meta’s “Romantic” Chats with Kids
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 wors
ChatGPT Gets a Facelift & 5 Reasons Instagram Sucks
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 Ambe
2025's Tech Wins & Fails on TheOtherMac Summer Special
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
Why Canada is Burning & Trump’s Attacks on “Woke AI”
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
Elon’s Flirty Sexbots, Fighting AI Slop, & Coldplay’s Kiss Cam
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
Grok AI Goes Rogue (Again), Epstein Video Raises Questions & a Better “Facebook” for Canadians
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
Trump’s Canadian Trade Chaos & The Problem With AI Music
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 unemp
2025 Canadian Tech Special
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 s
Trump Family’s Golden Phone & Brittlestar’s Lessons from Cats on Fascism
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, Jef
Purpose in an AI World & 3 Lessons from Steve Jobs
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
Trump-Musk Breakup & Free AI Skills
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.
A.I. Slop in MAHA Report & Taylor Swift Wins Again
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
Discovering The Tragically Hip & the Truth About AI Lies
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, J
Musk’s Racist Chatbot + Apple In China
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
No to Zuckerberg’s AI Friends + Sinead Bovell on Canada’s AI Future
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 entrepreneu
Amazon’s Trump Backdown, Meta’s Privacy Shell Game, & David Moscrop on Mark Carney
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 als
Canada’s Digital Future, Spying on Workers, & Meta AI Warnings
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
Canada’s Misinformation Election, Burner Phones & How to Win the Lottery
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. P
iPhone Tariff Drama & Ed Elson on Gen Z Loneliness
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 robo
Canada’s Fake News Challenge, Cars, & Ukraine’s AI Drones
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 Th
Tesla, Auto Tariffs, and Trump + Date Rape Drug Detection
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,
AI-Generated Election Ads & Google’s Starlink Competitor
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:Tony Ansc
Guy Kawasaki on Surviving 2025 + Saying No to Mars
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.You can also find both AmberMac
Trump on Crypto, Wearable Tech, & the Future of Work
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 cry
Fighting DEI Rollbacks & James Bond on Amazon
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:Laura Gabor | Co-founder, ecologicca & Founder, Wha
Fake AI Case Law & Unlikeable Zuckerberg
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 de
Elon Stumbles on DOGE Transparency & Fighting Misinformation With Science
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 digi
Introducing The AmberMac Show
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 thei
