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168 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Our AI blindspot: incentives over intentions
19 november 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
Software is eating the world, but will it start eating us? On this episode of Possible, Aria Finger and Reid Hoffman sit down for an encore conversation with Aza Raskin that dives deep into how AI and engagement-driven tech are reshaping our lives, our democracies, and our sense of truth. From unpacking the present challenge around social media feeds to AI systems competing for our time, intimacy, and attention, no technology topic is out of bounds. Along the way, they also debate AI pause letters, why incentives always eat intentions, and how to design new institutional frameworks for a future where AI truly elevates human agency, compassion, and wisdom. If everything breaks humanity’s way, what becomes possible? Tune in to find out. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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How we regulate AI could decide the next century
12 november 2025 · 35 min
In this episode of Possible, Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger explore how AI is colliding with real-world regulation, responsibility, and even civility. As states like Utah, California, and Illinois roll out new AI laws governing everything from chatbot disclosure to bans on AI-driven therapy, Reid breaks down the logic that’s driving these policies. The conversation dives into OpenAI’s self-imposed limits on medical, legal, and financial advice, the challenge of providing access while managing liability, and why safe harbor laws could unlock life-saving potential for AI. From there, the discussion zooms out to the global stage, where China is pushing for an international AI governance body and the U.S. risks losing moral and technical leadership. Finally, Aria and Reid end on a human behavior note: a study showing AI performs better when users are rude. What does that say about how we train these models? But mostly, what does it reveal about us? From transparency to civility, what kind of intelligence do we really want to build? Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Reid riffs on NVIDIA's chips, China’s AI ambitions, and the push to pause AI
5 november 2025 · 30 min
This week Reid and Aria break down the global AI race from Nvidia’s $5 trillion valuation and the U.S.–China chip rivalry to what happens when AI starts reshaping industries like medicine. Reid explains why the future of innovation depends on how we deploy AI, not just how we build it, and why doctors, scientists, and creators will need to redefine their expertise in a world of intelligent tools. Later in the episode, Reid responds to new calls to “pause” AI development and shares why he believes safety and progress must advance together. The conversation ends with a look at the future of healthcare and why, in Reid’s view, AI won’t replace doctors, but doctors who use AI will replace those who don’t. Lees meer
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Steve Kerr and Kris Brown on Leadership, Purpose, and Innovation in Sport and Society
29 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
What does it take to turn tragedy into advocacy, and advocacy into lasting change? This week, Reid and Aria are talking to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Kris Brown, president of Brady, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization. Together, they explore how sports, storytelling, and civic engagement can move the needle on one of America’s most polarizing issues: guns. Lees meer
In the first part of this episode, Steve and Kris share the personal and political roots of their partnership. They also dive into the movement for safer gun storage, smart firearm technology, and the bipartisan momentum that’s possible when we lead with empathy over fear.
In the second part, the conversation turns to the future of basketball and leadership. Steve reflects on lessons from Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich, the power of authenticity and collaboration, and how AI, analytics, and even robotics are reshaping the NBA.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
01:14 - Hellos and intros
03:28 - Collaboration is the cornerstone of Steve’s leadership philosophy
04:22 - Imposter syndrome, playing under Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich, and coaching Draymond Green
06:02 - Steve’s personal experience with gun violence and using his platform to drive change
07:17 - Lessons Kris learned from working on the Brady Bill
10:43 - Gemini explains the landmark Brady Bill and how it passed
11:48 - Origins of Steve and Brady’s partnership
16:55 - Building bipartisan support for gun violence prevention, like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
21:21 - Smart gun technology, gun safes, and other technological solutions
25:27 - “Shut up and dribble” comment and the pushback athletes receive when they speak up
27:29 - Social media as a tool to create cultural change
29:39 - Kris answers the last rapid-fire question and says her goodbyes
32:33 - Midroll
32:38 - Steve digs deeper into Phil Jackson and Greg Popovi…
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Aza Raskin on interspecies communication, empathy, and AI’s next frontier
22 oktober 2025 · 27 min
Can AI help us better understand animals and, if it could, what might we discover? This week’s episode was recorded live at the 2025 Masters of Scale Summit where Reid and Aria sat down with Aza Raskin, co-founder and CEO of the Earth Species Project. Aza and his team are using AI to decode the languages and cultures of non-human species. From dolphins that invent new tricks together to crows that raise each other’s young in communal “villages,” Aza reveals the startling complexity of animal communication and what it teaches us about our own. During the course of their conversation, Reid, Aria and Aza explore why recognizing the intelligence of the animal kingdom might spark a new Copernican Revolution, one that changes not just science, but who we believe ourselves as a species to be. It’s a thought provoking journey through language, empathy, and the limits of human perspective that will make you listen to the natural world a little differently. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
00:00 – Live introduction from the Masters of Scale Summit
00:58 – Aza Raskin explains the Earth Species Project and its mission
03:03 – How AI can decode animal language and culture
05:18 – Crows, whales, and dolphins—evidence of communication and community
07:32 – What we’ve missed by only “hearing the shouts” of other species
08:30 – Dolphins learning to innovate together and what it reveals about intelligence
09:57 – Elephants’ overlapping calls and the idea of “communal grammar”
12:33 – From speaking to listening: the ethics of interspecies understanding
14:23 – Names, self-awareness, and identity across dolphins, elephants, and belugas
16:05 – Animal rituals, drum languages, and AI’s early attempts at conversation
18:10 – Animal Language Processing as science’s next frontier
20:38 – The moral shift: what animals teach us about empathy, AI, and responsibility
Possible is an award-winning pod…
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Reid riffs on fostering trust with founders, in boardrooms, and in AI
15 oktober 2025 · 37 min
In this week's episode, Reid and Aria unpack why trust is a practical skill, not just a feeling. Reid riffs on the importance of hands-on investor-founder relationships, boardroom decisions that can make or break a company, and investor behaviors that build durable trust. They also discuss what product teams and policymakers must do to earn user confidence in an age of AI. Along the way, Reid shares personal anecdotes regarding his work with OpenAI, crisis leadership, and bridging Silicon Valley policy with the rest of the globe. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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David Fajgenbaum on drug repurposing, AI, and saving his own life
8 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
How can AI really help advance medicine? Should patients and care teams be seeking second opinions from LLMs? This week, Reid and Aria sit down with physician-scientist Dr. David Fajgenbaum, who repurposes existing drugs to save lives—including his own. David shares his journey from receiving last rites as a young medical student to co-founding Every Cure, a nonprofit using AI to come up with ways existing drugs can be repurposed to treat every disease and every patient possible. On this special episode, filmed live in New York City, David, Reid, and Aria explore the circuit of hope, action, and impact that drives medical discovery; the technical and ethical challenges around accelerating AI in healthcare; “agent optimization” as the new “search engine optimization;” and what a future of faster diagnoses and treatment could look like. The result is a conversation about resilience, innovation, and unlocking cures that are already within our reach. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:00 - Hellos and intros
3:29 - A promise to his mother and the origin of AMF
6:23 - From grief support to medical school
9:18 - Near-death experiences and founding a research network
