thinkfuture: technology, philosophy and the future

Google Ads is getting more complex, more automated—and harder for small businesses to control. Can AI level the playing field?

In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis sits down with David, founder and CEO of Groas, to talk about how AI is reshaping advertising and why his company is tackling one of the biggest challenges in digital marketing: optimizing Google Ads for real profitability.

David shares how Groas began as a landing-page optimization tool for advertisers and has since grown into a full AI-powered platform that dynamically adjusts ads and pages to maximize ROI. With Google pushing towards black-box automation, Groas offers a way for businesses to regain control.

We cover:

• The origin story of Groas and its growth beyond e-commerce

• Why Google Ads keeps getting harder for small businesses to navigate

• How Groas optimizes landing pages and ad copy in real time

• Why the company chose to remain self-funded and profitable rather than take VC money

• The coming shift to AI-to-AI advertising and purchasing

• How AI could reshape jobs in marketing, sales, and beyond

• Why building a personal brand might be one of the best defenses against automation

If you’re in digital marketing, advertising, e-commerce, or just curious about how AI is reshaping the future of work, this episode is a must-listen.

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Loreta: https://www.loreta.today---As AI-generated content floods the workplace, how do companies keep communication authentic and human?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis sits down with Loreta, founder of Loreta Today, to explore the future of corporate communication, leadership alignment, and the role of authenticity in an AI-driven world.With a background in journalism, corporate video, and now advising executives, Loreta has a unique perspective on how organizations can tell stories that build trust, not erode it. She believes video and human-centric communication will be more important than ever as AI avatars and auto-generated content become widespread.We discuss:- Loreta’s journey from journalism in Lithuania to corporate strategy in the U.S.- Why authentic, relatable communication is the foundation of trust- The risks of over-relying on AI avatars and synthetic content- How to navigate organizational dysfunction and drive cultural change- The need for persistent, data-driven approaches to align leadership- What corporate communication might look like in 2035—and why the human touch will remain essentialLoreta’s work focuses on helping B2B organizations align people, processes, and presence—and she shares strategies any company can use to improve communication, build credibility, and prepare for the future.If you’re in communications, leadership, or simply curious about how authenticity survives in the AI age, this episode is packed with insight.

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.com

Connect with Phillip: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-swan/---

Every week, it seems, a new AI demo makes headlines. But as Phillip Swan, co-founder of Iridius, points out—most of these flashy prototypes never make it into production. Why? Because enterprises can’t afford to gamble with compliance, security, and governance.

That’s the problem Iridius was built to solve. In our thinkfuture conversation, Phillip explains how their platform provides a new blueprint for enterprise AI—one that bakes in compliance and scalability from the start. Instead of building “vibe code” that breaks under real-world pressure, Iridius helps companies move from concept to production-ready AI in hours or days, not months.

We covered:

• Why most enterprise AI stays stuck in R&D

• How compliance and governance can be automated without slowing innovation

• The risks of unchecked AI—and the importance of human oversight

• How industries and job markets will change as automation accelerates

• Why responsible AI isn’t a drag on speed, but the key to scaling it

Phillip also shared his perspective on the future: AI will disrupt traditional industries, but it will also create entirely new opportunities—if we approach it with foresight and responsibility.

For enterprises, innovators, and anyone wondering how to deploy AI without the risks, this episode offers both caution and hope.

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Bruce: https://bruceclay.com---AI is changing search forever—and the old rules of SEO may no longer apply.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Bruce Clay, an early pioneer of search engine optimization who literally coined the term “SEO” back in the 1990s. Bruce has been on the front lines of search since AltaVista and InfoSeek—and now, he’s sounding the alarm about how AI assistants like ChatGPT are rewriting the rules.We explore:- The evolution of search engines, from early hacks to today’s complex algorithms- Why Google updates have made visibility harder to maintain- How AI-powered search assistants are bypassing websites by giving direct answers- The looming decline of traffic to informational sites- How SEO professionals can adapt to the AI-powered search landscape- The role of trust, authority, and structured content in an AI-first world -PreWriter: Bruce’s AI-powered research suite that helps creators identify gaps, generate personas, and streamline content creation- The future of search, advertising, and AI-powered personal assistants handling everyday tasks like booking travel or recommending productsBruce brings a rare long-view perspective—having shaped the early SEO industry—and a pragmatic take on how creators, businesses, and marketers can survive and thrive in the AI era.If you’re in marketing, SEO, content creation, or just curious about how AI is disrupting the web as we know it, this episode is essential listening.

