I have been following the development, utilisation and trajectory of AI in business and art over recent years. Machine learning and artificial intelligence is probably something you are using already, and perhaps don’t know it for example when Amazon makes suggestions of products you might like to buy, or Netflix suggesting shows you might like to view based on your viewing history. However, in recent months Artificial Intelligence (AI) has garnered a significant amount of attention, with both its proponents and detractors having strong opinions about its potential impacts on society. I have curated the following podcasts help shed light on these perspectives, as industry experts share their insights on the applications, limitations, and potential dangers of AI.
Our AI journey begins with Kevin Kelly on the Chase Jarvis Live Show. Kevin is an amazing author and thought leader. He is also the co-founder of Wired Magazine, Kelly discusses the concept of generative AI and its influence on the creative industries. He provides a comprehensive breakdown of AI technology, outlines its current limitations, and shares his vision of a future where humans and machines collaborate to create meaningful work.
Next, we delve deeper into the practical implications of generative AI with Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School and a distinguished researcher in entrepreneurship and innovation. In the Future Now podcast, by my favourite organisation Institute for the Future (www.iftf.org), Mollick presents thought-provoking ideas on how AI can revolutionise teaching and learning. He also shares his predictions about how AI might shape the future of work and education, offering listeners a glimpse into a world where AI is an integral part of everyday life.
Finally, we navigate the potential dangers of AI with Mo Gawdat, ex-Chief Business Officer at Google X, in this episode of Steven Barlett’s The Diary of a CEO. Gawdat, who has a diverse career spanning IBM, Microsoft, and Google, gives a firsthand account of the evolution of AI and discusses its potential impact on creativity and the creative industries. He recently got a lot of press about leaving Google X and his opinions on AI’s future. He also shares his ideas on how society can maintain control over AI as it continues to evolve and reshape our world. This one is very interesting as it talks more about the ‘where-to’ for AI, and the future risks, and how we might better engage.
I think the future of AI is both exciting and uncertain, and these podcasts offer valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding its potential impacts. Whether you're an executive trying to develop a position for your organisation on AI, a technophile, an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or simply someone curious about AI and the future, this group of podcasts will provide you with a great grounding into AI. My take away after listening to all three of these podcasts, is stay engaged in this important technology. It is relevant now, and going to become increasingly relevant into our future. Be engage, use it and influence research, deployment and policy development.
Oh and lastly, I would recommend each of these shows and authors for your ongoing continuing education. Each of them has a slightly different focus, and there is richness is this diversity of thinking.
The Chase Jarvis Live Show
Kevin Kelly interviewed by Chase Jarvis
The Rise of AI: How with AI enhance human creativity
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-chase-jarvis-live-show/id1127915772?i=1000611589174
Kevin Kelly is a highly-accomplished writer, most well-known for his role in launching Wired Magazine. In this podcast, we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI and its impact on creative professions. Kevin shares his thoughts on how the technology works, current limitations and how to best utilize it to create meaningful work.
Highlights from our conversation:
• A rundown of Artificial Intelligence and generative AI
• Addressing the current limitations of tools like ChatGPT
• Kevin's view of how humans and machines can work together
• Why AI isn't going to replace you or your job
Future Now – Institute for the Future, Future of AI with Ethan Mollick
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/future-now/id1082568329?i=1000614237842
IFTF Research Director Toshi Hoo interviews Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a leading researcher in entrepreneurship and innovation. Join them as Ethan shares his fascinating and provocative insights on generative AI, its practical implications, and how it can transform teaching and learning at scale. Get ready for an engaging conversation that will leave you with new perspectives on the future of work and education. Shownotes: - Ethan’s Twitter feed is one of the most interesting of incredible AI signals and forecasts. (https://twitter.com/emollick) - Ethan’s substack newsletter “One Useful Thing” shared provides thoughtful analysis of the intersection between technology and the future of learning. (https://www.oneusefulthing.org/) - Ethan’s official faculty profile at The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania (https://mgmt.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/emollick/)
The diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett Ex-Google Chief Business Officer at Google (x) finally speaks out about the dangers of AI – Mo Gawdat.
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644?i=1000615239948
Mo began his career at IBM Egypt as a systems engineer, before moving to NCR Abu Dhabi to cover the non-finance sector. He worked in various roles at Microsoft for seven-and-a-half years before joining Google in 2007 to start it’s business in emerging markets. In 2013, he joined Google’s innovation arm, ‘Google X’ and eventually became its chief business officer. He left this role in 2018 to focus helping one billion people become happier as part of the #onebillionhappy global movement. He is the author of three books; ‘Solve for Happy’, ‘Scary Smart’ and, ‘That Little Voice in Your Head’, as well as the host of the podcast ‘Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat’. In this conversation Mo and Steven discuss topics, such as: Everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence How AI will have radically changed the world by 2025 How he witnessed the evolution of AI firsthand The impact of AI on creativity and the creative industries His solutions for gaining control of AI and the societal changes it will create You can purchase Mo’s book, ‘Scary Smart: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World’, here: https://bit.ly/42iwDfv Follow Mo: Instagram: https://bit.ly/3qmYSMY Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/3kxINCANKsb