Humans in the Loop

Seb Agertoft
  • 0.0(0개의 평가)
  • 과학 기술

A podcast for thoughtful technologists. Seb Agertoft - Coach to tech company founders and leadership teams - interviews founders, technologists, artists, investors, thought leaders and policymakers wrestling with the tough questions at the forefront of emergent tech like AI, quantum computing, renewable energy, web3, blockchain, robotics and autonomous vehicles. Not just can we build it, but how to build tech with human interests at heart. Get in touch at www.theuncommonfounder.com

에피소드

  1. Zen Master Henry Shukman on tech & what it means to be human

    3월 24일

    Zen Master Henry Shukman on tech & what it means to be human

    Henry Shukman is a Zen Master, a meditation teacher, and co-founder of The Way meditation app.As AI poses some hard questions about what it means to be human, I thought Henry might help make some sense of things. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Zen: A Personal Journey 03:52 The Need for Spirituality: A Personal Crisis 10:07 Living Zen in the Modern World 13:36 Navigating Modern Existence: Technology and Spirituality 18:38 The Motivations Behind Meditation 23:15 Technology's Role in Meditation: The Way App 32:06 Ambition and Spirituality: Finding Balance 39:47 AI and the Nature of Consciousness 45:04 Optimism for the Future: Meditation's Impact Links⁠ The Way App⁠ - https://www.thewayapp.com/ Get in touch Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/humansinthelooppod⁠ Email: ⁠seb@theuncommonfounder.com⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.theuncommonfounder.com

    48분
  2. The Creative Process with Fuser Co-Founders Dalena Tran & Hirad Sab

    3월 10일

    The Creative Process with Fuser Co-Founders Dalena Tran & Hirad Sab

    My guests today are artists, film makers, educators, technologists and founders of Fuser, a company building an AI workspace for creatives. With so much noise around what AI should or shouldn’t be used for, and where human creativity starts and ends, I wanted to get Dalena and Hirad on to talk more about the creative process in this technological moment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fuser and Its Founders 03:40 The Vision Behind Fuser 06:12 Creative Applications of Fuser 08:35 The Role of AI in Creative Processes 11:24 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Art 13:29 The Future of Creativity with AI 15:48 Investor Relations and Company Integrity 19:00 The Evolving Landscape of Art and Technology 20:52 Conclusion and Future Aspirations Links Fuser Brand video Get in touch ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.theuncommonfounder.com⁠ seb@theuncommonfounder.com⁠

    43분
  3. Mike Masnick on the decentralised internet

    2월 24일

    Mike Masnick on the decentralised internet

    Mike Masnick wrote the paper that helped inspire Bluesky and now he sits on the Bluesky board.A long-time advocate of decentralised tech, Mike's paper 'Protocols not platforms' outlined how a more open protocol-based system to social media would create a healthier social media ecosystem in which people were free to vote with their feet (or their mouse) and go elsewhere, without losing access to the community they'd built.In this wide ranging conversation, Mike and I discuss the future of social media, the internet's trajectory from an open to a closed ecosystem, whether decentralisation can be a winning strategy in a capitalist economy, and much more. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mike Masnick and Tech Perspectives 05:53 The Evolution of TechDirt and Innovation 11:03 Understanding Free Speech in the Digital Age 15:53 Protocols vs. Platforms: A New Approach to Free Speech 20:50 The Shift from Protocol-Centric to Platform-Centric Internet 28:48 The Evolution of Patents and Competition 31:10 Understanding the Problems with Big Tech 32:23 Moving Towards Decentralization 33:23 The Role of Decentralized Protocols 35:11 Generative AI: Empowerment vs. Control 37:55 Building Personalized Tools for Empowerment 41:35 Decentralization in Social Media: Blue Sky Explained 49:12 The Future of Decentralized Systems 53:04 Mainstream Adoption of Decentralized Technologies Links Protocols not platforms Bluesky Get in touch Instagram ⁠https://www.theuncommonfounder.com seb@theuncommonfounder.com⁠