See More: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect With Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-bigdeli-5310b923/---Why the next wave of AI won’t just answer questions—it will explore, sense, and predict.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Sam Bigdeli, co-founder and CEO of KavAI, about his vision for Curious AI—a new approach that moves beyond language models to create AI that actively engages with the physical world.Sam explains why today’s AI systems are like “savants”—brilliant at data recall, but poor at contextual reasoning. Curious AI, on the other hand, is designed to simulate the way humans explore, hypothesize, and learn from limited sensory input.We cover:- Why large language models (LLMs) aren’t enough for real-world intelligence- The importance of embodiment and multimodal sensing for AI systems- How Curious AI actively acquires information instead of waiting to be prompted- Applications in industrial domains like refineries, power plants, and predictive maintenance- The future of AI and robotics—human-like avatars vs. task-optimized systems- Why human creativity and judgment will always remain essentialSam envisions a future where AI isn’t just reactive—it’s proactive, curious, and capable of helping us manage complex, dynamic systems more effectively.If you’re interested in the cutting edge of AI, robotics, and the future of human-machine collaboration, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Jillian: https://tenpermissions.com---Learning how to embrace change, reclaim agency, and build a future on your own terms.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Jillian Reilly, founder of Antacara, about how to navigate profound change in uncertain times and why reclaiming your personal agency is the most important skill of the 21st century.Jillian believes that fear of change keeps most of us trapped in outdated roles and expectations. But by building our “change muscle” through small, intentional choices, we can prepare ourselves for life’s bigger transitions.We discuss:- Why most people doubledown on the familiar—even when it no longer works- How to develop “change readiness” and adapt with confidence- The importance of reclaiming personal agency instead of outsourcing your choices- Navigating social pressure when making unconventional life decisions- Why linear, 20th-century models of success are holding us back- Jillian’s hopeful vision of 2035: portfolio careers, free agency, and lives built on balance, not sacrificeThis episode is both practical and inspiring—a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck, afraid of change, or unsure how to shape their next chapter. Jillian’s work helps people unlock their ability to evolve, create their own path, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.If you’re interested in personal growth, adaptability, future of work, career reinvention, or learning how to navigate change intentionally, this conversation is for you.🔗 Connect with Jillian: https://tenpermissions.com🎧 Subscribe to thinkfuture for more interviews on the future of work, technology, and human potential. https://thinkfuture.substack.com

See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcasella/---How hospitality automation is evolving to work with humans, not replace them.When you think of robots in hospitality, you might picture cold, impersonal service. But Matt, co-founder of RichTech Robotics, has a completely different vision—one where automation enhances human connection instead of erasing it.In this week’s episode of thinkfuture, we talked about how RichTech is building AI-powered service robots that work alongside staff to create smoother, more personalized guest experiences.Matt shared:- How the company is helping hotels, restaurants, and venues automate without losing their brand’s human touch- Why many operators resist automation at first—and what changes their minds- How robotics can be customized to fit unique customer experiences- The key to making automation “invisible” so it feels natural to guests- What hospitality (and other service industries) could look like in 2035 when humans and robots truly collaborateThis isn’t about replacing jobs—it’s about creating new kinds of experiences that neither humans nor machines could deliver alone.If you’ve ever wondered what the perfect balance of human warmth and machine precision could look like, this conversation will make you rethink the role of automation in your daily life.

