The ThinkND Podcast

The New AI, Part 6: Surveillance, Power Plays, and Digital Minds

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In this edition of Expl(ai)ned, a monthly newsletter by The New AI Project, explore DeepSeek’s market-upending release, President Trump’s second-term approach to regulation, and AI in the Super Bowl.  In Taming AI, a column about ethics, policies, and regulation, examine the emerging “tech oligarchy” and the evolving relationship between the tech industry and U.S. politics. Tech Titans looks back on the market-shaking debut of China’s DeepSeek, and AI at Work covers the ongoing debate over AI’s role in workplace communication. In Research Revelations, explore the growing importance of reasoning models and their implications for the future of artificial intelligence. Stay informed with The New AI Project’s in-depth analysis of how AI is shaping industries, policy, and global competition on their LinkedIn page.

If you’re a fan of podcasts, The New AI Project team utilized NotebookLM, an exciting AI product from Google, to produce an in-depth podcast episode that covers everything they’ve written this month. NotebookLM can take up to 50 text inputs and generate a realistic conversation between two virtual podcast “hosts” that concisely covers the inputted material.  Listen below for a wide-ranging conversation on all five articles they published this month!

Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.

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1

Just a couple of years ago, it seemed like people were still kind of on the fence about AI, you know, like, would it really live up to all the hype? Right. But now it's everywhere, even splashed all over the Super Bowl.

2

Totally.

1

The other month has been absolutely crazy in the world of AI. So we're going to do a deep dive into all the stuff that you really need to know.

2

It does feel like things are changing really fast and it's not just a tech thing anymore. AI is like touching everything.

1

Right.

2

Global politics, your job, even just your daily life. Understanding these changes is going to be super important for like navigating the future.

1

Absolutely. And speaking of shaking things up, let's start with, uh, well, DeepSeek. This Chinese company that seems to have come out of nowhere. Yeah. Market drops, accusations of stolen tech, everybody freaking out about privacy. It's been wild. So, what's the deal with this DeepSeek? Where did they even come from?

2

Well, you might be thinking like, why should I care about some Chinese AI company? But DeepSeek's success shows how fast things are changing in this space. Their new AI, R1, it's pushing the big guys, you know, OpenAI, Google, those guys.

1

Right.

2

More competition's good, right? It could mean faster innovation, but it also brings up all these questions about, like, data privacy. And that affects everyone.

1

Yeah. It's interesting that their parent company, HiFlyer, was all about real estate before.

2

Hmm.

1

Seems like they switched gears pretty quickly when the Chinese government kind of nudged them towards AI.

2

Yeah, they really did. And their whole approach was different, you know, research first. product later, they kind of flew under the radar for a while, building their AI with a small team, didn't have a ton of resources.

1

So even with the US chip ban and everyone watching them, they still made a huge impact. But if their tech isn't anything like totally revolutionary, why is everyone making such a big deal about it?

2

That's the interesting thing. It's not so much about the tech itself. It's that they just like showed up and shook everything up. You know, the big players, they're having to rethink things, release stuff maybe earlier than they wanted to. It's like, imagine someone new comes into a game, and of it if they're not the best player, they change how everyone else plays. That's DeepSeek.

1

It's like they're changing the rules of the game. And then there's the whole data privacy thing. They're collecting a ton of user data, and since they're tied to the Chinese government, people are getting nervous. I mean, some countries have even banned it, right?

2

Right. The data itself is like what a lot of companies collect, tech companies, e commerce, all those. But it's stored on Chinese servers, so who knows who can access it? The government, maybe. After that whole TikTok thing in the U. S., people are definitely more aware of where their data goes. It makes you think, you know, convenience versus privacy, all that.

1

It's a tough one. But let's switch gears a little bit. Let's talk about how AI is changing things at work, especially for things like language translation. I mean, it's amazing to think that these tools can break down communication barriers all over the world.

2

It really is. And we've seen some huge progress recently. Take Meta's Seamless M4T model. It can translate, get this, speech and text. And in real time, for over a hundred languages. I mean, it's not quite the universal translator from Star Trek.

1

Right.

