Best Optimism And Autonomy Podcasts (2025)

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EQ, Resilience & Real Influence | Ep. 22 w/Chuck Garcia (Climb Leadership International) 26:06

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3d ago26:06

26:06

It's time for another Exclusive Drop you don't want to miss! Leadership isn’t forged at the summit: it’s forged in the storm. In this powerful conversation, Chuck Garcia, Columbia University professor, author, and founder of Climb Leadership, joins host Adam W. Barney to unpack what it really means to climb with resilience, emotional intelligence, …

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Tiny Recursive Networks 48:23

3d ago48:23

48:23

In this fully connected episode, Daniel and Chris explore the emerging concept of tiny recursive networks introduced by Samsung AI, contrasting them with large transformer based models. They explore how these small models tackle reasoning tasks with fewer parameters, less data, and iterative refinement, matching the giants on specific problems. The…

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How Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are Helping Buyers Navigate Expensive Housing 11:00

3d ago11:00

11:00

Ben Keys, Wharton Real Estate Professor, discusses the renewed interest in adjustable-rate mortgages, outlining how these products can offer short-term savings for homebuyers facing steep housing costs and elevated interest rates, while also exploring the long-term risks and strategic considerations involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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Fix Your Bank. Scale Your Ads. | Ep. 21 w/Alex Steele (Opal) 19:05

5d ago19:05

19:05

In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, host Adam W. Barney sits down with Alex Steele, Founder & CEO of Opal, to unpack how agencies can unlock growth by rethinking how they bank. 💡 Alex shares the story of building Opal — the fintech platform redefining how ad agencies and creators manage cash flow and credit. From partnering wi…

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Building Smarter Supply Chains: Lessons from Crisis, Cost, and Technology 12:21

5d ago12:21

12:21

Gad Allon, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions, explores the current state of global supply chains—from the lingering effects of the pandemic and industrial disruptions to the trade-offs between cost efficiency and resilience—and explains how emerging technologies like AI and digital twins are reshaping how companies prepare…

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We’re All Using AI — So Why Are We Still Whispering About It? 20:13

5d ago20:13

20:13

Everyone’s using AI. in therapy, at work, even at the doctor’s office. Yet, we still avoid talking about it. AI has become the invisible collaborator behind so much of modern life, but it remains taboo to mention at work and in most public settings. In this episode, we explore the culture lag between private use and public admission and ask: when w…

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Fostering autonomy in the platformised classroom 19:56

6d ago19:56

19:56

Niels Kerssens (Utrecht University) joins us to talk about the concept of 'platformisation' that came out of Utecht led by Jose Van Dijck in the 2010 and how this is now coming to bear on the classrooms and schools of 2025 We also talk about Niels’ new concept of ‘digital autonomy innovators’ and the growing demand for more collaborative and non-co…

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How DMV Questions Shape Organ Donor Registration Decisions 12:23

10d ago12:23

12:23

Judd Kessler, Wharton Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses his research examining how the framing of organ donor registration questions—such as opt-in versus yes/no formats—impacts real-world donor sign-ups, revealing surprising insights about what truly drives people to say “yes” to saving lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.…

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Dealing with increasingly complicated agents 54:56

11d ago54:56

54:56

As AI systems move from simple chatbots to complex agentic workflows, new security risks emerge. In this episode, Donato Capitella unpacks how increasingly complicated architectures are making agents fragile and vulnerable. These agents can be exploited through prompt injection, data exfiltration, and tool misuse. Donato shares stories from real-wo…

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Narrative Power in a Noisy World | Ep. 20 w/MK McGowan (MK McGowan Studios) 18:35

12d ago18:35

18:35

In a world where ads fight for attention and algorithms dictate visibility, one thing still cuts through the noise: storytelling. In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with MK McGowan, Founder of MK McGowan Studios, to explore how narrative isn’t just marketing — it’s the difference between being ignored and being unf…

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The Impact of Cell Phone Policies on Student Focus and Well-Being 11:49

12d ago11:49

11:49

Angela Duckworth, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, shares findings from her national Phones in Focus survey, revealing how stricter school cell phone policies correlate with improved student attention, teacher satisfaction, and social engagement while exploring the broader implications for learning and youth well-being. H…

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When AI Makes You Average, You Must Find Your Secret Weapon 22:09

12d ago22:09

22:09

What happens when AI makes average work cheap? How do you stay valuable when AI commoditizes the very skills that once made you special? We explore how comparative advantage, a 200-year-old economic idea, explains today’s career dilemma: when to double down on your craft, when to pivot, and how to uncover the strengths machines still can’t copy. Pl…

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How Expanding Executive Authority Is Reshaping U.S. Business 9:44

