Talk To Me Petey D

Petey D

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Management
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People Management. Leadership. Productivity.

4d ago

Ep. 66: AI's Ghost Work

How do AI systems magically understand what’s going on in the image you uploaded? Turns out there is an army of low-wage human workers behind the scenes that is required to make this happen. In this episode I attempt to shed some light on these workers, sometimes called data labelers, but often referred to as Ghost Workers. These ghosts are very real, and it behooves us to get to know them and their work. This labor force is often located in the Global South where people desperate for work can be exploited in patterns of colonial extraction. These workers view traumatic content so that AI chatbots won’t show it to us. They also watch our interactions and sometimes even play the role of the computer. Links mentioned: Blood in the Machine Podcast - What’s really behind AI ‘super intelligence’ https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/whats-really-behind-ai-super-intelligence 404 Media - Humans Are Reading Copilot Prompts — And They're Horrified https://www.404media.co/humans-reading-copilot-prompts-images/ Techspot - Meta's smart glasses raise privacy alarms as data labelers review intimate recordings https://www.techspot.com/news/111575-meta-smart-glasses-raise-privacy-alarms-data-labelers.html 📖 Book: People Management: Ground Up for Aspiring Leaders https://www.amazon.com/People-Management-Ground-Up-Aspiring/dp/B0DBGQ57XT 💼 LinkedIn: Pete Dempsey https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-dempsey/ 🤖 Course: Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success https://www.linkedin.com/learning/partnering-with-ai-agents-for-business-success-by-pearson/ 🌐 Website: PeterDempseyWrites.com https://peterdempseywrites.com/ 📰 Newsletter: Subscribe Here https://peterdempseywrites.com/newsletter/ 🦋 Bluesky: Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/petedempsey.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: Talk To Me Petey D http://www.youtube.com/@TalkToMePeteyD 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-me-petey-d/id1745885025 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4NrlsWzansuCfuApMCZzj0
Sep 24

Ep. 65: 5 Books to Understand AI

You don’t have to be an engineer to understand how AI works and affects our world. Read these five books and you’ll know more than 90% of people. 1. The Means of Prediction: How AI Really Works (and Who Benefits) by Maximilian Kasy Read this short and to the point book and you’ll understand how AI works and how its builders shape the direction of their technology. 2. Atlas of AI by Kate Crawford Learn about the long supply chain of extraction and logistics to run the LLM chatbot you interact with. 3. AI Snake Oil by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference AI is normal technology. Understand what it can’t predict and what claims are fiction. 4. Reader Bot: What Happens when AI Reads and Why It Matters by Naomi S. Baron What do we give up when we outsource our reading and writing to AI? This book will help you make informed and intentional choices for AI use. 5. Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao Who are these people (Altman, Amodei, Musk, and more) from the early days of OpenAI, what do they believe, and how do those beliefs shape the technology they build.
Sep 2

Ep. 64: AI's Original Sins

AI Ethics and Responsible AI are fields that attempt to make AI function in alignment with societal values. Or you could look at the goal as limiting the risk of harm being caused by AI-backed systems. The question I want to explore today is that can we ever truly have an “ethical” or “responsible” AI solution if the technology stands on an unethical foundation? The sins we'll examine: • Non-consensual content • Energy Consumption • Resource extraction • Localized pollution from datacenters • Global cost of goods • Ghost work • Encoded bias • Marketing myths • Measuring intelligence and eugenics 📖 Book: People Management: Ground Up for Aspiring Leaders https://www.amazon.com/People-Management-Ground-Up-Aspiring/dp/B0DBGQ57XT 💼 LinkedIn: Pete Dempsey https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-dempsey/ 🤖 Course: Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success https://www.linkedin.com/learning/partnering-with-ai-agents-for-business-success-by-pearson/ 🌐 Website: PeterDempseyWrites.com https://peterdempseywrites.com/ 📰 Newsletter: Subscribe Here https://peterdempseywrites.com/newsletter/ 🦋 Bluesky: Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/petedempsey.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: Talk To Me Petey D http://www.youtube.com/@TalkToMePeteyD 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-me-petey-d/id1745885025 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4NrlsWzansuCfuApMCZzj0
Aug 10

