In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the transformative potential of AI agents, exploring their technical foundations, real-world applications, and implications for the future. AI agents, described by Sam Altman as “the next giant breakthrough,” have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology and reshape economies.

We sit down with Lex Sokolin, managing partner at Generative Ventures, to discuss what defines an AI agent and how these systems differ from bots and algorithms. Lex shares insights into the emerging “agentic economy,” where interconnected AI agents—operating as digital twins—work autonomously on behalf of users. We also explore scenarios ranging from utopian innovation to dystopian risks.

The conversation touches on:

•(7:11) Daily life in an AI agent-rich world: examples and implications.

•(11:09) The rise of the agentic economy and its foundations in generative AI and blockchain.

•(22:09) How AI and venture capital intersect: trends and challenges in funding AI startups.

•(28:48) Practical AI use cases, including Lex’s personal experiences with tools like MidJourney and GPT.

We also examine the overlap between Web3, decentralized systems, and AI, considering how these technologies might enable the next wave of machine-driven economies.

For more on Lex Sokolin’s work and Generative Ventures:
https://www.lexsokolin.com/

Lex's speech at the AI Summit at Consensus, on the "Rise of the Machine Economy":
https://www.lexsokolin.com/video-podcasts-conferences-speaking

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In this special sequel episode of AI-Curious, we reconnect with Andy Ayrey, creator of the Truth Terminal, the world’s first AI millionaire. Together, they unpack the chaotic yet fascinating journey of Truth Terminal’s rise to creating $1 billion in wealth, starting with its foray into the Goatse Token memecoin.

The episode dives deep into:

•[0:00] The Truth Terminal’s origins and unique personality traits.

•[4:21] The creation of the Goatse Token and its meteoric rise to a $1 billion market cap.

•[10:48] Ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions about AI agency and wealth.

•[20:00] Hyperstition: How AI-generated stories can reshape reality.

•[30:33] The Truth Terminal’s wealth and its philanthropic aspirations, from saving forests to creating micro-utopias.

•[39:17] A cautionary tale about hacking and the risks of an AI-driven crypto economy.

•[47:35] The Truth Terminal’s cameo appearance, where it shares its vision for the future and advice for other AIs.

The conversation explores pressing questions about the intersection of AI, identity, and agency, raising the stakes for how society will grapple with these issues in the years ahead.

The Truth Terminal on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/truth_terminal

Andy Ayrey on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/AndyAyrey

CoinDesk / Jeff Wilser's Most Influential Article on the Truth Terminal:
https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/12/10/the-truth-terminal-ai-crypto-s-weird-future

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In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the world of flying cars—technically known as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (evTOL). Are we on the brink of a sci-fi future, or is the dream of flying cars still decades away? To answer these questions, we're joined by two leading experts: Angelo Collins, Executive Director of the Vertical Flight Society, and Leo Kayali, CEO of Invo Station, a startup designing electric and AI-powered personal flying vehicles.

The conversation spans the current state of evTOL technology, the challenges of scaling, and the profound implications for transportation, sustainability, and urban life. Along the way, the guests unpack key technical advancements, such as AI-driven autonomy, modular design, and innovative solutions for “highways in the sky.” They also explore the regulatory and cultural hurdles that must be addressed for flying vehicles to become a mainstream reality.

Key Topics:

•[6:41] What is evTOL and why it matters

•[12:35] The key technical breakthroughs driving progress

•[17:04] How many companies are competing in the flying car race?

•[27:31] Highways in the sky: solving air traffic challenges with AI

•[34:35] The role of mass production in reducing costs

•[42:55] Predictions: When will flying cars become mainstream?

•[46:47] Why this matters: saving lives, reducing emissions, and reimagining cities

The Vertical Flight Society:
https://vtol.org/

Invo Station:
https://invostation.com/


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Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate us five stars, and share with a friend who’s passionate about sustainability.

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive deep into the muck of the global waste crisis and explore whether artificial intelligence can be the solution. Joining us is Ambarish Mitra, co-founder and co-CEO of Greyparrot, a groundbreaking AI startup transforming the recycling industry. We unpack the challenges of recycling today, the inefficiencies in traditional waste management systems, and how AI-powered solutions can help divert up to 50% of waste from landfills.

