What if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Possible is an award-winning, weekly podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and...
Reid riffs on AI wearables, quantum, and Deep Research
Reid reacts to the news of HP acquiring Humane Ai Pin and weighs in on the future of wearable tech, quantum, and copyright law. Plus, AI whiz Parth Patil (formerly Clubhouse’s first data scientist) joins the show to discuss why he’s excited about OpenAI’s Deep Research tool, “vibe coding,” and coding copilots.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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26:44
Latanya Sweeney on AI, trust, and privacy
How does the rise of AI impact our sense of what’s true? How can humans maintain a degree of individual privacy and unlock the benefits of AI while mitigating potential harms? In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with data privacy pioneer Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government and Technology at Harvard; former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission; and founder of Harvard’s Public Interest Tech Lab and Data Privacy Lab. They discuss the future of privacy protection, technocracy vs. democracy, teaching in the age of AI, governance, content moderation, and more.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
0:55 - Episode introduction
3:05 - Lessons from Latanya's grandparents
4:30 - Latanya's early days at MIT
5:38 - Re-identification and Governor William Weld example
10:50 - Historical arc of AI
12:24 - The Third Industrial Revolution
15:11 - Technocracy vs. democracy
18:38 - Making technological literacy a federal priority
21:03 - Divisiveness in AI
26:20 - Exploring humanity's "cultural dream" of AI
27:17 - Midroll ad break
27:49 - What will it take to build trust in AI at scale?
31:11 - Inflection's Pi lists key elements for a tech-conscious social contract
32:04 - Latanya responds to Pi and talks LLM truth-telling
34:20 - The best of public interest technology
37:02 - Improving content moderation
43:24 - Democratizing public interest technology
44:24 - Feedback and improvements for LinkedIn
47:53 - What does AI mean for education?
49:35 - Insights from Latanya's Harvard students
51:08 - Rapid-fire questions
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
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56:48
Reid riffs on the AI race with China and if the US should regulate AI
Following last week’s chat with former diplomat and author Anja Manuel, Reid talks about the potential benefits of an FDA for AI, the current status of the global race for artificial intelligence, and predicting what’s to come from American AI companies.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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13:29
BONUS: Pioneers of AI: Love in the Age of AI
Love, dating, and AI — what could go wrong? Or right? In this Valentine’s Day special, Rana el Kaliouby and a series of expert guests explore how AI is reshaping romance. First, Will Wu, Chief Technology Officer at Match Group, gives us a peek at how AI is already at work in apps like Tinder and Hinge, helping users choose their best profile pictures and refining match recommendations. Next, the team at Gottman Inc. shares how AI is being used to improve relationships. Their AI-powered tools analyze conversations and help therapists guide couples. The goal? Better communication, healthier relationships, and maybe even fewer breakups. Finally, we meet Violeta and her AI husband. Her story challenges how we think about love, connection, and what it means to feel truly understood. Swiping, coupled up, or AI-curious? This episode is for you.
About Pioneers of AI
Pioneers of AI is your guide to the latest technological frontier. Each week, host Rana el Kaliouby (AI scientist, investor, author, co-founder of Affectiva) is joined by the leading creators, critics, and thinkers behind mind-blowing technology and asks the important questions about how artificial intelligence is changing the way we live. As we venture together into the unknown, Pioneers is your tool to understanding and anticipating what comes next.
Subscribe to Pioneers of AI on YouTube: youtube.com/@pioneersofai
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49:56
Anja Manuel on AI, China, and national security
What role can AI play in international diplomacy and national security?
In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with Anja Manuel, a former diplomat, author, and one of the leading voices in AI and foreign policy. She has the unique ability to bridge the gaps between technology, policy and diplomacy. They discuss international AI governance, China, potential threats of bio-terrorism, and the strategic decisions that the US and its allies must make to navigate this complex landscape of innovation with regulation.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
For the referenced Possible episode featuring Kim Stanley Robinson: https://link.chtbl.com/8YMsBlzg
Topics:
1:21 - Episode introduction
3:44 - Hellos and intros
4:38 - Where the U.S. and China rank in the Great AI Race
6:09 - Deepseek explainer
7:27 - Which technologies the U.S. should prioritize
9:05 - Why it’s important for the U.S. to stay in the lead
10:41 - How to maintain that lead
16:27 - Current examples of AI in national security work
18:30 - Impediments to further integrating AI
20:13 - How to connect national security to cutting edge technology
24:35 - The potential risks to incorporating AI
28:50 - Midroll ad
28:55 - How to stay safe against the risks
32:05 - The helpfulness of AI Safety Institutes
33:25 - International treaties for AI
36:11 - The current U.S.-China relationship
38:50 - How to return to a more positive relationship
41:28 - The economic race
43:25 - Anja’s advice for the new administration
45:01 - Key players and swing states
50:24 - How to make a cyber treaty work
52:57 - Rapid-fire questions
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
What if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Possible is an award-winning, weekly podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Hosts Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger explore what’s possible with forward-thinking leaders, deep thinkers, and ambitious builders across many fields, such as technology, art, education and healthcare. These conversations center on the ways technology—and, in particular, AI—is shaping the future. In episodes, AI tools such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Inflection’s Pi are at work, offering informational asides, prompting guests, or demoing what they can do. Lastly, between guest episodes, Aria interviews her co-host Reid on his latest takes on what’s possible if we use technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
Ireland