Humans in the Loop

SummaryIn 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Interspecies Internet03:47 The Journey to Interspecies Communication06:59 The Origin Story of Interspecies Internet11:21 Understanding Interspecies Communication14:19 The Importance of Interspecies Communication17:17 Technological Applications in Interspecies Communication19:52 Frontiers of Interspecies Communication22:50 The Role of AI in Animal Communication25:40 Exploring Communication Across Species28:24 Anthropocentrism in Animal Communication30:39 The Magic of Interspecies Communication32:11 Domestic Animals as Communication Pioneers36:18 Ethical Considerations in Animal Communication38:45 Nature Rights and Legal Frameworks44:53 The Future of Interspecies CommunicationResources:https://www.interspecies.io/TED talk

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 geopoliticsChapters00:00 What Bruce actually does03:58 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 GovernanceYou can find Bruce at www.schneier.com

This episode features Tara Fung, co-founder of CO:CREATE - a digital platform for tattooing. Tara raised $25m in seed funding from A16z at the height of the NFT hype with a technical vision for how to scale that ecosystem, but ultimately ran into hard times as the market for NFTs collapsed. What followed was a journey into the unknown, seeking ways to successfully pivot the company into something they could build and scale. Tattoos aren’t necessarily the first thing that spring to mind when you think of vc-backed businesses, but Tara’s own experience of getting tattooed served as a point of inspiration for CO:CREATE, coupled with a willingness to explore beyond the typical playbooks.Key topics:Facing uncertainty as a FounderSupportive investorsPivoting your companyBeing sober about the nature of the startup gameTrust onlineChapters00:00 The Evolution of CO:CREATE12:57 Navigating the Fundraising Landscape19:04 Navigating Investor Relationships and Pivots23:48 Motivation and Purpose in Entrepreneurship30:00 Finding Clarity in Direction and Focus32:16 Breaking the Playbook: A New Approach to Entrepreneurship34:23 The Future of Trust in a Distrustful World38:17 Navigating Attention and Discovery in the Digital Age42:12 Ethics and Technology: Balancing Business with Societal Impact43:00 Exploring Trust, Ethics, and Technology45:29 Empowering Artists in the Tattoo Industry

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. Chapters00:00 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

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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restless Egg01:21 Artist founders04:18 Discovering the Community of Creators10:10 Key Players in the Artist Founder Ecosystem14:37 The Role of Philosophy and Technology20:31 Bridging Art and Technology25:32 Defining the Artist Founder28:24 The Future of AI and Experience29:20 The Role of Artist Founders in E-commerce32:41 Funding the Creative Frontier36:58 The Shift in Investment Perspectives41:03 The Future of Technology and Agency44:29 AI: Tool or Evolutionary Break?51:45 The Playful Nature of Innovation58:59 Empowering Agency Through TechnologyWhere you can hear more from William and Sylvanwww.restlessegg.comWilliam's substackSome of the organisations mentioned:AntikytheraRestless EggStrelkaMedialabSome of the people mentioned:Benjamin BrattonRefik AnadolDaisy GinsbergIan ChengOther 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