Ayush Prakash Podcast

What can evolution teach us about building artificial intelligence? Professor Risto Miikkulainen explains how neuroevolution can discover strategies, neural networks and intelligent behaviours that human designers may never consider.

Risto describes how computational simulations could test theories about convergent evolution, language, cooperation and the rapid expansion of the human brain. We discuss intelligence as active engagement with an environment, why curiosity may have helped humans spread across the planet, and how evolutionary algorithms balance competing goals through fitness functions.

The same creativity can also exploit loopholes. Risto explains how an evolved tic-tac-toe agent won by crashing its opponents, why simulations and careful testing matter before deployment, and how intelligent agents might develop opponent models, deception, emotions and values. We also explore AI companions, sensory augmentation, misinformation and the danger of attributing too much intelligence or agency to current systems.

The conversation closes with the first AI-native generation. Risto argues that young researchers need critical thinking, ethics, philosophy, statistics and computational thinking to decide which systems are worth building and how their goals should be defined.

Chapters:
00:00 Replaying evolution
03:16 Convergent evolution
04:26 Simulating the origins of language
08:46 What is intelligence?
13:34 Curiosity and exploration
16:38 Designing fitness functions
19:07 When evolution discovers surprises
21:32 Memory bombs and loopholes
25:36 Theory of mind and deception
31:22 Do intelligent systems need emotions?
36:55 AI, consciousness and human agency
43:47 Can AI expand human understanding?
46:49 Brain implants and sensory augmentation
52:28 Values, ethics and social goals
56:50 Why young people will shape the future
1:01:22 Neuroevolution and LLMs
1:05:50 The Neuroevolution book
1:08:06 Where the field goes next
1:11:29 Hollywood myths and AI companions
1:19:58 Treating AI as a fallible expert
1:20:58 Advice for Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Connect with Risto Miikkulainen:
Website: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/~risto/
Neural Networks Research Group: https://nn.cs.utexas.edu/
Neuroevolution book and course materials: https://neuroevolutionbook.com/

Podcast Info:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhG
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ayush-prakash-podcast/id1557703631

Connect:
Website: https://ayushprakash.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ayushprakashofficial

Books:
AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

This is episode 100 of the Gen Z Diplomat Podcast. 

Dr. Avi Loeb is an astrophysicist at Harvard. He is now Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science, director of the Institute for Theory and Computation and former chair of the Astronomy department (2011-2020).

He also holds a visiting professorship at the Weizmann Institute of Science and a Senior Professorship by special appointment in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Tel Aviv University.

He is also the bestselling author of “Extraterrestrial” and "Interstellar".

Connect with Avi: 

Harvard Astronomy Department: https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/avi-loeb 

Medium: https://avi-loeb.medium.com

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Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2pSPDElLqX0l4sxOi_l3e-2 

Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2r7cCBdKt0VKWlAn6xMz3E9 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprx

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.ca/AI-Gen-Story-Technology-Society/dp/0981182151/

This is episode 99 of the Gen Z Diplomat Podcast. 

Rudy Leger is a trainer at X-Fit Saint Laurent, a personal training gym in Montreal. He has a BA in Athletic Therapy and 15+ years of experience with training clients. 

To learn more about X-Fit and book your first session, visit https://x-fit.ca.

Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2pSPDElLqX0l4sxOi_l3e-2 

Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2r7cCBdKt0VKWlAn6xMz3E9 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprx

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.ca/AI-Gen-Story-Technology-Society/dp/0981182151/

This is Episode #98 of the Gen Z Diplomat Podcast.

At Steele Fortress, Jonathan leverages his unique blend of legal and cybersecurity expertise to provide comprehensive cybersecurity and privacy consulting services. His deep understanding of both the legal and technical aspects of cybersecurity and privacy makes him a valuable asset to any organization looking to bolster their security posture and navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity laws and regulations.

Jonathan's Links: 

Website: https://steelefamlaw.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steelefamlaw/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steelefamlaw

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Podcast Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2pSPDElLqX0l4sxOi_l3e-2 

Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2r7cCBdKt0VKWlAn6xMz3E9 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprx

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.ca/AI-Gen-Story-Technology-Society/dp/0981182151/

This is Episode #97 of the Gen Z Diplomat Podcast.

Tim has over 24 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets including CTV, Global News, The Toronto Star, and other leading Canadian publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books. Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.

Tim's Links: 

Website: https://www.legalwills.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhewson/

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Podcast Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2pSPDElLqX0l4sxOi_l3e-2 

Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2r7cCBdKt0VKWlAn6xMz3E9 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprx

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DH38CDP5

Paul Rader is a nonpartisan political analyst, researcher, writer/author, and speaker. Paul's passions include bridging political knowledge gaps, improving American civics, and making politics more accessible and fun to the public. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in political science (with a certificate in political campaigning) from the University of Florida.

Paul has both educational and professional experience on various facets of political science, including election trends, the function of campaigns, the history of political institutions, government structure, and public policy. Among his nonpartisan political works you can check out are his book "Why Independents Rarely Win Elections: And How They Could Become More Competitve" on Amazon; the Politics with Paul podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts; and his Medium blog. Paul lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

This is episode #96 of the Gen Z Diplomat Podcast.

