Possible

How will an empathetic AI interact with humans? What if we used AI not just for its IQ, but its EQ? How do we build the trust to enable it to take agency on our behalf? This week, Reid and Aria sit down with an expert and friend, Sean White to start answering those questions. Sean White is currently the CEO of Inflection AI and is working on expanding the relationship of what AI can do for humans. Sean takes a humanist approach to new technology, and is interested in AI that can go beyond intelligence to learn empathy and take action. Sean's background is as wide-ranging as the conversation, where we discuss the influence of AI in everything from neuroscience to understanding animal languages. Plus, listen to a live test with Pi to demonstrate Pi's ability to handle a tough situation at work, with empathy.  Read the transcript of this episode here. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 01:22 - Hellos and intros 3:20 - Microsoft and Inflection  6:27 - The capabilities and influence of Inflection’s Pi  11:02 - Pi in the workplace  12:10 - Pi in action  15:38 - AI isn’t a human; it is a tool  16:11 - Pi’s IQ vs EQ  17:46 - Pi’s AQ, or our ability to take action via AI  18:51 - How our lives might change in the near future with Pi  21:36 - How our skill sets will elevate  22:28 - Neuroscience and AI  25:22 - Owning your intelligence  30:14 - The wonders of Earth Species Project  34:05 - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  Inflection: https://inflection.ai/  Spruce art collective Dr. Eddie Chang, Chang Lab, UCSF  Familiarity by the Punch Brothers Dr. Hirokazu Kato, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

With Election Day fast approaching, Reid tackles some big questions: Is Silicon Valley leaning increasingly red? How can—and should—the government modernize voting? Is there a place for AI agents in politics? And which party is really best for business right now?  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

What’s driving some of the greatest political divisions and threats to democracy ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election? This week, Reid and Aria attempt to unpack this with someone who specializes in listening to American voters and translating those insights, at scale: Republican political strategist and The Bulwark co-founder/publisher Sarah Longwell. Sarah, who also hosts The Focus Group Podcast, joins the show to talk about her experience listening to everyday voters through focus groups — and her perspective on how doing so can help people better understand one another, combat misinformation, and heal some of the deepest divides in America today. She shares her perspective on Donald Trump, the upcoming election, the state of politics in Silicon Valley, AI, the future of the Republican Party, and the value of compromising. Plus, Reid tests GPT-4o’s ability to separate fact from fiction.  Note: This conversation is not intended to proselytize or convert anyone. Rather, it is an attempt to learn from someone who has spent hundreds of hours talking to thousands of voters about their lives and politics.   For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 03:41 - Hellos and intros 04:55 - The state of politics now 06:08 - Inside the mind of an undecided voter 08:22 - What polls actually tell us 10:04 - What’s different about the political attitude right now 12:22 - How focus groups work, and what they tell us 18:08 - The benefits of qualitative research 18:52 - How can technology improve focus group research? 23:12 - How to become a better listener and persuader 28:21 - The impact and use cases of AI running focus groups 34:03 - When a human touch is necessary 36:37 - AI video-based sentiment analysis 41:05 - Sarah navigating being a lone wolf in politics 45:19 - What Sarah learned fighting for marriage equality 47:25 - How does misinformation spread and stick? 54:08 - What’s next for the Republican party? 57:42 - GPT-4o “spot the fake headline” test 01:02:57 - Rapid-fire questions Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Reid reflects on his early exposure to AI as an undergraduate at Stanford and on navigating the space between academia and industry. Plus, he and Aria discuss human outcomes of technology—and how human-centered technologists such as Fei-Fei Li, Mustafa Suleyman, and Kevin Scott have helped him keep those outcomes top of mind. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

