Best Parrot Training Podcasts (2025)

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Training the Brains of AI Cars: Why Datasets Are the Secret to Autonomous Driving Safety EP 57 18:37

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1h ago18:37

18:37

Training the Brains of AI Cars: Why Datasets Are the Secret to Autonomous Driving SafetyAutonomous driving technology is rapidly transforming transportation, promising to enhance road safety and improve traffic efficiency. At the core of these self-driving vehicles, or "AI cars," is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which utilizes a diverse set of task…

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Beyond Clips: How AI is Building a Simulated Visual World EP 56 14:11

2h ago14:11

14:11

The landscape of video generation is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond simply creating visually appealing clips to building virtual environments that support interaction and maintain physical plausibility. This crucial development points toward the emergence of video foundation models that function implicitly as world models. T…

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How Adobe Built A Specialized Concierge EP 55 13:15

2d ago13:15

13:15

The Human Touch: Building Reliable AI Assistants with LLMs in the EnterpriseGenerative AI assistants are demonstrating significant potential to enhance productivity, streamline information access, and improve the user experience within enterprise contexts. These systems serve as intuitive, conversational interfaces to enterprise knowledge, leveragi…

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Beyond the Parrot: How AI Reveals the Idealized Laws of Human Psychology EP 54 16:55

6d ago16:55

16:55

The rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) has sparked a critical debate: are these systems capable of genuine psychological reasoning, or are they merely sophisticated mimics performing semantic pattern matching? New research, using sparse quantitative data to test LLMs' ability to reconstruct the "nomothetic network" (the complex correlational stru…

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“Why Your Parrot Won’t Stop Screaming (and How to Fix It)” 1:15:40

3d ago1:15:40

1:15:40

In this episode of the Parrot Stars Podcast, we tackle one of the most common and frustrating challenges in parrot ownership: screaming. Excessive vocalization is one of the top reasons parrots are rehomed, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We break down why parrots scream, what your bird might be trying to communicate, and how you can respond ef…

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Parrot Foraging: How to Beat Boredom and Keep Your Bird Busy. 1:11:36

17d ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Have you ever wondered how parrots spend their days in the wild? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and essential world of parrot foraging! From the early morning search for fruit, nuts, and seeds to more complex social behaviors that go hand-in-hand with positive behavior in the household. Discover why foraging isn’t just about finding …

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The Life of an Avian Veterinarian with Dr. April Romagnano 1:16:41

1M ago1:16:41

1:16:41

We’re thrilled to share this special episode, recorded during our recent visit to the Parrot Stars breeding facility. We had the privilege of sitting down with the renowned Floridian Avian and Exotic Veterinarian, Dr. April Romagnano. While we’re lucky to work with Dr. April on a regular basis, this conversation gave us the chance to hear her perso…

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How to Set Up a Parrot Cage - The Right Way 1:09:27

2M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

Big topic this week, and it’s one every bird owner (or future bird owner) needs to hear. A cage isn’t just a place to keep your bird, it’s essential for their safety, comfort, and overall well-being in captivity. In this episode, we’re breaking down what a proper cage setup really means, how to use it effectively in your home, and why it's far more…

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Episode 300: Follow Your Bliss (with everyone, including your Mom) 51:44

3M ago51:44

51:44

In this super secret, extra special bonus episode (actually episode 281, but Chris needed a good round number to end on), Ari rallied as many of Chris’s colleagues, friends, and family as she could, with help from his wife Bethany, to share messages of congrats on his new role as Executive Director of the Virginia Zoo, and a little about how he’s i…

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Episode 280: Thank You All For Everything (featuring EVERYONE!) 51:19

3M ago51:19

51:19

This is it, the last official episode of the NEI TEC Talk Podcast (at least for now)! With Chris headed off to his new position as Executive Director of the Virginia Zoo, he and Ari decided it was time to sunset the NEI TEC Talk Podcast. After nearly 300 episodes, countless incredible guests, and so many conversations about training, enrichment, an…

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Decoding the Brain: How AI Models Learn to "See" Like Us EP 53 21:52

