Chatting GPT

Maryrose Lyons

Real conversations with the humans making AI work. Maryrose Lyons of AI Institute, speaks to AI directors, founders, and strategists who've moved beyond pilots to real transformation. From architecture studios to construction sites, AI is changing how we design, build, and manage the places we live and work. This is the podcast for built environment where you learn from the people who've done it, not just talked about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Are we in a race to the bottom? Friction can help

    1D AGO

    Are we in a race to the bottom? Friction can help

    In this episode of Chatting GPT, host Maryrose Lyons of the AI Institute speaks with Dr. Lollie Mancey about the intersection of AI and anthropology, exploring how technology influences human relationships and societal structures. They discuss the importance of ethical AI, the need for agency in a technology-driven world, and the implications of AI on work and purpose. The conversation also touches on global perspectives on AI regulation, the challenges of abundance versus scarcity, and the necessity of fostering human connections in an increasingly digital landscape. Show NotesGuest: Dr Lollie Mancey Title: Digital Anthropologist, Co-presenter of RTÉ's Futureville Takeaways Peer-reviewed research in AI is often outdated by publication. The convergence of disciplines is crucial for understanding AI's impact. Humans attribute emotions to AI systems, complicating our relationship with technology. Consequential thinking is essential in AI development and ethics. Agency in technology use is divided between passive consumers and active learners. Leadership must embrace complexity and uncertainty in AI governance. Global perspectives on AI regulation vary, with different cultural implications. Abundance in resources does not guarantee fairness or meaning. Ethical AI requires a shift in mindset towards social responsibility. Human connections are vital in countering the loneliness exacerbated by AI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Anthropology 03:06 The Intersection of AI and Human Relationships 05:56 Consequential Thinking in AI Development 09:02 Agency and the Bifurcation of Human Experience 11:43 The Role of Leadership in AI Ethics 14:50 Global Perspectives on AI Regulation 17:43 The Future of Work and Purpose in an AI World 20:43 Abundance vs. Scarcity in Economic Models 23:48 The Need for Ethical AI and Social Responsibility 26:52 Human Connection in the Age of AI 30:01 Conclusion and Future Considerations Resources: Futureville - RTÉ programme imagining Ireland in 2050Connect with Lollie: drlollie.ie | LinkedIn: Dr Lollie (L-O-L-L-I-E) Chatting GPT is produced by AI Institute. For AI adoption in built environment firms, visit https://weareaiinstitute.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  2. Making Sense of the EU AI Act with Taylor Wessing's Jo Joyce

    FEB 3

    Making Sense of the EU AI Act with Taylor Wessing's Jo Joyce

    Show Notes Summary: In this episode of Chatting GPT, Maryrose Lyons speaks with Jo Joyce, a partner at Taylor Wessing, about the intersection of AI, law, and regulation. They discuss the EU AI Act, its implications for innovation, and how it compares to AI regulations in China. Jo explains the categories of high-risk AI systems and the challenges businesses face in navigating regulatory uncertainty. The conversation also touches on Jo's role as a trustee at the Vagina Museum, highlighting the importance of gynaecological health education. They conclude with insights on the future of law in the age of AI and practical advice for businesses. Takeaways: The EU AI Act aims to balance innovation and regulation.There is a generational shift in how technology impacts work.China's AI regulation is more streamlined compared to the EU.High-risk AI systems include those used in safety-critical applications.Regulatory uncertainty can overwhelm businesses, but clarity is key.The Vagina Museum educates on gynaecological health and challenges.Legal frameworks need to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI.Transparency and user trust are essential in AI regulation.Businesses should focus on understanding public perception of their AI use.Proactive engagement with legal advice can mitigate risks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Regulation and Cybersecurity 02:58 The EU AI Act: Innovation vs Regulation 05:53 Comparative Analysis: EU vs China AI Regulation 08:58 Understanding High-Risk AI Systems 11:58 Navigating Regulatory Bodies and Compliance 14:47 Future of AI Regulation: Expectations and Changes 18:16 Shifting Responsibilities in AI Literacy 20:53 The Getty vs. Stability AI Case: Implications for Copyright 25:12 The Need for Legal Reform in the Age of AI 27:33 The Vagina Museum: A Unique Educational Initiative 30:43 Practical Advice for Ethical AI Use Connect with Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkjoyce/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  3. REPLAY: From Moleskin to Machine - An Architect's Journey to Head of AI