How can scientists leverage AI and machine learning to more effectively research, develop, and deliver new drugs? This week, Reid and Aria talk drug development with renowned computer scientist and executive Dr. Daphne Koller, whose company, insitro, uses machine learning to improve the quality and speed of drug discovery. She addresses several ways AI and ML are already being used to redefine diseases and create better therapeutic interventions. Plus, she shares her experience transitioning from academia to industry.  Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.possible.fm/podcasts/dkoller For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 00:01: Cold open 00:43: Hellos and intros 3:20: Early involvement in AI  5:00: Overview of drug discovery and its evolution over the last five years  7:50: AI and machine learning impact on biology and drug development  9:09: Pi aside defining AlphaFold  11:37: Areas of acceleration and opportunity in AI and drug discovery  17:21: Synthetic data  21:21: AI implications on therapeutic hypotheses  23:54: Personalized vs. precision medicine  27:04: Closing the data feedback loop  30:31: Exciting announcements  34:24: Privacy and data 36:41: GPT-4 story  38:48: Stuart Russell’s comments on the applications of Koller’s thesis  43:36: AI as a moving target 47:24: How can academia and industry positively impact society and humanity 51:58: insitro’s culture  54:18: - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah Ritchie Stuart Russell Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

This week, Reid veers toward science fiction, tackling big questions including: Is a single mentally-linked network in our future? Can and should humans create other sentient beings?  Select mentions:  David Brin

What might it look like if we used AI to make democracy work better and to make society more equal? In this special live recording of Possible, Aria turns the tables on her co-host, interviewing Reid alongside Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson. They discuss AI-native generations, the future of friendship and social connections, media, data, privacy, and democracy in the age of AI. To kick off the episode, Reid’s avatar makes a cameo.  Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.possible.fm/podcasts/nthompson For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 1:53 - Hellos and intros 2:15 - A question from Reid’s AI Avatar 6:24 - Defining this moment in technology 10:08 - AI, journalism, and democracy 13:32 - AI and empathy  20:17 - Why AI is exciting for young people 22:44 - How impacts the world of friendship  33:07 - AI and privacy 41:21 - Looking ahead  47:51 - Rapid-fire questions Select mentions:  The Worlds I See by Fei-fei Li Earth Species Project Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

This week, Aria asks Reid about government regulation of AI, including where the U.S. fits in on the global stage and how America can learn from where the early regulation of social media fell short.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

How can the U.S. government support the use of AI to stimulate innovation, bring healthcare to people more effectively, and educate people more equitably—all while thoughtfully navigating technology’s impact on people’s way of life?  On this week’s episode, Reid and Aria sit down with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to discuss her work leading the government’s efforts to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of AI for Americans. She gets into the federal government’s approach to AI innovation and safety, emphasizing the importance of global partnerships. Plus, she shares how the U.S. can make hardware “sexy” again—and why it matters.   Read the transcript of this episode here: https://www.possible.fm/podcasts/raimondo For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 3:30 - Hellos and intros 6:44 - Hopes and goals for American citizens 9:34 - America’s approach to AI compared to its approach to other digital innovations 14:15 - How the U.S. can “make building hardware sexy again” 18:21 - International cooperation on AI 21:39 - How technology leaders can contribute to private-public partnerships 24:14 - What excites Secretary Raimondo most right now 26:35 - How industry can relieve anxiety about job security in an AI-world Select mentions:  AI Safety Institute CHIPS Act Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

In this episode, Aria asks Reid about his general and AI-specific investment philosophies, including what draws him to a pitch and what raises red flags. They discuss agentic AI, robots, and hardware.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

This week, Reid and Aria are joined by Ashton Kutcher. While you might know him as the actor and producer who rose to fame on That ‘70s Show, Dude, Where’s My Car, and MTV’s Punk’d, Ashton is also an accomplished venture capitalist. He is co-founder of the VC firm Sound Ventures, and he has been investing in AI for more than a decade. Ashton, Reid, and Aria discuss the future of AI software and hardware, startups, and the AI revolution’s impact on society.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 3:00 - Hellos and intros 3:56 - Ashton and Reid’s trip to the South Pole 8:20 - What’s exciting about AI for investors  13:31 - How Ashton brings AI into his daily life 19:02 - Changes to the job market in an age of AI 22:01 - How people can maintain their agency and find more time in the age of AI 26:37 - AI and talent-sourcing 30:40 - How to be a “tryer”  35:14 - Rapid-fire questions  Select mentions The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Dædalus   Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Reid discusses what aspects of urban planning need to be reimagined. He advocates that prioritizing smart technology, clean energy, and data can vastly improve residents’ quality of life. Plus, Aria asks Reid about the potential of technologies existent and forthcoming—including self-flying cars. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