2

But it's getting there.

1

I was reading about how it uses a massive neural network trained on like, mountains of speech and text data.

2

Yeah.

1

But what's cool is it doesn't just translate word for word,

2

it

1

actually tries to get the meaning, the intent.

2

Exactly. And that's what gets us closer to, like, Accurate, natural sounding translations, you know, not just swapping words around.

1

Have you tried the chat GBT mobile app? It has that voice translation thing. It's insane. Oh, yeah. You can actually talk to the AI and it translates everything you say. I was messing around with it the other day and it's surprisingly good.

2

It is amazing what they're doing, but we've got to remember that it's not perfect.

1

Right.

2

AI translation, it still can miss those little things, like cultural stuff, context, sometimes that can lead to, you know, misunderstanding. So

1

it sounds like we still need humans, especially for the subtle stuff. Alright, enough about work, let's talk about something fun. The Super Bowl this year felt like AI was everywhere.

2

Yeah, it was the AI Super Bowl, as some people were calling it. All those big tech companies, Meta, Google, even OpenAI, they spent millions to get their AI products in front of everyone, right? Yeah. Trying to make it all seem normal. Something we use every day.

1

I loved that Meta ad, the one with all the celebrities. Oh

2

yeah, that was good.

1

It was funny, but also a smart way to show off how convenient those smart glasses are. You can go totally hands free.

2

Humor's a good way to like Make tech less scary, right? Google, they had that dream job ad, the one showing how AI can help with job interviews. Oh

1

yeah, that one was good too. They were really playing on our emotions with that one.

2

Definitely felt like all these ads were designed to make us feel good about AI.

1

Speaking of strategy, OpenAI went in a totally different direction. They weren't selling a specific product, it was more like this big picture vision, like AI is the next start for humans.

2

Right, it's not just about the product, it's the whole philosophy behind it. They're saying AI is how we progress as humans. Putting that message on the Super Bowl, it's huge. It's almost like they're trying to get ahead of any fear or skepticism by saying, look, AI is coming and it's a good thing.

1

Like, get on board, folks.

2

Exactly. And

1

it's not just the Super Bowl. AI is even making its way into politics. We saw a lot of big tech people hanging out with the new administration during the inauguration.

2

Yeah, it's definitely something people are talking about. President Trump being so close with people like Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk. It raises some concerns about like, is this an oligarchy now and will we see a bunch of deregulation that helps big tech more than anyone else?

1

And he's already making moves, you know, he's all in on the Stargate initiative, that huge project to expand AI infrastructure in the U. S. Plus he reversed some of those AI safety regulations pretty quickly. What do you think about all that?

2

I think it shows what the priorities are now. It's about economic growth, even if that means pushing ethical concerns aside.

1

So we've got A. I. shaking up the markets, changing how we work, influencing how we see it through advertising, and now maybe even reshaping politics. This deep dive is turning into an A. I. rollercoaster.

2

It is. And we're just getting started. Remember DeepSeek and how they kind of came out of nowhere?

1

Yeah.

2

Well, there's this one thing they're doing that I think you'll find super interesting. They're focusing on reasoning models, which is like a whole new frontier in AI.

1

Reasoning models. Okay. I'm listening. What are those?

2

So, these models are designed to think more logically. They can solve problems step by step, kind of like how we do it. It's a big jump from the usual language models, which is great with language, but not so good with complex logic.

1

So you're saying these reasoning models are more human?

2

In a way, yeah. They try to, like, mimic how we think. Which is pretty amazing, and it could change everything. And speaking of changing everything, there's this great example in our source material, DeepSeek's R1 and OpenAI's O1. They were both given this classic brain teaser. They both got the right answer. But here's the thing, only DeepSeek's model could explain how it got there. It showed every step. It was totally transparent.

1

So it's not just about getting the answer, it's about knowing how the AI got there. That seems super important, especially as AI gets more powerful and starts making more decisions.

2

Exactly. Transparency is huge if we want to trust these systems.

1

This makes me wonder, if AI can think like us now, are we like, getting dumber? Should we be worried about depending on these super smart machines too much?

