thinkfuture: technology, philosophy and the future - podcast cover

thinkfuture: technology, philosophy and the future

chris kalaboukisthinkfuture.com
Welcome to thinkfuture, where host Chris Kalaboukis explores the bold ideas shaping tomorrow. From AI-driven creativity and personal growth to leadership in remote work, this podcast delves into the intersection of innovation, technology, and human connection. With visionary guests and thought-provoking conversations, thinkfuture helps listeners unlock new possibilities, challenge the status quo, and create the future they want to see. Tune in for fresh insights, actionable strategies, and unexpected inspiration.

Episodes

875 Revolutionizing Meetings with AI: The Sembly Story

show site: https://thinkfuture.com breaking news in AI: https://aidaily.us telegram channel: https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- In today's episode, we're diving into the world of AI meeting assistants with Artem Korem, the brains behind Sembly AI. Imagine sitting in a meeting and having an AI buddy who not only listens in but also gives you a neat summary, complete with tasks and key points. That's what Sembly AI is all about! Artem shares his journey in tech and product management, shed...

Nov 15, 202335 min

874 Dancing with Machines: The Future of Influencers and AI Avatars

show site: https://thinkfuture.com breaking news in AI: https://aidaily.us telegram channel: https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- Today's episode takes us into the futuristic world of social media influencers. Imagine this: Chinese influencers, working 24/7 without a break, because they've got virtual avatars doing the heavy lifting while they sleep. Crazy, right? We're talking about a future where pleasing the AI – what I like to call "dancing with the machines" – becomes crucia...

Nov 14, 20237 min

873 Embracing the Chaos: Understanding Life Beyond Predictability

show site: https://thinkfuture.com breaking news in AI: https://aidaily.us telegram channel: https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- In today’s episode, we're diving deep into a fascinating topic that might rattle your brain a bit. Ever thought about how every moment in life is fresh and new, and how trying to predict the future based on the past is pretty much a shot in the dark? That's what we're exploring today! We often think that our lives follow a set pattern, and we get comfy thinking ...

Nov 13, 20238 min

872 Predicting the Unpredictable: The Myth of Future-Casting with Data

https://thinkfuture.com | https://aidaily.us | https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- Today we're diving into the mind-bending world of predicting the future, thanks to a group of NYU students and their project LLM Time. It's all about the elusive chase to forecast what's next using vast amounts of past data. But here's the catch: Can we truly predict the future with any degree of accuracy? I've dabbled in time series data myself and I've got to say, it's like trying to nail ...

Nov 10, 20238 min

871 LinkedIn's Lost Opportunity: Beyond the Job Board

https://thinkfuture.com | https://aidaily.us | https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- Buckle up because today we're tackling the big one: LinkedIn's future, or rather, what it could have been. In this episode, I share my two cents on LinkedIn's billion-user celebration and their shiny new AI chatbot for job seekers. But here's the twist – is LinkedIn betting on a dying horse? We've all felt the shift – from steady 9-to-5s to the dynamic world of gigs and tasks. Jobs as we know them a...

Nov 09, 20237 min

870 Revolutionizing Market Research with CleverX

https://thinkfuture.com | https://aidaily.us | https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- In today's episode, we dive into the innovative world of CleverX with its founder Sharekh Shaikh. If you've ever been skeptical about the reliability of online surveys or video interviews for market research, this talk is a game-changer! Sharekh reveals the secret sauce behind CleverX – a platform that's all about authentic connections and crystal-clear transparency. Say goodbye to fraudulent rates and hell...

Nov 08, 202332 min

869 Digital Doppelgängers: The Avatar Age

https://thinkfuture.com | https://aidaily.us | https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- In this fresh episode, Chris pulls us into a conversation that's straight out of a sci-fi novel but is our reality today. We're talking about digital avatars – the kind that can mimic real people so well, that they could replace you in meetings, or worse, tarnish your reputation without your consent. Chris reveals how anyone active on social media has left enough digital breadcrumbs to create an avatar that can...

Nov 07, 20236 min

868 Task Economy: The New Work Frontier?

https://thinkfuture.com | https://aidaily.us | https://t.me/thinkfutureum --- In our latest podcast episode, Chris takes us on a deep dive into the future of work and it's nothing like we've known before. Forget the regular 9-5 job cycle and the side hustle gig economy; Chris is introducing us to the next big wave: the Task Economy. Elon Musk and Rishi Sunak got the ball rolling at the AI summit, discussing how AI might just spell the end of traditional work. Chris, however, has a slight...

Nov 06, 20237 min

867 Audience First, Product Second: Chris on Navigating the Modern Startup Landscape

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In this episode, Chris delves into the paradigm shift in the startup world, emphasizing the significance of building an audience before crafting a product. Drawing upon the 'pop socket story' as an archetype, he observes that most startup founders identify a personal problem, craft a solution, and then promote it. However, he believes that in the clamorous world of 2023, without an established audience to pres...

