Digitally Curious

Harriet Meyer, award-winning journalist and AI trainer (The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph), explains how journalistic scepticism shapes responsible AI use. She recounts AI wins in investigative work, how transcription and Whisper Flow changed drafting, why PRs are building bespoke AI workflows, and the shift in newsrooms from fear to curiosity. Practical focus on defining goals, testing boundaries, and keeping human review in charge.

Brett King, bestselling author and founder of mobile neobank Moven, is a futurist who focuses on banking, AI agents, and long‑term tech trends. He and Andrew compare short and long forecasting horizons. They explore agentic AI as executive assistants, how agents might handle money, the split between smart and traditional economies, energy and chip limits, and the looming quantum threat to encryption.

Simone Carroll, executive voice on the future of work and former leader of people, technology and digital transformations. She argues work has moved upstream and urges leaders to redesign roles around AI. Topics include shifting human judgment to high-value areas, HR becoming strategic in AI literacy and policy, protecting IP as execution is automated, and how boards must give permission to innovate.

What happens to a generation growing up with AI always on hand to do the thinking for them?That question sits at the heart of this episode, and few people are better placed to answer it than Tim Cook, an elementary school teacher in Amman, Jordan, who has spent over a decade in international classrooms across five countries.Tim writes the Algorithmic Mind column for Psychology Today, and his research on cognitive offloading and child development has been making waves well beyond the education sector.In Andrew's book Digitally Curious, he argues that curiosity and critical thinking are the most important skills in an AI-powered world.Tim's work takes that further, asking a harder and more urgent question: what if the generation now entering school never develops those skills in the first place?In this episodeThe classroom as laboratory. Tim has been noticing a shift in children's relationship with struggle for most of a decade. well before AI arrived.Cognitive atrophy versus cognitive foreclosure. An adult who offloads tasks to AI is atrophying a muscle they already built — it can be rebuilt. A child who offloads a task they have never learned is foreclosing a developmental pathway that may never form. The homogenisation problem. When a health teacher set a creative writing task designed to be AI-proof, 80% of students submitted the same Mission Impossible-style hero's journey narrative.The AI audit problem. To check AI output, you need domain expertise. But a child is still supposed to be building that expertise. You cannot audit what you do not yet understand — and so the substitution becomes foreclosure.AI as provocateur, not thinking partner. The goal is to use AI to surface your own expertise, not to let it generate the thesis.Cognitive Privacy. Tim introduces his Cognitive Privacy Project: AI is the first tool in human history to collect our cognitive behavioural data.ResourcesTim Cook's Psychology Today column — The Algorithmic MindAdults Lose Skills to AI. Children Never Build Them — Tim Cook, Psychology Today, March 2026Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this season 8 opener of Digitally Curious, recorded live at the Roof Gardens in London, Andrew Grill is joined by leading human rights lawyer and author Dr Susie Alegre to ask a vital question: how do we stay human in the age of AI?Susie shares how the Cambridge Analytica scandal pushed her to focus on technology that “hacks humans” by profiling how we think, feel and vote, and why she believes this is a direct attack on our freedom of thought.Drawing on her books Freedom to Think and Human Rights, Robot Wrongs, she explains what the law already says about AI, why lawsuits against chatbot providers could be a turning point, and how the precautionary principle might apply to today’s systems.Andrew and Susie spoke about:Whether we’re in an AI bubbleHow over‑reliance on generative AI may erode critical thinkingWhat AI should (and shouldn’t) do in sectors like law, medicine and hospitalityDeepfakes, fraud, and practical ways to stay safeThe episode concludes with some simple but radical advice: using AI more selectively, doubling down on human creativity, and choosing connection over automation will ensure we stay human.Resources mentionedFreedom to Think – Dr Susie AlegreHuman Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI – Dr Susie AlegreDigitally Curious – Andrew GrillSupremacy – Parmy Olson (on the rise of OpenAI and Google’s AI ambitions)Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell (10,000‑hour rule and expertise)Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this episode of Digitally Curious, host Andrew Grill sits down with Gill Switalski, CEO of Infrared Kinetics, to explore how cutting-edge infrared technology is revolutionising real-time tracking and data precision - not just in motorsport, but across a host of industries.Gill shares her journey from corporate lawyer to tech innovator, describing how curiosity, intellectual property expertise, and strategic partnerships have driven Infrared Kinetics’ success. Together, we dive into:The role of digital twins in bridging the physical and virtual worldsWhy GPS is no longer sufficient and how infrared tech delivers robust, interference-proof data, even under extreme conditionsHow the company’s miniature, powerful tracking emitters are opening motorsport and STEM education to a global audienceReal-world applications in smart cities, railways, defence, logistics, and the world’s first precision drone deliveryWays the business model is transforming revenues for sporting circuits and offering new opportunities in gaming, advertising, and sports bettingGill's vision for infrastructure that makes society safer, more efficient, and more inclusiveMore informationIRK websiteGill on LinkedInThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

