Deacs.AI

AI is amazing… most of the time. Join Michael and Ryan, who generally believe in the power of artificial intelligence but are not afraid to point out when it misses the mark. From flat out AI failures, to deeper ethical dilemmas, we dive into the parts of AI that bug us—even as we root for its success.

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Finance professor, Philip Howard, will probably take over the world one day. Why? Because he can. How? Just by speaking his ideas into existence. A new era is dawning as the era of "I don't know how" has faded into obsolescence. This episode unveils a groundbreaking approach where speaking in plain English can command satellites, analyze financial data, and build powerful new systems. Discover how the barrier between idea and execution is crumbling, allowing anyone to conquer challenges that once required years of technical training. Dream big. Your super powers await.

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Ever wondered what people actually do with AI besides writing term papers? In this quick dive, Michael shares some of the most interesting, practical, and downright clever replies he received after asking listeners for their AI use cases. From generating gardening tips and creating new recipes to drafting employee spotlights, this episode is all about seeing how these tools are becoming a part of our daily work and hobbies. Get ready for some inspiration, and maybe even share your own story with us!

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Is it okay to cut off a Tesla? Can you be friends with a chatbot? Should you say "please" and "thank you" to a machine? We sit down with former tech bro turned philosopher, Tobias Flattery, to explore the curious ethics of artificial intelligence, from the responsibility of its creators to how our interactions with these systems might be quietly reshaping how we treat each other. It’s a deep and essential conversation about intellectual struggle, human development, mind-boggling ethical dilemmas, and the real cost of easy answers.

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Long before it was planning party catering menus, artificial intelligence technology was giving a young developer a full-blown existential crisis. Wake Forest Law Professor Raina Haque shares her journey from building neural networks on Wall Street to teaching the laws that govern them. She'll guide us through the legal labyrinth of intellectual property in this hyper bewildering time. How does Thomas Jeffersons original vision for patents affect the current courtroom battles over training data? Can we fit a 21st-century tool into 18th-century law? Tune in because this may be your only chance to access a lawyer for free.

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Journey through millenia as an ancient Greek philosopher's wisdom collides with advanced modern technology. Tune into this mind-bending conversation with philosopher and computer science professor, William Cochran, as he educates us about the crucial role of ethics in computer science. AI's rapid ascent demands a moral compass and the future of humanity may depend on teaching machines to be altruistic. Do you want to be the puppeteer building AI's character?

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Our expert guest wasn't available, so we did the only logical thing: we interviewed the machine itself. In a surprisingly clear conversation, ChatGPT breaks down the difference between the locked-down tech you know (the walled gardens controlled by the AI giants) and the free, customizable versions (the sprawling, collaborative gratis universe) taking the world by storm. It's a look inside the community kitchen creating modern artificial intelligence.

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In an AI-driven world, how do we teach students to be discerning researchers and critical thinkers? We're joined by a panel of ZSR librarians—Amanda Kaufman, Denice Lewis, and Elizabeth Ellis—to discuss the new challenges and opportunities for information literacy. They explore how to redesign assignments, the necessity of teaching students to verify AI-generated content, and why skills like lateral reading and understanding source motivation are more crucial than ever.

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Ever get stuck recording a simple voice-over, repeating the same line until you're blue in the face? In this quick dive, Michael explores the fascinating world of AI voice cloning tools as a powerful way to save time and frustration. He discusses the process, the ethics, and puts the technology to a very personal test. You might be surprised by what you hear.

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Is your AI conscious? We decided to ask it. Plus, what does an apricot dumpling in Vienna have to do with the future of humanity? For psychology professor Will Fleeson, it was a mind-blowing moment that revealed both the incredible promise and the unsettling power of artificial intelligence. Is it our utopian dream or dystopian nightmare?

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