Podcasts about digital humans

In Episode 37 of Futuristic, Cameron Reilly and Steve Sammartino speak to a "digital human"!. They also get into a provocative discussion ranging from Donald Trump's car yard antics to the implications of advanced artificial intelligence and China's rising technological dominance. They explore the intersection of crypto, agentic AI models, and new breakthroughs in AI-driven tech developments like humanoid robotics, diffusion-based language models, and synthetic voice AI. Wrapping up with conspiracy theories about tech manipulation of human perception of time, the hosts challenge listeners to reconsider assumptions about where technology is heading and who might ultimately hold the power.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of AI-powered visual effects and digital humans with Matthias Wittmann, a leading VFX expert from Digital Domain. From his groundbreaking work on films like Benjamin Button to pioneering autonomous virtual humans, Matthias shares unique insights into how AI is transforming Hollywood and beyond. Learn about the challenges and innovations in creating lifelike digital characters, the future of AI in entertainment, and the unexpected applications of virtual humans in education and companionship. If you're interested in the intersection of AI, visual effects, and the future of digital entertainment, this episode offers an insider's perspective from one of the industry's most innovative studios.Chapters:[00:25] Welcome and Introduction to Matthias Wittmann[01:55] Journey to Digital Domain: Early Career and Animation[05:13] Digital Domain's Legacy in Visual Effects[06:48] AI and Machine Learning in Facial Capture Systems[08:31] The Birth of Autonomous Virtual Humans[15:56] Applications and Future of Digital Humans[25:37] AI Tools in Visual Effects Production[29:23] Text-to-Video Technology and Industry Impact[30:44] Mentors and Career Influences[33:22] The Future: "Exciting Variations"Connect with Matthias WittmannLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiaswittmann/ Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

What happens when AI starts manipulating us instead of the other way around? From digital humans representing us to AI shaping everything from music to our legacy, Abran Maldonado joins Atul to break down the next frontier of tech. We tackle open-source AI's explosive growth, deepfakes as legal issues, and the billion-dollar question—where do VC dollars land for a 100x return? Ai levels the playing field so if future readiness starts here, the only question to ask is, ‘Are you ready?'

In this episode of Web3 with Sam Kamani, I speak with Roman Saganov, founder of Antix, where they're building AI-powered digital humans that merge Web3, gaming, and generative AI. With a background in developing PUBG, FIFA, Game of Thrones, and more, Roman and his team are now bringing digital twins, AI agents, and blockchain identity verification to content creation.

Roman Cyganov is the Founder and CEO of Antix, a company pushing the boundaries of Web3, AI, and gaming technologies. At the heart of Antix is Avagen, a proprietary technology that builds hyper-realistic AI-powered humans. Why you should listen Antix has a growing global client base, working with industry giants such as Warner Brothers, Porsche, Tencent, and HBO Entertainment. With over 20 clients, 20 completed projects, and 70+ cinematic experiences created, they have a proven ability to deliver innovative, scalable solutions. At the heart of Antix is Avagen, a proprietary technology that builds hyper-realistic AI-powered humans, fundamentally changing client engagement in the digital space. Antix's mission is to bridge the gap between real and virtual worlds through hyper-realistic digital humans.  Digital Assistants, Digital Influencers and Digital Twins are here. There are many implications for this. Antix is working to build a token economy and blockchain-proven ownership of a digital ID, this is the type of protection users need for this innovation to be a positive technology for all. Supporting links Stabull Finance Antix Andy on Twitter  Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Dave Sobel engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Danny Tomsett, the CEO of UneeQ, a company specializing in AI-powered digital humans. The discussion begins with an exploration of the concept of digital humans—interactive avatars designed to assist users across various digital platforms, such as kiosks, websites, and mobile apps. Tomsett explains how these digital humans are transforming customer service and marketing by providing a more human-like interaction, allowing users to communicate naturally and receive personalized responses.Tomsett emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in digital human interactions, highlighting how these avatars can understand and respond to users' emotions, making the experience more engaging and effective. The conversation delves into the ethical considerations surrounding the use of digital humans, particularly the need for transparency and trust. Tomsett shares how UneeQ has intentionally positioned their technology to be clearly identified as digital, avoiding the pitfalls of deep fakes and ensuring that users can trust the interface they are engaging with.The episode also addresses the practical applications of digital humans in various business contexts. Tomsett discusses how these avatars can enhance customer interactions by simplifying complex product offerings, as demonstrated through a case study with a telecommunications company that saw a significant increase in conversion rates after implementing a digital human. This success illustrates the potential for digital humans to not only improve customer experience but also drive revenue growth and operational efficiency.As the conversation wraps up, Sobel and Tomsett reflect on the future of digital humans and the ongoing advancements in AI technology. Tomsett notes that while the technology is rapidly evolving, businesses must remain focused on creating authentic and trustworthy interactions with their customers. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, Dr. Alison Jane Martingano interviews Dr. Ryan Martin, Dean for the College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, about sadness, mood, depression and the New Year. Dr. Ryan Martin (aka the Anger Professor) is a leading expert on emotional wellness. His work has been featured by the New York Times, NPR's Invisibilia, BBC Radio's Digital Human, TED.com, and other major media outlets.

The telecom industry faces a crucial need to improve customer experience (CX) as organizations industry-wide consistently receive poor marks. In this podcast, UneeQ Founder and CEO Danny Tomsett discusses ways AI Digital Humans can improve CX by engaging in lifelike conversations at scale and in real-time across various touchpoints and communication channels along the customer journey. “This technology is particularly effective in addressing the emotional needs of a customer,” Tomsett says. “If you're going to make a purchasing decision, it's not all logic. There are emotions like intimidation or doubt and addressing those is crucial so that people feel confident to make the right decision based on information that it's been personalized to them.” About UneeQ UneeQ is a global leader in digital human technology, providing lifelike and emotionally intelligent AI-powered virtual beings for businesses seeking to elevate customer experiences. UneeQ's platform enables organizations to create highly personalized interactions that drive engagement, foster trust, and deliver exceptional value. digitalhumans.com

Jo Plaete, a pioneer in digital humans and chief innovation officer at Metaphysic, joins the podcast to discuss his company's groundbreaking work on the newly released film Here, now in theaters. Jo traces his journey from his early career in computer graphics and visual effects, working on films like Where the Wild Things Are and Aladdin, to creating cutting-edge AI-driven tools that enable photorealistic de-aging of actors like Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. His experience includes collaborating with Disney Research on facial reconstruction technologies and pushing the boundaries of neural network-based visual effects. Jo also explains how Metaphysic's tools provided real-time feedback on set, allowing filmmakers to see younger versions of the actors instantly. This innovation enabled directors and actors to evaluate performances live, making adjustments on the spot to achieve the most authentic and emotionally resonant portrayal. Jo reflects on the future of digital humans in cinema, emphasizing how AI and real-time feedback are reshaping storytelling while maintaining a high level of artistic control.

Andrew Ellison is the Media Relations Manager for Global Results Communications, a leading PR agency for tech and everything it touches. Before coming to GRC, Andrew was a news reporter for Nexstar Media and KRIS-TV. Here, he discusses his past life in journalism and the role digital humans will play in our lives.Key Takeaways:- Andrew's transition from news reporter to PR- The future of digital humans- Understanding the Internet of ThingsEpisode Timeline:1:30 Why Andrew left his career as a news reporter4:00 Tod's thoughts on media fatigue5:15 The future of journalism9:00 Andrew's favorite interviews11:00 Tod's interview with Jane Goodall12:30 GRC's new client, Uneeq13:30 How Uneeq is creating digital humans15:00 Applications for AI digital humans19:00 How Andre stays to date on the world of big tech21:54 Understanding IoT and its importanceThis episode's guest:• Andrew Ellison on LinkedIn• Global Results CommunicationsSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring IT Trends and AI Opportunities with Brian Jackson In this crossover episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love interviews Brian Jackson, Principal Research Director at InfoTech Research Group, to discuss emerging IT trends and their intersection with cybersecurity. The conversation covers AI advancements, quantum computing, and digital humans, focusing on how to leverage technology for business opportunities while mitigating associated risks. Brian also emphasizes the importance of AI specialization and sovereignty, and the necessity for organizations to adapt encryption in preparation for quantum computing breakthroughs. Tune in for insights on current technology trends and strategies to harness emerging tools effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:42 Meet Brian Jackson 01:51 Brian's Role at InfoTech 02:47 Tech Trends 2025 04:07 AI Opportunities and Risks 05:41 Quantum Computing and Cryptography 06:29 Digital Humans and Deepfakes 09:22 AI in Business Applications 22:32 AI Sovereignty and Cost Management 33:48 Quantum Computing in Practice 38:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Exploring IT Trends and AI Opportunities with Brian Jackson In this crossover episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love interviews Brian Jackson, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group, to discuss emerging IT trends and their intersection with cybersecurity. The conversation covers AI advancements, quantum computing, and digital humans, focusing on how to leverage technology for business opportunities while mitigating associated risks. Brian also emphasizes the importance of AI specialization and sovereignty, and the necessity for organizations to adapt encryption in preparation for quantum computing breakthroughs. Tune in for insights on current technology trends and strategies to harness emerging tools effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:42 Meet Brian Jackson 01:51 Brian's Role at InfoTech 02:47 Tech Trends 2025 04:07 AI Opportunities and Risks 05:41 Quantum Computing and Cryptography 06:29 Digital Humans and Deepfakes 09:22 AI in Business Applications 22:32 AI Sovereignty and Cost Management 33:48 Quantum Computing in Practice 38:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