14:38 - What kept David going at death’s door
16:19 - Discovering a potential treatment and testing it on himself
19:42 - Why drug repurposing is a faster, cheaper complement to drug discovery
22:14 - Co-founding Every Cure and scaling discovery with AI
25:20 - Demo: Building MATRIX and how the algorithm makes predictions
28:41 - Breast cancer and Lidocaine as a case study
30:07 - Why human review is essential in AI for medicine
34:08 - Car exhaust fumes example and FDA pathways
37:31 - Reid’s surprise million-dollar donation for Every Cure compute
39:24 - What AI can unlock across healthcare
41:46 - Building an impact team to close the repurposing loop
47:32 - Improving systemic incentives for generics
54:58 - F…
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Reid riffs on Trump’s $100K visa fee, 3-day work weeks, and AI trust issues
1 oktober 2025 · 35 min
This week, Reid and Aria dive into the debate over new $100,000 fees on H-1B visas, and discuss how immigration powers U.S. innovation and how to ensure startups aren’t shut out. They also cover developers’ mixed feelings about using AI in coding, the leap from 60% to 85% accuracy in medical AI predictions, and what it will take to bring regulators and clinicians on board. Plus, Reid shares why he’s skeptical of a three-day work week and reflects on the Trust in American Institutions Challenge, highlighting some inspiring finalists. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Lisa Su on semiconductors, compute, and big bets
24 september 2025 · 44 min
What’s the role of semiconductors—and the companies that make them—in powering human progress? What does it look like to innovate thoughtfully in a landscape where the demand for power may be higher than the supply? With AI evolving faster and faster, how can we keep up? Lees meer
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Lisa Su joins the show to talk about hardware, global manufacturing, and risk-taking. She shares what she has learned leading AMD from near-bankruptcy a decade ago to its current standing as one of the world’s leading chipmakers. Lisa also weighs in on geopolitics, the AI arms race, startups, what makes her want to hire someone, and AI’s enormous potential to advance healthcare for humankind.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
2:46 - Hellos and intros
2:54 - The origins of Lisa's interest in hardware
4:19 - Deciding to bet on chips
6:06 - MIT and early engineering days
6:28 - Google Gemini defines "bunny suits"
8:25 - Differences between AMD and NVIDIA
10:25 - AI’s potential to improve healthcare
16:27 - Driving AMDs comeback
19:40 - Making patience and long-term vision a company-wide virtue
22:06 - Vision for the next 10 years
24:59 - Midroll
25:16 - The impact of geopolitics on AMD
28:38 - Environmental implications of chip production
30:41 - Major hardware innovations in the start-up space
32:14 - AI driving coding acceleration
33:47 - How AMD encourages employees to leverage AI
35:22 - Identifying and empowering talent
39:08 - Rapid-fire questions
Select mentions:
Liquid.ai
The Worlds I See by Dr. Fei-Fei Li
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoff…
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Reid Riffs on AI translations, Apple Intelligence, and OpenAI’s Critterz
17 september 2025 · 21 min
This week, Reid and Aria discuss Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 and live translation capabilities, AI-generated movies (specifically Critterz from OpenAI), and what really could be lost — or gained — as AI technology becomes more widespread. Plus, Reid reflects on his speech at the Bologna Business School two years ago, and how far AI has come since then in amplifying creativity and humanity. Lees meer
Select mentions:
Superagency
Bro-Botz (https://www.youtube.com/@Bro-BotzDTI)
Reid’s Bologna Business School commencement speech
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Stephen Colbert on connection, discovery and human nature
10 september 2025 · 57 min
What could we gain—and what might we lose—when technology begins to approximate the contours of human connection and presence? In this episode, Reid and Aria chat with comedian, actor, and political commentator Stephen Colbert. Best known for hosting The Colbert Report and The Late Show, Stephen combines a razor sharp satire with a sincere curiosity about the world. Together, Reid, Aria, and Stephen discuss the art of live performance, the many lessons one can learn from J.R.R. Tolkien, and the nature of creativity, humor, and imagination in the age of AI. The result is a meditation on discovery, empathy, and the bonds that make connection more than performance — but a shared act of being human. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
2:35 – Hellos and intros
2:53 – Stephen Riffs on humanity and Dungeons & Dragons
6:08 – Tolkien characters and desert island companions
7:02 – Creativity, empathy, and imagination in comedy
11:37 – Performing for a live audience
13:02 – Comedy as a third space
16:22 – Early ideas about interactive technology and improvisation
19:14 – Can AI art escape the uncanny valley
22:27 – The human “micronutrients” that AI cannot replace
24:05 – Parasocial relationships and the future of entertainment
26:50:– Midroll
26:58 – Responsibility and fact-checking
29:56 – Personalization versus discovery in AI storytelling
33:47 – Lessons from Tolkien
41:22 – AI as part of human evolution
44:51 – How AI can already be employed in health fields
48:46 – AI in video games and creative amplification
49:58 – Balancing skepticism and excitement about AI
50:06 – Rapid-fire Questions
Select mentions:
A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane by Barry Yourgrau
Exploring The Lord of the Rings with Dr. Corey Olsen
Letter 144 by J.R.R. Tolkien
Robert Heinlein
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get…
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Reid riffs on AI adoption, NVIDIA, and AI’s impact on entry-level jobs
3 september 2025 · 23 min
This week, Reid and Aria discuss the challenges around integrating AI into organizations and workspaces, China’s recent pivot away from NVIDIA, and OpenAI’s new $50 million NGO-focused fund. Reid also offers his take on a recent Stanford study that looks at entry-level jobs at risk of AI replacement. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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MacKenzie Price on AI-Powered K-12 Schools
27 augustus 2025 · 56 min
Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued—and , in several instances, reversed—in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform—not human teachers—and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:45 - Hellos and intros
4:12 – MacKenzie’s path from Stanford psychology to Alpha Schools
6:11 – Updating traditional school systems with AI
7:46 – What makes Alpha Schools different
12:01 – The 2-Hour Learning model
15:40 – Key lessons from AI in classrooms
18:11 – AI supercharges students with the “four C’s”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity
20:47 – Teacher-student connection and mentorship
21:54 – Scaling Alpha Schools & lowering costs
25:47 – AI-driven assessment & personalized learning plans
29:38 – Midroll
29:47 – Alex shares his experience as an Alpha School student and entrepreneur
34:19 – Challenges of scaling
36:09 – Student incentives & using Alpha currency to teach kids financial literacy
38:55 – Alpha students learn life skills & develop entrepreneurial projects
41:44 – GT School for highly accelerated learners
44:55 – “Future of Education” podcast highlights
47:16 – Teachers vs. guides & redefining expertise in education
49:21 – Using AI for public speaking & coaching
51:02 – Rapid fire questions
Select mentions:
Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities — New York …
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Reid riffs on GPT-5, Figma's IPO, and the end of AOL dial-up
20 augustus 2025 · 18 min
This week, Reid and Aria discuss the much-anticipated launch of GPT-5, Figma's blockbuster IPO, Perplexity’s bid to acquire Google Chrome, and the end of AOL’s dial-up internet service. Plus, Reid offers his take on why some companies find explosive growth and others fade just as fast. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Select mentions:
For the Hamilton v.s. Satoshi Bitcoin Rap Battle: https://reid.medium.com/bitcoin-rap-battle-hamilton-vs-satoshi-de3058b3dff0
The innovator’s dilemma by Clayton Christensen
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Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth on Outfitting Democracy for the AI Era
13 augustus 2025 · 52 min
How can we take digitally-empowered democracy straight out of science fiction into reality? Lees meer
This week, Reid and Aria are joined by two digital democracy pioneers, Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth. Audrey Tang is a cyber ambassador-at-large and former inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs for Taiwan. Their pioneering initiatives like the Sunflower Movement, g0v, and vTaiwan have fought misinformation and influenced policy decisions. Audrey is also a senior research fellow for the Collective Intelligence Project, co-founded and directed by Divya Siddarth. Divya leads projects worldwide that give voice to the public in building better AI.
