Crazy Wisdom

Stewart Alsop
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Feb 5, 2024 • 50min

Adam, Eve and AI: A Talk with Soledad D'Agostino

Tech industry veteran Soledad D'Agostino discusses her work in global marketing, the evolution of YouTube in Latin America, and the impacts and potential of AI. They explore the role of AI in solving global challenges, its impact on different industries, and the future of AI in product design.
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Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 14min

From Early Apple to AI: Donna Dubinsky's Tech Odyssey

This is a new series of Crazy Wisdom where I invited my dad Stewart Alsop II to bring people from his past as a tech journalist and uncover the best stories from the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s about the personal computing revolution and apply them to the AI revolution currently happening. Our first guest Donna Dubinsky talks about her career experiences at Apple, handheld innovator Handspring, her work as the CEO of Palm (of the Palm Pilot handheld mobile device), and current AI work at Numenta. She and Stewart Alsop II both go deep on how the personal computing industry led to the mobile revoltuions and now how we got to where we are today. Dubinsky encourages listeners to stay tuned to developments at NatCast, her current project associated with the CHIPS Act. If you subscribe to chatGPT4, check out this GPT we trained on the conversation Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and the AI Revolution 00:50 The AI Bubble and Lessons from Past Revolutions 01:28 Invitation to Engage with the Podcast 02:04 Introducing the Special Guest: Donna Dubinsky 02:31 Reminiscing about the Past: The Agenda Conference 03:30 The Evolution of Computing Devices 06:14 The Changing Landscape of the Computer Industry 06:58 The Ubiquity of Computing and the Future of the Chips Industry 08:11 The Evolution of Apple and Personal Device Preferences 14:28 The Journey of Numenta and the Future of AI 29:15 The Evolution of Mainframes and the Future of AI on Phones 37:31 The Early Days of the Tech Community 38:30 Transition from Mainframes to Personal Computing 39:04 The Launch of the Palm Pilot 41:30 The Evolution of the Microcomputer Business 42:59 The Role of Government in Advancing Technology 44:46 The Challenges of Manufacturing and Design in the Tech Industry 01:08:05 The Impact of Pricing on Perceived Value 01:09:17 The Highs and Lows of the Palm Pilot Journey 01:12:26 Current Work in AI and the CHIPS Act Key Insights Early Days of Computing and Mainframes: Initially, computing was not a common feature on everyone's desk. Mainframes, the early giants of the computing world, were massive and expensive, accessible only to large corporations and the government. These machines were housed in special rooms and were far from being personal or portable​​​​. Transition to Client-Server Models and Personalization: Computing started evolving with the development of client-server architecture. From the large, centralized mainframes, the industry moved to a model where computing was more distributed. Time-sharing systems allowed multiple users to access mainframe resources, leading to a gradual democratization of computing power. This shift laid the groundwork for the development of personal computers​​. The Era of Desktops and Handheld Devices: The next significant shift was the move to desktops and eventually to handheld devices. This evolution represented a dramatic change in how people interacted with computers, making them more personal and portable. The podcast mentions how devices like the Apple II brought computing into educational settings, revolutionizing how people could use these tools​​​​. The Impact of the Palm Pilot: The Palm Pilot is highlighted as a significant milestone in personal computing. Before the Palm, handheld devices were simply smaller versions of existing technology. The Palm Pilot, however, adopted a different approach. It did not try to replicate all functionalities of a PC. For instance, it did not support printing directly, positioning itself as a window or client to the PC, thus embracing a kind of client-server model. This decision not only made the device more practical and focused but also less expensive to support​​. Evolution of Form Factors: The podcast discusses the evolution of computing devices in terms of form factors. There were three main form factors: desktop (too big to carry), notebook (fit in a briefcase), and handheld (fit in a pocket or purse). Each form factor was defined by how users could physically carry and interact with these devices. It was believed that devices falling between these form factors would not be successful, although this was later proven not entirely accurate with the success of intermediate devices like tablets​​.
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Jan 22, 2024 • 45min

