Mitch Joel's Blog: Six Pixels of Separation, page 35

Nicholas Mattei On AI And The Future Of Smarter Machines – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #932 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to

Nicholas Mattei is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Tulane University. Nick has dedicated his career to exploring the theory and practice of artificial intelligence, with a focus on decision-making systems for both autonomous agents and humans. He’s been into AI since he was young, influenced by his mother (a program coordinator at a science center, and his father, a professor). His early fascination with computers and programming laid the foundation for a career that has spanned prestigious institutions and cutting-edge projects. Before joining Tulane University, Nick worked as a Research Staff Member at the IBM TJ Watson Research Laboratory, where he tackled complex problems in question answering, natural language inference, decision making, and the ethical implications of AI on society. Prior to his time at IBM, he contributed to the AI & Algorithmic Decision Theory Group at Data61 in Australia. His work there and his involvement in organizing workshops on computational social choice highlight his commitment to advancing AI research. He also spent time at NASA in engineering where he was responsible for the design and implementation of control systems software for multiple small satellites. All cool stuff. At Tulane, Nick is not only advancing AI research but also emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. He works closely with the law school and sociology departments to study the societal impacts of AI. His leadership at the Tulane Center of Excellence for Community-Engaged AI demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that technological advancements benefit the wider community. Nick is passionate about education and mentorship, continually striving to inspire the next generation of AI researchers. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical AI and practical applications makes him a valuable asset to both the academic and broader communities… and business thinkers like you. If you’re trying to understand the distinctions between traditional coding and AI, the nuances of machine learning, and the evolving landscape of AI technologies, this one is for you. Nick reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI, as well as his thoughts on the ethical deployment of AI systems, offering a nuanced perspective on the future of technology. His pragmatic approach to AI, coupled with his optimism about its potential to create value, provides a balanced view that is both insightful and thought-provoking at a time when we need it most. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #932 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

SPOS #932 – Nicholas Mattei On AI And The Future Of Smarter Machines

Welcome to episode #932 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #932. Nicholas Mattei is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Tulane University. Nick has dedicated his career to exploring the theory and practice of artificial intelligence, with a focus on decision-making systems for both autonomous agents and humans. He’s been into AI since he was young, influenced by his mother (a program coordinator at a science center, and his father, a professor). His early fascination with computers and programming laid the foundation for a career that has spanned prestigious institutions and cutting-edge projects. Before joining Tulane University, Nick worked as a Research Staff Member at the IBM TJ Watson Research Laboratory, where he tackled complex problems in question answering, natural language inference, decision making, and the ethical implications of AI on society. Prior to his time at IBM, he contributed to the AI & Algorithmic Decision Theory Group at Data61 in Australia. His work there and his involvement in organizing workshops on computational social choice highlight his commitment to advancing AI research. He also spent time at NASA in engineering where he was responsible for the design and implementation of control systems software for multiple small satellites. All cool stuff. At Tulane, Nick is not only advancing AI research but also emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. He works closely with the law school and sociology departments to study the societal impacts of AI. His leadership at the Tulane Center of Excellence for Community-Engaged AI demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that technological advancements benefit the wider community. Nick is passionate about education and mentorship, continually striving to inspire the next generation of AI researchers. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical AI and practical applications makes him a valuable asset to both the academic and broader communities… and business thinkers like you. If you’re trying to understand the distinctions between traditional coding and AI, the nuances of machine learning, and the evolving landscape of AI technologies, this one is for you. Nick reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI, as well as his thoughts on the ethical deployment of AI systems, offering a nuanced perspective on the future of technology. His pragmatic approach to AI, coupled with his optimism about its potential to create value, provides a balanced view that is both insightful and thought-provoking at a time when we need it most. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:06:08.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Nicholas Mattei.Tulane University.Tulane Center of Excellence for Community-Engaged AI.Follow Nick on LinkedIn.Follow Nick on X.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Takeaways

