The Expert Witness | S37 Trailer

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Uncover – "The Expert Witness" | S37 Trailer

Host: Sam Mullins
Release Date: May 11, 2026

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Episode Overview

This trailer introduces the upcoming season of CBC's acclaimed true crime podcast, Uncover, titled The Expert Witness. Host Sam Mullins previews an explosive investigation into a new technological phenomenon: the use of artificial intelligence as an “expert witness” in the criminal justice system. The episode teases how this AI—known as CyberCheck—is reshaping crime-solving, the risks of embracing such technology too quickly, and profound questions about justice, human rights, and truth.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Rise of AI as a Legal Witness

• Set-Up: Sam Mullins launches into a thought experiment—what if you were accused of a crime solely on the evidence of an AI?
  • “Imagine someone claiming they saw you in a place you’d never been.” — Sam Mullins [00:04]
• Implication: The AI is more than just a tool: it's positioned as a central "witness" that can decide guilt or innocence.
  • “The only witness pointing the finger at you isn’t even human.” — Sam Mullins [00:25]

Introducing CyberCheck

• What is CyberCheck?
  • An advanced AI, developed by a mysterious Canadian, being rapidly adopted across the U.S. for crime investigation.
  • Multiple voices express concern and awe at its capabilities and the startling lack of transparency.
    • “There is no human intervention.” — Software Developer [00:56]
    • “When he gets in cyber check mode, it’s like he’s a madman.” — Software Developer [01:22]
• Legal and Social Impact:
  • Law enforcement officials are quick to praise the power of CyberCheck.
    • “I was so blown away by its power.” — Law Enforcement Official [01:43]
  • Concern about the imbalance of power when only authorities have access to such tools.
    • “It’s not a fair fight. It’s not even close.” — Concerned Citizen [01:41]

Unsettling Possibilities

• No More Cold Cases?
  • Sam Mullins ponders a future where AI “witnesses” could mean no unsolved crimes—but at what cost?
    • “What if in the future, there was no such thing as a cold case, no such thing as a crime without a witness?” — Sam Mullins [01:47]
  • Guest expresses the world-changing implications:
    • “It would change everything. I mean, this would be... It would be done.” — Skeptic [01:56]

Dangers of Unchecked Technology

• Premature Adoption:
  • The legal expert and others warn about authorities deploying AI tech before grasping its full consequences.
    • “It provides them cover to go after people that they want to go after.” — Legal Expert [02:12]
    • “To make allegations, and then to say, trust us. It is a dangerous, dangerous thing.” — Legal Expert [02:19]
• Unclear Functionality:
  • Even those using CyberCheck don’t really know how it works, leaving room for error or manipulation.
    • “I’m not going to sit here and tell you I understand everything that CyberCheck does.” — Law Enforcement Official [02:39]
    • “Oh, my God, he’s lying, and that’s how you know it’s not real.” — Concerned Citizen / Skeptic [02:42–02:44]
• Call for Vigilance:
  • When technology can impact liberty, those with concerns feel compelled to act.
    • “If this is your reaction, you can’t just sit on your hands.” — Concerned Citizen [02:53]
    • "They were holding back evidence, vital evidence... that they didn’t even investigate.” — Whistleblower [02:57]

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Memorable Quotes

• “When a new technology comes for liberty itself, what can be done to stop it?” — Sam Mullins [02:46]
• “That’s the danger. You can never take AI at face value, ever.” — Narrator [02:30]
• “And we just could not understand why no one cared except us.” — Software Developer [03:01]

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Notable Segments & Timestamps

• AI Witness Thought Experiment: 00:04–00:25
• Introduction to CyberCheck Technology: 00:47–01:25
• Media and Law Enforcement Reactions: 01:27–01:47
• Legal and Ethical Dangers: 02:06–02:30
• Technical Opacity and Whistleblowing: 02:33–03:06

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Tone & Style

Throughout the trailer, the mood is tense, investigative, and urgent, echoing the classic Uncover blend of hard-boiled journalism and suspenseful storytelling. Sam Mullins’ narration is probing and skeptical, while experts and witnesses voice everything from awe to outright fear about the ramifications of putting AI in the witness box.

