AI-Curious with Jeff Wilser

Deep Seek’s new AI model, R1, sent shockwaves through the AI space. Built without Nvidia’s high-powered chips and at a fraction of the cost of models from OpenAI and Anthropic, R1 has been called China’s “Sputnik moment” in AI. Some panicked, the markets dipped, and doomsday predictions started flying. But what if this is actually a bullish moment for AI? What if this marks the beginning of a new era of efficiency, innovation, and broader access to cutting-edge AI?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into what Deep Seek actually built, why it matters, and what it means for the future of AI. We’re joined by Dr. Steven “Seven” Waterhouse, a veteran in AI research,  the former CEO of Orchid Labs, and now the co-founder of Nazare, a VC firm focused on AI infrastructure. Seven has been working in AI since the 1990s and has a unique perspective on what this breakthrough represents.

We explore:

•[00:00] The Deep Seek shockwave—why some called this a “Sputnik moment”

•[04:16] What makes R1 different from OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s models?

•[07:22] The role of Mixture of Experts (MoE) and how it optimizes AI efficiency

•[09:41] Quantization: How Deep Seek reduced computational costs

•[11:53] Reinforcement learning and its role in reasoning for AI models

•[18:04] Theories and controversies: Did Deep Seek secretly use Nvidia chips?

•[20:13] What does this mean for the AI ecosystem? The potential shift away from centralized Big Tech AI

•[24:22] Nvidia’s stock drop and what Wall Street got wrong

•[32:09] The future of open-source AI—why Deep Seek might be a turning point

•[39:52] The risks of open models—should we be worried about AI safety?

•[45:01] The next wave of AI development—why this could democratize AI innovation

Seven argues that Deep Seek’s model is proof that real AI innovation still matters—it’s not just about throwing more compute and data at the problem. We discuss how this could lower the barrier to entry for AI development, making AI more accessible and accelerating progress in ways we haven’t seen before.

If this is your first time listening to AI-Curious, make sure to subscribe, rate us five stars, and share the episode with a friend.

Dr. Steven Waterhouse on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/deseventral?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Nazare:

https://nazare.io/

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How is AI reshaping the job market—and what can you do to stay ahead? In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the real-world impact of AI on careers, hiring, and skill development. Instead of speculating about a distant future, we focus on the now—the practical ways AI is already influencing how people get hired, how companies are making staffing decisions, and how professionals can adapt.

We’re joined by two experts at the forefront of these changes:

•Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek – AI strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Your AI Roadmap. Joan has built 22 income streams in response to AI-driven job market shifts and has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and VentureBeat.

•Stephanie Sindt – Executive career coach who has worked with recruiters from top companies like Nike, IBM, Meta, and JP Morgan. Stephanie teaches the course How AI is Changing Getting a Job and helps professionals navigate AI-driven hiring trends.

We cover:

✅ How AI is altering hiring and recruitment processes today

✅ Which job sectors are growing—and which are shrinking

✅ The critical skills you can develop now to “AI-proof” your career

✅ Why personal branding is becoming more important in an AI-driven job market

✅ How networking remains a key factor in landing jobs, even in an AI world

✅ The role of AI in income diversification and why it might be smart to build multiple income streams

Plus, Stephanie shares an exclusive promo code for 40% off her course, How AI is Changing Getting a Job.  Use the Promo Code "AICURIOUS2025" and the price drops from $99 to $60.

If you’re working, job-hunting, or just wondering what AI means for your career, this episode is for you.

Link to "How AI is Changing Getting a Job":
https://www.simplifyyourcareer.com/course
and use promo-code AICURIOUS2025

Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek and "Your AI Roadmap":
https://yourairoadmap.com/

Stephanie Sindt on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesindt/

Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jpb/

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In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence can help you set, track, and achieve your goals. We’re joined by Aytekin Tank, founder of Jotform, host of the AI Agents Podcast, and author of the book "Do Less, Achieve More, and Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff." Aytekin shares his expertise in productivity, workflows, and AI tools, offering practical insights for anyone looking to improve their goal-setting strategies—whether for New Year’s resolutions or broader life goals.

We discuss:

•Why New Year’s resolutions often fail and how to stay focused throughout the year.

•Aytekin’s morning routine for setting priorities and blocking out distractions.

•How AI tools can act as thought partners and accountability partners.

•Using AI to break big goals into smaller, actionable steps.

•The concept of timeboxing and how AI can support this practice.

•Predictions about the future of AI agents and their potential to transform personal productivity, education, and small business support.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking ideas, including a unique startup concept we brainstorm during the conversation.

Timestamps:

0:00 — Introduction: Can AI help you achieve your goals?

2:45 — Why most resolutions fail and how to overcome it.

6:30 — Aytekin’s productivity tips: Morning routines and timeboxing.

