The Good AI Podcast

How are people really using AI in 2026? In this episode, we unpack the latest research on the most popular AI use cases, from therapy and relationship advice to troubleshooting, work support, storytelling, agentic operations, and even tarot readings. We also explore what these trends reveal about how AI is becoming part of both personal and professional life, where business use cases are growing, and why different studies can paint very different pictures of AI adoption. You’ll come away with fresh ideas for how to use AI, what people are experimenting with today, and where AI use may be heading next.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why understanding AI use cases matters

01:06 The research: How People Are Really Using AI in 2026

01:37 Breaking down the top AI use cases

02:12 #1 Therapy and companionship

02:59 #2 Troubleshooting

04:08 #3 Fun and nonsense

05:00 #4 Fan fiction and storytelling

06:11 #5 Technical use of software

07:02 #6 Autonomous and agentic operations

08:13 #7-10 Relationship advice, work buddy, tarot and general advice

10:36 What the top AI use cases reveal about people's needs

11:52 Surprising use case: Fake reality TV

12:58 Is AI replacing human connection?

13:52 How people are using AI at work

15:15 What businesses can learn from these use cases

16:44 The six main categories of AI use

18:08 Why different AI-use studies reach different conclusions

18:59 How to use the research for your own AI experiments

19:37 How do you use AI?

The AI race is accelerating. But the safety scores? Not so much.In this episode, Agate Ambulte and Vija Kalnina break down the Future of Life Institute’s Summer 2026 AI Safety Index, and the results that raise some uncomfortable questions. Even the strongest performers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind, are still nowhere near top-tier safety grades.So what does that mean for companies adopting AI right now?The smartest companies won’t avoid AI, instead they’ll build the internal judgment, guardrails, and governance needed to use it without creating unnecessary risk.Because the real question isn’t “Should we use AI?”It’s: “Where can we use it safely, where do humans stay accountable, and where should we draw the line?”Mentioned links:

• https://futureoflife.org/ai-safety-index-summer-2026
• https://www.pacingthefrontier.com/

Timestamps:00:11 — Why AI safety deserves attention01:14 — Inside the 2026 AI Safety Index02:30 — Which AI companies score best—and worst03:08 — Why the overall grades are so low04:23 — How AI companies are evaluated05:10 — The biggest red flag: existential safety06:40 — Meta improves, xAI declines, Europe disappoints07:46 — Why inadequate AI safety is a global problem08:46 — Why 1,300+ AI insiders are calling for slower development10:56 — Why business leaders should care11:18 — AI safety can’t be outsourced12:38 — Should companies stop using AI?13:01 — The questions every company should ask before using AI14:31 — Building your own AI safety guardrails16:01 — Why AI safety is a moving target17:10 — Don’t compare AI models on capability alone17:56 — A practical framework for AI risk decisions18:45 — Final takeaways19:06 — Closing

AI literacy isn't just a buzzword - it's now a legal obligation for many organizations under the EU AI Act.

In this episode, we break down what AI literacy actually means, why it matters beyond simply knowing how to use ChatGPT, and how companies can turn compliance into a competitive advantage.

You'll learn:

What AI Literacy Means Under the EU AI Act;

What an effective AI literacy program should include;

Why AI literacy is about responsible decision-making - not just prompting;

How leaders can drive AI adoption while reducing legal, ethical, and business risks;

Practical tips for individuals and organizations to stay AI-ready.

Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, compliance expert, or simply preparing for an AI-powered future, this conversation will help you understand why AI literacy is becoming an essential business capability.

Timestamps:

0:01 Why AI literacy matters now
1:10 AI literacy in the EU AI Act
2:02 What AI literacy actually means
3:50 Not all AI is the same
5:13 AI literacy is not just ChatGPT
7:14 Why the legal requirement feels vague8:04 What companies should include
9:36 How much should leaders know?
12:11 Data and privacy awareness
14:21 The adoption challenge
16:55 Why training must be tailored
19:24 Business value of AI literacy
22:30 Company responsibility vs personal responsibility
26:10 Where companies should start
27:34 AI adoption as change management
41:25 Fearful vs reckless AI use
43:15 Legal gray zones and ethics
47:55 Personal AI learning habits
53:02 Final takeawaysEditor’s note: This episode was recorded in spring 2026 and reflects the EU AI Act and official guidance available at that time. Since the recording, Article 4 has been amended. The AI literacy obligation remains, but some legal details discussed in the episode may differ from the current wording.

AI can create enormous value for businesses, products, and internal processes — but when implemented without the right legal, ethical, and strategic thinking, it can also create serious risks.In this first episode, we explore where AI development meets law, governance, business strategy, and real-world responsibility. The conversation brings together two complementary perspectives: hands-on AI implementation and legal/ethical AI governance.We discuss why business leaders should not treat legal questions as an afterthought, how AI systems can go wrong, and why AI literacy is becoming essential for everyone — from executives and lawyers to developers, consultants, and public-sector professionals.

Timestamps:00:11 – Why AI needs a legal and strategic conversation01:45 – Introducing Via: AI ethics, law, and governance background02:53 – Agate’s AI implementation and business strategy experience05:14 – Why legal questions are often ignored in AI projects06:37 – Common AI failures and real-world incidents06:53 – Bias in AI systems, HR tools, and discrimination risks08:22 – Reputational, legal, and financial consequences of AI mistakes09:03 – The uncertain legal landscape around AI10:44 – GDPR, data protection, and AI-related legal questions11:31 – Different types of AI systems and data use12:28 – Personal data, intellectual property, trade secrets, and sensitive information15:27 – Mapping the legal risks of AI implementation16:50 – Why AI literacy matters across professions18:28 – What business leaders should ask before adopting AI19:18 – The mindset leaders need: curiosity, not ignorance20:36 – Why everyone needs to understand AI fundamentals22:36 – Why it is hard to keep up with AI, law, and new risks23:54 – AI literacy as a smart investment for organizations24:39 – Teaser: unpacking AI literacy in the next episode25:07 – Closing thoughts and invitation to ask questions