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Conclusion

The Expert Witness promises a gripping, high-stakes investigation into AI’s controversial role in the justice system. The trailer teases revelations, controversies, and moral dilemmas that extend far beyond any single criminal case, directly confronting the listener with the prospect of a future where truth—and liberty—may be determined by algorithms.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Sam Mullins]

Imagine someone claiming they saw you in a place you'd never been.

[Legal Expert]

He obviously, from the beginning, had expressed his innocence unequivocal.

[Sam Mullins]

And you were charged with a crime you say you didn't commit.

[Technology Analyst]

When you're talking about taking away somebody's freedom, you want to tread carefully where

[Sam Mullins]

the only witness pointing the finger at you isn't even human.

[Concerned Citizen]

I'm like, what is this thing?

[Sam Mullins]

It's something artificial.

[Technology Analyst]

I remember thinking, are you serious?

[Sam Mullins]

A new era of law enforcement is here.

[Technology Analyst]

The technology itself is fascinating and potentially terrifying.

[Software Developer]

This is his software. This is what his software does.

[Sam Mullins]

Created by a mysterious Canadian.

[Legal Expert]

Expensive AI stuff from Canada.

[Software Developer]

There is no human intervention.

[Skeptic]

Says who? Oh, the Canadian. Okay, well, cool.

[Sam Mullins]

A brand new tool is tracking down suspects all across America.

[News Anchor]

We start tonight with some breaking news that one family has been waiting on.

[Law Enforcement Official]

State police used a startup AI company called CyberCheck.

[Software Developer]

Cybercheck, Cyber check.

[Law Enforcement Official]

Cybercheck, Cybercheck, Cybercheck, Cybercheck.

[Software Developer]

When he gets in cyber check mode, it's like he's a madman.

[Concerned Citizen]

What is this Cybercheck thing?

[News Anchor]

It wasn't until they utilized the new AI technology that they were able to arrest him.

[Sam Mullins]

Crime as we know it will never be the same.

[Law Enforcement Official]

That was why Cybercheck was so attractive.

[Concerned Citizen]

It's not a fair fight. It's not even close.

[Law Enforcement Official]

I was so blown away by its power.

[Sam Mullins]

What if in the future, there was no such thing as a cold case, no such thing as a crime without a witness,

[Skeptic]

it would be a changing the world situation. It would change everything. I mean, this would be. It would be done.

[Sam Mullins]

But what happens when those in power embrace something before they understand it?

[Legal Expert]

It provides them cover to go after people that they want to go after.

[Law Enforcement Official]

Identify the bad guys, eliminate the innocent,

[Legal Expert]

to make allegations, and then to say, trust us. It is a dangerous, dangerous thing.

[Sam Mullins]

What if the technology that changes the world isn't doing what it says it does?

[Narrator]

That's the danger. You can never take AI at face value, ever.

[Software Developer]

I can tell that his software does something, like it's doing something.

[Law Enforcement Official]

I'm not going to sit here and tell you I understand everything that Cybercheck does.

[Concerned Citizen]

I'm like, oh, my God, he's lying,

[Skeptic]

and that's how you know it's not real.

[Sam Mullins]

When a new technology comes for liberty itself, what can be done to stop it?

[Concerned Citizen]

If this is your reaction, you can't just sit on your hands.

[Whistleblower]

They were holding back evidence, vital evidence, and they were holding back vital evidence that they didn't even investigate.

[Software Developer]

And we just could not understand why no one cared except us.

[Sam Mullins]

I'm Sam Mullins and from RAW and CBC's Uncovered. This is the Expert Witness coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator]

For more CBC Podcasts, go to CBC CA Podcasts.