thinkfuture: technology, philosophy and the future

chris kalaboukis
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Welcome to thinkfuture, where host Chris Kalaboukis explores the bold ideas shaping tomorrow. From AI-driven creativity and personal growth to leadership in remote work, this podcast delves into the intersection of innovation, technology, and human connection. With visionary guests and thought-provoking conversations, thinkfuture helps listeners unlock new possibilities, challenge the status quo, and create the future they want to see. Tune in for fresh insights, actionable strategies, and unexpected inspiration.

  1. 4D AGO

    1127 Why Creativity Is Undervalued | Taylin John Simmonds on Monetization, Niches, and AI

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Taylin: https://taylinsimmonds.substack.com---Why is creative work so emotionally powerful—and yet so hard to monetize?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Taylin John Simmonds, musician, educator, and online creator, about the real challenges creatives face when trying to turn passion into sustainable income.Taylin shares his personal journey—from struggling as a musician to building a more stable life through teaching and online business—and explains why society consistently undervalues creative labor compared to “practical” skills, even though art plays a huge role in shaping how we feel, think, and connect.The conversation dives into the tension between creativity and commerce, and how creators can better position, test, and communicate the value of their work.We cover:- Why creative work is emotionally impactful but economically undervalued- The mindset shift required to monetize creativity without “selling out”- How platforms like YouTube can be used to test ideas and build audiences- The pressure to “niche down”—and why it doesn’t work for everyone- Taylin’s framework for niching: people, transformation, and brand- The rise of multi-passionate creators in a digital-first world- How AI could both threaten and empower creatives over the next decade - Why a balanced, nuanced view of AI matters more than blanket rejectionTaylin argues that as tools get more powerful, clarity, positioning, and human connection will matter more than raw output. Creativity isn’t disappearing—but how it’s valued is changing fast.

    59 min

  2. JAN 28

    1126 AI Is Tearing Tech and Creativity Apart | JP Prince on Hype, Backlash, and the Future of Art

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Jordan: https://www.jpprince.com---AI is everywhere—but not everyone wants it. What happens when tech hype collides with creative backlash?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Jonathan Smith (JP Prince), a technologist working inside VC-backed startups and the author of the upcoming cyberpunk novel The Mess. Living in both worlds has given JP a rare vantage point on one of the biggest cultural fractures of our time: AI in tech vs. AI in creativity.On one side, venture-backed companies where having an “AI story” is no longer optional—it’s mandatory. On the other, creative communities that increasingly see AI as an existential threat to human artistry. JP explains how these two realities collide in practice, often in uncomfortable ways.We cover:- The growing schism between tech’s AI hype and creative backlash- Why VC expectations now demand AI-driven hypergrowth- The concept of “receptivity”—why messaging fails when you ignore audience identity- AI fatigue from poorly implemented features and forced automation- How AI exposes how much modern work is low-value and performative- The business realities of publishing and why many authors are turning to self-publishing- Exploitation of artists, unfair contracts, and why unions still matterJP’s new cyberpunk novel The Mess, set in a future where corporations replace a collapsed U.S. governmentJP argues that AI’s most disruptive power isn’t creativity—it’s revealing how much of our work and systems exist purely to look productive.If you’re interested in AI culture, creative labor, tech hype, or the future of human value, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level debate.

    48 min

  3. JAN 21

    1125 Why School Still Looks Like a Factory

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordon-millward-13115600---Our education system was built for the industrial age—so why are we still using it in the age of AI?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Jordon, a PhD student at Imperial College London and founder of Ask Jordon Ltd, an education consultancy focused on making learning more accessible, engaging, and future-ready.Jordon argues that modern education is still optimized for standardization, compliance, and rapid workforce onboarding—not for creativity, adaptability, or lifelong learning. As AI reshapes how knowledge is accessed and applied, he believes the traditional lecture-and-exam model is increasingly out of sync with reality.We explore:- Why the current education system was designed for factories, not futures- How exam-based assessment suppresses independent thinking- The case for competency-based and project-based learning- How AI could provide personalized, asynchronous support for students- Why teachers should shift from lecturers to facilitators- The risk of schools banning or over-standardizing AI instead of embracing it- A future divide between innovative “maverick” institutions and resistant onesJordon’s vision is bold but grounded: education should help people learn how to learn, not just memorize information. AI, when used correctly, could finally make that possible at scale.If you’re interested in AI, education reform, lifelong learning, or the future of work, this episode will challenge many assumptions you may still be holding.

    35 min

  4. JAN 14

    1124 Why the Future Is Getting Harder to Predict | Steve Brown on AI, AGI, and What Comes Next

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Steve: https://stevebrown.ai---What happens when technology moves faster than our ability to forecast it?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Steve Brown, veteran technologist, former Intel futurist, and former member of Google DeepMind’s AI research lab. With over 35 years of experience across high-tech, digital transformation, and AI, Steve offers a rare long-view perspective on where we are—and why predicting what comes next has never been harder.Steve explains how long-term forecasting used to be feasible when technological progress followed clearer trajectories. Today, breakthroughs in AI—and soon quantum computing—are compressing decades of progress into just a few years. The result is a future that’s accelerating faster than our institutions, economic models, and assumptions can keep up with.We cover:- Why 10-year technology forecasts are now nearly impossible- How AI is already accelerating progress in math, physics, and science- Why the combination of AI and quantum computing could reshape material science, chemistry, and biology- The likelihood of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) arriving within 5–10 years- How AGI could disrupt jobs and force a rethink of capitalism itself- Why labor may increasingly turn into capital-The need for new economic models, shorter workweeks, or earlier retirement- How humans find meaning when machines handle most productive workSteve argues we may see more progress in the next five years than in the last fifty—and that the biggest challenge won’t be technological, but human.If you’re interested in AI, AGI, the future of work, economic disruption, or the limits of forecasting, this conversation offers a grounded, thoughtful look at what may be coming sooner than we expect.