Two tech worlds meet to answer a pressing question: if AI can act for us, what should remain meaningfully human? In this episode, We've teamed up with Gareth Mitchell and Ghislaine Boddington from the Somewhere on Earth Podcast to compare notes on practical adoption, cultural nuance, and the messy, beautiful realities of bringing AI into daily life. Andrew Grill shares how enterprise leaders move from hype to “aha” moments, including a live case where a 17,000-cell SWOT analysis became actionable strategy in minutes. We dig into why projects stall—broken processes, outdated ROI, and thin literacy—and how smart training and transparent policies shift teams from pilots to outcomes.The conversation widens beyond boardrooms. Ghislaine traces the arc from early telepresence and immersive art to today’s “body in the digital,” where trust, intimacy, and presence underpin healthy human-machine collaboration. We examine digital human twins, agentic AI that makes decisions on our behalf, and the ethics of agents negotiating with each other. Expect clear takes on governance, transparency, and the line between pattern-matched empathy and the real thing. We also explore global perspectives: AI ethics in the Nordics, smart-city lessons from Singapore, manufacturing in Japan, and the access gaps that keep billions offline.Media and learning are transforming too. Universities are moving from AI bans to guidance that requires prompt and output documentation, building accountability and critical thinking. On the creator side, we look at AI in podcast production and the next step—personalized listening that adapts to knowledge and time. Along the way, we share recommended episodes, from Karen Jacobsen’s origin as the original Aussie Siri voice to Deborah Humble’s high-wire opera story packed with lessons in resilience and preparation.If you’re curious about technology but allergic to hype, this co-production brings grounded examples, human-centered design, and a global lens. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a practical AI playbook, and leave a quick review with your biggest “aha” or open question—what would you never let an AI decide for you?Resources mentionedSomewhere on Earth PodcastThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this episode of Digitally Curious, Andrew Grill speaks with Trevor Davis, renowned futurist and pioneer in big data, AI, and digital transformation about the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and the creative industries. Trevor shares insights drawn from decades of experience at the cutting edge, delving into the opportunities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas facing creative professionals in the age of “Createch.”Key TopicsTrevor’s Journey: From material science, through leadership at IBM, to independent AI consultancy focused on creative industries.Defining Createch: Understanding where creativity meets technology, and how createch businesses differ from traditional creative firms.Industry 4.0 in Creativity: The impact of generative AI, digital twins, extended/virtual reality, blockchain, and 3D printing on artistic and commercial creative fields.Generative AI in Practice:How tools like ChatGPT, OpenAI Sora, and others are transforming animation, content creation, and writing.Tensions between democratisation of content and the diminishing role of creative gatekeepers.Sustainability & AI:Why most createch startups lack sustainability policies, and the significant environmental costs of digital production and AI.The growing need for responsible energy, water, and e-waste management in creative tech supply chains.Ethics & IP in Creative AI:Core dilemmas surrounding data usage, IP, and copyright in AI tools trained on creative works.The legal grey zones and the role of large publishers versus individual artists in rights advocacy.AI’s Role in Growth:Predictions for the UK creative sector to reach £300 billion by 2030, with AI and createch as catalysts.The shifting dynamics between brands and agencies as clients use generative tools for early-stage concept work.Agentic AI & The Future of Advertising:The emerging paradigm where AI agents transact and consume advertising—what it means for brands, agencies, and human creativity.Upskilling & Mindset:Why creative professionals must proactively adopt and experiment with AI tools—or risk obsolescence.Three actionable steps for creatives: deepen tool usage, stay informed via industry and technical sources, and build simple agents for hands-on learning.Quick Fire RoundFavourite travel seat: aisleAI wish: automate laundryMost-used app: Things (for daily and long-term planning)Book recommendation: “Helm” by Sarah HallActionable tip: Don’t fear AI—explore, experiment, and keep learning.Resources MentionedGuest website: curiousdemon.comConnect: Trevor Davis on LinkedInThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

