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. Valentina Contini on AI in innovation, multi-potentiality, AI-augmented foresight, and personas from the future

    3 DAYS AGO

    Valentina Contini on AI in innovation, multi-potentiality, AI-augmented foresight, and personas from the future

    In this insightful episode, Ross Dawson speaks with Valentina Contini, a self-described "professional black sheep," about her journey as an innovation strategist and AI-augmented human. Valentina shares how AI tools are transforming creativity, foresight, and productivity, empowering individuals to bridge the gap between their ideas and reality. From automating mundane tasks to generating future scenarios and visualizations, she highlights how AI serves as a powerful sparring partner for creativity and critical thinking. Valentina also explores the broader potential of AI to amplify human cognition, particularly through brain-computer interfaces, digital twins, and immersive foresight processes. She emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and education in steering technology toward a positive future. This episode inspires listeners to embrace emerging tools, unlock hidden potential, and redefine what’s possible in both work and life.

    35 min
  2. Anthea Roberts on dragonfly thinking, integrating multiple perspectives, human-AI metacognition, and cognitive renaissance

    11 DEC

    Anthea Roberts on dragonfly thinking, integrating multiple perspectives, human-AI metacognition, and cognitive renaissance

    In this podcast episode, Anthea Roberts, professor and founder of Dragonfly Thinking, joins Ross Dawson to discuss how structured analytic techniques and AI can transform how we approach complex, evolving problems. Anthea shares her unconventional journey from international law and global governance to launching a tech startup. Inspired by the dragonfly's multifaceted vision, Dragonfly Thinking leverages AI to help humans see problems through multiple lenses, integrate diverse perspectives, and stress-test decisions—essential qualities for navigating uncertainty and ambiguity. The conversation explores the evolving relationship between human cognition and AI, emphasizing the shift in roles from primary generators to directors, editors, and collaborators. Anthea highlights the importance of metacognition—knowing when humans or AI perform better—and the potential of AI to manage cognitive complexity beyond human limits. They discuss applications ranging from policymaking and strategy to personal decisions and address challenges like cultural biases in AI models. Both Ross and Anthea agree: the intersection of AI and human cognition marks a profound and exciting transformation, offering immense opportunities alongside its challenges.

    34 min
  3. Kevin Eikenberry on flexible leadership, both/and thinking, flexor spectrums, and skills for flexibility

    4 DEC

    Kevin Eikenberry on flexible leadership, both/and thinking, flexor spectrums, and skills for flexibility

    In this insightful podcast episode, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry joins Ross Dawson to discuss the core principles of Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. Kevin emphasizes the importance of adaptability in leadership, moving beyond fixed styles or labels. He explains the concept of "flexors"—spectrums of leadership approaches, such as compliance vs. commitment or asking vs. telling—where leaders must find the right balance depending on the context. Drawing from real-world examples, Kevin illustrates how leaders can assess situations effectively, embrace "both/and thinking," and shift their strategies to achieve the best outcomes for their teams and organizations. The conversation also delves into the critical role of sense-making in leadership, using frameworks like David Snowden’s Cynefin model to understand and adapt to complex or chaotic situations. Kevin highlights the importance of habits, reflection, and mental fitness in developing leadership flexibility. By cultivating intentionality and pausing to evaluate context, leaders can build confidence and resilience. Kevin’s insights provide a practical roadmap for navigating uncertainty while fostering stronger teams and achieving organizational goals.

    35 min
  4. Alexandra Diening on Human-AI Symbiosis, cyberpsychology, human-centricity, and organizational leadership in AI

    27 NOV

    Alexandra Diening on Human-AI Symbiosis, cyberpsychology, human-centricity, and organizational leadership in AI

    In this insightful podcast episode, Ross Dawson interviews Alexandra Diening, founder of the Human AI Symbiosis Alliance, to explore the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Alexandra shares her unique journey from neuroscience to AI, explaining how her background in cognitive sciences shaped her human-centric approach to AI deployment. She highlights the critical difference between traditional software and AI, emphasizing the need for new frameworks, education, and metrics to avoid creating "parasitic AI"—systems that harm individuals or organizations over time. Instead, Alexandra advocates for fostering mutualistic AI, where humans and AI coexist in a way that enhances both individual potential and organizational success. The discussion delves into the importance of literacy, ethical deployment, and real-world case studies to guide organizations in navigating the rapidly advancing AI landscape. Alexandra introduces A Strategy for Human AI Symbiosis, a practical guidebook offering actionable insights and lessons learned from industry leaders. She emphasizes the importance of balancing excitement and caution when adopting AI, urging leaders to focus on long-term impacts rather than short-term gains. With practical advice on education, expertise, and risk management, this episode provides a roadmap for businesses aiming to harness AI responsibly and effectively.

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

    20 NOV

    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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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