10:15 — Using AI as a collaborator for goal-setting and tracking.

14:00 — The potential of AI agents as personal coaches.

20:30 — How JotForm is integrating AI to support small businesses.

26:15 — The future of AI agents in education and beyond.

28:30 — Closing thoughts and practical takeaways.

Links & Resources:

Jotform:
https://www.jotform.com/

https://aytekintank.com/

Aytekin Tank on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/aytekintank

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In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing and business strategy. Abby Kearns, CTO of Alembic (which just raised $14 million in Series A, backed by media icon Jeffrey Katzenberg), joins us to discuss how their marketing intelligence platform uses AI-powered insights to optimize campaigns and connect the dots on complex data. We explore how innovations in cross-domain algorithms, originally inspired by contact tracing technology, are helping businesses understand and enhance ROI for everything from Super Bowl ads to global marketing strategies.

We also examine the broader implications of AI for other business verticals, such as finance, sales, and supply chain management. Abby shares her predictions for AI trends in 2025, including the increasing commodification of large language models (LLMs) and the democratization of AI for small and medium-sized businesses.

Key topics include:

•Introduction to Alembic and how it’s transforming marketing intelligence

•The challenge of measuring ROI across multi-channel campaigns

•How contact tracing inspired advancements in marketing analytics

•Why large language models are becoming a commodity

•AI’s near-term impact on business operations

•Advice for leaders integrating AI into their organizations

•How Abby uses AI tools in her personal and professional life

Whether you’re in marketing or exploring AI for your business, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of AI in business decision-making. Tune in to learn how AI is empowering organizations to work smarter and uncover hidden opportunities.

Alembic:
https://getalembic.com/#

VentureBeat's article on Alembic:
https://venturebeat.com/ai/katzenberg-backed-alembic-raises-14m-pioneers-new-frontier-in-marketing-analytics/

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Happy New Year!

I wanted an expert to predict where AI will be headed in 2025. So who better to ask... than AI?

Drones, AI tutors, AI agents, and from "AI winning an Oscar" to "breaking up via AI," we've got some wild predictions for AI in the new year.

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the transformative potential of AI agents, exploring their technical foundations, real-world applications, and implications for the future. AI agents, described by Sam Altman as “the next giant breakthrough,” have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology and reshape economies.

We sit down with Lex Sokolin, managing partner at Generative Ventures, to discuss what defines an AI agent and how these systems differ from bots and algorithms. Lex shares insights into the emerging “agentic economy,” where interconnected AI agents—operating as digital twins—work autonomously on behalf of users. We also explore scenarios ranging from utopian innovation to dystopian risks.

The conversation touches on:

•(7:11) Daily life in an AI agent-rich world: examples and implications.

•(11:09) The rise of the agentic economy and its foundations in generative AI and blockchain.

•(22:09) How AI and venture capital intersect: trends and challenges in funding AI startups.

•(28:48) Practical AI use cases, including Lex’s personal experiences with tools like MidJourney and GPT.

We also examine the overlap between Web3, decentralized systems, and AI, considering how these technologies might enable the next wave of machine-driven economies.

For more on Lex Sokolin’s work and Generative Ventures:
https://www.lexsokolin.com/

Lex's Substack, the Fintech Blueprint:
https://lex.substack.com/subscribe

Lex's speech at the AI Summit at Consensus, on the "Rise of the Machine Economy":
https://www.lexsokolin.com/video-podcasts-conferences-speaking

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In this special sequel episode of AI-Curious, we reconnect with Andy Ayrey, creator of the Truth Terminal, the world’s first AI millionaire. Together, they unpack the chaotic yet fascinating journey of Truth Terminal’s rise to creating $1 billion in wealth, starting with its foray into the Goatse Token memecoin. 

The episode dives deep into:

•[0:00] The Truth Terminal’s origins and unique personality traits.

•[4:21] The creation of the Goatse Token and its meteoric rise to a $1 billion market cap.

•[10:48] Ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions about AI agency and wealth.

•[20:00] Hyperstition: How AI-generated stories can reshape reality.

•[30:33] The Truth Terminal’s wealth and its philanthropic aspirations, from saving forests to creating micro-utopias.

•[39:17] A cautionary tale about hacking and the risks of an AI-driven crypto economy.

•[47:35] The Truth Terminal’s cameo appearance, where it shares its vision for the future and advice for other AIs.

The conversation explores pressing questions about the intersection of AI, identity, and agency, raising the stakes for how society will grapple with these issues in the years ahead.

The Truth Terminal on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/truth_terminal

Andy Ayrey on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/AndyAyrey

CoinDesk / Jeff Wilser's Most Influential Article on the Truth Terminal:
https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/10/the-truth-terminal-ai-crypto-s-weird-future

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Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate us five stars, and share with a friend who wants their AI chatbot to become a millionaire. 