What if we built cities focused around community, leveraging technology to actually increase human connection, health, and fulfillment? Devon Zuegel, the leader of Edge Esmeralda—a pop-up village that took place in June 2024—joins Possible to discuss how she is reimagining cities to optimize for community. In this episode, Devon, Aria, and Reid get into why designing cities with intention can impact quality of life and strengthen communities. Devon shares what she has learned from Edge Esmeralda—and what she plans to build from here.  Read the transcript of this episode here. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 2:20 - Hellos and intros 4:39 - Computers are like gardens 6:25 - Fictional Cities 8:15 - Cities are the platforms we build our lives on 10:10 - City as a networks and places of opportunities  13:40- Best and worst designed cities 15:40 - AI element  19:20 - What is Edge Esmerelda?  26:00 - Devon’s learnings thus far 31:50- Scaling Cities of the Future 36:30- Intersections between technology and cities  39:10- Philosophical manifestos of cities  43:30- Devon’s thoughts on California Forever  44:10 -Rapid-fire Questions Select mentions:  Edge Esmerelda ( https://www.edgeesmeralda.com/welcome)  Chautauqua (https://devonzuegel.com/chautauqua-an-idea-embedded-in-a-place)  Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Reid talks about why he invested in California Forever, the ambitious sustainable city project in Solano County, California. He contends with some of the concerns that have been raised about the initiative and states his case for the best way to fix the affordable housing crisis. The answer just might be surprisingly simple. Aria also asks Reid about exciting sustainability projects that aren’t getting the attention they deserve. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

What if we could build the ideal sustainable city from scratch? This week’s guest is aiming to do that, and he has unique insight into what making that dream a reality can look like. Jan Sramek is the founder of California Forever, a company aiming to build an affordable, urban community in Solano County, California. Reid—an investor in California Forever—and Aria sat down with Jan to talk about the vision for the city, where it draws inspiration from, and some of the controversy that has sprung up around the initiative since it was announced in 2023. Why build a new city rather than developing existing ones? How will this new city be connected to the surrounding community? And when might the first residents be able to move in? Read the transcript of this episode here. For more about:  California Forever/East Solano Plan (https://eastsolanoplan.com/)  Zipline (https://www.flyzipline.com/)  Living Carbon (https://www.livingcarbon.com/)  JFK speech at Rice University (https://www.rice.edu/jfk-speech)  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 03:45 - Hellos and intros 04:25 - Where does Jan draw inspiration from 05:57 - Jan’s journey to real estate 08:18 - What is California Forever’s timeline? 10:44 - AI weighs in on initiatives to refresh existing cities 13:07 - Cities to look to for inspiration 14:48 - How to create economic opportunity in a new city 17:58 - The importance of local jobs 21:23 - Responding to criticism 24:30 - Most exciting developments 25:55 - Most common misconceptions 27:04 - Community feedback and climate efforts 30:53 - How to connect to public infrastructure 32:38 - How feasible is California Forever, exactly? 35:14 - Learning from past and present initiatives 39:52 - Nonprofit and government stakeholders 42:24 - Why is building from scratch greener? 45:08 - Rapid-fire questions Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

In this episode, Aria asks Reid about the path from idea to execution—and Reid draws from LinkedIn to share his launch lessons. Plus, Reid predicts how AI will—and won’t—impact food, dining, and restaurants.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

What role might artificial intelligence play in making the perfect meal? How will AI transform food creation—and creation more generally? Massimo Bottura—legendary Italian chef and entrepreneur—joins Possible to talk about the future of food, human creativity, and how technology factors in. Massimo, Aria, and Reid discuss the roles of joy and innovation in fine dining, technology’s potential to enhance human connection, and Food For Soul, the nonprofit Massimo and his wife Lara created to turn surplus food into incredible community meals for people in need around the world.  Plus, Massimo reacts to a few AI surprises, including: Reid’s avatar speaking Italian; Pi’s predictions about restaurants of the future; and a customized copy of Reid’s book, Impromptu, that includes a personalized section for Massimo.  Read the transcript of this episode here. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics: 3:36 - Hellos and intros 4:24 - Reid’s AI avatar has a message for Massimo 7:02 - The relationship between invention and human connection 13:14 - Joy and innovation in fine dining 20:16 - Discussing Massimo’s custom copy of Impromptu  27:32 - Massimo’s work for the next generation 31:03 - Food for Soul  38:32 - Slow Food, Fast Cars  21:46 - Pi’s thoughts on restaurants 50 years in the future 41:34 - Rapidfire Questions Select mentions:  Food for Soul Slow Food, Fast Cars by Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore Reid’s 2023 Bologna Business School commencement speech  Gastromotiva founder David Hertz Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

What will being a software engineer look like in the future, when the predominant coding language is English—or whatever language you speak—instead of JavaScript? In this episode, Reid reflects on his own education, including the value of studying philosophy. Plus, he shares what he’d prioritize in designing kids' classroom experiences today and gets into AI’s potential to help customize lessons to align with students’ curiosities and learning styles.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

What does AI literacy mean for students and their teachers? Code.org Chief Academic Officer Pat Yongpradit—himself a former middle school computer science teacher—joins Reid and Aria for the first-ever live-taping of Possible, recorded at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.  In this episode, they discuss why school-wide bans on AI are a terrible idea and what “always be learning” refers to in an age of AI. Plus, Pat unveils, for the first time publicly, Code.org’s newest tool for teachers: an AI assistant that helps computer science teachers grade assignments.  Special thanks to Will Cullen, Colin Faul, Bella Willis, Braeden Rutherford, Whitney Kim, Samantha Urban Tarrant, Hadi Partovi, Debra Quazzo and Little Monster Media Company. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Topics:  2:19 - Hellos and intros 2:50 - Pat’s social mission video game homework  4:34 - Pat’s origins with teaching and computer science 6:33 - Making Microsoft Copilot as accessible as possible Code.org’s mission  8:08 - Learning concept tools for real world applications for  9:45 - What do young people need to know about AI literacy work 11:58 - What Pat is excited about with generative AI and the future  13:40 - What are the guardrails for the classroom with AI 16:45 - How does AI enhance teaching and learning 21:31 - Break  22:04 - Using Devin as a lens into the future  24:09 - Multidisciplinary ethics around coding  28:45 - What project would Aria do for Do Something through the lens of AI  34:55 - What you are most worried about when it comes to AI and education  39:09 - Code.org secret sauce and future  41:10 - Rapid-fire questions   Select mentions:  Cointelligence by Ethan Mollick TeachAI  Stanford Accelerator for Learning Amazon Echo skit from Saturday Night Live Demo of the AI engineer Devin Bologna Business School Commencement Speech ASU+GSV Summit and AIR Show Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Whether it's Inflection’s Pi, OpenAI’s ChatGPT or other AI tools, each episode will use AI to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

What should we keep in mind as we venture into this new AI era? Reid Hoffman delivers a speech, entitled Humanity’s Hegelian Golden Braid, to address this question. The speech offers six guiding maxims related to AI, humanity, and technology—and weaves through Hegel and Hofstadter, cathedrals and griffins, T.S. Elliot and Hyman Minsky, and more. This speech was originally given by Reid Hoffman in English on May 24, 2024 after accepting an honorary doctorate from the University of Perugia. It’s also been translated and delivered by REID AI (an AI version of Reid Hoffman) in nine different languages. For videos of those translated speeches delivered by REID AI, a transcript of the speech in English, and more, please visit: https://www.reidhoffman.org/perugia-speech.