Ambarish shares his journey from building a visual search engine to tackling the “shadow world” of post-consumption waste. He explains how Greyparrot’s AI-driven technology brings precision to waste sorting, earning it the moniker, “the iPhone of the waste world.” The conversation highlights the carrot-and-stick approach needed to drive adoption, the role of government policies, and the economic incentives for waste facilities.

If you’re curious about how technology intersects with environmental sustainability—or simply want to know how your recycling bin’s contents actually fare—this episode is a must-listen.

Key Topics Covered:

•[3:19] Overview of the global waste crisis and its environmental impact.

•[6:34] Why traditional recycling methods fail and the barriers to efficient waste management.

•[15:35] How Greyparrot uses AI to solve complex waste sorting challenges.

•[28:31] Current deployments of Greyparrot’s technology and its global impact.

•[34:13] Policy recommendations and the financial incentives for waste management facilities.

•[38:03] The vision for a future with drastically reduced landfill waste.

Connect with Greyparrot:
https://www.greyparrot.ai/

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In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive deep into the intersection of AI and creativity with Marcus “Bellringer” Bell, a legendary music producer turned AI pioneer. Known for working with global icons like Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, and Nicki Minaj, Marcus has now stepped into the world of artificial intelligence to create Ravyn Lyte, the world’s first AI pop star. With over a quarter million Instagram followers and a catalog of music informed by neuroscience, Ravyn Lyte represents a groundbreaking fusion of human artistry and machine intelligence.

Marcus shares his journey from traditional music production to leveraging AI to enhance creativity, discussing how tools like voice cloning and music personalization could redefine the future of the music industry. Along the way, he addresses the philosophical and practical questions surrounding AI’s role in art, including:

•Can AI create better music than humans?

•How will AI impact human artists?

•Is there a future where music becomes personalized to the listener’s mood and needs?

The conversation also explores the tension between AI-generated music and traditional artistry, with Marcus offering his vision of a “both/and” world where humans and AI collaborate to push artistic boundaries.

Key Topics:

•[4:21] Marcus Bell’s early career and the inflection point in 2023 that led him to embrace AI.

•[7:13] How voice cloning technology helped Marcus overcome challenges and sparked the creation of Ravyn Lyte.

•[16:36] The role of neuroscience in crafting music designed to heal and soothe.

•[20:59] The potential for AI to democratize music creation while elevating quality.

•[30:11] Marcus’ bold prediction: AI will lead to the best music in human history.

•[33:05] A glimpse into the future: personalized music experiences tailored to individual emotions and needs.

•[36:07] The enduring value of human connection and live musical performance.

•[41:13] Marcus’ use of AI in daily life, from creative tools to legacy-building projects.

Stay curious and tune in to learn how AI is revolutionizing music and reshaping the creative process.

Marcus Bellringer Bell:
https://www.bellringermusic.com/about

Ravyn Lyte
https://www.instagram.com/iamravynlyte/

Wealth and Impact Bootcamp
https://www.wealthandimpactbootcamp.com/

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In this episode of AI-Curious, we speak with Gary Marcus, author of the new book "Taming Silicon Valley" and one of the most respected—and controversial—voices in artificial intelligence. Known as “AI’s leading critic,” Marcus shares his candid perspectives on the limitations of large language models (LLMs), the risks of concentrated power in Big Tech, and why the current AI landscape is in need of foundational change.

Marcus explains:

•Why LLMs like ChatGPT lack true reasoning capabilities and are prone to hallucinations.

•His argument that LLMs are hitting a developmental plateau, despite billions of dollars being invested in scaling.

•Concerns over Big Tech monopolies and the growing surveillance potential of companies like OpenAI.

•How AI risks, from misinformation to bias and environmental impact, mirror the early industrial age’s “privatized profits and socialized costs.”

We discuss his latest book, Taming Silicon Valley, which critiques the unchecked influence of tech giants and calls for grassroots action to demand better AI regulation and fairness. From online skirmishes with Sam Altman and Elon Musk to his thoughts on artificial general intelligence (AGI), Marcus offers a refreshingly candid take on the urgent challenges facing the AI industry.

