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

Summary

In this episode, Anastassia talks to Donnacha Daly, a technology executive and Professor of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Donnacha currently serves as the Co-Founder, President & COO of Gopf and Head of AI & Machine Learning Studies at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland. With over 25 years of experience, Daly has an impressive professional background spanning technology innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Founding Board member of the Lucerne AI & Cognitive Community LAC2. Daly is passionate about applying technology and engineering to solve significant societal and economic challenges, with a strong belief in AI's potential to address humanity's problems.

Anastassia and Donnacha discuss the evolution of AI and robotics technologies, focusing on the importance of local ecosystems in fostering innovation. Donnacha shares his journey in AI, defines artificial intelligence, and explores the shift of AI research from Europe to the US. They delve into the challenges European AI ecosystems face, venture capitalists' role, and Switzerland's unique advantages in the AI landscape. The discussion culminates in the success story of the Lucerne AI and Cognitive Sciences Hub, highlighting the power of community and collaboration in driving AI advancements.

Takeaways

• AI is defined as the capability of machines to perform cognitive tasks better, faster, and cheaper than humans.
• Switzerland consistently ranks high in global innovation due to its strong infrastructure and resources.
• The US has a more risk-taking culture that fosters AI innovation than Europe.
• European AI ecosystems face challenges in scaling and attracting venture capital.
• Venture customers can provide startups with essential support and validation.
• Procurement rules, compliance hurdles, and culture often impede startups from integrating into larger companies.
• Switzerland's small size allows for easier access to decision-makers in large companies.
• The Lucerne AI Hub is a successful model for fostering AI innovation in regional areas.
• Community engagement is crucial for uncovering local talent and opportunities in AI.
• AI and robotics will play a significant role in shaping future economies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Robotics

02:06 Donnacha's Journey in AI

04:53 Defining Artificial Intelligence

07:39 The Shift of AI Research to the US

10:42 Understanding AI Ecosystems

12:07 Challenges in European AI Ecosystems

16:22 The Role of Venture Customers

20:39 Navigating Corporate Hurdles in Innovation

22:15 Scaling Challenges in Switzerland

27:51 The Lucerne AI and Cognitive Sciences Hub

34:35 Conclusion and Future of AI in Local Ecosystems

About Donnacha Daly:

HSLU Donnacha Daly

Gopf

Study “Artificial Intelligence in Central Switzerland”

About Anastassia Lauterbach:

AI Edutainment Website

“Romy&Roby” Book Website

Amazon.com “Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep”

"AI Snacks with Romy&Roby" is a podcast to the book series, aiming at explaining AI and robotics in simple language. In this episode, Anastassia talks with Dr. Christian Nabert, a German AI Researcher and Practioner.

Dr. Christian Nabert studied physics at the Technical university of Braunschweig and received his doctorate in the area of analysis and modeling of space data at the Institute for Geophysics and Astrophysics. He heads the IAV Tech Hub and is responsible for the industrialization of new technologies, including AI and machine learning. IAV is a German Automotive and transport Engineering Company.

Takeaways:

AI is becoming more accessible to non-experts.

Cultural readiness is crucial for AI adoption.

Germany has a vibrant startup landscape for AI.

AI ethics must be considered in implementation.

Training employees is essential for successful AI use.

Communication skills are vital in AI projects.

Prototyping is a key step in AI implementation.

Calculating ROI for AI projects is challenging but necessary.

A hybrid infrastructure is common for AI deployment.

Continuous learning is vital in the fast-evolving AI field.

Key moments:

00:00Introduction to AI and Its Democratization

06:12Cultural and Technological Aspects of AI Adoption

12:16Phases of AI Project Implementation

20:46Challenges in Scaling AI Solutions

26:16AI Ethics and Implementation

32:01Advice for Mid-Sized Companies on AI

"AI Snacks with Romy and Roby" introduces concepts of AI, Robotics, and quantum computing in easy-to-understand language and is part of the “Science Behind” section of the Romy & Roby Book series for people without a computer science and mathematics background.

In this episode, Anastassia and Florin Rotar discuss the evolution of AI, its implications for businesses, and the importance of human accountability in AI development. Florin shares his journey in AI, the rapid advancements in technology, and the challenges of generalization in contemporary AI models. They explore the role of a Chief AI Officer, practical steps for AI implementation, and the balance between the benefits and risks associated with AI.

