Promptly Speaking

Explore the impact of AI companions on loneliness and mental health. Discover how chatbots like Replika can fill emotional gaps, while also examining the risks of replacing real human connections. Learn why feelings of loneliness may not always need fixing and how friction in real friendships fosters deeper bonds. Delve into the difference between empathy and sympathy, and practical ways to use AI for emotional support without losing touch with humanity. This insightful conversation emphasizes the importance of intentional AI use in maintaining genuine relationships.

How do we use AI without losing what makes us human?In this episode of Promptly Speaking, hosts Sara and Dan Roberts sit down with Dr. Ravit Dotan, PhD - a practical philosopher and AI ethicist - to unpack the cognitive, ethical, and emotional effects of our growing reliance on AI.💡 You’ll learn:- Why using AI can actually reduce brain engagement - and how to prevent it- How to apply ethical reasoning in everyday AI use- The “Chef Approach” to AI - a framework that keeps humans in control- What skills will matter most in the next decade of AI-driven work🧠 Whether you’re an AI optimist or a cautious skeptic, this episode explores how to stay curious, ethical, and fully awake in the age of intelligent machines.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to Promptly Speaking00:20 – Meet Dr. Ravit Dotan: From philosophy to AI ethics03:50 – The gray zones of AI ethics07:49 – What AI does to your brain16:58 – How to brainstorm *with* AI (not let it think for you)25:16 – Ethical adoption in business30:37 – How to build trust into AI workflows36:12 – The “Chef Approach” explained39:35 – Custom chatbots, agents, and the next frontier45:42 – The skills your brain needs for the future of work51:11 – Final reflectionsDr Ravit Dotan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravit-dotan/https://www.techbetter.ai/Follow Sara & Dan:Sara: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/⁠Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroberts27/Email: ⁠hello@promptlyspeakingpod.com

Are we getting dumber because of AI? 🤖In this episode of Promptly Speaking, hosts Sara and Dan Roberts explore how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are rewiring our brains. Drawing on new research from MIT, Science Advances, and Harvard Business Review, they unpack how these tools influence creativity, focus, and intrinsic motivation.You’ll hear how AI can raise productivity while lowering originality, why brain engagement drops when we outsource thinking, and what that means for our ability to learn, create, and stay mentally sharp.💡 You’ll learn:- What MIT discovered about how AI impacts neural engagement- Why using AI can boost quality but reduce creativity- How to stay mentally active when tools do the “thinking” for you- The hidden trade-off between efficiency and satisfaction- Simple strategies to use AI without losing your edge🔥 Whether you’re an AI optimist or skeptic, this episode offers a grounded look at how to keep your brain — and your creativity — alive in the age of automation.⏱️ Timestamps:00:28 – Personal experiences with AI in daily life05:27 – MIT study: how ChatGPT lowers brain engagement10:51 – Can AI make us more creative—or just more average?14:53 – The “Google Effect” and how memory changes with technology16:00 – The productivity paradox: getting more done but caring less19:08 – Intrinsic motivation and AI fatigue24:46 – Balancing AI assistance with human intuition26:32 – Final reflections and takeawaysFollow Sara & Dan:Sara: linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/Dan: linkedin.com/in/danroberts27Email: ⁠hello@promptlyspeakingpod.com⁠📚 References & Further Reading1. Sparrow, Liu & Wegner (2011) — Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips. Science.https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/dwegner/files/sparrow_et_al._2011.pdf2. MIT Media Lab (2024) — EEG study on neural engagement during essay writing with ChatGPT and Google (reported by Time).https://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/3. Doshi & Hauser (2024) — Generative AI Enhances Individual Creativity but Reduces Collective Diversity. Science Advances.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn52904. Harvard Business Review (2025) — GenAI Makes People More Productive—and Less Motivated.https://hbr.org/2025/05/research-gen-ai-makes-people-more-productive-and-less-motivated5. Science (2023) — Experimental Evidence on the Productivity Effects of Generative AI.https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh25866. Nature Scientific Reports (2025) — Cognitive Offloading in AI-Assisted Work: Impacts on Engagement and Attention.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-98385-27. arXiv preprint (2025) — Large Language Models and the Human Mind.https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872v18. arXiv preprint (2023) — Programming with ChatGPT: Impacts on Developer Speed and Code Quality.https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.065909. Nature Machine Intelligence (2022) — AI-Enabled Peer Support Improves Empathy in Mental Health Conversations.https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-022-00593-210. Academy of Management Journal (2022) — Augmented Creativity: How AI Tools Help Customer Support Agents Innovate.https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2022.042611. MDPI – Societies Journal (2024) — AI Use and Critical Thinking: Evidence from 666 Participants.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/1/612. IE Center for Health & Well-Being (2024) — AI’s Cognitive Implications: The Decline of Our Thinking Skills.https://www.ie.edu/center-for-health-and-well-being/blog/ais-cognitive-implications-the-decline-of-our-thinking-skills/13. Frontiers in AI (2022) — Cognitive Offloading and the Rewiring of Human Thought.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence14. Forbes (Knapp, 2025) — Prototype Study Suggests AI Tools Decrease Critical Thinking Skills.https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2025/01/10/the-prototype-study-suggests-ai-tools-decrease-critical-thinking-skills/15. PMC Article (2025) — Technological Overreliance and Cognitive Decline: Lessons from Prior Tech Revolutions.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9329671/