2

Those AI will make us smarter, help us solve bigger problems. Others worry we'll get lazy. You know, stop thinking critically, stop problem solving if we just rely on AI for everything.

1

It's a fascinating dilemma, but hey, let's take a break from all the heavy stuff and come back to explore how AI is infiltrating the world of entertainment.

2

It's something we definitely need to be aware of. Yeah, but hey, remember those AI commercials during the Super Bowl? Everybody was talking about those.

1

Oh yeah. It's kind of crazy how AI is just like everywhere in entertainment now.

2

I think it shows how hard those tech companies are working, you know. To make AI seem fun, something everyone can relate to. Using humor, telling those emotional stories, that was smart.

1

Yeah, for sure. That meta ad with all the celebrities and their smart glasses. I laughed out loud at that one. And then there was that Google ad, the dream job one.

2

Oh yeah, that one got me right in the feels.

1

Me too. It feels like they're trying to shape how we think about AI, almost make us feel good about it.

2

I think they are. If they show it in normal situations, like watching football or going for your dream job, it makes it seem less scary, more like a helpful tool.

1

It makes you wonder, are these ads actually changing the conversation about AI? I mean, even OpenAI with that whole AI is the next step for humanity thing, they're trying to influence how we understand it, right?

2

I think OpenAI's approach is really interesting. They're basically saying AI is a natural next step for us, like it's part of our destiny or something. And putting that message out there during the Super Bowl. That's powerful.

1

It's a bold move for sure, but it also brings up some questions like who gets to decide what that future looks like? Who controls how this technology is developed?

2

That's a big question, and it's one we should be asking. As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, we need to understand who's making the decisions, what their goals are, what values are driving them.

1

It feels like a lot of power is in the hands of just a few people. The tech giants, researchers, politicians. It makes you wonder, could there be bias in all this? Could this technology be used to benefit a small group instead of, like, everyone?

2

It's a valid concern, and it shows why it's so important to have open discussions about AI. Discussions that include lots of different perspectives. We need to make sure that ethical considerations are front and center, and that the benefits of AI are shared fairly.

1

That rhymes me. We talked about the connection between AI and politics earlier, all those tech leaders hanging out with the new administration that raised some eyebrows. What does that mean for how AI is regulated and developed?

2

Yeah, people are definitely talking about that. Having President Trump be so close with people like Zuckerberg, Bezos and Musk, it makes people wonder about conflicts of interest. Some people worry that deregulation will just help big tech get even bigger. Even if it's not the best thing for everyone else.

1

And he hasn't wasted any time, right? Reversing those AI safety regulations, throwing his support behind that Stargate initiative, that massive project to expand AI infrastructure in the U. S. It seems pretty clear that economic growth is the priority, maybe even over ethical concerns.

2

It's a complicated situation. It shows how tough it is to balance using AI to boost the economy and making sure it's developed ethically.

1

So we've got AI causing market chaos, changing how we work, being used to influence us through advertising, and maybe even reshaping politics. This deep dive is like a crash course in all things AI.

2

It is, and it highlights how AI isn't just about technology, it's tied to economics, social issues, politics. Everything.

1

To really understand AI, we have to understand all these other forces that shaping it.

2

Exactly. It's not just about the code and algorithms. It's about human choices, power dynamics, the values that are guiding how AI is created and used.

1

That's a lot to take in. But it seems like the message here is we need to stay informed, keep thinking critically and be part of the conversation about how AI develops. After all, We're the one who will be living with the consequences.

2

That's right. The future of AI isn't set in stone. It's a future that we're all creating together.

1

And a big part of that is figuring out how to balance all this amazing progress with the need to think about ethics and potential risks. What kind of world do we want to live in with AI? That's the question we need to be asking.

2

Absolutely. And that's what makes this deep dive so important. We've covered so much market disruptions, the changing nature of work, how AI is marketed to us, and the connection between AI and political power. But the really big question is, what does it mean to be human in an age of intelligent machines? It's the question that keeps me up at night. As AI gets more sophisticated, as it starts to think and create more like us, it makes us question what makes us special, what makes us human.

