Amplifying Cognition

Ross Dawson
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Amplifying Cognition

Leading futurist and entrepreneur Ross Dawson speaks to the world’s best at creating value from infinite information. His guests share the insights and practices that will help you to thrive in a rapidly accelerating world.

  1. Kevin Clark & Kyle Shannon on collective intelligence, digital twin elicitation, data collaboratives, and the evolution of content

    21 HR AGO

    Kevin Clark & Kyle Shannon on collective intelligence, digital twin elicitation, data collaboratives, and the evolution of content

    In this insightful podcast episode, Kevin and Kyle, pioneers in leveraging generative AI, delve into how digital twins and collective intelligence are revolutionizing the way organizations collaborate and innovate. They share their journey at Content Evolution, a federation of companies focused on aligning expertise and creativity. By creating digital representations of themselves—called digital advisors—they enable 24/7 collaboration, overcoming barriers like time zones and writer’s block. These AI-powered tools don’t just replicate knowledge but also embody the unique personalities and problem-solving styles of their creators, making them invaluable for brainstorming, generating content, and streamlining workflows. The conversation covers key topics, including the importance of asking better questions to unlock AI’s potential, the evolution of structured interviews for training digital twins, and the broader implications of generative AI for industries and individuals. Kyle shares his excitement about using digital advisors to explore diverse perspectives, while Kevin highlights the transformative power of rapid prototyping and accessible AI. They also touch on the untapped potential of organizational data and how AI can bridge gaps in knowledge sharing, ultimately redefining how humans and machines work together.

    41 min
  2. Samar Younes on pluridisciplinary art, AI as artisanal intelligence, future ancestors, and nomadic culture

    6 NOV

    Samar Younes on pluridisciplinary art, AI as artisanal intelligence, future ancestors, and nomadic culture

    In this enlightening conversation, futurist and creative catalyst Samar Younes joins Ross Dawson to discuss the power of art and artificial intelligence in shaping culture and identity. With a background in architecture and public art, Samar shares her journey of blending traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation. She delves into her belief in “artisanal intelligence,” viewing AI as a tool that, like working with one’s hands, can create experiences rich with cultural texture. Drawing from her upbringing in Beirut and her commitment to amplifying narratives from the Global South, Samar challenges Western-centric views in technology, aiming to reclaim and modernize cultural aesthetics in her work. The discussion touches on Samar’s visionary projects, including her speculative “Kelly Tribe” series, which reimagines nomadic lifestyles, sustainable fashion, and multi-species coexistence. She shares her process of blending personal archives, AI-generated imagery, and sensory design, emphasizing the role of artists in hacking and reshaping biased digital tools. With Ross, Samar explores the urgency of building empathetic, inclusive futures, advocating for a slower, more mindful approach to technology that supports human well-being over profit. Her work invites listeners to embrace the wild, imperfect, and organic potential of both art and AI.

    38 min
  3. Jason Burton on LLMs and collective intelligence, algorithmic amplification, AI in deliberative processes, and decentralized networks

    30 OCT

    Jason Burton on LLMs and collective intelligence, algorithmic amplification, AI in deliberative processes, and decentralized networks

    In this episode, Ross Dawson and Jason Burton explore the transformative role of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in enhancing and reshaping collective intelligence. Jason shares insights from his recent paper, co-authored with 27 other experts, which examines how LLMs act as new aggregation tools, merging collective knowledge from vast online sources into coherent responses. The conversation touches on how LLMs can simulate crowdsourcing, provide fast and diverse answers, and even serve as facilitators in complex deliberative processes. This evolution raises questions about the benefits of such technology in fostering productive dialogues and generating collective insights. The discussion also addresses potential downsides, such as the risk of homogenized thinking when many users rely on the same LLMs, leading to diminished diversity of thought. Jason shares his concerns over the current landscape dominated by a few major tech players, suggesting that more diversified models could help mitigate these effects. The conversation concludes with a vision for future applications of AI in civic technology, where language models could bridge public discourse and bureaucratic decision-making, ultimately contributing to a more informed and engaged society.

    36 min
  4. Kai Riemer on AI as non-judgmental coach, AI fluency, GenAI as style engines, and organizational redesign

    23 OCT

    Kai Riemer on AI as non-judgmental coach, AI fluency, GenAI as style engines, and organizational redesign

    In this episode, Ross Dawson interviews Kai Riemer about the evolving role of AI in organizations and leadership. They discuss how AI, particularly generative AI, can augment human decision-making, but emphasize the need for leaders to understand the nuances of AI systems. Riemer highlights the importance of education and upskilling for leaders to fully leverage AI as a tool for personal productivity and organizational effectiveness. He also shares examples of AI applications, such as using AI to moderate team discussions or enhance inclusivity in HR policies, as seen at IBM. The conversation also touches on broader topics like the shifting landscape of necessary skills, the importance of creativity in AI-human interaction, and the dangers of anthropomorphizing AI. Riemer argues that while AI can significantly enhance human capabilities, organizations must redesign their structures to become more responsive, rather than using AI to automate meaningless tasks. Overall, the episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of AI, leadership, and organizational design, with practical insights on how to think critically about AI's role in the workplace.

