
Last Week in AI
Weekly summaries of the AI news that matters!
Latest episodes

Jun 24, 2021 • 23min
Making AI Less Racist and Terrible, AI for Wildfires and Reading Lips, Fun AI Facts about Fun Guys
Discover how AI is being harnessed to spot wildfires faster than humans and the ongoing efforts to make text-based models less biased. The discussion dives into the ethical implications of surveillance technology, especially in workplaces, as well as the quirky world of AI-generated humor. Get ready for fun facts about unusual traits, and explore the interplay of innovation and ethics in artificial intelligence, making for a fascinating blend of serious and lighthearted topics.

Jun 17, 2021 • 28min
DeepMind on General AI, Creepy Fake Humans, City Brains
Discover the groundbreaking claim that Microsoft's library can train colossal AI models with just 32 GPUs. Delve into DeepMind's belief that reinforcement learning might be the key to general AI. Explore the rise of carebots stepping in as human caregivers, and see how creepy fake humans are influencing AI’s future. Learn about Google's rapid AI chip design, and the transformative 'city brains' in China reshaping urban governance. Plus, check out the latest in affordable robot dogs ready to carry your items!

Jun 10, 2021 • 25min
Is GPT-3 Dissapointing, Killer Robots (?), the AI Hall of Shame
Dive into the latest AI controversies! Discover why GPT-3 is being called a disappointment compared to its predecessor. Explore King County's historic ban on facial recognition technology. The rise of self-driving trucks completing long hauls faster than humans raises eyebrows. Plus, hear chilling discussions about the implications of autonomous robots in warfare. And don't miss the exploration of AI failures in the newly created Hall of Shame, urging tech accountability and ethical considerations.

Jun 4, 2021 • 39min
Blatant Academic Fraud, OpenAI's New Sibling, a Killer Drone?!
This week features a shocking report on academic fraud, exposing manipulative tactics within research. OpenAI's new sibling company, Anthropic, secures significant funding while tackling AI safety. AI's ability to write code from plain language could change programming forever. Meanwhile, a rogue drone reportedly hunted a human target autonomously, raising alarms about military AI. The episode also humorously touches on quirky AI antics, showcasing the chaotic and fascinating world of artificial intelligence innovations.

May 28, 2021 • 35min
GPT-Neo, Wav2Vec-U, Deepfake Dubs, Michelangelo AI, History of Ethical AI at Google
Excitement brews over GPT-Neo, the free alternative to GPT-3, enhancing accessibility in AI. Facebook's Wav2Vec-U learns to recognize speech without labeled data, pushing boundaries in automatic speech recognition. Deepfake dubbing emerges as a game-changer in filmmaking, ensuring accurate performances across languages. Michelangelo AI engages visitors at museums, bringing art to life through conversation. Lastly, discussions on Google’s ethical AI history reveal controversies and the importance of integrity in AI development.

May 25, 2021 • 54min
Janelle Shane on the Weirdness of AI
Join Janelle Shane, a research scientist and AI humorist known for her blog aiweirdness.com, as she dives into the quirky world of artificial intelligence. She shares hilarious tales of AI-generated pickup lines and the unpredictable nature of image recognition, highlighting how algorithms can surprise us with their mischief. Janelle also demystifies AI's real-world applications, emphasizing the importance of human collaboration in creative expression. Her unique blend of humor and science makes understanding AI both entertaining and engaging.

May 20, 2021 • 26min
Elon Musk's Self Driving Claims, AI Ethics at Google, Photorealistic GTA 5
Explore Google's commitment to doubling its AI ethics research team amid controversies and staff exits. Discover the stunning advancements that make Grand Theft Auto V look almost photorealistic with new machine learning techniques. Delve into the Pentagon's cautious steps towards allowing AI to control weaponry, raising serious ethical questions. Finally, uncover the truth behind Tesla's self-driving claims, including admissions of exaggeration and inquiries by state officials following a serious crash.

May 13, 2021 • 24min
Satellite Image Data, Moderating AI Dungeon, Consolidating Autonomous Vehicles
Discover the ambitious launch of the world's largest satellite image database aimed at enhancing AI training. Learn about innovative methods to prevent AI from recognizing faces in selfies. Dive into the darker aspects of an AI-powered dungeon game and the challenges it faces with moderation. Explore the shrinking landscape of autonomous vehicles, marked by significant mergers and a shift in focus among smaller companies towards niche logistics. Tune in for insights on the evolving relationship between AI ethics and industry shifts!

May 7, 2021 • 36min
Rethinking Conferences, Chinese GPT-3, Farming Robots, Lyft's AV Sale
The podcast dives into the evolution of academic conferences in AI, advocating for a shift to virtual formats for better networking and reduced environmental impacts. It highlights Huawei's breakthrough in creating a Chinese equivalent of GPT-3. Farming innovations take center stage with a laser-powered robot that eliminates 100,000 weeds per hour. Finally, Lyft's $550 million sale of its autonomous vehicle unit to Toyota signals a strategy shift toward enhancing ride-hailing services.

Apr 29, 2021 • 27min
AI Einstein, Medical Alexas, 1.4 Trillion Transistor AI Chip
Discover how an AI-driven audio cloning startup is bringing Einstein back to life through a chatbot. Explore the transformative potential of Medical Alexas in improving health outcomes. Dive into a groundbreaking method that employs satellite imagery to pinpoint local pollution hotspots. Marvel at Cerebras' monstrous AI chip, boasting 1.4 trillion transistors, and what it means for the future of deep learning. Finally, see how Walmart is shifting from automated systems to prioritize human interactions in retail.