Tim Ventura Interviews

Denise Holt discusses the VERSES AI platform, and explains how this biologically inspired artificial intelligence ecosystem may lead to a paradigm shift in the approach to artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Denise Holt is the President of AIX Global Media, creator & host of the Spatial Web AI Podcast, advisor to the Fintech World Group, and voting Member of the IEEE Spatial Web Working Group.

Denise is a seasoned entrepreneur, writer, and speaker with past roles across numerous verticals, including the luxury service industry, arts, mobile applications, and information technology industries.

Over the span of her career, Denise has been instrumental in launching a diverse range of products and brands, notably within the realms of health & wellness and state-of-the-art technology. As a strategy consultant, she's recognized for her expertise in digital strategy, particularly for future of technology enterprises such as AI, Fintech, DLT, AR & Immersive Tech, IoT, UAV Drones, and more.

Denise has been named among the top 30 VIP Futurists by IBM in 2014 for leadership in the future of technology for businesses, and she has further expanded her orbit in the tech sphere serving as an advisor and leading educator for AI, Active Inference, the Free Energy Principle, and the Spatial Web - which is the topic of our discussion today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Denise Holt (Homepage & LinkedIn)

https://deniseholt.us/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseholt1/

VERSES.AI

https://www.verses.ai/

AI Spatial Web Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@spatialwebai

https://open.spotify.com/show/52AMYwGerRGYe5jGMweOIm

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spatial-web-ai-podcast/id1678370398

Unlocking the Future of AI: Active Inference vs. LLMs - The World vs. Words

https://deniseholt.us/unlocking-the-future-of-ai-active-inference-vs-llms-the-world-vs-words/

VERSES AI Announces AGI Breakthrough: Invokes Open AI's 'Assist' Clause

https://deniseholt.us/verses-ai-announces-agi-breakthrough-invokes-open-ais-assist-clause/

Turning Point in AI - Leaders Rally for a Natural AI Initiative

https://deniseholt.us/turning-point-in-ai-leaders-rally-for-a-natural-ai-initiative/

Hello 2024 — The Year Computing Changes Forever

https://deniseholt.us/hello-2024-the-year-computing-changes-forever/

Dr. Karl J. Friston (Homepage & Wikipedia)

https://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~karl/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_J._Friston

Colonel-Dr. M.V. “Coyote” Smith discusses the latest trends & technology in the US Air Force, including quantum sensing, drone swarms, AI & autonomy, combat clouds & the DoD Replicator Initiative, space systems, and 6th-generation fighter technology.

Colonel-Dr. M.V. “Coyote” Smith is a professor of strategic studies at Air University's graduate school for mid-grade officers, Air Command and Staff College. He retired from active duty in August 2016 while serving as professor of strategic space studies at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. In past roles, he served as the Director of the Center for Strategy and Technology where he led PROJECT BLUE HORIZONS for the Air Force Chief of Staff, and at the Pentagon as the Chief of “Dream Works,” which was the Future Concepts division of the National Security Space Office where he led the Defense Science Board and directed the Space-Based Solar Power Study.

Coyote’s career of service includes roles in a variety of flight, space, and missile assignments and as an instructor at the USAF Weapons School. He commanded the 321st Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne Wyoming, where his unit was recognized as the “Best ICBM Squadron in the Air Force.”

During Operation Allied Force in Kosovo he served as a strategist and targeting officer on Lt General Michael Short's staff at the Air Component headquarters at Dal Molin Air Base in Vicenza, Italy. During Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, he served at USCENTCOM Headquarters as a strategist on General Tommy Frank’s staff. He later served as the chief air and space power strategist on the Pentagon’s Strategic Planning Council during Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing advice to the Joint Staff and the Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Smith has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from St. Michael's College, and three Master’s degrees; one in Political Science from the University of South Dakota, one in Military Arts and Science, and another in Airpower Strategy from various defense colleges. Most notably, he holds a PhD in Strategic Studies in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading (pronounced “Redding”), in addition to numerous other certifications in aerospace systems, strategy & leadership from various instutitions.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Air University Bio (Dept. Of Space Power)