CUDA Chronicles: Decoding the AI Revolution

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Nader Khalili, the CEO and Co-founder of BrevDev, a company making it easier to use GPUs for machine learning applications. They delve into the details of BrevDev's work, discussing AI infrastructure, the advantages of fine-tuning over training AI models from scratch, and the evolution of user experience with AI systems. Khalili shares insights about CUDA, a software suite used to leverage GPUs' power, and details how BrevDev simplifies this process. They also compare the work processes and results of remote vs non-remote work teams and share thoughts about future developments in AI. The broad spectrum of AI software applications is touched upon, highlighting the potential benefits for businesses. If you are a subscriber to GPT4 check out this GPT we trained on the episode TImestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Nader Khalil, CEO of BrevDev 00:49 Understanding BrevDev and its Role in GPU Usage 01:40 Deep Dive into CUDA and its Importance in AI Applications 02:40 Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities in AI Development 03:37 The Intricacies of Distributed Computing and Programming 05:12 The Role of Abstraction in Engineering and AI 06:46 BrevDev's Approach to Simplifying GPU Configuration 07:50 The Future of Fine Tuning and AI Development 11:05 The Impact of AI on Business and Software Development 22:00 The Role of Notebooks in Machine Learning and AI 24:04 Addressing Infrastructure Problems in Tech 24:21 The Challenges of Accessing GPUs 25:06 The Art of Model Training and Optimization 26:27 The Evolution of GPU Production 28:09 The Role of GPUs in Model Training 32:10 The Impact of AI on Business 33:38 The Vibrant Tech Scene in San Francisco 41:01 The Future of Deep Tech and AI 43:32 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Key Insights Simplifying GPU Use with BrevDev: BrevDev focuses on making GPUs easily accessible and usable for various purposes, especially in AI and machine learning. The platform connects to different data centers, manages hardware requirements, and sets up necessary environments like CUDA and Python versions, essentially abstracting the complexities of configuring GPUs for end-users. Understanding CUDA: CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is pivotal for AI applications as it allows for more powerful operations on NVIDIA GPUs. Nader explains CUDA as a low-level, highly capable software suite that can be challenging for application developers used to working at higher abstraction levels. Evolution of AI Applications: The conversation touches upon the Cambrian explosion in AI, emphasizing that the current boom isn't just about more noise from existing AI practitioners but a significant expansion, including application developers transitioning to AI development. The key challenge is the abstraction layers and ensuring that application developers can work without needing to understand the lower-level intricacies like CUDA. Business Philosophy and Team Dynamics in Startups: Nader discusses the importance of having a close-knit, collaborative team, especially when dealing with complex and rapidly evolving technologies. He emphasizes the preference for in-person collaboration in the early stages of a startup to facilitate better information flow and decision-making. Fine-tuning vs. Training AI Models: The podcast sheds light on the distinction between training AI models from scratch and fine-tuning existing models. Fine-tuning is presented as a more accessible entry point for businesses looking to leverage AI, focusing on how businesses can use their unique data to enhance pre-trained models for specific applications. Future of GPUs and Computational Infrastructure: Nader talks about the advancements in GPU technology, like the transition from A100s to H100s, and the challenges in accessing and utilizing these resources efficiently. He also hints at the potential shifts in computational infrastructure with new startups innovating in the GPU space. The Role of San Francisco in Tech Innovation: The podcast touches on the cultural and entrepreneurial dynamics of San Francisco, emphasizing how the city attracts and fosters a community of builders and innovators, particularly in the tech and AI sectors. Advent of Distributed Computing and Future Paradigms: There's a philosophical discussion about the future of computing, particularly around distributed, peer-to-peer, network-based software and the impact of machine learning models that can process and compress vast amounts of high-dimensional data.
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Jan 15, 2024 • 1h 2min

Humanity's Universal Operating System: Discussing Magic, Business, and Urbit with Jonathan Pritchard