Audrey and Divya have spent years investigating how people converge on uncommon ground and how to beat polarization. They discuss the power of collective input and collaboration to create a cycle of collective intelligence. Plus, how AI tools—informed by public input—can enhance governance, digital life, and bring out the best in all of us.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:07 - Hellos and intros
3:38 - Audrey and Divya's partnership backstory
7:06 - Challenges and surprises with AI in governance
10:19 - What problems do CIP's projects aim to solve?
13:04 - Breakthroughs in collective intelligence
15:08 - Fighting polarization in the age of social media
16:50 - Capitalizing on innate collective intelligence
18:51 - The difference between collective intelligence and democracy
20:33 - Design principles for democracy-forward AI
23:30 - Involving the public in AI model building
26:18 - Midroll
28:32 - Bringing Taiwan's civic wins worldwide
30:41 - Radical transparency in digital tools
35:18 - Why aren't Taiwan's initiatives landing in the U.S.
38:09 - Creating digital twins
39:52 - Reid and Aria's outlook on AI and democracy relations
42:04 - Who would Reid delegate AI centralization to?
45:05 - Rapid-fire
Select mentions:
Plurality by …
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Reid riffs on the energy arms race and AI addressing climate change
6 augustus 2025 · 17 min
Could the very technology that requires massive amounts of energy to power it also be key to solving the climate crisis? This week, Reid and Aria discuss the global energy arms race and why the U.S. is lagging behind competitors like China. Reid weighs in on the environmental impact and human costs of AI infrastructure, along with mounting tensions between hyperscalers and the communities that host their data centers. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Tony Marx on the Future of Libraries, AI, and Trust
30 juli 2025 · 52 min
What can public libraries teach us about finding and sharing trustworthy information in the age of AI? How can—and should—AI build upon the technology that is books? This week, Reid and Aria head to the New York Public Library in Manhattan for a conversation with the storied institution’s president and CEO, Tony Marx. They explore the function of libraries in the age of AI, debate the future of work, and discuss what it looks like for civic institutions to embrace transformative technology without sacrificing core values. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
2:54 - Hellos and intros
3:23 - Tony’s studies and work in South Africa
5:25 - Taking a job as president of Amherst College
8:43 - Eliminating library fines and fees
9:23 - Visiting the Inwood Library
13:30 - Determining what gets digitized
16:20 - New media
17:42 - AI’s function for libraries
23:08 - Navigating hallucinations
27:57 - AI becoming our epistemology
29:36 - Technological advancements at the NYPL
33:54 - Future of work and human costs of AI
39:41 - Can AI close the educational gap?
42:43 - Trust, reliability, and AI
45:18 - Rapid-fire questions
Select mentions:
Possible | Kim Stanley Robinson on the future of civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6OlJbPDpyc
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about…
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Reid riffs on AI adoption, sensitive data, and digital twins
23 juli 2025 · 24 min
On Part II of last week’s Live Riff, co-hosted with Village Global, Reid fields audience member questions about scale product-market fit, license modeling, data sensitivities, and the future of customer service, along with positive use cases for deepfake technology and the making of Reid AI, his digital twin. He also tells a story from his PayPal days, when Peter Thiel gave him five days to come up with a solution to a problem that was putting money and user trust on the line. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
For Reid and Allie Miller’s agent experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeLSq9D65m4
For Reid AI giving Reid’s Perugia speech in multiple languages: https://www.reidhoffman.org/perugia-speech/
For the Masters of Scale episode about building trust featuring Daniel Ek: https://mastersofscale.com/daniel-ek-how-to-build-trust-fast/
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Reid riffs on acquihires, agents, and new startup norms
16 juli 2025 · 40 min
What’s the deal with hyperscalers’ recent string of acquisitions betting big on AI talent? When will business schools start requiring classes on managing agents? And how is—and isn’t—AI changing the path to scale and the future of work? Aria asks Reid about all of this and more in a special two-part Riff, recorded for a live audience of AI leaders and founders in New York City in partnership with Village Global in June. Lees meer
Special thanks to our friends at Village Global for co-hosting this Live Reid Riffs. Tune in next week for Part II of the conversation.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Reid riffs on cryptocurrency, stablecoins and regulation
9 juli 2025 · 28 min
Crypto often feels like a microcosm of the broader government–tech relationship. On one extreme, you have true believers who see blockchain as the next frontier of economic empowerment and radical transparency. On the other, skeptics who point to ransomware attacks, illicit finance, and the flipside of anonymity—and call for an outright ban. Lees meer
This week on Possible, Reid and Aria talk crypto –– both the positives and negatives –– and how we can iterate toward better outcomes. Reid discusses pro-innovation regulation, where crypto fits into waves of anti-technology sentiment, and the potential for cryptocurrency to benefit a range of communities.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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David Autor on AI’s impact on jobs, expertise, and labor markets
2 juli 2025 · 1 uur 5 min
What if AI helped people develop and deepen their existing expertise, and better outfitted them for the jobs of the future? This week, Reid and Aria are joined by one of the world’s leading labor economists, David Autor, Ford Professor of Economics at MIT and co-director of its Work of the Future Task Force. He is also a Visiting Fellow in the Google Technology and Society Program. David’s landmark research on the China Shock has become foundational for policymakers grappling with globalization’s labor impacts. Reid, Aria, and David discuss the parallels between China Shock and AI Shock, the labor market, how AI can help us make better decisions, automation vs. collaboration, and AI’s potential to enhance human-centered jobs. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
2:27 - Hellos and intros
4:30 - China Shock vs. AI Shock
10:56 - How AI could affect skill-based labor
15:37 - Google Gemini aside: more about the air traffic controller shortage
16:31 - How technologies can be amplifiers of expertise
22:09 - AI as a collaboration tool
24:52 - Why speed of labor market change makes a difference
29:25 - How AI can be good for the middle class
31:04 - Learning to use AI to your advantage
34:27 - More upward mobility at work
41:39 - Technology increasing quality of life
47:34 - Tools to put in place to ensure improvements for all
50:29 - Successfully transitioning to a new AI future
56:51 - Rapid-fire questions
Select mentions:
Geoffrey Hinton
WALL-E
Mad Max: Fury Road
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each epi…
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Reid riffs on massive AI acquisitions, robotics, and headcount trimming
25 juni 2025 · 26 min
Aria and Reid dive into the recent flurry of multibillion-dollar AI acquisitions—from OpenAI’s $3B Windsurf deal to Meta’s ~$15B stake in Scale AI—and what they reveal about how companies are racing to refactor for an AI-first future. Are acquihires overtaking acquisitions as the new strategic advantage? And how are companies balancing workforce shifts with long-term innovation? Plus, a look at the robotics boom, government investment in AI, and the underrated wisdom of Adam Smith. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Hannah Fry on AI, Algorithms, and Human Nature
18 juni 2025 · 52 min
What happens when we take numbers seriously—not just at face value, but in terms of their actual impact on our lives? Lees meer
This week, Reid and Aria are joined by UK-based mathematician and media personality Hannah Fry to explore this deceptively simple question. From cancer diagnoses to dating apps, Hannah makes the case that understanding the math behind our decisions—and the "game" we're really playing—is essential to building a better future.
