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Technically Optimistic

Emerson Collective

Artificial Intelligence is at a crossroads. How did we get here? In Technically Optimistic we delve into the power and risks associated with AI and a world transformed by a technological revolution.

To better understand where we are and where we’re going, our host Raffi Krikorian speaks with experts at the forefront of this change — creatives, lawmakers, engineers, historians, journalists, and technologists. Over six episodes, listeners will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the ethics, opportunities, and tradeoffs AI presents.

© Emerson Collective 2023

Artificial Intelligence is at a crossroads. How did we get here? In Technically Optimistic we delve into the power and risks associated with AI and a world transformed by a technological revolution.

To better understand where we are and where we’re going, our host Raffi Krikorian speaks with experts at the forefront of this change — creatives, lawmakers, engineers, historians, journalists, and technologists. Over six episodes, listeners will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the ethics, opportunities, and tradeoffs AI presents.

© Emerson Collective 2023
9hr 47min
Thumbnail for "Unpacking Biden's AI plan".
How should we understand the massive new executive order on AI safety?
November 3, 202340min 4sec78.47 MB
Thumbnail for "Justin Hendrix on AI policy and democracy".
The CEO of Tech Policy Press talks about covering global developments in AI regulation
September 29, 202347min 59sec95.03 MB
Thumbnail for "Timnit Gebru is asking different questions about AI".
The influential researcher talks about reclaiming the narrative from Big Tech
September 15, 202342min 8sec82.23 MB
Thumbnail for "Kyunghyun Cho on language, culture, and AI".
As newer and bigger AI language models are developed, new challenges emerge
September 8, 202329min 52sec58.59 MB
Thumbnail for "Ian Bremmer's plan for global AI governance".
The political scientist says governments and corporations need to join forces to take on AI
September 1, 202327min 31sec54.03 MB
Thumbnail for "Keolu Fox on the revolutionary power of Indigenous tech".
After the destructive wildfires on Maui, imagining tech that empowers native Hawaiians
August 25, 202334min 5sec66.57 MB
Thumbnail for "Bishop Paul Tighe on AI and our humanity".
A bonus conversation about technology and what makes us human
August 18, 202331min 6sec61.81 MB
Thumbnail for "AI and Accountability: Who is responsible for managing AI?".
What responsibilities will fall to each of us in an AI-enhanced future?
August 4, 20231hr 5min126.5 MB
Thumbnail for "On Strike! How will AI impact the economy, culture, and the future of creativity?".
What are the benefits and challenges of AI in the current moment?
July 28, 20231hr 2min120.08 MB
Thumbnail for "Education and AI: What does AI have to teach us?".
What does the future – and present – of AI education hold for us?
July 21, 202356min 48sec110.32 MB
Thumbnail for "Rules of the Road - part 2: What might regulating AI look like?".
Lawmakers, experts, and engineers on the prospects of regulating AI.
July 14, 202358min 29sec113.34 MB
Thumbnail for "Rules of the Road - part 1: Who has the power to regulate AI?".
Can government regulation act as guardrails for AI?
July 8, 202344min 17sec85.8 MB
Thumbnail for "AI is at a crossroads. How did we get here?".
History, ethics, and social impact of AI
June 28, 202344min 39sec86.16 MB
Thumbnail for "Trailer: Can AI be used for good?".
How the transformational technology can be developed and deployed with society's best interests at its core.
May 22, 20233min 4sec5.98 MB

Unpacking Biden's AI plan

Thumbnail for "Unpacking Biden's AI plan".
November 3, 202340min 4sec

On Monday, October 30th, Biden signed a landmark executive order on artificial intelligence safety and security. It was timed strategically, released the same week as VP Harris gave a speech at a UK AI summit. And, in the absence of any Congressional action, Biden’s document represents the most comprehensive and official policy of the United States on AI at the moment.

So, what’s in the executive order? Host Raffi Krikorian speaks with journalist Courtney Rozen, who covers the White House and tech policy for Bloomberg, and Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a Brown University computer science professor who co-wrote the influential Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights in 2022.

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Learn more about our host, Raffi Krikorian: emersoncollective.com/persons/raffi-krikorian

Technically Optimistic is produced by Emerson Collective with music by Mattie Safer.

Email us with questions and feedback at technicallyoptimistic@emersoncollective.com.

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Thumbnail for "Unpacking Biden's AI plan".
Unpacking Biden's AI plan
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