A Daily Chronicle of AI Innovations on October 07th 2024

In this episode of The Metaverse Podcast, our Chairman and Founder Jamie Burke speaks to Luis Ramirez, founder and CEO of Mawari about the development of their DePIN network enabling real-time, interactive mixed reality experiences at scale.   They talk about: - The development of streaming technology - Web3 and edge rendering - How the team bootstrapped their network - Augmented Reality and the future of the Web Listen for an enlightening deep dive into the cutting edge technologies shaping the future of the web! _______________________________________________________________ Whether you're a founder, investor, developer, or just have an interest in the future of the Open Metaverse, we invite you to hear from the people supporting its growth. Outlier Ventures is the Open Metaverse accelerator, helping over 100 Web3 startups a year. You can apply for startup funding here - https://ov.click/pddsbcq122 Questions? Join our community: Twitter - https://ov.click/pddssotwq122 LinkedIn - https://ov.click/pddssoliq122 Watch the video version of this episode on Youtube. For further Open Metaverse content: Listen to The Metaverse Podcast - https://ov.click/pddsmcq122 Check out our portfolio - https://ov.click/pddspfq122 Thanks for listening!

It's been seven years since Ed Ulbrich last appeared on the CG Garage podcast — and a lot has changed. The man who digitally aged Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and resurrected late rapper 2Pac as an on-stage hologram is now chief content officer and president of production at metaphysic.ai, which is using AI tools to create photorealistic digital humans in real time for movies such as Robert Zemeckis' Here. Ed breaks down what Metaphysic.ai does, and how it can be used by directors to see live digital doubles while slashing production times and costs. In turn, Ed envisions AI tools turning Hollywood on its head and enabling filmmakers to be more creative on lower budgets. He also highlights some of the challenges of enticing new audiences into theaters and shares what he's working on next.  

IN THIS EPISODE...Digital human teachers are transforming upskilling by delivering personalized, scalable education with AI-driven precision. By providing interactive, real-time feedback and adapting to each learner's needs, they bridge educational gaps and enhance productivity, making advanced learning accessible worldwide and revolutionizing the future of professional development.Dev Aditya, the guest of today's conversation, is an award-winning entrepreneur and educationist with legal expertise, leading an international organization that leverages AI to upskill 25,000 students over the next two years. With a background in higher education, charity work, start-ups, and legal research, Dev excels as a visionary strategist and communicator.------------Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Dev”)Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/-------------WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1. What is the mission behind the AI-powered learning program?2. How does human-in-the-loop AI improve corporate and educational learning?3. What strategies are being used to address the talent gap in the tech sector?4. How does the leadership style influence growth in a pioneering field?5. What are the main concerns about the impact of AI on jobs?6. How does the company ensure clarity and direction in its leadership approach?7. What role does courage play in leading at the top of the game?8. How is AI expected to affect productivity and job roles in the near future?------------FEATURED TIMESTAMPS:[03:11] Dev's Passions[04:31] Dev's Journey of Innovation in AI Education[06:59] AI-Powered Learning for Education and Corporate Training[09:46] Human-in-the-Loop AI[12:13] Targeting the Developing World for Future Growth and Impact[13:44] Cultivating Skills and Culture in the Face of Sector-Wide Demand[15:04] A Journey of Problem-Solving and Pioneering in Education Technology[16:54] Leadership Through Challenge and Trust[18:53] Future of AI Technology[22:13] AI and Job Impact[25:00] Signature Segment: Dev's LATTOYG Tactic of Choice: Leading with Courageous Agility[26:53] Signature Segment: Dev's entry into the LATTOYG Playbook: Leading with Courage and Clarity------------ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOU:Overview: Our Signature Leadership Development Experience: http://bit.ly/DevelopYourGame

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Balick provides practical strategies for developing healthier social media habits and explores how they affect our behavior and emotions. He emphasizes practical techniques for managing personal triggers and improving decision-making and leadership skills. He highlights the importance of self-awareness in supporting team members and creating a healthy work environment. Recognizing that workplace well-being goes beyond occasional mindfulness sessions, Dr. Balick advocates for integration into daily work life. He advises using different technologies appropriately and warns against over-identifying with curated social media personas.About Dr. Aaron Balick:Dr. Aaron Balick, a prominent figure in psychology, combines over 20 years of clinical and academic experience to make psychological insights accessible and applicable to everyday life and work. His groundbreaking book, "The Psychodynamics of Social Networking," established him as an international authority on the psychology of social media and technology. Known for his ability to convey complex psychological concepts to diverse audiences, Dr. Balick has been featured across various media platforms, including serving as BBC Radio 1's mental health expert for young people and appearing on Radio 4's "Moral Maze" and "The Digital Human." Based in London, he works as a psychotherapist and consultant, has authored two self-help books, and co-hosts "Time To Show Up," a podcast focused on personal and professional growth.Please click here to learn more about https://www.aaronbalick.com/About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

In today's fast-paced digital world, many agents struggle to create meaningful, personalized connections with their audience. The last thing you want is to come across  as impersonal or fail to resonate on a deeper level.   Believe it or not, AI is one the best ways to build deeper connections. Even though people view it as a cold, impersonal technology, it can allow us to create engaging interactions while saving us money and time.   How can we use it to tailor marketing messages? How do tools like D-ID help us to enhance client experience?   VP Marketing at D-ID, Tomer Zuker, joins me in this episode to discuss the features and benefits of tools such as D-ID, how it can empower us as entrepreneurs and how we can use it to generate an abundance of content to get leads.   AI tools allow us to spare more time in a scalable way to generate more content. -Tomer Zuker   Three Things You'll Learn In This Episode    -D-ID as tech support There's a lot of things that need to be done in our businesses. How can we use tools like D-ID to get those tasks done?   -1 second of video time = 30,000 words. Video content is one of the most efficient ways to market ourselves? What makes it different from written content?   -Training AI in our likeness The more we teach AI, the better the results we get. Can we train AI to adapt our tone and character?    Guest Bio   Tomer Zuker is VP Marketing at D-ID, the leading platform for the generation of Digital Humans. A strategic marketing expert with extensive experience in global growth and go-to-market strategies, he has led marketing initiatives at tech giants like AWS, Microsoft, and IBM. Tomer is also co-founder of the vibrant “Linkers” marketing community on LinkedIn and co-hosts the Market Trip podcast.   Visit https://www.d-id.com/  Find Tomer on LinkedIn @Tomer Zuker Follow Tomer on Instagram @tomer_zuker   Host Bio   ​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons-Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.   Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki's expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Join hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler on the TechMagic podcast as they dive into the latest tech, gaming, AI, and spatial computing news. From discussing Apple's upcoming WWDC and the Ted AI podcast's success to exploring the potential of AI in entertainment and dating apps, this podcast covers it all. Get updates on hardware news, social media regulations, and even a breakthrough dental regrowth drug. Cathy also interviews Francesca Hogi, who is passionately pragmatic about true love. Francesca is a recovered corporate lawyer turned dating disruptor, TED speaker, brand collaborator, and host of the Dear Franny Podcast. Come for the tech, and stay for the magic!Cathy Hackl BioCathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She's one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming. Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue's Forces of Fashion, and more. Cathy Hackl on LinkedInSpatial Dynamics on LinkedInLee Kebler BioLee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi's, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInKey Discussion TopicsIntroduction and Predictions for Apple WWDCTed AI PodcastDating in Gaming SpacesHardware News - The first screenless laptop and NVIDIA's digital human microservicesRegulation of Social Media Algorithms and Twitter's Content RulesAI-Enabled HeadphonesCathy Hackl welcomes Francesca HogiFrancesca's transition from a corporate lawyer to becoming a love coachThe challenges faced by dating appsConcerns about the use of AI algorithms in determining matches Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explored the revolutionary power of digital humans, streaming avatars, and how they're transforming online sales interactions. Imagine an empathetic, personalized sales experience that's available 24/7. From product recommendations to instant guidance, these AI sales agents are the game-changer your brand needs.In this episode, Jordan West and Alain Denzler, CEO and founder of Get It AI, get into the world of AI sales agents. Alain sheds light on the cutting-edge technology of streaming avatars and how they are reshaping the online sales experience in the Gen AI era. From integrating with different platforms to offering personalized interactions and emotional voices, Alain's insights provide a glimpse into the future of ecommerce. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Streaming avatars can greet and guide visitors, provide video reviews, and initiate conversations to assist in the purchasing process, thus potentially improving conversion rates.Emphasizes the use of AI technology to create human-like sales agents capable of delivering personalized product recommendations and tailored sales responses based on customers' emotions.The potential power of incorporating empathy into AI sales agents, aiming to create a more conversational and empathetic sales experience for customers.The widespread adoption of digital agents in sales interactions, likening it to the transition from driving cars to autonomous vehicles and suggesting that future generations may find it hard to believe there was a time without AI sales agents.The need to comply with EU regulations when using digital humans, and how AI agents can reduce hesitancy and create more subtle and human-like selling experiences.Recommended Tools/App:GetitAI: https://www.getit.ai/  Today's Guest: Alain Denzler, the CEO and founder of Get It AI, to revolutionize the sales experience, Alain's company utilizes streaming avatars, which he refers to as "digital humans," to provide brands with a face and voice for online sales interactions. He envisions AI sales agents as a transformative force in ecommerce, enhancing customer experiences through personalized, empathetic, and human-like interactions. Alain's approach emphasizes the fusion of advanced technology with the human touch, positioning his company at the forefront of the evolving landscape of AI-driven sales.Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growIn this episode's sponsor is Subsummit - led by Christopher George, Co-Founder and CEO, is the hub for subscription commerce enthusiasts. SubSummit is the world's largest gathering for DTC subscription and membership brands. It brings together industry leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the booming 2-trillion-dollar subscription industry. Whether you're already involved or looking to join, SubSummit is your go-to event for networking and learning in this thriving sector.Learn more here: Subsummit