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, the Stewart Alsop interviews Jonathan Pritchard, a mentalist, sales trainer, and part of Zavant Enterprises. The pair delve into their shared interest in Urbit, a unique peer-to-peer server providing an alternative to the Internet. Jonathan shares his journey from beginning magic as a child and evolving into a corporate consultant and sales trainer using the same principles used in his performances. By applying science, psychology, and the understanding of human thought processes, Jonathan showcases how businesses can improve their practices, performance, and even web presence. He also discusses overcoming personal and technological barriers, understanding business losses and optimizing corporate interaction. Finally, he offers an insightful critique on today’s education, comparing it to the unexplored riches of magic techniques developed over millennia. Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation (if you are already subscribed to GPT4) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:37 Guest Introduction: Jonathan Pritchard 01:18 Exploring the Wackiness of Erbit 01:43 Jonathan's Journey to Discover Erbit 03:27 Understanding the Internet through the Lens of a Mentalist 04:04 The Art of Mentalism and Mind Reading 04:46 The Illusion of Understanding: A Mentalist's Perspective 05:41 The Internet: A Monocrop of Consciousness 09:06 The Future of the Internet: A Decentralized World 10:01 The Challenges and Opportunities of Urbit 11:42 Building a Community on Urbit 27:47 The Intersection of Magic, Business, and Urbit 31:32 The Art of Business and Magic 31:49 Understanding the Human Mind and Magic 32:59 The Universality of Magic Tricks 35:25 The Impact of Magic on Personal Life 35:50 The Power of Perception and Magic 37:39 The Journey from Stage to Corporate World 38:44 The Art of Negotiation and Presentation 39:45 The Magic of Attracting and Retaining Attention 42:13 The Influence of Magic on Branding 46:02 The Intersection of Magic and Business 57:25 The Power of Language and Translation 58:17 The Role of Magic in Sales and Marketing 01:01:55 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Key Insights: Mentalism and Business: Pritchard's background as a mentalist gives him a unique perspective on human psychology and behavior, which he applies in business contexts. He discusses the application of mentalist techniques in sales training, negotiations, and corporate presentations, emphasizing the importance of understanding human psychology and communication. Technology and Urbit: Pritchard shares his fascination with Urbit, a decentralized computing platform. He sees it as aligning with his personal and professional philosophies. He describes Urbit as a high-return investment, both technologically and philosophically, and appreciates its potential for creating a diverse and decentralized digital culture. Corporate Training and Personal Development: Pritchard leverages his skills as a mentalist to train corporate teams in areas like sales, negotiation, and effective communication. His approach in corporate training involves using magic and mentalism principles to engage and teach key business skills. Internet and Digital World Critique: He criticizes the current state of the internet, describing it as a monoculture that limits diversity of thought and experience. Pritchard advocates for a more fragmented, decentralized internet, like Urbit, to encourage more diverse and independent cultural development. Magic and Mentalism in Business: The principles of magic and mentalism, according to Pritchard, can greatly influence business strategies, particularly in areas like marketing, branding, and customer engagement. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable experiences and connections, much like a good magic show does with its audience. Personal Branding and Marketing: Pritchard discusses the significance of personal branding, using historical figures in magic as examples of successful branding and archetyping. He suggests that the techniques used in magic for audience engagement can be effectively applied in marketing and building a personal brand.
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Jan 8, 2024 • 57min

The Privacy Paradigm: Envisioning Decentralized AI in a Data-Driven World

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Sharon Zhang, co-founder and CTO of Personal.ai. They delve into the challenges and potential of autonomous AI agents, the role of data in machine learning, and the ongoing development of Personal.ai. Sharon shares how the utilization of various programming languages and architectures has shaped the AI system, which was designed to provide personalized experiences for every user while protecting their privacy. They also discuss the future of open-source data, the possibilities of data monetization, and the evolution of AI. Sign up for the model 2 event tomorrow (Jan 10th, 2024) where the Personal.AI team will present the new model they are releasing Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Sharon Zhang, Co-founder and CTO at Personal.ai 00:54 Discussing the Technical Aspects of Personal.ai 02:16 Exploring the Evolution of Machine Learning 03:27 The Journey of Automating Medical Transcription 06:04 The Challenges of Building Personal AI 12:00 The Importance of Data Sovereignty 21:43 The Technicalities of Building APIs 23:13 Understanding the Types of Data Used for Training Personal AI 28:22 Understanding Language Models and Predictions 28:57 Exploring Cause and Effect in Decision Making 29:27 Linear vs Nonlinear Behavior 30:11 The Theory of Mind and Predictability of Humans 31:40 The Role of AI in Predicting Human Behavior 32:40 Complexities of Predicting Human Behavior 42:13 The Future of AI: Superintelligence and Autonomy 48:11 The Challenge of Building Autonomous Agents 53:55 The Potential of Open Source Data in AI Development 55:21 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Key Themes Development of Personal AI: Sharon Zhang discussed the complexities in building personal.ai, emphasizing the importance of full-stack development with multiple languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript frameworks. The focus was on creating a unique AI experience that is tailored to individual users. Evolution of Machine Learning and AI: The conversation touched upon the history and evolution of AI and machine learning. Zhang reflected on the transition from support vector machines to more advanced techniques like transformers, highlighting the significant advancements in the field. Data Privacy and Decentralization in AI: A significant portion of the discussion revolved around data privacy, user sovereignty, and the decentralization of AI. Zhang emphasized the importance of users being able to control their data and the concept of a decentralized AI that operates on a personal level. Challenges in AI Development: The technical challenges in developing AI systems, such as building scalable and efficient data models, handling diverse data types, and creating dynamic, user-specific AI models were discussed. This included the complex infrastructure required for such an AI system. Future of AI and Autonomy: The podcast delved into the future of AI, specifically the concept of autonomous AI agents. The discussion included the current limitations and the potential evolution where AI could make independent decisions and possibly coexist with humans. Open Source and AI Data: The conversation highlighted the need for more open-source data to further AI development and the potential for a marketplace for data exchange. The challenges of data availability and quality in building effective AI models were also discussed. Impact of AI on Society: There was a philosophical discussion about the role of AI in society and its potential to be the next evolutionary step for humanity. This included thoughts on how AI might reshape our understanding of autonomy and decision-making.
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Jan 2, 2024 • 44min