They discuss why regret minimization is often a better guide than raw percentages in assessing risks; Hannah’s advice on finding love in a sea of swipe-rights; and how a well-framed question can be more powerful than the right answer. Plus, Inflection’s Pi chimes in with a few Jane-Austen-themed math jokes.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:01 - Hellos and intros
3:15 - Considering hairdressing, instant feedback, and becoming a broadcaster
5:11 - Making math emotionally resonant
7:37 - Math as power and who gets to shape the future
9:10 - Understanding AI through probabilities and spectrums
12:01 - The emotional limits of statistics in medical decision-making
16:22 - Choosing the right “game” to optimize for
19:57 - How to build systems that self-correct
23:19 - Rethinking education and assessments in the AI era
26:42 - Updating dating advice for the AI age
30:03 - Real-life “Black Mirror”
36:11 - Storytelling vs. statistics
41:47 - Probability thinking, AI confidence, and useful heuristics
45:31 - Pi delivers math-themed Jane Austen jokes
47:15 - Rapid-fire questions
Select mentions:
Google DeepMind: The Podcast
The Mathematics of Love TED Talk
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut
“Women also Snowboard: Overcoming Bias in Captioning Models” by Kaylee Burns, Lisa Anne Hendricks, Kate Saenko, Trevor Darrell, and Anna Rohrbach
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of …
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Reid riffs on if AI can become conscious
16 juni 2025 · 19 min
This episode has been re-uploaded to correct an error. If you are a subscriber and/or downloaded it on its release, consider deleting and redownloading it to hear the corrected audio. We apologize for the inconvenience. Lees meer
On this week's Riffs, Reid and Aria unpack last week’s conversation with Yuval Noah Harari, discussing AI's rapid advancements, its potential impacts on humanity, and the meaning of consciousness. Reid and Aria also discuss who will be responsible for making sure AI is aligned with human values –– no matter what the future looks like.
00:00 Introduction and overview
00:16 Reflecting on the conversation with Yuval
05:14 The role of AI labs and accountability
11:45 Philosophical questions on AI and consciousness
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Yuval Noah Harari on trust, the dangers of AI, power, and revolutions
4 juni 2025 · 52 min
What will it take to create AI that is as trustworthy, if not more trustworthy than humans? Lees meer
This week, Reid and Aria sit down with Yuval Noah Harari, historian, philosopher, and best-selling author of several books including Nexus, Sapiens and Homo Deus. When it comes to outlook on AI, Yuval, Reid, and Aria agree on the importance of building both human trust in AI and AI that is genuinely truth-seeking, but they differ on how possible it is to achieve.
Together, they dig into their diverging opinions on the outcomes of the AI revolution, global cooperation, and how AI will learn from humans. They also discuss the differences between intelligence and consciousness, and whether conscious AI is a goal worth pursuing.