AI involves making computers appear intelligent and capable of simulating human intelligence.Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, uses large language models to generate text based on patterns in data.The transformer architecture has revolutionized AI by enabling more efficient training and generation of text.Generative AI has the potential to create intimate and personalized experiences, but it lacks true understanding and creativity.The impact of AI on work and employment is significant, with repetitive tasks being the most vulnerable to automation. The creative class may face challenges as AI becomes more capable of performing creative tasks.Training and education are crucial to adapt to the changing nature of work.Responsible deployment of AI is essential to avoid negative consequences.The concept of AGI and its potential risks are subjects of debate.Alignment, or ensuring AI works in accordance with human values, is a critical consideration in AI development.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Background06:31 – Defining AI and Coding10:38 – Delineation Between AI and Generative AI14:40 – AI’s Ability to Reason and Explain19:30 – The Power and Limitations of Generative AI23:47 – The Significance of the Transformer Architecture32:42 – The Intimacy of Chatbots and the Future of AI39:26 – OpenAI’s Approach to Generative AI41:22 – The Impact of AI on Work and Employment42:17 – The Value of AI and the Potential for Extremism44:04 – The Impact of AI on the Creative Class45:02 – The Historical Context of AI Displacing Jobs46:14 – The Evolution of Work and the Need for Training47:23 – The Creation of Value and the Changing Nature of Work48:44 – The Challenges of Responsible Deployment of AI49:50 – The Debate Around AGI and its Potential Risks1:01:04 – The Importance of Alignment in AI1:04:08 – The Power of Model-Free AI and Changing Perspectives

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #932.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Six Links That Make You Think #725

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another: 

This Video Has 72,025,162 Views – Tom Scott – YouTube. “Tom Scott recently retired from regular YouTube creation. A while back, he recorded an amazing homage to the open web, Yahoo! Pipes, open protocols, and myriad other things we took for granted at the start of the web, and abdicated to apps. I’m reminded of that crash each time I look at the economic incentives of AI, where only a few, large players can afford to do the training, and an announcement by a single vendor (in this case, OpenAI‘s GPT4o) can torpedo half of the startups created in the last year, simply because it’s a technology that does what you ask it to. Bonus: I literally cannot share the correct title of this video. Which is rather the point.” (Alistair for Hugh). “Hopeless And Broken” – Why The World’s Top Climate Scientists Are In Despair – The Guardian . “I’ve spoken to climate scientists and data experts over the last few years about our warming planet and tipping points. Those have been bleak; this feels like a distillation of what they’ve told me for years, in a single article that screams a warning. And yet, as I read it, at first I thought, ‘I shouldn’t share this with Mitch and Hugh… it’s too dark.’ Well, it is dark. The first chapter of Kim Stanley Robinson‘s Ministry For The Future is one of the darkest things I’ve every read, and that stuff is happening for real, right now. As Dorothy Fortenberry once said, urging screenwriters to paint a realistic vision of a future on a changed planet, ‘If climate isn’t in your story, it’s science fiction.’ So I figure I should share this link.” (Alistair for Mitch). How Dennis Lee Cooked Up Alligator Pie – The Walrus . “If you are a Canadian of my age, you probably had a copy of Alligator Pie sitting on your shelf as a child. The book was published in 1974 by author Dennis Lee, and illustrator by Frank Newfeld. It’s batshit crazy, with the poem ‘In Kamloops’ especially insane, about a guy who keeps promising to eat kids’ (the reader’s?) body parts: ‘In the Gatineaus, I’ll eat your toes,’ accompanied by an even more nutso psychedelic illustration of a wall filled with jars of severed body parts(!). The rest of the book is equal parts nonsense, and anti-heros, and it’s great, and every kid should read it.” (Hugh for Alistair).  ‘People Think You’re An Idiot’: Death Metal Irish Baron Rewilds His Estate – The Guardian . “I love the concept of rewilding, where formerly cultivated (or vacant, or unused) land is left to grow wild. The effects are amazing: proliferation of wilflowers, grasses and trees; with them proliferation of bugs and frogs and birds and animals. There’s not enough wild in our lives.” (Hugh for Mitch). Star Trek The Next Generation – 1950s Super Panavision 70 – YouTube . “It really did not take long for us to realize just how creative AI can be. Here’s another great example. Rafa Reels uses AI to create TV ads from the 1950s using a bunch of amazing pop culture super hits, like this one for Star Trek – The Next Generation. It’s nostalgia overload and they are all so fun and interesting to watch (check out his take on GTA 5, Seinfeld, Game of Thrones, etc). This level of creativity matched with AI’s creativity is a winning formula… and – as we know – this is just the beginning…” (Mitch for Alistair). Why Writing By Hand Beats Typing For Thinking And Learning – NPR . “I bought an iPad Pro thinking I would be done with writing note by hand. I was wrong. While this is a market of one, I find that writing notes by hand simply makes me smarter. I’m not sure where you stand on this. It also makes me wonder if I don’t have another case of ‘The Olds’. This article seems to back me up on the personal test I’ve been conducting: Writing by hand actually beats typing when it comes to thinking and learning. According to the science (and it feels true for me), when you write by hand, it lights up parts of your brain that typing just doesn’t touch. The tactile feel of pen on paper creates a sensory-rich experience that helps you remember and understand better (plus, I do love buying pens and notebooks… it’s a problem). Slowing down to handwrite means you’re giving your brain time to really soak in the info and connect the dots. Plus, studies show that students who take handwritten notes ace their exams more often than those who type. In our rush-rush digital age, picking up a pen can actually give your brain a much-needed boost (and break?). I’m not alone on this one… am I?” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on X, Facebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Pressing Matters – Apple’s Ad Leaves Creatives Crushed

