BASELINE

BASELINE

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BASELINE episodes

  • BASELINE009 - Sebastian Weir - Guiding AI with humanity

    In this BASELINE episode, I take a powerful journey with Sebastian Weir, a dynamic thinker whose path from northern England to top-tier financial consulting has fueled a compelling vision for AI’s future. Together, we tackle the high-stakes risks and incredible opportunities AI brings to consultancy, financial security, and everyday life. From battling deepfake scams to exploring groundbreaking family-safe banking systems, Sebastian shares a bold perspective on using AI not only to innovate but to safeguard our humanity. Join us as we push the boundaries of tech, values, and vision—discussing a future where AI truly empowers us all.


    (00:00) Intro

    (01:32) The threat AI poses to consultancy and human capital organizations
    (02:59) Organisations controlling the messaging around AI
    (06:10) The benefit of AI for inclusivity in the workforce
    (07:12) Where should knowledge workers reskill
    (09:10) The professional journey to work with AI
    (11:04) The joy of human connection making memorable experiences
    (15:54) Brutalism and will we live inside multipurpose architecture
    (17:20) Building heritage and retaining our historic landscape
    (17:39) The Sycamore Gap tree and the human connection with place
    (19:04) Parental anxiety about social media
    (19:40) Shall we replace our smartphones with pagers
    (20:00) Archaeology to AI in banking
    (21:10) The opportunity for organizations to benefit from AI and data
    (23:00) The importance of values and diversity of thought
    (24:40) The challenge of objective decision-making and critical thinking
    (25:12) The emergence of deepfake and fraud
    (27:21) Advice to avoid being a victim of a deepfake scam
    (29:55) The underwhelming Mark Zuckerberg metaverse avatar
    (33:33) What to look for when choosing a bank
    (35:35) Convergence of infrastructure and customer experience
    (37:45) Explanation of foundation models and multimodal AI
    (38:46) NASA geosatellite data AI processing
    (43:43) The value of openness
    (44:55) Llama Meta foundation model and IBM Granite foundation model class
    (46:23) Mistral AI-focused French innovation
    (47:55) Cost reduction for AI in targeted foundation models
    (48:45) Nvidia GPU usage and how it will be affected by foundation model design
    (50:10) AI is an unknown, not a threat
    (51:48) Generational shift and human-machine interface
    (53:53) School headmasters using ChatGPT
    (56:27) Utopia or dystopia: an optimistic utopia

    58 min
  • BASELINE010 - Rob Paton - AI and the soul of creativity

    Today, we’re exploring the intersection of human creativity and AI with Rob Paton, a branding expert whose thoughtful and gentle approach has shaped some of the most successful campaigns in the industry. With half a billion dollars in revenue generated from his work, Rob unpacks the big questions: Can AI ever support the unique magic of human creativity? Will we still see iconic campaigns and lasting brands with AI in the mix? From the legendary Volkswagen Polo ads to the future of creative expression, this conversation is filled with insights on preserving the soul of creativity in the age of AI. Join us as Rob takes us behind the scenes of building brands that resonate—and what it takes to protect creativity's heart in a tech-driven world!

    (00:00) Intro
    (01:13) Is there a risk of redundancy for human creatives
    (02:27) Why do people ask ‘does that make sense’
    (03:03) The human need for validation and being human in the age of artificial intelligence
    (04:29) How will AI handle the subjective human opinion
    (05:05) Leveraging AI to adjust the narrative of content
    (05:30) The urge to humanise technology
    (06:37) The creative barrier between the client and the output
    (09:30) Cloud transition for accounting software Xero and Sage
    (11:20) The democratisation of creativity
    (11:48) Working in the creative agencies and the first Apple Mac computers
    (14:24) 1997 Volkswagen Polo advert
    (16:07) Can ChatGPT come up with creative ideas
    (17:15) What is the human creative process
    (17:45) Could language vectoring invent the Apple brand?
    (19:25) How to create a compelling brand
    (21:00) The subconscious artistic process
    (22:16) How AI is the most cost effective method of building brands
    (23:35) In-house marketing teams enabled by AI
    (24:14) Speed v thoughtfulness in brand creation
    (26:16) Can you identify AI and human produced brands
    (29:45) How to create a brand that lasts
    (31:10) Leveraging AI to match consumers to products
    (31:34) Coca Cola biohacking and psyops
    (32:40) The godlike Coca Cola brand
    (34:00) How Amazon prefers Chinese brands
    (35:12) How has Coca Cola persisted over time
    (36:30) What is the cause of the death of the high street and high street brands
    (37:00) Does cost trump brand?
    (38:10) Reviews and access to information informs the consumer
    (38:50) The easy brand and why are all good brands dated
    (39:55) Is longevity a function of good brands
    (40:00) How can you objectively assess AI brands
    (41:33) Technical v brand innovation
    (43:21) The requirement to have a human in the loop
    (43:35) How to build brands that create half a billion dollars worth of revenue
    (45:12) How will creatives compete with AI
    (47:40) How brands encapsulate the people in the business
    (50:05) How was the théâtre d'opéra spatial made?
    (50:49) Can AI produce art?
    (51:05) Banksy, pictures on walls and morons
    (55:08) AI tools that engage with a group of creatives
    (56:35) How brands appeal globally
    (58:29) Advice to people starting in a branding career
    (01:05:00) The rise of creative activism against AI
    (01:06:00) Human generated content watermarking
    (01:07:28) Thinking about AI as the matrix
    (01:09:35) Are people frightened of Elon Musk’s vision of the future
    (01:11:00) Where do the creatives go?
    (01:12:00) Will creatives always be creative
    (01:13:00) AI Utopia or dystopia?