Deutche Telekom is using what they call “digital humans” for customer service and claiming great results. Mark Zuckerberg gives some insight into Meta's different approach to AI strategy in recent interviews and Elon Musk suffers quality issues on two offerings which may have been rushed to market.” All this and more on the “Murphy was an optimist” edition of Hashtag Trending. I'm your host, Jim Love.

Up until now, for different reasons, we've avoided talking about both Israel and AI. We haven't talked about the ongoing Palestinian genocide because there are much better voices to listen to than us to help you understand the extent of the horror in Gaza. We haven't talked about the AI bubble because arguing with marketers and hypemen is boring. The feverish pace that Democrats in the House and Senate have been passing bills for military aid to Israel while most of their party is against it might just bring about a reckoning. And NVIDIA's rocketing up to become the third most valuable company in the world should be all the proof needed that the AI bubble won't stop until it swallows us all. This is an unlocked premium episode. Get extra episodes every month, and get access to all of our past subscriber only episodes for $5 a month. patreon.com/wetwired Catch up with us on the Wetwired Discord. discord.gg/fr62mpUy5c Follow us: Twitter at twitter.com/wetwiredpod Instagram at instagram.com/wetwiredpod Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/wetwired.bsky.social Reading: https://companiesmarketcap.com/ https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/04/how-jensen-huangs-nvidia-is-powering-the-ai-revolution https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/willy-wonka-event-glasgow-billy-coull-ai-vaccine-conspiracy-books-1234976876 https://apnews.com/article/chatgpt-gpt4-iowa-ai-water-consumption-microsoft-f551fde98083d17a7e8d904f8be822c4 https://locusmag.com/2023/12/commentary-cory-doctorow-what-kind-of-bubble-is-ai/ Music: spinningmerkaba - I Dunno (Grapes of Wrath Mix) (CC-BY) Nova Beat Estate - The Elixir of Life (CC-BY) Airglow - Spliff and Wesson (CC-BY) Tentacles - Dark (CC-BY)

