Inside the Future of AI Creativity w/ Don Allen Stevenson III | Ep 402
The Futur with Chris Do
Futurist stance: sub-optimism
Don calls himself a 'sub-optimist' after seeing recurring unethical tactics like IP misuse succeed in tech.
In this episode, Chris Do sits down with futurist and creative AI researcher Don Allen Stevenson III for a wide-ranging conversation on emerging technology, spatial computing, and how subjective realities will reshape the way humans interact with the world. Don shares his journey from DreamWorks Animation to becoming a leading voice on accessible creativity, discussing the tools, interfaces, and philosophies that drive his work.
They explore how animation-style thinking can change how people learn, create, and communicate visually. Chris and Don also dig into the emotional, ethical, and cultural implications of AI-powered technologies and the personal stories that fuel Don’s mission.
Timestamps
(00:00) — Intro
(04:12) — Bob Ross influence explained
(08:58) — Subjective reality breakdown
(13:47) — Shared whiteboard in mixed reality
(18:15) — Facial recognition future tools
(22:03) — Bias, avatars, and public perception
(26:44) — Social signaling and safety cues
(31:20) — Futurist optimism vs realism
(36:02) — Ethical concerns in AI progress
(40:55) — Tech companies and IP conflicts
(45:12) — Government pressure and innovation race
(49:58) — Identity, profiling, and digital overlays
(54:37) — Memory augmentation through wearables
(59:16) — Practical vs dystopian use cases
(01:03:40) — Human inconsistency with privacy
(01:08:12) — Convenience tipping points for adoption
(01:12:47) — Safety, misuse, and large-scale risks
(01:16:25) — Why sub-optimism shapes the future
(01:20:10) — Final thoughts on ethical tech
Check out today's guest, Don Allen Stevenson III:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donalleniii/
Website: https://www.donalleniii.me/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donalleniii/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DonAllenIII
Check out The Futur:
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Check out Chris Do:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/
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