The Outside Context

• The New Invisible Hand: Machine Learning, Human Earning

  In Episode 14 of The Outside Context Elliot Hentov, chief macro policy strategist at State Street Investment Management, discusses the intersection of AI and macroeconomics. He explores the current state of AI's impact on productivity, investment trends, and the implications for inflation and economic growth. The conversation also shifts into the geopolitical competition surrounding AI dominance, particularly between the US and China, and concludes with reflections on future challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Key Takeaways:The impact of AI on productivity is still being assessed.Investment in AI has surged significantly in recent years.AI has the potential to be deflationary by lowering costs.The geopolitical race for AI dominance is ongoing and complex.Countries that innovate in AI will likely benefit economically.The labour market is experiencing mixed effects from AI adoption.Increased longevity due to AI advancements poses challenges for society.The future of AI investment may lead to both successes and failures.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to AI and Macro Economics03:11 - The Current State of AI and Productivity05:44 - Sectoral Impacts of AI on Employment08:51 - Investment Trends in AI12:04 - Macroeconomic Implications of AI Investment14:53 - Geopolitical Competition in AI17:52 - Future Challenges and Opportunities with AIConnect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcastsFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology, civilisation & digital financeMessage us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Back to the Future: Notes on an Alien Earth

  In episode 13 of The Outside Context, Elise and Jannah reflect on their year of podcasting, discussing their experiences and the themes explored in previous episodes. They discuss the TV series 'Alien: Earth', examining it as a social commentary on technology, power and societal structures. The conversation then shifts to the implications of technological advancements, the ethical considerations surrounding them and the potential for inequality. They conclude by identifying AI as a significant ‘outside context’ problem facing civilisation today, while emphasising the importance of critical engagement with technology and its impact on society.Key Takeaways:In this episode the podcast celebrates a year of exploration and learning about new technologies and civilisation! Jannah & Elise also explore how:'Alien Earth' serves as a lens to discuss societal issues.Technology can empower but also control individuals.The commodification of life raises ethical concerns. Education must adapt to prepare future generations for tech-driven jobs.Misinformation is a significant challenge in today's society.AI poses both opportunities and risks for the future.Sustainability and social equity must align with technological progress.Critical thinking is essential in an information-rich world; and Engagement with diverse perspectives enriches the conversation.Chapters:00:00 - Welcome Back and Reflections on the Past Year01:42 - Exploring 'Alien: Earth' and its key themes12:19 - Technology, Power, and Control18:28 - Who Benefits from Technological Advancements?27:18 - Future Visions and Ethical Considerations43:54 - Identifying the Biggest Outside Context ProblemConnect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcastsFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology, civilisation & digital financeMessage us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Teaching the Machine: Conscience and Truth in the Age of AI

  In episode 12 of The Outside Context, Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at a Big Tech firm, shares her unique journey from being a sixth-grade teacher to working in tech, through to discussing the implications of AI, disinformation, and the defence of democracy. She emphasises the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on jobs and society, while also addressing the challenges of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions. The discussion explores the role of big tech in safeguarding democracy and the need for critical thinking and resilience in navigating the information landscape. Ultimately, Haviva expresses cautious optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of education and community engagement in fostering a more informed society. Key takeaways:Haviva's journey reflects a commitment to empowering individuals and communities.The pace of AI development is unprecedented and poses unique challenges.Disinformation threatens the core of Western civilization and trust in institutions. Democracies face structural disadvantages in combating disinformation compared to authoritarian regimes. Big tech firms have a role in safeguarding democracy but require careful regulation.Critical thinking is essential in navigating misinformation and disinformation.Education systems are struggling to keep up with technological advancements.There is hope for the future through the resilience of younger generations.Humans have the capacity to adapt and overcome challenges posed by technology.Building frameworks of trust around information is crucial for society.Connect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcastsFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology, civilisation & digital financeMessage us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• Power, Protocols & Post-Scarcity: Where Venture Capital Goes Next

  In episode 11 of The Outside Context, Rob Hadick, General Partner at Dragonfly, shares his journey from Wall Street to venture capital, discussing the evolving landscape of investment, particularly in the realms of blockchain and decentralised finance. He highlights the differences between traditional finance and the emerging tech-driven paradigms, emphasising the importance of networks and the changing role of VCs in a tighter funding environment. The discussion also shifts into geopolitical implications, the future of decentralisation, and the potential shifts in the global economic order, ultimately pondering the long-term future of venture capital in a rapidly changing world.Key TakeawaysRob Hadick transitioned from Wall Street to venture capital, focusing on tech's disruption of finance.The investment landscape is shifting towards AI, blockchain, and biotech as key areas for growth.Venture capital is seeing a hollowing out of the middle, with mega funds dominating the market. Decentralisation is becoming less of a priority for VCs, who are focusing on business viability.The future of VC may involve broader asset management strategies beyond traditional investments.Geopolitical tensions are influencing investment strategies and capital flows globally.The rise of digital currencies and stablecoins is reshaping the financial landscape.Investors are increasingly able to bootstrap companies without significant capital.The future economic order may see a consolidation of currencies and a shift in global power dynamics.Long-term, capital formation will remain essential, even in a post-scarcity world.Connect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcastsConnect with Rob Hadick on X @HadickMFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology, civilisation & digital financeMessage us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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• The Self, Sovereign: Reclaiming Control and the Future of Digital Identity

  In episode 10 of The Outside Context, Seema Khinda Johnson, Co-Founder and COO of Nuggets, shares her journey in the tech industry and discusses the critical importance of digital identity in today's world. She emphasises the need for self-sovereign identity, the business case for digital identity solutions, and the challenges of inclusivity in identity verification and why "data is the new oil". Seema also addresses the potential pitfalls in the digital identity space and the urgency of establishing a robust identity framework to combat the growing authenticity crisis exacerbated by AI.Key takeawaysDigital identity is crucial for preventing data breaches.Self-sovereign identity gives individuals control over their data.Businesses need a compelling case to adopt digital identity solutions.The convenience of digital identity is essential for user adoption.Inclusivity in identity verification is a significant challenge.AI is changing the landscape of identity verification.Interoperability between identity standards is necessary.The technology for inclusive identity verification exists.Digital identity is critical infrastructure for the future.Connect with Us:Follow The Outside Context on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcastsConnect with Seema Khinda Johnson on LinkedInFollow Elise Soucie Watts and Jannah Patchay for more insights into the future of technology and financeJoin the Conversation: What excites or concerns you most about the future of digital identity and the importance of individual control over your data? Drop us a message on social media or leave a comment!Thanks for listening to Outside Context! If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and subscribe!Message us and tell us what you think of this episode, or share your ideas for future episodes - we’d love to hear from you! Sponsored by Unblocked & Markets Evolution© 2024 The Outside Context. All rights reserved.

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