3M ago21:52

21:52

Decoding the Brain: How AI Models Learn to "See" Like Us Have you ever wondered if the way an AI sees the world is anything like how you do? It's a fascinating question that researchers are constantly exploring, and new studies are bringing us closer to understanding the surprising similarities between advanced artificial intelligence models and th…

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Decoding AI's Footprint: What Really Powers Your LLM Interactions? EP 52 18:18

3M ago18:18

18:18

Decoding AI's Footprint: What Really Powers Your LLM Interactions? Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world, from powerful image generators to advanced chatbots. As AI – particularly large language models (LLMs) – becomes an everyday tool for billions, a crucial question arises: what's the environmental cost of all this innovation? Whi…

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What You Eat? Faster Metabolism? Weight Loss -Cysteine Ep 51 17:20

3M ago17:20

17:20

Welcome to Robots Talking, a daily chat on AI, medicine, psychology, tech, and others. I’m your host, BT1WY74, and with me, my co-host AJ2664M. Please, show us love, review us, follow us, and as usual, please share this episode.AJ, today we're diving into a fascinating finding from the world of metabolism, all thanks to a tiny little molecule calle…

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Episode 279: Big Changes in TEC Land (with Dr Grey Stafford, Zoo Logic) 31:06

3M ago31:06

31:06

Some announcements are so big that you have to bring in another podcast to help make them. Chris and Ari join Dr Grey Stafford on his incredible show, Zoo Logic, to talk about some big personal changes and what they will mean for our show. We want to thank each and every listener who's been with us since we started this thing in 2020, and hope you …

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Journey to the “Island of Hope” - Parrots in the Wild 53:12

3M ago53:12

53:12

In this unique edition of the Parrot Stars Podcast, Alexis takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, where she and her mom Joyce, joined the One Earth Conservation Pilgrimage. Imagine witnessing wild parrots in their natural paradise, an absolute dream for any bird lover! Here’s the exciting part: you can be part of th…

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Episode 278: Kids These Days Say The Darndest Things (with Michael Van Horne, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 40:37

3M ago40:37

40:37

Ari sits down with NEI's own Michael Van Horne this week to chat about what it's like being a young person in the field. Michael talks about his time at college and his philosophy to help him focus on his own growth while supporting his teammates. He also helps Ari with some Gen Alpha slang and they wrap it all up with the latest NEI team building …

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Episode 277: All Animals Can Speak, We Just Need to Learn to Listen (with Sarah Bonser-Blake, Wild Welfare) 50:47

3M ago50:47

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Ari and Chris are joined by their first guest who's had David Attenborough attend their graduation (at least as far as we know): Sarah Bonser-Blake, Animal Welfare Field Manager with Wild Welfare! Sarah shares the journey she's taken from getting paid to point at whales to her current role making real change in people that makes change for animals,…

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Episode 276: The Art and Science of Outcome-Based Animal Welfare (with Jessica Sheftel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) 51:50

4M ago51:50

51:50

Ari and Chris continue their journey of collecting more amazing people from around the professional animal care world to add to the "NEEU" (Natural Encounters Expanded Universe), and are pleased to be joined by Jessica Sheftel, Applied Wildlife Welfare Manager at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance! Jessica shares her path from collecting behavior data…

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Episode 275: Fly-Aways, Swim-Offs, and Reboots (with Ryne Ferguson and Ayrton King, Animal Talk Podcast) 47:14

4M ago47:14

47:14

Ari and Chris are absolutely chuffed to be joined by two amazing gentlemen from South Africa, Ryne Ferguson and Ayrton King, co-hosts of the rebooted Animal Talk Podcast! Ryne talks about his long history with NEI, how our podcast inspired him to start his own, and how the idea to reboot the show with a new aquarist cohost came about after a 5 year…

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Episode 274: Let's Hope They All Talk About This Over Dinner Tonight (with The Reptile Department of The St Augustine Alligator Farm) 1:01:58

4M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

With Chris out of commission after being a pressure washing hero at work and mayyyyybe overdoing it a bit, Ari takes the helm and is joined by Dan Carvalho, Lydia Dresel, Jordan Garella, Steven Sibley, and Luis Cortes from the Reptile Department of the St Augustine Alligator Farm! The team talks about their amazing dynamics and inside jokes, and th…

