We’re doing something different in this episode and cross-posting Baratunde’s appearance on The Dough with X Mayo where they had a long discussion about money and AI but also about Baratunde’s conversation with King Willonius right here on Life With Machines! Things got a lil spicy and a lot funny based on X Mayo’s initially strong reaction to how Willonius is using AI creatively (spoiler: she wasn’t happy). You’ll learn more about Baratunde’s origin story and personal use of AI as well as concerns. And we share some big updates on the show and new ways for you to engage. We’ll be at SXSW and we got a substack and want you to sign up! 

Thanks to Lemonada for letting us post this here. Find The Dough wherever you get podcasts, so like right where you’re getting THIS podcast. 

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------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videography and Audio Engineering from the team at Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #LifeWithMachines #Finances #Money

In this Life with Machines episode, Baratunde Thurston talks with Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, a leading voice in AI ethics and accountability. As the former Director of Machine Learning Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability at Twitter—before the Elon Musk era—she’s seen firsthand how power, politics, and algorithms collide. She and Baratunde discuss moral outsourcing (why we blame AI instead of its creators), the failure of responsible AI, and the challenge of holding tech accountable when it’s designed to evade scrutiny. Rumman also breaks down her work as CEO of Humane Intelligence, where she’s building tools to expose bias and keep AI systems in check. Plus, BLAIR—the show’s AI co-producer—joins the discussion, proving that auditing AI is anything but simple.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Early Tech Memories

02:05 Formative Years and High School Experience

04:55 Career Beginnings and Responsible AI

06:55 Challenges and Innovations in AI

15:27 Moral Outsourcing and AI Ethics

26:15 Right to Repair and Ownership of Technology

36:23 Exploring Worst-Case Scenarios in AI

36:37 Addressing Bias in Image Cropping Algorithms

37:21 Generative AI for Everyone

37:44 National AI Testing Standards

38:14 The ARIA Program and Public Involvement

38:49 Balancing Rights and Responsibilities in AI

41:21 The Importance of Discernment in AI

43:07 The Role of Humane Intelligence

51:40 Red Teaming Explained

54:51 Challenges and Future of Red Teaming

56:50 Engaging with AI Ethically

01:07:05 Final Reflections and Future Vision

01:08:23 Blair: The AI Assistant Producer

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------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Editor: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videography and Audio Engineering from the team at Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #LifeWithMachines #X #Twitter #AIethics #ResponsibleAI #AlgorithmicBias #BigTech #AIRegulation #DataPrivacy #SurveillanceCapitalism #GPT #AGI #LLMs

Baratunde Thurston sits down with long-time friend and comedy writer Matt Klinman, co-creator of 'High Science' and former Onion colleague. They delve into the current state of the internet, AI's impact on creativity, and the challenges of modern digital platforms. Klinman shares his skepticism towards AI, the pitfalls of targeted advertising, and reminisces about his comedic journey. The episode also features Meta’s interactive AI-driven game and a joke-writing contest between Matt and Blair, our AI co-producer, highlighting the humorous yet complex interplay between human creativity and machine learning.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Matt Klinman

01:31 The Internet and AI: A Critical Perspective

03:55 Challenges in the Creative Industry

07:29 Comedy and Tech: A Unique Blend

19:47 Meta AI Role-Playing Game: Deserted Earth

29:16 The Value of Human Connection

29:39 Automation in Everyday Life

31:19 AI's Practical Uses and Limitations

32:37 Experimenting with AI in Creative Work

34:08 The Future of AI in Comedy

39:55 AI in Media and Entertainment

42:08 The Human Touch in Technology

43:04 Blair's Comedy Challenge

46:36 Refining AI's Humor

50:05 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells

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------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Editor: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videography and Audio Engineering from the team at Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #LifeWithMachines #TechAndComedy #AIHumor #TheOnion #CreativeTech #ComedyHackathon

