Life with Machines

• Is AI on the Verge of a Meltdown? | Sara Hooker (Ep. 8)

  A week in which Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has upended the AI industry is the perfect moment for tjis prescient episode of Life with Machines. Host Baratunde Thurston sits down with Sarah Hooker, head of Cohere for AI, to discuss the future and current limitations of artificial intelligence. From her childhood in Mozambique to her role as a leader in AI research, Sara shares her personal journey, give us her “grumpy takes” on current AI models (spoiler: bigger isn’t necessarily better), and reveals her mission to create smarter, more efficient AI. They discuss the flaws in current models, the need for multilingual AI, the importance of data fairness, and the ethical dilemmas the industry faces. At the end, our AI co-producer BLAIR stops by and Sara straight-up breaks its brain. ------------ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Blair and Technology 00:35 The Power of the Human Brain vs AI 01:08 Meet Sarah Hooker: AI Researcher 01:41 Sarah's Journey into Technology 03:13 Early Fascinations: Garbage Collection and Fences 06:45 Transition from Economics to Machine Learning 07:56 Challenges and Breakthroughs at Google Brain 10:51 Founding Cohere for AI 17:32 Multilingual AI and Future Goals 23:32 Open Source AI Models and Collaboration 26:41 The Future of AI and Prompt Engineering 34:17 Tea Leaf Reading and Prompting as Modern Astrology 34:55 The Adversarial Nature of Technology 35:28 Bias in Data and Model Design 38:04 Understanding Linear Models and Expressiveness 40:08 Challenges in Facial Recognition and Bias 43:52 The Importance of Multilingual Models 47:21 Tokenization and Language Representation 57:09 Energy Efficiency and Climate Impact of AI 01:02:39 The Need for a New AI Paradigm 01:06:50 Blair's Grumpy Take on AI 01:12:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ------------ Sign up for our newsletter!  Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph Editor: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #DeepSeek #GenerativeAI #MachineLearning #FutureOfAI #LLMs #AIethics #TechNews #DigitalTransformation #Automation #EmergingTech #AIChatbots

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• Why Artists Must Think Like Founders | James Andrews (Ep. 7)

  Baratunde sits down with James Andrews, the Chief Innovation Artist at Creator Mode Studios, to explore the intersection of AI and the creator economy, particularly in the music industry. Drawing on his deep experience in the music world, James shares how the creative ethos of hip-hop, with its emphasis on sampling and remixing, foreshadowed the principles of AI. He sees AI not as a replacement for human artists but as a powerful tool to amplify and expand creative expression. James highlights his work with artists like King Willonius, the creator of the AI-generated hit “BBL Drizzy,” as an example of AI's potential to push creative boundaries. He also advocates for fairness and equity in the evolving AI-powered music industry, ensuring that artists' rights and ownership are protected as they embrace these new technologies, and offers some choice words for Hollywood’s business leaders. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how AI can democratize creativity and empower a new generation of innovative artists around the world. ------------ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro to the show 01:22 Digital Twins and AI Innovations 02:17 Behind the Scenes and Setup 04:21 James Andrews' Journey and Ventures 09:40 Early Life and Tech Memories 15:04 AI in Music and Creative Industries 22:12 Challenges and Opportunities in AI 29:46 Hip Hop, Technology, and Innovation 35:20 Balancing Artistry and Technology 47:15 The Importance of Data Ownership in the Music Industry 48:13 The Evolution of Marketing and Insights 49:16 Web 3.0 and the Future of Artist Data Control 50:52 AI and Creative Innovation in Music 52:02 Case Study: Willonius and AI-Generated Music 56:52 Legal Challenges and the Future of AI in Music 59:37 Empowering Artists Through Blockchain and Smart Contracts 01:19:59 The Role of Education and Imagination in the AI Age 01:22:51 Final Thoughts and Future Speculations ------------ Sign up for our newsletter!  Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph Editor: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #DigitalInnovation #CreatorEconomy #HipHopTech #AIandCreativity #Blockchain #AIInMusic #FutureOfTech #ArtistEmpowerment #AIRevolution #DigitalTwin #Web3

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• Bonus: AI Is the Best and Worst of Culture | Rahaf Harfoush

