Dive into an engaging discussion with former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. Known for his leadership in climate action and clean energy, Inslee shares his insights on the intersection of technology and public policy. He discusses the delicate balance between regulation and innovation, emphasizing the need for a cautious yet proactive approach to new technologies.

In this episode, Inslee reflects on his political journey and the pivotal moments that shaped his views on clean energy. He highlights the importance of supporting innovation, particularly from “the little guy,” stating, "90% of innovation comes from somebody who started with $4 in their pocket and a good idea." His commitment to fostering a sustainable future is evident as he discusses the successes and challenges of clean energy initiatives.

The conversation also delves into the impact of misinformation and the role of AI in politics. Inslee candidly shares his concerns about the current state of political discourse and the need for more effective communication strategies. He notes, “I actually think we should maybe spend a little less of our time trying to rein in artificial intelligence and be more adept at reining in natural stupidity.”

Tune in to gain valuable insights from a leader who has been at the forefront of advocating for a cleaner, more innovative future.

Highlights

Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Jay Inslee discusses his approach to technology regulation, emphasizing the need for a cautious yet proactive stance to foster innovation while protecting public interests.

Clean Energy Vision: Inslee shares his vision for a sustainable future, highlighting the successes and challenges of clean energy initiatives and the importance of supporting innovation from smaller entities.

Misinformation and Polarization: The conversation delves into the challenges posed by misinformation and political polarization, with Inslee advocating for improved communication strategies to counter false narratives.

AI's Role in Politics: Inslee expresses his cautious optimism about AI, recognizing its potential to drive innovation while stressing the need for responsible regulation to prevent misuse in political contexts.

Personal Reflections: Throughout the episode, Inslee shares personal anecdotes from his political career, offering insights into his experiences and the pivotal moments that shaped his views on technology and public policy.

Chapters

02:04 Regulatory Approaches to Technology

04:43 Supporting Innovation and the Little Guy

07:17 The Importance of Immigration in Innovation

09:51 Clean Energy Vision and Achievements

12:35 Climate Change as a Central Issue

15:02 Reflections on the 2020 Presidential Campaign

17:44 The Need for Better Communication on Climate Issues

21:28 Innovations in Clean Energy Solutions

23:09 The Role of Nuclear Energy in the Future

24:45 Fusion Energy: A Potential Game Changer

26:33 Challenges in Energy Infrastructure

28:39 The Politics of Clean Energy

29:37 The Impact of Social Media on Politics

33:34 Disinformation and Its Consequences

34:13 The Role of AI in Political Communication

36:54 Reflections on Public Service and Future Engagement

"What Is Intelligence?" This profound question, posed by Blaise Agüera y Arcas in his latest book, serves as the foundation for our exploration in this episode of the Responsible AI podcast. Agüera y Arcas is is a vice president and Fellow at Google, where he is the CTO of Technology & Society and founder of Paradigms of Intelligence.

Join us as we delve into the philosophical implications of AI and consciousness, examining how AI challenges our understanding of intelligence and the nature of consciousness. Through engaging dialogue with Blaise, we uncover the ethical considerations of treating AI as moral entities and the role of prediction in AI's societal impact. This episode invites you to reflect on the evolving landscape of AI and its profound implications for the future.

Highlights:

• The importance of understanding intelligence beyond just artificial constructs.
• The historical context of AI development reveals significant contributions from women in computing.
• AI's predictive capabilities are central to its functionality and effectiveness.
• Consciousness may be more about functionality than a specific location in the brain.
• Kindness in interactions with AI can enhance collaboration and understanding.

Chapters

01:32 Exploring the Concept of Intelligence

05:56 Historical Context of AI and Computing

10:57 Biology, Sex, and Intelligence

13:50 Alan Turing’s True Contribution to AI

16:15 The Brain as a Computer: A Deeper Inquiry

18:51 Understanding Consciousness and Functionalism

21:52 Hollywood's Portrayal of AI

24:50 The Power of Prediction in AI

30:03 Hallucinations in AI and Their Implications

30:50 The Evolving Role of AI in Information Retrieval

33:17 Understanding Agency in AI: Stimulus and Response

35:08 The Challenges of Long-Term Task Management in AI

37:50 AI and Moral Considerations: Should We Care?

40:15 The Apocalyptic Narrative of AI: A Balanced Perspective

42:43 The Importance of Kindness in Human-AI Interactions

49:43 Dreaming and Consciousness: What Does It Mean for AI?