See more here: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Hasmukh: https://www.hasmukhkerai.com/the-learning-curve---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Hasmukh, founder of The Learning Curve, a business dedicated to helping freelancers, creators, and small businesses rethink their relationship with technology. Hasmukh’s mission? To keep work lean, purposeful, and balanced—while reclaiming control from platforms and building lasting, meaningful connections with audiences.Hasmukh shares his personal journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, a decision sparked by the uncertainty and lack of autonomy he experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, through The Learning Curve, he’s helping others do the same: break free from digital overwhelm, focus on what matters, and take back ownership of their creative and business pursuits.In this episode, we explore:- Why performative social media content is toxic for creators—and what to do instead- The power of building your audience through owned channels like email newsletters- The pros and cons of platforms like Substack for creators and small businesses- Why trust in traditional media is eroding and how to build your own credibility- Predictions for the future of content consumption by 2035, including immersive technologies and post-smartphone experiences- The rising demand for in-person, offline experiences as a counterbalance to digital fatigue- How freelancers and creators can create sustainable, authentic businesses without burning outHasmukh emphasizes that creators don’t have to play the “attention game” to succeed. Instead, he encourages entrepreneurs to focus on direct audience relationships, authentic storytelling, and work that aligns with their values.If you’re a creator, freelancer, or entrepreneur who wants to escape the performative trap of social media and build something real, this episode is packed with insights on how to own your platform, manage tech more mindfully, and create meaningful content that actually resonates.

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-schwarz-3805b854/Read More: https;//thinkfuture.substack.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Dan Schwarz, CEO and co-founder of FutureSearch, an AI startup on a mission to push the boundaries of forecasting. With a background as a software engineer at Google and CTO of Metaculous, Dan brings deep expertise at the intersection of technology, prediction, and decision-making.Can AI really predict the future? Dan says—yes, but with caveats. He shares FutureSearch’s research into the forecasting abilities of AI models like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, revealing that while they outperform random chance, they still fall short of skilled human forecasters. However, the gap is closing fast, and Dan expects AI systems to reach—and potentially exceed—human forecasting abilities within the next 10–15 years.In this conversation, we explore:- The state of AI forecasting: where models like GPT-4 shine—and where they fail- How AI compares to human forecasters today- Why forecasting natural events (like earthquakes) is fundamentally different from predicting human behavior- How uncertainty shapes our ability to forecast the future- Techniques for operationalizing forecasts so organizations actually use them- Conditional forecasting and competitor-focused predictions as game-changers for business strategy- The ethical and practical implications of “superhuman” forecasting in politics, business, and society- What the world could look like in 2035 when AI becomes an “Oracle-like” forecasterDan envisions a future where AI-powered forecasting transforms decision-making in politics, business, and beyond—giving us tools to anticipate disruption, prepare for uncertainty, and make smarter, data-driven choices.If you’re interested in the future of AI, predictive analytics, or how technology could reshape our understanding of what’s coming next, this episode is packed with insights.

Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbsavage/Subscribe for more: https://thinkfuture.substack.com---In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis sits down with Stephen Savage, founder of Rezolve AI, to explore how agentic AI is transforming digital commerce by bringing back the personalized, high-touch retail experience—online.Let’s face it: online shopping today is less “shopping” and more “scrolling.” Endless options. High cart abandonment. Impersonal recommendations. Stephen and his team at Rezolve AI are tackling this head-on with a next-gen agentic AI platform designed specifically for retail. Their goal? To make digital shopping feel as natural, guided, and personalized as a visit to your favorite boutique.This episode dives deep into:- What “agentic AI” means and why it matters for e-commerce- Why current online shopping is broken—and how AI can fix it- The difference between “buying” and “shopping” experiences- How Rezolve AI mimics real-world retail by understanding customer intent- Personalized product discovery powered by intelligent, memory-capable AI agents- How AI agents can remember past purchases, preferences, and even personal style- Rezolve’s industry-specific AI training and how it beats general-purpose models- Collaborations with Google, Microsoft, and Tether to scale smarter retail- A look into the future of decentralized AI shopping agents and digital currency integrationStephen shares how Rezolve’s retail-focused AI doesn’t just recommend products—it engages customers like a savvy in-store associate. By understanding shoppers' needs and preferences, it helps reduce friction, increase satisfaction, and drive real conversions.He also envisions a world where each of us has a personalized shopping agent that not only knows our taste but can transact on our behalf—across brands, currencies, and even platforms—while prioritizing trust and user control.If you're in retail, e-commerce, or product design, or just curious about the future of AI-powered customer experiences, this episode is a must-listen.