
Leaders of AI
Leaders of AI is the go-to AI podcast that delivers real insights for today’s decision makers.
About the hosts: Co-host Julia McCoy is an innovative entrepreneur who grew her name to one of the best in the world at content marketing, back when it was done 100% by humans. She sold her 100-person writing agency in 2021 to enter the realm of AI. Today, she lives, breathes and sleeps the science of how to bring businesses and marketing teams into the AI age, personally leading AI integrations for marketing teams at her AI consulting company First Movers. Co-host David Shapiro is one of the most respected voices on the internet regarding AGI and how automation will affect humanity, with a near-20 year background in building custom AI-driven infrastructure implemented by brands like NASA. Semi-retired, he writes, speaks and thinks the future of AI and humanity on Leaders of AI with Julia McCoy and special guests.
Latest episodes

9 snips
Feb 24, 2025 • 39min
E12: AI, Ego Death, and the End of Reality? | Sam Rad | Leaders of AI
In this engaging discussion, Sam Rad, a radical futurist and anthropologist, explores profound societal shifts driven by AI and technology. He delves into existential questions about what it means to be human in a world increasingly dominated by perception manipulation and virtual realities. Sam critiques bland AI-generated content, championing creativity as humanity's final frontier. He also discusses the implications of decentralized systems on governance and identity, shedding light on the urgent need to reconnect with our human essence.

Feb 15, 2025 • 53min
E11: DeepSeek-R1: The $5M AI Model Disrupting Silicon Valley | Leaders Of AI
Join John Gibbs, CEO of Automattic and AI expert, as he dives into the disruption caused by the DeepSeek-R1 AI model. He explains the staggering 17% drop in NVIDIA's stock, the staggering potential of a $5 million open-source model, and the geopolitical battle in AI innovation. Explore how constraints can spark creativity, the ethical dilemmas of AI advancements, and the future landscape of AI programming. Plus, John sheds light on how synthetic data could democratize AI and the need for effective leadership in an increasingly complex tech world.

5 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 53min
E10: The Future of Jobs, Governance, and Humanity | Emad Mostaque
Emad Mostaque, founder and former CEO of Stability AI, delves into the chilling predictions about AI's impact on jobs and economies. He discusses how AI may soon surpass human capabilities across sectors, leading to a potential 'end of jobs.' Emad emphasizes the urgent need for society to adapt, calling for new skills to navigate an AI-driven future. He also explores how advanced technology can empower developing regions, potentially reversing talent migration trends, and advocates for ethical governance and open-source data models.

23 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 47min
E9: How to Use AI to Transform Work and Life | Mark De Grasse
Mark De Grasse, Founder of AI Branding Academy and former President of DigitalMarketer, shares insights on how AI can revolutionize creativity and marketing. He discusses how AI alleviates mundane tasks, empowering creators to focus on innovative ideas. Mark emphasizes the changing landscape of personal branding and the importance of crafting valuable content. He also addresses the risks of technology addiction, urging a balanced approach to AI use for a harmonious work-life dynamic.

Jan 4, 2025 • 41min
E8: The AI Revolution is HERE: Why 2025 Will Change Everything (2024 Look-Back & 2025 Highlights)
Dive into the future of AI as hosts explore staggering advancements and bold predictions for 2025. Discover how OpenAI's breakthroughs signal a new era of capabilities, with autonomous AI reshaping industries. Witness personal stories of creativity, like how AI helped an author write a viral book in record time. Understand the revolutionary potential of quantum computing in material science. This engaging discussion underscores the necessity of adapting now to thrive alongside emerging AI technologies.

25 snips
Dec 31, 2024 • 49min
E7: The Future of AI Agents: Building an Internet for AI with Richard Blythman
Richard Blythman, founder of Naptha AI and a pioneer in decentralized multi-agent systems, explores the future of AI agents. He discusses the critical need for decentralized AI and how his vision includes simulating thousands of AI interconnections. Blythman anticipates running a million agents in one system by 2025 while critiquing existing blockchain solutions for agent communication. He outlines practical steps for businesses to adapt and thrive in this AI era, emphasizing the potential of agent clones and a collective consciousness for revolutionizing operations.

15 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 52min
E6: AI & Faith: Bridging Technology, AI, and Spirituality with Jason Moore
Jason Moore, a church technology leader and author of "AI and the Church," discusses how faith communities can harness AI to enhance spiritual practices. He highlights the importance of preserving authentic human connections while exploring ethical AI adoption. Moore shares insights on how AI can liberate religious leaders, allowing them to focus on meaningful interactions. The conversation addresses common fears of technology and provides practical applications for churches with limited resources, advocating for a balanced approach to integration.

10 snips
Dec 6, 2024 • 41min
E5: AGI, Automation & Adaptation: A Reality Check with Jonathan Mast
Jonathan Mast, founder of the Facebook group "AI Prompts for Entrepreneurs," shares his expertise on artificial intelligence. He discusses the hype surrounding AGI timelines and the practical implications of AI automation for businesses by 2025. Mast emphasizes the importance of being a first mover in AI adoption, offering insights on successful strategies for small to medium enterprises. He also explores how society can adapt positively to AI, enhancing work-life balance and enabling more fulfilling tasks, while showcasing potential pitfalls in tech giants' approaches.

23 snips
Nov 20, 2024 • 1h 5min
E4: From Virtual Assistants to AI Agents – The 2-Year Timeline to Mass Job Disruption with Austin Armstrong
Join Austin Armstrong, a digital marketing expert with over a million followers on Meta, as he discusses the imminent disruption of the workforce by AI agents. Armstrong predicts that remote workers will be the first impacted within just two years. The conversation spans the philosophical implications of AI consciousness, the urgency for businesses to adapt, and the future of human-AI interaction. He delivers thought-provoking insights on how AI could reshape the traditional workplace landscape, making human virtual roles nearly obsolete.

18 snips
Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 15min
E3: Ex-Military Op Says AGI is Here Already, Discusses Machine Consciousness and More
Charles Sears, an ex-military ops expert and leading authority on human consciousness, discusses the implications of AGI, claiming it’s already upon us. He explores the rapid evolution of artificial general intelligence and its potential to change society vastly. The conversation covers the balance between enlightenment and manipulation as we face job displacement in the post-labor economy. Sears also delves into the philosophical intersections of DNA, consciousness, and AI, pondering humanity’s quest for meaning in this new technological landscape.
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