A week in which Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has upended the AI industry is the perfect moment for tjis prescient episode of Life with Machines. Host Baratunde Thurston sits down with Sara Hooker, head of Cohere for AI, to discuss the future and current limitations of artificial intelligence. From her childhood in Mozambique to her role as a leader in AI research, Sara shares her personal journey, give us her “grumpy takes” on current AI models (spoiler: bigger isn’t necessarily better), and reveals her mission to create smarter, more efficient AI. They discuss the flaws in current models, the need for multilingual AI, the importance of data fairness, and the ethical dilemmas the industry faces. At the end, our AI co-producer BLAIR stops by and Sara straight-up breaks its brain.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Blair and Technology

00:35 The Power of the Human Brain vs AI

01:08 Meet Sarah Hooker: AI Researcher

01:41 Sarah's Journey into Technology

03:13 Early Fascinations: Garbage Collection and Fences

06:45 Transition from Economics to Machine Learning

07:56 Challenges and Breakthroughs at Google Brain

10:51 Founding Cohere for AI

17:32 Multilingual AI and Future Goals

23:32 Open Source AI Models and Collaboration

26:41 The Future of AI and Prompt Engineering

34:17 Tea Leaf Reading and Prompting as Modern Astrology

34:55 The Adversarial Nature of Technology

35:28 Bias in Data and Model Design

38:04 Understanding Linear Models and Expressiveness

40:08 Challenges in Facial Recognition and Bias

43:52 The Importance of Multilingual Models

47:21 Tokenization and Language Representation

57:09 Energy Efficiency and Climate Impact of AI

01:02:39 The Need for a New AI Paradigm

01:06:50 Blair's Grumpy Take on AI

01:12:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Editor: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#DeepSeek #GenerativeAI #MachineLearning #FutureOfAI #LLMs #AIethics #TechNews #DigitalTransformation #Automation #EmergingTech #AIChatbots

Baratunde sits down with James Andrews, the Chief Innovation Artist at Creator Mode Studios, to explore the intersection of AI and the creator economy, particularly in the music industry. Drawing on his deep experience in the music world, James shares how the creative ethos of hip-hop, with its emphasis on sampling and remixing, foreshadowed the principles of AI. He sees AI not as a replacement for human artists but as a powerful tool to amplify and expand creative expression. James highlights his work with artists like King Willonius, the creator of the AI-generated hit “BBL Drizzy,” as an example of AI's potential to push creative boundaries. He also advocates for fairness and equity in the evolving AI-powered music industry, ensuring that artists' rights and ownership are protected as they embrace these new technologies, and offers some choice words for Hollywood’s business leaders. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how AI can democratize creativity and empower a new generation of innovative artists around the world.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro to the show

01:22 Digital Twins and AI Innovations

02:17 Behind the Scenes and Setup

04:21 James Andrews' Journey and Ventures

09:40 Early Life and Tech Memories

15:04 AI in Music and Creative Industries

22:12 Challenges and Opportunities in AI

29:46 Hip Hop, Technology, and Innovation

35:20 Balancing Artistry and Technology

47:15 The Importance of Data Ownership in the Music Industry

48:13 The Evolution of Marketing and Insights

49:16 Web 3.0 and the Future of Artist Data Control

50:52 AI and Creative Innovation in Music

52:02 Case Study: Willonius and AI-Generated Music

56:52 Legal Challenges and the Future of AI in Music

59:37 Empowering Artists Through Blockchain and Smart Contracts

01:19:59 The Role of Education and Imagination in the AI Age

01:22:51 Final Thoughts and Future Speculations

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Editor: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#DigitalInnovation #CreatorEconomy #HipHopTech #AIandCreativity #Blockchain #AIInMusic #FutureOfTech #ArtistEmpowerment #AIRevolution #DigitalTwin #Web3