Yuval turns to history to ground his warnings about AI. Even though he’s cautious about technology, he is critical of cynicism. Yuval shares his philosophy on human compassion as a guiding principle that can allow us to steer away from collapse and ultimately, build a better AI future.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:38 - Hellos and intros
3:58 - Questions for the Buddha
5:48 - Yuval’s relationship with technology
8:57 - Technologies that help humans share stories and myths
10:37 - Is AI the most significant invention after writing
13:02 - How AI will transform society
20:12 - Guidance for a successful AI revolution
24:24 - Using AI to support humanity's self-correcting mechanisms
26:13 - Midroll
26:45 - How to build self-correcting mechanisms for a better future
31:28 - Humans as parents of AI
36:33 - What political leaders need to do to create a positive AI future
39:11 - Artificial intelligence v.s. artificial consciousness
42:35 - AI as a tool for rebuilding trust
44:50 - Rapid-fire Questions
Select mentions:
History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours
Heartstopper
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the…
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Reid riffs on AI companions, human friends, and age gates
28 mei 2025 · 20 min
On this week’s Riff, Reid reacts to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s suggestion that AIs can help address the loneliness epidemic and function as friends. He and Aria discuss why AIs can be great companions but not great friends, along with how to protect against agent misuse and deception. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Alexis Ohanian on the future of online and offline communities
21 mei 2025 · 54 min
How do we build products and platforms that support a healthy, prosperous future? What will it take to “make the internet fun again?” Should kids be using AI? This week, serial entrepreneur and investor Alexis Ohanian—who co-founded Reddit two decades ago and is currently working to reinvent the social news aggregator Digg—joins Reid and Aria to talk about (re)building online and offline communities in the age of AI. They hear from Alexis on his recent bid for U.S. TikTok, the startups and women’s sports ventures he’s backing through his VC firm Seven Seven Six, and his approach to raising AI-forward daughters with his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
03:03 - Hellos and intros
03:24 - Being a “Daddy Caddy” for Olympia
04:36 - Inspiration behind 776
08:26 - Making the internet “fun” again
12:25 - Internet culture vs. the platform
17:49 - Bid for Tiktok
21:47 - AI and online communities
27:01 - AI in women’s sports
30:16 - Hardware vs. software
31:46 - Midroll
32:00 - Kids, parenting, and learning in the age of AI
34:55 - Physical products in a digital world
40:46 - Tech optimism
41:56 - Alexis’s collectibles
44:29 - Rapid-fire questions
Select mentions:
Seven Seven Six
Teenage Engineering
Art For Kids Hub
Synthesis Tutor
Monumental Labs
Mantel
Unreasonable Hospitality
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another…
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Reid riffs on PBCs, jobs and automation, and AI access for kids
14 mei 2025 · 19 min
Reid breaks down OpenAI’s shift to a public benefit corporation—what it really means, why it matters, and why some critics are missing the point. Aria asks whether all frontier AI companies should follow suit. Reid and Aria discuss how educators can navigate the “messy middle” of AI in the classroom. They also dig into the future of assessment, what students (and job seekers) should be learning now to prepare for an AI future, and whether AI-intensive fields are worth the bet. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Select mentions:
Public Benefit Corporation
Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College by James D. Walsh
Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market by Derek Thompson
Shopify memo
Duolingo memo
Ethan Mollick
Our Possible episode with Ethan Mollick
Opportunity at Work
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Jane Goodall on Hope, AI, and the Natural World
7 mei 2025 · 59 min
What would it look like to keep all living creatures in the loop on the development of new technology? Lees meer
Reid sat down for a wide-ranging solo discussion with Jane Goodall on that very subject – and more. They talked about how to maintain hope and focus on local impact in today’s often chaotic world, how technology – and AI in particular – might be helpful for conservation, and Jane’s global youth program, Roots & Shoots. Plus, the Jane Goodall institute shared audio from a cutting edge acoustic array that helped them discover a brand new species in Gombe National Park in Tanzania! Jane reflected on her legacy and shared stories about bridging unlikely divides, defying the scientific community early in her career, young people opening their eyes to the natural world for the first time, and so much more.
Thank you to the incredible team at the Jane Goodall Institute and WildMon (L. Pintea, B. Wallauer, K. Harmon, M. Campos, Gabriel Leite, Tomaz Melo, Guilherme Melo, D. A. Collins, D. C. Mjungu) that, with funding from Google, utilized an acoustic array to discover brand new species in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, including Thomas’s Dwarf Galago (Galagoides thomasi).
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
03:38 - Hellos and intros
03:45 - “Name that baby” game
05:34 - How Jane has used technology in her work
09:13 - Discovering a new species with an acoustic array
11:57 - How AI can help conservation
16:55 - AI as an animal translator
19:58 - Essential lesson for research
22:30 - Similarities between humans and chimpanzees
26:42 - Bridging divides between unlikely groups
30:32 - “We must either redefine man, redefine tool, or…”
32:20 - Government funding cut from Jane Goodall Institute
36:26 - Youth program Roots and Shoots
39:57 - How to maintain hope
42:53 - What we can learn from kids
44:33 - Global impact of the Roots and Shoots program
46:18 - Jane’s ideal AI tool
48:2…
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Reid riffs on antitrust, AI coworkers, and Chinese manufacturing
30 april 2025 · 22 min
Reid weighs in on the U.S. government’s latest antitrust action against Google and what it could mean for competition, innovation, and America’s tech edge. Aria also asks about the rise of Chinese electric vehicles and why BYD might be “the Tesla of tomorrow;” the geopolitical costs of tariffs; and whether saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT is worth it. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Derek Thompson on AI, abundance, and human progress
23 april 2025 · 54 min
Why can the United States government help make a vaccine in a year but not build a high-speed train in a reasonable timeframe? What if our biggest problems—affordable housing shortages, energy limits, and scientific slowdowns—aren’t inevitable, but chosen? Lees meer
This week, Reid and Aria sit down with Derek Thompson—staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the podcast Plain English—to explore how a scarcity mindset is holding American society back. They cover how AI can revolutionize scientific discovery; what Operation Warp Speed got right; and why real progress depends on bold policy, not just better technology. Plus, Reid joins Derek in the hotseat for some “Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?”—a game co-created with ChatGPT to discuss ideas in Derek’s new best-selling book, Abundance.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Select mentions:
Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
“The Anti-Social Century”
Every Cure co-founder Dr. David FajgenbaumTopics:
1:06 – Episode introduction
2:34 – What year would Derek choose to be born and why?
7:14 – What can AI do as a co-author that Ezra Klein can't, and what are Ezra's irreplaceable strengths?
9:08 – AI's impact on the future of work — what AI can and can't do — and what the enduring role of humans will be.
12:00 – The situation with current tariffs, and the potential fixes or silver linings.
14:28 – Operation Warp Speed and other examples of abundance in the U.S. and beyond.
19:39 – What specific government policies could effectively leverage AI to speed up the creation of abundance?
22:40 – Midroll
22:49 – Derek and Reid play a fun game based on Abundance: “Too much, too little, or just right?”
30:46 – What's needed to better incentivize scientific progress and foster innovation?
39:22 – How could society and our relationship with technology be reframed to combat the loneliness epidemic?
45:08 – Derek identifies specific policies that currently hi… -
Reid riffs on Tobi’s memo, AI and play, and the tweet that cost trillions
16 april 2025 · 15 min
After Tobi Lütke, the CEO of Shopify, put out a memo stating all his employees should be expected to use AI every day, Reid offers his thoughts on AI in the workplace. He also talks about the interplay between AI, social media, mis/disinformation, and the importance of shaping technology instead of restricting technology. Plus, Reid speculates on how AI can be just as groundbreaking in the world of play as it can be in the world of work. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Demis Hassabis on AI, game theory, multimodality, and the nature of creativity
9 april 2025 · 57 min
How can AI help us understand and master deeply complex systems—from the game Go, which has 10 to the power 170 possible positions a player could pursue, or proteins, which, on average, can fold in 10 to the power 300 possible ways? This week, Reid and Aria are joined by Demis Hassabis. Demis is a British artificial intelligence researcher, co-founder, and CEO of the AI company, DeepMind. Under his leadership, DeepMind developed Alpha Go, the first AI to defeat a human world champion in Go and later created AlphaFold, which solved the 50-year-old protein folding problem. He's considered one of the most influential figures in AI. Demis, Reid, and Aria discuss game theory, medicine, multimodality, and the nature of innovation and creativity. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Select mentions:
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
AlphaGo documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK6gekU1Y
Nash equilibrium & US mathematician John Forbes Nash
Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga
Veo 2, an advanced, AI-powered video creation platform from Google DeepMind
The Culture series by Iain Banks
Hartmut Neven, German-American computer scientistTopics:
3:11 - Hellos and intros
5:20 - Brute force vs. self-learning systems
8:24 - How a learning approach helped develop new AI systems
11:29 - AlphaGo’s Move 37
16:16 - What will the next Move 37 be?