Christianity in the Era of AI: Insights from Matthew Bosch

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop explores various complex topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Christian faith and the potential impacts each one can have on modern society. Matthew Bosch shares his personal journey of converting to Christianity in adulthood, as well as his perspective on the intersection of religion and AI. He points out the potential dangers involved with AI, specifically regarding the human tendency for 'God Complex', and agrees with the host in asserting the necessity of a spiritual or higher power to help people navigate life's complexities. Both the Stewart and Matthew also express concern over how AI can potentially be used to 'hollow out' the human soul. Furthermore, Matthew shares several biblical stories and teachings to illustrate his points, including King Solomon's life and the concept of 'Just Wars'. If you are subscribed to GPT4 you can ask questions of what happened in the episode here Timestamps 00:39 Guest Introduction: Matthew Bosch 01:09 Matthew's Journey to Christianity 03:47 Understanding the Concept of Christianity 05:03 Exploring the Mystery of the Holy Trinity 10:25 The Concept of Salvation in Christianity 13:15 The Intersection of Technology and Christianity 17:51 The Ethical Dilemmas of AI in Business 22:13 Investments and Nonviolence in Christianity 23:02 Just War Theory and Modern Conflicts 23:20 Automatization and Moral Complexity 25:41 C.S. Lewis's Perspective on War and Religion 27:17 Exploring Eastern Philosophies and Reincarnation 30:00 The Role of God and Morality in Modern Society 35:26 The Power of Technology and Its Implications 39:03 Critiques of Organized Religion 41:38 Finding Community and Living Values in Religion 43:03 Closing Thoughts  Key Topics Discussed: Matthew Bosch's Personal Journey: Transition from secular society to Christianity. Reflections on finding faith and its impact on personal and professional life. The Role of Christianity in Modern Society: Discussion on the relevance and application of Christian values in today's secular environment. The challenge of maintaining faith in a technology-driven world. Intersection of AI and Spirituality: Ethical implications of AI in society and its potential to influence human behavior and decision-making. Debate on whether AI advancements are leading humanity towards or away from spiritual values. Understanding the Trinity: A philosophical exploration of the Christian concept of the Trinity and its significance. The Concept of Salvation in Christianity: Insights into the Christian perspective on salvation and its relevance in the contemporary world. Reflections on Biblical Stories and Their Modern-Day Parallels: Parallels drawn between historical biblical events and current global and technological scenarios. Impact of Technology on Human Existence and Morality: Discussion on how technological advancements are reshaping human morality and the potential consequences. The Role of the Church and Religion in Modern Times: Critique of the church's approach to addressing contemporary issues and its evolution over time. Personal views on the role and responsibilities of religious institutions today.
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Dec 18, 2023 • 53min