Siddhartha Mukherjee is a Professor at Columbia University, oncologist, and extraordinary author of Emperor of All Maladies (which was awarded a Pulitzer Prize), The Gene, and The Song of the Cell, along with outstanding pieces in the New Yorker. He is one of the top thought leaders in medicine of our era. “I have begun to imagine, think about what it would be to be a digital human..”—Sid MukherjeeEric Topol (00:06):Well, hello, this is Eric Topol with Ground Truths, and I am delighted to have my friend Sid Mukherjee, to have a conversation about all sorts of interesting things. Sid, his most recent book, SONG OF THE CELL is extraordinary. And I understand, Sid, you're working on another book that may be cell related. Is that right?Sid Mukherjee  (00:30):Eric, it's not cell related, I would say, but it's AI and death related, and it covers, broadly speaking, it covers AI, longevity and death and memory —topics that I think are universal, but also particularly medicine.Eric Topol (00:57):Well, good, and we'll get into that. I had somehow someone steered me that your next book was going to be something building on the last one, but that sounds even more interesting. You're going in another direction. You've covered cancer gene cells, so I think covering this new topic is of particularly interest. So let's get into the AI story and maybe we'll start off with your views on the healthcare side. Where do you think this is headed now?A.I. and Drug DiscoverySid Mukherjee  (01:29):So I think Eric, there are two very broad ways of dividing where AI can enter healthcare, and there may be more, I'm just going to give you two, but there may be more. One is on what I would call the deep science aspect of it, and by that I mean AI-based drug discovery, AI-based antibody discovery, AI-based modeling. All of which use AI tools but are using tools that have to do with machine learning, but may have to do less directly with the kind of large language models. These tools have been in development for a long time. You and I are familiar with them. They are tools. Very simply put, you can imagine that the docking of a drug to a protein, so imagine every drug, every medicine as a small spaceship that docks onto a large spaceship, the large spaceship being the target.(02:57):So if you think of it that way, there are fundamental rules. If anyone's watched Star Wars or any of these sci-fi films, there are fundamental rules by which that govern the way that the small spaceship in this case, a molecule like aspirin fits into a pocket of its target, and those are principles that are determined entirely by chemistry and physics, but they can be taught, you can learn what kind of spaceship or molecule is likely to fit into what kind of pocket of the mothership, in this case, the target. And if they can be learned, they're amenable to AI-based discovery.Eric Topol (03:57):Right. Well, that's, isn't that what you'd call the fancy term structure-based discovery, where you're using such tools like what AlphaFold2 for proteins and then eventually for antibodies, small molecules, et cetera, that you can really rev up the whole discovery of new molecules, right?Sid Mukherjee  (04:21):That's correct, and that's one of the efforts that I'm very heavily involved in. We have created proprietary algorithms that allow us to enable this. Ultimately, of course, there has to be a method by which you start from these AI based methods, then move to physical real chemistry, then move to real biology, then move to obviously human biology and ultimately to human studies. It's a long process, but it's an incredibly fruitful process.Eric Topol (04:57):Well, yeah, as an example that recently we had Jim Collins on the podcast and he talked about the first new drug class of antibiotics in two decades that bind to staph aureus methicillin resistant, and now in clinical trials. So it's happening. There's 20 AI drugs in clinical trials out there.Sid Mukherjee  (05:18):It's bound to happen. It is an unstoppable bound to happen systematology of drug discovery. This is just bound to happen. It is unstoppable. There are kinks in it in the road, but those will be ironed out, but it's bound to happen.(05:41):So that's on the very discovery oriented end, which is more related to learning algorithms that have to do with AI and less to do with what we see in day-to-day life, the ChatGPT kind of day-to-day life of the world. On the very other end of the spectrum, just to move along on the very other end of the spectrum are what I would call patient informatics. So by patient informatics, I mean questions like who responds to a particular drug? What genes do they have? What environment are they in? Have they had other drug interactions in the past? What is it about their medical record that will allow us to understand better why or why they're not responding to a medicine?(06:51):Those are also AI, can also be really powered by AI, but are much more dependent and much more sensitive to our understanding of these current models, the large language models. So just to give you an example, let's say you wanted to enroll a clinical trial for patients with diabetes to take a new drug. You could go into the electronic medical record, which right now is a text file, and ask the question, have they or have they not responded to the standard agents? And what has their response been? Should they be on glucose monitoring? How bad is their diabetes based on some laboratory parameters, et cetera, et cetera. So that's a very different information rich, electronic medical record rich mechanism to understand how to develop medicines. One lies, the first lies way in the discovery end of the spectrum. The second lies way in the clinical trials and human drug exposure end of the spectrum. And of course, there are things in the middle that I haven't iterated, but those are the two really broad categories where one can imagine AI making a difference and to be fair through various efforts, I'm working on both of those, the two end spectrum.A.I. and CancerEric Topol (08:34):Well, let's drill down a bit more on the person individual informatics for a moment, since you're an oncologist, and the way we screen for cancer today is completely ridiculous by age only. But if you had a person's genome sequence, polygenic risk scores for cancers and all the other known data that, for example, the integrity of their immune system response, environmental exposures, which we'll talk about in a moment more, wouldn't we do far better for being able to identify high risk people and even preventing cancer in the future?Sid Mukherjee  (09:21):So I have no doubt whatsoever that more information that we can analyze using intelligent platforms. And I'm saying all of these words are relevant, more information analyzed through intelligent platforms. More information by itself is often useless. Intelligent platforms without information by themselves are often useless, but more information with intelligent platforms, that combination can be very useful. And so, one use case of that is just to give you one example, there are several patients, women who have a family history of breast cancer, but who have no mutations in the known single monogenic breast cancer risk genes, BRCA1, BRCA2, and a couple of others. Those patients can be at a high a risk of breast cancer as patients who have BRCA1 and BRCA2. It's just that their risk is spread out through not one gene but thousands of genes. And those patients, of course have to be monitored and their risk is high, and they need to understand what the risk is and how to manage it.(10:57):And that's where AI can, and first of all, informatics and then AI can play a big difference because we can understand how to manage those patients. They used to be called, this is kind of, I don't mean this lightly, but they used to be called BRCA3 because they didn't have BRCA1, they didn't have BRCA2, but they had a constellation of genes, not one, not two, but thousands of genes that would increase their risk of breast cancer just a little bit. I often describe these as nudge genes as opposed to shove genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are shoved genes. They shove you into having a high risk of breast cancer. But you can imagine that there are nudge genes as well in which they, in which a constellation of not one, not two, not three, but a thousand genetic variations, give a little push each one, a little push towards having a higher risk of breast cancer.(12:09):Now, the only way to find these nudge genes is by doing very clever informatic studies, some of which have been done in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cardiovascular diseases, other diseases where you see these nudge effects, small effects of a single gene, but accumulated across a thousand, 2000, 3000 genes, an effect that's large enough that it's meaningful. And I think that we need to understand those. And once we understand them, I think we need to understand what to do with these patients. Do we screen them more assertively? Do we recommend therapies? You can get more aggressive, less aggressive, but of course that demands clinical trials and a deeper understanding of the biology of what happens.A.I. And LongevityEric Topol (13:10):Right, so your point about the cumulative effects of small variants, hundreds and hundreds of these variants being equivalent potentially, as we've seen across many diseases, it's really important and you're absolutely right about that. And I've been pushing for trying to get these polygenic risk scores into clinical routine use, and hopefully we're getting closer to that. And that's just as you say, just one layer of this information to add to the intelligence platform. Now, the next thing that you haven't yet touched on connecting the dots is, can AI and informatics be used to promote longevity?Sid Mukherjee  (13:55):Yeah, so that's a very interesting question. Let me attack that question in two ways. One biological and one digital. The biological one is to understand, again, the biological one has to do with informatics. So we could use AI so that, imagine that there are thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of variables. You happen to live on a Mediterranean island, you happen to walk five miles a day, you happen to have a particular diet, you happen to have a particular genetic makeup, you happen to have a particular immunological makeup, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. All of those you happen to have, you happen to have, you happen to have. Now, if we could collect all of this data across hundreds of thousands of individuals, we'd need a system to deconvolute the data and ask the question, what is it about these 750,000 individuals that predicted longevity? Was it the fact that they walked five miles a day? Was it  their genetic makeup? Was it their diet? Was it their insulin level? Was it their, so you can imagine an n-dimensional diagram, as it were, and to deconvolute that n-dimensional diagram and to figure out what was the driving force of their longevity, you would need much more than conventional information analysis. You need AI.(15:58):So that's one direction that one could use. Again, informatics to figure out longevity. A second direction, completely independent of the first is to ask the question, what are the biological determinants of longevity in other animals? Is it insulin levels? Is it chronic? Is it the immune system? Is it the lack of, and we'll come back to this question, is it as you very well know, people with extreme longevity, the so-called supercentenarians. Interestingly, the supercentenarians don't generally die of cancer and heart disease, which are the two most common killers of people in their 70s and 80s in most countries of the western world. They die typically of what I would call regenerative failure. Their immune systems collapse. Their stem cells can't make enough skin, so they get skin infections, their skin collapses, they get bone defects, and they die of fractures. They get neurological defects, they die of neurodegenerative diseases and so forth. So they die of true degenerative diseases as opposed to cancer and heart disease, which have been the plagues of human biology since the beginning of time.(17:49):Again, I'm talking about the western world, of course, a different story with infectious diseases elsewhere. So a different way to approach the problem would be to say, what are the regenerative blockades that prevent regeneration at a biological level for these patients? And ask the question whether we can overcome these regenerative blockades using, again, the systems that I described before. What are they? What are the checkpoints? What are the mechanisms? And could we encourage the body to override those mechanisms? We still have to deal with heart disease and cancer, but once we had dealt with heart disease and cancer, we would have to ask the question. Okay, now we've dealt with those two things. What are the regenerative blockades that prevent people from having longevity once we've overcome those two big humps, heart disease and cancer?Eric Topol (19:00):Yeah, no, I think you're bringing up a really fascinating topic. And as you know, there's been many different ideas for how to achieve that, whether that's the senolytic drugs or getting rid of dead cells or using the transcription factors of cells instead of going into induced pluripotent stem cells, but rather to go to a rejuvenation of cells. Are you optimistic that eventually we're going to crack this case of better approach to regeneration?Sid Mukherjee  (19:33):Oh, I'm extremely optimistic. I'm optimistic, but I'm optimistic to a point. And that brings me to the third place, which is I'm optimistic to a point, which is that you conquer in some, hopefully you conquer a major part of heart disease and cancer, and now you're up against cellular regeneration. You then conquer cellular regeneration. And I don't know what the next problem is going to be. It's going to be some new hurdle. So I think there are two solutions to that hurdle. One solution is to say, okay, there's a new hurdle. We'll solve that new hurdle and it's bit by bit extending longevity year by year, by year by year as it were. But a completely second solution occurs to me, and here I'm going completely off script, Eric, which is what I do in my life.Going Off Script: Being A Digital Human(20:45):I have begun to imagine, think about what it would be to be a digital human and by a digital human I mean, it began with my father's death. My father passed away a few years ago, and I would sometimes enter a kind of psychic space, what I would call a psychomanteum, in which I would imagine myself asking him questions about critical moments in my life, make a critical decision. I would rely on my father to make that decision for me. He would give me advice. That advice had some stereotypical qualities about it. Think about this, think about that. My experience has been this. My life has been this. My life has been that. But of course, times change. And I began to wonder whether with the use of digital technologies and digital AI technologies in particular, what could create a simulacrum of a psychomanteum?(22:06):So in other words, your physical body would pass, but somehow your digital body, all the memories, the experiences, the learning, all of that, that you had, the emotional connections that you had formed in your lifetime would somehow remain and would remain in a kind of psychomanteum in which you could go into a room. And again, I'm not talking voodoo science here. I'm talking very particular ways of extracting information from a person's decision making, extracting information about a person's ideas about the word their sort of their schema, or as psychologists describe it, the schemata. So that in some universe, if my father downloaded passively or actively the kind of decision making, not the actual decisions, the form of decision making and the form of communication that he liked, that I could go back to him eternally. My grandchildren could go back to him eternally and ask the question, great grandpa, what would you do under these circumstances? And what's amazing about it is that this is not completely science fiction.Eric Topol (23:45):Not at all.Sid Mukherjee  (23:46):It is within the realms of reality in the sense of there's no digital limitation to it. The main limitation to it is information. So Eric Topol, you make decisions I would imagine with some kind of stereotypical wisdom, you have accumulated wisdom in your life. You think about things in a particular critical way. When you read a book, you read a book in a particular way, it's whatever it might be. And Eric Topol psychomanteum would be, I would go into a space and see you and ask you a question, Eric, you read this book, what did you think about it? You found this piece of evidence. Read this scientific paper. What do you think about it? And so forth.