AI-Curious with Jeff Wilser

Does AI make us more creative—or quietly replace us?In this episode of AI-Curious, we sit down with Dr. Maya Ackerman—author of Creative Machines: AI, Art, and Us—to probe where human creativity ends and machine creativity begins, and how incentives in Big Tech and venture capital shape the tools we all use. We explore why today’s dominant systems skew “convergent” (safe, samey, oracle-like) instead of “divergent” (surprising, generative), what that means for artists, and how to design AI that actually elevates human imagination rather than displacing it.Why listenWe wrestle with uncomfortable truths: bias mirrored back at us, investor pressure to “replace” vs. “augment,” and the risk of a cultural sea of slop. We also map a constructive path forward—collaborative systems, richer human–AI interfaces, and a 10-year horizon where AI expands human creative range.GuestDr. Maya Ackerman — AI researcher, entrepreneur, and author of Creative Machines: AI, Art, and Us. TakeawaysAI reflects us. Bias in → bias out; representation fixes are not enough without cultural understanding.Incentives matter. Many well-funded tools are architected to replace creators; augmentation tools are underfunded.Creativity ≠ autocomplete. Today’s LLMs are optimized for correctness and convergence, not genuine divergence.Better interfaces beat bigger models. Beyond “text-to-X,” human-centred, interactive tools can coach, not usurp.A hopeful arc. With the right design, collaborative AI can measurably raise human creative ability—and stick.Dr. Ackerman's new book: Creative Machineshttps://www.amazon.com/Creative-Machines-Future-Human-Creativity/dp/1394316267

Deepak Agarwal, LinkedIn's Chief AI Officer, discusses the integration of AI in hiring and job searching. He shares insights on how AI agents, like the Hiring Assistant, streamline recruitment and free up time for human connection. Deepak emphasizes the importance of responsible AI practices, including bias detection and governance. He also highlights the shift from keyword searches to semantic job searches for better matches. His vision for the future includes AI enhancing human creativity and making the hiring process more effective and authentic.

In this discussion with Curtis Sparrer, co-founder of Bospar PR and president of the San Francisco Press Club, they explore the shift from classic SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Curtis reveals how AI is reshaping brand visibility and emphasizes the importance of reputable sources in this new landscape. He shares insights on maintaining effective SEO tactics while adapting to AI-first strategies. Curtis also discusses the risks of misinformation, the changing dynamics in pitching, and the need for companies to embrace proactive approaches to succeed in the AI era.

What happens when “space robots” stop being sci-fi set dressing and start punching a clock? We dig into a new breed of microgravity robots that do the unglamorous work—so astronauts can do more science.In this episode of AI-Curious, we talk with Ethan Barajas (CEO) and Jamie Palmer (CTO), co-founders of Icarus Robots, fresh out of stealth with a $6M raise. Their pitch is simple and radical: put agile, teleoperated robots insidespacecraft like the ISS to handle cargo, inspections, and maintenance—then use the resulting microgravity manipulation data to unlock partial (and eventually full) autonomy. We cover the tech, the economics (why astronaut time is so expensive), the AI roadmap, and a pragmatic path from today’s chores to tomorrow’s orbital factories and lunar bases.What we coverWhy astronaut hours are precious—and how robots can “augment” rather than replace themThe form factor: free-flying, drone-like bodies with dual arms optimized for zero-G dexterityInside first, outside later: a deployment strategy that lowers safety hurdles and accelerates learningData advantage: building the first large microgravity manipulation dataset via continuous teleopAI’s role: from human-in-the-loop control to primitives to scalable dexterous manipulationCommunications and latency: S-band today, laser links tomorrow; what “real-time” actually meansThe “orbital factory” thesis: pharma, semiconductors, fiber optics—and servicing orbital data centersLong-horizon forecasts: humans living and working in space; physical labor increasingly done by robotsGuestsEthan Barajas — Co-founder & CEO, Icarus RobotsJamie Palmer — Co-founder & CTO, Icarus RobotsWhy this mattersIf half of Earth’s GDP is labor, the space economy scales only when on-orbit labor scales. Teleoperated robots that learn from expert demonstrations—then graduate to safe autonomy—are a credible bridge from today’s stations to tomorrow’s factories, data centers, and off-world bases.https://www.icarusrobotics.com/

What if “AI teammates” aren’t sci-fi at all, but the next mundane tool that quietly kills Monday dread?In this episode of AI-Curious, we sit down with David Shim, CEO of Read.ai, to unpack what workers actually want from AI, how teams are adopting agents from the bottom up, and what a practical “digital twin” might do at work—minus the Black Mirror vibes. We cover fast-path ROI (meeting notes → action items), the shift from “prompts” to ambient workflows, and why the most valuable corporate asset may soon be the storage of intelligence—the living record of how your organization thinks and decides.What we coverWhy 70% of workers say they want AI agents—and what basic tasks deliver real ROI nowA crawl-walk-run roadmap: note-taking → briefing → follow-ups → lightweight agents → digital twin“Storage of intelligence” as a competitive moat (institutional knowledge that doesn’t walk out the door)Guardrails, data separation, and how to make privacy concerns non-negotiableBottom-up adoption: why employees are forcing IT’s hand—and how leaders should respondThe macro view: augmentation vs. replacement, and the provocative idea that AI replaces computers (as the interface)If you find this useful, we’d love a rating and a quick share with a teammate who’s piloting AI at work.Read.AI:https://www.read.ai/