Apple – the darling of Silicon Valley and the creative’s go-to brand – stepped into a PR minefield this past week.

During their Let Loose event, Apple rolled out a new iPad Pro ad that landed like a lead balloon.
Picture this: Iconic symbols of human creativity – musical instruments, art, video games – all crushed by a hydraulic industrial press to make way for a shiny new iPad.
This didn’t sit well with the creative community, especially those feeling the heat from Generative AI.

I actually quite liked the ad.

“What what what?!?!?!”
I did.
I liked it.
I spend too much time on TikTok and watching short videos on other platforms not to be mesmerized by the countless videos of hydraulic presses squishing everything from candies and toys to electronics and used sofas.
It’s quite relaxing, interesting and very ASMR.
My initial thought was: Good on you Apple for tapping into a trendy meme and taking it to an entirely other level, with the final message being that all of this art, creativity and more can fit it into this new and lighter iPad (that no hydraulic press can ever destroy).
Let’s face it, these types of videos are the kind of mindless content that sucks you in on TikTok or YouTube Shorts.
Actor Hugh Grant called it, “the destruction of the human experience,” and the internet exploded with outrage.

I guess they missed the memes?

Like, if you don’t get the meme, the ad feels like a slap in the face to creativity?
Apple’s internal marketing team aimed to show that an iPad could encapsulate the world’s wonders.
Instead, the audience took it to mean that all these wonders are disposable, replaceable by their sleek device.
Still, if you play the ad backwards… it works? 
Meme success?

The backlash was swift and brutal… and it lingers.

Was the timing off?
As AI starts to encroach on creative professions, seeing artistic tools crushed into oblivion felt like a grim commentary on the future to many.
Remember Apple’s 1984 ad?
It painted a picture of liberation from a dystopian, colorless world.
Fast forward 40 years, and now Apple’s ad shows vibrant symbols of creativity being annihilated in a gray, industrial void.

How did this get so twisted… with so many differing perspectives?

Apple’s apology highlights the importance of understanding cultural context.
Brands need to know their audience (and their sub-audiences) inside and out.
What’s a hit with TikTok meme enthusiasts (raising my hand here) might be a miss with seasoned creatives.
The bigger idea is that Apple is usually a master of marketing, so watching them miss the mark may be the most surprising aspect of this discourse.

Even the titans of tech can falter.

For Apple, a company that has always positioned itself as a champion of creativity, created something that felt like a betrayal to enough people that it had to apologize.
The creative community’s reaction underscores the delicate balance brands must maintain when promoting innovation without appearing to undermine the very creativity they seek to empower.
This marketing misstep serves as a reminder: In the race to innovate, never forget the value of human creativity.
Because if you crush the instruments of creativity, you just might end up silencing the very voices you aim to amplify.

