Possible

Reid Hoffman
Possible

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.

  1. Sean White on Inflection and AI frontiers

    2 OCT

    Sean White on Inflection and AI frontiers

    How will an empathetic AI interact with humans? What if we used AI not just for its IQ, but its EQ? How do we build the trust to enable it to take agency on our behalf? This week, Reid and Aria sit down with an expert and friend, Sean White to start answering those questions. Sean White is currently the CEO of Inflection AI and is working on expanding the relationship of what AI can do for humans. Sean takes a humanist approach to new technology, and is interested in AI that can go beyond intelligence to learn empathy and take action. Sean's background is as wide-ranging as the conversation, where we discuss the influence of AI in everything from neuroscience to understanding animal languages. Plus, listen to a live test with Pi to demonstrate Pi's ability to handle a tough situation at work, with empathy.  Read the transcript of this episode here. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 01:22 - Hellos and intros 3:20 - Microsoft and Inflection  6:27 - The capabilities and influence of Inflection’s Pi  11:02 - Pi in the workplace  12:10 - Pi in action  15:38 - AI isn’t a human; it is a tool  16:11 - Pi’s IQ vs EQ  17:46 - Pi’s AQ, or our ability to take action via AI  18:51 - How our lives might change in the near future with Pi  21:36 - How our skill sets will elevate  22:28 - Neuroscience and AI  25:22 - Owning your intelligence  30:14 - The wonders of Earth Species Project  34:05 - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  Inflection: https://inflection.ai/  Spruce art collective Dr. Eddie Chang, Chang Lab, UCSF  Familiarity by the Punch Brothers Dr. Hirokazu Kato, Nara Institute of Science and Technology 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.

    41 min
  2. Sarah Longwell on politics, AI, and elections

    18 SEPT

    Sarah Longwell on politics, AI, and elections

    What’s driving some of the greatest political divisions and threats to democracy ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election? This week, Reid and Aria attempt to unpack this with someone who specializes in listening to American voters and translating those insights, at scale: Republican political strategist and The Bulwark co-founder/publisher Sarah Longwell. Sarah, who also hosts The Focus Group Podcast, joins the show to talk about her experience listening to everyday voters through focus groups — and her perspective on how doing so can help people better understand one another, combat misinformation, and heal some of the deepest divides in America today. She shares her perspective on Donald Trump, the upcoming election, the state of politics in Silicon Valley, AI, the future of the Republican Party, and the value of compromising. Plus, Reid tests GPT-4o’s ability to separate fact from fiction.  Note: This conversation is not intended to proselytize or convert anyone. Rather, it is an attempt to learn from someone who has spent hundreds of hours talking to thousands of voters about their lives and politics.   For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 03:41 - Hellos and intros 04:55 - The state of politics now 06:08 - Inside the mind of an undecided voter 08:22 - What polls actually tell us 10:04 - What’s different about the political attitude right now 12:22 - How focus groups work, and what they tell us 18:08 - The benefits of qualitative research 18:52 - How can technology improve focus group research? 23:12 - How to become a better listener and persuader 28:21 - The impact and use cases of AI running focus groups 34:03 - When a human touch is necessary 36:37 - AI video-based sentiment analysis 41:05 - Sarah navigating being a lone wolf in politics 45:19 - What Sarah learned fighting for marriage equality 47:25 - How does misinformation spread and stick? 54:08 - What’s next for the Republican party? 57:42 - GPT-4o “spot the fake headline” test 01:02:57 - 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.

    1h 12m
  3. Daphne Koller on drug discovery and AI

    4 SEPT

    Daphne Koller on drug discovery and AI

    How can scientists leverage AI and machine learning to more effectively research, develop, and deliver new drugs? This week, Reid and Aria talk drug development with renowned computer scientist and executive Dr. Daphne Koller, whose company, insitro, uses machine learning to improve the quality and speed of drug discovery. She addresses several ways AI and ML are already being used to redefine diseases and create better therapeutic interventions. Plus, she shares her experience transitioning from academia to industry.  Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.possible.fm/podcasts/dkoller For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 00:01: Cold open 00:43: Hellos and intros 3:20: Early involvement in AI  5:00: Overview of drug discovery and its evolution over the last five years  7:50: AI and machine learning impact on biology and drug development  9:09: Pi aside defining AlphaFold  11:37: Areas of acceleration and opportunity in AI and drug discovery  17:21: Synthetic data  21:21: AI implications on therapeutic hypotheses  23:54: Personalized vs. precision medicine  27:04: Closing the data feedback loop  30:31: Exciting announcements  34:24: Privacy and data 36:41: GPT-4 story  38:48: Stuart Russell’s comments on the applications of Koller’s thesis  43:36: AI as a moving target 47:24: How can academia and industry positively impact society and humanity 51:58: insitro’s culture  54:18: - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah Ritchie Stuart Russell 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.

    1h 0m
  4. Nick Thompson on our AI future

    21 AUG

    Nick Thompson on our AI future

    What might it look like if we used AI to make democracy work better and to make society more equal? In this special live recording of Possible, Aria turns the tables on her co-host, interviewing Reid alongside Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson. They discuss AI-native generations, the future of friendship and social connections, media, data, privacy, and democracy in the age of AI. To kick off the episode, Reid’s avatar makes a cameo.  Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.possible.fm/podcasts/nthompson For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 1:53 - Hellos and intros 2:15 - A question from Reid’s AI Avatar 6:24 - Defining this moment in technology 10:08 - AI, journalism, and democracy 13:32 - AI and empathy  20:17 - Why AI is exciting for young people 22:44 - How impacts the world of friendship  33:07 - AI and privacy 41:21 - Looking ahead  47:51 - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  The Worlds I See by Fei-fei Li Earth Species Project 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.

    54 min

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About

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.

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