

"The Cognitive Revolution" | AI Builders, Researchers, and Live Player Analysis
Erik Torenberg, Nathan Labenz
A biweekly podcast where hosts Nathan Labenz and Erik Torenberg interview the builders on the edge of AI and explore the dramatic shift it will unlock in the coming years.The Cognitive Revolution is part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: turpentine.co
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Aug 29, 2023 • 56min
E57: Google's PaLM 2 with Paige Bailey
Paige Bailey is the Lead Product Manager of Generative Models at Google DeepMind, specializing in large language models like PaLM 2. She shares her journey from Google Brain and the collaboration with DeepMind. The conversation dives into the challenging distinctions between real reasoning and mere pattern matching in AI. Paige also discusses the extensive work behind elevating PaLM 2 from its predecessor and reflects on her 'eureka' moment with GitHub Copilot, shedding light on the evolution of AI capabilities in development.

7 snips
Aug 25, 2023 • 53min
E56: OpenAI’s GPT3.5 Turbo and the State of AI in Coding, Healthcare, and Education
Discover the latest on OpenAI's GPT-3.5 Turbo, touting reduced costs and enhanced capabilities for diverse applications. The discussion dives deep into the comparison with Llama 2, revealing challenges like false positives. Navigate the complexities of auto-scaling AI deployments and the associated cost efficiencies. Explore ethical concerns around data privacy and the societal impact of AI classifiers in education and healthcare. The hosts debate the balance between optimism and caution as AI technology rapidly progresses.

Aug 23, 2023 • 1h 23min
E55: Google’s Multimodal Med-PaLM with Vivek Natarajan and Tao Tu
Vivek Natarajan and Tao Tu, researchers at Google, unveil the groundbreaking Med-PaLM M, capable of outperforming human radiologists in specific areas. They explore the integration of diverse medical data types, including genomic analysis, and their collaborative efforts with medical professionals to enhance AI accuracy. The duo discusses the ethical implications and regulatory challenges of deploying AI in healthcare, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize patient care by handling repetitive tasks. Tune in for insights into the future of medical AI!

8 snips
Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 1min
E54: The Presentation Revolution with Jon Noronha, Co-Founder of Gamma
In this discussion, Jon Noronha, co-founder of Gamma, shares insights into transforming the presentation landscape with AI. He dives into Gamma's origin as the 'anti-PowerPoint,' highlighting its ability to generate stunning presentations effortlessly. Noronha explains innovative AI A/B testing methods and the challenges of creating a seamless editing interface for users. He emphasizes how AI can refine rough ideas into polished visuals, reshaping creativity and efficiency in professional environments.

12 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 1h 24min
E53: The AI Revolution in Education with Shawn Jansepar, Director of Engineering at Khan Academy
Shawn Jansepar, Director of Engineering at Khan Academy, dives into the innovative world of AI in education. He discusses the development of Khanmigo, a GPT-4 powered tutor, and its transformative potential for personalized learning. The conversation explores Khan Academy's collaboration with OpenAI, the journey of integrating advanced AI models, and how these tools can revolutionize student understanding. Jansepar also highlights the distinction between being data-informed versus data-driven, emphasizing the future of accessible education through AI technology.

11 snips
Aug 10, 2023 • 39min
E52: Advancements in AI: Updating the Scouting Report, Task Automation, and Google Breakthroughs
Explore recent advancements in AI that are transforming task automation across various industries. Discover how Google's multimodal MedPalm technology is revolutionizing medical insights by integrating imaging with patient data. The podcast contrasts stable AI performance with the emotional variability of human cognition. Insightful discussions on the implications of emerging AI architectures post-transformers highlight the future landscape of the technology. Plus, learn about the importance of structured assessments in hiring enhanced by AI.

6 snips
Aug 8, 2023 • 1h 40min
E51: Replit's VP of AI, Michele Catasta, on Artificial Developer Intelligence
Michele Catasta, VP of AI at Replit and former Google researcher, dives into the transformative world of artificial developer intelligence. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing coding productivity, making software development accessible even to non-programmers. Michele highlights the significance of user data in training AI, the rise of customized models, and the ethical implications of community engagement. He also expresses optimism about humanity's ability to navigate the challenges of transformative AI while collaborating on innovative solutions.

51 snips
Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 50min
E50: The Future of Software Development with Tyler Angert of Replit
Tyler Angert, a Product Designer at Replit, shares insights on the future of software development and AI. He discusses how Replit positions itself as the ideal platform for advancing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), emphasizing the transformative impact of AI on coding and collaboration. Tyler reveals how tools like Ghostwriter boost developer productivity by simplifying code generation. He also addresses ethical concerns surrounding AI and the importance of integrating safety measures. It's a deep dive into the tech shaping tomorrow's coding landscape!

17 snips
Aug 2, 2023 • 3h
E49: Open AI, Anthropic, and Meta | Analyzing the AI Frontier with Zvi
Zvi Mowshowitz, the insightful writer behind the blog Don't Worry About the Vase, dives deep into the current AI landscape. He examines whether AI has reached the level of a college graduate and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of AI versus human intelligence. Zvi also explores the competitive dynamics between major players like OpenAI and Anthropic, the importance of independent red teaming organizations, and the implications of AI alignment. The conversation is rich with analysis, touching on the evolving strategies and ethical considerations in the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence.

29 snips
Jul 27, 2023 • 2h 14min
E48: Mechanizing Mechanistic Interpretability with Arthur Conmy
Arthur Conmy, an AI researcher specializing in mechanistic interpretability, joins to unravel the complexities of AI models. They delve into how researchers isolate sub-circuits in transformers and the challenges of understanding genuine reasoning versus statistical patterns. Arthur introduces the ACDC algorithm, aimed at automating interpretability workflows, enhancing the efficiency of identifying critical model components. The conversation highlights the implications of mechanistic interpretability for AI safety and the ongoing need for research in this vital field.