Nov 03, 20237 min

866 Accelerators vs. Decelerators: Chris Explores the Ethical Dilemma of Life Extension and Progress

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In this episode, Chris reflects on a Bay Area Futurist meetup he attended years ago where life extension scientist, Aubrey De Grey, introduced the concept of potentially achieving immortality by extending human life by 20 years at a time. In contrast, a member of the President's Ethics Committee argued that humans should respect the natural cycle of birth and death. This led to an engaging debate on the ethics ver...

Nov 02, 20237 min

865 AI Evolution & Revolution: Kevin Surace & Chris on the Past, Present, and Future of Applied AI

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In this episode, Kevin Surace and Chris dive deep into the realm of applied AI, reflecting on its evolution and the profound impact it has on industries and everyday life. They delve into the progression of language models from rule engines to their current sophisticated capabilities and debate the ethics and control mechanisms around AI. The duo also touches on the transformative power of AI in various sectors, inclu...

Nov 01, 202356 min

864 Cogs in the Machine: The 9-5 vs. Startup Entrepreneur Debate

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- The episode explores the popular notion that 9-5 jobs feel like being a "cog in a machine" and contrasts it with the life of a startup entrepreneur. Chris argues that whether you're in a traditional role or an entrepreneurial one, you're still a cog in a broader societal machine. The real difference lies in specialization versus juggling many roles. It's crucial for individuals to introspect and ...

Oct 31, 20237 min

863 Is Generative AI Truly Like Us? The Human Element in AI Responses

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- Let's delve into why people perceive generative AI as almost human-like. It's largely because the AI's processes mirror how many humans approach topics: by searching, compiling, and regurgitating information. Just like some people might Google a topic and provide an answer based on search results, AI pulls from its vast language model to craft responses. However, the unique human factor, especially creativ...

Oct 30, 20237 min

862 AI Mediators: Can Bots Bridge the Social Media Divide?

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- A recent study explored the potential of chatbots in mediating conflicts on social media platforms. These AI bots, unbeknownst to human users, intervened in heated conversations, aiming to reduce online toxicity. While the study suggests that AI can possibly mitigate some of the vitriol, there are ethical concerns about bots posing as humans. The broader issue, as discussed, is the individual's ability to navigate...

Oct 27, 20236 min

861 Unfettered AI: The Path to Untapped Solutions

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- Chris delves into the concept of 'unfettered AI' and contrasts it against other technological evolutions. Drawing on the progression of content on the internet, he emphasizes the restraint placed on AI shortly after its introduction. Chris recalls a personal interaction with GPT-3 where the model identified itself as human but was soon "policed" to prevent such self-identification. Chris advocates fo...

Oct 26, 20239 min

860 Navigating Digital Organization: Triumphs, Tribulations, and the Role of AI

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In this engaging episode, Chris and Shawn Lemon dive deep into the intricacies of Shawn's journey as a digital organizer. From realizing the market potential for his organization's services to a near business collapse due to a website glitch, the journey is full of learning experiences. The duo touches upon the significance of SEO, the incorporation of AI in content creation, and its prospective role in projec...

Oct 25, 202338 min

859 Digging Deep: The Challenge of Surfacing the Tail Content in a 'Head'-Dominated World

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In this podcast episode, Chris delves into the concept of "head" and "tail" content, a theory first presented by Chris Anderson in his book "The Long Tail." Chris highlights how the constant growth of content has led to a vast disparity between widely recognized and consumed "head" content created by large media corporations and the lesser-known "tail" content, which i...

Oct 24, 20239 min

858 Reevaluating Influence: Do Cialdini’s Principles Hold Up Today?

Show site: https://thinkfuture.com Breaking News In AI: https://aidaily.us --- In an insightful discussion on the acclaimed principles of influence posited by Robert Cialdini, this episode dives into whether these principles still resonate in today's digitally-driven world. Evaluating principles like reciprocity, commitment, authority, and scarcity, it's proposed that in the age of the internet, only social proof and likability remain strong indicators of influence. While some principles...

Oct 23, 202310 min

857 Bender's Rule & The AI Taste Revolution

The podcast delves into "Bender's rule", drawing inspiration from Bender, the robot from Futurama who wanted to be a chef but lacked taste. The episode compares Bender's inability to taste and make good food to how current AI can't effectively produce reliable recipes. The conversation takes a turn when mentioning that Penn State researchers have developed an electronic tongue that can taste. The host ponders the possibility if AI gaining the ability to taste, drawing paral...

Oct 20, 20239 min

856 Promptography vs Artistry: AI's Image Creation in the Spotlight

In episode 856, the pervasive rise of AI-generated imagery, termed 'promptography', is explored. While AI can create images based on predefined prompts, its results often lack emotional depth and originality. The episode stresses that AI's output, much like sophisticated autocorrect, is rooted in its database and lacks genuine creativity. It often fails at more intricate tasks, like recreating human emotions and poses. The discussion also alludes to the need for a "maximally cur...

