Are We There Yet?

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Human-Centric Leadership in the Age of AI: Mickaël Dufourneaud Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

What are the true skills humans will need as AI pervades the workplace? How can we use technology to reinforce our humanness and augment our emotional intelligence—even if it has no feelings itself? How can a shared scarf serve as an analogy for authenticity and reciprocity in relationships? Join us as we welcome facilitator, executive & wellness coach, and COO of Kahler Communications, Mickaël Dufourneaud, to explore the nuanced realms of sustainable leadership, personal growth, and the impact of AI on our professional landscapes.

We dissect the importance of open communication in quelling the anxieties spurred by AI advancements and discuss the intriguing possibility of AI as a 'GPS of human behaviors'. We distinguish between raw emotional data and the brain's interpretation of feelings as a cornerstone for effectively managing our emotional landscapes—whether in leadership roles or personal relationships. We grapple with the paradox of perceived disconnection in an era of hyper-connectivity, the irreplaceable value of non-verbal cues, and the immediacy of genuine interaction.

We also talk about emojis and beloved—or dreaded—ellipses as a spontaneous and nuanced exchange of non-verbal cues. You know? 😀😃😄😉🙃😎

Our discussion ultimately affirms the enduring power of human emotion and empathy in the face of AI's ever-growing presence, and invites us all to foster deeper, more meaningful connections in our lives.

How do we know AI is Conscious? A deep dive with Computational Cognitive Neuroscientist Dr. Megan Peters Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever considered the possibility of robots and AI systems possessing a consciousness akin to our own? Dr. Megan Peters joins Sonja & Jamie in a compelling conversation on how we can determine whether a system has consciousness—and what that means for people and progress.

Dr. Peters shares her insights into the importance of cross-disciplinary communication and how her team's empirical research at UC Irvine—ranging from perception studies to confidence in decision-making—bridges the gap between theoretical neuroscience and computational models. Do we have free will? Do our decisions stem from gut instincts or conscious deliberation? How does evolution and experience influence our behavior? The exploration of these ideas not only deepens our grasp of human and artificial consciousness, but also invites introspection into the very essence of what it means to be alive and self-aware.

Embodied Intelligence and AI with Professor Ryan Adams Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

Judgment, bias, assumptions, and the unknown: how have we taught machines to navigate uncertainty with the elegance of the human brain? Computational scientist, startup founder, and professor Ryan Adams joins us to discuss how Bayesian inference acts as a compass for AI in a sea of unpredictability.

This episode isn't just about binary and code; it's a philosophical journey into mechanical intelligence and the moral morass that comes with defining right or wrong for technology that learns from our every input. We address the importance of nurturing fundamental skills in humans, and the enduring value of independent thought; we reflect on the tools reshaping our lives and how they might sharpen or dull the human experience; we dive into how we can pass along the evolutionary intelligence of a human body to machines that help our society function, on a timescale infinitesimally shorter than our own. Join Sonja and Jamie as they gaze into the crystal ball of technology's symbiotic future with humankind.

Academia, Industry, and AI at a Crossroads: Insights from Joachim Hornegger Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Ever wondered how universities are equipping future leaders to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape? In this episode, Sonja & Jamie interview computer scientist and Professor Dr. Joachim Hornegger, President of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, to explore how universities balance independence in research and education while addressing the needs of society and industry as norms change with warp-speed. From state regulations, ethics, and business model disruption to green energy futures, machine consciousness, and the singularity—the conversation winds through the advantages and challenges of collaboration toward building the future we want to see.

Tigger (Charlie) Kindel on how AI Will Keep Us Honest Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

Legendary technologist, product visionary, and leadership coach Tigger (Charlie) Kindel winds through the challenges and choices his team made during the early development of Amazon’s Alexa; where AI fits in the continuum of norm-shattering technologies like the printing press and the automobile; and what one supertool can clarify our thoughts like no other technology (spoiler alert: it’s something we can all access right now).

How Do We Know Where We Are? Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

How can we use technology to flow with the cycles that govern our world? Which technology trends may make us better (or worse) communicators? How is AI like a baby, full of potential and in need of some guidance from its elders (humans!)? Join Sonja and Jamie as they explore sustainability in context, and tap into a collective moment when it seems everyone is trying to figure out what comes next, and how we will know when it is here.

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