Making Sense of AI

This episode we look back on AI stories from 2024 and look forward to 2025. 

This week we talk about AI Agents and how they'll help you be more efficient at work, for a time.  We also discuss the hard reality of mass unemployment with no prospects of employment and the potential unrest that could come from it.  Also, Elon promotes a two year severance for federal workers to retrain.  Lastly, we discuss the dark side of AI companions. 

Microsoft Announces AI Agents

Article on Programming Jobs Drying Up

25% of Code Produced at Google is by AI

AI Companion Suicide

This week we discuss the port worker strike over automation.  AI and Data Centers are reviving the nuclear industry.  Lastly, should we have concerns over what's going on at OpenAI? 

NYT Article on Port Worker Strike

Every Blog Explanation on o1 from OpenAI

Futurism Article on o1 Initiating Conversations

NYT Article on Reopening of Three Mile Island

BlackRock and Microsoft Form Coalition for Energy and Data Centers

Atlantic Article on Microsoft's Hypocrisy

Verge Article on Hollywood Supporting AI Safety Bill

Wall Street Journal on OpenAI Hemorrhaging Leadership

Reuters Article on OpenAI's Restructuring

Sam Altman's Blog

This week we discuss China's struggling economy and how the very investments China is making in AI and technology threaten to put more folks out of work, leading to civil unrest.  Also, should we believe the hype around OpenAI's next big release, Project Strawberry?  Maybe.  Lastly, Oprah brings AI to primetime TV.  

NYTs Article on China's Struggling Economy

Reuter's Podcast on China's Economy

Reuters Article on OpenAI's Project Strawberry

This week we review the temperature around AI.  Has AI development stalled or is the next big leap right around the corner?  Also, AI Agents are coming by the billions and may be the tool AI gives us that changes work and life.  And, we look at the correlation between screen time and the behavior of children. 

UBI Study

CBS Piece on Kids and Screens

From ABC: 12 Year Old Murders 8 Year Old Over Iphone

NYT Article on Algorithms Used in Domestic Violence Cases by Adam Satariano and Roser Toll Pifarre

The Atlantic - We Need to Control AI Agents Now by Jonathan Zittrain

This week we dicuss some terrible parenting decisions in the name of influencer stardom.  Also, our Surgeon General thinks social media needs a warning label.   Also, Ray Kurzweil has a new book and he's as fascinating to listen to as he is confusing to listen to.  Lastly, is your phone tracking your driving?  It may be and it may be costing your more in your insurance rates. 

NPR Article on Memorializing Loved Ones by Mary Louise Kelly, Kathryn Fink, and Courtney Dorning

BBC Article on AI Replacing Copywriters by Thomas Germain

Wall Street Journal Article on Mom and Daughter Influencer by Katherine Blunt

NYT Oped from Surgeon General by Dr. Vivek Murthy

Slate Podcast - Is Your Phone Tracking Your Driving

This week we discuss Apple's layering of AI across their products.  How safe is the data on your Iphone?  Also, Microsoft recalls Recall.  Yes, you read that right.  We also discuss the growing concerns over the sacrificing of AI safety in the name of being first to AGI.  Lastly, have you eaten your rocks today? Please send any comments or questions to [email protected]. 

New York Times Article on Apple Intelligence by Tripp Mickle

Wired Article on Microsoft's Recall of Recall by Andy Greenberg

New York Times Article on AI and Health Advice by Tayla Minsberg

New York Times Article on AI Replacing Executives by David Streitfeld

Palladium Article - My Last Five Years of Work by Avital Balwit

New York Times Article on OpenAI Insiders Warn of Reckless Behavior by Kevin Roose

Futurism.com Article on Deceptive AI by Noor Al-Sibai

Your Undivided Attention Podcast - Interview with Former OpenAI Engineer

Funny and Frightening AI Video

This week we discuss the major reveals from OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.  The race for AI assistants and agents is on.  We also discuss the second global AI safety summit in Seoul, South Korea.   Also, we discuss some very sobering takes on the future of work. Could 50% of all jobs to be replaced by AI by 2027?  One AI Leader thinks it will happen.  

Kai Fu Lee Interview

This week we look at the first known case of an AI Deepfake used for revenge.  Can we expect more of this?  We also look at AI and the potential impact on jobs.  Will I train the AI that replaces me at work?  Probably.  In good news, we discuss new laws across the West as legislation is implemented on sexually explicit deepfakes and legislation is passed to protect your neural data. 

BBC Article on New Deepfake Laws by Christy Cooney

Guardian Article on Deepfake Revenge at Maryland High School 

NYT Article on Legislation to Protect Neural Data by Jonathan Moens

Telegraph Article on First AI Dogfight Between Fighter Jets - by Cameron Henderson

WSJ Article on Potential AI Girlfriends of the Future by Chelsea Davison and Ivan Ehlers

This week we discuss the rise of the AI therapist, Woebot.  Also, what are AI Agents and how soon will AI Agents become efficient enough to perform white collar work?  Why are robots built like humans?  The answer may (or may not) surprise you.  Also, China AI campaigns against the west.  Lastly, is AI losing it's luster or is it just getting going? 

Napkin Math Blog on AI Agents or Agentic Workflow by Evan Armstrong

Atlantic Article - AI Has Lost It's Magic by Ian Bogost

PC Mag Article: Judge Throws Out Video Evidence Over AI Enhancements by Joe Hindy

Time Article on China's Disinformation Campaign by Kow Ewe

McKinsey AI Report