#Lawvely Bahar Ansari

Many of us are familiar with feeling stuck in our situation. Whether it’s continuing to work in a job we loathe or attending a school that is making us unhappy, the accompanying feelings of guilt, judgment, and obligation can make us believe that we have no choice but to stick it out. By taking a step back and assessing the situation you may find that you have more freedom of choice available to you than you initially thought. This week on the show we unpack the concept of freedom of choice and how modern society can make us feel unworthy of that freedom. Tuning in you’ll learn about the impact that small everyday decisions can have on the planet, how to empower yourself through distance, and why the opportunity to make a choice is the true freedom, not the choice itself! 


Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing today’s topic: Freedom of Choice.Why the freedom to make a choice is the true freedom, not the choice itself.Common misconceptions about karma and why Bahar prefers Alan Watts’ definition.Why karma means reaction and how this can be observed in nature.How your choices cause chain reactions and many more choices.Artificial intelligence and the freedom of choice that they possess.What the Matrix can teach us about freedom of choice.Why allowing yourself distance from a difficult choice can empower you to choose wisely.How modern life causes feelings of unworthiness and how this affects our decisions.Examples of situations where people are deprived of their human dignity and autonomy to make decisions.How our everyday decisions can have a lasting, global impact.Bahar’s message of inspiration and pride in all her listeners.

Tweetables:
“Every day, we're presented with many, many choices, from where we want to go to how we want to behave to how we want to react, to what to think, what to feel and beyond.” — @baharansarilaw [0:01:42]
“Sometimes pausing, not choosing hastily from the obvious choice can be the most intelligent choice. It's giving oneself an opportunity to think through each choice.” — @baharansarilaw [0:05:11]
“Once you understand that there is a choice in everything, in how we feel and how we react, and then the life that we're creating through these small, everyday choices, you will recognize the immense power we each have, and collectively have in changing our future.” — @baharansarilaw [0:07:15]


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
2nd.Law
Bahar Ansari on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on Instagram
Bahar Ansari on Twitter

Today’s guest believes in the power of technology to solve the problems we face as a society and he has devoted his career to using technology to make purpose-driven learning count. For the last five years, Michael Robbins has led District of Learning, a technology-enabled ecosystem for 'any time, anywhere' learning in Washington DC, an initiative from the MacArthur Foundation. He also has experience as a senior advisor for the Obama administration, where Michael led work for the US Department of Education and the White House in community engagement and digital transformation in education. He has advised and collaborated with mayors, school superintendents, community organizers, nonprofit leaders, and corporate executives on a range of public initiatives. Today Michael joins us to explain how he believes that we can co-create solutions for our education crisis, transform learning with the power of data of ownership and technology, and come together to learn what we need for life in order to chart a better pathway for a digital society. To find out more about the decentralization of learning, how we can put power in the hands of individuals, and co-create a better future, tune in today!


Key Points From This Episode:
Thoughts on Arthur Clarke’s third law and the gap between what’s happening in tech and what people understand.Michael’s background and his passion for the intersection between technology and education. Michael’s belief in the power of technology to solve the problems we face as a society.The District of Learning project and its goal to decentralize learning and put power in the hands of individuals.The opportunities that lie in individual data ownership and especially learning data.The importance of thinking about different value models for how we generate income and value exchange, individually and collectively. Ownership rights of ancient cultures that could merge well with society and digital rights.Insight into ‘Solid technology’ and ‘edge computing’ to claim power individually.The concept of semi-autonomous decentralized application systems for native democracy and justice and establishing governance. How Learning Pathmakers is charting a path for a distributed learning ledger. What 501 (c)(6) corporation status is and why Learning Pathmakers is pursuing it.Michael’s approach to decentralized education to make purpose-driven learning count all the time and everywhere.The need for a new generation of public-minded young people who are interested in inventing this next generation of digitally native governance. 

Tweetables:
“For me, the height of innovative achievement isn’t sending a billionaire into near space, it’s using the ingenuity that we have, our technology, our people, our commitment, to solve the problems that face us a society.” — Michael Robbins [0:05:38]
“Our schools have a lot of recovery to do but we also, in our educational approaches, have to prepare young people to be digital natives in a way that most people don’t even understand where this is heading.” — Michael Robbins [0:25:10]


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Michael Robbins on LinkedIn 
Learning Pathmakers
MacArthur Foundation 
Open Badges  
Bahar Ansari
Bahar Ansari on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on Instagram

The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental right guaranteed in the constitution and defined in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you act within the law. Consider rules as a frame to a painting, rather than a limitation on your freedom. Does that perspective change how you feel about rules? People make decisions for two reasons: it is either what the law requires of them, or it is what they want. People-first design is the most effective way to reach your goals. Human capital is the  most important thing, which is why setting a Human Satisfaction Threshhold is such a gamechanger. Hence the saying, happy stakeholders, happy shareholders! Join us today to hear more. 


Key Points From This Episode:
The right to happiness, as guaranteed in the constitution and defined in the Declaration of Independence.Why Bahar believes that rules take away as much from your freedom as a frame from the beauty of a painting.What the two reasons are that people make business decisions: because it’s what they want, and because that’s how the law requires for it to be done. Why human capital is so important even though it is often left out of the conversation.The importance of setting a Human Satisfaction Threshold.People-first design as the most effective way to reach your goals.Bahar’s equivalent of the saying ‘Happy wife, happy life!’: ‘Happy stakeholders, happy shareholders!’.Her message of inspiration and pride in all her listeners.

Tweetables:
“I feel a sense of freedom knowing relevant laws. Once you understand the borders, you know the frame, and within that frame you can go wild with creativity. Rules take away as much of your freedom as a frame does from the beauty of a painting.” — @baharansari [0:01:30]
“The human capital are what keep the lights on and serve the human customers. Human customers are those who consume whatever it is that the company provides and keep the company going. Yet these people’s happiness is often left out of any significant conversation.” — @baharansari [0:04:14]


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Bahar Ansari
Bahar Ansari on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on Instagram
Bahar Ansari on Twitter

The central dogma of AI is that it was built on the motivation that it would provide a statistical advantage at war. Even today, we benchmark AI systems against humans, juxtaposing the machine against ourselves. The problem is that if those machines set their own goals and are authoritarian by nature, this clashes with our values and democracy. It also poses an existential risk to mankind. Today’s guest, George Zarkadakis is challenging this central dogma of AI by trying to find ways where AI systems are embedded in a social contract so that they are not the “other” but are our partners. George is a science communicator, an artificial intelligence engineer, a futurist, and a digital innovation professional. He holds a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence in medicine from City, University of London and is the author of two books on the subject of AI. Today George shares his perspective on the intersection of AI and society and how it can be used for the advancement of humanity. Tuning in you’ll hear an introduction to the challenges posed to society by AI and the need for regulation. Discover how we can create some governance around artificial intelligence in order to benefit everybody in society, how the politics governing AI play out differently in the Chinese political system than in the West, and the importance of dialogue, inclusion, and having the right policies in place. To hear expert advice and opportunities for legal professionals in the area of AI, tune in today!


Key Points From This Episode:
An introduction to George Zarkadakis and his impressive career. How George has seen AI grow and infiltrate society in the time frame of his career.The two main schools of thought around AI. How the second school of thought advanced through solving the problems of pattern recognition.An interesting use case of the second school of thought in medicine. Why AI is sometimes referred to as general-purpose technology and how it is being used to fuel the fourth industrial revolution.  George’s perspective on the intersection of AI and society and how it can be used for the advancement of humanity.The biggest problem George has with AI: the central dogma of AI and how we juxtapose the machine against ourselves.The first ramification of this problem: that if those machines set their own goals and are authoritarian by nature this clashes with our values and democracy. The second ramification of this problem: existential risk. Why George is trying to find ways where AI systems are embedded in a social contract so that they are not the ‘other' but are our partners.The potential benefit of AI to society instead of the existential risk it poses. The enormous opportunity to use these new technologies to create abundance. Thoughts on how we can create some governance around artificial intelligence in order to benefit everybody in society. Thoughts on politics and AI and how this plays out in the Chinese political system differently than in the US and the West. Why George believes that there is currently a problem with the lack of innovation as opposed to too much innovation.Why the impact on innovation should be considered in a merger.The concept of a data trust: How we can create an organization that can act as an intermediary between data providers and data consumers. Advice and opportunities for legal professionals in the area of AI. The need for more dialogue between lawyers and technologists, entrepreneurs, and business people. 

Tweetables:
“I’d like to challenge the central dogma of AI, and that’s what I’m doing in my book, and trying to find ways whereby AI systems are embedded in a social contract so that they are not the ‘other' but ar

Though change is scary, it is also inevitable. One of the things that is changing at a rapid rate is our workforce. We don’t work on machines anymore, we work with machines now. Whether we like it or not, all companies are becoming data companies and with this, there is a rise in privacy concerns, and public confidence is at an all-time low. How do we find balance? How do we find the center? Understanding our fundamental human rights in regard to AI is critical in understanding where we go from here. If you want to be a part of the legal future of society, this season is for you. In the coming episodes, we speak to George Zarkadakis, an AI scientist, and Michael Robins, who is pioneering decentralized education with aspirations for a different web3. Catch up on the first few episodes now and tune in for this short but insightful introduction, as we prepare to delve into the important subject of human rights in the world of AI!