Ep.63: Networking and the Gift Economy

Professional networking is often described as essential for career growth, learning, and opportunity. Yet many people hesitate to reach out because they feel they need to offer something of equal value in return. In this episode, I explore a different way of thinking about networking: through the lens of the gift economy rather than the traditional market economy. Inspired by ideas from Braiding Sweetgrass, I discuss why networking doesn't have to be transactional, why everyone has something valuable to offer regardless of experience level, and how generosity can help build stronger, more resilient professional relationships. You'll learn: Why professional networks are among your most valuable career assets The difference between transactional and relationship-based networking How the concept of a "gift economy" can reduce the fear of reaching out for help Why mentoring, learning, and networking create value for both people involved How strong human connections become even more important in an AI-driven world Practical ways to start building and maintaining a network based on generosity and mutual growth Whether you're early in your career, navigating a career transition, seeking mentorship, or looking to build deeper professional relationships, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to connect with others in a more authentic and meaningful way. If you enjoy conversations about knowledge work, leadership, management, career growth, and AI, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast. #Networking #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Mentorship #Leadership #KnowledgeWork #PersonalGrowth #CareerAdvice #BraidingSweetgrass #GiftEconomy #AIandWork Connect With Me 📖 Book: People Management: Ground Up for Aspiring Leaders https://www.amazon.com/People-Management-Ground-Up-Aspiring/dp/B0DBGQ57XT 💼 LinkedIn: Pete Dempsey https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-dempsey/ 🤖 Course: Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success https://www.linkedin.com/learning/partnering-with-ai-agents-for-business-success-by-pearson/ 🌐 Website: PeterDempseyWrites.com https://peterdempseywrites.com/ 📰 Newsletter: Subscribe Here https://peterdempseywrites.com/newsletter/ 🦋 Bluesky: Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/petedempsey.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: Talk To Me Petey D http://www.youtube.com/@TalkToMePeteyD 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-me-petey-d/id1745885025 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4NrlsWzansuCfuApMCZzj0
Jul 23

Finding Meaning at Work during Challenging Times

Are you struggling to find meaning at work in a world of layoffs, AI disruption, and constant change? In this episode of Talk To Me Petey D (TTMPD), I explore one of the most important drivers of professional fulfillment: meaning. When work feels connected to purpose, we experience greater satisfaction, resilience, and well-being. The same challenge that feels exhausting when disconnected from purpose can feel energizing when it serves something that matters to us. Drawing on insights from Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and my own professional experiences, I discuss practical ways to reconnect with meaning—even when your job, organization, or industry feels uncertain. In this episode: ✅ Why work feels different for many knowledge workers today ✅ The relationship between meaning, stress, and satisfaction ✅ Lessons from Viktor Frankl on finding purpose in difficult circumstances ✅ Four key sources of meaning at work: ConnectionGrowthLegacyRecognition✅ Practical strategies for creating meaning when it feels absent ✅ Why meaning doesn't have to come exclusively from your day job ✅ How to build resilience during periods of career uncertainty and change Whether you're navigating AI-driven disruption, organizational change, burnout, or simply questioning what matters most in your career, this episode offers actionable ideas to help you reconnect with purpose. Meaning isn't something we merely discover. Often, it's something we intentionally create.
Jul 14

