Amplifying Cognition

Ross Dawson
  • 5.0 (6)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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 Eikenberry on flexible leadership, both/and thinking, flexor spectrums, and skills for flexibility

    1 DAY AGO

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

    NOV 27

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

    NOV 20

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

    NOV 6

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

    OCT 30

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

    OCT 23

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

    OCT 16

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

    OCT 9

    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
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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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