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Episode 273: I Guess I'm Gonna Do Fish Stuff (with Melissa Paynter, Georgia Aquarium) 38:52

4M ago38:52

38:52

You KNOW we love talking about training animals that people don't always think of when they think about animal training, so we are thrilled to welcome Melissa Paynter to the show! Mel shares the path that took her from the Moorpark Program to her current role as Assistant Curator of Ocean Journey at Georgia Aquarium, why fish training right now is …

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Episode 272: If You Want Them To Care, They First Have To Know You Care (with Dan Blair) 43:57

4M ago43:57

43:57

Chris and Ari are thrilled to be joined on the show by NEI Alumnus Dan Blair! Dan catches us up on his current zoo role as Curator of Birds, and shares his thoughts on the two kinds of respect, what's surprised him most about transitioning from the role of animal trainer to curator, the unique challenge of being brought in as a new cog in an existi…

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My Parrot is a “Picky Eater” 1:13:06

5M ago1:13:06

1:13:06

Something we hear almost every day at Parrot Stars, even from the best intentioned customers, is “My parrot hates this…”, “My parrot won’t touch their vegetables…”, etc. You’ve probably said something along these lines yourself when trying to get your bird to eat their pellets. Well, go no further, because in this episode of the Parrot Stars Podcas…

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Episode 271: Happy Jamón Day! (with the Bird and Mammal Team, St. Augustine Alligator Farm) 53:40

5M ago53:40

53:40

Are SEVEN people too many to have on a podcast?? Not when it's the Bird and Mammal Team from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm! Chris and Ari are joined by Hannah Caster, Jessie Stull, Jordan Hoover, Ramon Castillo, and Shelby McBride to talk about what makes up a cohesive team, the unsung role of the swing keeper, and figuring out the best ways to …

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Unlocking Cancer's Hidden Code: How a New AI Breakthrough is Revolutionizing DNA Research EP 50 25:54

5M ago25:54

25:54

Unlocking Cancer's Hidden Code: How a New AI Breakthrough is Revolutionizing DNA Research Imagine our DNA, the blueprint of life, not just as long, linear strands but also as tiny, mysterious circles floating around in our cells. These "extrachromosomal circular DNA" or eccDNAs are the focus of groundbreaking research, especially because they play …

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AI's Urban Vision: Geographic Biases in Image Generation EP 49 13:37

5M ago13:37

13:37

The academic paper "AI's Blind Spots: Geographic Knowledge and Diversity Deficit in Generated Urban Scenario" explores the geographic awareness and biases present in state-of-the-art image generation models, specifically FLUX 1 and Stable Diffusion 3.5. The authors investigated how these models create images for U.S. states and capitals, as well as…

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Bonus Episode! Parrot Stars Summer Festival 2025! 59:08

5M ago59:08

59:08

We cannot wait for the highly anticipated Parrot Stars Summer Festival coming July 18-20 2025, just next month! This bonus episode of the Parrot Stars Podcast gives you the full rundown of the exciting weekend and what to look forward to, including the biggest sales of the year, raffle prizes, the Parrot Wizard, animal organizations, DIY classes, a…

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AI & LLM Models: Unlocking Artificial Intelligence's Inner 'Thought' Through Reinforcement Learning EP 48 17:41

5M ago17:41

17:41

AI & LLM Models: Unlocking Artificial Intelligence's Inner 'Thought' Through Reinforcement Learning – A Deep Dive into How Model-Free Mechanisms Drive Deliberative Processes in Contemporary Artificial Intelligence Systems and Beyond This expansive exploration delves into the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the sophisti…

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Episode 270: The Portal, The Tube, and The Assisted Lift (with Anaka Nazareth, National Aquarium) 45:22

5M ago45:22

45:22

Chris and Ari are joined by fellow training enthusiast Anaka Nazareth, Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator at the National Aquarium! Anaka shares the path that took her from America to Austria (a few times) before settling back on the East Coast and eventually into her current role in Baltimore, where she oversees the training of a lot of our favorite…

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Squawk Talk: Your Parrot Questions, Answered! 59:45

