Life with Machines

Should AI Have Emotional Intelligence? | Sean White (Ep. 10)

Feb 25, 2025

01:18:33

In this Life with Machines episode, Baratunde Thurston sits down with Sean White, CEO of Inflection AI, to talk about the future of AI that actually feels human. Inflection’s chatbot, Pi, isn’t just another LLM—it’s designed with emotional intelligence, or EQ, at its core. But does EQ in AI make interactions more meaningful, or does it blur the line between human and machine in ways we’re not ready for? Sean and Baratunde dig into the philosophy behind AI that listens, the surprising ways Pi is already shaping human relationships, and the ethical tightrope of building tech that people trust. Plus, BLAIR, the show’s AI co-producer, has its own emotional intelligence put to the test.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: The Many Faces of AI

00:53 Guest Introduction: Sean White

02:56 Human-Centered Technology

07:02 The Role of Mixed Reality

13:39 AI in Enterprise

21:10 The Evolution of Pi

39:48 Navigating Emotional Boundaries with AI

40:36 Guardrails and Regulations in AI

41:19 Emotional Connectivity and AI

44:21 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Abilities