17d ago9:44

9:44

Philip Nichols, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies, Business Ethics, and Social Responsibility in Business, discusses how growing executive authority and government involvement in companies like Intel reflect a historic transformation in the U.S. business landscape—one that leaves corporate leaders navigating unprecedented legal and social uncertai…

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The impact of AI on the workforce: A state-level case study 44:04

18d ago44:04

44:04

Daniel sits down with Chelsea Linder, VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TechPoint, to explore the what AI innovation and impact look like on the ground. They discuss Chelsea's journey from the VC world into economic development/ innovation, the growth of an AI innovation network in Indiana (funded by the SBA), lessons learned from fostering …

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Filtering Noise with AI: Authentic Growth & Real Connections | Ep. 19 w/ Joe Apfelbaum (evyAI) 27:03

19d ago27:03

27:03

AI in sales and marketing isn’t about replacing people: it’s about amplifying them. In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Joe Apfelbaum, Founder of evyAI and CEO of Ajax Union, to unpack what it really takes to scale authentic relationships in the age of AI. Joe shares his journey from building 100+ websites a ye…

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Inside EA’s $55 Billion Buyout: Private Equity, PIF, and the Future of Gaming 10:57

19d ago10:57

10:57

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer in Finance at the Wharton School and Co-Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investment Program, joins to discuss Electronic Arts’ proposed $55 billion acquisition involving Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund—exploring its implications for private equity, the gaming industry, and t…

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AI is Flattening Companies with Fewer Bosses, Bigger Teams 21:19

19d ago21:19

21:19

By The Lonely Office

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Examining Fed Autonomy Amid White House and Legal Pressures 9:21

24d ago9:21

9:21

David Zaring, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, explores the legal complexities, historical precedents, and potential reforms shaping the Federal Reserve’s independence as tensions grow between central bank autonomy and presidential authority. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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CRM That Pays: Lead Scoring, Attribution & ROI | Ep. 18 w/ Jason Kramer (Cultivize) 23:06

26d ago23:06

23:06

Most companies pour money into marketing without connecting it to revenue. Jason Kramer, Founder & CEO of Cultivize, shows how to turn CRM, lead scoring, and simple attribution into hard ROI...and why many campaigns should be trimmed, not scaled. In this episode, you’ll learn: How a 25-year roofing company cut ~$50k in wasted ad spend by tracking e…

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Exploring AI Investments, Legal Challenges, and Customer Insight Innovation 8:58

26d ago8:58

8:58

Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Marketing Professor and Co-Director of Wharton Human AI Research, explores the latest developments in artificial intelligence, including massive vertical integration deals, high-profile copyright settlements, and new frontiers in synthetic data that are transforming how businesses understand consumers. Hosted on Acast. See …

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Why Job Search Support Groups Are Booming in 2025 25:18

26d ago25:18

25:18

Job search support groups are transforming career hunting from a solo struggle into a multiplayer team effort. Phyl Terry, founder of Never Search Alone, joins us to talk about why even Harvard MBAs are joining support groups to crack today's brutal job market, how job search councils work, and the what's ahead for job seekers as AI rewires the mar…

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Should teachers use AI to write emails to parents? 19:15

27d ago19:15

19:15

AI tools are now being sold with the promise of doing all sorts of routine tasks for teachers. We talk to Brad Robinson (Texas State University) about one such tool – MagicSchool AI – and the growing temptation for teachers to let GenAI do their work for them. Accompanying reference >>> Robinson, B. & Leander, K. (2025). ‘I hope this email finds yo…

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Social Media and the Job Hunt: How Recruiters Really See You 28:16

27d ago28:16

28:16

What role does social media really play in your job hunt? TLO's Leah Ova talks with career coach Janel Abrahami to separate myth from reality, exploring how recruiters view your online footprint, what helps (and what backfires), and why one underrated job search tool might be the best advice you’ll hear this year.…

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We've all done RAG, now what? 43:35

28d ago43:35

43:35

Longtime friend of the show Rajiv Shah returns to unpack lessons from a year of building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines and reasoning models integrations. We dive into why so many AI pilots stumble, why evaluation and error analysis remain essential data science skills, and why not every enterprise challenge calls for a large langua…

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Monetary Policy Uncertainty and Technology’s Role in Growth 9:52

1M ago9:52

9:52

Jeremy Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, discusses the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cuts, divisions within monetary policy, inflation and employment trends, and how artificial intelligence is shaping long-term economic growth and market performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

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Building Trust Before Ads | Ep. 17 w/ Abu Kamara (Green Zone Solutions) 18:33

1M ago18:33

18:33

Most entrepreneurs feel the pressure to run ads before they’ve built a foundation. Abu Kamara, Co-Founder of Green Zone Solutions, took a different path. In just 18 months, he built a consulting business around sustainability, logistics, and operational performance - all through relationships, referrals, and trust, not ad spend. In this episode, we…

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Balancing Optimism and Caution in Innovation and Business Strategy 10:27

1M ago10:27

10:27

Cait Lamberton, Wharton School Vice Dean and Professor of Marketing, explains how businesses can balance enthusiasm for new technologies, such as AI, with historical lessons, market fundamentals, and strategic analysis to identify sustainable innovation and avoid costly missteps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Shark Tank Host on How Job Autonomy Beats Money 22:42

1M ago22:42

22:42

Shark Tank host Matt Higgins makes the case that job autonomy beats money for long-term power. We break down the strategic “burn the boats” mindset (for goals, not tactics), the three-year quit rule, and how to use a big-brand logo as leverage—somewhere else. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Creating a private AI assistant in Thunderbird 53:08

1M ago53:08

53:08

In this episode, Daniel and Chris are joined by Chris Aquino, software engineer at Thunderbird to hear the story of how they developed a privacy-preserving AI executive assistant. They discuss various design decisions including remote (but confidential) inference, local encryption, and model selection. Chris A. does an amazing job describing the jo…

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The Future of AI & Creativity | Ep. 16 (Exclusive Drop) w/ Mike Todasco (SDSU, Ex-PayPal) 23:32

1M ago23:32

23:32

The AI wave is reshaping industries faster than most leaders can process. Few people have navigated it from as many angles as Mike Todasco, former Head of Innovation at PayPal, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University, and holder of 100+ patents. In this Exclusive Drop episode of …

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Doom Spending vs. FIRE: Can a Kid Pension Fix Retirement? 23:29

1M ago23:29

23:29

From vending machines to van life, today’s money plans feel unhinged. On this episode, we welcome special guest Orianna Rosa Royle —award-winning journalist and Associate Editor at the Success Desk at Fortune. She helps us break down Germany’s “start at age six” pension idea, why Social Security fears are fueling bad choices, and the $32 investing …

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Understanding AI’s Impact on Productivity, GDP, and Federal Debt 10:47

1M ago10:47

10:47

Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, explores the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on productivity, GDP, and federal debt, offering data-driven insights that challenge assumptions about AI as a fiscal solution. Hosted on Acast. See a…

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AI That Actually Delivers: Clarity Before Paid Ads | Ep. 15 with Vinod Kumar (Syntheum AI) 20:37

1M ago20:37

20:37

AI that actually delivers. Vinod Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder of Syntheum AI, joins host Adam W. Barney to talk about clarity, discipline, and why most brands chase paid ads before they’ve earned the right. From building agentic AI tools for merchandisers to pioneering the idea of being “seed-strapped,” Vinod shares how founders can scale smarter withou…

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Google Antitrust Ruling, Market Competition, and the Future of Search 8:52

1M ago8:52

8:52

Herbert Hovenkamp, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, discusses the recent antitrust decision requiring Google to share its search index data, exploring how this ruling may impact market competition, consumer behavior, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of online search. Hosted on Acast. See …

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How Do You Get Hired in an Employers' Market? 23:47

1M ago23:47

23:47

Instead of chasing openings, how do you become a candidate that employers chase? We cover Madeline Mann's "job shopper" system: targeted networking that isn't cringe, the 10%-above rule, work-sample binders that win interviews, and the negotiation language that gets you paid without getting bounced. Special Guest: Madeline Mann Hosts: Matt Sunbulli…

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One Million Missing Jobs, CEO vs Employee Optimism Gap & Vanishing Bosses | TLO Headlines 18:47

1M ago18:47

18:47

On this episode of TLO Headlines cohosts Matt Sunbulli and Aaron Calafato dig into last week's historic jobs revision number (1 million fewer jobs), why executives and workers see the economy so differently, and what “span of control” means when your manager has 20+ direct reports. Finally, they wrap with culture (Severance, The Studio) and the ris…

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Expanding Retirement Portfolios with Alternative Investment Options 10:45

2M ago10:45

10:45

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Academic Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program at the Wharton School, explores the policy, regulatory, and investor considerations surrounding the White House’s proposal to introduce private equity and other alternative assets into 401(k) retirement portfolios. Hosted on Acast. See…

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Job Search Secrets, Interviews, and Confidence | TLO Office Hours 24:07

2M ago24:07

24:07

In this bonus episode, TLO co-host Leah Ova sits down with Linda Raynier—career strategist, speaker, and author of the upcoming book The Quiet Achiever: Your Journey to Authentic Confidence. With nearly 1M YouTube subscribers and over 2.6M LinkedIn Learning students, Linda has become a trusted guide for introverted professionals navigating confiden…

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Cracking the code of failed AI pilots 46:44

2M ago46:44

46:44

In this Fully Connected episode, we dig into the recent MIT report revealing that 95% of AI pilots fail before reaching production and explore what it actually takes to succeed with AI solutions. We dive into the importance of AI model integration, asking the right questions when adopting new technologies, and why simply accessing a powerful model …

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Techno-solutionism in education 23:38

2M ago23:38

23:38

Why does education keep falling for techno-solutionism, despite the fact that technology does not seem to drastically improve education? Ezechiel Thibaud (The Education University of Hong Kong) guides us through the underpinning causes of techno-solutionism in education and stresses the need to better acknowledge the disappointments of digital educ…

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Filtering the Noise: Offline Data, Ad Fraud & LTV | Ep. 14 w/ Noel Geer (Connected Interactive) 26:19

2M ago26:19

26:19

Forget vanity metrics. Noel Geer, CEO & Founder of Connected Interactive, joins host Adam W. Barney to reveal why most brands are wasting money chasing CPMs and ROAS...and how focusing on lifetime value unlocks real, lasting growth. In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into: Why 84% of purchases still happen offline - a…

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Local Regulation and the Future of U.S. Housing Affordability 11:08

2M ago11:08

11:08

Joseph Gyourko, Wharton Professor of Real Estate, Finance, and Business Economics and Public Policy, explores 50 years of housing market data, highlighting how local regulation, slowing construction, and regional demand shifts are reshaping affordability across the U.S., particularly in high-growth Sunbelt cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…

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Desperate Job Seekers Lured by Job Scams 21:25

2M ago21:25

21:25

Job-related scams have tripled since 2020, and reported losses are on pace to approach half a billion dollars. These job scams target which desperate workers with fake companies and phantom paychecks. From "pay for your equipment" cons to AI-powered fake interviews stealing personal information, employment fraud are now the riskiest scam for worker…

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Interest Rates, Labor Trends, and the Future of Monetary Policy 10:04

2M ago10:04

10:04

Patrick Harker, former Philadelphia Federal Reserve President, and current Rowan Distinguished Professor at the Wharton School, shares his perspective on interest rates, inflation risks, labor force dynamics, and the critical role of maintaining Fed independence in shaping the U.S. economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio…

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How Fuzia Built a 10M+ Community That Actually Converts | Ep. 13 with Priyanka Mishra (Fuzia Talent) 18:33

2M ago18:33

18:33

Forget paid tricks. Priyanka Mishra, Business Head of Fuzia Talent, joins host Adam W. Barney to break down how she scaled a global, women-led platform to over 10 million users - without relying on gimmicks or inflated metrics. In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive into: Building emotional trust in a data-obsessed ecosys…

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Monetizing AI Platforms: Freemium Models, Sponsored Bots, and Beyond 10:35

2M ago10:35

10:35

Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Marketing Professor and Co-Director of the Wharton Human AI Research Program, explores the evolving strategies behind monetizing AI platforms, the implications of sponsored chatbots for consumer trust, and the critical role of energy efficiency in ensuring AI’s sustainable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …

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Job Hunting: Why the Search Feels Like a Rigged Casino 34:22

2M ago34:22

34:22

Job hunting has started to feel less like building a career and more like sitting at a crooked blackjack table. Candidates burn out chasing dead-end postings, bots flood the system with hundreds of résumés, and interviews stretch into double digits with no payoff. In this episode, we dig into the absurd new rules of the game—and ask whether referra…

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Labor Markets, Fed Independence, and Monetary Policy Uncertainty 10:00

2M ago10:00

10:00

Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and WisdomTree Chief Economist, shares his perspective on the Federal Reserve’s policy direction, the potential for rate cuts, the impact of tariffs, labor market dynamics, and the critical importance of central bank independence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Strategy Over Shortcuts: Small Biz Growth That Lasts | Ep. 12 w/Lucy Wang (Pocketflows) 21:36

2M ago21:36

21:36

“AI without strategy is chaos.” Lucy Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of Pocketflows, joins me for a straight-talking breakdown of what’s real in small business marketing today. From funnel nightmares to the trap of instant gratification, Lucy calls out the shortcuts that sabotage founders—and shows us what sustainable growth really takes. Inside this episod…

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GenAI risks and global adoption 43:20

2M ago43:20

43:20

Daniel and Chris sit with Citadel AI’s Rick Kobayashi and Kenny Song and unpack AI safety and security challenges in the generative AI era. They compare Japan’s approach to AI adoption with the US’s, and explore the implications of real-world failures in AI systems, along with strategies for AI monitoring and evaluation. Featuring: Rick Kobayashi –…