1

This deep dive has been packed with info and insights. We've talked about reasoning models, the strategies behind those AI commercials, and how AI could totally change our world. But even with all this change, it's important to remember that we have to Choices. We have a say in how this all unfolds.

2

We do. And by staying informed, thinking critically and demanding that AI is developed responsibly, we can help make sure it's used for good.

1

So after all this, what's the one thing you hope our listeners will take away from today? What's the most important thing to remember as they try to understand this crazy world of AI?

2

The future of AI is not decided. It's being shaped right now by all of us. By staying informed, thinking critically, and demanding responsible development, we can help steer AI in a positive direction.

1

Great advice. And if you're interested in learning more, we've put together a bunch of articles, videos, and other resources in the NotebookLM Deep Dive document. It's a good place to start if you want to keep exploring this amazing and constantly changing field.

2

And remember, the most powerful tool we have in all this is our own intelligence. Use it. Question everything.

1

Could have said it better myself. And with that, it's time to wrap up this deep dive. We hope you enjoyed the journey. We encourage you to keep exploring the incredible world of AI.

2

Until next time, stay curious.

1

We'll be back soon with another deep dive into the world of knowledge and discovery. Wow, it's amazing to think about everything we've talked about in this deep dive. We started with like, a company most people had never even heard of causing huge disruptions in the market. Yeah. Then we were dissecting Super Bowl commercials, and now here we are talking about like, the nature of intelligence itself. It's been wild.

2

It really has, and I think it just shows you how AI is like, Seeping into every part of our lives now,

1

right? It's

2

not just something in labs or in sci fi movies anymore It's like woven into how we work how we see the world everything

1

and with AI changing so fast It's more important than ever to really get what's going on. Like those reasoning models we were talking about, right? It's crazy how they solve problems almost well almost like how we do

2

It's a huge step. Remember that brain teaser example, the fact that DeepSeek's R1 model could not only solve it, but explain every single step of its reasoning? That's huge.

1

Yeah.

2

If we want to trust these AI systems as they get more complex, especially as they start making more decisions for us, that kind of transparency is essential.

1

It's almost like different AIs are developing different ways of thinking, right? Some are big with language, others are better at logic, just like humans. It makes you wonder, what if we could like combine all those different AI strengths?

2

Yeah.

1

And then like, work together with them, combine that with human skills?

2

That's a great question. And it points to this future where AI and humans are collaborating, using their unique abilities to do, like, incredible things. Think about doctors working with AI to diagnose diseases with, like, perfect accuracy. Or architects using AI to design buildings that are both beautiful and sustainable.

1

The possibilities are endless, but as cool as all this is, we have to think about the potential problems, too. How do we make sure that AI is developed ethically, that it's used responsibly?

2

That's the million dollar question. We need rules, guidelines, something. Yeah. We need to demand transparency, accountability, and we need to make sure that AI benefits everyone. Not just a select few.

1

This whole deep dive has really been eye opening. We've covered so much. New companies like DeepSeek shaking things up. The sneaky ways AI is marketed to us. How it could change the world for better or worse. One thing's for sure. AI is here to stay.

2

It is. And it's changing faster than most people realize. The decisions we make today, the conversations we have, the questions we ask, all of it will shape how AI develops and basically what our world looks like in the future.

1

So after all this, what's the one thing you want our listeners to walk away with today? What's the most important thing to remember as they try to make sense of all this crazy AI stuff?

2

The future of AI, it's not set in stone. It's being created right now. By all of us. And by staying informed, thinking critically, and demanding that AI is developed responsibly, we can make sure it's a force for good in the world.

1

Well said. And for anyone who wants to learn more, we've put together a bunch of resources, articles, videos, all sorts of stuff. You can find it in the NotebookLM Deep Dive document. It's a great place to start if you want to keep exploring this amazing and constantly evolving field.

2

That's right, and don't forget, the most powerful tool we have in this whole AI revolution is our own human intelligence. Use it. Don't be afraid to question everything, and never stop learning.

1

Words to live by. Okay, folks, that's a wrap on this deep dive. Hope you enjoyed the ride. We encourage you to keep exploring the amazing world of AI.