Mindful AI

About Mindful AI

Welcome to Mindful AI, the podcast where we engage with leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence to explore how we can develop AI technologies that are ethical, promote human values, and enhance well-being and human flourishing. Join us as we delve into thought-provoking discussions on the intersection of AI and ethics, uncovering insights and perspectives from prominent figures who are shaping the future of AI. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a tech professional, or simply curious about the impact of AI on our lives, Mindful AI provides a platform for meaningful conversations

Publisher

Mindful AI

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Aug 2024

Latest episode

4 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

8 of 10 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Who's in the room when AI gets built? Interview with Luli Adeyemo

   Host Dr. Kobi Leins interviews Luli Adeyemo, exploring the critical "influence gap" in AI development and advocating for diversity as a foundational methodology.

2. 

   17 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   AI’s Reality Problem: Why Maps May Be the Key to Trustworthy AI | Kirk Mitchell

   In this episode of Mindful AI, we sit down with Kirk Mitchell, a Google geospatial leader and long-time champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to explore what happens when AI is grounded in the physical world.Kirk traces his journey from hand-drawn cartography at RMIT to today’s planet-scale mapping systems, and explains why geospatial context is becoming a core ingredient for more reliable AI. We unpack “grounding” (connecting generative models to trusted, up-to-date maps data), and why this matters for everything from everyday navigation to reducing hallucinations in location-based queries.The conversation moves from maps as convenience to maps as human rights infrastructure, including how tools like Plus Codes can function as an address for communities that do not have formal street addressing. We also discuss what “local” really means in the Global South: two-wheel mobility, landmark-based directions, and safety-first design for riders.From there, Kirk shares some of the most compelling “AI for good” work happening right now:Project Green Light, using AI-driven recommendations to improve traffic signal timing and reduce emissions (including work in Boston).Contrail avoidance, where AI-informed routing can significantly reduce warming impacts from aviation contrails.Earth Engine, which makes large-scale Earth observation and analysis accessible for research and many noncommercial uses.We also go into the more nuanced terrain: autonomous vehicles and safety (and the second-order impacts on professional drivers), bias and perspective-taking, and Kirk’s caution that outsourcing creativity and spatial reasoning may come with hidden cognitive costs.If you’re interested in AI that is not just powerful, but situated, accountable, and human-centered, this episode offers both practical frameworks and philosophical pressure-tests.🔔 Subscribe to Mindful AI for more in-depth conversations on ethical AI and human flourishing.💬 Do you think AI will expand human creativity, or slowly replace the struggle that makes creativity meaningful? Tell us in the comments.🎙 Links from the episode:🔗 Grounding with Google Maps (https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/developers-tools/grounding-google-maps-gemini-api/) (Gemini / Maps grounding):🔗 Project Green Light (https://sites.research.google/gr/greenlight/) (traffic signal optimization)🔗 Project Contrails (https://sites.research.google/gr/contrails/) (contrail avoidance research)🔗 Plus Codes (https://maps.google.com/pluscodes/) (addresses without street addresses)🔗 Google Earth Engine (https://earthengine.google.com/) 🔗 Waymo safety benchmarks (https://waymo.com/blog/2023/12/waymo-significantly-outperforms-comparable-human-benchmarks-over-7-million) (7M+ rider-only miles) 🔗 Book: The Second Machine Age (https://wwnorton.com/books/the-second-machine-age/) (Brynjolfsson & McAfee) 🔗 Book: Could Should Might Don’t (https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Nick-Foster-Could-Should-Might-Don%27t-9781837263837) (Nick Foster): Chapters: 00:00 Welcome, Tech Diversity Awards, and Kirk’s DEI roots 03:00 From cartography to Google: mapping at planet scale 05:34 Why AI is essential for high-definition, always-updated maps 06:17 Grounding AI in the physical world (and reducing hallucinations) 08:45 Addresses as a human right: Plus Codes and inclusion 10:05 Local navigation realities: two-wheelers, landmarks, and safety 13:11 Democratizing geospatial AI: prompts, “vibe coding,” and new builders 15:15 Earth Engine: geospatial AI for climate and sustainability 18:03 Maker tools vs autonomy: Waymo and the safety promise 23:23 Project Green Light: smarter traffic signals, lower emissions 25:12 Aviation contrails: AI-informed routing for climate impact 26:57 Mapping kelp forests: climate resilience in Australia 33:00 Bias, tribalism, and AI as a thinking partner 48:11 Practical advice: mindful AI use, diverse voices, and “shipwrecks”👉 Enjoyed this episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to support mindful, meaningful conversations on AI and ethics.