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/ACSC/Display/Article/2480593/department-of-spacepower/

LinkedIn Bio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-v-coyote-smith-057b99210/

Quantum Sensing & Radar

https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/definition/what-is-quantum-sensing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_radar

Fifth & Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth-generation_fighter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixth-generation_fighter

Replicator Initiative (CSET)

https://cset.georgetown.edu/article/replicator-a-bold-new-path-for-dod/

How Drones Froze Ukraine's Frontlines

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/how-drones-froze-ukraine-frontlines

Beatrice Erkers describes how the Foresight Institute's Existential Hope program provides advocacy for emerging technologies in the nanotech, biotech, neurotech, computation & space sectors.

The Foresight Institute is a San Francisco-based research non-profit that promotes the development of nanotechnology and other emerging technologies, such as safe AGI, biotech and longevity. It was founded in 1986 by Christine Peterson, K. Eric Drexler, and James C. Bennett with an initial focus on supporting the development of nanotechnology.

Beatrice Erkers is the Chief of Operations at the Foresight Institute and program manager of the Existential Hope group. Beatrice has a background in the publishing industry and has several years of experience working with communication at Foresight and in the publishing industry. Her interest in the integration of technology and society has led her to work for Foresight Institute.

Beatrice has a Bachelor's in Comparative Literature and a Master's in the History of Science & Ideas from Upsala University, along with studies & certifications in AI Alignment, Political Communication and Fashion Design from various institutions. She also volunteers for the Effective Altruism Uppsala and Uppsala Kvinnojour organizations.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Foresight Institute

https://foresight.org/

Existential Hope

https://www.existentialhope.com/team/beatrice-erkers

Dr. John Sahr describes new applications of passive radar for detecting drones on the battlefield, monitoring traffic on the freeway, and keeping patients safe in the hospital using compact, inexpensive receivers that don't require licensing.

Unlike traditional radar, which illuminates targets with a high-energy EM signal and takes time-of-flight measurements to gauge distance, passive radar relies on existing FM radio, DirecTV & Starlink signals. Since it requires no transmitter, passive radar opens the door to small, inexpensive devices with mesh-network applications to help radar evolve far beyond its current limitations.

Dr. John Sahr is a PhD Electrical Engineer, former Chief Technology Officer at OneRadio, and former Professor & Interim Chair of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington.

Dr. Sahr's specializations include passive & bistatic radar systems, VHF radar systems, statistical signal processing, and computer programming, and his past research includes research in VHF bistatic passive radar for ionospheric turbulence and the augmentation of existing radar systems with additional illumination sources to improve weather data, ionspheric research & aerospace surveillance capabilities.

Dr. Sahr has a BSEE from Caltech, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and has served on the boards of the Evergreen School in Shoreline, WA and Casa Latina in Seattle, where he supports their focus on education and outreach services for the Latin American immigrant community.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

John Sahr (LinkedIn)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-sahr-0806005/

OneRadio

http://www.oneradiocorp.com/

OneRadio Announces Air Force SBIR Phase I Contract to Provide Passive Radar-Based Drone Detection Application

http://www.oneradiocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/OneRadio-Corporation-Press-Release-Dec-18-2023.pdf

Germany demonstrates passive radar system using Starlink satellite radiation

https://www.army-technology.com/news/germany-demonstrates-passive-radar-system-using-starlink-satellite-radiation/?cf-view

The Manastash Ridge radar: A passive bistatic radar for upper atmospheric radio science

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7771129

Passive radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_radar

Who owns the Moon? Dr. Gary DeBoer discusses space & extraterrestrial intellectual property and resource ownership, and the strange case of Dennis Hope, who made $10 million selling stakes on lunar soil.