    Explore the fascinating intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence in this BASELINE episode featuring Rob Paton, a renowned branding expert with a proven track record of generating over half a billion dollars in revenuethrough his iconic campaigns. From the legendary 1997 Volkswagen Polo advert to the future of creative expression in a tech-driven world, this conversation delves into topics such as the democratization of creativity, AI’s role in brand creation, and the subconscious artistic process. Join us to uncover how we can preserve the soul of creativity and learn how to build brands that resonate in an era increasingly influenced by AI.

    1 hr 17 min
  • BASELINE008 - ALEX PARTRIDGE - Breaking Barriers: AI, Neurodiversity, and Life Beyond the Olympic Podium

    Breaking Barriers: Alex Partridge on AI, Neurodiversity, and Life Beyond the Olympic Podium

    In this thrilling episode of Baseline, we sit down with Alex Partridge, a world champion rower and Olympic medalist who has reached the pinnacle of both physical and mental performance. Alex takes us on a journey through his remarkable transition from elite sports to navigating life with dyslexia and ADHD, ultimately channeling his unique talents into the forefront of blockchain and AI technology. From optimizing sports performance to reshaping complex financial systems, Alex reveals how he has harnessed AI to create greater diversity in the workplace and enhance his productivity. This episode offers an intimate and eye-opening exploration into the mind of a global elite athlete, his relentless drive for excellence, and the transformative power of AI in breaking down barriers for neurodiverse individuals.
    Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a tech lover, or just looking for some deep inspiration, Alex’s story of resilience, focus, and innovation will leave you ready to tackle your own personal challenges.
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:55) Sports and technology as motivation
    (02:12) Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent as role models
    (03:55) Physical and Intellectual augmentation
    (06:21) The emergence of generative AI
    (08:05) The use of EPO in cycling
    (08:27) Early adoption of Google Bard and Gemini
    (08:50) The phenomenal power of Google Gemini
    (09:18) AI supporting people with dyslexia and ADHD
    (10:35) Harnessing neurodiversity with AI generated language
    (13:40) The power of authenticity
    (16:00) Rowing: a sport of champions
    (18:45) How far can the human go
    (20:45) A return to Olympic form in 4 months
    (22:05) Goal orientation v sustainable behaviour
    (22:45) The reality of the Olympic podium
    (24:16) Mindfulness as a tool
    (28:21) How can we be the best version of ourselves
    (28:50) Is generative AI making us all the same?
    (32:00) The risks of closed AI models
    (37:16) What is emotion and achieving emotional balance
    (42:55) How to reach peak on the day of the Olympic final
    (43:45) Supporting athletes in normal living
    (44:34) The stats on retired professional athletes
    (47:45) Utopia or dystopia?
    #AITruth #AIUtopiaOrDystopia #AIFuture #ArtificialIntelligence #TechPodcast #AIImpact #FutureOfTechnology #BaselinePodcast #AIConversations #AIRevolution

    51 min
  • Inside BASELINE: Big Tech & Trump The 2024 Showdown

    In this charged episode of Inside BASELINE, we explore a tech-driven political battleground where billionaires, AI, and Big Tech collide with the potential return of Trump. From Elon Musk’s xAI and its supercomputing ambitions to Google’s Gemini and Apple’s quiet power plays, this episode unpacks how the giants of Silicon Valley are aligning—or bracing—for a potential Trump administration. With insider insights on political influence, the AI arms race, and billionaires’ complex loyalties, this is the ultimate look at what’s at stake for tech if MAGA rises again.


    (00:00) Intro

    (00:55) Republican Party MAGA rally Madison Square Garden

    (01:53) Intensity of political messaging

    (02:08) Alignment of political parties, billionaires and AI

    (02:18) Elon Musk 

    (03:11) Emergence of republican politics on X

    (03:28) Grok xAI

    (04:19) xAI and Nvidia relationship

    (04:40) Largest AI supercomputer Colossus

    (05:00) How generative AI and Natural Language Processing works

    (05:31) Why AI training is so expensive

    (05:41) Prediction on OpenAI GPT5

    (06:05) Synthetic data training

    (06:18) Why AI training is the new arms race

    (08:06) OpenAI raise $6.6Bn

    (08:24) Nvidia market capital

    (08:27) PwC forecast AI to contribute $15.7Tn

    (08:50) Grok in healthcare and radiology

    (10:36) The utopia AI application human longevity

    (11:00) Elon Musk and Donald Trump

    (11:31) ELON ELON ELON ELON

    (11:50) The fragility and isolation of the billionaire

    (12:24) Jeff Bezos

    (13:35) Amazon Anthropic

    (14:10) What that capital will be used for

    (14:32) Amazon AWS Generative AI

    (15:20) Washington post endorsement

    (15:58) Elon Musk speaks at MSG Rally

    (16:16) Joe Rogan and Elon Musk relationship 

    (16:37) JRE 1 million views per hour

    (17:30) The joy of America and American people

    (18:38) Google Gemini and NotebookLM

    (19:05) The NotebookLM 2 person podcast

    (19:20) Did google hide the Joe Rogan Donald Trump podcast?

    (20:00) Post search engine world

    (20:19) Spotify JRE

    (20:35) Is PerplexityAI the new Google?

    (21:04) Sundar Pichai and Donald Trump at Macdonalds

    (21:25) Kier Starmer working person

    (22:20) Google generate 25% of their code with AI

    (23:22) Tim Cook

    (23:36) The brilliance of Apple technology

    (24:11) Tim Cook Donald Trump

    (24:59) Donald Trump praises Tim Cook beyond Steve Jobs

    (25:48) Elon doesn’t want to build a smartphone

    (26:03) Meta and Llama 3.1 AI LLM

    (26:45) Zuckerberg 2020 election

    (27:06) Mark Zuckerberg and AI success

    (27:24) The US election and artificial intelligence

    (27:47) Popularism, Inspiration and excitement

    (28:31) DOGE Department of Government Efficiency

    (28:45) xAI and Grok Utopia or dystopia


    2024 Election, Kamala Harris policies, Democrats 2024, Voting rights 2024, Health care reform, Climate action 2024, Social justice policies, Education funding, Reproductive rights, Democratic platform, Affordable housing, Gun safety laws, Clean energy, Tax policy 2024, Kamala Harris speeches, Kamala Harris 2024, Democratic campaign strategies, Swing states 2024, Key battlegrounds

    30 min
  • Inside BASELINE: OpenAI's Bold Moves, Microsoft Tensions & The Real AGI Question

    In this Inside BASELINE episode, we’re peeling back the layers on one of the biggest AI players—OpenAI. From its rocky relationship with Microsoft to the headline-making departures of top leaders, OpenAI is pushing boundaries that go beyond mere tech advancements. Are we witnessing a crafted narrative designed to set the stage for true Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), or is it a strategic move to exit a tightly bound Microsoft partnership? 


    We'll dive into Elon Musk's criticism of OpenAI's shift to profit-focused goals, the curious decisions behind their fundraising, and the media's role in framing the AGI debate. 


    This episode isn’t just about AI; it’s about the high-stakes drama of tech's most powerful minds vying to control the future. Buckle up and decide with us: is AGI on the horizon, or is this all just an elaborate PR play?


    (00:00) Intro

    (02:00) Baseline exploring the future of AI

    (03:10) Will AI lead us to utopia or dystopia

    (03:45) OpenAI and ChatGPT

    (04:24) Why ChatGPT is so easy to use

    (05:04) Sam Altman fired

    (06:20) Is this PR and marketing

    (07:22) How to say Koenigsegg Regera

    (07:57) US economic problems

    (08:54) Complex economic times

    (09:33) Why is OpenAI no longer non-for-profit

    (10:58) Koenigsegg Regera v Tesla Model S Plaid

    (11:26) OpenAI Strawberry program

    (13:35) Mira Murati leaves OpenAI

    (15:00) TechCrunch OpenAI Microsoft relationship frayed

    (16:13) The need for independent regulation of AI

    (16:45) Reality of Microsoft Copilot letting clients down

    (17:43) OpenAI and Apple announcement

    (18:20) Why I really like the Apple intelligence vision

    (19:05) OpenAI fundraise

    (19:45) Why did Apple not invest in OpenAI

    (20:15) Apple iOS18 roadmap and features

    (21:10) Joe Rogan Donald Trump podcast

    (21:28) OpenAI fake news

    (21:54) Is Orion codename for GPT5?

    (22:40) How tech startups control messaging

    (23:22) Microsoft preparing to host latest OpenAI model

    (24:15) Why you should be listening to BASELINE

    (24:42) Does this change your mind on using ChatGPT?


    25 min
  • BASELINE007 - DAVID EDWARDS - Battlefield to AI: An engineer's vision for the future of technology

    From the Battlefield to AI Breakthroughs: An engineer's vision for the future of technology

    In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of a Royal Airforce Engineer who has been at the cutting edge of technology for decades. From helping create the very foundation of the internet we rely on today, to using AI to build a business in just one week, this remarkable inventor has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible. He shares how AI can revolutionize productivity, including the mind-blowing feat of speeding up development by 8640 times! Join us as we explore his daring challenges to industries like insurance, his reflections on AI as a weapon, and even the surprising concept of an AI bird bath. This episode is a fascinating look into the mind of a visionary who’s still shaping the future with every move he makes.
    (00:00) Intro
    (01:19) Communications in the battlefield
    (02:06) The reality of war - Gulf War
    (04:46) The digital battle space and AI as a weapon
    (09:18) The emergence of the AI era
    (10:00) The power requirements for Artificial Intelligence
    (14:07) Finding joy in work
    (17:02) How do you sell something that has never been sold before?
    (18:20) Lloyds of London and the insurance industry
    (21:45) How to be a successful founder in blockchain
    (23:13) Does public cloud remove competitive advantage
    (24:55) Where did it go wrong with blockchain?
    (26:03) Do entrepreneurs have a legacy?
    (33:45) Is AI a SKYNET trying to take over?
    (35:18) Geoffrey Hinton and the Nobel peace prize
    (35:55) Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson
    (36:50) Amazing progress by Sam Altman and OpenAI ChatGPT
    (43:20) Make development 8640 times more efficient
    (44:20) LangChain
    (45:35) ChatGPT4 o1-preview
    (46:46) Retaining control over intellectual property
    (50:29) The AI bird bath
    (52:40) Raspberry Pi and Tensor Processing Unit (TPU)
    (53:55) What is a tensor?
    (55:30) The new Sony PlayStation 5 Pro with Spectral Super Resolution
    (59:27) Mark Zuckerberg and the Meta AI spectacles
    (01:00:00) Freedom v technology
    (01:02:34) The reskilling of the workforce
    (01:05:07) Utopia or dystopia and AGI

    1 hr 8 min
  • BASELINE006 - Mark Paterson - The Human Edge: AI, Emotional Intelligence, and the Future of Recruitment

    The Human Edge: Mark Paterson on AI, Emotional Intelligence, and the Future of Recruitment

    In this episode of BASELINE, Mark Paterson, one of London’s top executive recruiters, explores the profound impact of AI on recruitment and how it’s reshaping the industry. From the dislocation between language and intelligence to AI-led interviews, Mark shares his concerns about AI’s lack of emotional intelligence (EQ) and its ability to truly assess human qualities. We also discuss key topics like handling gaps in your CV, identifying toxic workplace cultures, and whether AI can coexist harmoniously with human intuition in recruitment. This insightful conversation provides a deep dive into the evolving role of humans in the age of AI, and the existential questions facing the workforce today.
    00:00 Intro
    01:35 - AI’s Impact in Recruitment
    07:42 - Recruitment: The Journey, Not the Transaction
    09:11 - Who Coined "Hallucination" and Why
    12:03 - Sci-fi Movies Were Warning Us
    13:14 - The Dislocation Between Language and Intelligence
    15:17 - Memory: The Greatest Human Skill
    18:45 - Honesty in Recruitment
    20:30 - Handling Gaps in Your CV
    22:46 - Human Beings for Human Work
    26:06 - Is Acting a Viable Career?
    27:05 - Who Owns Your Identity?
    28:00 - Dana White and the Attraction of Live Sports
    30:04 - What Does Generation Z Think of AI?
    31:18 - The Fear of Human Redundancy
    32:08 - The Value vs. Revenue Disparity of AI Companies
    35:18 - Prompt Engineering Skills and Career
    35:40 - Is AI as Hot as Fire?
    38:47 - Is It OK to Be Augmented?
    39:50 - AI and Company Culture & Values
    42:17 - Identifying Toxic Culture
    45:19 - Objectivity and Human Intuition in Recruitment
    46:41 - AI-Led Interviews
    50:20 - Top 3 Things to Consider for Job Candidates
    55:40 - Utopia or Dystopia

    58 min
  • BASELINE005 - Gemma Woodcock - Language and perception of intelligence, we explore Large Language Models, AI risks, industry impacts, and insights into AI transparency and the EU AI Act.