3. 

   30 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

   AI's Blind Spot: Why We Need Ubuntu in Technology | Nazareen Ebrahim

   In this episode of Mindful AI, we welcome Nazareen Ebrahim, South African AI ethicist and founder of Naz Consulting International, whose work champions diverse voices in the global AI conversation. From a pivotal conversation at Web Summit 2018 to mentorship with the World Economic Forum, Nazareen now educates healthcare professionals, schools, and communities across Africa about responsible AI. We explore why diverse representation matters, how Western-centric training data perpetuates bias, and what it means when one in three South Africans still don't know about AI. The conversation tackles solutions in action: South Africa's AI maturity framework, healthcare regulations for practitioners, and Nazareen's forthcoming AI for Everyone Handbook. She argues for agency through education, better questions, and the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because you are." If you believe AI should reflect all of humanity, not just Silicon Valley, this conversation offers both critique and practical pathways forward. 🎙 Links from the episode:🔗 Centre for AI and Digital Policy: https://www.caidp.org/ (https://www.caidp.org/)🔗 Lelapa AI (South African language models): https://lelapa.ai/ (https://lelapa.ai/)🔗 Centre for Humane Technology: https://www.humanetech.com/ (https://www.humanetech.com/) CHAPTERS: 00:00 Skateboarding Johannesburg and the journey to AI ethics 05:00 Web Summit 2018: the conversation that changed everything 10:00 Why diverse voices matter in AI ethics 18:00 Western-centric training data and the mirror problem 24:00 Indigenous AI research and language equity 34:00 Centre for AI and Digital Policy: building AI literacy 41:00 Solutions in action: education, maturity frameworks, and healthcare regulations 50:00 What we can do: asking questions and responsible digital citizenship 53:00 Ubuntu: AI can only be as mindful as the humans behind it

4. 

   16 Sept 2025

   # 6 AI Ethics Is Being Ignored, Can We Fix It In Time? Interview with Mike Spaeth

   In this episode of Mindful AI, we speak with Mike Spaeth, Global Vice President at the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII). Mike’s journey spans politics in Washington DC, early AI personalization at Amazon, IBM’s Watson, and now leading global AI education across 160+ countries. We explore the AI race, ethics, and education: from empowering young students in Nigeria and Ghana, to vendor-agnostic certifications, to the question of whether acceleration is overshadowing accountability. Mike shares why inclusivity, ethics, and AI literacy are essential if we want a future where technology serves human flourishing. If you’re interested in AI for good, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. 🔗 Links from the episode: • United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII) Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Mike’s birdwatching practice 02:30 – What the USAII is and why ethics matters 07:00 – The global AI race and education in Africa 10:00 – Mike’s journey from politics to Amazon & Watson 13:00 – Jobs, dignity, and what humans do best 17:30 – Making AI literacy inclusive & jargon-free 21:30 – Ethics training for students, engineers, and C-suites 26:00 – Acceleration, military pressure, and healthcare promises 33:00 – What listeners can do today to influence AI’s future 38:00 – The literacy gap in HR and schools 44:00 – Energy, infrastructure, and affordability 49:00 – Why Big Tech holds the keys 52:00 – Black boxes, explainability, and risks 59:00 – Positive use cases of AI and closing reflections Follow Mindful AI for more in-depth conversations on ethical AI and human flourishing.

5. 