Redefining 'Based': Simone Collins on Ideological Evolution

The Crazy Wisdom Podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Simone Collins, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-host of the Based Camp podcast. Topics explored include the concept of 'based' in the context of the podcast, the crisis of belief in authority, the role of AI in governance and its potential to improve bureaucratic efficiencies. Simone shared her views on the impact of demographic collapse on cities and illustrated the potential future of 'techno-feudalism' where power and money concentrate within isolated, secure communities. The discussion also touched upon the role of cryptocurrencies as an alternative during hyperinflation scenarios, based on experience in countries like Argentina. The episode ends with a brief discussion about the potential ways to evade an 'Argentine future' for the US, predicated on curbing bureaucratic waste. Here is a GPT we trained on this episode if you want to ask it questions (you need to be a subscriber to GPT4 to access) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Simone Collins 01:04 Understanding the Term 'Based' in Podcasting 02:19 Navigating Political Conversations in Progressive Cities 02:45 Breaking Free from Restrictive Beliefs 03:28 Hosting Diverse Dinner Parties 04:15 Challenging Progressive Culture 04:31 Personal Journey of Changing Political Beliefs 06:03 The Limitations of Progressive Culture 08:08 Engaging with Controversial Ideas 15:46 The Patchwork Age: A New Era of Diverse Beliefs 16:59 Technofeudalism: The Future of Cities and Infrastructure 23:36 The Impact of Demographic Collapse 26:28 European Influence and Immigration in Southern Brazil 27:02 The Impact of Emigration on Argentina 27:15 The Role of Tourism in Argentine Emigration 27:40 Hyperinflation and its Effects on Infrastructure 27:45 The Future of the U.S. Dollar in a Hyperinflated World 29:09 The Role of Cryptocurrency in Economically Unstable Countries 30:55 The Black Market and the U.S. Dollar in Argentina 32:13 The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Argentina 32:52 The Necessity of Cryptocurrency in Developing Countries 33:08 The Adoption of Cryptocurrency by Non-Tech Savvy Individuals 35:22 The Impact of AI on Bureaucracy 35:44 The Role of AI in Government and Politics 38:52 The Future of the U.S. Government in an AI-Driven World 39:41 The Impact of AI on Corporate Governance 40:30 The Role of AI in Reducing Government Bureaucracy 44:11 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Demographic Collapse 44:39 The Role of AI in the Future of Governance 47:04 The Impact of Bureaucracy on the Argentine Economy 47:57 The Future of the U.S. Economy Amidst Rising Debt 49:36 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Economy 50:36 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:05 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Government 51:38 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:51 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 52:34 Conclusion Key Insights The Concept of 'Based': Simone Collins discussed the term 'based,' highlighting its varied interpretations. Initially understood as someone comfortable with their beliefs, regardless of others' opinions, it has evolved to carry political connotations and baggage. The term now often implies a conservative leaning, especially when contrasted with progressive viewpoints. Cultural and Political Dynamics in New York City and San Francisco: Collins shared her experiences growing up in San Francisco and living in New York City, describing them as progressive environments where there's a prevalent culture of not tolerating differing opinions. She observed that progressive culture often equates being challenged or uncomfortable with personal attacks, impacting open dialogue. Diverse Dinner Parties and Political Dialogues: Collins and her husband host dinner parties in New York City, deliberately inviting a heterodox mix of people, including conservatives, progressives, and others with unconventional views. She noted that criticisms of these gatherings typically come from progressive attendees who feel uncomfortable with conservative perspectives. Personal Political Shifts: Stewart shared his journey of political and ideological transformation, particularly around the time of Donald Trump’s election. This shift was a process of questioning and reassessing his long-held beliefs. Demographic Collapse and its Implications: Collins expressed concerns about demographic collapse, particularly in countries like South Korea and Japan. She discussed how this phenomenon might lead to a decline in smaller cities and towns, with a corresponding rise in mega-cities or gated communities. The Role of AI in Future Societies: The conversation touched on the potential impact of AI on governance and societal structures. Collins speculated about a future of 'techno-feudalism,' where AI-driven communities could emerge, leading to a patchwork of different societal models. Cryptocurrency in Economies Facing Hyperinflation: The host and Collins discussed the practical use of cryptocurrencies in countries like Argentina and Venezuela, where traditional currencies are highly unstable. This situation contrasts with the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies in more stable economies like the U.S. Government Bureaucracy and Potential AI Solutions: Collins suggested that AI could streamline government functions and reduce bureaucracy. However, she acknowledged the challenge of implementing such changes due to entrenched interests and the complexity of government structures. Potential for Change in U.S. Governance: The conversation ended on a note of cautious optimism about the possibility of reforming U.S. governance structures, particularly at the state level, despite recognizing the significant challenges ahead.  
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Dec 11, 2023 • 56min