19:42 - What makes an AI that can play the video game StarCraft impressive
22:32 - The importance of the act of play
26:24 - Data and synthetic data
28:33 - Midroll ad
28:39 - Is it important to have AI embedded in the world?
33:44 - The trade-off between thinking time and output quality
36:03 - Computer languages designed for AI
40:22 - The future of multimodality
43:27 - AI and geographic diversity
48:24 - AlphaFold and the future of medicine
51:18 - Rapid-fire QuestionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the…
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Reid riffs on Signal, AI for cancer detection, and GPT-4o image generation
2 april 2025 · 15 min
In the wake of Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg’s accidental inclusion in senior government officials’ Signal group chat discussing war plans, Reid weighs in on how the U.S. government should—and shouldn’t—use encrypted messaging apps. He and Aria also discuss AI-powered breakthroughs in cancer detection and medical diagnostics, along with NVIDIA’s newly announced Superchip and OpenAI’s latest image generation capabilities. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Andrew Bosworth on AI, wearables, and mixed reality
26 maart 2025 · 49 min
The evolution of AI is changing the way we interact with the physical world, not just in how we use this technology, but also where and how we access it. Lees meer
In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, who is pioneering wearables for the company. Boz’s journey in the tech sector has taken him from working on Microsoft Visio to founding Reality Labs, Meta’s AR and VR division. Now, he’s focused on the next frontier in mixed realities with his latest project, Orion, a pair of AR glasses. Boz offers an Orion demo and shares his vision for wearables as an equalizing technology that can unlock superpowers for every person. Plus, they check-in on the state of AI as it relates to open source software, safety, hyperscalers, and startups.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
1:03 - Episode introduction
3:36 - How Boz’s farm upbringing influenced his career and perspective on the digital world
7:02 - How will wearables influence how we navigate the physical and digital worlds?
9:46 - Meta's AI philosophy
11:27 - Pi explains Norbert Wiener's construct of information theory
14:28 - What would it take to build AI world models?
15:09 - What are the most significant use cases for Orion?
19:01 - Can Orion accommodate monocular vision?
20:00 - Boz's response to Orion skeptics
22:29 - Boz gives predictions on our AI future
25:09 - What would it look like to have a compatible system of wearables?
27:30 - Unexpected discoveries from Orion testing
29:33 - What is Meta's focus in the AI space for the years to come?
30:48 - How do we ensure that AI innovation is used for good?
35:28 - Boz responds to Meta's changes in fact checking policy
37:11 - How will hyperscalers and start-ups flourish in the AI game?
40:06 - Boz shares his review on “The Wild Robot”
42:24 - Rapid-fire questionsSelect mentions:
The Martian by Andy WeirProject Hail Mary by Andy Weir…
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Re-release of Trevor Noah | Celebrating two years of Possible!
21 maart 2025 · 1 uur 17 min
It's been two years since the Possible podcast began, so we’re taking a moment to return to the beginning: our series launch episode with Trevor Noah. First, Aria and Reid sit down to revisit aspects of the original conversation, exploring just how much has changed in the AI space since Possible launched. Then, you’ll hear the Webby-award-winning episode in full. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Reid riffs on AI as “American Intelligence” and a prediction from Anthropic’s CEO
19 maart 2025 · 17 min
Is code going to be 100% AI-generated a year from now? Reid shares where he diverges from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's recent prediction about the future of programming. Plus, he and Aria discuss “vibe revenue,” along with how America can maintain soft power through software. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Dana Griffin on AI, belonging, and intergenerational connection
12 maart 2025 · 56 min
Loneliness is a public health crisis affecting people of all ages.This week on Possible, Reid and Aria sit down with someone using AI to bridge generational gaps and combat the loneliness epidemic. Lees meer
Dana Griffin is co-founder and CEO of Eldera, a global platform using AI to foster intergenerational connections. Raised by her grandparents and mentored by older adults throughout her life, Dana is on a mission to help people see aging as an asset. Dana shares how Eldera uses AI to safely and meaningfully connect kids with older mentors, addressing loneliness, declining mental health, and lost wisdom. They explore how technology can support human connection—rather than replace it—along with what an "age-integrated society” could unlock.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
To learn more and join Eldera: https://wisdom.eldera.ai/possible
Topics:
1:20 - Episode introduction
3:37 - Dana’s early life and how it shaped her perspective on intergenerational bonds
6:09 - How ageism creates a waste of human potential
9:01 - Policy and tech solutions can help reintegrate older adults
12:11 - Social media worsens isolation, but AI can help foster real connection
14:31 - Eldera’s mission of bridging generations through AI-powered mentorship
18:52 - Opposite backgrounds create stronger bonds when matching mentors and mentees
22:44 - Intergenerational mentorship as a form of healthcare
26:34 - Using AI to map and amplify generational knowledge
30:26 - Midroll ad break
30:35 - AI enhances, but never replaces, human connection
34:05 - Encouraging confidence among older adults through Eldera’s wisdom portrait
37:26 - Scaling Eldera and working towards a society where we value the impact of elders
41:17 - The barriers and opportunities of scaling Eldera
44:34 - How cultural perspectives and global views on aging shape intergenerational ties
48:33 - Rapid fireSelect mentions:
Fei-Fei Li on spatial intelligence and h… -
Reid riffs on AI wearables, quantum, and Deep Research
5 maart 2025 · 27 min
Reid reacts to the news of HP acquiring Humane Ai Pin and weighs in on the future of wearable tech, quantum, and copyright law. Plus, AI whiz Parth Patil (formerly Clubhouse’s first data scientist) joins the show to discuss why he’s excited about OpenAI’s Deep Research tool, “vibe coding,” and coding copilots. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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Latanya Sweeney on AI, trust, and privacy
26 februari 2025 · 56 min
How does the rise of AI impact our sense of what’s true? How can humans maintain a degree of individual privacy and unlock the benefits of AI while mitigating potential harms? In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with data privacy pioneer Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government and Technology at Harvard; former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission; and founder of Harvard’s Public Interest Tech Lab and Data Privacy Lab. They discuss the future of privacy protection, technocracy vs. democracy, teaching in the age of AI, governance, content moderation, and more. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
0:55 - Episode introduction
3:05 - Lessons from Latanya's grandparents
4:30 - Latanya's early days at MIT
5:38 - Re-identification and Governor William Weld example
10:50 - Historical arc of AI
12:24 - The Third Industrial Revolution
15:11 - Technocracy vs. democracy
18:38 - Making technological literacy a federal priority
21:03 - Divisiveness in AI
26:20 - Exploring humanity's "cultural dream" of AI
27:17 - Midroll ad break
27:49 - What will it take to build trust in AI at scale?