Dr. Gary DeBoer is a Professor of Chemistry at LeTourneau University, Director Of The LeTourneau Ingenuity Center, and AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy.

In addition to career expertise in general chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and analytical chemistry, Gary has developed new courses in patent law, nanotechnology and public science policy, computational chemistry, and quantum mechanics.

Gary has a BA in Chemistry & Mathematics through Calvin University, a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Iowa, and extensive career experience in science & technology roles at the Air Force Research Lab, Ames National Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, the US Naval Research Lab, NASA and Gentex, as well as patent and intellectual property experience through the AMD Law Group and Brennan Manna Diamond as a USPTO Registered Patent Agent.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Gary DeBoer (Website & LinkedIn)

https://www.letu.edu/academics/arts-and-sciences/fac-bio-deboer.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garydeboer/

Space Seminar (YouTube) -

"Extraterrestrial intellectual property law: current status and future trajectory"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb4sOy64nr4

NewScientist: International fleet of spacecraft is heading to the moon in 2024

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26034712-700-international-fleet-of-spacecraft-is-heading-to-the-moon-in-2024/

UN Outer Space Treaty of 1967

https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.html

UN Moon Agreement 1979

https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/intromoon-agreement.html

35 U.S. Code § 105 - Inventions in outer space

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35/105

WIPO Article 21: Intellectual Property and Space Activities

https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/patent-law/en/developments/pdf/ip_space.pdf

51 U.S. Code § 51303 - Asteroid resource and space resource rights

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/51/51303

Executive Order 13914—Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and

Use of Space Resources

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202000245/pdf/DCPD-202000245.pdf

Star Naming

https://star-naming.com/

Brig. General Geoffrey Weiss discusses how rapid advances in military technology such as drones, hypersonic weapons & artificial intelligence contrast with the timeless principles of military strategy described in his book, “The New Art Of War”.

The New Art of War: The Origins, Theory, and Future of Conflict

https://www.amazon.com/New-Art-War-Origins-Conflict/dp/1108837646

*** PLEASE NOTE: The views, opinions & commentary expressed in this interview are editorial in nature and do not represent the views of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense. ***

In historical conflicts, technological advances often confer tactical & strategic advantages because they’re unanticipated. The Roman Testudo, armored cavalry, rifled-barrels, and mechanized assault might be examples of this. On today’s battlefield, we’re looking at space, cyber, drones, AI, stealth, hypersonic weapons, and irregular warfare tactics – all at once.

Despite this rapid change, it's important to recognize the separation between the strategy of warfare and the tools that its waged with. For example, in his book, there are lessons from Von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Thucydides, and other leaders who were separated from each other by centuries of time & used completely different armaments, but often studied their historical predecessors and built off those strategies progressively.

These timeless lessons in military strategy are more important today than ever. Trotsky said, “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you”. Today, we’re involved with conflicts in Ukraine & The Middle East and tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Brig. General Weiss offers his thoughts on the current international situation and whether the drums of war are once again bringing an "unwelcome guest" to our doorstep.

Brig. Gen. Geoffrey F. Weiss is the Director of Regional Affairs for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this role, he manages relationships and provides oversight and guidance for international programs supporting national security objectives through politico-military affairs, security assistance, education, training and cooperative research and development. Brig. Gen. Weiss supervises over 3,400 foreign military sales cases valued at more than $266 billion.

Brig Gen Weiss has civilian experience as a systems engineer and his military experience includes wartime operational, USAF and Joint Headquarters Staff, and command leadership positions in homeland air defense, air and missile defense, theater air battle management, command and control, nuclear deterrence, and information/influence operations.