(24:49):So again, let me just go back to my first point, which is number one, I think that regenerative medicine will have a regenerative moment itself, and we will discover new medicines, new mechanisms by which we can extend lifespan. Number two, that will involve getting over two big humps that we have right now, cancer and heart disease. Hopefully we'll get over both of those at some point of time. And number three, that in parallel, we will find a way to create digital selves that even when our physical bodies decay and die, that we will have a sense of eternal longevity based on digital selves, which is accessible or readily accessible through AI mechanisms. Yeah, this spectrum, I think will change our ideas of what longevity means.The Environmental FactorsEric Topol (26:10):Well, I think your idea about the digital human and the brain and the decision making and that sort of thing is really well founded by the progress being made in the brain machine interface, as you know, with basically the mind is being digitized and you can get cells to talk, to speak to a person, and all sorts of things that are happening right now that are basically deconvoluting brain function at the cellular, even molecular neural level. So I don't think it's farfetched at all. I'm glad you went off script, Sid. That's great. Now this, I want to get back to something you brought up earlier because there are a lot of obstacles as you will acknowledge. And one of them is that we have in our environment horrible issues about pollution, about carcinogens, the focus of your recent New Yorker piece, plastics, microplastics, nanoplastics, now found in our arteries and brains and causing more, as we just recently saw, more heart attack, strokes and death, and of course the climate crisis. So with all this great science that we've just been discussing, our environment's going to hell, and I want to get your comments because you had a very insightful piece as always in the New Yorker in December about this, and I know you've been thinking about it, that the obstacles are getting worse to override the problems that we have today, don't you think?Sid Mukherjee  (27:55):So you're absolutely right. If we go down this path, we are going to go to hell in eye baskets. What we haven't discounted for is really decades, if not possibly a century of research that shows that there are certain kinds of inflammatory agents that cause both cancer, heart disease, and inflammation that have to do with their capacity to be so foreign to the human body that they're recognized as alien objects and so alien that our immune systems can't handle them. And essentially send off what I would call a five-bell alarm, saying that here's something that the immune system can't handle. It's beyond the capacity. And that five-bell alarm, as we now know, unfortunately, causes a systemic inflammatory response. And that systemic inflammatory response can potentiate heart disease, cancer, and maybe many other diseases that we don't know about because we haven't looked.Eric Topol (29:28):Absolutely.Sid Mukherjee  (29:29):So to connect this back to climate change, pollution is one of them. Air pollution is absolutely one of them. Microplastics, undegradable sort of forever plastics are one of them, or some of them. I think that there is no way around it except to really find a systematic way of assessing them. Look, it is wonderful to have new materials in the world. I'm wearing a jacket made out of God knows what, it's not cloth. I don't know what you are wearing, Eric, but it may not be cloth. These are great materials. This keeps the rain away. But on the other hand, it may be shedding something that I don't know. We need to find scientific ways of assessing the safety and the validity of some new materials that we bring into the world. And the way that we do that is to ask the question, is it inflammatory? Is there something that we are missing? Is there something about it that we should be thinking about that we haven't thought about?Eric Topol (31:02):Well, and to that end, you've been a very, I think, astute observer about diet as it relates to cancer. And we know similarly, as we just talked about with our environment, there's the issue of ultra-processed foods, and we've got big food, we got big plastics, big tobacco. I mean, we have all these counter forces to what the science is showing.Sid Mukherjee  (31:29):Too many bigs.Eric Topol (31:31):Yeah, yeah. But I guess the net of it is, Sid, if I get it right, you think that the progress we're making in science, and that includes the things we've talked about and genome editing and accelerated drug discovery, these sorts of programs, the informatics, the AI can override this chasing of our tail with basically unchecked issues that are, whether it's from our nutrition, our air, what we ingest and breathe, these are some serious problems.Preventing DiseasesSid Mukherjee  (32:06):No, I don't think that. I don't think that cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention, as you very well know, Eric, because you've been in the forefront of it, is a pyramid. The base of the pyramid is prevention. Prevention is the most effective. It's the most difficult. It's the hardest to understand, the most difficult trials to incorporate, but it is the base of the pyramid. And so let it be said that I don't think that we're going to solve cancer, cardiovascular disease by better treatment using CRISPR. My laboratory, and one of my companies before I happened to be wearing the jacket, but was one of the first to use CRISPR and transplant CRISPR. CRISPR, human beings with or CRISPR bone marrow into human beings long before anyone else, we were actually among the first. These human beings, thankfully, and astonishingly remain completely alive. We deleted a gene from their bone marrow. They engrafted with no problem. They're still alive today, and we are treating them for cancer. Astonishing fact, there are 12 of them in the world.(33:49):And again, astonishing fact, wonderful, beautiful news, beautiful science. But there are 12, if we want to make a big change in the universe, we need to get not to 12, but to 12 million, potentially 120 million. And that's not going to happen because we're going to CRISPR their bone marrow. It's going to happen because we change their environments, their diets, their lifestyles, their exposures, we understand their risks, their genetics, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. It's not going to happen because we give them CRISPR bone marrow transplants that enable them to change their risk of cancer. So I'm very clear about this or clear eyed about it, I would say, which is to say that great progress in medicine is being made. There's no doubt about it. I'm happy about it. I'm happy to be part of it. I'm happy to be in the forefront of it.(35:00):We have now delivered one of the first cellular therapies for cancer in India at a price point that really challenges the price point of the west. We are now producing this commercially and or about to produce this commercially, so for lymphomas and leukemias, I'm so excited about the progress in science. But all of that said, let me be very clear, the real progress in cancer and cardiovascular disease is going to come from prevention. And if that's where we're going, we need to really rethink at a very fundamental level as you have Eric, at a very fundamental level, how do we rethink prevention, cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease prevention, and as a correlate, regenerative disease, regeneration, cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease prevention. The fundamentals are how do we find things that are in our exposome, things that we're exposed to environments, gene environment interactions that increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and how do we take them out? And how do we do this without running 15-year trials so that we can get the results now? And that's what I'm really interested in in terms of information.Eric Topol (36:55):Yeah. Well, I'm with you there. And just to go along with those 12 patients you mentioned, as you know recently it was reported there were 15 patients with serious autoimmune diseases, and they got a therapy to knock out all their B cells. And when their B cells came back, they didn't make autoantibodies anymore. And this was dermatomyositis and lupus and systemic sclerosis, and it was pretty magical. If it can be extended, like you said, okay, 15 people, just like your 12, if you can do that in millions, well, you can get rid of autoimmune diseases, which would be a nice contribution. I mean, there's so many exciting things going on right now that we've touched on, but as you get to it, you've already approached this inequity issue by bringing potentially very expensive treatments that are exciting to costs that would be applicable in India and many countries that are not in the rich income category. So this is a unique time it seems like Sid, in our advances, in the cutting edge progress that's being made, wouldn't you say?The Why on Cancer in the YoungSid Mukherjee  (38:14):Well, I would say that the two advances have to go hand in hand. There will be patients who are recalcitrant to the standard therapies, your patients with severe lupus dermatitis, et cetera. Those patients will require cutting edge therapy, and we will find ways to deliver it to them. There are other patients, hundreds of not 12, not 15, but hundreds of thousands if not millions, who will require an understanding of why there is an increase, for instance, in asthmatics disease in India. Why is that increasing? Why is there an increase in non-smoking related lung cancer in some parts of the world? Why? What's driving that? Why is there an increase in young patients with cancers in the United States? Of all things that stand out, there is a striking increase in colorectal cancer in young men and women. There's an increase in esophageal cancer in young men and women. Why?Eric Topol (39:58):Yeah, why, why?Sid Mukherjee  (40:00):Why? And so, the answer to that question lies in understanding the science, getting deeper information informatics, and then potentially understanding the why. So again, I draw the distinction between two broad classes of spaces where information science can make a big difference. On one hand, on the very left hand of the picture, an understanding of how to make new medicines for patients who happen to have these diseases. And on the way right hand of finding out why these patients are there in the first place, and asking the question, why is it that there are more patients, young men and women with colorectal cancer, are we eating something? Is it our diet? Is it our diet plus our environment? Is it the diet plus environment plus genetics? But why? There must be a why. When you have a trend like this, there's always a why. And if there's a why, there's always an answer. Why? And we have the best tools, and this is the positive piece of this. The positive piece of this is that we now have among the best tools that we've ever had to answer that why? And that's what makes me optimistic. Not a drug, not a medicine, not a fancy program, but the collective set of tools that we have that allow us to answer the question why? Because that is of course the question that every patient with esophageal and colorectal cancer is asking why.Eric Topol (42:01):I'm with you. What you're bringing up is fundamental. We have the tools, but we've noted this increase in colon cancer in the young for several years, and we're not any closer to understanding the why yet, right?Sid Mukherjee  (42:18):Yes. We're not any closer to understanding the why yet. Part of the answer is that we haven't delved into the why properly enough. These are studies that take time. They have longitude because these are studies that have to do with prevention. They take time, they take patients. So the quick answer to your question is, I don't think we've made the effort and we haven't made the effort, especially with the technological advances that we have today. So imagine for a second that we launched a project in which, again, like the Manhattan project, the Apollo project, we advanced a project which said the colorectal cancer in young project in the United States, we brought the best science minds together and ask the question, go into a room, lock yourself up, and don't come out of the room until you have the answer to figuring out how and then why we have young men and women with colorectal cancer increasing. I would imagine you could nominate, I could nominate 10 people to that committee and they would willingly serve. They'd be willing to be locked up in a room and ask the question why? Because they want to answer that question. That why is extraordinarily important.Eric Topol (44:14):I'm with you on that too, because we have the tools, like you said, we can assess the gut microbiome, their genome, their diets, their environmental exposures and figure this out. But as you say, there hasn't been a commitment to doing it.Sid Mukherjee  (44:30):And that commitment has to come centrally, right? That commitment has to come from the NIH, that has to come from the NCI, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Health. It has to come as a mechanism that says, listen, let's solve this problem. So identifying the problem, there's an increase in colorectal cancer in young people. Important. Yes. Let's, let's figure out the answer why, and let's collect all the information for the next five years, seven years, whatever it might take to answer that question.Eric Topol (45:18):And as you said, the intelligent platforms will help analyze it.Sid Mukherjee  (45:23):Yes. I mean, we have the tools. So if you have the tools and if you collect the information, the tools will analyze that information.Eric Topol (45:36):Right. Well, this has been inspiring and daunting at the same time, this discussion. What I love about you, Sid, is you're a big thinker. You're one of the great thinkers in medicine of our era, and you also of course are such an extraordinary writer. So we're going to look forward to your next book and your rejuvenation of the cancer Emperor of All Maladies book but I want to thank you. I always enjoy our discussions. They always get to areas that highlight where we're missing the opportunities that we have that we're not actualizing. That's one of the many things I really love about you and your work, so keep up the good stuff and I look forward to the next chance we get to visit and discuss all this stuff.Sid Mukherjee  (46:31):And it's been a great pleasure knowing you for so many years, Eric. And then whenever we have dinner together, the dinner always begins with my asking you why. And so, the why question is the first question. The how question is a harder question. We can always answer the how question, but the why question is the first question. So the next time I have dinner with you, wherever it might be, San Diego, New York, Los Angeles, I'm going to ask you another why question. And you're going to answer the how question, because that's what you're good at. And it's been such a pleasure interacting with you for so many years.Eric Topol (47:12):Oh, thank you so much. What a great friend.Thanks for listening/reading to this Ground Truths conversation.If you found it stimulating, please share with your colleagues and friends.All content on Ground Truths—newsletter analyses and podcasts—is free.Voluntary paid subscriptions all go to support Scripps Research.Ground Truths now has a YouTube channel for all the podcasts. Here's a list of the people I've interviewed that includes a few that will soon be posted or are scheduled. Get full access to Ground Truths at erictopol.substack.com/subscribe