The Myths and Realities of AI Consciousness

In this episode, Sam Atman, a developer with a background in biochemistry, shares his insights on the discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) safety. Oppen dismisses concerns about AI becoming a rogue actor, attributing such fears to religious neurosis and misunderstanding of the nature of AI. He argues that AI systems, such as Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI, do not have personal motives or embodiment comparable to human intelligence. He also discusses AI's potential impact on creative fields such as art and music, and stresses the importance of tracing the connection between AI outputs and the training data. Finally, Oppen cautions against lobbying for government regulations on software and artificial intelligence, asserting that it could lead to dystopian outcomes. Show Notes 00:02 Introduction and Guest Background 00:17 Exploring Weird Software and Programming Languages 01:09 Deep Dive into Hoon and Urbit 03:51 The Current State and Future of Urbit 10:26 AI Safetyism and the Regulation of GPUs and Software 18:17 The Nature of Intelligence and Consciousness in AI 25:43 The Misconceptions and Absurdities in AI Safetyism 29:28 Understanding AI Alignment and Training 30:14 AI Misconceptions and the Reality of AI Systems 30:53 Exploring the Concept of Lossy Compression in AI 31:04 The Impact of AI on Internet Accessibility 31:45 Understanding Attention Transformers in AI 32:39 AI and the Controversy of Training Data 39:53 The Evolution of AI: From Simple Calculations to Complex Synthesis 46:15 The Ethical Dilemma of AI in Art and Music 50:48 The Legal Implications of AI in Art and Music 54:09 Final Thoughts on AI: Potential, Misconceptions, and Future Key Insights Hoon's Uniqueness: Hoon, a programming language for the Urbit project, is noted for its unusual and esoteric qualities, resembling runes and creating a steep learning curve which filters for dedicated developers. Urbit's Development and Influence: Urbit, a new internet and permissionless network, is in a critical development phase. Although it has a small user base, it's highly active, with most users also contributing as developers. Urbit's Future Viability: Urbit's success may partly depend on the decline of conventional alternatives. It offers a private, peer-to-peer social media alternative, setting it apart from mainstream platforms. Concerns Over AI Regulation: There is skepticism about the push for government regulation of AI, particularly around the use of GPUs for AI development. This could lead to an administrative oversight over software, potentially stifling innovation. Artificial Intelligence Misconceptions: There's a critique of the belief that AI could develop dangerous autonomy or consciousness. AI, especially language models, are seen as sophisticated tools lacking the embodiment that characterizes human intelligence. Neural Networks and Machine Learning: The conversation touches on the evolution of AI, including the shift from voice-to-text and image classifiers to current large language models, highlighting the continuous advancement in AI capabilities. Generative Art and Copyright Issues: AI-generated art raises questions about copyright and the use of training data. Artists' concerns about AI models replicating their styles without compensation or acknowledgment are highlighted. Sampling Analogy in AI Art: The analogy between music sampling and AI-generated art is made, suggesting that AI art could face similar legal challenges regarding the use of original artists' work in training data. AI's Potential Misuse vs. Its Nature: While AI can be used negatively by bad actors, it's emphasized that AI itself won't become a bad actor, as it lacks agency and consciousness. Sam Atman's Online Presence: Finally, for those interested in following Sam's work, his main platform is Twitter, where he shares his thoughts and developments in his field.
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Dec 4, 2023 • 47min