Ep. 61: Performative Productivity and AI

AI is often marketed as the ultimate productivity booster—but is more activity really the same thing as more value? In this episode of Talk to Me PD, we explore the difference between real productivity and performative productivity in the age of AI. Drawing on concepts from economics, knowledge work, and organizational behavior, he examines why the metrics we choose to measure can dramatically influence how people work. Topics include: ✅ What productivity actually means ✅ Why measuring knowledge work is harder than measuring factory work ✅ The rise of proxy metrics like emails, meetings, chats, and tool usage ✅ How AI can amplify visible activity without increasing meaningful output ✅ Token maxing and AI usage incentives ✅ The risks of workplace surveillance and activity tracking ✅ Why organizations must align AI metrics with business outcomes ✅ How knowledge workers can focus on impact instead of appearances Whether you're a leader, knowledge worker, technologist, or AI enthusiast, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on how organizations should evaluate productivity in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. 🎙️ Talk to Me PD is the podcast where we discuss knowledge work, technology, leadership, AI, and society. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the conversation. 📩 Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter and follow Peter Dempsey across social platforms for more insights on AI, productivity, and the future of work. #AI #Productivity #KnowledgeWork #FutureOfWork #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence Connect With Me 📖 Book: People Management: Ground Up for Aspiring Leaders https://www.amazon.com/People-Management-Ground-Up-Aspiring/dp/B0DBGQ57XT 💼 LinkedIn: Pete Dempsey https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-dempsey/ 🤖 Course: Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success https://www.linkedin.com/learning/partnering-with-ai-agents-for-business-success-by-pearson/ 🌐 Website: PeterDempseyWrites.com https://peterdempseywrites.com/ 📰 Newsletter: Subscribe Here https://peterdempseywrites.com/newsletter/ 🦋 Bluesky: Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/petedempsey.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: Talk To Me Petey D http://www.youtube.com/@TalkToMePeteyD 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-me-petey-d/id1745885025 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4NrlsWzansuCfuApMCZzj0
Jun 30

Ep. 60: What if AI is too Expensive?

What happens if AI turns out to be more expensive than we think? For years, large language models (LLMs) have been treated like low-cost cloud services. But what if today's pricing is heavily subsidized? What happens when AI costs rise and organizations are forced to rethink their strategies? In this episode of Talk To Me Petey D, I explore 10 predictions for a future where AI and LLM inference becomes significantly more expensive, including: ✅ Moving from frontier models to lower-cost alternatives ✅ Shifting from RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) to fine-tuned smaller models ✅ Increased use of model routing and intelligent cost controls ✅ A return to traditional software and "good old-fashioned AI" ✅ Better AI harnesses and domain-specific architectures ✅ Edge AI and on-device inference ✅ More human-in-the-loop systems instead of autonomous agents ✅ Greater budget governance and AI spending controls ✅ Increased focus on AI ROI and business outcomes ✅ Re-evaluating automation projects as costs change I also discuss why the economics of AI may be fundamentally different from traditional software and cloud computing, including the concept of rival vs. non-rival goods, and why GPU-intensive AI services may not scale economically in the way many assume. Whether you're a business leader, technologist, policymaker, or AI enthusiast, this episode offers a practical framework for thinking about the future economics of artificial intelligence. Connect With Me 📖 Book: People Management: Ground Up for Aspiring Leaders 💼 LinkedIn: Pete Dempsey 🤖 Course: Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success 🌐 Website: PeterDempseyWrites.com 📰 Newsletter: Subscribe Here 🦋 Bluesky: Follow on Bluesky 📺 YouTube: Talk To Me Petey D 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify
Jun 15

Ep. 59 Can AI Solve FOMO?

Knowledge workers—especially people managers—feel constant pressure to stay on top of everything happening across their teams, companies, and industries. AI promises a solution: summarize everything, surface what matters, and eliminate the fear of missing out (FOMO). But does it actually work? In this episode of Talk To Me Petey D, we break down the reality: Why AI can’t solve the “infinite buffer” problem How frictionless tech (like email and AI) actually increases information overload The real limit: human cognitive capacity Where AI does help (better organization, search, and reducing context switching) The hidden risks around privacy, behavior change, and over-recording conversations Most importantly: Why embracing JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out) might be the real productivity strategy for leaders. If you’re a manager, knowledge worker, or anyone trying to keep up in the AI era—this one is for you. 👉 Key Takeaway: AI can help you organize and retrieve information—but it can’t decide what matters. Prioritization is still your job. 📌 Check out more: Book: https://www.amazon.com/People-Management-Ground-Up-Aspiring/dp/B0DBGQ57XT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-dempsey/ Partnering with AI Agents for Business Success: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/partnering-with-ai-agents-for-business-success-by-pearson/ Website: https://peterdempseywrites.com/ Newsletter: https://peterdempseywrites.com/newsletter/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/petedempsey.bsky.social YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@TalkToMePeteyD Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-me-petey-d/id1745885025 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NrlsWzansuCfuApMCZzj0 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonates.

People Management. Leadership. Productivity.

Creator

Petey D
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

45
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Talk To Me Petey D
Show Website

Talk To Me Petey D