He has commanded at the wing, group, and squadron levels. He holds four masters degrees in military and aeronautical study areas, including an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College. His articles have appeared in the Air and Space Power Journal and Joint Force Quarterly, and his book: The New Art of War: The Origins, Theory, and Future of Conflict.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

The New Art of War: The Origins, Theory, and Future of Conflict

https://www.amazon.com/New-Art-War-Origins-Conflict/dp/1108837646

USAF Bio Page:

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3075724/geoffrey-f-weiss/

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2413260-what-does-ukraines-million-drone-army-mean-for-the-future-of-war/

What does Ukraine’s million-drone army mean for the future of war?

Crude ground robots emerge on the battlefields of Ukraine, experts say

https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/12/15/crude-ground-robots-emerge-on-the-battlefields-of-ukraine-experts-say/

The Replicator initiative is key to the Army’s modernization

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-replicator-initiative-is-key-to-the-armys-modernization/

GEARS of war: US Army picks 3 companies to advance autonomous resupply

https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2023/12/19/gears-of-war-us-army-picks-3-companies-to-advance-autonomous-resupply/

War Memorial Center

https://warmemorialcenter.org/a-true-soldier/

Dr. Justin Lancaster discusses the evolutionary pathway of ChatGPT & contemporary AI systems towards future Artificial Superintelligence, and provides a detailed explanation of LLM data-modeling, the Q* algorithm, multimodal training, quantum annealing & more.

After the firing & rehiring of CEO Sam Altman in 2023, a new program called Q* started making headlines - which gives ChatGPT mathematically-based logical & reasoning abilities. The Guardian wrote that it was "so powerful it alarmed staff", and it's being called a big step towards artificial general intelligence.

In this discussion, we explain how layered data-models allow LLM's to generate innovative, creative responses - and we explore how Q*, multimodal training & tools like quantum annealing can help create a robust, self-training AGI model capable of self-bootstrapping and maybe even achieving a Technological Singularity as predicted by Vernor Vinge & Ray Kurzweil.

Dr. Justin Lancaster is the inventor of FastScience!, manager of the CrowdCureDisease project, CEO of kwikBio, and President of Climate Research Incorporated.

Among his many accomplishments, Justin founded an early SaaS startup in the late 1990's developing real-world systems modeling using virtual reality that invented and patented tech that was a forerunner for Google Earth, worked in a series of five biotech startups at the cutting edge of AI/machine learning and graph-based modeling applied to bioinformatics and systems biology, and developed FastScience! into patent applications for an automated, AI-based, online research system that was awarded 4 US patents from 2012 to 2022.

Justin has four decades of multidisciplinary science and startup business development in dynamic, computational modeling and simulation of the real world. His education includes M.S. and Ph.D. are in Oceanography/Marine Chemistry from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, Postdoctoral work at Harvard, a Law Degree from Vermont Law & Graduate School, studies in Artificial Intelligence from MIT, and numerous certifications in AI & Quantum technology from MIT, D-Wave, and other institutions, and has at multiple universities and internationally on climate change science and policy.

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Introduction

1:37 - ChatGPT, AGI & Large Language Models

8:38 - Creativity & Intelligence

14:50 - Humans Vs. Machine Complexity

16:36 - Q* and Artificial General Intelligence

24:32 - Self-Training & The Singularity

28:15 - Multimodal Modals w/ Vision, Hearing & Speech

37:07 - Commercial Demand & AI Improvement

38:12 - Quantum Annealing & Optimization

50:44 - Near-Term Predictions

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Justin Lancaster (Official Homepage & Bios)

https://justinlancaster.com/

https://ossfoundation.org/about/justin_lancaster/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinlancaster/

https://kwikbio.godaddysites.com/

OpenAI ‘was working on advanced model so powerful it alarmed staff’

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/23/openai-was-working-on-advanced-model-so-powerful-it-alarmed-staff

Tech Showdown: OpenAI's Triumph Over Google's Gemini Exposed

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2024/01/03/tech-showdown-openais-triumph-over-googles-gemini-exposed/?sh=6fc946a06462

Q-Learning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-learning

A* Search Algorithm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A*_search_algorithm

Quantum Annealing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_annealing

Could UAPs be the ancient remnants of advanced civilization that ruled Earth long ago? Dr. Bernardo Kastrup discusses the UAP Phenomenon, Hal Puthoff's Ultra-Terrestrial Model & the Silurian Hypotheses.