Paul's Links: 

Website: https://www.paulrader.org

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/

Medium: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com

MatchMaker.fm: https://www.matchmaker.fm/show-guest/paul-rader-329e65

Podcast Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2pSPDElLqX0l4sxOi_l3e-2 

Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCgU9D4fIV2r7cCBdKt0VKWlAn6xMz3E9 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprx

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://amazon.ca/dp/098118216X/

Technology has transformed society, but has it made us wiser? Jamie Meyer argues that our tools have advanced while our ability to understand ourselves, apply values and relate to other people has weakened.

We discuss why modern culture can feel empty, whether Gen Z is becoming “Homo Techno” and how social media changes the way people see themselves even after they put their phones down. Jamie explains her unusually intentional relationship with technology, why constant commercial prompts exhaust individual judgment and how personal values can provide a more stable way to make decisions.

The conversation then turns to inherited ideas about trust, identity and success. Jamie describes realizing at 27 that she had never consciously chosen her own values, leaving harmful relationships and building a values system one decision at a time. We finish with the difference between exposure and experience, why people cannot be forced to change and Jamie’s mission to protect the complexity of being human.

Chapters:

00:00 Money, power and predator-prey culture
01:03 Has modern culture become deranged?
02:43 Freedom without personal values
05:56 Why critical thinking depends on context
10:34 Has technology changed what humans are?
11:49 Human progress without human wisdom
13:07 Why we struggle to relate to each other
16:45 Jamie’s unusual relationship with social media
22:05 How social media changes life offline
25:54 Is social media society’s next cigarette?
31:17 The burden of resisting constant stimulation
34:28 Health, wealth and personal responsibility
39:02 How do you discover your own values?
42:17 What parents teach us about trust
45:14 Exposure is not experience
49:54 Jamie’s turning point at 27
52:08 Building a personal values system
54:09 Why people cannot be forced to change
58:31 Jamie’s mission to protect human complexity
01:00:16 Where to find Jamie

Jamie's Links:

Website: ninecarat.net

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemeyer-ent/

Podcast Info: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W 

Connect: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

Books: 

AI for Gen Z: https://amazon.ca/dp/098118216X/

Hosein Kouros-Mehr, MD, PhD is an author and physician-scientist who has spent over two decades in cancer research and drug development. He wrote Break Through: Master Your Default Mode and Thrive to help readers master the DMN and live happier, more fulfilling lives. This book was endorsed by Rick Doblin, Founder of MAPS.

Visit www.yourdefaultmode.com for more information.

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PODCAST INFO: 

Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

SOCIAL: 

Website: https://ayushprakash.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 

MY BOOK: 

AI for Gen Z: https://amazon.ca/dp/098118216X/

What happens when technology companies train powerful AI systems on personal information, copyrighted work and vast amounts of online data without explaining what they used? Former technology CEO and submarine officer Rob Eleveld argues that the public is being asked to trust systems whose creators have resisted basic transparency and accountability.

We discuss why policymakers failed to regulate social media, what location data can reveal about a person’s private life and why Rob believes personal information should require opt-in consent before being used for AI training. Drawing on his experience building identity-verification systems, he explains how training data shaped fraud predictions and why models trained in one region did not automatically work in another.

The conversation then turns to a nutrition label for AI data, copyright licensing, focused models and the fight to regulate Big Tech without stopping useful innovation. We finish with state and federal legislation, Section 230, competition with China, the fear that pushed Rob to act and his advice for Generation Z on screen time, reading and compromise.

Chapters:
00:00 Why generative AI triggered a regulatory response
02:49 Why social media escaped early regulation
05:31 The privacy protection people wrongly assume they have
10:21 Why Generation Z should care about old online data
16:44 From nuclear submarines to identity verification
21:12 What fraud detection taught Rob about training data
30:55 Regulating harms that are happening now
33:12 What AI transparency actually means
34:40 Five practical ideas for AI regulation
36:37 Why AI systems are understandable
39:14 A nutrition label for training data
42:42 The case for focused AI models
44:09 How the coalition plans to confront Big Tech
47:26 State laws, federal laws and Section 230
52:07 Do policymakers understand AI?
56:23 Why China is not an excuse to avoid regulation
59:13 The fear that pushed Rob to act
01:01:54 Rob’s advice for Generation Z
01:05:18 Books, negotiation and the value of compromise
01:07:48 Where to follow Rob’s work

Connect with Rob: https://www.transparencycoalition.ai/
PODCAST INFO:
Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W

SOCIAL:
Website: https://ayushprakash.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/

MY BOOK:
AI for Gen Z: https://amazon.ca/dp/098118216X/

Alan Lazaros is the Founder, CEO, and Co-Host of Next Level University. He leads a global team of 21 people, and is quickly approaching his 10,000 hours of speaking, podcasting, training, and coaching individuals from all walks of life.

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PODCAST INFO: 
Spotify: https://sptfy.com/O2uW
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37W
SOCIAL: 
Website: https://ayushprakash.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ 
MY BOOK: 
AI for Gen Z: https://amazon.ca/dp/098118216X/