AI is often framed as a climate problem—energy-hungry data centers, ballooning carbon emissions, and talk of nuclear power just to keep the servers running. But could AI also become part of the solution?In this episode of AI-Curious, we sit down with Josh Dorfman—climate tech entrepreneur and host of Supercool—to explore how artificial intelligence might help tackle climate change. Josh doesn’t offer hand-wavy promises. Instead, we dive into concrete examples where AI is already making a difference.What we cover:[4:17] Josh’s background at the intersection of technology, climate, and business.[8:18] How AI data centers are impacting energy use—and why fossil fuels can’t scale to meet demand.[12:30] The role of nuclear, geothermal, and solar-plus-storage in powering AI sustainably.[23:25] AI-optimized school buses: how Oakland electrified its fleet with fewer vehicles.[27:44] BrainBox AI and smarter buildings: cutting emissions through predictive HVAC optimization.[31:42] AI in waste management: from pneumatic trash tubes to AI sorting recyclables.[41:17] Big-picture futures: AI efficiency, plummeting solar costs, and the possibility of “trivially cheap” energy.The conversation blends realism with optimism—grounded in the challenges of energy demand, yet hopeful about AI-driven solutions in transportation, buildings, waste, and renewable power.If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can be more than an energy drain—and instead help drive sustainability—this episode offers both perspective and inspiration.🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:• Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308• Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b• YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

Can artificial intelligence actually be funny, or is humor still a human stronghold? We explore that question with Eric Doyle, co-founder of ComedyBytes, a Brooklyn-based multimedia comedy show where AI and humans face off in roast battles, dating games, and other interactive formats. Doyle combines the craft of stand-up with the tools of generative AI, building AI characters like “AI Kanye West” or “AI Sarah Silverman” that deliver pre-scripted jokes in real time.In this episode of AI-Curious, we dig into:[0:52] The story behind ComedyBytes and its AI-powered format[3:46] How AI roast battles work, from concept to stage mechanics[7:53] Using tools like ChatGPT, Claude Sonnet, and Gemini AI to write jokes[12:55] The art of prompting for humor and boosting the “funny hit rate”[16:36] Why specificity matters in generative AI comedy[23:43] Inside the “Data-ing Game,” an AI twist on the classic dating game[25:58] Can AI really be funny—or just imitate the structure of humor?[32:30] The triple, listing technique, and other joke-writing structures AI can learn[39:10] Advice for non-comedians using AI to add humor[41:24] The future of AI in entertainment and its impact on creatorsFrom the structure and anatomy of a joke to the ethics of deepfake comedy, this conversation blends technology, performance, and the evolving role of AI in creative work. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a comedy fan, or simply curious about where these worlds collide, this is a look at AI and humor you haven’t heard before.

Robert Capps, a tech and culture expert and former Editorial Director of Wired, dives into the exciting possibilities AI brings to the job market. He discusses three emerging fields: Trust, where ethics and auditing gain prominence; Integrators, who merge tech with business; and Taste, emphasizing human judgment in creativity. Capps highlights concerns about inequality and the ethical implications of AI, including the urgent need for regulations on AI weapons. His optimistic take encourages a future where human skills remain invaluable.

Could AI actually improve public education? Not just automate it, but make it more personalized, more equitable — and even more human?We explore this possibility with Dr. Michael Everest, founder of edYOU, an AI tutoring platform being piloted in a Denver-area school district. While many worry that AI could become a shortcut for students to avoid real learning, Everest argues the opposite — that AI can reinforce understanding, boost confidence, and offer 24/7 support tailored to each student’s needs.In this episode of AI-Curious, we dig into the real-world mechanics of how this works — including partnerships with schools, how teachers interact with the platform, and what kind of results they’re seeing so far.We also ask the tough questions: What about data privacy? What about bias and hallucinations? Is there a risk we’re outsourcing critical thinking? And what does the future of education look like if every student has a lifelong AI companion?Topics include:The promise and pitfalls of AI in classroomsedYOU’s pilot program with Adams 14 School DistrictHow the AI tutoring platform personalizes learningThe role of teachers in an AI-enhanced education systemOversight, privacy, and academic integrityThe vision of a lifelong AI learning companionWhether you’re a parent, educator, technologist, or just curious about where education is headed, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful — and at times provocative — look at the future of learning.

What happens when AI becomes a co-pilot for writers, researchers, and journalists — not in theory, but in practice?In this episode of AI-Curious, we speak with Bill Wasik, Editorial Director of The New York Times Magazine, who recently oversaw their special issue, “Learning to Live with AI.” We explore how AI is already transforming journalism, nonfiction writing, and historical research — and why the most interesting impacts may come not from content creation, but from how we discover, organize, and interpret information.We dig into the creative tension between AI and human storytelling, including how historians are using tools like NotebookLM to tackle research projects previously deemed impossible. Bill shares how AI can augment writing workflows without compromising editorial judgment — and why trust and authorship still matter in a world of fast content.We also cover:The risks of over-relying on AI for research (19:45)How AI might transform local journalism and accountability (41:30)The evolving AI policies at The New York Times (29:40)Whether AI could ever win the Booker Prize — and what that would mean (7:30)Use cases from historians and academics using ChatGPT (26:00)Bill's (excellent) piece: "AI is Poised to Rewrite History. Literally."https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/magazine/ai-history-historians-scholarship.htmlThe NYT Magazine's Special Issue: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/magazine/using-ai-hard-fork.html