Six-part audio investigation from Coda Story and Audible, hosted by Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, uncovers how Silicon Valley’s AI revolution has evolved beyond mere technology into a quasi-religious movement with its own high priests, salvation narratives, and doomsday prophecies—revealing the deeply human stories of those creating, challenging, and being transformed by Silicon Valley’s mission to reshape humanity’s future

NEW YORK – April 3, 2025 – Award-winning global journalism organization Coda Story today announced the launch of its ground-breaking new Audible Original “Captured: The Secret Behind Silicon Valley’s AI Takeover,” to release on Audible Thursday, April 3. Hosted by Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie alongside Coda journalist Isobel Cockerell, “Captured” investigates how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping our lives, work, and understanding of humanity.

Seven years after Wylie exposed how millions of Facebook users’ data was being harvested to influence elections, Silicon Valley is more powerful than ever. With tech billionaires now exerting unprecedented influence over government policy, “Captured” arrives at a crucial moment to examine what this means for our collective future.

“AI has become more than just technology – it’s a new kind of belief system with its own prophets, promises, and doomsday scenarios,” said Natalia Antelava, Coda’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief. “With ‘Captured,’ we’re going beyond the hype and fear to reveal the very human stories driving AI development, from the slums of Kenya to the tech compounds of Silicon Valley.”

“Captured” takes listeners on a global journey through the hidden worlds of AI development, featuring an extraordinary cast of voices including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, comedian Kathy Griffin, leading neuroscientist Rafael Yuste, and researchers grappling with AI’s ethical implications.

Equal parts investigative journalism and philosophical exploration, “Captured” confronts critical questions: Are we sleepwalking into a future controlled by a handful of billionaires? What’s the true cost of technological convenience? How is AI redefining human potential—and human dignity? The series culminates with a profound examination of how Silicon Valley’s quest for superintelligence has become a modern technological religion, complete with promises of digital immortality and transcendence beyond human limitations.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that technology is being captured. Not only by a cartel of men in Silicon Valley, but by an emerging ideology that may come to define the next century,” said Christopher Wylie. “It’s an ideology that is built on prophetic visions of the future where humanity is ultimately displaced in favour of machines.”

“What began as an investigation into AI’s impact on society led us into a very strange world,” added Isobel Cockerell. “Tech leaders use the language of faith – salvation, transcendence, omniscience – to preach an AI-dominated future. And if we want to have any meaningful say in it, we need to recognize that Silicon Valley is building something bigger than artificial intelligence. It’s building an entire religion.”

“Captured” is the latest in Coda Story’s innovative approach to in-depth journalism that connects local stories to global patterns. Since 2016, Coda has established itself as an early warning system for democratic societies, identifying emerging threats 6-12 months before they become mainstream. From Russian disinformation narratives that later justified the Ukraine invasion to the infrastructure of science skepticism before COVID made it mainstream, Coda’s “currents” methodology has consistently spotted patterns that explain today’s headlines.“Captured: The Secret Behind Silicon Valley’s AI Takeover” is available now on Audible, with related reporting on Coda Story’s website. A live journalism experience based on the podcast will premiere at Coda’s signature ZEG Festival in June 2025, followed by performances in Europe and North America.

About Coda Story

Coda Story is a nonprofit journalism organization founded in 2016 to investigate the root causes of major global issues. With a unique “currents” methodology and commitment to contextual, human-centered storytelling, Coda functions as an early warning system for democratic societies, identifying patterns months before they emerge in mainstream discourse. Coda’s award-winning journalism reaches policy professionals, media influencers, and engaged citizens across the globe, creating understanding in a fragmented information landscape.

About Audible

Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 900,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.

About Hosts

Christopher Wylie is the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower whose revelations about the company’s misuse of Facebook data sparked international investigations into data privacy and digital influence campaigns. His 2019 memoir “Mindf*ck” was described by The New Yorker as “an eloquent and eye-opening memoir from the epicenter of the information war.” He continues to advocate for ethical technology development and digital rights.

Isobel Cockerell is an award-winning investigative journalist and senior reporter at Coda Story, where she specializes in examining the human impact of technology. Her reporting has taken her from Silicon Valley’s tech campuses to the digital sweatshops of Kenya, documenting the unseen consequences of our technological revolution.

Contact:

For media inquiries, please contact: Becky Lipscombe, Show Producer [[email protected]]