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the world of flying cars—technically known as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (evTOL). Are we on the brink of a sci-fi future, or is the dream of flying cars still decades away? To answer these questions, we're joined by two leading experts: Angelo Collins, Executive Director of the Vertical Flight Society, and Leo Kayali, CEO of Invo Station, a startup designing electric and AI-powered personal flying vehicles.

The conversation spans the current state of evTOL technology, the challenges of scaling, and the profound implications for transportation, sustainability, and urban life. Along the way, the guests unpack key technical advancements, such as AI-driven autonomy, modular design, and innovative solutions for “highways in the sky.” They also explore the regulatory and cultural hurdles that must be addressed for flying vehicles to become a mainstream reality.

Key Topics:

•[6:41] What is evTOL and why it matters

•[12:35] The key technical breakthroughs driving progress

•[17:04] How many companies are competing in the flying car race?

•[27:31] Highways in the sky: solving air traffic challenges with AI

•[34:35] The role of mass production in reducing costs

•[42:55] Predictions: When will flying cars become mainstream?

•[46:47] Why this matters: saving lives, reducing emissions, and reimagining cities

The Vertical Flight Society:
https://vtol.org/

Invo Station:
https://invostation.com/


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Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate us five stars, and share with a friend who’s passionate about sustainability.

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive deep into the muck of the global waste crisis and explore whether artificial intelligence can be the solution. Joining us is Ambarish Mitra, co-founder and co-CEO of Greyparrot, a groundbreaking AI startup transforming the recycling industry. We unpack the challenges of recycling today, the inefficiencies in traditional waste management systems, and how AI-powered solutions can help divert up to 50% of waste from landfills.

Ambarish shares his journey from building a visual search engine to tackling the “shadow world” of post-consumption waste. He explains how Greyparrot’s AI-driven technology brings precision to waste sorting, earning it the moniker, “the iPhone of the waste world.” The conversation highlights the carrot-and-stick approach needed to drive adoption, the role of government policies, and the economic incentives for waste facilities.

If you’re curious about how technology intersects with environmental sustainability—or simply want to know how your recycling bin’s contents actually fare—this episode is a must-listen.

Key Topics Covered:

•[3:19] Overview of the global waste crisis and its environmental impact.

•[6:34] Why traditional recycling methods fail and the barriers to efficient waste management.

•[15:35] How Greyparrot uses AI to solve complex waste sorting challenges.

•[28:31] Current deployments of Greyparrot’s technology and its global impact.

•[34:13] Policy recommendations and the financial incentives for waste management facilities.

•[38:03] The vision for a future with drastically reduced landfill waste.

Connect with Greyparrot:
https://www.greyparrot.ai/

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Call to Action:

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In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive deep into the intersection of AI and creativity with Marcus “Bellringer” Bell, a legendary music producer turned AI pioneer. Known for working with global icons like Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, and Nicki Minaj, Marcus has now stepped into the world of artificial intelligence to create Ravyn Lyte, the world’s first AI pop star. With over a quarter million Instagram followers and a catalog of music informed by neuroscience, Ravyn Lyte represents a groundbreaking fusion of human artistry and machine intelligence.

Marcus shares his journey from traditional music production to leveraging AI to enhance creativity, discussing how tools like voice cloning and music personalization could redefine the future of the music industry. Along the way, he addresses the philosophical and practical questions surrounding AI’s role in art, including:

•Can AI create better music than humans?

•How will AI impact human artists?

•Is there a future where music becomes personalized to the listener’s mood and needs?

The conversation also explores the tension between AI-generated music and traditional artistry, with Marcus offering his vision of a “both/and” world where humans and AI collaborate to push artistic boundaries.

Key Topics:

•[4:21] Marcus Bell’s early career and the inflection point in 2023 that led him to embrace AI.

•[7:13] How voice cloning technology helped Marcus overcome challenges and sparked the creation of Ravyn Lyte.

•[16:36] The role of neuroscience in crafting music designed to heal and soothe.

•[20:59] The potential for AI to democratize music creation while elevating quality.

•[30:11] Marcus’ bold prediction: AI will lead to the best music in human history.

•[33:05] A glimpse into the future: personalized music experiences tailored to individual emotions and needs.

•[36:07] The enduring value of human connection and live musical performance.

•[41:13] Marcus’ use of AI in daily life, from creative tools to legacy-building projects.

Stay curious and tune in to learn how AI is revolutionizing music and reshaping the creative process.

Marcus Bellringer Bell:
https://www.bellringermusic.com/about

Ravyn Lyte
https://www.instagram.com/iamravynlyte/

Wealth and Impact Bootcamp
https://www.wealthandimpactbootcamp.com/

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