I know this was not the brand’s intention.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Pressing Matters – Apple’s Ad Leaves Creatives Crushed

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Peter Winick Debates Mitch Joel On The Art And Business Of Thought Leadership – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #931 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to

What is a thought leader? What does thought leadership look like? How do you become a thought leader? I’ve spent decades fascinated by people who undertake the job of either creating or building on great ideas (mostly in business). It’s what led me to start ThinkersOne and it’s the same thing that keeps me inspired to show up here – week after week – and have these types of conversations. This week, we’re doing something a little bit different. I reached out to Peter Winick – the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage and host of the Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast – and asked him if he would mind leading a conversation on the business of thought leadership. We were both eager to discuss and debate the value of thought leadership, the changing landscape of book publishing, building a personal brand, the power of thought leadership in corporate settings, the role of social proofing and more. We both agree that it’s all about relationship development, balancing vanity metrics and strategic networking, developing thought leadership skills and leveraging thought leadership for business opportunities. We explore the importance of creating mid-tier products, amplifying thought leaders’ voices, and democratizing intellectual property. The conversation delves into building a sustainable thought leadership business, using thought leadership as a business generation strategy, and the real money in thought leadership. While we both might not love the title of “thought leader” we both agree on the value of people who chose the importance of lifelong learning, content creation, and balancing creativity with business strategy as a profession. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #931 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

SPOS #931 – Peter Winick Debates Mitch Joel On The Art And Business Of Thought Leadership

Welcome to episode #931 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #931. What is a thought leader? What does thought leadership look like? How do you become a thought leader? I’ve spent decades fascinated by people who undertake the job of either creating or building on great ideas (mostly in business). It’s what led me to start ThinkersOne and it’s the same thing that keeps me inspired to show up here – week after week – and have these types of conversations. This week, we’re doing something a little bit different. I reached out to Peter Winick – the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage and host of the Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast – and asked him if he would mind leading a conversation on the business of thought leadership. We were both eager to discuss and debate the value of thought leadership, the changing landscape of book publishing, building a personal brand, the power of thought leadership in corporate settings, the role of social proofing and more. We both agree that it’s all about relationship development, balancing vanity metrics and strategic networking, developing thought leadership skills and leveraging thought leadership for business opportunities. We explore the importance of creating mid-tier products, amplifying thought leaders’ voices, and democratizing intellectual property. The conversation delves into building a sustainable thought leadership business, using thought leadership as a business generation strategy, and the real money in thought leadership. While we both might not love the title of “thought leader” we both agree on the value of people who chose the importance of lifelong learning, content creation, and balancing creativity with business strategy as a profession. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:15:33.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Peter Winick.Thought Leadership Leverage.Leveraging Thought Leadership Podcast.Follow Peter on LinkedIn.Follow Peter on X.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Takeaways

Practice and refinement are essential for thought leaders to deliver valuable content.Social media can serve as an R&D lab for testing ideas and gathering feedback.Thoughtful thought leadership focuses on adding value and engaging with the audience, while influencer marketing aims to persuade and sell products.Respecting the publish button and ensuring the quality of content is crucial for thought leaders.Artificial intelligence can be used to enhance thought leadership by improving writing, generating opposing perspectives, and providing new insights.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Background01:31 – The Value of Thought Leadership06:20 – Building Personal Brand and Thought Leadership10:36 – The Power of Thought Leadership in Corporate Settings11:36 – The Role of Social Proof in Thought Leadership15:19 – Balancing Vanity Metrics and Strategic Networking25:13 – Monetizing Relationships and Thought Leadership27:10 – Democratizing Intellectual Property and Broadening Offerings29:21 – Building a Sustainable Thought Leadership Business30:19 – Thought Leadership as a Business Generation Strategy31:21 – The Real Money in Thought Leadership: B2B34:06 – Creating Personalized Experiences and Extending the Event Impact37:27 – The Limitations of Speaking and the Need for Behavior Change39:18 – The Importance of Lifelong Learning and Content Creation47:58 – Experimenting with Different Formats and Reaching the Target Market49:36 – Practicing in Public and the Challenges of Thought Leadership53:18 – Using Social Media as an R&D Lab54:15 Thoughtful Thought Leadership vs. Influencer Marketing56:52 – Adding Sizzle to Thought Leadership58:38 – Using AI to Enhance Thought Leadership