   30 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

   #5 Will AI solve cancer? Interview with Mary Adewunmi

   In this episode of Mindful AI, we speak with Mary Adewunmi, a rising force in medical AI whose work is transforming cancer diagnostics and chronic disease treatment. Mary is a PhD candidate at the Menzies School of Health Research, founder of CARES AI, and a recipient of multiple prestigious awards for her deep learning research. But behind her technical achievements is a deeply personal story: a tragic misdiagnosis in her own family sparked her journey into healthcare AI. We explore the promise—and the pitfalls—of AI in medicine: from democratizing diagnosis to the urgent need for ethical oversight, bias mitigation, and human-centered design. Mary shares how empathy, co-design with communities, and data accountability must guide the future of AI in healthcare. If you’re passionate about AI for good, this conversation will leave you inspired—and better informed. 🔔 Subscribe to Mindful AI for more in-depth conversations on ethical AI and human flourishing. 💬 What role should AI play in healthcare? Let us know in the comments! 🎙 Links from the episode: 🔗 CARES AI: https://caresai.org/ (https://caresai.org/) 🔗 Menzies School of Health Research: https://www.menzies.edu.au/ (https://www.menzies.edu.au/) 📌 Chapters 00:00:00 Introducing Mary Adewunmi 00:00:45 A personal tragedy sparks a mission 00:03:00 From computer science to cancer care 00:07:00 Why cancer research became her focus 00:10:00 What CARES AI is doing differently 00:12:00 AI outperforming doctors: promise and pitfalls 00:15:00 Empathy and accuracy in AI models 00:17:00 Democratizing healthcare with AI 00:20:00 The role of AI in treatment and clinical support 00:24:00 Ethical concerns: bias, black boxes, data privacy 00:28:00 Policy gaps and real-world consequences 00:33:00 Human-in-the-loop and co-design with patients 00:38:00 Can AI be truly creative? 00:45:00 Final thoughts and what needs to change 00:46:30 Subscribe & stay tuned for Part 2 👉 Enjoyed this episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to support mindful, meaningful conversations on AI and ethics.

6. 

   13 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT

   #4 Merve Hickock: AI Ethics & Governance

   In this episode of Mindful AI, we sit down with Merve Hickok, a leading voice in AI ethics and policy. As the President of the Center for AI and Digital Policy and Founder of AIethicist.org, Merve has been at the forefront of shaping global AI governance. She shares her journey from corporate innovation to championing human rights in AI, offering insights into: • The biggest ethical challenges of AI • How policymakers influence responsible AI • The impact of AI on marginalized communities • How she stays balanced in the fast-moving world of AI—and how scuba diving plays a surprising role in her mindfulness practice If you care about the future of AI and its role in society, this episode is a must-listen. 🔔 Subscribe to Mindful AI to stay updated on thought-provoking discussions with leaders shaping the future of artificial intelligence. 💬 What are your thoughts on AI governance? Share your insights in the comments! 📌 Chapters ⏳ 00:00 – Introducing Merve Hickok ⏳ 00:12 – From corporate innovation to AI ethics ⏳ 00:25 – Why AI governance matters now more than ever ⏳ 00:32 – The biggest ethical risks in AI today ⏳ 00:42 – How AI affects marginalized communities ⏳ 00:55 – Scuba diving and staying grounded in AI ethics ⏳ 01:10 – The role of policymakers in responsible AI ⏳ 01:25 – What individuals can do to shape AI’s future ⏳ 01:40 – Hope for the future of AI governance ⏳ 01:55 – Final thoughts & where to learn more ⏳ 02:10 – Subscribe & leave a review! 🔗 Links from the Episode 🌐 AIethicist.org (https://aiethicist.org) 🌐 Center for AI and Digital Policy (https://www.caidp.org) 🌐 OECD AI policies (https://oecd.ai) 👉 Enjoyed this episode? Like, share, and subscribe to support more meaningful conversations on AI and ethics!

7. 

