AI SIX Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Think AI just makes things up? You’re right, it often does. But there’s a fix. It’s called RAG, and it helps AI ground its answers in real, relevant information. In this episode, I’ll explain how it works and why it’s essential if you rely on AI for content or communication.

In today’s episode, I'm talking about something you’ve probably used without even knowing it: RAG – Retrieval-Augmented Generation.

Most large language models, like GPT, Claude, Gemini, work by predicting the next word in a sentence. They’ve been trained on huge datasets, everything from books to websites, forums, Reddit commentary, podcasts, and Wikipedia, essentially everything on the Internet. But once that training is done, the model doesn’t learn anything new unless it’s retrained. That’s called being a static model.

Here’s where RAG comes in. Retrieval-Augmented Generation is a technique that lets these models access external information, like documents, PDFs, databases, or web content, at the time of your query. 

Instead of relying only on what the model remembers from training, RAG lets it retrieve relevant information first, and then generate a better, more accurate answer.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

European Commission AI Assessment Tools for EU AI Act Compliance

The European Commission and related stakeholders have introduced several tools to support organisations in complying with the EU AI Act. These tools help identify your obligations, assess the risk associated with your AI systems, and guide you through compliance requirements.

1. EU AI Act Compliance Checker
   An interactive tool that helps businesses, especially SMEs and startups, assess if their AI system is covered by the AI Act and what legal obligations apply.
2. General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice
   A voluntary guide with templates and best practices for GPAI model providers, focusing on transparency, copyright, safety, and systemic risk management.
3. Training Data Transparency Template
   A standard format requiring AI providers to publicly summarise the data sources used for training, promoting openness and protecting data subject rights.
4. SME AI Assessment Tool
   A tailored risk classification tool co-developed with SME networks, offering step-by-step compliance advice and resources specifically for smaller businesses.
5. Self-Assessment Tools
   Online forms for organisations to classify their AI system’s risk level and receive practical, accessible compliance guidance without needing deep legal expertise.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

Cloudflare, a major internet infrastructure provider powering about 20% of global web traffic, has rolled out a significant policy change: as of July 2025, it is blocking AI web crawlers from scraping content by default unless website owners explicitly permit them. This marks a turning point in the landscape of AI model training and content creator rights.

By default, AI crawlers (bots used by companies such as OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta, and more to collect content for large language models) are now blocked from accessing any website using Cloudflare’s services unless permission is granted by the site owner.

This shift means AI companies can no longer freely scrape huge swathes of the Internet for data without direct consent or compensation for the content creators.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

I didn’t write this headline—but I wish I had! Credit goes to Forbes and author William Arruda for the brilliant title: Why Smart People Own AI at Work. It instantly grabbed my attention, and in today’s episode, I’m jumping into why this mindset matters more than ever.

Hello and welcome back to the AI SIX podcast, a daily-six-minute show, helping you understand how AI is changing your working life and re-shaping marketing, communications, and the world of work as we know it. I’m your host, Joanne Sweeney.

In today's episode, we explore how AI is supercharging workplace productivity, taking on burnout tasks, and learning to work alongside you like a true digital partner. But here’s the kicker—many professionals still hide their use of AI, and that’s a mistake. Being open about your AI use doesn’t make you look lazy—it makes you look smart, strategic, and future-ready.

If you want to lead, stay relevant, and boost your impact at work, it’s time to own your AI.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

America is the country that started the AI race. And as president of the United States, I’m here today to declare that America is going to win it. 

These are the words of President Trump at the AI Summit this week when he unveiled, ‘Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan’.

Hello and welcome back to AI SIX, the podcast that keeps you up-to-date with AI in a non-nonsense way. I’m Joanne Sweeney. 

In today’s episode, we dive into the 28-page blueprint that aims to accelerate innovation, expand AI infrastructure, and lead on the global stage. From sweeping deregulation and open-source support to high-stakes diplomacy and national security priorities, this is the most aggressive U.S. AI policy to date. Tune in to hear what’s changing, who it affects, and how America plans to stay ahead in the global AI race.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

Denmark is making history. It’s set to become the first EU country to give people copyright over their own faces, voices, and likenesses—a bold move in the fight against deepfakes and AI misuse.

In this episode, I explain what this landmark legislation means, why Denmark is leading the charge, and how it could shape the future of digital identity and AI regulation across Europe.

You’ll learn:

• Why the Danish Parliament has broad support for this move
• How it will empower citizens to remove unauthorised deepfakes
• What protections and exceptions the law provides
• How platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube could be held accountable
• Whether this could become an EU-wide standard

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

Imagine telling ChatGPT: “Book my next podcast guest, draft the show notes, update my calendar, and email me when it’s done.” And it just… does it.

Welcome to the Agentic AI era.

In this episode, I’ll break down how ChatGPT Agents are the next big leap in AI. These aren’t chatbots waiting for prompts—they’re autonomous agents that remember your goals, take actions, and complete tasks on your behalf.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

I’m officially a Harvard graduate.

In this final entry of the Harvard AI Diaries, I wrap up an intense, unforgettable week at the Kennedy School, where I presented my AI Political Communications Assistant to a room of brilliant global leaders. It was a week of early mornings, late nights, and real applied learning that pushed me to think bigger about AI, leadership, and governance.

I came with a solid foundation in AI, but I’m leaving with a transformed perspective on how we can use these tools responsibly and meaningfully in our work. More than anything, it was the people who made this experience: world-class faculty, diverse classmates, and the kind of camaraderie you don’t forget.

Thank you for following this journey with me. 

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

This week on AI SIX, we’re taking a ride, literally.

Join me for a special carpool karaoke-style conversation as I drive through Cambridge and Downtown Boston with Dr Steve Morreale, a former federal agent and seasoned criminal justice professor with deep insights into leadership, ethics, and innovation in policing. He’s also the host of The CopDoc Podcast, where he speaks with thought leaders across law enforcement and criminal justice.

As we cruise past the iconic Harvard Square—where I’ve been studying this week as part of the Executive Education programme in Leading in Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School—we talk candidly about how AI is reshaping the future of policing.

Plus, we throw in a few fun facts about Harvard, chat about tech in Boston, and reflect on what ethical AI leadership really looks like.

Buckle up it’s an episode packed with insight, action, and a few unexpected turns.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector. 

Send us Fan Mail

Today, we tackle the tough questions shaping AI in government and the public sector:

- Can AI outputs be copyrighted?
- Are LLMs infringing on copyright?
- Who’s responsible for misinformation?

We dive into live case studies like OpenAI vs The New York Times, explore the “liar’s dividend,” and debate trust and governance in an AI-flooded world.

Plus, what are agentic AI agents, and how are they already changing workflows? And what does generative AI mean for the future of work and skills?

The hype is fading, and the hard questions are here. Join me for Day 4 from Harvard.

Want to go deeper on AI? 

📖 Buy AI Playbook

📩 Get my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Human in the Loop. 

🎓 Level up with the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma

 📞 Let's talk about AI training for your team: digitaltraining.ie or publicsectormarketingpros.com if you are in government or publics sector.