Dr. Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence).

As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Philips Research Labs, and has a 25-year career in high-technology, having co-founded the parallel processing company Silicon Hive and worked as a technology strategist for the geopolitically significant company ASML for 15 years.

Bernardo's ideas have been featured on 'Scientific American,' the magazine of 'The Institute of Art and Ideas,' the 'Blog of the American Philosophical Association' and 'Big Think,' and numerous academic papers. Bernardo's 11th book, coming in 2024, is 'Analytic Idealism in a Nutshell: A straightforward summary of the 21st-century's only plausible metaphysics.'

LINKS & RESOURCES

Bernado Kastrup (Official Homepage)

https://www.bernardokastrup.com/

UAPs and Non-Human Intelligence: What is the most reasonable scenario?

https://www.bernardokastrup.com/2024/01/uaps-and-non-human-intelligence-what-is.html

UAPs, advanced non-human technology, and disclosure

https://www.bernardokastrup.com/2023/07/uaps-advanced-non-human-technology-and.html

Accounting for UAPs' zigzagging, 'brownian motion'

https://www.bernardokastrup.com/2023/08/et-philosophy-part-1-accounting-for.html

Legendary science-fiction author Bruce Sterling discusses the "State Of The World" for 2024, and takes on climate change, authoritarian regimes, social media decline, mass media distractions, and scientific stagnation.

The "State of the World" is an annual commentary hosted by Jon Lebkowsky, co-host at the Plutopia News Network, also co-host of the Inkwell.vue forum on the WELL. The 2024 report is the 25th annual State of the World conversation.

Bruce Sterling is a science fiction writer, net critic, and internationally recognized cyberspace theorist. Bruce graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Texas, holds the position of “Professor of New Media and Science Fiction” at The European Graduate School, and became “visionary in residence” at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

Bruce is one of the founders of the cyberpunk movement in science fiction, the editor of Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology, co-authored The Difference Engine with William Gibson, and has written dozens of stories and novels in his career. These are just a few of his many recognitions and accomplishments.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Inkwell: Authors and Artists - Topic 540:

Bruce Sterling and Jon Lebkowsky: State of the World 2024

https://people.well.com/conf/inkwell.vue/topics/540/Bruce-Sterling-and-Jon-Lebkowsky-page01.html

Bruce Sterling's Blog on Medium

https://bruces.medium.com/

Bruce Sterling's Books on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bruce-Sterling/author/B000AQ0S3S

Bruce Sterling on Edge.Org

https://www.edge.org/memberbio/bruce_sterling

Bruce Sterling (Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Sterling

Dr. Namrata Goswami discusses the top stories in Space for 2024, including new world records for commercial launch missions, SpaceX & NASA Artemis, Elon Musk's Mars ambitions and international achievements by China, Russia, India & more.

Dr. Namrata Goswami is an independent scholar on International Relations, faculty with the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, and co-author of the book “Scramble for the Skies”. She joins us today to discuss the current state of the emerging space economy and the Great Powers Competition for control of Earth orbit and beyond.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space

https://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Skies-Competition-Control-Resources/dp/1498583113

China's space plane apparently deployed 6 'mysterious wingmen' in orbit

https://www.space.com/china-space-plane-depoyed-mystery-objects

What did China's rover discover hidden under the moon's surface?

https://www.jpost.com/science/article-755583

Elon Musk Says SpaceX Could Land on Mars in 3 to 4 Years

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/science/elon-musk-spacex-starship-mars.html

Artemis Program

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_program

NASA delays crewed Artemis moon missions into 2025 as companies navigate challenges

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/09/nasa-delays-crewed-artemis-moon-missions.html