On this podcast we explore what’s happening with AI, business automation & culture and ask - where on earth is this all going? How will A.I. develop and where should we celebrate? Alternatively, where should we hit the ESC key and unplug? If we can. Because maybe, Resistance is Futile! As long as you're human, you can subscribe :)
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January 26, 20251 hr 18 min
Extremism Has Entered The Chat
🎙️ As with all technology, it doesn't just empower the nice people. This week, we’re diving into the dark side of AI—the algorithms amplifying hate, the bots spreading propaganda, and the extremists using these tools in ways you really don’t want to imagine.We’ll unpack how AI is reshaping the digital landscape, from its role in creating echo chambers to its uncanny ability to bring out the worst in people. We’ll also look at the big players - tech companies, governments, and the individuals caught in the middle, and try to figure out whether anyone has a plan to stop this chaos before it’s too late.And of course, we’re asking the big questions: Is AI just a tool, or is it shaping us as much as we shape it? Can regulation or education even keep up? We might not have all the answers, but one thing’s for sure -we need to start asking the right questions.
January 17, 2025Episode 2054 min
2025: The Year of the A.I. Robot?
🎙️ Robots are no longer the future—they’re here. But what does that mean for us? Will they bring a utopia of abundance or smash employment as we know it? This week, we’re diving into the wild world of humanoid robots, AI breakthroughs, and what it all means for the workforce, the economy, and, well… humanity.
We're going to try to unpack what the major players—Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and beyond are doing alongside some jaw-dropping innovations like four-wheeled techno-dogs and $20k humanoids. And don’t worry, we’ll tackle the big questions too: Should robots really take over human work? And how do we make sure this revolution benefits everyone, not just the tech elite?
Can't promise the answers but we really do think we need to start asking the right questions.
December 8, 202443 min
Is AI Slowing Down? Can AI Agents Revive the Momentum?
Is generative AI really hitting a plateau, and is big tech just chasing the next shiny sounding thing to keep the venture capital train going?
It's time to look at AI agents—those digital go-betweens that promise to handle your busywork. Great in theory, but what happens when everyone has a swarm of bots doing the same dance?
Meanwhile, some big investors are quietly hitting the brakes—suggesting maybe we’ve all over-ordered on the AI menu.
If you can cut through the noise, you might find a tool or two that genuinely streamlines your operations. Just keep your expectations in check, because the real gems might not come from the flashiest promises, but from the grounded, day-to-day improvements that actually help you get things done.
November 4, 202431 min
AI: Actually Useful Business Tools
Ever feel overwhelmed by the flood of AI tools and wonder which ones can actually supercharge your business? In this episode, Dave and Jamie cut through the hype to spotlight the most transformative AI technologies you need right now.
First up is Google’s NotebookLM—a revolutionary tool that lets you chat with your own notes and documents. Imagine uploading your complex reports or meeting minutes and having an AI not only summarize them but also generate audio versions you can listen to on the go. Could this be the ultimate solution to information overload?
They also delve into HeyGen, an astonishing platform that translates and lip-syncs your videos into multiple languages, even adjusting on-screen text seamlessly. Thinking about expanding globally? This might just be your ticket to effortless international communication.
But that’s not all. The duo explores Anthropic’s latest AI assistant capable of controlling your computer to perform tasks—from reading and responding to emails to automating data entry and even coding applications. Is this the dawn of AI agents that could redefine productivity and workflow?
And as they navigate these cutting-edge tools, they tackle a pressing question: In an age where technology can do so much, are we on the brink of a productivity revolution, or are we risking burnout by blurring the lines between work and rest?
September 15, 202447 min
The World’s First AI Civilization?
Ever wondered what happens when AI characters are set free to build their own society? In this episode, Dave and Jamie dive into a Minecraft experiment where artificial intelligence creates a civilization from scratch. Is this a groundbreaking peek into our future with AI collaborators, or just another digital sandbox fantasy?
They also explore how Taiwan is leveraging technology to reshape democracy—could AI actually bring us together instead of driving us apart? Plus, they get hands-on with OpenAI’s latest “Strawberry” update. Is it a genuine leap forward or just another tech buzzword?
And if that’s not enough to pique your interest, they dissect the wild story of a man arrested for creating fake bands with AI and scamming his way to $10 million. Synthetic data: the next big thing or a digital house of cards?
September 4, 202443 min
Black Mirror, Robo Sales Calls, and AI Love Bots?
Dave and Jamie are back from their summer break, pretending they were hard at work, but really just enjoying the time off.
