aaaaaand... I'm launching a new podcast!

Don't worry, fans of AI-CURIOUS -- that's not going anywhere. This is a second podcast with its own independent feed. I'll still be producing AI-Curious each week.

The new pod is called THE PEOPLE'S AI: The Decentralized AI Podcast, presented by Vana. In the future, this will be available on all the usual podcast platforms (links to subscribe below.)

But for this week, I'm dropping THE PEOPLE'S AI into the feed for AI-Curious. It's a good primer on what Decentralized A" is all about.

AI-Curious will continue to be a general interest AI podcast. AI and Hollywood one week, AI and the military the next. The People's AI is a different beast...

Subscribe to The People's AI on APPLE:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-peoples-ai-the-decentralized-ai-podcast/id1792518750?i=1000694109163

Subscribe to The People's AI on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnLiYlJulQIcmvCjnVRYotw

Subscribe to The People's AI on SPOTIFY:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3XFmg6Lqf7nnKwMkicBx8L?si=8c43eac26fd7445e

The People's AI on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/The_Peoples_AI

Jeff Wilser on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/jeffwilser

____________

In our debut episode of The People’s AI: The Decentralized AI Podcast, Presented by Vana, we dive into one of the most critical questions of the AI era: Who should own AI?As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, its ownership and governance will shape the future. Big Tech dominates AI development today, but a growing movement believes AI should be decentralized, open, and user-owned.

We speak with Anna Kazlauskas, co-founder of Vana, and Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR, to explore how decentralized AI could shift power away from centralized corporations and into the hands of individuals.

Key Topics Covered:

• What decentralized AI means and why it matters

• How AI models are built and trained—and who controls them

• The intersection of AI, data sovereignty, and blockchain

• The potential risks of centralized AI, from bias to economic concentration

• How AI assistants, autonomous agents, and data unions are reshaping the internet

• Predictions for the next 1-5 years in AI and decentralized technologies

About Vana:

Vana's vision is for user-owned AI through user owned-data. Its mission is to be the world's first open protocol for data sovereignty. Sign up for the first AI Data Summit, hosted by Vana, on Feb 28 in Denver. This will be the go-to event at Eth-Denver with leaders at the forefront of Decentralized AI tech and applications.

AI Data Summit, hosted by Vana:

https://lu.ma/aidatasummit

More on Vana:

https://linktr.ee/vanahq

Vana on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/vana

Anna Kazlauskas on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/anna_kazlauskas

NEAR: The Blockchain for AI

https://near.org/

NEAR on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/NEARProtocol

Imagine telling an AI Agent, “Book me a vacation to Tokyo—flights, hotels, dinner reservations—just take care of it.” That level of automation isn’t science fiction. It’s the future of AI Agents.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the AI Agent revolution with Humayun Sheikh, CEO of Fetch AI. Fetch AI has been working on autonomous AI systems since 2018—long before AI Agents became a buzzword. Humayun was also a founding investor in DeepMind, giving him a rare, insider perspective on the evolution of AI-driven automation.

We explore the current landscape of AI Agents, and what it will take for them to go mainstream:

✅ What AI Agents can do today—and what’s still missing

✅ Why AI Agents aren’t yet mainstream despite the technology being ready

✅ The key roadblocks: lack of common protocols, interoperability, and infrastructure

✅ How Fetch AI is building a “Google for AI Agents” to solve these challenges

✅ The future of AI-powered automation and why the goal is invisible AI

We also discuss blockchain’s role in AI, decentralized models, and why large language models are becoming a commodity. Towards the end of the episode, Humayun teases the launch of a new LLM designed specifically for AI Agents.

📌 Timestamps:

[00:19] – The mission of Fetch AI: building an agent deployment framework

[02:10] – Why we need a Google of AI Agents for discovery and interaction

[04:29] – How intent translates into AI-driven task automation

[08:34] – The biggest hurdle: lack of interoperability and standardization

[13:20] – Real-world AI Agent applications today: software development, automation, and social media

[19:02] – The roadblocks preventing widespread AI Agent adoption

[25:15] – The philosophical shift: AI Agents should be invisible

[33:56] – What Fetch AI is building next: the AgentVerse marketplace, decentralized compute, and Cortex LLM

If you’re curious about the future of AI-driven automation, decentralized AI, and the next wave of digital assistants, this episode is a must-listen.🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious for deep dives into the world of AI.

• Fetch AI:

https://fetch.ai/

Humayun Sheikh

https://x.com/HMsheikh4

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

Deep Seek’s new AI model, R1, sent shockwaves through the AI space. Built without Nvidia’s high-powered chips and at a fraction of the cost of models from OpenAI and Anthropic, R1 has been called China’s “Sputnik moment” in AI. Some panicked, the markets dipped, and doomsday predictions started flying. But what if this is actually a bullish moment for AI? What if this marks the beginning of a new era of efficiency, innovation, and broader access to cutting-edge AI?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into what Deep Seek actually built, why it matters, and what it means for the future of AI. We’re joined by Dr. Steven “Seven” Waterhouse, a veteran in AI research, the former CEO of Orchid Labs, and now the co-founder of Nazare, a VC firm focused on AI infrastructure. Seven has been working in AI since the 1990s and has a unique perspective on what this breakthrough represents.

We explore:

•[00:00] The Deep Seek shockwave—why some called this a “Sputnik moment”

•[04:16] What makes R1 different from OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s models?

•[07:22] The role of Mixture of Experts (MoE) and how it optimizes AI efficiency

•[09:41] Quantization: How Deep Seek reduced computational costs

•[11:53] Reinforcement learning and its role in reasoning for AI models

•[18:04] Theories and controversies: Did Deep Seek secretly use Nvidia chips?

•[20:13] What does this mean for the AI ecosystem? The potential shift away from centralized Big Tech AI

•[24:22] Nvidia’s stock drop and what Wall Street got wrong

•[32:09] The future of open-source AI—why Deep Seek might be a turning point

•[39:52] The risks of open models—should we be worried about AI safety?

•[45:01] The next wave of AI development—why this could democratize AI innovation

Seven argues that Deep Seek’s model is proof that real AI innovation still matters—it’s not just about throwing more compute and data at the problem. We discuss how this could lower the barrier to entry for AI development, making AI more accessible and accelerating progress in ways we haven’t seen before.

If this is your first time listening to AI-Curious, make sure to subscribe, rate us five stars, and share the episode with a friend.

Dr. Steven Waterhouse on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/deseventral?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Nazare:

https://nazare.io/

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

How is AI reshaping the job market—and what can you do to stay ahead? In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the real-world impact of AI on careers, hiring, and skill development. Instead of speculating about a distant future, we focus on the now—the practical ways AI is already influencing how people get hired, how companies are making staffing decisions, and how professionals can adapt.

We’re joined by two experts at the forefront of these changes:

•Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek – AI strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Your AI Roadmap. Joan has built 22 income streams in response to AI-driven job market shifts and has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and VentureBeat.

•Stephanie Sindt – Executive career coach who has worked with recruiters from top companies like Nike, IBM, Meta, and JP Morgan. Stephanie teaches the course How AI is Changing Getting a Job and helps professionals navigate AI-driven hiring trends.

We cover:

✅ How AI is altering hiring and recruitment processes today

✅ Which job sectors are growing—and which are shrinking

✅ The critical skills you can develop now to “AI-proof” your career

✅ Why personal branding is becoming more important in an AI-driven job market

✅ How networking remains a key factor in landing jobs, even in an AI world

✅ The role of AI in income diversification and why it might be smart to build multiple income streams

Plus, Stephanie shares an exclusive promo code for 40% off her course, How AI is Changing Getting a Job. Use the Promo Code "AICURIOUS2025" and the price drops from $99 to $60.

If you’re working, job-hunting, or just wondering what AI means for your career, this episode is for you.

Link to "How AI is Changing Getting a Job":
https://www.simplifyyourcareer.com/course
and use promo-code AICURIOUS2025

Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek and "Your AI Roadmap":
https://yourairoadmap.com/

Stephanie Sindt on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesindt/

Dr. Joan Palmiter Bajorek on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jpb/

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence can help you set, track, and achieve your goals. We’re joined by Aytekin Tank, founder of Jotform, host of the AI Agents Podcast, and author of the book "Do Less, Achieve More, and Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff." Aytekin shares his expertise in productivity, workflows, and AI tools, offering practical insights for anyone looking to improve their goal-setting strategies—whether for New Year’s resolutions or broader life goals.

We discuss:

•Why New Year’s resolutions often fail and how to stay focused throughout the year.

•Aytekin’s morning routine for setting priorities and blocking out distractions.

•How AI tools can act as thought partners and accountability partners.

•Using AI to break big goals into smaller, actionable steps.

•The concept of timeboxing and how AI can support this practice.

•Predictions about the future of AI agents and their potential to transform personal productivity, education, and small business support.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking ideas, including a unique startup concept we brainstorm during the conversation.

Timestamps:

0:00 — Introduction: Can AI help you achieve your goals?

2:45 — Why most resolutions fail and how to overcome it.

6:30 — Aytekin’s productivity tips: Morning routines and timeboxing.

10:15 — Using AI as a collaborator for goal-setting and tracking.

14:00 — The potential of AI agents as personal coaches.

20:30 — How JotForm is integrating AI to support small businesses.

26:15 — The future of AI agents in education and beyond.

28:30 — Closing thoughts and practical takeaways.

Links & Resources:

Jotform:
https://www.jotform.com/

https://aytekintank.com/

Aytekin Tank on Twitter/X:
https://x.com/aytekintank

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing and business strategy. Abby Kearns, CTO of Alembic (which just raised $14 million in Series A, backed by media icon Jeffrey Katzenberg), joins us to discuss how their marketing intelligence platform uses AI-powered insights to optimize campaigns and connect the dots on complex data. We explore how innovations in cross-domain algorithms, originally inspired by contact tracing technology, are helping businesses understand and enhance ROI for everything from Super Bowl ads to global marketing strategies.

We also examine the broader implications of AI for other business verticals, such as finance, sales, and supply chain management. Abby shares her predictions for AI trends in 2025, including the increasing commodification of large language models (LLMs) and the democratization of AI for small and medium-sized businesses.

Key topics include:

•Introduction to Alembic and how it’s transforming marketing intelligence

•The challenge of measuring ROI across multi-channel campaigns

•How contact tracing inspired advancements in marketing analytics

•Why large language models are becoming a commodity

•AI’s near-term impact on business operations

•Advice for leaders integrating AI into their organizations

•How Abby uses AI tools in her personal and professional life

Whether you’re in marketing or exploring AI for your business, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of AI in business decision-making. Tune in to learn how AI is empowering organizations to work smarter and uncover hidden opportunities.

Alembic:
https://getalembic.com/#

VentureBeat's article on Alembic:
https://venturebeat.com/ai/katzenberg-backed-alembic-raises-14m-pioneers-new-frontier-in-marketing-analytics/

Follow AI-Curious and Jeff Wilser:
• Twitter/X
https://x.com/jeffwilser

• 💼 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwilser/

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser

Happy New Year!

I wanted an expert to predict where AI will be headed in 2025. So who better to ask... than AI?

Drones, AI tutors, AI agents, and from "AI winning an Oscar" to "breaking up via AI," we've got some wild predictions for AI in the new year.

In this episode of AI-Curious, we dive into the transformative potential of AI agents, exploring their technical foundations, real-world applications, and implications for the future. AI agents, described by Sam Altman as “the next giant breakthrough,” have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology and reshape economies.

We sit down with Lex Sokolin, managing partner at Generative Ventures, to discuss what defines an AI agent and how these systems differ from bots and algorithms. Lex shares insights into the emerging “agentic economy,” where interconnected AI agents—operating as digital twins—work autonomously on behalf of users. We also explore scenarios ranging from utopian innovation to dystopian risks.

The conversation touches on:

•(7:11) Daily life in an AI agent-rich world: examples and implications.

•(11:09) The rise of the agentic economy and its foundations in generative AI and blockchain.

•(22:09) How AI and venture capital intersect: trends and challenges in funding AI startups.

•(28:48) Practical AI use cases, including Lex’s personal experiences with tools like MidJourney and GPT.

We also examine the overlap between Web3, decentralized systems, and AI, considering how these technologies might enable the next wave of machine-driven economies.

For more on Lex Sokolin’s work and Generative Ventures:
https://www.lexsokolin.com/

Lex's Substack, the Fintech Blueprint:
https://lex.substack.com/subscribe

Lex's speech at the AI Summit at Consensus, on the "Rise of the Machine Economy":
https://www.lexsokolin.com/video-podcasts-conferences-speaking

Follow AI-Curious and Jeff Wilser:
• Twitter/X
https://x.com/jeffwilser

• 💼 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwilser/

🎧 Subscribe to AI-Curious:

• Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-curious-with-jeff-wilser/id1703130308

• Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/70a9Xbhu5XQ47YOgVTE44Q?si=c31e2c02d8b64f1b

• YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffwilser