Bits of Chris: Augment, Stay Human

Augmented Intelligence for Engineers

[00:00:53]

* How to adapt to AI as a Staff Engineer

* Use AI as a tool, but stay human and keep doing the work.

* Let it free you up to focus on learning, thinking, creating.

* Don’t use it to write for you - writing is the best way to improve your thinking.

* Using AI for learning and augmenting your thinking

* Focus on AI for distillation to go faster rather than for generation

* Summarization, searching - process information faster

* Amplify your human strengths by still doing the thinking and the work

* I use Perplexity.ai for search now

Feynman Technique

[00:04:58]

* Explain something in simple terms with no jargon to show you understand it well

* Iterate through writing it down, teaching it someone, and filling the gaps

* Simple is a sign of expertise

* Boil a complex topic down into it’s simplest form to learn something deeply

FX Carry Trade

[00:06:30]

* Currencies are traded in pairs. You buy the “base” pair and sell the “quote” pair.

* The carry trade profits from being long a higher yielding base pair and simultaneously short the quote pair.

* The USD was yielding close to 5% while the JPY was much lower near 0.25%, so investors holding the USD-JPY pair profit from the difference here.

* This week the Bank of Japan raised rates again and the FED hinted at cutting rates, so the carry trade suddenly looked less attractive.

* Research paper on Carry Trade

Personal Growth

[00:09:23]

Quote from Sahil Bloom:

When you're on your journey to growth, some people won't like it. They'll tell you to be realistic, laugh at your ambitions, and say things behind your back.

Recognize one truth: This is fundamentally not about you.

Your growth, focus, and improvement are exposing something in them: Their insecurities, their fears, their lack of ambition.

You can show them empathy and love, but ultimately, you are not responsible for how your journey to self-improvement makes others feel.

* Sahil’s newsletter

* It’s hard trying new things, but your vulnerability muscle grows

* Do what you want, you’ll find supporters but don’t get discouraged by lack of support

Brilliant App

[00:12:12]'

* Duolingo for the sciences

* Brilliant (not an affiliate link)

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In today’s episode I am joined by my long time friend and Account Executive at Johnson Controls, Ryan Burwell.

We cover:

* The basics of how AI and large language models work, so less technical folks can leverage these tools professionally.

* Critical soft skills, such as empathy and effective listening.

* How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to augment rather than replace human skills and thinking.

* Speculation o the future of education with AI assistants providing personalized learning experiences.

Show Notes:

[00:01:33] Ryan's first job in New York: Cold calling sales at Yext, discussing the high-pressure environment and sales techniques.

[00:03:32] Discussion on sales skills: The importance of confidence, empathy, and effective listening in sales and general communication.

[00:07:51] Applying sales skills to life: How sales techniques can be useful in various personal and professional situations.

[00:12:07] AI in sales: Exploring potential uses of AI and large language models in sales processes, including personalized outreach and data analysis.

[00:17:52] Personal use of ChatGPT: Ryan shares examples of using ChatGPT for quick information lookups and generating reading lists.

[00:27:26] AI and education: Discussing the potential impact of AI on MBA programs and self-directed learning.

[00:29:46] Chris introduces the concept of "augmented learning": Using AI to enhance learning and thinking processes rather than replacing them.

[00:32:21] AI in elementary education: Exploring how AI could provide personalized assistance to students and help teachers identify areas where students need extra support.

[00:38:21] Technical discussion on AI compute demands: Chris explains the basics of how AI models work and why they require significant computational resources.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

The morning I saw the news, I instantly thought developer mistake.

It never occurred to me it would be a hack.

But in talking with family and friends, I see how so many of them assumed it was a malicious attack.

In this short episode I break down what happened with Crowdstrike on July 19th and why it had such a devastating impact.

Resources

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_CrowdStrike_incident

* https://www.crowdstrike.com/falcon-content-update-remediation-and-guidance-hub/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

Key ideas discussed in the podcast:

* AI-generated content and its implications

* The future of human interaction in a digital world

* The role of AI in creative processes

* The importance of human connection and authenticity

* Adapting to AI while maintaining humanity

* The potential impact of AI on trust and information consumption

* The concept of “being augmented" and AI-assisted creativity

* The uniqueness of human experiences and storytelling

Timestamps:

[00:00:44] - Discussion of an AI-generated George Carlin comedy special, raising questions about the future of content creation.

[03:09] - Exploration of how AI might "break the internet" and lead to a resurgence of valuing in-person experiences.

[09:18] - Explanation of how large language models work and the current limitations in AI technology.

[11:25] - Introduction of the "augmented writer" concept, discussing how AI can assist in content creation.

[20:07] - Reflection on what makes humans unique compared to AI, focusing on creativity and empathy.

[24:40] - Discussion about the potential future of virtual reality and its impact on human interactions.

[31:11] - Frankie shares his experience with transcendental meditation, highlighting the importance of finding personal practices for well-being.

[33:14] - Final thoughts on adapting to AI while emphasizing the importance of staying human and embracing uniqueness.

Summary:

This podcast episode features a conversation between Chris and his friend Frankie, exploring the implications of artificial intelligence on various aspects of human life.

They discuss the emergence of AI-generated content, its potential impact on trust and human interaction, and the challenges of distinguishing between real and AI-created media.

The conversation goes into the technical aspects of AI, including how large language models work, while also exploring philosophical questions about what makes humans unique in the face of advancing technology.

Throughout the episode, Chris and Frankie contemplate the future of human connection in an increasingly digital world, discussing concepts like the "augmented writer" and the potential for AI to both assist and challenge human creativity. They emphasize the importance of maintaining authenticity and human connection in an AI-driven world, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique qualities and experiences.

Listeners will gain insights into the current state and future possibilities of AI technology, as well as thoughtful perspectives on how to navigate a world where the lines between human and AI-generated content are becoming increasingly blurred. The episode concludes with a call to focus on being better humans while adapting to the presence of AI in our lives.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

This is a personal story I was going to share at a live story telling event.

* The Moth

* The Moth Podcast

My name was not called that night, but here’s the story.

Enjoy.

Related is episode 32:

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In this episode, you’ll learn:

* About the book Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks.

* Benefits of storytelling at work and in your personal life.

* That a story is really just a 5 second moment of change.

* How to find stories, slow down time, and spot patterns in your life each day doing Homework for Life.

Links:

* Checkout the book Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks.

* See his Ted Talks to learn more about Homework for Life and storytelling.

* Bits of Chris Post:

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I’m joined today by my son Ethan.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

* All about turning 4

* How much he loves to push buttons

* Some robot roleplay

* And how Ethan intends to grow big and strong

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

Time to take a break and then onto my next project, AI for Data Engineers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* The benefits of podcasting for 30 days

* How most days were a challenge

* What I’m planning to do next

* The consume, create, think balance

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

Do you want to connect with others?

Are you actually listening or just waiting for your turn to speak?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Key ideas from Supercommunicators by Chares Duhigg

* The three types of conversations we have and how to know which one you are in

* Reciprocating vulnerability builds connection

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

One day, you’ll read a story to your kid for the last time.

You’ll see an old friend for the last time.

Time is our most precious resource.

Do you ever look at how you invest your time?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* What metric to use to optimize your time spent

* Building awareness into you invest your time

* High ROTI (return on time invested) habits

* Diminishing returns on binge watching

* Simple + Consistent = Compounding Results

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com