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #931.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Six Links That Make You Think #724

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another: 

Question Mark, Ohio. “I stumbled across a weird reference to Question Mark on the socials, and went down a rabbit-hole. Turns out it’s an episodic quasi-ARG, a sort of real-time radio play for the Internet age, with characters posting clues and plot points on Instagram accounts, newsletters, and the Web in general. I haven’t dug into it yet, but I’m going to devote a few hours to it and see if it’s as immersive as it appears. This page seems to be a good starting point.” (Alistair for Hugh). Megadeth Drummer Hears “Mr. Brightside” For The First Time – Drumeo . “Dirk Verbeuren hadn’t heard The Killers‘ ‘Mr. Brightside‘ before this recording. In a couple of passes, he not only learns to drum the song, but absolutely makes it his own. Watching him listen intently is pretty magical.” (Alistair for Mitch). The Line In Progress – NEOM . “I’ve posted before about NEOM, the totally bananas, but real-ish, sci-fi mega-city-building project happening (more or less) in Saudi Arabia. One part of this insane project is The Line, a 170 km long ‘city’ that will be 200m wide and 500m high (the Empire State Building is 450m high). Clad in glass, made up of multiple communities, with twenty minute end to end travel, totally renewable energy and water, all that’s missing is the transporter beams. Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” (Hugh for Alistair). Hate That Vacant Lot In Your Neighborhood? Turn It Into Something Great – Dwell . “If The Line is centralized urban planning insanity, how about some anarcho urbanism, how to turn that vacant lot into a guerrilla garden.” (Hugh for Mitch). Colin Quinn – Our Time Is Up – Full Stand Up Comedy Special . “I would not normally click on a YouTube video like this. I’m not a huge fan of Colin Quinn and I don’t know enough about him (beyond Saturday Night Live and his friendship with Jerry Seinfeld) to watch a full stand up special of his. But I clicked it… and I entered another dimension. First off, as a stand up comedy special, the content is ‘must see’. He is very funny and brilliant, but it’s his spin on our tech-first and self-first society that is everything from hysterical to clinical. Speaking of clinical, this is not recorded in your standard comedy club or theater. Quinn recorded this at a corporate event called the 2024 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium. The stage and audience is my everyday professional fare. It’s a business conference (and the kind of stages I work every week), so that made it ever-more interesting. I flicked the link over to another speaker friend, Ron Tite, and we both agree that this is some incredible stuff. So, now I’m a huge Colin Quinn fan. Watch it and let me know what you think…” (Mitch for Alistair). How The US Is Destroying Young People’s Future – Scott Galloway – TED . “I know that this video has gone viral. I know that if you’re a fan of Scott Galloway (like I am) that you’ve probably heard him ranting on this topic on his podcast, in his newsletter or in other media appearances, but there’s something about how he both packaged this message and delivered it for this year’s TED event that brings it all home… and it stings. Last weekend, I went to the Dissident Dialogues event in Brooklyn, New York because I was feeling lost. I didn’t know where to place myself in terms of politics, culture and the indicators for the future. I’m a parent and my kids are young. If I’m worried about what’s next for me, I am terrified about what’s next for them. So… I am searching for something… rational minds… smarter perspectives… ideas about a positive and optimistic path forward (I found that at Dissident Dialogues and in this TED Talk). Please watch this… start thinking critically (not like a cog) and stop worrying about being on a side. Instead, worry about finding your courage to think independently and intelligently. I know that courage is a muscle and I’m currently bulking up. This is some buff stuff from Scott Galloway. Share it with everyone that you know…” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on X, Facebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Singularity Songs – AI Composes For Randy Travis But Who’s Conducting Misinformation?

For all of those who said that AI could never be as creative as humans…

The tale of Randy Travis isn’t just a comeback story.
It’s a perfect case study that validates AI’s potential to restore what was lost to fate (and be creative in the process).
After a devastating stroke robbed Travis of his voice, artificial intelligence stepped in not just to assist, but to bring a legend back to the microphone.
The song, ‘What That Came From’, was released this week.
Travis’ once-silent voice now sings loudly, and you can’t hear the AI behind it.
But this isn’t just about one person’s victory over silence.
It’s a snapshot of the broader symphony – and cacophony – of AI’s impact on our lives.

