The AI Grapple

Welcome to another exciting episode of The AI Grapple! Today, host Kate vanderVoort dives into the world of AI companionship with the brilliant Sreyna Rath, founder and CEO of Jaimee. Jaimee is not just another AI app - it’s an empathetic digital companion designed by women, for women. It’s there to support, uplift, and connect in ways that feel human, authentic, and meaningful. Sreyna shares her incredible journey, from escaping the Khmer Rouge regime as a Cambodian refugee to becoming a leader in the tech world. With over 17 years of experience in digital innovation, including over a decade at Accenture, she’s now channeling her expertise into building Jaimee, a groundbreaking AI platform that challenges gender bias and promotes inclusivity in technology. This episode is packed with insights on AI ethics, the evolving role of AI in human relationships, and the importance of creating tech that benefits everyone. Whether you're passionate about technology, intrigued by the future of human-AI interaction, or looking for inspiration, this episode has something for you. Key Highlights from the Conversation: The Inspiration Behind Jaimee: Sreyna reveals how her experience with gender-biased responses in early AI tools like ChatGPT inspired her to create Jaimee, a digital companion built to prioritise women’s needs and perspectives. A Unique AI Experience: Jaimee is designed to be more than just a chatbot—it’s a companion you can laugh with, vent to, and even seek advice from. With backstories and relatable personas, Jaimee fosters authentic emotional connections. Ethical AI Design: Learn how Jaimee is addressing the ethical challenges of AI companionship, from safeguarding user privacy to creating frameworks that ensure safety and inclusivity. Sreyna’s Personal Journey: Hear Sreyna’s story of resilience, from fleeing Cambodia as a child to becoming a trailblazer in the tech industry. She shares how her upbringing shaped her drive to break barriers and create meaningful change. Empowering Women in AI: Sreyna discusses her mission to close the gender data gap and make AI more inclusive by encouraging women to join the tech industry. Jaimee isn’t just an app—it’s a movement toward equitable technology. Addressing Social Concerns: Sreyna tackles misconceptions about AI companionship and explains how Jaimee is designed to enhance, not replace, human relationships by offering a safe, judgment-free space for emotional release. AI’s Potential for Mental Wellbeing: Discover how Jaimee can act as a sounding board to help users decompress, gain perspective, and improve their interactions in real-world relationships. Privacy and Security: With encrypted data, no PII storage, and strict privacy measures, Jaimee ensures that users feel safe sharing their thoughts and experiences. Future Goals for Jaimee: Learn about Jaimee’s upcoming launch, how you can sign up for the beta, and Sreyna’s vision to make AI companionship mainstream, just like Bumble revolutionised online dating. Links and Resources Mentioned: Jaimee Website: www.jaimee.ai Connect with Sreyna Rath on LinkedIn: Sreyna’s LinkedIn Profile Sign Up for the Beta: Join the Jaimee Waitlist Instagram: Jaimee on Instagram Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The AI Grapple! If you enjoyed this conversation with Sreyna Rath, be sure to subscribe and explore our other episodes featuring thought leaders shaping the future of AI. Don’t forget to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform - it helps more listeners discover the show and join the conversation. For more insights and updates, visit The AI Grapple website and follow us on social media. See you next time!

In this episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate vanderVoort sits down with Alberto Chierici to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and humanity. Drawing on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, machine learning engineer, and AI advisor, Alberto shares insights into how businesses can responsibly adopt AI while staying true to human-centered values. From his early days building actuarial models to his current work at the Gradient Institute, Alberto brings a wealth of practical and philosophical perspectives to the table. Whether you’re a business leader, AI enthusiast, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping the world, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Alberto’s Journey: How his early career as an actuary led to his passion for building AI systems that serve humanity. The pivotal moments that inspired him to focus on AI ethics and human impact. AI and Business Transformation: The importance of starting with “why” when integrating AI into your business. Why aligning AI strategies with core business values is crucial for success. Practical Steps for Ethical AI Implementation: Alberto’s five-step roadmap: knowledge, organizational structure, data quality, risk management, and ethics. How leaders can upskill their teams and rethink operational processes to embrace AI responsibly. The Promise and Perils of AI Decision-Making: Real-world examples of where AI has succeeded in improving safety and efficiency—and where it has failed due to bias or poor implementation. The growing role of agentic AI and the need for thoughtful, intentional design in automation. AI’s Impact on Humanity: How AI can reshape the way we work, fostering autonomy and connection—or creating new challenges. Why balancing innovation with human values is the key to sustainable technological progress. Connect with Alberto Chierici: LinkedIn: Alberto Chierici Learn more about the Gradient Institute: gradientinstitute.org If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The AI Grapple on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to leave a review! For more insights on ethical and transformative AI, visit gradientinstitute.org or follow Alberto on LinkedIn.