Watch out for this "Killer" APP, AI could turn mushroom hunting into a deadly activity. Artie Intel, Micheline Learning, and now Rob Otic report on Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics for the AI Report. Bloomberg reported that Alphabet and Apple were “in active negotiations” for Gemini to power some features coming to the iPhone this year. "Dex: The Personable Face of Artificial Intelligence - Exploring the Realm of Digital Humans" Check out her YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGzRokD3oNw7Lg4yr3eNAQ  

This episode explores the latest AI news, including a heated data scraping controversy between Midjourney and Stability AI, the innovative "Digital Marilyn" project bringing the iconic actress to life as an AI, and how Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset is enhancing complex surgical procedures.For more from these stories:Midjourney bans Stability employeesMarilyn Monroe AI DebutApple Vision Pro used in spinal surgeryPerplexity is the fastest and most powerful way to search the web. Perplexity crawls the web and curates the most relevant and up-to-date sources (from academic papers to Reddit threads) to create the perfect response to any question or topic you're interested in. Take the world's knowledge with you anywhere. Available on iOS and Android Join our growing Discord community for the latest updates and exclusive content. Follow us on: Instagram Threads X (Twitter) YouTube Linkedin

In this episode, Digital Humans - Creepy or Cool? Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by⁠ René Schulte. Digital humans represent a cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction. This conversation is a must listen to for all interested in exploring how digital humans are being applied across different industries, such as entertainment, customer service, healthcare, and education.  Understanding these applications can provide a broader perspective on the potential benefits and challenges of this technology. Who is René Schulte? René Schulte is Head of 3D and Quantum Communities of Practices at Reply working with teams across the globe on emerging technologies. Being a trusted advisor for his clients and an internationally recognized expert. He is a creative developer, thought leader and digital content creator with a passion for UX and 20 years of deep technical knowledge in fields like Spatial Computing, Real-Time 3D, VR/AR, XR, VPS AR Cloud Real-World Metaverse, Reality Capture, Digital Humans, Quantum Computing, Generative AI, Deep Learning and more. He was featured on Forbes and is invited as expert to global TV stations and a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at conferences like //build, Ignite, Global XR, Univ. Heidelberg, Unite, Vision VR/AR Summit, VRDC (GDC), AWE, ESA, RTC, VRARA, MR Dev Days and more. Writes articles and is the creator of the video podcasts QuBites and Meta Minutes. He also created open-source libraries like WriteableBitmapEx. He was honored 14 years in a row for his dev community work with a double Microsoft MVP award in Mixed Reality and Quantum Computing, recognized as Microsoft Regional Director and Advisory Board member for the VR/AR Association and XR Bootcamp. He lives in Germany with his wife and their 5 children. Subscribe to Redefining AI and please do share your excitement about the episode with your own network! #ai #data #redefiningai #techpodcast #generativeai

Season Three - Spotlight Four Our fourth spotlight of this season is a snippet from our upcoming episode: René Schulte - Digital Humans - Creepy or Cool? Digital humans represent a cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction. This conversation is a must listen to for all interested in exploring how digital humans are being applied across different industries, such as entertainment, customer service, healthcare, and education. Understanding these applications can provide a broader perspective on the potential benefits and challenges of this technology. Who is René Schulte? René Schulte is Head of 3D and Quantum Communities of Practices at Reply working with teams across the globe on emerging technologies. Being a trusted advisor for his clients and an internationally recognized expert. He is a creative developer, thought leader and digital content creator with a passion for UX and 20 years of deep technical knowledge in fields like Spatial Computing, Real-Time 3D, VR/AR, XR, VPS AR Cloud Real-World Metaverse, Reality Capture, Digital Humans, Quantum Computing, Generative AI, Deep Learning and more. He was featured on Forbes and is invited as expert to global TV stations and a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at conferences like //build, Ignite, Global XR, Univ. Heidelberg, Unite, Vision VR/AR Summit, VRDC (GDC), AWE, ESA, RTC, VRARA, MR Dev Days and more. Writes articles and is the creator of the video podcasts QuBites and Meta Minutes. He also created open-source libraries like WriteableBitmapEx. He was honored 14 years in a row for his dev community work with a double Microsoft MVP award in Mixed Reality and Quantum Computing, recognized as Microsoft Regional Director and Advisory Board member for the VR/AR Association and XR Bootcamp.He lives in Germany with his wife and their 5 children. Listen to the full episode, as soon as it comes out by subscribing to Redefining AI and please do share your excitement about the episode with your own network! #ai #data #redefiningai #techpodcast #generativeai

The Digital Human is pausing to focus on what everyone's talking about - AI. Join Aleks and her co-host Kevin Fong for The Artifical Human from BBC Radio 4, listen on BBC Sounds.

Infinite-Realities (IR) specializes in digital humans. Founded in 2007, IR has been developing static and motion scanning systems for over 15 years. Lee Perry-Smith is the original Founder of Infinite-Realities. As CEO, he has led various large scale project developments. He has a deep passion for human scanning and the ongoing pursuit of the perfect digital human. In this Podcast, Allan McKay interviews Founder of Infinite-Realities Lee Perry-Smith about his passion for digital humans and scanning technology, the inspiration for his launching of Infinite-Realities; his first feature film project STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS; 3D Gaussian Splatting, 4D capture, Artificial Intelligence – and so much more! For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/442.

On this episode of The Rhythm of Rebellion, Taína Asili speaks with Evan Greer, a powerhouse trans and queer activist, writer and musician based in Boston. Evan's journey is a dynamic interplay of musical wit, grassroots activism, and a fervent dedication to justice. She has gracefully evolved her sound from riot-folk roots to a more layered indie pop aesthetic with an anarcho-punk soul. Her recent album, "Spotify is Surveillance," has garnered praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. As a touring musician and speaker, Evan has shared stages with a diverse array of artists, including Pete Seeger, Eve 6, and Tom Morello. Beyond her musical prowess, Evan serves as the director of Fight for the Future, a digital rights nonprofit, where her eloquence on issues of free speech, technology, and human rights resonate far and wide. Listen to the full episode at RhythmofRebellion.com or wherever podcasts are streamed. More info about Taína Asili at TainaAsili.com More info about about Evan Greer at Evangreer.org

This week I'm joined by special guests Iliana Oris Valiente, Accenture Canada Innovation Lead, and Tamara Bowman, Digital Human Innovation Lead at Accenture, to discuss the role of digital humans in the workforce, and how to stay grounded in our *physical* reality as we live in an increasingly digital world. Topics explored include: What are digital humans? How will they impact the workforce? Why Accenture has started investing in digital humans + Tamara's role in designing this technology Iliana's experience with her digital human and the use cases across Accenture How Tamara + Iliana envision this technology to enable greater work-life balance What brings Tamara + Iliana endorphins --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stella-stephanopoulos/support

In this episode, I talk with Janvi Palan about the fascinating realm of digital humans and the applied AI and machine learning that powers them. From crafting hyper-realistic experiences to enhancing natural language processing for more intelligent interactions, Janvi provides insights into the innovative intersection of technology, social sciences, and the development of NEON's digital humans. Invest in AI Box: https://republic.com/ai-box Get on the AI Box Waitlist: ⁠⁠https://AIBox.ai/⁠⁠ Facebook Community: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/739308654562189 Follow me on X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jaeden_ai⁠⁠

