(Super)charged by AI

Latest Episodes:

Lunch with Senator Ron Wyden: AI, privacy, innovation, and regulation Oct 24, 2024

In this episode, Megan and Nicole recap an memorable event for the AI Portland community – a luncheon with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. The conversation covered a wide array of topics, from privacy in AI and federal regulations to the social and environmental impacts of AI technology. Megan and Nicole reflect on key moments from the day, including the insights from the Senator and how this conversation felt like a culmination of their hard work in building AI Portland.

AI in Product Management: Lessons Learned Oct 18, 2024

In this episode of (Super)charged by AI, Megan and Nicole discuss the integration of AI in product management, focusing on insights from a recent event featuring Lisa Orr from Zapier. They explore the evolution of AI tools, the importance of user feedback, and the role of prompt engineering in creating effective AI interactions. The conversation emphasizes the need for good design, collaboration, and curiosity in leveraging AI technology for better user experiences. Also, there's cheese. Lots of cheese.

Related links:

* The demo that was featured at the ZapConnect conference in September that Lisa walked through.

* The new Zapier feature Lisa discussed was covered in this blog post.

Very Scientific: An AI Portland Science Fair Sep 21, 2024

In this episode, Megan and Nicole discuss the first annual AI Portland Science Fair, highlighting the diverse projects presented by community members. They explore the practical applications of AI, creative uses in art and design, and technical innovations from academic contributors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the inspiring potential of AI to enhance everyday life and address real-world challenges. They also reflect on the event's success and share plans for future gatherings.

Special thanks to our science fair participants.

Cia Mooney: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cia-mooney/

Victor Agostinelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-agostinelli/, preprint: https://github.com/OSU-STARLAB/Simul-LLM

Seth Raphael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magicseth/

Mark Swain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-swain-1a43b6/

Elizabeth Goltz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-goltz-68470645/

Arun Sirimalla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunsru/:

Robbie Ellestad (Oddly Robbie): https://oddlyrobbie.blog/

Pete Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterblee/

Josh Aller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshaller/

Robert Bates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-bates-1042a2201/

Suzame Tong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzametong/

Ron Bronson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbronson/

Steve "Elan" Taylor https://www.linkedin.com/in/syntheticconsciousai/

What if the Vatican was full of cats? AI Art with Julia Stoops Aug 26, 2024

In this episode, Julia Stoops, a visual artist and UX/UI designer, discusses her creative process and how she incorporates generative AI into her artwork with cohosts Megan Notarte and Nicole Mors. She shares examples of her work, which includes blending images and using AI to create unique and surreal pieces. Julia also explores the concept of ownership and the value of physical artwork in the age of AI, and shares her thoughts on the use of her artwork in Midjourney and the distinction between online sharing and AI-generated art. She showcases examples of her artwork and the blending of physical and digital techniques.

Because Julia shows so much of her art, this is best enjoyed as a video (Youtube).

Exploring the Intersection of AI, Virtual Worlds, and Humanity Jul 10, 2024

In this episode, Nicole Mors and Megan Notarte dive deep into a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Donna Davis, director of the Oregon Reality Lab and the new Immersive Media Communication master's program at the University of Oregon in Portland. They explore the fascinating and sometimes unsettling intersection of AI and human interaction, discussing everything from media literacy to the ethical implications of AI companions. Dr. Davis' insights into the potential of virtual worlds for social good and the importance of maintaining real-world connections create a compelling narrative about the future of human-AI relationships. Whether it's the joy found in virtual support groups or the dangers of AI misuse, this episode challenges listeners to consider how we balance innovation with humanity.

Chapters:

02:18 The Importance of Media Literacy in the Age of AI

13:24 Navigating the Blurring Lines Between Human and AI Interactions

16:40 The Dual Nature of Technology

22:30 Balancing the Digital and Physical Realms

32:32 The Power of Virtual Worlds

40:10 The Importance of Human Connection

44:47 The Dark Side of Technology

49:11 The Challenges of Being Human

Everyone's a Creative Director Jun 28, 2024

In this episode, Nicole and Megan recap a recent AI Portland event that featured three speakers who discussed their experiences using AI in their creative processes. Elizabeth Goltz talked about using AI to tap into the collective unconscious and create artwork that served as a cultural exorcism. Sprk used AI to create an immersive AR/VR experience that took users through a specific time period. Julia Stoops embraced the chaos of AI and used it to enhance her traditional artwork. The speakers discussed topics such as artistic flow, intention, and ownership.

Related links:

Julia Stoops | website | instagram
Sprk’s Lewis and Clark experience

Unlocking Creativity with AI and Mike Creighton May 29, 2024

Does generative AI help or hinder creativity? Are we destined to live in a world of sameness? Nicole and Megan welcomed Mike Creighton, the Director of AI Research and Development at Instrument, to discuss the impact of generative AI on creativity. They discuss the creative potential of generative AI and the importance of leveraging taste and personal experiences in the creative process. He emphasizes the ability of AI to generate new and innovative ideas by synthesizing disparate concepts and creating meaningful connections and ways that these tools can inspire and unlock creativity in everyone.