Florin Rotar is a seasoned technology executive, currently serving as the Chief AI Officer at Avanade, a leading software solutions provider. Recognized for his expertise, Rotar was named one of the “Top 10 CTOs to Watch in 2023” by Entrepreneur Magazine and is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Flor co-authored “We The People: Human Purpose in a Digital Age,” which explores ethics in the digital era. Florin also co-authored “The Handbook for Chief AI Officers.” It covers topics such as building AI teams, navigating the AI technology landscape, and crafting AI implementation roadmaps for businesses.

Takeaways

AI is a field that has existed for decades, but its rapid evolution is surprising.

The success of AI implementation heavily relies on people, not just a particular AI technology.

Human accountability is crucial in the development and deployment of AI.

Generative AI models are powerful but require careful oversight.

AI's ability to generalize is still a challenge that needs addressing.

Training and upskilling employees is essential for successful AI integration.

Different industries are at varying levels of AI maturity and adoption.

The role of a Chief AI Officer focuses on people and business value.

Organizations must balance between consuming, customizing, and creating AI solutions.

AI presents both opportunities and risks that need to be managed thoughtfully.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Robotics

01:51 Florin's Journey in AI

04:36 The Rapid Evolution of AI

09:05 Human Accountability in AI

13:14 The Challenge of AI Generalization

18:38 AI in Various Industries

22:25 The Role of a Chief AI Officer

25:10 Practical Steps for AI Implementation

29:29 Balancing AI Benefits and Risks

Find More from Anastassia Lauterbach:



YouTubeChannel

LinkedIn

Instagram

TikTok

AI Edutainment Website

Romy and Roby Books and Community Website

Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep by Anastassia Lauterbach

Summary

This podcast introduces concepts of AI and robotics in easy-to-understand language. It is a part of "The Science Behind" section of "Romy and Roby" book series, an AI adventure for the whole family.

In this episode, Anastassia and Dr Dimitry Fisher discuss computer vision technologies and their evolution. Dimitry explains that computer vision is the ability of artificial systems to acquire, process, and act upon visual input. He highlights the three main directions from which computer vision emerged: pre-World War II television, early computers, and the study of animal and human vision. Dimitry also discusses the most critical technologies in computer vision, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and transformers. He emphasizes the importance of labeled data and using pre-trained models in computer vision. The conversation also touches on the ethics and future of computer vision technologies.

Dimitry Fisher is a distinguished AI scientist with extensive experience and neuroscience, machine learning, and data science. He serves as the Senior Vice President of Data Science at Aicadium (https://aicadium.ai/), an AI company committed to build AI products across industries and business functions.

Dimitry earned his PhD in Plasma and High-Temperature Physics, atomic physics, and hot-dense matter from the Weizmann Institute of Science. He was a Senior Scientist at Brain Corporation, where he developed large-scale vision models and researched sensory-motor learning algorithms for robots and AI. His postdoctoral work at UC Davis and the Weizmann Institute of Science further solidified his expertise in neuroscience and computational algorithms of the brain cortex.

Takeaways

Computer vision is the ability of artificial systems to acquire, process, and act upon visual input.

Computer vision emerged from three main directions: pre-World War II television, early computers, and the study of animal and human vision.

Groundbreaking technologies in computer vision include convolutional neural networks, GANs, and transformers.

Labeled data is essential in computer vision, and pre-trained models are often used to reduce the need for large amounts of labeled data.

Ethics play a crucial role in developing and deploying computer vision technologies.

The future of computer vision involves advancements in co-bots, autonomous machines, and multimodal AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Computer Vision

02:03 The Three Directions of Computer Vision Emergence

05:16 Groundbreaking Technologies in Computer Vision

07:37 The Importance of Labeled Data and Pre-Trained Models

18:35 Ethics and the Future of Computer Vision

21:14 Advancements in Co-bots, Autonomous Machines, and Multimodal AI

Find More From Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach:



Romy & Roby | Website

Romy & Roby | TikTok

Romy & Roby | Instagram

AI Edutainment GmbH | YouTube

Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach | X

Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach | LinkedIn

Book (Amazon): Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep by Anastassia Lauterbach