   2 Jan 2025

   #3 Oliver Edholm: Scaling AI, Consciousness, and Ethical Frontiers

   In this episode of the Mindful AI Podcast, we dive deep with Oliver Edholm, AI entrepreneur and founder of Depict.ai. Oliver shares his fascinating journey from struggling with the Swedish school system to becoming a pioneering AI researcher and entrepreneur. We explore the scaling laws driving rapid AI advancements, the ethical challenges of democratizing AI, and the intersection of AI with consciousness research. Oliver also discusses the risks and rewards of AI’s future and how we can prepare for the revolutionary changes it will bring. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, skeptic, or just curious about the future of humanity in the age of AI, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on conversations about creating AI that supports human values, well-being, and flourishing. Topics Discussed Challenges and lessons from Oliver’s unconventional path into AI. The scaling laws behind AI development. Democratization of AI and its potential risks. AI’s role in advancing research on consciousness. Ethical dilemmas and the importance of embedding human values in AI. How individuals can adapt to and mindfully interact with evolving AI systems. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome & Introduction (01:12) - Early Memories: Struggles and Triumphs in Tech (03:25) - Discovering AI: A Passion Ignited by Superintelligence (07:12) - Bold Steps: Moving to Singapore at 16 (07:58) - Founding Depict.ai: Turning Vision into Reality (11:45) - AI Scaling Laws: Unlocking Rapid Progress (14:46) - Predicting the Growth of AI Capabilities (16:22) - The Dual Edge of Democratizing AI (19:30) - Security Challenges in AI Development (21:10) - Consciousness and AI: Exploring the Connection (23:08) - Can AI Help Unlock the Mysteries of Consciousness? (27:30) - Embedding Values: A Practical Challenge for AI (30:33) - Learning from Past Mistakes in AI Development (31:55) - Preparing Society for an AI-Driven Future (35:42) - Closing Reflections: Truth, Ethics, and Hope Links from this Episode Book: Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom (https://www.amazon.com/Superintelligence-Dangers-Strategies-Nick-Bostrom/dp/0198739834)

8. 

   12 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT

   #2 Kim Oosthuizen: AI for Good - Enhancing Human Potential, Ethics, and Diversity

   In this episode of the Mindful AI Podcast, we are joined by Kim Oosthuizen, Head of AI at SAP. Kim shares her deep insights into the potential benefits of AI, how it can augment human capabilities, and some of the realistic risks we face. We also explore the role of AI in improving soft skills, the importance of diversity in AI, and how businesses can implement responsible and ethical AI practices. Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in business, its impact on work, or ethical concerns, this episode has it all! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more discussions about developing AI that supports human well-being and flourishing. Topics Discussed: Benefits of AI in daily life and business How AI can help improve soft skills and leadership The importance of diversity in AI development Risks associated with biased AI systems Ethical and responsible AI practices Chapters: (00:00) - Welcome & Introduction (00:37) - Potential Benefits of AI (04:00) - Can AI Improve Soft Skills? (06:00) - The Importance of Diversity in AI (07:52) - Realistic Risks of AI (09:47) - AI in Everyday Life (11:33) - AI in HR and Leadership (13:56) - Responsible AI: Who’s Accountable? (19:00) - Ethical AI: Complexities and Trade-offs (22:10) - Global AI Regulation: Where Does Australia Stand? (28:36) - AI’s Impact on Meaningful Work (30:14) - AI Use Cases: Elderly Care, Parkinson’s, and Education (33:13) - Mindful AI: How to Use AI Responsibly (35:24) - Closing Remarks & Thank You

9. 