    JAN 11

    REPLAY: From Moleskin to Machine - An Architect's Journey to Head of AI

    Breffni Greene spent 10 years as a practicing architect at Henry J Lyons before spotting ChatGPT on screens across the studio—line managers had no idea their teams were using it. Shadow AI was rampant. Rather than crack down, he convinced leadership to create a new role: Head of AI and Design Innovation. The taboo was real—colleagues worried AI would erase their writing skills and creative thinking. But once people found their hook, everything changed. The managing director discovered new prompting techniques. Junior staff transformed messy interview transcripts into publishable narratives using 11 Labs. Report writing shifted from painful compliance to creative storytelling. Since December, they've processed 500 million tokens at 0.17 cents per message using OmniChat's multi-model platform. Breffni's 2035 vision? Sitting with his moleskin and pen, drawing architecture, knowing the mundane work is handled—proof humans didn't lose to machines. Show NotesGuest: Breffni Greene, Head of AI and Design Innovation, Henry J Lyons Architects Key Topics: [03:09] Shadow AI discovery - ChatGPT on screens across the studio, line managers unaware, the catalyst for Breffni's role. [04:28] Breaking the taboo - AI was genuinely taboo in architecture. Concerns about losing writing skills and creative language. [04:55] Individual wins matter - Even the managing director discovers new techniques. People must find how AI fits their own work. [06:22] The book project - 11 Labs identified voices in messy transcripts, enabling authentic conversational narratives with proper citations. [09:13] Transcription workflows - Talking through building concepts naturally, then structuring compliance documentation while preserving creative passion. [24:18] 500 million tokens at 0.17 cents - Massive volume, minimal cost using multi-model strategy via OmniChat platform. [24:41] Meet Henry - Firm-specific AI persona. GPT-4o for strategy, Claude Sonnet for analysis, Gemini Flash for documents. [26:27] 2035 vision - Moleskin and pen in beautiful urban space, knowing mundane work is handled. Humans still create value. Key Takeaways: Shadow AI signals appetite, not a problem to eliminateCultural change requires individual wins, not platform rolloutsMulti-model strategies improve cost efficiency dramaticallyAuthentic voice matters more when AI generates generic content Connect: LinkedIn - Breffni Greene Replay from 2025.. Breffni's cultural transformation blueprint remains essential. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  4. REPLAY: Natural Born Cyborgs: Why 2.7 Billion People Are Missing from the AI Conversation

    JAN 4

    REPLAY: Natural Born Cyborgs: Why 2.7 Billion People Are Missing from the AI Conversation

    We're already cyborgs—our phones are extensions of our minds. But 2.7 billion people remain in digital darkness. Dr Lollie Mancey, digital anthropologist and RTÉ Futureville co-presenter, challenges the notion that AI will free us to paint in meadows. Reality? Jobs will vanish, universal basic income may arrive, and we'll face a purpose crisis when work no longer defines us. She poses the era's defining question: when your AI assistant comes home, is it at your table or recharging in the garage? Your answer reveals how you see technology's role. She's betting 80% on AGI by 2030—not gradual progress, but desperate need for higher intelligence. From 1950s washing machines to ChatGPT, labour-saving tools never save time—they shift expectations. The future isn't written, and AI won't decide our fate—we will. Show NotesGuest: Dr Lollie Mancey Title: Digital Anthropologist, Co-presenter of RTÉ's Futureville Key Topics: [01:46] Humans plus technology, not instead of - Why AI isn't pixie dust to sprinkle on everything. Anthropologists are finally having their moment as the human element becomes critical. [03:05] 2.7 billion in digital darkness - Who's missing from the AI conversation? Ireland's bubble makes us forget vast populations have no internet access. [04:23] Who benefits from time saved? - Will employers reward productivity over hours? The washing machine didn't free women from housework—it just changed expectations. [06:17] Universal basic income and purposelessness - When manual labour vanishes, what happens to identity? Two-generation unemployment creates malaise, addiction, depression. The pension (€270/week) is our only test case. [07:10] The 1970s leisure prediction - Someone walked into a Dublin classroom and wrote "leisure time vs work time" on the blackboard. Were they right? Will we choose to work, or will the choice be made for us? [26:31] AGI by 2030: 80% odds - Lollie's bold prediction: artificial general intelligence within six years, triggered by an unsolvable crisis requiring higher brain power. [27:21] The interruption problem - New voice AI that interrupts changes everything. If you're rude to ChatGPT, are you training yourself to be rude to humans? [28:08] At the table or in the garage? - The defining question: where does your AI companion belong? Younger generations already see them as household members, not machinery. [29:28] The invasive technology concern - Why Lollie and neuroscience professors agree: don't open the hard box protecting our soft brains unless absolutely necessary. Key Takeaways: We're passive cyborgs now; we need to become active by understanding algorithmsThe future of work isn't about productivity gains—it's about identity reconstructionAI adoption without considering the 2.7 billion offline is incomplete thinkingYour answer to "table or garage?" reveals your entire worldview on technologyLabour-saving tools historically shift work, they don't eliminate it Resources: Futureville - RTÉ programme imagining Ireland in 2050Connect with Lollie: drlollie.ie | LinkedIn: Dr Lollie (L-O-L-L-I-E)Podcast: Available at drlollie.ie Chatting GPT is produced by AI Institute. For AI adoption in built environment firms, visit https://weareaiinstitute.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  5. REPLAY: Shadow IT Uncovered: How One Irish Retailer Found 300,000 Grammarly Hits - Then Built a Plan

    12/28/2025

    REPLAY: Shadow IT Uncovered: How One Irish Retailer Found 300,000 Grammarly Hits - Then Built a Plan

    When Allan Russell joined Musgraves as Head of AI and Process Automation, he thought the 147-year-old Irish retailer wasn't using much AI. Within weeks of his "roadshow" around the business, he'd uncovered 17 unauthorised applications—before even speaking to IT. Then the real numbers emerged: 300,000 hits to Grammarly in 30 days across just 1,700 office users. Shadow AI wasn't theoretical—it was rampant and ungovernanced. Rather than panic, Allan built a strategy around what people were already doing, rolling out Microsoft Copilot and establishing four pillars: process automation, AI, culture, and governance. His advice? Stop hesitating—your competitors are already using these tools. And never deploy AI without first talking to the people whose problems you're trying to solve. Show NotesGuest: Allan Russell, Head of AI and Process Automation, Musgraves Key Topics: [04:16] The shadow AI discovery - How an informal "roadshow" uncovered 17 AI applications before consulting IT. [06:44] 300,000 Grammarly hits - Network data revealed 300,000 Grammarly hits in 30 days across 1,700 users, plus 1,200 ChatGPT hits. [08:02] Four foundational pillars - Process automation and AI supported by culture and governance. Why psychological safety matters as much as guardrails. [10:32] Rolling out Microsoft Copilot - Why starting with enterprise solutions beat playing whack-a-mole with shadow IT. [23:32] Two pieces of advice - (1) Don't hesitate—competitors are already moving. (2) Understand pain points first. Design thinking beats technology-first thinking. [24:57] Beyond internal consumers - What's next: recipe managers, price optimisation, identifying opportunities across Musgraves' franchisee ecosystem. Key Takeaways: Quantify your shadow AI problem through network traffic analysisRelationship capital precedes technical deploymentStart with pain points, not platformsGovernance enables speed by giving people permission to experiment safely Connect: LinkedIn - Allan J Russell Replay of a 2024 episode. Allan's blueprint for managing shadow AI remains one of the clearest roadmaps we've covered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  6. From Citizens to Collaborators: Munich's Streets, Reimagined by AI and Built by Government

    12/21/2025

    From Citizens to Collaborators: Munich's Streets, Reimagined by AI and Built by Government