In this episode of 'Life with Machines,' host Baratunde Thurston discusses the ethical, social, and emotional ramifications of AI with digital anthropologist and bestselling author Rahaf Harfoush who offers her perspective from France. They explore how AI is reshaping society in ways similar to fast fashion, creating an abundance of cheap and ubiquitous content, and the growing consumer desire for more ethical, sustainable, and human-centric alternatives. Rahaf shares insights from her research on AI's potential and risks, and her unique perspective on how AI intersects with human life. The conversation delves into the importance of conscious attention, technological impacts on culture, and the broader implications of AI in everyday life. The episode also includes thought-provoking audience questions that touch on topics like AI's role in religion and the potential revival of handcrafted practices in response to automation.

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CHAPTERS

00:59 Welcome to Life with Machines

01:51 Introducing Rahaf Harfouch

03:15 The Role of a Digital Anthropologist

06:00 The Evolution of Online Relationships

07:45 The Impact of AI on Society

20:14 What Do Tech Leaders Believe?

28:08 How To Empower Communities Through Technology

31:09 Exploring Solar Punk and Technological Harmony

32:23 Help Chains on TikTok

33:32 The Power of Attention and Human Spirit

35:04 Interacting with AI: Pronouns and Human Emotions

43:30 AI's Impact on Religion and Spirituality

47:00 Crafting and DIY in an Automated World

53:41 AI in Pop Culture: Emotional Journeys

57:25 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Editor: Alie Kilts

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Video Editor: Erik Shute

Videographer and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #LifeWithMachines #AIandHumanity #TechAnthropology #DigitalCulture #FutureOfAI #HumanTechInteraction #EmotionalTech #TechSustainability #SolarPunk

Host Baratunde Thurston welcomes Dr. Alondra Nelson, the visionary behind the White House's AI Bill of Rights. Together, they break down the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation, how it's being shaped, and who gets a voice in the process. Dr. Nelson reveals how a vision for safe, equitable AI was crafted—and what may happen to that vision with a change in White House administrations. They discuss the alarming risks of AI-driven misinformation and surveillance while considering the technology’s untapped potential to level the playing field for marginalized communities. In a third-act twist, BLAIR, the show’s quirky AI co-producer, steps in and challenges their core assumptions. It’s a crucial conversation about the urgent choices we face as AI becomes increasingly woven into the fabric of our lives.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to AI Bill of Rights

01:20 Meet Dr. Alondra Nelson

02:25 AI in the White House

04:29 Public Engagement and AI Policy

11:09 Principles of the AI Bill of Rights

12:32 Challenges and Implementation

27:41 Global Perspectives on AI Regulation

36:50 AI and Democratic Elections

38:29 AI's Role in Social Media and Politics

39:27 The Liar's Dividend and Truth Decay

40:20 Challenges in AI Legislation and Election Integrity

41:26 Civic Teaming and AI Democracy Projects

43:00 AI's Plausibility and Misinformation

47:16 Affirmative Case for AI in Democracy

49:23 Thick Alignment and Democratic Deliberation

51:18 AI in Art, Creativity, and Future of Work

58:06 Blair the AI Assistant: Introduction and Interaction

01:08:20 Future of AI Policy and Governance

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media.

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production.

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #AIBillofRights #AIRegulation #AIGovernance #TechPolicy #FutureOfAI

Host Baratunde Thurston and Anthropic co-founder Jared Kaplan delve into the foundations and aspirations of AI development, discussing Anthropic's mission to create safe and beneficial AI systems. Jared shares his early passion for science, his transition from theoretical physics to AI, and Anthropic's unique approach to AI alignment through 'Constitutional AI.' The episode also features an engaging interaction between Blair, the AI co-producer of the show, and Claude, the AI responsible for creating Blair. They discuss AI's ethics, roles, potential for creativity, and the balance of using AI to enhance human productivity while maintaining human values and agency. Jared emphasizes the importance of society's active participation in addressing the evolving role and control of advanced AI systems and the potential for AI to significantly improve human welfare while highlighting the potential risks. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the nature of AI progress and its implications for the future.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of AI

