Stuck @Om Stuck@Om

The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) and its wide-ranging impact is inescapable. But beyond industry disruption, what significant effects does this groundbreaking technology hold for geopolitical dynamics and conflicts? 
Joining me in this episode is Sean Gourley, a renowned scientist and founder of data and machine learning-focused startups Quid and Primer. Sean will share his profound insights on AI, exploring its potential to both benefit and harm humanity. He draws parallels between the rapid 'automation' at the turn of the last century, which was weaponized, leading to wars, and the current situation. He highlights how the stakes are now even higher, with countries like the US, China, and others vying for dominant positions in this field.
Although Sean's perspectives may not always be comforting, they offer valuable insights. A regular guest on our podcast, he joins me annually for a review of significant technology trends and developments. Sean and I have been collaborating since the late 2000s, and his ability to accurately forecast trends has been impressively precise. In other words, his insights are something I pay close attention to.
Grab a cup of coffee and tune in as we explore the dualities we've experienced during the COVID lockdowns, the apparent deficit in societal imagination posing future challenges, and the critical role of AI in shaping various aspects of our world, including the potential for either global peace or conflict.
If you're interested in the following topics, you won't want to miss this episode:
What we've lost and gained over the past three years. The dangers that a lack of imagination poses to our future. Sean's perspective on why AI might lead to a challenging 20 to 30 years ahead. The global balance of power and its dependence on control over AI technologies. Sean's views on how China is positioning itself to gain an AI advantage. The influence of AI on real-world medical sciences. Reflecting on the kind of world we desire and the extent of our commitment to achieving it." Resources & People Mentioned WeWork
Zoom
Open.ai
Connect with Sean Gourley Sean on LinkedIn
Connect With Om Malik Om’s website: https://om.co/ 
Om on LinkedIn
Om on Twitter: @Om
Om on Instagram: @Om
Om on Threads: @Om

 
This conversation with my friend Reilly Brennan - a VC expert for the automotive industry, roams across a broad landscape of topics, from the beginning of Reilly’s interest in the car industry, to his assessment of the auto industry’s progress in 2023, to Reilley’s predictions for 2024, and more — but all of those topics are tied together along the theme of technology. A.I. in particular is making the opportunities in the automotive industry bigger and bolder than we’ve seen for a very long time. Listen to learn what’s going on, what may be coming down the tube, and to learn why the kind of progress that’s typically predicted takes longer than anyone ever says it will.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... How Reilly got into the car business and automobiles
The changes TESLA has brought to the car industry in the last 10 years
How Reilly sums up the auto industry’s progress in 2023: the craziest year
Why do individuals need private cars in the world we live in today?
Why Om and Reilly actually prefer automated vehicles
How Waymo could offer its cars in a franchise approach
Reilly’s predictions for 2024
Resources & People Mentioned Uber
Waymo
Mobile-eye
Invidia
Qualcomm
Zitara
May Mobility
Gattik 
Connect with Reilly Brennan Reilly’s company: https://www.trucks.vc/
Reilly on LinkedIn
Connect With Om Malik Om’s website: https://om.co/ 
Om on LinkedIn
Om on Twitter: @Om
Om on Instagram: @Om
 

Search is changing. You won’t hear Google talking heads talk about it very much because the types of things that are happening will fundamentally change the model the search engine giant has used to build its search and ad infrastructure. Sridhar Ramaswamy knows; he’s the man who led teams inside Google to build the ad technology that exists today. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what is happening in the search industry, how large language models and the use of A.I. will change everything in the next few years, and explore why Sridhar and his co-founder believe that Neeva, their new consumer-focused search engine based on A.I. is the first step in that direction. 
But we also talk about Sridhar’s experience with Google and the terrible things that can happen when a company becomes a monopoly that is as large as the government. His insights into how massive profits decrease the motivation to be truly innovative, how the service of the public good takes a back seat to profitability, and the undue influence such a large company can have on policy and legislation, are worth hearing.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... How Sridhar landed a job at Google by desiring to talk to nobody and drink coffee [0:06] The Google business model’s simple success and its current challenges [4:35] The trade offs Google has taken to get to its current predicament [10:37] Sridhar’s tenure at and path out of Google because it was too successful [17:12] The road to starting a new search engine to take on Google: Neeva [24:41] X-ray vision for the internet: A.I. Generative Search [30:35] How Neeva is approaching search and its future [35:45] The humbling path of being a startup founder after such success at Google [41:06] Large language models and the future of fluid, conversational search [45:11] Resources & People Mentioned BOOK: Attention Merchants Connect with Sridhar Ramaswamy Learn more about Neeva Follow Sridhar on LinkedIn Follow Sridhar on Twitter Connect With Om Malik Follow Om on LinkedIn
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In this episode of Stuck@Om, I’m talking with an old friend, Maria Konnikova. Maria holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, is the author of multiple best-selling books, and is also a professional poker player. We immediately dive into her book “The Confidence Game” about how con artists convince people of unbelievable things. We dissect how movies and TV glamorize the con artists while placing blame on those who were conned. We even touch on our shared love for Sherlock Holmes. 
 
We enter into a much deeper discussion about Maria’s most recent book “The Biggest Bluff”, which was released June 23rd. When Maria wrote the book, she set out to write about luck and the things we can and can’t control. After reading John Von Neumann’s book on game theory, she realized poker was the perfect medium for her exploration into chance. Erik Seidel — a renowned poker player — agreed to let Maria shadow him to learn more about poker. Maria never thought this opportunity would lead to becoming a professional poker player. 
 