    When Munich's citizens were invited to reimagine one of their main streets using AI, the results didn't just sit in a presentation deck—they were actually built. Damiano Cerrone, founder of Urbanist AI and Co-Plan AI, has worked with over 80 organisations worldwide to transform how cities engage with their residents. Instead of traditional surveys asking "what do you want?", his platforms let people visualise, evaluate, and iterate on urban design ideas in real-time. The twist? Damiano argues AI models should be biased—tuned to each participant's perspective—because that's what makes collaboration meaningful. From training Eastern European mayors to test policies with generative AI, to working with the UN Development Programme and Dubai's Prime Minister's office, he's pioneering what he calls "collaborative public governance." The challenge ahead: making European city centres attractive to humans again after decades of infrastructure-led dehumanisation. Guest: Damiano Cerrone Company: Urbanist AI & Co-Plan AI Location: Helsinki, Finland Key Topics Discussed[02:02] Munich's streets transformed How a citizens' engagement process during a festival led to an AI-imagined green space and water feature being built as a prototype on one of Munich's main streets. [03:29] Training mayors in Eastern Europe Working with the UN Development Programme to help mayors use generative AI to evaluate and test their own policies—compressing months of work into rapid visualisation cycles. [05:33] The collaboration vs. replacement question Why cities are asking "why engage people when we can simulate engagement with AI agents?"—and Damiano's response: treating AI as a billion colleagues, not a billion replacements. [08:37] When what people want is wrong How AI enables people to evaluate their own ideas by seeing them visualised, leading to minds being changed through the process itself rather than being told "no" by experts. [16:38] Embracing bias in AI models Damiano's contrarian stance: models should be tuned to individual participants' biases because that's what creates interesting, fruitful conversations—not sterile consensus. [18:13] The mega-trend for European cities Why attracting human beings back to dehumanised city centres is the biggest urban challenge ahead, following the post-COVID exodus. Resources MentionedUrbanist AI: site.urbanistai.comCityLab Berlin: Monthly neighbourhood engagement programme (Kids Lab)Futureville (RTÉ): Irish television series imagining Athlone in 2050Connect with Damiano: LinkedInFor Built Environment ProfessionalsDamiano's work demonstrates how participatory AI can close the gap between consultation and implementation—particularly relevant for architecture practices, engineering consultancies, and planning departments struggling with meaningful stakeholder engagement. His platforms have been adopted by governments worldwide, proving that citizen-generated spatial ideas can move from digital visualisation to physical intervention. Chatting GPT is produced by AI Institute. If you're interested in AI adoption for built environment firms, visit https://weareaiinstitute.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  7. The Copilot Comeback: Why 2026 Is Time To Use Your License

    12/14/2025

    The Copilot Comeback: Why 2026 Is Time To Use Your License

    Remember when we thought Microsoft Copilot was just a "glorified file manager"? Well, things have changed in 2025. In this episode, host Maryrose Lyons is joined by the AI Institute's Head of Course Development, Emma Marlow, to discuss why the team has gone from "bearish to bullish" on Copilot. If you have a license sitting unused because the early versions felt clunky or uncreative, this is the episode that will change your mind. Emma breaks down the "game-changing" new features that have turned Copilot into a genuine productivity powerhouse—from the integration of ChatGPT-5 to the magic of "Ask Agent" in M365 . plus, we geek out on the "no-code" potential of Copilot Studio and share exclusive insights on what’s coming in 2026 (spoiler: it involves Claude). In this episode, we cover: Security First: Why Copilot wins on data privacy and the "redact, redact, redact" fatigue of other LLMs.The "Ask Agent" Feature: How to bring your custom agents directly into Word and Excel to analyze your documents.Copilot Studio: Why this "sandbox" is the hidden gem for building powerful workflows without writing code.2026 Predictions: The scoop on Claude coming to Azure and why your PowerPoint deck might finally look good.Links & Resources: Copilot Masterclass https://weareaiinstitute.com/product/copilot-courseCore Skills https://weareaiinstitute.com/product/ai-core-skills-2026Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demonllamalimited/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min

About

Real conversations with the humans making AI work. Maryrose Lyons of AI Institute, speaks to AI directors, founders, and strategists who've moved beyond pilots to real transformation. From architecture studios to construction sites, AI is changing how we design, build, and manage the places we live and work. This is the podcast for built environment where you learn from the people who've done it, not just talked about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.