In this episode of the Responsible AI Podcast, we dive into the world of creativity and technology with Russell Ginns, a prolific author, producer, and inventor who specializes in smart, fun things. Known for his work with Sesame Street and NASA, Russell shares his journey from traditional media to embracing AI's transformative power.

"You can't beat them, so you got to join them," he advises, highlighting his transformation and his guidance to other creators. Discover how AI is reshaping the creative landscape and why Russell believes that, despite rapid technological advancements, the essence of storytelling and human connection remains vital.

Highlights include:

• AI is transforming the creative landscape, but opportunities exist.
• Young creatives should embrace new tools and start creating.

• How the creative process is evolving with technology.

Chapters 

01:10 Imagination and Change in Technology

04:36 Navigating Creative Fields in a Disruptive Era

07:57 The Evolution of Children's Literature

09:45 The Publishing Process and Market Dynamics

12:19 The Enduring Nature of Stories

16:14 The Shift from Consumer to Curator

19:11 Engagement and the Transformation of Art Forms

22:37 The Evolution of Creativity in the Age of AI

27:24 The Role of Human Touch in Storytelling

31:26 Co-Creation: The New Dynamic Between Creators and Consumers

33:12 The Future of Creation: Embracing New Tools

37:22 The Enduring Nature of Play in Creative Processes

39:54 Navigating Change: The Optimism of Creators

42:19 The Value of Human Creativity Amidst Technological Change

“How do we train people to come up with novel things, the things that a computer can't figure out because it integrates multiple disciplines or comes from societal interaction or things that you just can't digitize?”

In this episode of the Responsible AI podcast, we speak with Michael Cockrill, CTO of the Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences and former Washington State CIO.   

Michael shares insights on the challenges of data sharing in government, particularly where regulations aren’t keeping up with the pace of technological change; the future of education in an AI-driven world; and the stunning new challenges quantum computing will pose for privacy and security.

Bionics, quantum computing, and information as the currency of government: join us on the podcast for a deep dive on the transformative impact of AI on medical research, diagnostics, and government services.

Key takeaways

• AI can now predict illness, but critical medical data remains undigitized.
• Government silos are blocking the full potential of AI-driven public services.
• Bionic enhancement is forcing a new conversation: where does care end and augmentation begin?
• Quantum computing could upend encryption—Cockrill warns it’s not a distant threat.

Chapters

01:12 AI's Impact on Medical Research

08:04 AI in Diagnostics and Patient Care

08:44 Government's Role in AI Implementation

12:19 Challenges of Data Sharing in Government

15:31 Future Technologies: Bionics and Robotics

18:25 Quantum Computing and AI

24:44 Education and AI: The Future of Learning

28:16 Defining Responsible AI

In this episode of the Responsible AI podcast from The AI Forum, we speak with veteran journalist and advisor Merrill Brown, about how and where journalists can use automation to enhance reporting and the evolving journalistic landscape.

Highlights include:

• Why young journalists need to develop an entrepreneurial set of skills to succeed today.
• Why 2025 reminds him of 1995 when it comes to emerging technology.
• How AI can be used for both content creation and verification.
• The importance of supporting your local news organization.

01:23 What Do Young Journalists Need to Know?

05:02 It’s 1995 Again

06:19 How Should Journalists Use AI?

10:35 Automating Content at the Associated Press

14:39 Garbage In, Garbage Out

16:45 Lessons from AI Experiments at G/O Media

21:17 Future Developments in AI and Journalism

23:57 Responsible AI in Journalism

25:27 National Security and Journalistic Ethics

28:33 Stretch Your Imagination; Support Local Journalism

How is artificial intelligence reshaping modern workplaces and what does it mean for the security and privacy of those businesses? In this episode of Responsible AI from The AI Forum, Ted Alben discusses the implications of AI technologies like ChatGPT on business processes, cybersecurity, and the importance of human oversight in AI integration.

We explore how businesses need to prepare for new technology—and where they’re failing. As Ted notes, "ChatGPT represents this shortcut factory where you can circumnavigate your responsibility and find this amazingly quick response to challenges." He emphasizes the need for organizations to curate data effectively, ensure security, and educate users on responsible AI practices.

The conversation also touches on the challenges posed byremote work and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, highlighting the critical role of human responsibility in navigating these issues.

What happens when cutting-edge AI meets centuries-old legal principles? In this episode of Responsible AI from the AI Forum, Rebecca Staffel interviews AI Forum founder Alex Alben about large language models’ ability to analyze legal patterns, tackle bias, and predict case outcomes. Explore how AI is reshaping copyright law and courtroom decisions in this thought-provoking discussion.