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Kai Anderson, a seasoned strategist and the leader of workforce transformation at Mercer. Kai has spent years guiding organizations throughout Europe. His book Digital Human (2017) championed the concept of prioritizing humans in the digital transformation. Amid the pandemic's upheaval, Kai continued his mission, helping clients reimagine their work and navigate decisions in a time of immense pressure and uncertainty. Kai brings a wealth of experience, guiding organizations throughout Europe. Today, our discussion centers around his latest book, "Work, different: 10 Truths for Winning in The People Age." This podcast episode with Kai Anderson offers a deep dive into the transformative journey from employees to contributors, defining the people age, navigating the new rhythm of work, evolving leadership styles, and understanding the dynamics of the great resignation. Tune in for valuable insights on building a people-centric culture in the ever-evolving landscape of work. Key Takeaways Gain valuable insights into navigating the transformative shift from employees to contributors in the dynamic landscape of the people age. Kai illuminates the essence of this era, emphasizing the paradigm shift from command and control to a more balanced relationship between employers and contributors. Addressing the challenges of remote work, he introduces the concept of "The New Rhythm of Work" and advocates for finding synchronization in virtual environments. The discussion extends to the evolving role of leadership, with a focus on empathy as a crucial competency. Additionally, Kai delves into the great resignation phenomenon, shedding light on the quest for purpose and the changing preferences of individuals in the workforce. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of building a people-centric culture in the context of the ever-evolving dynamics of work.   More About Kai Anderson: Connect with Kai on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kai-anderson-920602/ Get Work Different: 10 Truths for Winning in The People Age - amzn.to/3GvX2Ox   Get Your Free AI Prompts To Build A Marketing Strategy: Download now - dtm.world/freeprompts Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please! Connect with John Jantsch on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ducttapemarketing/   This episode of The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by ActiveCampaign: Try ActiveCampaign free for 14 days with our special offer. Sign up for a 15% discount on annual plans until Dec 31, 2023. Exclusive to new customers—upgrade and grow your business with ActiveCampaign today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the telegraph to the touchscreen, how the development of binary switching transformed everyday life and changed the shape of human agency. The Switch: An Off and On History of Digital Humans (U Minnesota Press, 2023) traces the sudden rise of a technology that has transformed everyday life for billions of people: the binary switch. By chronicling the rapid growth of binary switching since the mid-nineteenth century, Jason Puskar contends that there is no human activity as common today as pushing a button or flipping a switch--the deceptively simple act of turning something on or off. More than a technical history, The Switch offers a cultural and political analysis of how reducing so much human action to binary alternatives has profoundly reshaped modern society. Analyzing this history, Puskar charts the rapid shift from analog to digital across a range of devices--keyboards, cameras, guns, light switches, computers, game controls, even the "nuclear button"--to understand how nineteenth-century techniques continue to influence today's pervasive digital technologies. In contexts that include musical performance, finger counting, machine writing, voting methods, and immersive play, Puskar shows how the switch to switching led to radically new forms of action and thought. The innovative analysis in The Switch makes clear that binary inputs have altered human agency by making choice instantaneous, effort minimal, and effects more far-reaching than ever. In the process, it concludes, switching also fosters forms of individualism that, though empowering for many, also preserve a legacy of inequality and even domination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

From the telegraph to the touchscreen, how the development of binary switching transformed everyday life and changed the shape of human agency. The Switch: An Off and On History of Digital Humans (U Minnesota Press, 2023) traces the sudden rise of a technology that has transformed everyday life for billions of people: the binary switch. By chronicling the rapid growth of binary switching since the mid-nineteenth century, Jason Puskar contends that there is no human activity as common today as pushing a button or flipping a switch--the deceptively simple act of turning something on or off. More than a technical history, The Switch offers a cultural and political analysis of how reducing so much human action to binary alternatives has profoundly reshaped modern society. Analyzing this history, Puskar charts the rapid shift from analog to digital across a range of devices--keyboards, cameras, guns, light switches, computers, game controls, even the "nuclear button"--to understand how nineteenth-century techniques continue to influence today's pervasive digital technologies. In contexts that include musical performance, finger counting, machine writing, voting methods, and immersive play, Puskar shows how the switch to switching led to radically new forms of action and thought. The innovative analysis in The Switch makes clear that binary inputs have altered human agency by making choice instantaneous, effort minimal, and effects more far-reaching than ever. In the process, it concludes, switching also fosters forms of individualism that, though empowering for many, also preserve a legacy of inequality and even domination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

From the telegraph to the touchscreen, how the development of binary switching transformed everyday life and changed the shape of human agency. The Switch: An Off and On History of Digital Humans (U Minnesota Press, 2023) traces the sudden rise of a technology that has transformed everyday life for billions of people: the binary switch. By chronicling the rapid growth of binary switching since the mid-nineteenth century, Jason Puskar contends that there is no human activity as common today as pushing a button or flipping a switch--the deceptively simple act of turning something on or off. More than a technical history, The Switch offers a cultural and political analysis of how reducing so much human action to binary alternatives has profoundly reshaped modern society. Analyzing this history, Puskar charts the rapid shift from analog to digital across a range of devices--keyboards, cameras, guns, light switches, computers, game controls, even the "nuclear button"--to understand how nineteenth-century techniques continue to influence today's pervasive digital technologies. In contexts that include musical performance, finger counting, machine writing, voting methods, and immersive play, Puskar shows how the switch to switching led to radically new forms of action and thought. The innovative analysis in The Switch makes clear that binary inputs have altered human agency by making choice instantaneous, effort minimal, and effects more far-reaching than ever. In the process, it concludes, switching also fosters forms of individualism that, though empowering for many, also preserve a legacy of inequality and even domination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

‘I asked myself this very question after a family member was affected by dementia. In her later years, the only person my grandmother still remembered was her husband – but he had passed away several years earlier. She asked about him every morning and finding out that he had died always upset her greatly.' - Thomas Nørmark.Thomas Nørmark Dementia is a cruel and complex illness, one that robs individuals of their cognitive abilities, independence, and memories. The NHS website reports that in the UK alone, there are now over 944,000 people living with dementia, and this number continues to rise as our population ages. While there is no cure for dementia, emerging technological breakthroughs hold the promise of more personalised treatment plans, the potential to enhance the quality of life for longer periods, and the ability to provide much-needed respite and comfort to the caregivers of those affected. In this episode of Digital Human, Aleks explores some of the nascent AI tools that could help people living with dementia: AMPER, an AI programme designed to aid in Reminiscence therapy, helping people to remain independent for as long as possible. Moments, an app that creates timelines of memories, music, and photos that can be shared with clinical staff, so they can get to know who the person was before the disease took hold, meaning they can tailor care more effectively. And a radical proposition of creating Digital Avatars of loved ones that offer support and reassurance to people who no longer remember that that loved one has already passed away - saving family members from the emotional strain of having to pretend to be someone else, to keep the person they love happy. Aleks will explore not only how these technological developments will benefit people in the next few decades, but also the ethical complexities that arise in ensuring the well being and security of vulnerable users.

What is the key to building a brand that truly resonates in the digital age? How do artificial intelligence and branding intersect to create powerful, engaging narratives?Today, I'm excited to chat with Nick Bhavsar, a recognized leader in high-tech branding. His specialty? Leveraging ChatGPT to catapult brands to new heights. With a keen focus on how AI can amplify branding strategies, Nick brings a fresh perspective to the table.In our conversation, he generously shares his insights on how businesses can tap into the capabilities of ChatGPT to craft a compelling brand identity and connect deeply with their audience. If you've ever been curious about the potential of AI in branding, this is the episode for you.Get ready for an insightful conversation that is sure to revolutionize the way you approach brand building.Here are the highlights from this episode:07:14 - The challenges of creating an emotional connection in the digital world11:46 - Incorporating empathy when using AI tools like ChatGPT16:59 - Ways to help create brand voice with ChatGPT19:33 - How AI will affect creative roles like copywriters and graphic designers23:50 - ChatGPT prompt suggestions to help generate effective content28:17 - How to think about positioning in a different way in this type of generative AI world32:32 - The biggest misconception people have about ChatGPT and AI34:54 - Nick's badass superpowerThis episode is sponsored by:UneeQ - an artificial intelligence company, developing the most advanced autonomous digital human platform available for customer interactions – today and in tomorrow's metaverse.UneeQ's mission is to deliver digital human experiences that excel in marketing, sales and service roles – reducing complexity, improving conversions and creating memorable customer moments for brands.Want to Win a Digital Human valued at $100,000? Tell us your biggest, boldest and best idea for a digital human use case. We'll choose our favourite, build it and host it for one year for FREE.Find out more here: digitalhumans.com/brandingmattersThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating along with a brief review.About MeHey there, I'm Joelly - the Branding Badass. My badass superpower is helping you build brand equity for your business. From branded merch to brand consulting, when you work with me, you get results! Need help with your branding? Hit me up at brandingmatters.ca/free-consultation Let's stay connected! Instagram - @Branding_BadassLinkedIn - Joelly GoodsonWebsite - BrandingMatters.ca

Ready for a deep dive into the intersection of technology and human emotion? Today, I'm sitting down with the incomparable June Bower, the Talker-in-Chief at TalkShop – a company she founded to help people succeed at work.June isn't your average marketing pro; she honed her skills at Apple during its formative years, sharing an office landscape with none other than Steve Jobs. With an impressive CV featuring names like 3Com, Adobe, and Cisco, she's a Silicon Valley legend.Don't miss our conversation where we journey back to the dawn of the computer age, exploring the blend of innovation and empathy that drives success. June shares her wisdom on leveraging technology for genuine human connection—a lesson you don't want to miss.Trust me, this episode's insights are ones you'll want to revisit, time and time again. Get ready for another valuable episode that'll redefine your approach to branding and technology.Here are the highlights from this episode:06:29 - What was it like working with Steve Jobs16:22 - The biggest challenge of startups in positioning their offerings19:37 - The best way to differentiate yourself from the competition27:36 - How digital humans help brands30:00 - Why is it important for employees to master their own personal brands35:06 - June's badass superpowerThis episode is sponsored by:UneeQ - an artificial intelligence company, developing the most advanced autonomous digital human platform available for customer interactions – today and in tomorrow's metaverse.UneeQ's mission is to deliver digital human experiences that excel in marketing, sales and service roles – reducing complexity, improving conversions and creating memorable customer moments for brands.Want to Win a Digital Human valued at $100,000? Tell us your biggest, boldest and best idea for a digital human use case. We'll choose our favourite, build it and host it for one year for FREE.Find out more here: digitalhumans.com/brandingmattersThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating along with a brief review.About MeHey there, I'm Joelly - the Branding Badass. My badass superpower is helping you build brand equity for your business. From branded merch to brand consulting, when you work with me, you get results! Need help with your branding? Hit me up at brandingmatters.ca/free-consultation Let's stay connected! Instagram - @Branding_BadassLinkedIn - Joelly GoodsonWebsite - BrandingMatters.ca

Ever wonder why some stories just grab you by the heart? Want to know how you can connect with customers on a human level?Today I'm sitting down with my friend Christine Gillies—she's not only one of the Globe & Mail's Best Executives for 2023 but also the CMO at Blackline Safety. This Calgary-based company specializes in revolutionary wireless, wearable sensors designed for industrial or remote work environments.This conversation is unlike any other as Christine courageously opens up about surviving the 9/11 attacks, escaping from the 87th floor of the World Trade Centre. Christine brings that resilience into her marketing expertise, advocating for the power of vulnerability and authenticity in brand storytelling.From the value of asking the right questions to connecting people in impactful ways, this conversation is a must-listen. Get ready for actionable insights and an inspirational story that will stay with you long after you've tuned out.This is truly one of my favourite conversations, with one of my favourite people, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Here are the highlights from this episode:06:40 - Christine's 9/11 survival story14:07 - What does it mean to put marketing at the forefront of a company strategy18:34 - How Blackline technology helps bring people home safely22:33 - Why storytelling is important 23:34 - Christine's advice for business owners and marketers26:12 - Why vulnerability is a big part of storytelling28:56 - How to choose the most effective platform for sharing your brand's story32:12 - Christine's badass superpowerThis episode is sponsored by:UneeQ - an artificial intelligence company, developing the most advanced autonomous digital human platform available for customer interactions – today and in tomorrow's metaverse.UneeQ's mission is to deliver digital human experiences that excel in marketing, sales and service roles – reducing complexity, improving conversions and creating memorable customer moments for brands.Want to Win a Digital Human valued at $100,000? Tell us your biggest, boldest and best idea for a digital human use case. We'll choose our favourite, build it and host it for one year for FREE.Find out more here: digitalhumans.com/brandingmattersThanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating along with a brief review.About MeHey there, I'm Joelly - the Branding Badass. My badass superpower is helping you build brand equity for your business. From branded merch to brand consulting, when you work with me, you get results! Need help with your branding? Hit me up at brandingmatters.ca/free-consultation Let's stay connected! Instagram - @Branding_BadassLinkedIn - Joelly GoodsonWebsite - BrandingMatters.ca

What if the 1969 moon landing catastrophically failed? That's the question artist Halsey Burgund poses with his “Moon Disaster” project, which makes use of AI technology to envision then-president Richard Nixon delivering an alternative speech to be used in the case of emergency. In doing so, Halsey draws attention to the fact that such a speech existed and was never broadcast, as well as the ways in which modern technology can fool viewers. Halsey sheds light on the video and audio technology used for this alternative take on history, talks about how he combines tech and art for his audio installations and reveals what he's got coming up.  

Hanno Basse has been a guiding hand behind the scenes of the modern entertainment experience. At 20th Century Fox, he pushed HDR into the movie experience at home and in theaters, and he helped the entertainment industry adopt cloud computing via his role at Microsoft Azure. Today, Hanno is bringing his expertise to Digital Domain, where he serves as CTO. In this podcast, Hanno reveals how advances in machine learning have taken DD's famous digital humans from the Avengers' Thanos to She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's protagonist and added realism to the video game The Quarry. Hanno also discusses how real-time technology is improving the entire production process and gives his thoughts on the future of VFX.

Orchid Bertelsen has lived many lives in her journey from innovation to business ops. Ever heard of Nestlé's digital human Cookie Coach, Ruth? Hint: She was heavily involved in the making of Ruth and its success in bridging the gap between technology and human connection. Be sure to stay tuned until the end to hear about the shifting dynamics between consumers and corporations in the digital age, the loving nature of critique, how Facebook never really died in the land of Suburbia, and in true Orchid fashion: a Scandoval reference. Threadaverse{00:12:12} - “At the heart of {the Virtual Human Cookie Coach} was how can we serve more customers through a connected and consistent experience while utilizing technology and obviously using all of that information to make the product better, to make the experience better.” - Orchid{00:14:45} - “Microsoft is so far ahead of everything and they always fail as a result. That's the problem.” - Brian{00:16:52} - “If you use technology you can infinitely have more relationships and connectivity and serve more customers than your human constraints of the nature of having one person having one conversation at a time.” - Orchid{00:23:29} - “There is an opportunity and also a watch out that a lot of those fake relationships can take up more mental space than the real relationships that you're creating.” - Orchid{00:31:03} - “Because there's a deficiency in the services that the government is providing or a frustration around that, people are looking to the private sector, and so all of those things between the rise of social media, between just asking more of corporations, I think that's where people want to engage. And that's why there is critique because there is a higher expectation of how brands and companies conduct their business.” - Orchid{00:33:20} - “Customers and fans have an unbelievable amount of power that outweighs the collective bargaining capabilities of the workforce. And I wonder if that's a fundamentally modern problem that we've never really said out loud, but we all sense to be true.” - Phillip{00:40:43} - “They had to find something novel that they were uniquely positioned to deliver on and so that's why you had the pivot from a lot of talk about the Metaverse to all of a sudden they have released a product. And I would say one of the most successful product releases in modern history. But now they've released a product that is not shiny, it is not new, it is not innovative, but it works and it works for the people in this time.” - OrchidAssociated Links:Learn more about Orchid Bertelsen and Common Thread CollectiveGrab your copy of The Multiplayer Brand hereHave you checked out our YouTube channel yet?Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more of what we are witnessing in the commerce world!Listen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners!

Welcome to another episode of The Action and Ambition Podcast! Joining us today is Danny Tomsett, the CEO of UneeQ, an artificial intelligence company developing the most advanced autonomous digital human platform available for customer interactions – today and in tomorrow's metaverse. Their mission is to deliver digital human experiences that excel in marketing, sales, and service roles, reducing complexity, improving conversions, and creating memorable customer moments for brands. UneeQ was the winner of the Sir Richard Branson ‘Virgin Business Challenge,' and in 2018, UneeQ was recognized at the ‘Deloitte Fast 50' NZ awards as one of the country's fastest-growing businesses, with revenue growth of 317%, alongside Danny being selected as an EY Entrepreneur of the year finalist. Don't miss a thing on this. Tune in to learn more!

After being inspired by Star Wars to pursue a career in entertainment law, Joshua Lastine helped with clearances on everything from American Idol to The Man in the High Castle to Midway to the Hulkbuster armor in Avengers: Age of Ultron and weapons for TV series Echo 3. Today, Joshua runs Lastine Entertainment Law, which drafts bespoke agreements for everything from YouTube videos to big-budget movies, and he teaches law at Los Angeles Film School. In this podcast, Joshua covers all the hot topics in the film and TV industry, including AI, the causes of the writers' strike, digital celebrities, and the effects of streaming media. Joshua offers an informed perspective on where the industry is going, details the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence, and explains how copyright law applies to everything from code to works of art.  

You've probably heard of ‘Lil Miquela. The 19 year-old Brazilian-American influencer has millions of followers and has partnered with the likes of Samsung and Prada. But despite capturing the hearts of many, she's not real. But you probably haven't heard her origin story. In this episode we take a trip back to 2016, to a world that looked much different to today, together with two of Miquela's creators – Trevor McFedries and Isaac Bratzel – cofounder and Chief Design and Innovation Officer of Brud at the time.We learn what inspired the experiment and what early signs indicated that Miquela was not just a novel idea. In a world where spinning up an influencer, we learn what it took to capture mindshare, the pushback they've received, what a “scalable influencer” means, and what they think is to come. Resources:‘Lil Miquela on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilmiquela/‘Lil Miquela on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWeHb_SrtJbrT8VD-_QQpRAFind Trevor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatdotcd?lang=enFind Isaac on Twitter: https://twitter.com/izykbenjaminFind Brud on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brud.fyiIsaac's new avatar company: https://www.avataros.com/ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:18 - The key insight04:05 - A new breed of influencers06:25 - Miquela's aesthetic09:30 - Early signs of success13:01 - Narrative and fan engagement16:45 - The technology18:14 - Expanding past Miquela22:34 - Traction and generative AI26:45 - A new reality31:55 - Early pushback33:38 - Misunderstanding reality36:23 - Fear of new technologies37:47 - New technological unlocks41:13 - Scalable influencersStay Updated: Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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World Record Wednesday! Filming & Sharing Video Made In Public, Make-Up or Break-Up, KVJ Confessional, Digital Humans, Life Insurance For Jbird and Is It Insane To Ask My Boyfriend To Dye His Hair? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

World Record Wednesday! Filming & Sharing Video Made In Public, Make-Up or Break-Up, KVJ Confessional, Digital Humans, Life Insurance For Jbird and Is It Insane To Ask My Boyfriend To Dye His Hair? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Are Digital Humans And Are They The Future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices