In this episode of "AI Snacks," Anastassia and Professor Rae Muhlstock explore human nature in the age of AI through the lens of science fiction while also hinting at the introspective journey of understanding human identity in the face of advancing technology. The conversation reflects the dual nature of AI portrayals in science fiction movies and books, from helpers to threats, and how these narratives make us question what truly defines our humanity. While fantasy offers images of different worlds, science fiction applies scientific methods to the world we are currently living in. Learning from sci-fi might become an integral part of teaching AI literacy and AI ethics.

Rae Muhlstock is a Lecturer of Writing and Critical Inquiry at the University at Albany, SUNY. Her expertise is in 20th—and 21st-century fiction, narrative theory, experimental fiction, and film. She is also the chief organizer of the annual WCI Film Festival in Albany.

Takeaways:

Science fiction might be considered as a blueprint for our possible future with AIs.

As a genre, science fiction applies scientific methods to the world around us. This is its difference from fantasy, which creates imaginary worlds.

Filmmakers and writers question the nature of humanity while developing their storylines and characters.

The original Star Trek series questions our understanding of AIs, such as who owns them and whether they have rights.

Today's students consider AIs 'just' tools. Still, their views on possible scenarios of human-AI coexistence are influenced by fears of AI taking over, as shown in many books and movies.

AI ethics might evolve similarly to animal ethics.

Today's technologists might give AI reasoning only if we change how AI systems are built/ architected.

Humans need to learn how to coexist with intelligence that is very different from their own.

The brain and the mind aren't the same thing.

Chapters:

1:20 Teaching StarTrack in creating writing courses

5:13 Human response to AI

8:31 Definition of Science-Fiction

9:17 AI as a different form of intelligence/ non-human intelligence

11:57 Human fears of AI are shaped by Sci-Fi

15:03 Analyzing the original StarTrek Episode "The Ultimate Computer" and value alignment between humans and machines

18:38 Is AI just a tool?

23:24 The brain and the mind are different

24:53 Who owns AI? Who owns Data from StarTrek?

26:19 Diversity in humanity and in AIs: What does it mean?

32:35 Giving AI possibilities to reason via implementing different technology architectures

37:40 Importance to learn from AI when we define our humanity/ reading from the work of students

In this episode of AI Snacks, Anastassia interviews Mike Rizkalla, an entrepreneur who transitioned from the entertainment industry to robotics, focusing on AI in children's education.

Mike is the CEO and co-founder of Snorble, a startup that develops interactive robotic companions designed to help children develop healthy habits and improve their educational experiences. He studied computer and electrical engineering and spent multiple years in the entertainment and creative industry. Mike's vision for Snorble involves leveraging AI-driven technology to inspire learning, nurture development, and foster curiosity in young minds. His work has been recognized with several awards, reflecting his innovative approach to combining technology with child development.

Anastassia and Mike discuss the development of Snorble and the purpose of child-centric AIs. Mike shares insights on the technology stack, challenges of AI on edge devices, and the importance of human-centric design. The conversation also touches on building trust with parents, the role of AI companions in child development, and the significance of dedicated content labs in creating educational experiences.

Takeaways

• Snorble is designed to enhance children's learning experiences.
• The technology stack includes proprietary hardware and software.
• AI on edge devices offers advantages like reduced latency.
• Privacy and security are prioritized in Snorble's design.
• Human-centric design is crucial for product success.
• Understanding young children's language is a key challenge in developing a proprietary language model.
• Parents have concerns about AI replacing human interaction.
• Snorble can help children learn math and reading. The robot is aligned with what parents expect from a companion, and parents fully control its implementation.

Chapters:

00:00Introduction to AI in Children's Rooms

01:03Mike's Journey to Robotics and AI

02:40Current State of Snorble and Market Position

04:11Technology Stack of Snorble: Hardware and Software

10:34Challenges and Advantages of AI on Edge Devices

14:06NLP and Child-Centric Technology Development

18:56Human-Centric Product Design in AI

21:22Overcoming Unknowns in Product Development

24:15Collaboration with Research Facilities

25:02Building Trust with Parents

32:24Vision for AI Companions in Child Development

35:23Content Lab and Educational Focus

37:51Snorble's Role in Learning Math and Writing