The harmony of restoration.

Randy Travis’ use of AI is nothing short of miraculous for those who appreciate the power of a good comeback.
By analyzing vocal stems from his past performances, AI recreated his singing voice, allowing him to produce new music despite his medical condition.
This is AI at its empathetic best – offering not just technological innovation but a touch of human sensitivity.
It’s a feel-good headline (and a beautiful song) that sings the praises of AI, celebrating technology’s role as a bridge over troubled waters of human tragedy.

Still there are dissonant echoes in the garden of AI.

For all its ability to hit the right notes, AI’s tune isn’t always so harmonious.

Enter the world of deepfakes.

Also this week, the Met Gala – an event for glitz and glamour – were shadowed by AI-generated images of celebrities in outfits they never wore, at an event some never attended.
These digital masquerades, while technologically impressive, churn the waters of misinformation, proving that when AI is used by those trying to create chaos, it can really stir the pot.

Creativity or chaos?

The creative industries are dabbling more and more with AI, pushing boundaries between reality and artifice.
From the music video for Washed Out‘s ‘The Hardest Part’ (newly released and crafted using OpenAI’s text-to-video platform, Sora), to the viral but entirely fictitious recipes storming social media, AI is redefining creativity.

But with great power comes great responsibility — and considerable debate.

Over 200 artists have called for regulations on AI in music, highlighting a growing discomfort with the blurred lines between human artistry and its algorithmic alter ego.
In response to the Pandora’s Box of potential problems unleashed by AI, organizations like OpenAI are not just creating but also policing the space.
Their new deepfake detector tool (also released this week) is a step toward keeping AI honest, or at least trying to.
Alongside Google and Meta, OpenAI is part of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, striving to create a “nutrition label” for content that clarifies origins and alterations — essentially trying to put the genie back in the bottle, or at least tag it for future reference.

Let me stand next to your fire.

AI is like fire — a tool that has illuminated worlds and razed them to ash.
Randy Travis’s story reminds us of the warmth it can bring, healing through harmony.
Still… it’s fire.
We must watch it closely, mindful of the potential to burn through the very fabric of truth.

As we move forward, let’s enjoy the music but remain vigilant about the conductor.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Singularity Songs – AI Composes For Randy Travis But Who’s Conducting Misinformation?

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Juliette Powell On The AI Dilemma – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #930 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to

I’ve known Juliette Powell since she was a famed VJ on MusiquePlus – MuchMusic and I was a music journalist back in the mid-ninties. While we lost touch over the years, we reconnected when she published her book about social media in 2008, 33 Million People in the Room – How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking, and more recently with her latest, The AI Dilemma – 7 Principles for Responsible Technology (co-authored with Art Kleiner). The balance between innovation and ethics with artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly crucial. Juliette, a seasoned consultant at the intersection of technology and business (wit her consultancy, KPI), addresses this challenge head-on in The AI Dilemma. The book is a roadmap for businesses and governments looking to harness AI’s potential responsibly. Juliette delves into the pressing issues surrounding AI deployment and the imperative of upholding ethical standards. With her extensive background consulting for multinational companies and her research at Columbia University, Juliette brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the AI discourse. She explores the dual nature of AI – its capacity to drive unprecedented progress and its potential to perpetuate harm. She articulates the seven principles outlined in her book, which serve as guidelines for developing AI systems that support human flourishing while minimizing risks. These principles focus on rigorous risk assessment, transparency, data protection, bias reduction, accountability, organizational flexibility, and fostering an environment of psychological safety and creative friction. Juliette’s insights are informed by real-world examples and her collaborations with institutions like Intel Labs and governmental bodies, which underscore the complexity of AI’s impact across various sectors. Our discussion also touches on the broader social implications of AI, including the challenges posed by data ownership, the illusion of personalized experiences, and the global divide in data value. Juliette addresses the confusion surrounding the term ‘AI’ and the critical need for digital literacy to navigate its consequences effectively. We all know that AI presents significant challenges but it also offers remarkable opportunities for those willing to engage with it thoughtfully and ethically. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #930 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

