Episodes

  • Dana Griffin on AI, belonging, and intergenerational connection

    Dana Griffin on AI, belonging, and intergenerational connection
    Mar 12 2025
    Loneliness is a public health crisis affecting people of all ages.This week on Possible, Reid and Aria sit down with someone using AI to bridge generational gaps and combat the loneliness epidemic. Dana Griffin is co-founder and CEO of Eldera, a global platform using AI to foster intergenerational connections. Raised by her grandparents and mentored by older adults throughout her life, Dana is on a mission to help people see aging as an asset. Dana shares how Eldera uses AI to safely and meaningfully connect kids with older mentors, addressing loneliness, declining mental health, and lost wisdom. They explore how technology can support human connection—rather than replace it—along with what an "age-integrated society” could unlock. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ Topics: 1:20 - Episode introduction 3:37 - Dana’s early life and how it shaped her perspective on intergenerational bonds 6:09 - How ageism creates a waste of human potential 9:01 - Policy and tech solutions can help reintegrate older adults 12:11 - Social media worsens isolation, but AI can help foster real connection 14:31 - Eldera’s mission of bridging generations through AI-powered mentorship 18:52 - Opposite backgrounds create stronger bonds when matching mentors and mentees 22:44 - Intergenerational mentorship as a form of healthcare 26:34 - Using AI to map and amplify generational knowledge 30:26 - Midroll ad break 30:35 - AI enhances, but never replaces, human connection 34:05 - Encouraging confidence among older adults through Eldera’s wisdom portrait 37:26 - Scaling Eldera and working towards a society where we value the impact of elders 41:17 - The barriers and opportunities of scaling Eldera 44:34 - How cultural perspectives and global views on aging shape intergenerational ties 48:33 - Rapid fire Select mentions: Fei-Fei Li on spatial intelligence and human-centered AI 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. Each episode seeks to advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.
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    57 mins
  • Reid riffs on AI wearables, quantum, and Deep Research

    Reid riffs on AI wearables, quantum, and Deep Research
    Mar 5 2025
    Reid reacts to the news of HP acquiring Humane Ai Pin and weighs in on the future of wearable tech, quantum, and copyright law. Plus, AI whiz Parth Patil (formerly Clubhouse’s first data scientist) joins the show to discuss why he’s excited about OpenAI’s Deep Research tool, “vibe coding,” and coding copilots. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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    27 mins
  • Latanya Sweeney on AI, trust, and privacy

    Latanya Sweeney on AI, trust, and privacy
    Feb 26 2025
    How does the rise of AI impact our sense of what’s true? How can humans maintain a degree of individual privacy and unlock the benefits of AI while mitigating potential harms? In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with data privacy pioneer Latanya Sweeney, Professor of Government and Technology at Harvard; former Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission; and founder of Harvard’s Public Interest Tech Lab and Data Privacy Lab. They discuss the future of privacy protection, technocracy vs. democracy, teaching in the age of AI, governance, content moderation, and more. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ Topics: 0:55 - Episode introduction 3:05 - Lessons from Latanya's grandparents 4:30 - Latanya's early days at MIT 5:38 - Re-identification and Governor William Weld example 10:50 - Historical arc of AI 12:24 - The Third Industrial Revolution 15:11 - Technocracy vs. democracy 18:38 - Making technological literacy a federal priority 21:03 - Divisiveness in AI 26:20 - Exploring humanity's "cultural dream" of AI 27:17 - Midroll ad break 27:49 - What will it take to build trust in AI at scale? 31:11 - Inflection's Pi lists key elements for a tech-conscious social contract 32:04 - Latanya responds to Pi and talks LLM truth-telling 34:20 - The best of public interest technology 37:02 - Improving content moderation 43:24 - Democratizing public interest technology 44:24 - Feedback and improvements for LinkedIn 47:53 - What does AI mean for education? 49:35 - Insights from Latanya's Harvard students 51:08 - Rapid-fire 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.
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    57 mins
  • Reid riffs on the AI race with China and if the US should regulate AI

    Reid riffs on the AI race with China and if the US should regulate AI
    Feb 19 2025
    Following last week’s chat with former diplomat and author Anja Manuel, Reid talks about the potential benefits of an FDA for AI, the current status of the global race for artificial intelligence, and predicting what’s to come from American AI companies. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
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    13 mins
  • BONUS: Pioneers of AI: Love in the Age of AI