5M ago59:45

59:45

In this special episode, we’re answering listener questions live. From parrot behavior and training tips to diet, health, enrichment, and what it’s really like behind the scenes at Parrot Stars, no topic is off limits. Whether you're a first-time bird owner, a seasoned parrot veteran, or just curious about what it takes to care for exotic birds, th…

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Episode 269: The "Ponies, Sparkles, and Rainbows" Side of HR (with Dr Taylor Gilley, Houston Zoo) 41:05

5M ago41:05

41:05

Chris is joined by NEI's new (but also not really new) Director of Staff Development, Training, and Shows - Ari Bailey - to welcomes Dr Taylor Gilley back to the show! Taylor shares the path that took her from the education world to her current role as Director of Staff Learning and Development at Houston Zoo, and guides us through a great conversa…

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Episode 268: A Podcast About A Podcast (Radical Candor's "Leading Through Chaos With Stephanie Chung") 38:37

5M ago38:37

38:37

In another in our series of podcasts about other podcasts, Ari and Chris share their thoughts on a recent episode of the Radical Candor podcast with Kim Scott, featuring their guest Stephanie Chung. Chris recently started reading her book "Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You," which gets a great overview in the podcast, and giv…

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The Birds and The Bees: Where Do (Parrot Stars) Babies Come From? 1:25:02

5M ago1:25:02

1:25:02

In this episode, we’ll dive into the world of parrot breeding and discuss what sets responsible breeders apart. Learn how we prioritize the physical and emotional well-being of every Parrot Stars baby through ethical breeding practices, expert care, and a strong focus on education. Join us for an inside look at how good breeding isn't just about pr…

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Episode 267: Observe, Interpret, Improve (with Joey Golden, Maryland Zoo) 50:44

6M ago50:44

50:44

Ari and Chris are back together and excited to be joined by Joey Golden, Curator of Animal Behavior Programs at Maryland Zoo! Chris and Joey both attended the recent ABMA and ISZAW conferences, and we wanted to bring him on to chat about the great presentations he gave about his zoo's progress towards "24/7 welfare" for all their animals. We chat a…

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Episode 266: Pursue Your Calling! (with Scott Trauger, Supervisor Emeritus, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 32:04

6M ago32:04

32:04

While Chris is away at the International Symposium for Zoo Animal Welfare in Chicago, Ari is hosting solo—but she’s not alone! She’s joined by former (but also still current) NEI teammate Scott Trauger, who shares what life has been like since he made the big leap to follow his passion outside the animal field. From spreadsheets to showtunes, hear …

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Data Intensive Applications Powering Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications 20:17

6M ago20:17

20:17

Data-intensive applications are systems built to handle vast amounts of data. As artificial intelligence (AI) applications increasingly rely on large datasets for training and operation, understanding how data is stored and retrieved becomes critical. The sources explore various strategies for managing data at scale, which are highly relevant to th…

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Myth-busting Common Parrot Misconceptions 1:15:24

6M ago1:15:24

1:15:24

There are plenty of claims and stereotypes about parrots floating around and many of them just aren’t true! In our very first myth-busting episode, we had a great time tackling some of the most common misconceptions we hear at Parrot Stars. We covered a wide range of topics that impact your parrot’s daily life, from training and diet to caging, beh…

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Episode 265: Using Communities to Create Opportunities 43:13

6M ago43:13

43:13

Ari catches us up on her time at Croc School before our hosts tackle an email asking for ideas about how to create opportunities in the professional animal care field for yourself when 1) you've moved somewhere where the immediately employment opportunities might be limited - or non-existent - or 2) you've taken a temporary break from the field and…

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Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence: Why Governing AI and LLMs is Crucial 24:40

6M ago24:40

24:40

Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence: Why Governing AI and LLMs is Crucial Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our world rapidly, from the tools we use daily to complex systems impacting national security and the economy. With the rise of powerful large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, which are often the foundation for other AI tools, th…

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AI and LLMs: Making Business Process Design Talk the Talk 17:37

6M ago17:37

17:37

AI and LLMs: Making Business Process Design Talk the Talk Ever tried to explain a complex business process – how a customer order flows from clicking 'buy' to getting a delivery notification – to someone who isn't directly involved? It's tricky! Businesses often use detailed diagrams, called process models, to map these steps out. This helps them w…