Beyond LLMs: The Personal Touch of AI

In this episode, the host, Stewart Alsop, takes a deep dive with Suman Kanuganti, the co-founder and CEO of personal.ai. They discuss the concepts of Personal Language Models (PLM), artificial intelligence, and the UX of AI systems. Suman presents the idea of creating personalized AI for every individual to preserve their memory and enable people to interact with it, thus introducing a new way to retain and access human knowledge. They also touch upon the impacts of AI on the way history will be told and remembered in the future. We built a Custom GPT trained on this episode for you to interact with. Try this prompt with it: What are Suman's thoughts on the evolution of personal AI? Key Insights Introduction to Personal AI: Discussion on the concept of Personal AI, an AI version of oneself that leverages personal data, facts, and opinions to create interactive experiences for others. Origin of Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti shares his inspiration behind Personal AI, motivated by the loss of his mentor, Larry Bok, and the desire to maintain intellectual and emotional connections. Nature of Personal AI: Unlike current Large Language Models (LLMs), Personal AI focuses on individual memory, including context, location, and personal history. It grows over time, assimilating various aspects of an individual's life. Explicit vs. Implicit Memory: Exploration of the concept of explicit memory control in Personal AI, ensuring intellectual integrity, and distinguishing it from implicit inference. Personal AI's User Experience: Discussion on the evolution of the user experience in Personal AI, highlighting how it started before the hype of current LLMs like GPT-3. Integration with LLMs: Insight into how Personal AI integrates with general LLMs to enhance user experience and fill gaps in personal knowledge. Challenges and Solutions in Personal AI Development: Suman Kanuganti discusses overcoming challenges related to UX design, data training, and market adaptation. Future of AI Interaction: Speculation on the future modalities of interacting with AI, including voice, virtual avatars, and potential integration into the metaverse and synthetic biology. Vision and Persistence in Developing Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti reflects on the journey of developing Personal AI, emphasizing the importance of vision and overcoming resistance and challenges in the tech industry. Historical Implications of Personal AI: A closing thought on how Personal AI could change the way history is recorded and told, with individual memory shaping personal narratives.
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Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 9min

Water as a Healer: Understanding Aguahara with Seba Tutt

This podcast features a discussion with Seba Tut, an expert practitioner and facilitator of Aguahara. They explore the concept of Aguahara, a therapeutic experience in water. Seba shares his view on its spiritual, practical, and therapeutic aspects, and how it fosters surrender, intuition, and adaptability. He also discusses the connections between Aguahara and broader cultural and technological trends, integrating perspectives from ancient wisdom, water therapies, and the challenges of modern life. The podcast also covers Seba's plans for sharing Aguahara through a round trip journey across Latin America and potentially further afield. If you want to find out what happened in this episode, we trained this ChatGPT for you 00:04 Introduction and Guest Presentation 00:22 Understanding Aguahara: A Deep Dive 02:46 The Origins and Evolution of Aguahara 06:35 The Role of Water in Aguahara 06:51 The Birth of Aguahara and Its Connection to Water 14:18 Exploring the Practice of Aguahara 27:14 The Healing Power of Aguahara 35:18 The Aquatic Consciousness in Aguahara 36:40 Discussing Life's Struggles and the Aquatic Revolution 38:25 The Power of Empathy and the Impact of the Psychedelic Movement 38:47 The Emergence of Holistic Views and the Power of Communication 39:54 Exploring the Concept of Connected Minds and Astrology 40:30 The Transition from Pisces to Aquarius Era 41:42 The Power of Words and the Impact of AI 43:29 The Potential of AI and the Age of Magic 53:11 Exploring the Concept of Personal AI 57:04 The Influence of Hollywood and the Perception of AI 59:23 The Power of Touch and the Healing Potential of Water 01:03:35 The Future of Aguahara and the Power of Community Key Points Definition of Aguahara: Seba Tut described Aguahara as difficult to define succinctly. It is seen as both a territory and an exploration, an aquatic experience that cannot be fully captured in a simple definition. It invites curiosity and personal experience to truly understand what it is. Origin and Influences: Aguahara is influenced by and considered a descendant of older practices like Watsu (water shiatsu) and Water Dance. These were developed independently in California and Switzerland, respectively. Aguahara also has roots in Jansu, another aquatic therapy developed in an Osho ashram in India. The Role of Water: Water is central to Aguahara, not just as a medium but as an element that influences the practice. The therapy often takes place in warm water, similar to body temperature, but can also be conducted in cooler waters. The water facilitates relaxation and movement. Connection to Other Practices: Aguahara draws from various traditions and practices, including tantric explorations, shiatsu massage, and dance. It is seen as a combination of these elements, adapted to an aquatic environment. Development and Evolution: Aguahara evolved through experimentation and collaboration among practitioners, who brought their learnings and understandings from other therapies and movement practices. Philosophical and Spiritual Aspects: The discussion touched on broader philosophical and spiritual themes, such as the mystery of water and the mind, the concept of surrender, and the interplay of intuition and intention. Practical Aspects of Aguahara Sessions: Sessions typically involve entering the water, surrendering to the experience, and allowing the facilitator to guide movements. The experience can be therapeutic and involves elements of touch, movement, and a deep connection with water. The Cultural and Social Context: The conversation also delved into the broader cultural and social implications of practices like Aguahara, discussing aspects like community, empathy, and the human connection with nature.

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