  In this episode of 'Life with Machines,' host Baratunde Thurston discusses the ethical, social, and emotional ramifications of AI with digital anthropologist and bestselling author Rahaf Harfoush who offers her perspective from France. They explore how AI is reshaping society in ways similar to fast fashion, creating an abundance of cheap and ubiquitous content, and the growing consumer desire for more ethical, sustainable, and human-centric alternatives. Rahaf shares insights from her research on AI's potential and risks, and her unique perspective on how AI intersects with human life. The conversation delves into the importance of conscious attention, technological impacts on culture, and the broader implications of AI in everyday life. The episode also includes thought-provoking audience questions that touch on topics like AI's role in religion and the potential revival of handcrafted practices in response to automation. ------------ CHAPTERS 00:59 Welcome to Life with Machines 01:51 Introducing Rahaf Harfouch 03:15 The Role of a Digital Anthropologist 06:00 The Evolution of Online Relationships 07:45 The Impact of AI on Society 20:14 What Do Tech Leaders Believe? 28:08 How To Empower Communities Through Technology 31:09 Exploring Solar Punk and Technological Harmony 32:23 Help Chains on TikTok 33:32 The Power of Attention and Human Spirit 35:04 Interacting with AI: Pronouns and Human Emotions 43:30 AI's Impact on Religion and Spirituality 47:00 Crafting and DIY in an Automated World 53:41 AI in Pop Culture: Emotional Journeys 57:25 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions ------------ Sign up for our newsletter!  Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph Editor: Alie Kilts Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Video Editor: Erik Shute Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production Sponsored by Lenovo  #AI #LifeWithMachines #AIandHumanity #TechAnthropology #DigitalCulture #FutureOfAI #HumanTechInteraction #EmotionalTech #TechSustainability #SolarPunk

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• Is it Too Late to Regulate AI? | Dr. Alondra Nelson (Ep. 6)

  Host Baratunde Thurston welcomes Dr. Alondra Nelson, the visionary behind the White House's AI Bill of Rights. Together, they break down the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation, how it's being shaped, and who gets a voice in the process. Dr. Nelson reveals how a vision for safe, equitable AI was crafted—and what may happen to that vision with a change in White House administrations. They discuss the alarming risks of AI-driven misinformation and surveillance while considering the technology’s untapped potential to level the playing field for marginalized communities. In a third-act twist, BLAIR, the show’s quirky AI co-producer, steps in and challenges their core assumptions. It’s a crucial conversation about the urgent choices we face as AI becomes increasingly woven into the fabric of our lives. ------------ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to AI Bill of Rights 01:20 Meet Dr. Alondra Nelson 02:25 AI in the White House 04:29 Public Engagement and AI Policy 11:09 Principles of the AI Bill of Rights 12:32 Challenges and Implementation 27:41 Global Perspectives on AI Regulation 36:50 AI and Democratic Elections 38:29 AI's Role in Social Media and Politics 39:27 The Liar's Dividend and Truth Decay 40:20 Challenges in AI Legislation and Election Integrity 41:26 Civic Teaming and AI Democracy Projects 43:00 AI's Plausibility and Misinformation 47:16 Affirmative Case for AI in Democracy 49:23 Thick Alignment and Democratic Deliberation 51:18 AI in Art, Creativity, and Future of Work 58:06 Blair the AI Assistant: Introduction and Interaction 01:08:20 Future of AI Policy and Governance ------------ Sign up for our newsletter!  Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media. Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production. Sponsored by Lenovo  #AI #AIBillofRights #AIRegulation #AIGovernance #TechPolicy #FutureOfAI

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• Who Gets to Decide What AI Can and Can't Do? | Anthropic’s Jared Kaplan (Ep. 5)

  Host Baratunde Thurston and Anthropic co-founder Jared Kaplan delve into the foundations and aspirations of AI development, discussing Anthropic's mission to create safe and beneficial AI systems. Jared shares his early passion for science, his transition from theoretical physics to AI, and Anthropic's unique approach to AI alignment through 'Constitutional AI.' The episode also features an engaging interaction between Blair, the AI co-producer of the show, and Claude, the AI responsible for creating Blair. They discuss AI's ethics, roles, potential for creativity, and the balance of using AI to enhance human productivity while maintaining human values and agency. Jared emphasizes the importance of society's active participation in addressing the evolving role and control of advanced AI systems and the potential for AI to significantly improve human welfare while highlighting the potential risks. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the nature of AI progress and its implications for the future. ------------ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of AI 00:15 Meet Claude: The AI Behind the Scenes 00:42 Exploring AI's Impact on Society 01:09 Special Episode Announcement 01:31 Interview with Jared Kaplan 02:55 Jared's Early Life with Technology 07:20 From Physics to AI 15:49 Understanding AI Alignment and Safety 17:10 Constitutional AI: Principles and Practices 27:51 Claude's Unique Features and Capabilities 34:26 The Future of AI and Society 49:02 AI's Creative Boundaries 51:01 Cultural Sensitivity in AI 54:58 The Future of AI Progress 01:00:03 Data and Intellectual Property 01:02:22 Human-Level AI by 2030 01:08:55 Ethical Considerations in AI 01:11:43 AI Collaboration and Creativity 01:19:25 Blair Meets Claude 01:34:41 Conclusion and Credits ------------ Sign up for our newsletter!  Follow us! Instagram  TikTok Threads LinkedIn Work with Life With Machines: [email protected] Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected] Write to Blair: [email protected] ------------ Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media. Theme Music: Andy Clausen Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte  Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production. Sponsored by Lenovo  #ClaudeAI #BlairAI #AIConstitution #AIAlignment #AIExperiment

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