    56분
  4. Alex Komoroske on the hacker ethic and pro-social tech

    2월 3일

    Alex Komoroske on the hacker ethic and pro-social tech

    Alex Komoroske is one of the smartest voices out there talking about better forms of technology right now. He spent a long chapter of his career at the likes of Google and Stripe and is now the Founder and CEO of Common Tools, working on enabling decentralised technology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alex Komoroske's Perspective on Tech 03:39 The Hacker Ethic and Disillusionment in Tech 06:31 The Slide into Cynicism: A Cultural Shift in Tech 09:12 Emergence and Coordination Complexity in Organizations 11:40 Slime Molds: A Metaphor for Organizational Dynamics 14:24 The Future of Incumbent Organizations 17:24 The Same Origin Policy and Its Consequences 20:06 Resonance vs. Hollowness in Technology 22:50 The Resonant Computing Manifesto 25:09 The Role of LLMs in Shaping the Future 32:07 Unlocking the Power of LLMs 35:40 The Role of Privacy in Resonant Computing 37:09 Organizational Structures for Resonance 42:24 The Importance of a Resonant Privacy Model 46:38 Emergence and Resonance in Technology 53:55 A Vision for the Future of Technology Links: Resonant computing manifesto Alex’s website Slime molds deck Alex’s ‘bits and bobs’ document The Same Origin Paradigm Get in touch: https://www.instagram.com/humansinthelooppod seb@theuncommonfounder.com https://www.theuncommonfounder.com

    1시간
  5. Kevin Kelly on Flounder Mode and Optimism

    1월 13일

    Kevin Kelly on Flounder Mode and Optimism

    How to describe Kevin Kelly? Founder of Wired Magazine. Writer of industry defining essays like '1000 true fans' - https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/Co-chair of The Long Now Foundation encouraging people to think on civilisational timescalesPassionate traveller and photographer whose travelled remote parts of Asia for the last 50 years - https://kevin2kelly.myshopify.com/products/colors-of-asia-a-visual-journeyThe subject of the brilliant term, coined by Brie Wolfson - Flounder Mode https://joincolossus.com/article/flounder-mode/And a dream podcast guest Kevin is known for many things, not least his optimism, but Kevin's flavour of optimism is what we calls 'protopian not utopian' - an acknowledgement that new technology creates major new problems but that over time we find ways to solve them Chapters 00:00 The Hollywood Approach to Career Paths 05:20 Pursuing Interesting Projects 07:46 Influence and Unique Contributions 10:38 Radical Optimism Explained 13:38 The Choice of Optimism 16:28 The Reality of Progress 19:05 Wrestling with Counter Narratives 21:54 Building Better Technology 28:18 Navigating Technology's Strengths and Weaknesses 30:54 The Ethics of Technology Creation 33:14 The Role of Corporations in Technology 36:04 The Necessity of Innovation in Addressing Problems 42:14 Long-Term Thinking and the Long Now Foundation 47:55 Envisioning a Desirable Future 53:11 Celebrating Cultural Heritage Through Photography Get in touch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansinthelooppod Email: seb@theuncommonfounder.com Personal website: https://www.theuncommonfounder.com

    55분
  6. The Soft Technologies of Democracy with Ed Gillespie

    2025. 12. 16.

    The Soft Technologies of Democracy with Ed Gillespie

    Ed has spent his career thinking systemically about the future and consulting with governments and corporations on topics as varied as the environment, politics, healthcare and education. He's also the co-host of hit podcast 'Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts' alongside comedian Jon Richardson and fellow Futurenaut Mark Stevenson. Given Ed's varied expertise I wasn't quite sure where this conversation would go, but I needn't have worried. What unfolded was a great chat about climate, politics, and the soft technologies of technology that we need to make better use of to solve our toughest problems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ed's Work 04:22 The Role of a Futurist 07:17 Asking the Right Questions 10:23 The Politicization of Climate Change 13:12 The Transition to Renewable Energy 16:01 Motivations Behind Climate Action 18:57 The Economic Case for Renewables 22:01 The Challenge of Unburnable Carbon 25:17 Exploring Economic Models: Degrowth vs. Abundance 29:59 Grassroots Perspectives on Climate Action 34:43 Bystander Leadership: The Call for Courage 40:20 Finding Hope Amidst Challenges 46:41 Envisioning a Future of Bio-Regionalism

    51분
  7. Creative courage in big tech with Ben Lehnert, fmr design leader Microsoft and SAP

    2025. 12. 02.

