The Labubufication of AI Agents

<p>The new AI agents from Meta and OpenAI have one thing in common: <u><a href="https://slate.com/technology/2026/10/ai-mark-zuckerberg-meta-muse-mascot.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">they look like children’s cartoons</a></u>. At the same time these companies are warning that AI will kill us all, they’re trying to convince users to try even more products by making them look as cuddly and innocent as possible. On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by writer and <u><a href="https://slate.com/advice/unhinged" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slate columnist</a></u> <u><a href="https://slate.com/author/steffi-cao" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Steffi Cao</a></u> to talk about just how much access these AI agents want in our lives, and what they’re hiding behind their fuzzy facades.</p><br><p>This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay.</p><p>Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our <a href="https://slate.com/podcastfaqs#plusbenefits" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQ</a> at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>