Key Points From This Episode:
A personal story about Bahar sorting through her closet and realizing the need for change. How change is scary but also inevitable and how this relates to the world of AI and work.The responsibility of working with machines. Thoughts on the White House seeking suggestions for how to live with AI-seeking methodologies and solutions for governments. How all companies are becoming data companies. How privacy concerns are at an all-time high and public confidence at an all-time low. Why understanding the fundamental human rights in regard to AI is critical in understanding where we go from here. Why you should go back and listen to Season 1, Episode 7 with Google Policy Advisor, Jess Myers.  Why you should listen to the last episode with Banafsheh Akhlaghi. Another important resource: Bahar’s mini-book on AI Parenting/Governance to see where we can go from here.

Tweetables:
“Sometimes complexities simply need a different perspective, an unusual solution to a seemingly impossible challenge.” — @baharansarilaw [0:03:17]
“Change, even the smallest change can feel scary. Sameness feels safe; you know what’s to come, you know what’s happening. Change has a risk of unknown outcomes incorporated. But change is here.” — @baharansarilaw [0:03:44]
“Our workforce has changed. We work with machines now and not just on machines. And, no, we do not yet work for machines, but working with machines is a big responsibility.” — @baharansarilaw [0:04:00]


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Season 1 Episode 7: Falling in Love with Internet Law with Jess
Season 3 Episode 12: The Realization of Peace with Banafsheh Akhlaghi
Parenting Governance
Bahar Ansari
Bahar Ansari on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on Instagram
Bahar Ansari on Twitter

In today’s episode of Lawvely, you’ll hear from Banafsheh Akhlaghi, a pioneering civil and human rights attorney, educator, bestselling author, and social entrepreneur. Banafsheh started her career as a professor of constitutional law at the John F Kennedy School of Law and went on to found the National Legal Sanctuary for Community Advancement (NLSCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the human rights and dignity of Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian people, which emerged as one of the leading advocates for human rights for those communities in the post-9/11 era. She has also worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Fund for Women and is the former Western Regional Director for Amnesty International, with her practice area today also including intellectual property rights and immigration defense. In this episode, she shares her passion for people and the constitution, her journey toward realizing peace in her lifetime, and why she believes that human relationships are at the center of legal systems. We also touch on how younger generations represent hope for the future, Banafsheh’s collaborative approach to constitutional law reform, consistently choosing humanity over capital, as well as intellectual property, and the role that ethical technology plays in upholding human and civil rights — plus so much more! Banafsheh also leaves us with some powerful advice when it comes to the realization of peace: do not believe anyone who tells you that it’s impossible. Make sure not to miss this conversation with inspirational author, attorney, and advocate, Banafsheh Akhlaghi.


Key Points From This Episode
Banafsheh on her upbringing and her journey toward realizing peace in her lifetime.How her uncle’s imprisonment altered how she viewed her role in mobilizing for change.Find out how Banafsheh came to teach constitutional law and founded the NLSCA.Her belief that peace exists where you are when you perpetuate it within your communities.Why Banafsheh believes that laws are simply manmade doctrine; it’s about relationships.The deliberate, peaceful, systematic effort that is required to advocate for peace for all.Banafsheh emphasizes the importance of finding your tribe, linking arms, and moving the cause forward one step at a time.How the younger generation brings hope for the future with intention and consciousness.Transforming the disconnect between the “white, male, and stale” make up of congress and the diverse population of the US.Magnifying the power of underrepresented groups by putting them in decision-making seats.Banafsheh’s advice for the commission appointed to constitutional law reform: take inspiration from the South African and Indian constitutions.Find out what corporations can do to advocate for human rights through compassionate capitalism and ethical technology.The power of finding your voice, whether it’s in the arts, on stage, or on paper, and getting your message out.

Tweetables:
“They say your environment and the conversations that you are part of truly shape the trajectory of your life. In my home, the conversations were about [mobilizing for change].” — Banafsheh Akhlaghi [0:08:26]
“The one thing that I am clear about is that peace exists where we are.” — Banafsheh Akhlaghi [0:13:54]


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Banafsheh Akhlaghi on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on LinkedIn
Bahar Ansari on Instagram
Bahar Ansari on Twitter