Future Tense

by Richard Ayoade, Warwick Davis

Technology promises to save humanity. How's that working out?

In this comedy-science podcast, comedy legends Richard Ayoade (determinedly pessimistic) and Warwick Davis (inexplicably cheerful) venture beneath Audible HQ to the Future Tense lab, fully equipped to interrogate the future we're all being told to look forward to.

With help from science wrangler Helen Keen and expert guests providing actual facts (how inconvenient), they try to determine if the likes of self-driving cars, AI relationships, lab-grown meat, and digital immortality are cause for celebration—or another reason to basically just stay underground forever, actually, thanks.

Richard and Warwick bring to the party equal parts naive enthusiasm and sharp scepticism, as well as a healthy dose of sci-fi Warwick having started his career in Return of the Jedi and gone on to star in films and series as diverse as Willow, Harry Potter and Leprechaun; and Richard bringing his no-lesser experience as Ice Cream Cone in Lego Movie 2.

A funny and surprisingly informative journey into a future nobody ordered but everyone will receive…

Episode 1: Robots

Mechanical overlords or helpful household assistants? Our hosts debate whether being replaced by technology is terrifying or merely a welcome retirement plan. And will Richard's voice being cloned lead to the dismay of both humans and machines? Featuring guests Alan Hayling, Prof. Andy Miah, and Stephen Follows.

Episode 2: Immortality

Would you want to celebrate your 150th birthday? Richard considers the brown bin option for his remains, while Warwick ponders eternal digital replicas. Our experts debate whether fighting ageing is revolutionary or just plainly undignified. Featuring guests Prof. John Tregoning and Prof. Elaine Kasket.

Episode 3: Holidays

Climate change threatens Magaluf, space could be the final frontier of annual leave, and VR promises beach vibes without the sand in uncomfortable places. Will future holidays liberate us, or just make Richard even more reluctant to leave his flat? Featuring guests Simon Calder and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Episode 4: Food

Cricket cookies, lab-grown chicken, and meals in pill form face our hosts' scrutiny. Warwick reluctantly samples insects while Richard advocates for a future where eating becomes entirely optional. Featuring guests James Collier and Tom Cheesewright.

Episode 5: Cars

Warwick embraces a future where vehicles drive themselves, while Richard questions whether civilisation peaked with the penny-farthing. Self-driving ethics, laser headlights, and the alarming prospect of polite British AI traffic jams. Featuring guests Suze Kundu and Jon Bentley.

Episode 6: Relationships

AI companions promise perfect partners who never forget birthdays or finish the milk. Richard probes into whether a digital companion might solve (his) age-old problem of completely avoiding humans, while Warwick wonders if robots might finally appreciate his anecdotes. Featuring guests Prof. Nigel Crook and Dr. James Muldoon.

CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND THEMES

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor

Audible Audio

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

Richard Ellef Ayoade is a British comedian, film director, screenwriter, television presenter, actor, and author best known for his role as the socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd, for which he won the 2014 BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.

Reviews

[Steph Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Some interesting discussions and thoughts on the future but only really worked by using the fabulous Ayoade and Davis as narrators.

[James Livermore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunned by the lower reviews. This was very funny, thought provoking, enjoyable and educational. Warwick and Richard pose some questions about the future that are troubling them/to them. Then an expert is brought in and answers some of their questions. Is each episode a complete deep dive into each concern/subject? Of course not and if you expect it to be you will be disappointed. It is very thought provoking and I enjoyed their banter and the experts in the field who give you some insight into the topic. Fantastic listen!

[Rob Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Future Tense is an Audible Original podcast hosted by Richard Ayoade and Warwick Davis. Mixing sharp humour with real science, the show explores futuristic topics like AI, self-driving cars, and digital immortality. The chemistry between the hosts—Ayoade’s dry wit and Davis’s optimism—makes each episode both funny and insightful. It’s a smart, entertaining listen for anyone curious about what the future holds.

[Jason Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting and humorous to boot.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Richard and Warwick playing off each other!

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Facing up to the future."

An Audible Original. Richard Ayeode and Warwick Davis are introduced to various discussion topics - robots, immortality, holidays, food, cars and relationships - as they might develop into the future to jokingly decide if they personally think each will make life better. They are helped by guests who are knowledgeable in these fields and hosted by Helen Keen, an over giggly woman who, frankly, would have improved the Audible had she not been there.
Only slightly amusing and sometimes informative, this was still an enjoyable listen..

NB: The chapters on food and cars are in reversed order from the listing.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounds like a podcast with free-flowing conversations between Richard Ayoade and Warwick Davis. The tone is casual and often humorous, with a general thematic agenda rather than a tightly structured narrative. While the banter can be entertaining, some of the distinctly British references may go over the heads of American listeners, occasionally creating a sense of cultural distance. Still, fans of either personality may enjoy the quirky dynamic and offbeat charm of their exchanges.

[Andreas Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love the conversations, ideas and topics explored in this series of lectures. Warwick is awesome as always and love the chemistry twitch Richard. Appreciated that they brought in experts for each episode.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting but it would have been more enjoyable if they'd removed the introduction and ending sequence of each podcast they took these from.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Hunter Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating mix of a podcast type format with expert commentators. I found the topics timely and the format engaging and fun. Learned a lot and had fun.

[Bryce Zayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this on Audible and it looked interesting. A mildly informative and slightly funny palette cleanser between books.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a podcast but was interesting and funny

[Jack ArtTrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining, very relevant and intriguing topics. It definitely has a bit of podcast feel but Ayoade and Davis are so amazing and they bring in experts for each topic. Highly recommend.

[David Blaylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a podcast than a book.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting but nothing really new. This podcast/audiobook highlights certain aspects about what future technologies could improve or hinder real life. Ayoade and Davis are fun together.

[Abbee L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Striking and Humourous

A great lot of potential for the future and some nuances of how it would/could and should look. Interesting and funny, with great food for thought.

[Plipplopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could listen to Ayoade read a 1950s phone catalogue and be happy :)
Fun and short listen. Not quite a book (???) but I use GR to keep track of what I consume on Audible.

[Stephen Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining.

[Debosmita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny debates and brainstorms around the future of everything from food to relationships. A good casual listen

[Rebecca Inch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious Richard Ayoade conversational podcast with experts about the unknowns of AI.