Mind the Machine

• Big Tech Wants Control - This AI Movement Gives It Back to You

  Reza Rassool is the CEO of Kwaai (kwaai.ai), a nonprofit AI lab and movement focused on building open-source, distributed, and sustainable AI infrastructure for the common good. With a background that includes 75 patents, Oscar-winning technology, and an exit to Google, Reza now leads Kwaai with the goal of democratizing AI and restoring individual agency.In this episode of Mind the Machine, Reza and Cheryl dive into the urgent need for personal AI that works for people—not against them. They explore Kwaai’s innovative platform, discuss the ethical and environmental consequences of centralized AI, and unpack why he believes we’re heading toward a “game over” moment unless we change course. Reza also shares his origin story, growing up in apartheid South Africa and how that shaped his activist mindset. This conversation is a masterclass in AI for humanity—actionable, radical, and full of hope.00:00 – Intro: From lucky breaks to ethical breakthroughs03:24 – Reza’s origin story: Activism, apartheid, and a sense of duty09:15 – What is Kwaai AI? Building open-source, peer-to-peer AI infrastructure14:30 – The 3 pillars of ethical AI: Agency, monopoly, sustainability21:02 – How personal AI can serve you (not monetize you)25:40 – A decentralized AI network powered by everyday machines30:48 – Why your data is more valuable than you think36:10 – Volunteers, developers, donors: How to get involved42:30 – PIOS: A personal AI operating system explained47:55 – Why open source is AI’s best hope for the future53:40 – Weekly calls, how to join the movement, final thoughtsLearn more and get involved: https://www.kwaai.aiFollow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: https://instagram.com/findgood.techLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman/

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• Can AI Make Us Healthier? Patrick Leung on the True Promise of Artificial Intelligence

  In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Patrick Leung, CTO of Faro Health and former engineering lead at Google Duplex. Patrick shares how his team is using AI to transform clinical trial design, dramatically reducing patient burden, trial costs, and delays. He reflects on lessons from building early conversational AI at Google, why clinical trials still operate like it’s the 1990s, and how Faro’s agentic AI systems are reshaping the future of drug development. They explore the real challenges of applying AI in regulated industries, how to earn trust in life sciences, why true AGI is farther away than headlines suggest, and why the future belongs to adaptable builders—not fearful bystanders.00:10 – Welcome to Mind the Machine02:04 – Meet Patrick: From Google to Clinical Trials04:54 – Why Clinical Trial Design Is Still Broken08:12 – A Better Way Than Word Docs: Faro’s AI-Powered System11:04 – Large Language Models for Clinical Writing13:20 – What Are AI Agents, Really?16:08 – Privacy Concerns and “Double Agents” in Pharma19:57 – The Real Stakes of AI in Regulated Industries23:17 – Why Domain-Specific AI Still Wins25:20 – Pharma’s AI FOMO and the Pressure to Innovate30:06 – Why This Is a Golden Era for AI Entrepreneurs33:02 – Making AI Accessible to Non-Tech Experts35:06 – The Rise of the Three-Person Startup37:16 – Using AI for Meditation Retreats and Daily Life40:04 – Patrick’s Hope for AI and Human Potential41:53 – Open Source vs. Closed Models: What’s Best for Humanity?44:06 – Are We Actually Close to AGI?52:47 – Who Would Patrick Invite to Dinner?55:16 – Where to Find Patrick and Faro HealthWhere to find Patrick Lund and Faro Health:Website: https://farohealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puiwah/Follow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: instagram.com/findgood.techLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman/

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• GoFundMe to EyePop: Andy Ballester’s Blueprint for Building Game-Changing Startups

  In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Andy Ballester, co-founder of GoFundMe and now the founder of EyePop.ai, a platform bringing computer vision to the edge. Andy shares the origin story of GoFundMe, the startup lessons that still hold true, and how his latest venture is solving real-world problems—from underwater infrastructure inspections to medical courier QA—using AI-powered vision models. They explore the mindset needed to build enduring companies in fast-moving tech spaces, how to stay grounded amid the chaos of AI innovation, and why asking for help is one of the hardest—and most human—things we can do.00:00 – Welcome to Mind the Machine 00:34 – The Origin of GoFundMe 05:00 – Lessons in Startup Longevity 08:24 – Pivoting During Crises Like COVID 12:05 – Building iPop: Making Computer Vision Accessible 16:02 – Why Edge AI Matters (Privacy, Speed, and Cost) 21:00 – Collaborating with Qualcomm’s AI Hub 25:01 – Staying Grounded in the AI Hype Cycle 29:44 – Real-World Use Cases: Water Mains, Lab Samples, and Logistics 36:35 – How AI Can Help People Ask for Help 43:39 – Training the Next Generation in an AI-Powered World 48:12 – What Founders Need Most in 2025 51:20 – Final Reflections from Andy: “What Should We Build Today?”Where to find Andy Ballester and iPop AI:🌐 Website: https://eyepop.ai💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewballester/Follow Cheryl:🌍 Website: https://findgood.tech📱 Instagram: / findgood.tech 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman/

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• He Dropped Out, Built an AI Study Tool, and Went Viral | Josh Shuttleworth of Cram Study

  In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Josh Shuttleworth, founder of Cram Study—a fast-growing edtech platform helping students take better notes and study smarter using AI. Josh shares how he built the app from scratch, why he’s on a mission to support students with ADHD and learning challenges, and what the future of education looks like when powered by AI. They also discuss Gen Z’s relationship with technology, the rise of solopreneurs, and how AI is reshaping how we learn, build, and work.Where to find Josh Shuttleworth and Cram Study:🌍 Website: https://www.cramstudy.com📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cramstudy📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cramstudyFollow Cheryl:🌍 Website: https://findgood.tech📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findgood.tech

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• Will AI Choose Your Next Job? | Christine Sterk of Pulsifi

  In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Christine Sterk, Chief Business Officer at Pulsifi, to discuss how AI is transforming workforce planning and eliminating bias in hiring. Pulsifi is pioneering AI-driven talent intelligence, helping companies match people to roles based on skills, mindset, and potential—not resumes or degrees. Christine shares how AI can help companies reduce hiring bias, improve team performance, and future-proof their workforce. They also explore why 80% of digital transformation projects fail, the future of HR in an AI-driven world, and why skills—not job titles—will define careers in the next decade.00:10 – Introduction to AI-Powered Hiring02:34 – How Pulsifi Uses AI to Match People to Roles06:48 – Why Resumes & GPA Don’t Predict Success10:12 – The Real Reason 80% of Digital Transformations Fail14:26 – Future Skills & Workforce Planning with AI18:44 – Eliminating Hiring Bias: The Role of AI in Diversity & Inclusion24:17 – How AI Can Identify & Retain High-Potential Employees30:12 – AI in Education: Mapping Students to Future Careers36:08 – The Future of HR: Will AI Replace Human Recruiters?41:45 – Final Thoughts & Where to Learn MoreWhere to Find Christine Sterk & Pulsifi:🌍 Website: https://www.pulsifi.me💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinesterkBrought to you by:🔹 AskTuring AI – Private, secure data solutions for the mortgage industry: https://asturing.aiFollow Cheryl & Mind the Machine🌍 Website: https://findgood.tech📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findgood.techProduction and Marketing:🎧 Modry Media – Full-service podcast production & marketing: https://www.modry.usFor sponsorship inquiries, contact: info@modry.us

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