    In this episode of BASELINE, we explore the relationship between language and intelligence, examining how Large Language Models like ChatGPT differ from human thought. We also discuss the risks of closed AI systems, AI’s impact on industries like healthcare, and the evolving role of AI in public services. From AI transparency to the EU AI Act, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of artificial intelligence.

    00:00-Intro

    02:05-People management and leadership
    04:33-The power of natural language
    09:28-How Large Language Models differ from intelligence
    14:11-How does a generative AI model create language
    16:12-The risk of using closed AI models like ChatGPT
    19:25-Why you shouldn’t google health issues
    22:45-You are labelling data for AI and you don’t even know it-
    24:35-GPU technology explained-
    28:43-Is AI sentient?
    30:51-Training v Inference
    35:00-Augmentation of the overloaded knowledge worker
    36:38-Can AI alleviate the stress on public services
    37:51-How we define bias
    42:44-How machine learning models can create bias
    45:50-Real-time dynamic data v static identity
    data
    48:55-The impact of high performance compute on society
    50:18-Generative AI model customisation
    51:16-AI transparency v ease of use
    54:14-Impact of the EU AI Act
    56:00-The AI Utopia model potential

    59 min
  • BASELINE004: Gene Allmark-Kent. Precision & Purpose: The Science of AI, Human Potential, and Modern Society

    In this BASELINE episode, Gene Allmark-Kent shares insights on the profound value of family, his commitment to purposeful work, and his unique integration of AI across creative and professional landscapes. From music creation to vocational tools, Gene brings precision and care to everything he does, representing a vision that resonates both in industry and in personal legacy.


    00:00 Intro


    01:35 1980s and 1990s movies and sci-fi


    05:16 LL Cool J album


    06:33 AI tools in music making


    11:48 Can football players become great managers


    16:00 The value of AI in recruitment


    18:33 How humans adopt new technologies


    21:10 AI interviewing for graduates


    24:16 Complexity of the job market in 2024


    27:45 The difficulty of working in the NHS


    29:35 Unabomber Ted Kaczyński


    35:56 Academia v vocation


    38:37 The depth of scientific exploration in UK PLC


    41:55 Should Elon Musk be a role model


    43:08 Self-esteem in a fake digital world


    46:52 Handling entrepreneurial failure


    52:20 FC24 Snowrunner and gaming


    53:28 Where the student becomes the master


    54:33 Gamification of the workplace


    55:34 Would formula 1 racing be as exciting without human drivers


    57:56 Optimistic utopia or realistic dystopia

    59 min
  • BASELINE003: Stephen Warwick. Discover the powerful intersection of technology and humanity as we explore how AI can drive progress while honoring the human spirit, in a thoughtful conversation

    Join us as we sit down with Stephen Warwick, a global technology leader, whose insights on Artificial Intelligence are deeply rooted in both technological advancement and human values. Stephen offers a nuanced understanding of how AI can drive productivity in today’s world while maintaining a profound respect for the human condition. Our conversation delves into the fascinating intersection of AI and humanity, underpinned by a deep moral compass and a genuine appreciation for what it means to be truly human.


    00:00 Intro


    01:04 Resilience across cycles of technology


    05:00 Steve Jobs and the iPhone


    06:40How organisations are thinking about AI


    11:53 Datacenter workload repatriation


    14:08 How to build an optimised organisation today


    19:00 Why I don’t like the term chatbot


    25:53 Using AI to create customer loyalty


    34:51 How global technology teams are leveraging generative AI


    36:58 The impact of IBM’s acquisition of Redhat


    39:25 How generative AI accelerates us to the limit of our knowledge


    41:37 Why do we still love music on vinyl 


    45:09 Does AI lead to a human idiocracy


    46:29 Would you fly on an AI piloted aeroplane


    52:12 Prompt engineering


    55:55 The benefit of human connectedness


    58:41 The talent of leadership


    01:01:35 Utopia or Dystopia?

    1 hr 3 min

About BASELINE

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Investigating the transition to a computational world.