31:11 - Inflection's Pi lists key elements for a tech-conscious social contract
32:04 - Latanya responds to Pi and talks LLM truth-telling
34:20 - The best of public interest technology
37:02 - Improving content moderation
43:24 - Democratizing public interest technology
44:24 - Feedback and improvements for LinkedIn
47:53 - What does AI mean for education?
49:35 - Insights from Latanya's Harvard students
51:08 - Rapid-fire questionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman a…
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Reid riffs on the AI race with China and if the US should regulate AI
19 februari 2025 · 13 min
Following last week’s chat with former diplomat and author Anja Manuel, Reid talks about the potential benefits of an FDA for AI, the current status of the global race for artificial intelligence, and predicting what’s to come from American AI companies. Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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BONUS: Pioneers of AI: Love in the Age of AI
14 februari 2025 · 50 min
Love, dating, and AI — what could go wrong? Or right? In this Valentine’s Day special, Rana el Kaliouby and a series of expert guests explore how AI is reshaping romance. First, Will Wu, Chief Technology Officer at Match Group, gives us a peek at how AI is already at work in apps like Tinder and Hinge, helping users choose their best profile pictures and refining match recommendations. Next, the team at Gottman Inc. shares how AI is being used to improve relationships. Their AI-powered tools analyze conversations and help therapists guide couples. The goal? Better communication, healthier relationships, and maybe even fewer breakups. Finally, we meet Violeta and her AI husband. Her story challenges how we think about love, connection, and what it means to feel truly understood. Swiping, coupled up, or AI-curious? This episode is for you.
About Pioneers of AI
Pioneers of AI is your guide to the latest technological frontier. Each week, host Rana el Kaliouby (AI scientist, investor, author, co-founder of Affectiva) is joined by the leading creators, critics, and thinkers behind mind-blowing technology and asks the important questions about how artificial intelligence is changing the way we live. As we venture together into the unknown, Pioneers is your tool to understanding and anticipating what comes next. Lees meerSubscribe to Pioneers of AI on YouTube: youtube.com/@pioneersofai
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Anja Manuel on AI, China, and national security
12 februari 2025 · 1 uur 1 min
What role can AI play in international diplomacy and national security? Lees meer
In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with Anja Manuel, a former diplomat, author, and one of the leading voices in AI and foreign policy. She has the unique ability to bridge the gaps between technology, policy and diplomacy. They discuss international AI governance, China, potential threats of bio-terrorism, and the strategic decisions that the US and its allies must make to navigate this complex landscape of innovation with regulation.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
For the referenced Possible episode featuring Kim Stanley Robinson: https://link.chtbl.com/8YMsBlzg
Topics:
1:21 - Episode introduction
3:44 - Hellos and intros
4:38 - Where the U.S. and China rank in the Great AI Race
6:09 - Deepseek explainer
7:27 - Which technologies the U.S. should prioritize
9:05 - Why it’s important for the U.S. to stay in the lead
10:41 - How to maintain that lead
16:27 - Current examples of AI in national security work
18:30 - Impediments to further integrating AI
20:13 - How to connect national security to cutting edge technology
24:35 - The potential risks to incorporating AI
28:50 - Midroll ad
28:55 - How to stay safe against the risks
32:05 - The helpfulness of AI Safety Institutes
33:25 - International treaties for AI
36:11 - The current U.S.-China relationship
38:50 - How to return to a more positive relationship
41:28 - The economic race
43:25 - Anja’s advice for the new administration
45:01 - Key players and swing states
50:24 - How to make a cyber treaty work
52:57 - Rapid-fire questionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the fut…
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Reid and AIs riff on what could go right with AI
5 februari 2025 · 30 min
This week, we're bringing you the introduction of Reid’s new book, Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future, which he co-wrote with last week’s Possible guest, Greg Beato. The Superagency audiobook is narrated by voice actor Scott Wallace and converted with Respeecher to Reid’s AI voice. Lees meer
Plus, hear what happens when Reid and Aria load Superagency’s introduction into Google’s NotebookLM and turn the final minutes of the episode over to two AI co-hosts.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
For more on Superagency, check out superagency.ai.
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Greg Beato on superagency, AI, and the cognitive industrial revolution
29 januari 2025 · 57 min
In an age of increasingly ubiquitous AI, how do we maintain control of our lives and successfully plot our own destinies? In this episode, Reid is in the hotseat alongside writer Greg Beato, discussing this and more in the context of their new book, Superagency. Greg is a seasoned journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Wired, The Washington Post, Reason, Spin, and Slate, to name a few. He and Reid delve into what could possibly go right with our AI future; the cognitive industrial revolution; and the difference between AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers. Plus, Reid’s AI avatar makes a cameo to join for a few rounds of the game “Overrated/Underrated.” Lees meer
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
For more on Superagency, check out superagency.ai.
Topics:
2:04 - Overrated/Underrated Round I
5:02 - Why Reid chose Greg as his co-author
6:01 - Why Greg wanted to write this book
8:19 - Why Reid chose this book topic at this particular time
11:21 - How the rise of AI is similar to the rise of social media
16:36 - Agency, superagency, and AI
19:59 - Overrated/Underrated Round II
23:28 - Defining AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers
28:46 - How AI amplifies agency
32:16 - How ChatGPT shifted people’s relationship with AI
37:21 - Choosing AI vs. AI being baked into technologies
39:28 - Speed and scale in the current AI moment
44:37 - How innovation and safety can coexist
48:49 - Rapid-fire QuestionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopoli…
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Bret Taylor on conversational AI, voice, and agents
22 januari 2025 · 1 uur 6 min
What new kinds of jobs will AI bring that we never could have imagined before? Lees meer
In this special two-part episode, Reid and Aria explore this question and more with Sierra co-founder and OpenAI chairperson Bret Taylor. Part one features audio from Bret's onstage interview at the 2024 Masters of Scale Summit, where he shared his insights on the voice revolution in AI, the technology’s latest role as a phone customer service agent, and the groundbreaking business opportunities still waiting to be explored in the AI space. Reid and Aria invited Bret to continue the conversation in part two, diving deeper into how AI might reshape our workforce, create new career opportunities, and spark industries we haven’t yet imagined. With leadership experience at both startups (Quip and Friendfeed) and large tech companies (Facebook, Salesforce, and Twitter), Bret is uniquely positioned to track and seize opportunities in the quickly-developing AI industry.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
00:57 - Episode introduction
02:02 - What Bret sees in AI
06:00 - Most exciting upcoming AI breakthrough
08:40 - The three main areas of AI innovation
09:41 - What is the AI voice revolution?