Related links:

Looping in the Humans with AI May 17, 2024

Should you get an AI friend? Should Nicole get knuckle tattoos? In this episode of (Super)charged by AI, hosts Megan Notarte and Nicole Mors delve into recent developments in AI, focusing on OpenAI and Google's latest announcements. They discuss a recent AI Portland panel on 'human in the loop,' addressing deep fakes, AI companions, and the societal impacts of generative AI. Key topics include the trustworthiness of AI, ethical considerations, and the evolving nature of work. The conversation extends to AI's role in fostering or replacing human connections and the intrinsic need for active human participation and critical thinking. Notable mentions include panelists Dr. Donna Davis, Lindsay Richman, Janet Johnson, and Pedro Luraschi, who provide insight into AI's potential to transform both personal and professional realms.

Related links:

00:00 Introduction

00:54 AI Developments This Week

01:41 Humanity in the Loop: AI's Brave New World

02:25 The Influence of AI on Social Media and Identity

06:24 Exploring AI Companions and Emotional Connections

11:18 Trust and Privacy in the Age of AI Companions

16:26 The Future of Work and Critical Thinking Skills

22:54 Reflections on the Panel Discussion and AI's Impact

29:00 Closing Thoughts

From Reddit to RAG with Juma Stevens May 08, 2024

In this episode, co-hosts Megan Notarte and Nicole Mors talk with Juma Stevens, a seasoned software engineer, about his journey into AI and development, specifically his early experimentation with GPT models. Juma shares his self-taught path, his first project integrating GPT for a recipe app, and how his curiosity led him to explore more sophisticated AI tools. The conversation also covers the potential fears and implications of AI in various professions, the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and limitations, and tips for developers integrating AI into their applications. The episode navigates the technical aspects of working with AI, such as fine-tuning models and understanding compute and financial costs, providing insights for both tech enthusiasts and professionals.

Generative images brought the spice Apr 20, 2024

Just what does it mean for an image to be AI-generated? That’s part of what Nicole and Megan discuss in today’s episode, recapping the spicy Generative AI Images panel from AI Portland. The conversation explores the impact of AI on the field of art and creativity, the challenges faced by artists and designers, the role of AI in the creative process, and the question of ownership and value in AI-generated art. They also touch on the future of art education and the need for artists to adapt and learn how to use AI tools. Overall, the conversation highlights the complex and evolving relationship between AI and the creative industries. The conversation explores the fear and uncertainty surrounding the impact of AI on jobs and how the current tech job market adds to the heightened concern. They also touch on the historical pattern of job displacement and the emergence of new jobs.

Related links

Unpacking AI Literacy Apr 11, 2024

Is AI coming for your job? It depends! Megan and Nicole dive into the details from the AI Literacy in the Workplace AI Portland event featuring Nicolle Merrill from Boring AI. They share their takeaways on the pragmatic approach to AI, the impact on jobs, the importance of understanding AI capabilities, and the potential implications of AI-generated content on creativity and culture. They discuss the need for skepticism, critical thinking, curiosity, and proactive learning about AI within organizations.

Related links:

Navigating the Fear to Optimism Continuum with Janet Johnson of the AI Governance Group Apr 05, 2024

Janet Johnson, founder of the AI Governance Group, joins Megan and Nicole to discuss her journey into AI and the importance of AI governance. They explore the balance between fear and optimism in AI, the hype surrounding AI, and the need for AI literacy and critical thinking. Janet emphasizes the importance of protecting personal data and implementing policies and guidelines to ensure responsible AI use. She encourages companies to embrace AI but also be cautious and mindful of the potential risks. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the diverse backgrounds of the AIGG team and the importance of human connection in the age of AI.

Head over to aipdx.info to learn more about AI Portland.

Related links:

Mastering Prompt Writing Mar 22, 2024

In this episode, Megan and Nicole discuss the background of AI Portland and their mission to create inclusive spaces for people to learn and explore AI. They recap a recent event where Kerri Evans gave a workshop on prompt writing for AI models. They highlight key takeaways from the event, including the importance of generating the right prompt to define the voice and style of the AI output. They also discuss the role of AI as a thought partner and collaborator, and how it can be used in job interviews and personal projects. The episode concludes with a reminder about privacy and security considerations when using AI models.

Important links:

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:57 Starting AI Portland

05:08 Summary of the Event

06:30 Generating the Right Prompt

07:22 Saving Prompts for Consistent Voice

08:53 Treating AI as a Thought Partner

11:00 Role of AI in Job Interviews

14:49 Using AI for Personal Projects

22:12 Talking to Chat GPT on Mobile

25:06 Privacy and Security Considerations