As AI becomes more capable, how should our social systems evolve in response?
Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined once again by Zack Kass, an AI futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI. As a leading expert in applied AI, he harnesses its capabilities to develop business strategies and applications that enhance human potential.
Zack has been at the forefront of AI and played a key role in early efforts at commercializing AI and large language models, channeling OpenAI’s innovative research into tangible business solutions. Today, Zack is dedicated to guiding businesses, nonprofits, and governments through the fast-changing AI landscape. His expertise has been highlighted in leading publications, including Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider.
Zack sits down with Geoff to explore the philosophical implications of AI and its impact on everything from nuclear war to society’s struggle with psychopaths and humanity itself. This conversation raises important questions about the evolving role of AI in shaping our world and the ethical considerations that come with it. Zack discusses how AI may empower low-resource bad actors, transform local communities, and influence future generations. The episode touches on a wide range of themes, including the meaning of life, AI’s role in global conflict, its effects on personal well-being, and the societal challenges it presents. This conversation isn’t just about AI, it’s about humanity’s ongoing exploration of fear, freedom, happiness, and the future.
In this episode:
00:00 Intro
00:21 AI's exponential growth and speed of change
02:03 The expanding scientific frontier
03:19 Roger Bannister effect and AI inspiration
04:00 Societal vs. technological thresholds
06:00 The danger of low-resource bad actors
09:00 Psychopaths, crime, and the role of policy
12:00 Freedom vs. security
14:45 The risk of bias and broken justice systems
18:00 The role of AI in decision-making
20:00 Why we tolerate human error but not machine error
20:36 Breaking the fear cycle in a negative attention economy
22:12 Tech-driven optimism
23:55 Finding Happiness
25:32 Community, nature, and meaningful human connection
27:00 The problem with the “more is more” mindset
28:30 Narratives, new media, and information overload
31:09 The Power of local change and good news
33:06 Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the next wave of innovation
Connect with Zack:
Website: https://zackkass.com/
X: https://x.com/iamthezack
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackkass/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @ZackKassAI
Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/
Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG
Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson