Byron Reese is an acclaimed author, speaker, and entrepreneur. He’s spoken at TEDx Austin and SXSW and has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, Wired, and The Washington Post. Byron is also the publisher of GigaOm and hosts the Voices in AI podcast. 

Byron’s latest book, The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity, is one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read this year, so I brought him on the show to discuss it.

I think pessimism is the thing that will get us all killed.” – Byron Reese

Some of the things we discuss include

• How artificial intelligence affects our lives
• The difference between narrow AI and general AI
• Whether being human is something more than a machine
• Challenges and philosophical questions raised by advancements in AI
• Why optimism matters and can make all the difference
• How AI might redefine creative work

Sponsors for this Episode

nsavides productions 

I make friendly, engaging videos for earnest people. Some of my videos are here.

Say hello: podcast@nsavides.com

#

MasterClass

Online training from some of the world’s best filmmakers, musicians, and creative leaders.

Get access to all of MasterClass’s world-class instructors for one affordable price: MasterClass All-Access Pass

#

#

Learn how to be a better writer and storyteller from Malcolm Gladwell.

#

Related Episodes

For more on how technology influences creativity, check out this interview with Brian Solis, who also spoke at SXSW.

#

For more on the power of optimism, check out this interview with Golden Globe-winning producer Lindsay Doran.

#

Related Things

• The Fourth Age
• Byron Reese
  • Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
• Voice in AI podcast

• Shortcut for the podcast: nicksav.show

Additional music for the show provided by Rob Costlow.

#

Books Mentioned

• The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity
• Harry Potter
• “I, Pencil” (essay)
• The Lord of the Rings

#

Shows Mentioned

• The Animatrix
• Game of Thrones
• The Jetsons
• Star Trek
• The Twilight Zone

If You Liked the Show

• Donate $1 to help keep the show going.
• Sign up for The nsavides Newsletter.
• Subscribe or leave an honest review:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Overcast

• Say hello on Twitter:  @nsavidesPRO

Thank you for visiting!