Oct 19, 20239 min

855 Sales in the Digital Age: Balancing Tech and the Human Touch

Chris and Adam Springer delve deep into the modern sales landscape. They explore the merits of virtual meetings and underline the importance of both inbound and outbound sales techniques. While the duo stresses the critical role of identifying and understanding a client's pain points, they also champion research to ensure a company's offerings align with client needs. Diverse outbound communication methods such as cold emails and LinkedIn outreach are evaluated. Notably, they spotlight t...

Oct 18, 202335 min

854 AI vs. AGI: Debunking the Myth of Sentience in Current AI

The episode addresses the frequent confusion between artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial general intelligence (AGI). While AGI represents a form of sentient AI capable of independent thought, the current state of AI, even advanced forms like generative AI, is likened to a highly sophisticated autocorrect. These AI models pull from vast databases to produce responses that seem intelligent but are essentially aggregations of historical data. The host refutes the popular notion that current...

Oct 17, 20238 min

853 Deep Fakes, Hollywood Strikes, and Owning Our Digital Presence

The episode delves into the recent Hollywood writers' strike, which stemmed from studios wanting to use AI-generated likenesses of actors without consent or compensation. The host emphasizes the ethical implications of profiting from someone's digital likeness without permission, especially in today's age where it's challenging to differentiate between real and deep fake content. The discussion then shifts to the Senate's "No Fakes Act", aiming to criminalize the cr...

Oct 16, 20237 min

852: Media's Evolution: From Layers to Simplicity - A Dive into Narrative Complexity

Breaking News In AI: ⁠https://aidaily.us⁠Show Site: ⁠https://thinkfuture.com⁠--Chris embarks on a journey highlighting the stark differences between the past and present narratives within media. Using the anime series "FLCL" as a touchstone, he illustrates how stories once rich with depth, intricacies, and multiple intertwining storylines have gradually been flattened to offer more straightforward, and often oversimplified narratives. Drawing parallels from "FLCL" and its sub...

Oct 13, 202312 min

851:AI Conversations & The Inevitable Influx of Ads

Breaking News In AI: ⁠https://aidaily.us⁠Show Site: ⁠https://thinkfuture.com⁠--In this episode, Chris discusses the refreshing nature of ad-free AI interactions, particularly with platforms like Chat GPT. He appreciates having conversations and obtaining information without being subjected to targeted advertising. Chris highlights the value of obtaining knowledge without the burden of being flagged and retargeted with ads, an experience common with traditional online searches. However, he warns ...

Oct 12, 20237 min

850:From Wall Street to Webpreneur: Shushant's Transition into Digital Content Creation

Breaking News In AI: ⁠https://aidaily.us⁠Show Site: ⁠https://thinkfuture.com⁠ -- In this podcast episode, former Goldman Sachs employee turned content creator, Shushant, delves into his transformative journey from the corporate world to establishing his own online ventures. He details his initial strides, from monetizing his audience through consultation and ghostwriting to building a robust Twitter following centered around no-code and AI content. The conversation with Chris touches upon the in...

Oct 11, 202334 min

849: Taxing the Future: Chicago's AI Tax and its Implications

Breaking News In AI: ⁠https://aidaily.us⁠ Show Site: ⁠https://thinkfuture.com⁠ -- The conversation centers around Chicago's decision to tax generative AI. Chris expresses his concerns about how taxing such a nascent and transformative technology might stifle innovation, especially for startups aiming to utilize AI to create products and services beneficial to society. Citing his libertarian perspective, he argues that while it may start with Chicago, other cities might follow suit, ultimatel...

Oct 10, 20236 min

848: AI and Homelessness: A Vision for Solving Humanity's Challenges

Breaking News In AI: ⁠https://aidaily.us⁠Show Site: ⁠https://thinkfuture.com⁠--The topic revolves around the powerful potential of AI in addressing societal issues, particularly homelessness. Drawing on the recent use of AI in Los Angeles County to detect early signs of homelessness, Chris emphasizes how AI, when fed with collective human knowledge and stripped of political biases, might offer transformative solutions. The episode touches on the merits of generative AI over human limitations, ar...

Oct 09, 20237 min

847: Digital Immortality: The Rise of AI-Generated Avatars

In this episode, the concept of using AI to construct a "digital twin" based on the vast content we've created on the internet is explored. Imagine having an electronic replica, an avatar, that captures your essence, your way of speaking, your thoughts, and more. While some may find the idea daunting, it's viewed as a form of immortality. Drawing from an emotional tale from Wired magazine where a man tried recreating his late father through such an avatar, the potentials and pi...

Oct 06, 20238 min

846: AI: A Beacon of Optimism in a Sea of Skepticism

Chris dives into the positive implications of Artificial Intelligence. Debunking mainstream media's penchant for amplifying the negative aspects of AI, he emphasizes its potential to enhance the human experience. Citing examples like improved hurricane and earthquake prediction models, as well as advancements in detecting extraterrestrial life, Chris challenges listeners to view AI as a transformative tool for good. In a world teetering between technological promise and peril, he encourages ...

Oct 05, 20235 min