This episode kicks off with some name-dropping—Jamie’s sharing a stage with Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker, no big deal—and the chat quickly spirals into space mining, AI-induced climate optimism, and… alien trade deals?
Jamie’s recent run-in with Ticketmaster’s bot detector while trying to snag Oasis tickets reveals the irony of his job in automation.
They discuss the rise of OpenAI, Microsoft and Apple’s cash injections, and the future of AI-dominated call centers, which Dave suspects will be more annoying than useful.
With their usual schoolyard level of interrogation, they ponder whether having an affair with a humanoid robot counts as cheating, agree the wealth gap’s out of control (even if you are better off than a 17th-century king), and throw in a few Oasis lyrics for good measure. Expect a dry, witty dive into the unsettling future of AI, with a dash of existential dread and a side of concert ticket frustration.
June 9, 202445 min
Reality Check: The Robot Takeover. Total Bollocks?
It's time to take a bit of a chill pill on the robots taking over nonsense.
If only! It only takes a chat with Peter from Automate UK, a robotics trade body that represents British automation to put things in perspective: If Britain is typical, the problem is not whether Robots will take over, the problem is how do we fill the existing holes in manufacturing?
We need to get the robots doing as much as possible right now. Worrying about them taking over will be luxury problem to solve later.
Jamie, meanwhile is still seeing where the disruption will happen fast: white collar admin tasks are getting eaten alive.
Turns out, manufacturing might not as dead as it's been made out to be.
For now.
Introduction [00:00:00 - 00:00:42]
Dave sets the stage by asking if robots are going to take over our jobs soon.
Peter highlights the current shortage of workers in various sectors, emphasizing the need for robotic integration to fill these gaps, rather than to replace human labor.
Chapter 1: Debunking the Takeover Myth [00:00:43 - 00:02:00]
Dave questions the imminent takeover of AI and robotics, contrasting the marketing hype with the reality of technological integration in business.
Introduction of guests, Jamie and Peter, who bring expertise in software automation and robotics, respectively.
Chapter 2: Current State of Robotics Adoption [00:02:01 - 00:04:00]
Dave discusses the global robot density metrics to understand where robots are being utilized most effectively.
Peter points out the UK’s conservative approach to adopting new technologies, especially in robotics, which is reflected in its low robot density compared to manufacturing power.
Chapter 3: Practical Applications and Cultural Hesitations [00:04:01 - 00:06:00]
Discussion on how cultural and economic factors influence the adoption of robotics in different countries.
Peter explains the UK's reliance on manual labor over robotics, intensified by recent challenges like Brexit and COVID-19.
Chapter 4: Ethical Considerations and Future Employment [00:06:01 - 00:08:00]
The conversation shifts towards the ethical implications of replacing jobs with robots.
Peter stresses that while robots are filling urgent gaps, there's a need to consider the long-term impact on employment and societal roles.
Chapter 5: Advancing UK Manufacturing with Robotics [00:08:01 - 00:10:00]
Focus on the UK’s potential to enhance its manufacturing sector through increased robotic integration.
Discussion about the perception of manufacturing in the UK and efforts to change it.
Chapter 6: Broader Implications for Global Labor Markets [00:10:01 - 00:12:00]
Examination of how robotics could potentially transform global labor markets, not just through direct replacement of jobs but by creating new types of employment and enhancing productivity.
Conclusion [00:12:01 - 00:14:00]
Dave, Jamie, and Peter reflect on the discussions, summarizing the key points about the integration of robotics in industries and its implications for the future workforce.
Closing thoughts on maintaining ethical standards and fostering a sustainable transition to increased automation.
May 6, 2024Episode 1447 min
The Economics of AI: Universal Basic Income
Also known as The Economics of AI: Part Duex.
While Jamie’s away enlightening people about AI & Automation, I've gone a bit further into what is really the economy of the future.
And you don't have to go far in that area before you come across Universal Basic Income (UBI). We've talked briefly about it in other episodes, today, we're diving deep with Alex Howlett from the Greshm Institute in Boston, who's going to flip everything you thought you knew about AI and automation on its head.
Even if a UBI is not the solution (it's no silver bullet and will need other reforms to not cause inflation for example), it is the fastest way I've found of getting people to think about whether AI & Automation should work for us or whether we should work for it.
An instead of dreading the robot takeover, Alex suggests maybe we should worry about why it's not happening faster!
Consider the UBI proposal, but not as a life raft in a sea of tech unemployment. Instead as a catapult into a future where money is both earned and also automatically spread around the economy in a calibrated mix to reduce socially useless work.
