Where Shall We Meet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we talk to Ali Eslami, who is a Principal Research Scientist at Google DeepMind studying artificial intelligence. He's currently also Director of Research Strategy for Google Gemini. Prior to this, he led a team at DeepMind working on generative models, self-supervised learning, multi-modal large language models. He also led the Quantum Chemistry and Materials team in Science.Prior to DeepMind, he was a post-doctoral researcher at Microsoft Research Cambridge. He did his PhD at the University of Edinburgh, where he was a Carnegie scholar. During that time he was also a visiting researcher at Oxford University in the visual geometry group.We talk about:The emergence of the AI landscapeWhether you need a body to understand the worldHuman perception slash PlatoThe difference between how humans and AI learnHow AI models are built and trainedDifferences between Machine learning and Generative AIMarcus Aurelius and how amazing the human brain isWhether we are about to surrender our sovereignty to AILet’s log in!Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we talk to Erling Kagge who is an explorer, author, publisher, art collector, and the first person to have completed the Three Poles Challenge on foot—the North Pole, the South Pole, and the summit of Mount Everest. He has written eight books on exploration, philosophy, and art collecting. They have been published in 42 different languages. His next book is 'The North Pole - The History of an Obsession', which out later this year.In this episode we talk about:Searching for infinity in the North PoleThe hardship of explorationAnd how inconvenience is good for youWearing the same clothes for 50 daysConfronting Polar BearsPooping at minus 50How a single raisin can make your dayLiving underground in sewersAnd whether silence can be measuredWe recommend listening to this episode while walking!Here a link to Erling's book 'Walking: One Step at a Time'Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we are speaking to Nitin Sawhney, who is a multifaceted artist whose career spans music, film, theatre and dance. Nitin is a world-renowned composer, producer, and musician, celebrated for his ability to blend a wide array of musical styles, including classical, jazz, electronica, and traditional Indian music. He also produces other artists work, offering stewardship to many talented young musicians. His work has earned him over 20 international awards, a CBE, a Mercury Prize nomination and an Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award.Beyond his albums, Nitin has composed scores for film, television, and stage productions, showcasing his versatility and depth as an artist. His collaborations read like a who’s who of the music and entertainment world, featuring artists such as Paul McCartney, Sting, Annie Lennox, Nora Jones, Anoushka Shankar, Joss Stone and Jeff Beck. His influence extends to activism as well, using his platform to address social and political issues.We talk about:The neuroscience of musicNature and musicHow cultures create different musical frameworksThe impact of technology on music productionWhy is it that music affects our mood?The fabulousness of Nitin’s musical careerWill copyright survive AI?And the existential questions that arise form thisPress play and enjoy the music!Here's a link to Nitin's newest Album Identity.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we'll talk to Tugce Bulut. She recently launched Luna, a GenAI dating coach that aims to transform the dating market. She is committed about providing a solution to what she believes is a loneliness crisis. Previously, Tugce was a strategy consultant at EY Parthenon advising Private Equity houses on M&A. Tugce is a published author and a Cambridge economist, specialising in the use of technology to bolster economic development. She is passionate about the power of AI and the positive change it can bring to the world. As a serial entrepreneur, Tugce started a number of AI businesses including Streetbees where she served as the CEO for 8 years.We will discuss:Are tick boxes really the way to find your life partnerHas dating become yet another jobThe rapid adoption of dating apps as a way to meet your romantic partnerHow many more men than women there are on hetero-normative appsAnd how having fewer women creates unique dynamicsDemocratising the access to relationship coachesThe tradition of arranged marriagesHow responsible Hollywood is for creating unrealistic expectationsIf you enjoyed this date, you can sign up for Luna on the My Alchemy website.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we speak to Roy Greenslade, a renowned journalist with a career spanning over 40 years. He was the media commentator for the Guardian newspaper for 28 years and ex-editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper. He is also an author, historian and former professor of journalism at City University London where he has had an influence on the next generation of journalists. Despite his frequent criticism of the press, Roy continues to hold a sympathy for the values of traditional media and a concern for what its loss of influence means in our culture.Together we explore legacy vs social media. In particular:Benefits of citizen journalismAccountability of the traditional editorial modelMedia manipulation by powerful elitesPost trust and post truthThe virality of narratives which provide simplistic answersVersus: nuanced discussion asking complicated questionsProliferation of ‘angertainment’ through algorithmsIf you want to hear more from Roy, follow him on Twitter.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we talk to Sophie Hackford about technology. Sophie is a futurist, and has given 220+ provocative talks to boards and exec teams on novel science and tech. Sophie is an advisor to John Deere & Co, on the future of food, climate, and agriculture. Sophie is also an advisor to New Lab in Brooklyn. Sophie co-founded and chaired 1715Labs: a spinout from Oxford University’s Astrophysics Department, labelling data to train algorithms. She previously worked at WIRED Magazine, Singularity University on the NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley, and the Oxford Martin School at Oxford University, where she raised $120m for frontier-bending research.Our conversation covers:the merger of biological and silicon-based systemsis technological advancement actually progress for humanitythe hidden power of "dark compute"interspecies communicationthe power of narratives to inspire and drive positive changeinnovative solutions in environmental monitoring and conservationIf you want to help make science more relevant, representative and connected  consider checking out The British Science Association.If you want to channel your inner citizen scientist how about classifying some galaxies on the Galaxy Zoo page.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!In this episode we talk to Alastair Campbell about Democracy. Alastair Campbell, who doesn’t really need an introduction if you already listen to his podcast The Rest is Politics. Alastair served under Tony Blair as Downing Street Press Secretary from 1997–2000 and then became Downing Street's director of communications and spokesman for the Labour Party 2000–2003 playing a pivotal role in shaping the New Labour. He's an accomplished author, publishing both best selling novels and non-fiction books about mental health, the media, the environment and most recently two books for kids 'Why Politics Matters’ and ‘How Politics Works’.Can modern democracy keep up with the pace of change in today's world? On this episode of "Where Shall We Meet," we try to tackle this critical question. Alistair offers his unique insights draw comparisons between Western democracies and city-states like Singapore, and even monarchies like the UAE, to examine the pressing need for renewed civic engagement and political accountability.Join us for a stimulating conversation that underscores the crucial need for political reform and early political education.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet

Questions, suggestions, or feedback? Send us a message!Welcome to 'Where Shall We Meet' a new podcast with your hosts Natascha McElhone and Omid Ashtari. This is a medley of our upcoming Episodes.Web: www.whereshallwemeet.xyzTwitter: @whrshallwemeetInstagram: @whrshallwemeet