How does a particle physicist end up shaping the UK Government’s approach to artificial intelligence? In this thought‑provoking episode, Andrew Grill sits down with Dr Laura Gilbert CBE, former Director of Data Science at 10 Downing Street and now the Senior Director of AI at the Tony Blair Institute.Laura’s unique career path, from academic research in physics to the heart of policymaking, gives her a rare perspective on how governments can use emerging technologies not just efficiently, but humanely. She shares candid insights into how policy teams think about digital transformation, why the public sector faces very different challenges to private industry, and how to avoid technology that dehumanises decision‑making.Drawing on examples from her work in Whitehall, Laura discusses the realities of forecasting in AI, the danger of “buzzword chasing”, and why the next breakthrough in Artificial General Intelligence might well come from an unexpected player, possibly from within government itself.This is a conversation for anyone curious about the intersection of science, policy, ethics, and technology, and how they can combine to make government more responsive, transparent, and human-centred.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Laura Gilbert moved from particle physics research into government AI leadershipThe strategic role of AI in shaping modern policy and public servicesWhy forecasting in AI is harder than it looks—and how this impacts decision‑makersThe balance between technical capability and human‑centred governanceWhy governments must look beyond the tech giants for innovative solutionsLessons from the Evidence House and AI for Public Good programmesResourcesTony Blair Global Institute WebsiteUK Government AI IncubatorLaura on LinkedInRaindrop.io bookmarking appThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious

In this episode of Digitally Curious, host Andrew Grill, renowned futurist and author, sits down with Shannon Scott, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Product at Airwallex, one of the world’s fastest-growing FinTech innovators.Key Topics Covered:Shannon’s Journey:From rural Victoria to leading global product strategy at Airwallex, Shannon shares how his background in computer science and mechatronic engineering shapes his approach to building next-generation financial products.Engineering Mindset in Product Leadership:Discover how thinking from first principles and understanding technology “under the hood” enables Airwallex to deliver seamless, global financial services and challenge industry assumptions.AI’s Transformative Role in Financial Services:Explore how AI is not just automating traditional tasks like fraud detection and compliance, but fundamentally transforming business workflows, onboarding, and financial operations — turning hours of manual work into minutes.Agentic AI Explained:Shannon demystifies agentic AI, describing how autonomous AI agents can handle complex, multi-step financial processes, from vendor onboarding to payment reconciliation, and what this means for both large and small businesses.Trust, Explainability & Regulation:The episode delves into the importance of maintaining trust and explainability in AI-driven finance, the role of human feedback, and why robust regulation gives financial services a head start in adopting AI responsibly.Data as a Strategic Asset:Learn why proprietary, high-quality data is the new competitive edge in the AI era, and how modular, adaptable data infrastructure is critical for future-proofing financial services.The Future of Decision-Making:Andrew and Shannon discuss the evolution of AI from an operational tool to a strategic decision partner, capable of suggesting best practices, optimising approval flows, and proactively managing risk.Actionable Insights:Shannon shares three practical steps for listeners to better understand and leverage agentic AI in finance:Embrace podcasts and diverse learning sourcesExperiment with new AI tools and servicesContinuously question and seek better ways of workingResourcesAirwallex WebsiteShannon on LinkedInThanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/orderYour Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew GrillFor more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com Andrew's Social ChannelsAndrew on LinkedInAndrew on YouTube @Andrew.Grill on InstagramKeynote speeches hereOrder Digitally Curious