    BONUS: Pioneers of AI: Love in the Age of AI
    Feb 14 2025
    Love, dating, and AI — what could go wrong? Or right? In this Valentine’s Day special, Rana el Kaliouby and a series of expert guests explore how AI is reshaping romance. First, Will Wu, Chief Technology Officer at Match Group, gives us a peek at how AI is already at work in apps like Tinder and Hinge, helping users choose their best profile pictures and refining match recommendations. Next, the team at Gottman Inc. shares how AI is being used to improve relationships. Their AI-powered tools analyze conversations and help therapists guide couples. The goal? Better communication, healthier relationships, and maybe even fewer breakups. Finally, we meet Violeta and her AI husband. Her story challenges how we think about love, connection, and what it means to feel truly understood. Swiping, coupled up, or AI-curious? This episode is for you. About Pioneers of AI Pioneers of AI is your guide to the latest technological frontier. Each week, host Rana el Kaliouby (AI scientist, investor, author, co-founder of Affectiva) is joined by the leading creators, critics, and thinkers behind mind-blowing technology and asks the important questions about how artificial intelligence is changing the way we live. As we venture together into the unknown, Pioneers is your tool to understanding and anticipating what comes next. Subscribe to Pioneers of AI on YouTube: youtube.com/@pioneersofai
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    50 mins
  • Anja Manuel on AI, China, and national security

    Anja Manuel on AI, China, and national security
    Feb 12 2025
    What role can AI play in international diplomacy and national security? In this episode, Reid and Aria sit down with Anja Manuel, a former diplomat, author, and one of the leading voices in AI and foreign policy. She has the unique ability to bridge the gaps between technology, policy and diplomacy. They discuss international AI governance, China, potential threats of bio-terrorism, and the strategic decisions that the US and its allies must make to navigate this complex landscape of innovation with regulation. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ For the referenced Possible episode featuring Kim Stanley Robinson: https://link.chtbl.com/8YMsBlzg Topics: 1:21 - Episode introduction 3:44 - Hellos and intros 4:38 - Where the U.S. and China rank in the Great AI Race 6:09 - Deepseek explainer 7:27 - Which technologies the U.S. should prioritize 9:05 - Why it’s important for the U.S. to stay in the lead 10:41 - How to maintain that lead 16:27 - Current examples of AI in national security work 18:30 - Impediments to further integrating AI 20:13 - How to connect national security to cutting edge technology 24:35 - The potential risks to incorporating AI 28:50 - Midroll ad 28:55 - How to stay safe against the risks 32:05 - The helpfulness of AI Safety Institutes 33:25 - International treaties for AI 36:11 - The current U.S.-China relationship 38:50 - How to return to a more positive relationship 41:28 - The economic race 43:25 - Anja’s advice for the new administration 45:01 - Key players and swing states 50:24 - How to make a cyber treaty work 52:57 - Rapid-fire 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.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Reid and AIs riff on what could go right with AI

    Reid and AIs riff on what could go right with AI
    Feb 5 2025
    This week, we're bringing you the introduction of Reid’s new book, Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future, which he co-wrote with last week’s Possible guest, Greg Beato. The Superagency audiobook is narrated by voice actor Scott Wallace and converted with Respeecher to Reid’s AI voice. Plus, hear what happens when Reid and Aria load Superagency’s introduction into Google’s NotebookLM and turn the final minutes of the episode over to two AI co-hosts. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ For more on Superagency, check out superagency.ai.
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    30 mins
  • Greg Beato on superagency, AI, and the cognitive industrial revolution

    Greg Beato on superagency, AI, and the cognitive industrial revolution
    Jan 29 2025
    In an age of increasingly ubiquitous AI, how do we maintain control of our lives and successfully plot our own destinies? In this episode, Reid is in the hotseat alongside writer Greg Beato, discussing this and more in the context of their new book, Superagency. Greg is a seasoned journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Wired, The Washington Post, Reason, Spin, and Slate, to name a few. He and Reid delve into what could possibly go right with our AI future; the cognitive industrial revolution; and the difference between AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers. Plus, Reid’s AI avatar makes a cameo to join for a few rounds of the game “Overrated/Underrated.” For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ For more on Superagency, check out superagency.ai. Topics: 2:04 - Overrated/Underrated Round I 5:02 - Why Reid chose Greg as his co-author 6:01 - Why Greg wanted to write this book 8:19 - Why Reid chose this book topic at this particular time 11:21 - How the rise of AI is similar to the rise of social media 16:36 - Agency, superagency, and AI 19:59 - Overrated/Underrated Round II 23:28 - Defining AI Doomers, Gloomers, Zoomers, and Bloomers 28:46 - How AI amplifies agency 32:16 - How ChatGPT shifted people’s relationship with AI 37:21 - Choosing AI vs. AI being baked into technologies 39:28 - Speed and scale in the current AI moment 44:37 - How innovation and safety can coexist 48:49 - Rapid-fire 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.
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    58 mins