    Creative courage in big tech with Ben Lehnert, fmr design leader Microsoft and SAP

    Benedikt Lehnert is former design leader at Microsoft and Chief Design Officer at SAP. He's had a seat at the top table in big tech and brings his own clear-eyed perspective based on that experience.I really enjoyed the conversation with Ben as we discussed the role of the designer in this current moment, the moral responsibilities of building business and technology, the hype cycles and weird incentives at play with the AI hyperscalers, and Ben's view that we should simply focus on adding more than we take. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of a Designer 05:38 Navigating the Startup Journey 10:03 Transforming Microsoft: A Design Perspective 14:45 The Role of Chief Design Officer at SAP 20:14 Shifting Focus: From Big Tech to Teaching and Ethics 30:07 The Human Condition in Technology 38:35 AI and Humanistic Considerations 43:17 Learning from Poets and Thinkers 58:37 A Hopeful Vision for the Future Ben hosts the Poets and Thinkers podcast and you can find out more about him here: https://benediktlehnert.github.io/

    1시간 2분
  8. Talking to animals with Kate Armstrong

    2025. 11. 18.

    Talking to animals with Kate Armstrong

    Summary In this conversation, I speak to Kate Armstrong, the Executive Director of InterSpecies Internet, about the latest advancements in how we communicate with animals through technology. Kate emphasizes the importance of planetary kinship and the responsibility humans have as advanced toolmakers to create beneficial tools for other species. The discussion also touches on real-world applications of interspecies communication, the complexities of wild animal communication, and the need for legal frameworks to protect animal rights. Throughout the conversation, Kate shares insights into the future of this field and the resources available for those interested in learning more. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Interspecies Internet 03:47 The Journey to Interspecies Communication 06:59 The Origin Story of Interspecies Internet 11:21 Understanding Interspecies Communication 14:19 The Importance of Interspecies Communication 17:17 Technological Applications in Interspecies Communication 19:52 Frontiers of Interspecies Communication 22:50 The Role of AI in Animal Communication 25:40 Exploring Communication Across Species 28:24 Anthropocentrism in Animal Communication 30:39 The Magic of Interspecies Communication 32:11 Domestic Animals as Communication Pioneers 36:18 Ethical Considerations in Animal Communication 38:45 Nature Rights and Legal Frameworks 44:53 The Future of Interspecies Communication Resources: https://www.interspecies.io/ TED talk

    54분
  9. Rewiring Democracy with Godfather of Cybersecurity and public interest technologist, Bruce Schneier

    2025. 10. 28.

    Rewiring Democracy with Godfather of Cybersecurity and public interest technologist, Bruce Schneier

    This episode features an OG in the world of internet security, the Godfather of Cybersecurity, Bruce Schneier. Bruce describes himself as a public interest technologist, and has done many things under that banner - run companies, lectured at Harvard, testified before Congress, authored over a dozen books, and written a blog for over 20 years that has more than 250k regular readers - to name just a few. Key topics: - The need for better technical minds in policy making - The implications of AI for democracy (not as bleak as you might expect - Bruce’s new book Rewiring Democracy goes deep on the emerging implications and he remains largely optimistic) - Why the internet was not designed with security in mind - Why prompt injection makes AI applications inherently insecure for high stakes tasks - Threat modelling for personal security in an age of geopolitics Chapters 00:00 What Bruce actually does 03:58 The Journey to Becoming a Public Interest Technologist 06:54 Understanding Cybersecurity and the Internet Today 09:36 Advice for Online Safety and Security 12:39 The Role of Governments in Data Privacy 15:41 Geopolitical Implications of Cybersecurity 18:35 Cyber-Physical Systems and Their Risks 21:49 The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity 24:27 Rewiring Democracy in the Age of Technology 30:08 The Evolving Landscape of Cybersecurity and AI 32:21 Understanding Prompt Injection Vulnerabilities 36:30 The Internet's Security Flaws and Historical Context 39:25 Capitalism's Role in Cybersecurity Failures 46:11 Skepticism Towards Web3 and Blockchain 48:37 Rewiring Democracy for the Information Age 55:27 Trust, Power, and the Future of AI in Governance You can find Bruce at www.schneier.com