Here's a breakdown of our chat if you'd like to jump ahead:
Chapter 1: The Automation Paradox [00:00:00 - 00:01:00]
Alex discusses the paradox of technological unemployment, arguing that economic policies that prioritize job creation are actually hindering the full potential of labor-saving technologies like AI.
Chapter 2: Rethinking Universal Basic Income [00:01:00 - 00:03:00]
Alex explains the unconventional angle of Universal Basic Income as a tool not just for combating job loss due to automation, but to liberate us from unnecessary work altogether.
Chapter 3: The Cultural and Economic Shift [00:03:00 - 00:10:00]
The discussion pivots to the cultural resistance and economic implications of reducing work hours. They also address how UBI could reshape societal views on work and productivity.
Chapter 4: Global Impact and Macro Economics [00:10:00 - 00:20:00]
Alex gives a macroeconomic perspective on how a UBI could affect the global economy, discussing potential shifts in labor supply, demand, and the international repercussions of such a policy.
Chapter 5: Practical Implications and Future Visions [00:20:00 - 00:30:00]
The conversation gets into the nitty-gritty of how UBI might be implemented practically, the gradual adjustment to the economy, and the potential for an increase in creative and innovative job engagement.
Chapter 6: Debating UBI's Necessity and Inevitability [00:30:00 - 00:40:00]
They debate whether UBI and the automation of jobs are inevitable or if these are just theoretical solutions in response to current and future technological advancements.
Chapter 7: Concluding Thoughts and Further Discussion [00:40:00 - End]
Wrapping up, Alex & I discuss the broader philosophical and cultural shifts that might come with widespread adoption of UBI. Alex provides his contact information for listeners who wish to engage further on the topic.
April 14, 2024Episode 131 hr 10 min
The Economics of AI: Breakdown or Breakthrough?
Time to look at the big picture.
What happens if you throw a brick in a washing machine? That - but change the words 'a brick' and 'washing machine' to 'AI' and 'an economy'.
We have System Dynamics practitioner Ty Keynes this week to will help us look at macro economics.
Breakdown or Breakthrough?
We explore the evolving role of AI through the lens of system dynamics, a field revolutionizing our understanding of complex economic systems. With the help of expert guest Ty Keynes, we discuss how we might be able to simulate economic outcomes before they unfold, avoiding catastrophic policy missteps.
Episode Highlights:
Technology's Tug-of-War:AI promises efficiency and innovation but at what cost? Discuss the societal shifts as jobs evolve or disappear, and the growing chasm between the digital haves and have-nots. How do we ensure that AI does not widen inequality but instead fosters a more inclusive economic landscape?
AI in the Dock: Delve into the ethical and practical implications of AI in the legal and accounting fields. Discover how automation is reshaping traditional pathways and what this means for training the next generation of professionals.
Future-Proofing Our Economy: What policies can mitigate the disruptive impact of AI? From Universal Basic Income (UBI) to targeted job guarantees, examine the solutions that could provide economic stability as we navigate the uncertainties of AI integration.
From AI to Advocacy: As always, we ask: should the trajectory of AI be left to industry giants, or is there a democratic imperative to steer these technologies toward public good?
March 24, 2024Episode 1357 min
A.I. Zombie Apocalypse: The Curious Phenomenon of 'Dead Labour'
Can your digital self outlive you?Is your online legacy immortal?
Jamie and I are wondering why there weren't even more Black Mirror episodes on this.
We talked with Elaine Kasket, a psychologist, author, and expert on digital legacies.
By the end of this one you might be adding a 'Don't Bot Me' clause to your will.
So: What did we look at?
The Enigma of 'Dead Labour': We dived into the concept of 'dead labour' as Elaine helped us to understand how our digital footprints can persist and operate long after we've passed away.
Hopes & Fears: Investigate the potential positive impacts of preserving digital legacies. From continuing scholarly work posthumously to maintaining an artist's creative influence beyond their lifetime, explore how 'dead labour' might contribute to ongoing knowledge and culture.
Risks and Ethical Concerns: We look at the ethical quandaries and risks associated with digital afterlives:
Issues like consent, privacy, and the potential misuse of a person's digital remains, pondering the implications of a future where our digital selves can be summoned from the beyond.
Democratic Involvement and Governance: Elaine suggests the need for public engagement and clearer regulatory frameworks governing digital legacies and the urgent need for policies that respect individual desires and the collective good in managing posthumous digital content.
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