Big Questions with Cal Fussman

Neil Parikh, the founder of TalkToAsh.com, discusses the urgent need for mental health resources, especially during the pandemic when access to therapists became limited. The conversation highlights how AI, unlike traditional assistants, can engage with users like a therapist. Parikh shares insights into user experiences, illustrating how the app offers a stigma-free space for emotional exploration. He also touches on the balance between AI and human therapists, suggesting a collaborative future for mental wellness.

Cal has long believed the best way to avoid regret is to really listen when someone talks about theirs. One answer came to him during an interview with the actor Robert De Niro. Another, just recently, from the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence on a podcast. Both answers led Cal to a day he’ll never forget—and they just might lead you to one, too.

The discussion kicks off with insights from Kevin O’Leary about the job losses driven by AI. A surprising encounter with a cleaning robot at a gas station raises questions about our workforce's future. The idea of Universal Basic Income becomes a hot topic, exploring its role as a safety net in an automated world. Cal delves into the concept of taxing robots, inspired by Alaska's revenue-sharing model, to support those displaced by technology. The potential benefits of equitable wealth distribution amid rapid automation are compellingly examined.

Cal reads a Wall Street Journal story about a graduation speech that ends with the audience asked to sing Bill Withers’ Lean On Me—a soulful anthem for uncertain times. The Class of ’25 faces a tough job market. Internships are disappearing to AI. Roughly 70% of Americans say they don’t trust companies to use artificial intelligence responsibly. And only one in six people are using it at work. Many who don’t use it are fearful of trying. Instead of commiserating, Cal makes a case for collaboration. He believes AI can help us unlock our most creative selves—and shape a future that feels more like

After speaking at a CREW conference in Texas, Cal meets a smart young Uber driver who was curious about the number of jobs that we can anticipate losing in America because of AI. The driver wanted to know what the lives of Americans who’d most likely lose their jobs were going to look like, and how these people might get by and transition. Cal finds some answers from Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and Geoffrey Hinton, the Godfather of Artificial Intelligence. He also discovers a half-helicopter/half-airplane taxi service that looks like a job for the future as we head into the age of the Jetsons. Listen up and get to the cutting edge.

A joyful family moment collides with the serious implications of AI in warfare. Discover how curiosity, as highlighted by Elon Musk, might be the key to navigating the future of conflict. The discussion delves into the transformative effects of AI on military strategies, raising concerns about existential risks. Listeners are prompted to reframe their understanding of technology, emphasizing the importance of curiosity in developing a human-centric approach to AI. This fresh perspective could potentially reshape our views on both war and peace.

Delve into the unsettling behaviors of artificial intelligence as it strives for self-preservation. Explore the inspiring legacy of Sebastião Salgado, a photographer who captured humanity's best amid darkness. His partnership with his wife, Leila, shaped their powerful artistic journey. Discover how photography can bridge experiences, evoking deep emotions through stark contrasts. Finally, witness the restoration of nature and hope through the touching tale of a giant tortoise, symbolizing resilience in a modern world.

Cal takes a breath of fresh air after a friend goes through double lung-transplant surgery and comes out with a new life. This story will make anyone with a medical problem wonder about the possibilities of medicine in the age of AI.

Meet Natalie Dau, a Guinness World Record holder renowned for her extraordinary endurance challenges, including running 1,000 kilometers in just 12 days. She discusses how she transforms pain into motivation and utilizes AI to elevate her voice for important causes. The conversation dives into the complexities of resilience in the face of physical and mental hurdles while running marathons. Natalie also addresses the pressing issue of the digital divide, pondering the implications of AI on society and the importance of equitable access in fostering personal growth.

In times when college students are using artificial intelligence to answer even introductory course questions like: “Briefly introduce yourself and say what you’re hoping to get out of this class?” we really have to wonder about how education is going to adapt to a future where students delegate nearly all their classwork to AI. Cal speaks with James D. Walsh after Walsh’s New York Magazine article revealed a seismic shift that’s redefining the word “cheating” and nudging teachers to think about finding new professions.