14:07 - First steps in AI customer service
18:15 - Role of entrepreneurs in AI development
22:52 - Parenting and AI
27:48 - Understanding AI inflection points
31:28 - AI as the new dot com market
34:21 - Is the AI market already full?
37:50 - More on the AI voice revolution
45:06 - Predicting how AI will change the world
53:57 - What people are missing about AI
58:29 - Superagency opportunities
1:00:14 - Rapid-fire QuestionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring ch…
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Fei-Fei Li on spatial intelligence and human-centered AI
15 januari 2025 · 43 min
How can we use AI to amplify human potential and build a better future? And what exactly does “AGI” even mean? Lees meer
To kick off Possible’s fourth season, Reid and Aria sit down with world-renowned computer scientist Fei-Fei Li, whose work in artificial intelligence over the past several decades has earned her the nickname “the godmother of AI.” An entrepreneur and professor, Fei-Fei shares her journey from creating ImageNet, a massive dataset of labeled images that revolutionized computer vision, to her current role as co-founder and CEO of the spatial intelligence startup World Labs. She explains why spatial intelligence—the ability to perceive and interact with the 3D world—is so crucial for AI's development and how it could lead to breakthroughs in fields like medicine, climate, and education. They get into regulatory guardrails, governance, and what it will take to build a positive, human-centered AI future for all.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
1:55 - Hellos and intros
3:43 - ImageNet and the interplay between data and models
6:06 - World Labs and spatial intelligence
10:03 - Boundaries between 3D physical and digital worlds
11:50 - The difference between LLMs and LWMs
13:02 - What humans are capable of creating with technology
14:04 - Key principles of AI: human agency and respect
17:16 - Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI
19:13 - What this moment in AI means for humanity
21:06 - Cross-sector collaboration
25:10 - AI4ALL program and the importance of diversity in AI development
27:00 - Midroll ad break
27:09 - Using AI to improve healthcare delivery and treatment
30:20 - Founding history of AI and the meaning of the term “AGI”
33:00 - Future of agentic AI and voice
34:42 - Fei-Fei’s mentor and his advice
37:18 - Rapid-fire questionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it…
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PRESENTING: Pioneers of AI with Dr. Rana El Kaliouby and Musician Taryn Southern
25 december 2024 · 37 min
Pioneers of AI is your weekly guide to the AI frontier. Each week, host Dr. Rana el Kaliouby (AI scientist, investor, author, co-founder of Affectiva) is joined by the leading creators, critics, and thinkers behind mind-blowing technology and asks the important questions about how artificial intelligence is changing the way we live. Lees meer
In this episode: Creating and sharing art is a uniquely human experience. With the rise of AI, creative processes are shifting, but Taryn Southern doesn’t think that means art becomes any less human. As a storyteller and technologist, Southern uses AI to push the limits of her creativity. She also works to help fellow artists and everyday people embrace the potential of AI. Southern joins Pioneers of AI to talk about what partnering with AI to make art looks like, how she assembled a team of chatbots to create a festival trailer, and what it was like making the first album co-written by AI.
Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/
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Artful Intelligence | Ep 3: Paul Trillo on Music Video x AI
18 december 2024 · 57 min
What does it take to create something the world has never seen before?
In this final episode of Artful Intelligence, Reid Hoffman and Chris McLeod explore what it takes to spark a creative revolution with filmmaker Paul Trillo. Using OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI video generator, Sora, Paul directed the world’s first fully AI-generated music video.
After gaining early access to Sora, Paul faced a massive creative challenge: How could he use an AI tool known for surreal, dream-like visuals to craft a music video that felt emotionally real? The answer came from embracing AI’s quirks—its strange hallucinations, its unpredictable transformations—and writing prompts like poetic scripts to guide the machine’s creative output.
Join us as Paul reveals how he turned an experimental AI model into an award-winning music video—and how creators everywhere can harness emerging tech to redefine what’s possible in art. Lees meerTime Stamps:
Part 1: To Create a Paradigm Shift with AI, Lean Into Its Constraints
07:25 - Paul Trillo discovers OpenAI’s AI video generator, Sora
09:46 - Navigating early uncertainty about AI’s impact on filmmaking
12:09 - Directing under creative constraints during COVID with The Shins’ “The Great Divide”
16:57 - Making emotionally resonant art despite technological limits
19:09 - Reid: What advice would you give someone running into constraints with AI tools?Part 2: Paradigm Shifts Often Come from Reviving Old, Impossible Ideas
23:01 - Paul’s early experiments with Sora push AI video limits
24:34 - Resurrecting old creative concepts from his “Graveyard of Ideas”
25:59 - Inspired by Carl Sagan’s “Golden Record” and its sci-fi storytelling potential
28:49 - Creating a surreal AI-generated trailer blending historical and futuristic imagery
30:21 - Revisiting a decade-old “infinite zoom” concept for a music video
35:05 - Reid: How do paradigm shifts in AI go beyond just replicating older tech?Part 3: Excavating Right at the Edge of What’s Possible Today
37:45 - Wri… -
Artful Intelligence | Ep 2: Elise Swopes on Photography x AI
11 december 2024 · 49 min
How can you shape the future with AI to create the world you want to live in?
Reid Hoffman and Chris McLeod explore this question with Elise Swopes, a trailblazing visual artist and educator blending AI with photography. Currently an evangelist for Adobe, Elise has been a creative force since the early days of Instagram, crafting surreal visuals for brands such as Adidas, McDonald’s, Casamigos, and Sony. But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. From online harassment to personal struggles, she’s faced adversity with resilience, using her art to shape a brighter, more inclusive future.
Join us as we traverse her path—while Reid reflects on AI’s evolving role in fostering creativity and meaningful human expression. Can AI ever replace human style, or will the future of art always require a human touch?
Time Stamps:
02:14 - Chris McLeod intros the series Lees meerPart 1: Shape Your Tools Because They Will Shape You and Your Future
07:07 - How Elise discovered AI and overcame early backlash
09:26 - Building websites and creating digital art as a kid
11:26 - Teaching creativity online and the power of sharing knowledge
17:03 - Reid: How can we foster more constructive conversations about AI?Part 2: The Right Networks Will Amplify Your Voice Without Losing It
17:13 - Using AI tools to redefine creative possibilities
19:29 - Elise’s journey from public school to creative entrepreneurship
21:26 - Brand collaborations with Nike, McDonald’s, and Casamigos
23:36 - Navigating higher education on her own terms
25:12 - Reid: What would a “better future with AI” look like for artists?Part 3: Taste and Style Are Your Competitive Advantage in Shaping the Era of AI
27:50 - How artists can shape AI’s future through experimentation
31:31 - Elise’s creative process with Adobe Firefly and AI-generated art
33:52 - Reid: Could AI make human artistic style obsolete?
41:16 - Elise reflects on personal growth and creative freedomLinks:
Swopes’ Website:
https://www.swopes.info/
Swopes on…