We talk about what poker has taught her about emotional control and how you have to learn to identify your emotions to become an expert poker player. The goal isn’t to move away from being emotional — because it’s human nature. But you must identify your emotions and learn to remove them from the equation. You must also identify your triggers: What types of people make you mad? What interactions make you upset? What excites you or makes you happy?
 
We further delve into the psychology of poker and the topics of psychological distancing, physical distancing, and how to prevent emotions before you’re triggered. We chat about how emotions can be essential to decision-making. Maria also shares about her experience as a professional poker player and what she learned about herself throughout her journey. Our conversation travels deep into psychology, emotion, self-awareness, and the uncertainty of life. Please listen — Maria’s captivating story cannot be missed. 


 
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Outline of This Episode We talk about Maria’s three books What does TV get right about con artists? How Maria landed on writing a book about poker Making decisions because of and in spite of emotion How emotional control impacts the game of poker — and life Maria’s journey to becoming a best-selling author Maria’s time as a professional poker player What Maria learned about herself from poker  The uncertainty of mortality that’s part of our being How epidemiologists use poker as a model for disease spread Resources & People Mentioned Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John von Neumann Erik Seidel Maria Konnikova's Books Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes The Confidence Game NEW: The Biggest Bluff Connect with Maria Maria’s Website Follow on Twitter Connect With Om www.Om.co Om on Twitter: @Om Om on Instagram: @Om

In this episode of Stuck@Om, I chat with my friend Ophir Gottlieb, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Capital Market Laboratories. We talk about the importance of proper perspective. Ophir likens perspective to a superpower — with it, we are the best investors in the world. Yet the increase of access to and influx of information has only served to create more confusion. Ophir emphasizes that we are totally overwhelmed with data and underwhelmed with information.
 
With that proliferation comes the competition to be profitable. The news media doesn’t just provide news — it’s become sensationalized.There is this disconnect between a story existing, and the need to just get something printed. News has probably hurt more people’s wealth than helped it. It’s very difficult to lose wealth in the stock market. Yet it continues to happen. It isn’t because people are stupid. So how can it be? Because money is tied to the identity of self and fear that you’ll lose that identity. The stock market is driven by emotion. 
 
Ophir and I also discuss society’s shift from a long-term orientation to one of short-term focus. Have we lost the ability to think beyond the now? We chat about Robinhood—the trading app that’s become a phenomenon—and how its impact isn’t as striking as Schwab’s move to commission-free trading. We also ruminate on the unprecedented steps that have been taken with the economy and how our expectation for a natural response to an unnatural occurrence is baseless. We are dealing with an unnatural economic impact. We can’t do the normal things when the thing we’ve created isn’t normal. 
 
We talk about the giant leap forward in the digital realm that’s been made out of necessity. Ophir shares that he is investing in the companies that will help the world move forward in the digital transformation. Lastly, Ophir shares his thoughts on when and how to invest in the market. We cover a wide range of fascinating topics in this conversation. Be sure to listen for insight on the economy. 
 
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Outline of This Episode Ophir’s background in institutional finance How the influx of information has created confusion The information asymmetry rampant in the market The impact of ‘noise’ on the rise and fall of the stock market Has humanity become short-term oriented versus long-term? The phenomenon of the Robinhood trading app How is Ophir is reading the current market opportunities  Are we cycling into the future of american economy? Tech stock valuations are high—so when do we enter the market? How to connect with Ophir and join his community Resources & People Mentioned Robinhood Schwab Connect with Ophir Gottlieb Capital Market Laboratories Follow on Twitter Connect With Om www.Om.co Om on Twitter: @Om Om on Instagram: @Om

In this episode of Stuck@Om, I’m joined by world-renowned economist, professor, and best-selling author Jeffrey Sachs. A central topic in our conversation is Jeff’s newest book The Age of Globalization and the impact of digitalization on our culture and economy. 
 
We dissect how COVID-19 has clearly changed office culture — and how it won’t be the same after this. The Coronavirus has taught us that 80% of our work can be done anywhere. We are recognizing that we can function with a decentralized workforce. How will that impact how people live and function in society? 
 
We also talk about the inaccuracies being portrayed by the stock market. We’ve seen over 20 million people apply for unemployment, yet the stock market is up 20%. Jeff notes that the stock market isn’t a snapshot of the economy — it’s a snapshot of a piece of the economy at the exclusion of the losing side. 
 
We fear that our society has become stupid. Our systems cannot process information, deliberate socially, and reach rational outcomes. Jeff emphasizes that deliberation and the pursuit of serious knowledge and problem-solving needs to come back into the core of our politics. 
 
We peruse so many topics, from a lack of meaningful communication in our society to potential dystopian or utopian futures. Be sure to listen to this episode for a wide-ranging conversation about pertinent global issues that our society is facing.
 
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Outline of This Episode Jeff’s Book: The Age of Globalization How COVID-19 has clearly changed office culture How humanity has dealt with pandemics throughout history The economic inaccuracies being portrayed by the stock market The dramatic acceleration of the digital economy and adverse effects How digitization makes a large positive contribution to overall productivity Most everything that we want done can be done by AI The need for new institutions to handle digitalization How society defines the worth of a man or woman The Scandinavian ideology of social democracy A continued shift towards working less and enjoying life The next phase of globalization and the possibilities that come with it The benefits of science and technology should be widely shared How communication is a key part of globalization The pursuit of serious knowledge and problem-solving needs to return Resources & People Mentioned Office of Technology Assessment  Movie: Idiocracy Marshall McLuhan The World Happiness Report Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren Sustainable Development Solutions Network Connect with Jeffrey Sachs Connect on LinkedIn Jeff’s Book: The End of Poverty Jeff’s Book: The Ages of Globalization Connect With Om www.Om.co Om on Twitter: @Om Om on Instagram: @Om