AI will have at least as big an effect on society as the invention of electricity. That’s the prediction of MIT’s Bryan Reimer. Bryan is the co-author of the new book ‘How to Make AI Useful’ in which he explores AI’s power and potential to change the world. He and I sat down this week to discuss the facts, fears, and fiction around what might be the most transformational innovation of our lifetimes. Brian offers a grounded, human-centered perspective on how AI is evolving—and why most of the extreme hype and trepidation miss the point. Rather than a doomsday takeover, he frames AI as a long-term productivity tool that works best in collaboration with humans, not instead of them. Along the way, we discuss energy demands, competition between the U.S., China, and Europe, deepfakes, “oh sh*t moments,” and how everyday people can start using tools like ChatGPT right now to improve their work and lives. Bryan is a research scientist at MIT’s Center for Transportation & Logistics and the MIT AgeLab. With over two decades of experience in human-centered technology research, he has become a leading voice in the future of mobility and making AI systems more practical, accessible, and beneficial for everyday use.  

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