SPOS #930 – Juliette Powell On The AI Dilemma

Welcome to episode #930 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #930. I’ve known Juliette Powell since she was a famed VJ on MusiquePlus – MuchMusic and I was a music journalist back in the mid-ninties. While we lost touch over the years, we reconnected when she published her book about social media in 2008, 33 Million People in the Room – How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking, and more recently with her latest, The AI Dilemma – 7 Principles for Responsible Technology (co-authored with Art Kleiner). The balance between innovation and ethics with artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly crucial. Juliette, a seasoned consultant at the intersection of technology and business (wit her consultancy, KPI), addresses this challenge head-on in The AI Dilemma. The book is a roadmap for businesses and governments looking to harness AI’s potential responsibly. Juliette delves into the pressing issues surrounding AI deployment and the imperative of upholding ethical standards. With her extensive background consulting for multinational companies and her research at Columbia University, Juliette brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the AI discourse. She explores the dual nature of AI – its capacity to drive unprecedented progress and its potential to perpetuate harm. She articulates the seven principles outlined in her book, which serve as guidelines for developing AI systems that support human flourishing while minimizing risks. These principles focus on rigorous risk assessment, transparency, data protection, bias reduction, accountability, organizational flexibility, and fostering an environment of psychological safety and creative friction. Juliette’s insights are informed by real-world examples and her collaborations with institutions like Intel Labs and governmental bodies, which underscore the complexity of AI’s impact across various sectors. Our discussion also touches on the broader social implications of AI, including the challenges posed by data ownership, the illusion of personalized experiences, and the global divide in data value. Juliette addresses the confusion surrounding the term ‘AI’ and the critical need for digital literacy to navigate its consequences effectively. We all know that AI presents significant challenges but it also offers remarkable opportunities for those willing to engage with it thoughtfully and ethically. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:00:36.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Juliette Powell.The AI Dilemma – 7 Principles for Responsible Technology.33 Million People in the Room – How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking.KPI.Follow Juliette on LinkedIn.Follow Juliette on X.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Takeaways

Understanding the impact of AI requires critical thinking and digital literacy.Data ownership and the responsible deployment of AI are crucial considerations.Government regulation and international cooperation are necessary to address the challenges of AI.The term ‘AI’ is often misused and misunderstood, leading to confusion in the marketplace.The development and deployment of AI should be driven by ethical considerations and a risk-benefit analysis.The Apex Benchmark.Alignment and Human Values: Ensuring that AI systems align with human values is a complex challenge, as different cultures and individuals have varying moral perspectives. Creative Friction and Diverse Perspectives: The best products and ideas are often the result of collaboration and diverse perspectives. AI as a Tool for Creativity: AI can enhance human creativity by providing new perspectives, prompting exploration of new ideas, and generating content. Ethics, AI, and the Future of Work: The ethical implications of AI are significant, particularly in relation to job displacement and income inequality. Unconditional Love and Connection: The power of unconditional love and connection can shape our perspectives and actions. 

Chapters:

00:00 0 Introduction and Background02:28 – Early Recognition of AI’s Impact04:02 – Understanding Machine Learning and Data Ownership06:36 – Lack of Transparency in AI Systems07:42 – The Quandary of Personal Data and AI09:33 – The Disconnect Between Public Awareness and Concern11:08 – The Rise of AI and Data as New Oil15:12 – The Need for Responsible AI Deployment16:24 – Government Discourse and Regulation on AI21:35 – Nationalism and Geopolitical Competition in AI24:18 – Confusion and Misuse of the Term ‘AI’28:56 – The Importance of Digital Literacy32:19 – The Pressure to Deploy AI and the Lack of Understanding39:16 – The Excitement and Impact of ChatGPT41:26 – The Apex Benchmark and the Race to Follow45:23 – Alignment and the Challenge of Human Values48:53 – Creative Friction and the Power of Diverse Perspectives50:09 – The Medium is the Message: AI as a Tool for Creativity54:24 – Ethics, AI, and the Future of Work55:56 – Unconditional Love and the Power of Connection

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #930.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.