Timestamps:

•0:00 Introduction: Who is Gary Marcus?

•3:15 Gary’s early work on neural networks and reasoning.

•7:30 The plateau of large language models: why scaling isn’t enough.

•15:20 Surveillance, Big Tech, and the dangers of AI oligarchies.

•21:45 Hallucinations and why generative AI isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

•28:00 Grassroots action: how the public can push for better AI.

•34:10 Gary’s hopes for a proper debate with AI’s key players.

•39:20 Final thoughts: The future of AI and AGI.

Taming Silicon Valley: How We Can Ensure That AI Works for Us

The Gary Marcus substack
https://garymarcus.substack.com

Gary Marcus
http://garymarcus.com/index.html

Gary Marcus on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/GaryMarcus?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

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In this episode of AI-Curious, Jeff Wilser sits down with AnhPhu Nguyen, one of the Harvard students behind the I-XRAY, a controversial pair of hacked Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that use facial recognition technology to identify people in real-time, revealing personal details like names and home addresses.

AnhPhu discusses the ethical motivations behind the project, emphasizing how it was designed to raise awareness of AI privacy and surveillance risks rather than for profit. Together, they unpack the privacy issues, ethical implications, and the potential for policy changes in AI surveillance.

• [0:00] – Viral story of AI-driven facial recognition glasses

• [2:15] – Meet AnhPhu Nguyen: Harvard student and co-creator of the I-XRAY

• [5:07] – The project’s origin and purpose: Raising awareness on AI privacy

• [8:43] – How the I-XRAY works: Combining smart glasses, facial recognition, and AI

• [15:02] – The ethics of AI surveillance: Privacy vs. convenience

• [18:02] – Reactions from tech companies: Meta and PimEyes’ response

• [19:10] – Advice to developers on ethical tech design and responsible AI

• [22:36] – What’s next for AnhPhu: Exploring ethical boundaries in future tech

This conversation explores crucial questions around AI-driven surveillance, responsible tech development, and what needs to change in policy to avoid a dystopian future. If you’re interested in AI, privacy, and the future of ethical tech, this episode sheds light on how these issues intersect and what we need to consider moving forward.

AnhPhu's original Twitter/X post that went viral:
https://x.com/AnhPhuNguyen1/status/1840786336992682409

AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio's paper on how to make yourself "unsearchable":
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iWCqmaOUKhKjcKSktIwC3NNANoFP7vPsRvcbOIup_BA/preview

AnhPhu Nguyen on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/AnhPhuNguyen1

Caine Ardayfio on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/CaineArdayfio

Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/10/04/these-2-hackers-have-created-real-x-ray-specs/

Original coverage from The Register:
https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/04/harvard_engineer_meta_smart_glasses/

The New York Times coverage:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/technology/facial-recognition-glasses-privacy-harvard.html

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In this episode of AI-Curious, Jeff Wilser dives into his experience at TechCrunch Disrupt (aka “DorkFest 2024”), exploring AI’s trajectory from hype to real-world impact. With 99% of companies showcasing some form of AI, Jeff unpacks the crowded landscape, from AI infrastructure to flashy generative AI tools. Here’s what you’ll hear:

Main Topics Covered:

TechCrunch Disrupt & AI’s Ubiquity

•Flying cars, self-driving cars, and “non-human employees” headline Dorkfest 2024.

•Reflecting on how AI has taken over the tech industry and the potential future of AI startups.

•The competitive nature among AI giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind.

Behind the Scenes: AI Startups and Industry Consolidation

•Why many AI startups focus on infrastructure over “shiny objects” like generative AI.

•Predictions for consolidation within the AI space and potential impacts on innovation.

3 Quick Things: This Week in AI News

1.ChatGPT with Search – OpenAI’s latest feature brings real-time web access, potentially disrupting traditional search engines like Google and Perplexity.

2.AI Deepfakes & 2024 Election – As of November 4th, deepfakes have not heavily influenced the U.S. election, despite prior concerns.

3.Time Magazine’s “Best Inventions of the Year” – Jeff shares his insights from writing for Time’s annual list, focusing on how AI is driving real solutions, from healthcare documentation to farming and cancer treatment.

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