    33 min
  5. Marc Ramos on organic learning, personalized education, L&D as the new R&D, and top learning case studies

    16 OCT

    Marc Ramos on organic learning, personalized education, L&D as the new R&D, and top learning case studies

    In this podcast episode, futurist Ross Dawson interviews Marc Steven Ramos, a corporate learning expert, to explore the evolving landscape of workforce development and the role of AI in reshaping how organizations train and develop talent. Marc discusses the challenges facing learning and development (L&D) teams, particularly the shift from in-person training to virtual and blended models post-pandemic. He highlights the tension between scaling learning programs for efficiency and maintaining quality, warning that overly generalized training can lead to mediocre skills and a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, he touches on the macroeconomic pressures on organizations to demonstrate the tangible value of their L&D efforts while navigating budget constraints. The conversation delves into the transformative potential of AI in corporate learning. Marc describes how AI can revolutionize learning by creating dynamic, personalized, and continuous training experiences. He shares his vision of learning as an organic, living entity, where AI pulls from diverse knowledge sources within an organization to constantly adapt and tailor instruction to individual needs. Both Marc and Ross emphasize the importance of embedding learning into the fabric of an organization's culture, moving beyond viewing it as a support function to making it a central driver of innovation and growth in the AI era.

    37 min
  6. Alex Richter on Computer Supported Collaborative Work, webs of participation, and human-AI collaboration in the metaverse

    9 OCT

    Alex Richter on Computer Supported Collaborative Work, webs of participation, and human-AI collaboration in the metaverse

    In this episode, Ross Dawson speaks with Alex Richter about the evolving field of human-AI collaboration, using the framework of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). Alex discusses how the CSCW framework places the human at the center of collaboration and how emerging technologies like AI can support teamwork. He emphasizes the importance of trust, awareness, and transparency in human-AI interactions and highlights key trends from a literature review on human-AI teams. These trends explore how AI can change communication and organizational structures, and how trust and appropriation are critical for successful integration of AI into collaborative environments. The conversation also touches on the future of AI, particularly the use of AI avatars and virtual environments in human-AI teams. Alex points out the value of context when determining how to implement AI tools and suggests that AI's effectiveness often depends on how well it aligns with individual and organizational needs. He also discusses the challenges of making sense of AI's capabilities, stressing the importance of inclusivity and foresight in ensuring AI benefits a wide range of users, from neurodivergent individuals to organizational leaders making strategic decisions.

    36 min
  7. Jack Uldrich on the unlearning, regenerative futures, nurturing creativity, and being good ancestors

    3 OCT

    Jack Uldrich on the unlearning, regenerative futures, nurturing creativity, and being good ancestors

    In this podcast episode, Ross Dawson interviews futurist Jack Uldrich, exploring the complexities of thinking about the future. Uldrich emphasizes the importance of silence, meditation, and humility as foundational practices in gaining insights about the future. He cautions against rigid thinking and the dangers of becoming attached to conclusions, advocating instead for the practice of asking the best possible questions. Uldrich also discusses "The Black Swan" concept, highlighting how unexpected, low-probability events can significantly alter the course of the future. They delve into scenario planning and the importance of building resilience in businesses and society to adapt to such unforeseen events. As the conversation progresses, Uldrich and Dawson reflect on the rapid pace of technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, and the potential challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the critical role of human wisdom, ethics, and imagination in shaping a positive future, exploring how AI may change work, education, and community dynamics. The episode concludes with Uldrich encouraging listeners to nurture their creativity and curiosity, reminding them of their collective responsibility to create a better and more regenerative future.

    38 min
  8. Lindsay Richman on immersive simulations, rich AI personas, dynamics of AI teams, and cognitive architectures

    25 SEPT

    Lindsay Richman on immersive simulations, rich AI personas, dynamics of AI teams, and cognitive architectures

    In this episode, Ross Dawson interviews Lindsay Richman, founder of Innerverse, to discuss her innovative work in AI and its potential to amplify human cognition. Lindsay shares her journey into the field, influenced by her father’s background in machine learning and her own experiences with linguistics. She explains how AI has advanced, particularly in natural language processing, and how these developments allow more seamless human-AI interactions. Lindsay also talks about the rapid growth of AI-powered agents and how tools like Google’s Vertex and models like GPT-4 have revolutionized the space, offering insights into how her company is shaping the future of AI-driven simulations. Lindsay delves into Innerverse’s mission to create simulations that help people achieve both personal and professional goals. She describes how these simulations provide a sandbox environment where users can practice skills, such as public speaking or work-life balance, while interacting with AI agents tailored to their preferences. The conversation also explores ethical considerations in AI development and the importance of diversity in building AI systems that support a wide range of human experiences. The episode concludes with a discussion on the evolving relationship between humans and AI, highlighting the role of collaboration in future advancements.

    40 min
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Leading futurist and entrepreneur Ross Dawson speaks to the world’s best at creating value from infinite information. His guests share the insights and practices that will help you to thrive in a rapidly accelerating world.

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