   19 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT

   #1 Rasmus Hougaard: Human leadership in the age of AI

   In our inaugural episode of the Mindful AI podcast, hosts Nathalie and Martin are joined by Rasmus Hougaard, the founder and managing partner of Potential Project and one of Thinkers50’s most influential leadership thinkers in the world today. Together, they delve into the transformative potential of AI in the workplace. Through research and real-world examples, Rasmus reveals how AI can actually amplify human qualities and create more compassionate organizations. He also shares how AI acts not just as a tool but as an active agent, reshaping the way we approach leadership and human resources. Key themes include the critical importance of awareness, wisdom, and compassion in leadership—qualities that are increasingly vital in an AI-driven world. While AI can assist in developing these qualities by altering behaviors and providing insights, Rasmus emphasizes that the cultivation of genuine human connection remains our unique responsibility. The episode also tackles the ethical considerations of integrating AI into human processes. The role of HR in ensuring transparency, data privacy, and the ethical use of AI, is explored, stressing that while technology evolves, human values must guide its application. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:02) - Interview start (02:24) - Rasmus’ Journey (04:06) - Initial Reactions to AI (06:11) - AI as a Leadership Tool (08:40) - Success Stories of AI in Leadership (13:03) - The Role of HR in AI Ethics (16:41) - Can AI Enhance Human Qualities? (20:02) - Key Leadership Qualities in the Age of AI (24:35) - Practical Mindsets for Leaders (32:08) - Challenges of AI and Ethical Considerations (37:33) - Human Value in the AI Age (45:09) - Navigating the Future of AI (51:02) - Closing Remarks Follow Rasmus Hougaard: Potential Project (https://potentialproject.com) Rasmus Hougaard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasmushougaard/) Books by Rasmus: The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results (https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Leader-Yourself-Organization-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B075HHGLJQ) Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way (https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Leadership-Hard-Things-Human-ebook/dp/B08T1S5QHC) Connect with Us: Follow the podcast for more discussions on Mindful AI and leadership. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our latest episodes! Links from this episode: How AI Can Make Us Better Leaders (https://hbr.org/2024/06/how-ai-can-make-make-us-better-leaders) - Harvard Business Review The Best Leaders Can't Be Replaced by AI (https://hbr.org/2024/01/the-best-leaders-cant-be-replaced-by-ai) - Harvard Business Review AI and Human Leadership (https://www.potentialproject.com/ai-and-human-leadership) - Potential Project Universal Emotions (https://www.paulekman.com/universal-emotions/) - Paul Ekman Folk psychological attributions of consciousness to large language models (https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2024/1/niae013/7644104?login=false) - Study from University of Waterloo showing that a majority things ChatGPT is conscious to some degree Movie: The Creator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creator_(2023_film)) Life 3.0 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_3.0) - Max Tegmark Yuval Noah Harari on Tim Ferris Podcast (https://youtu.be/jJxFiPRQbjs?si=lJUtw-zDJBs-fvMl) - on the biggest problem facing humanity concerning AI, climate change and nuclear war risk (1:27:40 - 1:29:50 ) #MindfulAI #Leadership #RasmusHougaard #AI #Podcast

10. 

    28 Aug 2024TRANSCRIPT

    Episode 0

    In this inaugural episode of the Mindful AI Podcast, we, your hosts Natalie Heynderickx and Martin Strom introduce the purpose, format, and vision for the podcast. We discuss the aim to interview experts in the field to explore the ethical aspects of AI, focusing on embedding human values into AI systems and educating both AI professionals and the general public on mindful AI consumption. We also touch on the potential philosophical implications of advanced AI, such as artificial general intelligence and artificial consciousness. Listeners are encouraged to participate actively by providing feedback and suggesting future guests. We share our personal backgrounds and motivations for co-hosting the podcast, revealing their unique blend of expertise in technology, psychology, and mindfulness. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming guests, including experts in AI ethics and digital policy. Tune in to learn how the Mindful AI Podcast plans to influence the development of AI in a way that benefits humanity, and discover how you can contribute to this important conversation.

Inside a recent episode

Who's in the room when AI gets built? Interview with Luli Adeyemo

Published 4 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Women tend to be more in the, you know, the marketing sales, HR customer service. So this, you know, creates an influence gap because they're not in the room to influence the decision of what's being designed. So even though they're the people that have the most interaction, whether it's internally with the teams internally or externally with your customers, they're not being involved in the design of the solutions and the technology that's being used. So there's an influence gap there. apply that knowledge to AI, that influence is magnified tenfold. The potential impact is magnified tenfold. So, you know, we have to close that gap and that understanding around the questions that we all should be asking, the response we all have when it comes to AI. […]

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

110,256

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

11

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

32

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