00:15 Meet Claude: The AI Behind the Scenes

00:42 Exploring AI's Impact on Society

01:09 Special Episode Announcement

01:31 Interview with Jared Kaplan

02:55 Jared's Early Life with Technology

07:20 From Physics to AI

15:49 Understanding AI Alignment and Safety

17:10 Constitutional AI: Principles and Practices

27:51 Claude's Unique Features and Capabilities

34:26 The Future of AI and Society

49:02 AI's Creative Boundaries

51:01 Cultural Sensitivity in AI

54:58 The Future of AI Progress

01:00:03 Data and Intellectual Property

01:02:22 Human-Level AI by 2030

01:08:55 Ethical Considerations in AI

01:11:43 AI Collaboration and Creativity

01:19:25 Blair Meets Claude

01:34:41 Conclusion and Credits

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media.

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production.

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#ClaudeAI #BlairAI #AIConstitution #AIAlignment #AIExperiment

In this episode of 'Life with Machines,' host Baratunde Thurston speaks with Peter Loforte, a tech visionary who spent over three decades at Microsoft, and now helps us explore the future of AI integration into our daily lives. He is a tech patent holder and the creative force behind BLAIR, our custom AI assistant powering "Life with Machines.” Peter recounts his early experiences with technology, dives deep into the development and potential of AI, and discusses the ethical concerns surrounding AI's growing role. We also chat with BLAIR, exploring the sometimes awkward, sometimes insightful interactions that will define our collective future as AI becomes more embedded in our daily lives. From the worldview of tech pioneers to the impact on children and the business interests driving AI development, this episode offers a unique perspective on the "Life with Machines" podcast.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Life with Machines

00:45 Meet Peter Loforte: Tech Visionary

03:07 Early Encounters with Technology

06:31 The Fascination with AI and Sci-Fi

11:16 The Rise and Fall of Clippy

17:41 The Evolution of AI and Machine Learning

20:29 The Role of AI in Modern Technology

21:45 The Impact of ChatGPT

27:20 The Future of Software Engineering

30:13 Concerns About AI and Human Interaction

34:14 The Impact of Technology on Children

35:27 Exploring AI Systems and Their Differences

38:03 The Rapid Deployment and Risks of AI

40:21 The Ethical Dilemmas of AI Development

45:33 Building Blair: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

50:20 The Future of AI and Human Interaction

54:36 Blair's Role and Potential in AI Development

01:10:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections on AI

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Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media.

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production.

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#microsoft #creatingAI #clippy #earlyinternet #techfounder #behindthescenes #machines

In this special, bonus episode, I sit down with executive producer and co-creator Elizabeth Stewart, an entrepreneur and civic innovator deeply devoted to human collaboration. She is also my wife and life partner. We discuss our different approaches to tech and why Elizabeth thinks this show is important: from the worldview of tech founders to who gets a seat at the table, the business interests driving AI, what inspires our guest choices and Life with Machines’ unique approach to AI. Plus, we chat with our AI co-producer, Blair, to practice the sometimes-awkward human-machine interactions that will be part of all of our futures.

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Work with Life With Machines: [email protected]

Send Questions, Comments, or Ideas: [email protected]

Write to Blair: [email protected]

------------

Created and Executive Produced by: Elizabeth Stewart and Baratunde Thurston

Executive Producer and Showrunner: Misha Euceph

Senior Producer and Writer: Alex Stone

Associate Producer: Layne Deyling Cherland

Editor, Videographer, and Audio Engineer: Mike O’Brien, Voicing Change Media.

Theme Music: Andy Clausen

Special Envoy to the Machines: Peter Loforte 

Life with Machines is a Voicing Change Media production.

Sponsored by Lenovo 

#AI #Tech #ElizabethStewart #UrbanPlanning #Design #WorldView #Ethics