    58분
  10. Granola AI Co-founder Sam Stephenson on designing for AI and Human Agency

    2025. 09. 08.

    Granola AI Co-founder Sam Stephenson on designing for AI and Human Agency

    This episode features Sam Stephenson, co-founder of ⁠Granola⁠ - one of the standout UK success stories in AI product building. Sam and I discussed his background as a designer, his journey to becoming a founder, the trajectory of the company so far, and shares his thoughts on designing for human agency and the future of work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Granola and Its Purpose 02:33 Sam's Background and Design Journey 05:19 Influences from Communal Living 09:36 The Origin of Granola and Co-founder Dynamics 12:01 The Messy Process of Finding the Right Project 16:12 Simplicity in Product Design 19:11 Growth Trajectory and User Experience 21:45 Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals 24:12 Navigating AI Development Challenges 26:50 Balancing Innovation and Practicality in AI 29:16 The Pressure of Rapid Growth in AI Startups 32:43 The Future of Work with AI Assistance 36:51 Reducing Coordination Complexity in Organizations 38:28 The Human Element in AI Interactions 41:01 Agency and Control in the Age of AI 43:31 Envisioning a High-Leverage Future with AI

    45분
  11. Artist founders and figuring out what AI is really for

    2025. 08. 05.

    Artist founders and figuring out what AI is really for

    In this conversation, I speak to William Morgan and Sylvan Rackham, the Co-Founders of Restless Egg, an incubator for Artist Founders, about the intersection of art, technology, and innovation. They discuss the concept of the 'artist founder', the challenges faced by creative technologists, and the need for a supportive infrastructure to foster their ideas. The conversation explores the role of institutions, funding sources, and the future of technology, particularly in relation to AI. They emphasize the importance of agency in technology and the potential for artist founders to create meaningful experiences that go beyond mere productivity enhancements. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Restless Egg 01:21 Artist founders 04:18 Discovering the Community of Creators 10:10 Key Players in the Artist Founder Ecosystem 14:37 The Role of Philosophy and Technology 20:31 Bridging Art and Technology 25:32 Defining the Artist Founder 28:24 The Future of AI and Experience 29:20 The Role of Artist Founders in E-commerce 32:41 Funding the Creative Frontier 36:58 The Shift in Investment Perspectives 41:03 The Future of Technology and Agency 44:29 AI: Tool or Evolutionary Break? 51:45 The Playful Nature of Innovation 58:59 Empowering Agency Through Technology Where you can hear more from William and Sylvan www.restlessegg.com William's substack Some of the organisations mentioned: AntikytheraRestless EggStrelkaMedialab Some of the people mentioned: Benjamin BrattonRefik AnadolDaisy GinsbergIan Cheng Other resources referenced: Sam Altman blog post about ideas peopleMy post about Creative OutsidersA piece written by friend and collaborator, Danya ShultsAn artificial history of natural intelligence

    1시간 4분
  • 11개의 에피소드

소개

A podcast for thoughtful technologists. Seb Agertoft - Coach to tech company founders and leadership teams - interviews founders, technologists, artists, investors, thought leaders and policymakers wrestling with the tough questions at the forefront of emergent tech like AI, quantum computing, renewable energy, web3, blockchain, robotics and autonomous vehicles. Not just can we build it, but how to build tech with human interests at heart. Get in touch at www.theuncommonfounder.com

정보

  • 제작진
    Seb Agertoft
  • 방송 연도
    2025년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    11
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © Seb Agertoft
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Humans in the Loop