    39 min

  5. JAN 7

    1123 Why Data Is Still Broken | Zoher Karu on AI, Personalization & the Future of Everyday Decisions

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Zoher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zzkaru/---Everyone talks about AI—but it’s data that still decides what works and what fails.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Zoher Karu, data and analytics leader with a PhD in engineering and experience at McKinsey, eBay, Citibank, Sears, and Blue Shield of California. Zoher now works with Taelor, a men’s clothing rental subscription service using data and AI to personalize style at scale.Zoher explains why “dirty data” remains one of the biggest unsolved problems in business—and why the issue isn’t technology, but how organizations are structured. Teams build data in silos to solve short-term problems, creating fragmented systems that AI can’t magically fix.The conversation moves from fashion and personalization to a much bigger question: what happens when AI quietly takes over everyday decision-making?We cover:- How Taelor uses data, metadata, and human stylists to curate clothing- Why clothing sizes are a data nightmare—and what that teaches us about AI limits- The real reason data quality is still broken across industries- How siloed teams create long-term data problems- Why AI will reduce the effort of finding information, not eliminate thinking -A future where tasks like planning events, shopping, and inventory management become automated- What humans should focus on when machines handle the mundaneZoher’s view of the future isn’t flashy—it’s practical. As AI handles more low-level optimization, human value shifts toward judgment, creativity, and deciding what actually matters.If you’re interested in AI, data, personalization, or the future of everyday decision-making, this episode offers a grounded look at where we’re really headed.

    32 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    1121 Crypto Isn’t the Problem | Jared Busby on Bitcoin, Scams, and the Future of Money

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Jared: https://cryptoconfidence.substack.comIs crypto misunderstood—or deliberately misrepresented?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Jared Busby, writer of the Crypto Confidence Substack, about the real differences between crypto and blockchain, why scams dominate the headlines, and what the long-term future of money may actually look like.Jared breaks down why many companies avoid the word “crypto” while still relying on blockchain—and why blockchain without crypto often makes no sense at all. He also explains why scams are a feature of every new technology wave, not a reason to dismiss the technology itself.We cover:- The real difference between crypto and blockchain- Why “blockchain without crypto” is usually pointless- Why scams are common in new technologies—and why crypto is actually traceable- How to store crypto safely using hardware wallets and seed phrases- Why new investors should start with Bitcoin before touching altcoins- The risks of leaving assets on exchanges- Why Jared is skeptical of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)- The long-term risks facing fiat currencies—and why Bitcoin may matter more than everJared’s perspective is pragmatic, grounded, and refreshingly calm in a space full of hype and fear. Whether you’re crypto-curious or deeply skeptical, this conversation offers clarity without evangelism.

    48 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    1120 AI Is Transforming Everything | Kevin Surace on Creativity, Automation, and the Future of Work

    Connect with the future: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Kevin: https://www.kevinsurace.com---AI isn’t just changing business—it’s changing everything.In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Kevin Surace, a technologist and AI advocate, about how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries, creativity, and human life itself.Kevin shares how he uses AI to generate product designs, market analyses, and business insights in hours—work that used to take entire teams weeks. He explains why most companies still lag behind in adoption and how to overcome fear and inertia by showing AI’s power in action.We explore:- How AI is revolutionizing business productivity and product design- Why executives still resist AI—and how to change their minds- How AI is democratizing creative industries like music, film, and podcasting- What happens when anyone can create professional-quality content for free- The coming wave of AI-powered humanoid robots in homes and offices- The loss of shared cultural experiences in a hyper-personalized world- Why nostalgia will always coexist with innovationKevin’s message is clear: AI is not the enemy—it’s the amplifier. The sooner we learn to use it creatively and responsibly, the more we stand to gain.If you’re interested in AI innovation, creative disruption, or the next evolution of automation, this episode offers a glimpse into the near future.

    31 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    1119 The End of Passwords | Bojan Simic on HYPR, Identity, and the Future of Authentication

    See more: https://thinkfuture.substack.comConnect with Bojan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bojansimic---Passwords were supposed to die 20 years ago—so why are we still using them?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis talks with Bojan Simic, co-founder and CEO of HYPR, a cybersecurity company on a mission to finally eliminate passwords for good.Bojan shares how a personal hacking experience early in his career sparked his obsession with fixing identity security. That moment eventually led to the creation of HYPR, a platform that uses biometrics, tokenization, and passwordless authentication to secure users while simplifying the login process.We discuss:- Why the password problem has persisted for decades- How HYPR’s technology replaces passwords with biometrics and cryptographic keys- The challenges of mass adoption across enterprises and consumers- How HYPR is expanding into full identity verification—protecting the entire identity lifecycle- Why “passwordless” isn’t just about convenience, but trust and security- What the future of authentication might look like in 2035- The role AI could play in identity assurance and fraud detectionBojan’s vision is clear: the internet of the future won’t rely on secrets—it’ll rely on proof.If you’re interested in cybersecurity, authentication, biometrics, or the future of digital identity, this episode is a must-listen.

    32 min
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About

Welcome to thinkfuture, where host Chris Kalaboukis explores the bold ideas shaping tomorrow. From AI-driven creativity and personal growth to leadership in remote work, this podcast delves into the intersection of innovation, technology, and human connection. With visionary guests and thought-provoking conversations, thinkfuture helps listeners unlock new possibilities, challenge the status quo, and create the future they want to see. Tune in for fresh insights, actionable strategies, and unexpected inspiration.

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