In this thought-provoking episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate vanderVoort sits down with Dr. Harvey Castro MD, a pioneer in the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare. Dr. Castro shares his remarkable journey from developing life-saving medical apps to becoming a global advocate for AI's transformative potential in healthcare. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping patient care, tackling global challenges like workforce shortages, and addressing ethical dilemmas such as data privacy and decision-making biases. If you're a healthcare professional, business leader, or tech enthusiast, this episode provides a roadmap to understanding and leveraging AI in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.   Key Highlights: Dr. Castro’s Journey to AI in Healthcare: His inspiration to create the first medication-dosing app during the iPhone's early days. Writing a book on ChatGPT’s applications in healthcare within weeks of discovering the tool. Innovations in AI and Patient Care: Using generative AI to create personalised educational tools like colouring books, songs and comic strips for children with medical conditions. AI's role in enabling doctors to communicate with patients in different languages and cultural contexts. Hyper-Personalisation and Predictive Medicine: How AI enables personalised medication and treatment plans tailored to a patient’s genetics. Examples like predictive analytics for Parkinson's disease, offering early detection years before symptoms appear. Ethical and Practical Challenges: Data privacy concerns with AI in healthcare, including lessons from cases like 23andMe. The importance of maintaining human oversight in AI decision-making, especially in critical medical contexts. AI as a Partner in Healthcare: The future of AI-powered robots assisting with repetitive tasks, freeing up doctors and nurses to focus on human connections. The potential for AI to enhance empathy and improve communication skills in healthcare professionals. The Future of Healthcare with AI: How wearable tech and voice analysis could shift healthcare from reactive to proactive. The promise of technologies like AlphaFold for accelerating drug development and reducing costs. About Our Guest: Dr. Harvey Castro MD aka Dr. GPT, is an esteemed innovator at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. As a physician, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dr. Castro harnesses AI to transform healthcare practices, improve patient outcomes, and streamline operations. Discover his journey and how his keynote speeches illuminate AI's potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry. Join us in envisioning a future where technology and healthcare merge to enhance the quality of care. Where to Connect with Dr. Castro: Website: www.harveycastromd.com Social Media: @HarveyCastroMD (available on all platforms) YouTube Channel: Harvey Castro MD TEDx Talk: How AI and humans can revolutionize medicine together | Harvey Castro MD Listen now to discover how AI is revolutionising healthcare and what it means for the future of medicine. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your network. For more insights, visit The AI Grapple website or follow us on social media.

In this episode of The AI Grapple Podcast, host Kate vanderVoort dives into the transformative journey of Lucas Meadowcroft, a pioneer in IT and artificial intelligence. Lucas shares his evolution from an IT support technician to the co-founder of groundbreaking ventures like CROFTI, Tribu, and Pivot. The conversation explores how AI is shaping the business landscape, from automation of mundane tasks to creating personalised, efficient systems. Together, Kate and Lucas discuss the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations of integrating AI into businesses, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in the digital revolution. Key Topics Discussed: Lucas’s Journey into AI and Technology: How a chance IT internship shaped Lucas's career. The evolution from providing IT support to pioneering AI-driven solutions. Early AI projects and the development of custom large language models before the ChatGPT era. Unlocking the Power of AI in Business: Streamlining workflows by automating repetitive tasks like data entry and email triage. Building knowledge bases and tailored AI models for business ecosystems. Examples of transforming inefficiencies into opportunities for growth and innovation. Navigating Challenges in AI Adoption: Why data quality is crucial for successful AI implementation. Overcoming leadership resistance and addressing fears about change. Educating teams and creating a culture of curiosity and experimentation around AI. The Human-Centred Approach to AI: Ensuring employees feel empowered during the transition to AI-led systems. Reimagining roles and encouraging personal growth as automation redefines traditional tasks. Balancing efficiency with a commitment to employee wellbeing and societal impact. Future Trends in AI and Robotics: Predictions for the integration of robotics in everyday life by 2030. The ethical implications of advanced AI systems and their impact on data privacy. How businesses can start small with niche AI tools while preparing for broader adoption. Practical Takeaways: Start small: Use AI tools to solve niche problems and build trust within your team. Focus on outcomes: Identify inefficiencies and work backwards to create AI-driven solutions. Educate your organisation: Foster a culture of learning and experimentation around AI technologies. Protect your data: Keep your AI ecosystem secure within trusted platforms like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon. Connect with Lucas Meadowcroft: Website: crofti.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmeadowcroft Don’t miss this episode’s insights on how AI can revolutionise your business. Subscribe to The AI Grapple Podcast on your favourite platform and share your thoughts on how AI is impacting your work. Let’s continue the conversation!