We talk a lot about what AI can do — but how often do we stop to ask how it thinks?In this episode of Promptly Speaking, Sara and Dan build on insights from their conversation with Tiago Forte to explore how context-aware AI is reshaping the way we think, work, and create.They break down the difference between deterministic and non-deterministic systems — and why that subtle distinction defines the future of intelligent tools. From winning competitive RFPs to solving frustrating real-life problems, they share how context-driven AI can turn data into insight and action.💡 You’ll learn:- What makes AI context-aware (and why that’s a big deal)- How deterministic vs. non-deterministic systems shape decision-making- Why grounding, context windows, and multimodal AI are revolutionizing human–machine interaction- The growing tension between personalization and data privacy- How to experiment with AI in ways that create real-world impact🎯 Whether you’re curious about the tech itself or how to use it practically, this episode reveals how good data — combined with critical reasoning — can turn AI from a novelty into a true advantage.⏱️ Timestamps:00:33 Reflecting on Tiago's Insights01:56 Understanding AI Terminology03:44 Winning Business with AI06:05 Using AI for Personal Projects11:27 Financial Caution with AI16:47 Practical AI Applications23:32 Conclusion and TakeawaysFollow Sara & Dan:Sara: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/⁠Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroberts27/Email: ⁠hello@promptlyspeakingpod.com⁠

Tiago Forte, a productivity expert and best-selling author, joins the conversation to debunk myths surrounding AI. He emphasizes AI's role as a thought partner rather than just a task automator. Forte shares insights on unique AI applications, including a case study from a sugar mill in Guatemala where AI transformed operations. He discusses the generational shifts in business and how cultural attitudes towards AI impact its adoption. Additionally, he reveals how AI can revolutionize recruiting and personal finance, challenging listeners to find their own 'AI spark'.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Promptly Speaking, where hosts Sara and Dan Roberts delve into how AI is transforming our lives. In this episode, they discuss why they started the podcast, their personal backgrounds in tech, and their aim to demystify AI for the everyday person. With insights from various industries and a focus on the human-AI partnership, they seek to provide practical advice and hope amidst the rapid technological changes. Tune in, stay informed, and be part of the conversation. Send your thoughts to hello@promptlyspeakingpod.com. New episodes every Tuesday!⏱️ Timestamps:00:24 Why Another AI Podcast?01:06 The Rapid Evolution of AI02:06 Podcast Format and Guest Insights02:46 Human-AI Collaboration04:17 The Future of Work with AI05:37 Getting Started with AI Tools06:43 Engage with Us!Follow Sara & Dan Roberts:Sara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroberts27/Email: promptlyspeakingpod@gmail.com

What happens when a data analyst turns a viral moment into a full-blown business?In this episode of Promptly Speaking, Sara and Dan sit down with Jess Ramos — data analyst turned entrepreneur and one of LinkedIn’s most influential voices, with nearly half a million followers.Jess shares how one viral post changed the course of her career, why she believes everyone should understand data, and how she’s using AI and ChatGPT to make analytics more human — and more accessible.💡 You’ll learn:- How Jess went from a corporate desk to full-time entrepreneurship- Why learning SQL still matters (even in the age of AI)- How she uses ChatGPT to simplify data, spark creativity, and scale faster- The mindset shift that turns online influence into real business results- Why taking imperfect action beats waiting for the perfect plan🔥 Whether you’re curious about AI, building your personal brand, or finding the courage to bet on yourself — this episode is a masterclass in turning data and creativity into opportunity.⏱️ Timestamps:00:19 Meet Jess Ramos: Data Analyst Turned Entrepreneur00:58 Understanding Data Analytics and SQL02:27 Jess's Journey: From Viral Post to Thriving Business05:33 Balancing a 9-to-5 Job and Building a Business11:38 The Leap to Full-Time Entrepreneurship16:01 Discovering the Power of ChatGPT18:19 Jess's AI Toolkit18:51 Exploring Notion AI19:27 AI Meeting Notes and Task Trackers21:12 Using AI for Personal Projects23:40 The Importance of Learning SQL25:49 Generative AI and Cognitive Skills30:52 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs35:00 Final Thoughts and Social Media PlugsJess Ramos:https://www.youtube.com/@JessRamosDatahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jessramosmsba/https://www.instagram.com/jessramosdata/https://www.tiktok.com/@jessramosdatahttps://linktr.ee/jessramosdataFollow Sara & Dan:Sara: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/saralynneroberts/⁠Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danroberts27/Email: ⁠hello@promptlyspeakingpod.com

Real people. Real stories. Real AI.Promptly Speaking dives into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and think, one human story at a time.Meet Sara & Dan Roberts — Sara’s an entrepreneur who’s helped scale some of Silicon Valley’s hottest startups. Dan’s a tech sales leader at Glean, where he talks every day with companies figuring out how to bring AI into their business.Together, they’re exploring how AI is changing everything.Follow now and get ready for the official launch on October 21 — and a first look at the stories shaping the AI era.