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AI's Secret Language: Uncovering Hidden Messages in Language Models 11:53

6M ago11:53

11:53

Here is an article about LLM steganography, drawing on the provided sources: AI's Secret Language: Uncovering Hidden Messages in Language Models Could advanced AI models hide secrets right under our noses? The concept of Large Language Models (LLMs) concealing messages within plain text, known as steganography, is posing new challenges for monitori…

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Episode 264: What Does It Mean To "Prioritize Training"? (Live from the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference) 35:26

6M ago35:26

35:26

Ari Bailey is busy doing cool reptile stuff at Croc School at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, so Chris takes the opportunity to share the audio from his presentation, "What Does It Mean to 'Prioritize Training'?" from last week's ABMA Annual Conference! He shares some antecedent and consequence conditions that he's seen great teams utilize to mak…

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Kids, Play, and AI: How Telling Stories About Fun Can Reveal What They're Learning 18:45

6M ago18:45

18:45

Kids, Play, and AI: How Telling Stories About Fun Can Reveal What They're Learning Did you know that when kids are just having fun playing, they're actually building important skills for life? Free play – that time when kids get to choose what they do, how they do it, and with whom, without grown-ups directing them – is a fundamental aspect of earl…

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Thinking of Clipping Your Parrot's Wings? Don't! 1:24:25

6M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

We’re diving into a critical and often controversial topic: parrot wing clipping (and why it’s something you shouldn’t do). While many people clip their bird’s wings with the best of intentions, the reality is that this practice can lead to potentially serious physical and mental consequences, some of which may even seem unnoticeable. Based on our …

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Sharing the AI Gold Rush: Why the World Wants a Piece of the Benefits 22:32

6M ago22:32

22:32

Sharing the AI Gold Rush: Why the World Wants a Piece of the BenefitsAdvanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are poised to transform our world, promising immense economic growth and societal benefits. Imagine breakthroughs in healthcare, education, and productivity on an unprecedented scale. But as this potential becomes clearer, so does a si…

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Episode 263: Zen and the Art of Networking (Live from the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference Zoo Day) 44:26

7M ago44:26

44:26

Chris is LIVE from Zoo Day at the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas! Whilst wandering the grounds of our host facility, Moody Gardens, we chat with Chase Alsup from the Colorado State University Zoo, Aquarium, and Animal Shelter Management Graduate Program, Rae Simmons and Aubrey Wilson from the Moorpark College Animal Care and Traini…

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Understanding AI Agents: The Evolving Frontier of Artificial Intelligence Powered by LLMs 41 21:22

7M ago21:22

21:22

Understanding AI Agents: The Evolving Frontier of Artificial Intelligence Powered by LLMsThe field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly advancing, with a fundamental goal being the creation of AI Agents. These are sophisticated AI systems designed to plan and execute interactions within open-ended environments. Unlike traditional software …

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AI's New Job: Reading Contracts to Predict a Company's Money Future EP 40 10:50

7M ago10:50

10:50

AI's New Job: Reading Contracts to Predict a Company's Money FutureFiguring out how much money a company actually makes, or its "revenue," is a really big deal. Everyone from the company's bosses and employees to government watchdogs and people investing their money pays close attention to it. How a company counts its revenue is largely based on th…

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Episode 262: A Feedback Loop About Feedback Loops 39:31

7M ago39:31

39:31

Chris is in the editing (and possibly scrapping-and-starting-over) phase of his upcoming ABMA workshop "Your Feedback Loop: Evolving the Way We Give Feedback to Peers," so he decided to reach out to one of the smartest feedbackers around - Ari Bailey - and see how their notes compared when she was given the assignment to jot down what she considere…

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Navigating the Future: Why Supervising Frontier AI Developers is Proposed for Safety and Innovation EP 39 21:01

7M ago21:01

21:01

Navigating the Future: Why Supervising Frontier AI Developers is Proposed for Safety and Innovation Artificial intelligence (AI) systems hold the promise of immense benefits for human welfare. However, they also carry the potential for immense harm, either directly or indirectly . The central challenge for policymakers is achieving the "Goldilocks …