Plain Sight

About Plain Sight

A Socratic dialogue with Invisible partners and allies, where we discuss and challenge our values and principles and have honest discussions about the world. We hope that by doing so, we can see things outside of our Plain Sight with 2020 vision.

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jan 2023

Latest episode

2 Feb 2024

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Feb 2024

   Diverse Paths to AI Mastery: Fernando Tarnogol's Interdisciplinary Approach

   In this episode of the Plain Sight podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Fernando Tarnagol, an AI team training lead at Invisible Technologies. Fernando discusses various topics, including significant AI advancements as seen in Google's public ventures into generative image territory, the integration of BARD into Google and his experiments on AI training. He also shares some fascinating insights on AI's potential future developments and how it could impact our world. Fernando compares the evolution and application of AI to exploring uncharted waters and the need for humans to adapt rapidly to survive. He also expresses his expectation for the rise of general artificial intelligence and the challenges it may bring to entities such as corporation and bureaucracy. Check out the GPT we trained on this conversation (https://chat.openai.com/g/g-LEzB9jaOs-insight-ai) Timestamps 00:02 Introduction and Guest Background 00:41 AI Developments and Google's Role 02:13 The Impact of Corporate Politics on AI Progress 03:15 Exploring the Crypto World 03:32 Guest's Journey into AI 06:01 The Intersection of Psychology and Technology 06:58 The Advent of Blockchain and AI 09:18 The Challenge of Predicting the Future of AI 10:14 The Paradigm Shift in Science and Society 13:02 The Future of AI: Opportunities and Concerns 17:10 The Difficulty of Mastering Multiple Fields in the Age of AI 24:22 Adapting to the Rise of AI 25:25 The Importance of Learning in the AI Era 26:23 The Surprises of AI Training 27:18 The Challenges and Evolution of AI Training 30:23 The Unique Culture of Invisible 31:32 The Future of Corporations and AI 39:27 The Potential Dangers of AI 41:06 The Role of AI in Bureaucracy 42:54 The Possibility of Local AI Models 44:52 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information Key Insights Google's AI Developments: Fernando highlights Google's recent advancements in generative image AI and integration with BARD. This move is significant in the AI landscape, showing Google’s effort to catch up and integrate AI into its various platforms. Corporate Dynamics and Innovation: Fernando discusses the challenges large corporations like Google face when innovating, such as the constraints of corporate politics and shareholder expectations. In contrast, startups or stealth companies can be more disruptive due to their agility and freedom from such constraints. Fernando's Diverse Background: His journey from working in call centers to VR/AR development and blockchain technology showcases the interdisciplinary nature of modern tech careers and the importance of adaptability in rapidly evolving fields like AI. AI as a New Paradigm: Fernando and Stewart discuss the paradigm shift from deterministic to non-deterministic models in technology. They reflect on how AI represents a significant leap in this direction, marking a transition to more complex, less predictable systems. Impact of AI on Society and Future Predictions: The discussion acknowledges the profound changes AI will bring, emphasizing the challenges in predicting the future due to the rapid pace of AI development. Fernando stresses the importance of adaptability and continuous learning to keep pace with these changes. Role of AI in Training and Learning: Fernando talks about the evolving methods of AI training, highlighting the need to constantly adapt and upskill to meet the changing demands of AI development and training. Invisible Technologies' Unique Approach: Fernando appreciates how Invisible Technologies treats contractors, emphasizing a culture that extends beyond traditional corporate boundaries. This approach helps create a more cohesive, inclusive work environment. AI’s Potential in Bureaucracy and Everyday Tasks: There's a discussion about how AI could significantly streamline bureaucratic processes, making life easier and more efficient for individuals. Local vs. Cloud-based AI Models: Fernando sees benefits in both local and cloud-based AI models. Local models can be useful in situations without internet access, while cloud-based models offer more power and resources. Ethical and Security Concerns of AI: The interview touches on the potential dangers of AI, especially in the wrong hands, and the importance of ethical considerations and security in AI development.

2. 

   1 Feb 2024

   Navigating the New Frontiers of AI and Humanity with Grace Matelich

   In this episode of the Plain Sight Podcast, Grace Matelich, the Executive Director of Operations at Invisible Technologies, discusses the experiences and challenges of working in a rapid, hyper-growth environment. She shares her thoughts on nurturing the personal and professional growth of her ever-expanding team, managing the 'remote-first' aspect of the work in a constantly evolving dynamic, and the exciting and demanding ride of being part of an innovative tech company. Additionally, Grace dives into artificial intelligence, its capabilities and potential in terms of knowledge management, content creation, and transforming our understanding of the world. She also expresses her vision on the concept of AI as a mirror and its potential implication on society. Check out this GPT we trained on this episode (https://chat.openai.com/g/g-PPQy3ygt5-plain-sight-podcast-companion-grace-matelich) Timestamps 00:02 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:21 Discussing Hyper Growth in Invisible Technologies 00:57 The Challenges and Excitement of Rapid Company Growth 01:25 Navigating Remote Work and Hyper Growth 03:23 Exploring the Concept of AI as a Mirror 04:23 The Emotional Capacity of AI 07:48 The Importance of Diverse Training Teams in AI 08:35 The Future of Content Creation with AI 16:08 The Role of AI in Multilingual Communication 20:43 Personal Growth in the Midst of Hyper Growth 26:18 Overcoming the Mindset of Finite Energy 27:38 The Importance of Self-Care and Connection 28:30 Managing a Growing Team: Challenges and Strategies 29:24 The Art of Leadership and Mentorship 30:38 The Power of Mindfulness and Reflection 36:15 Navigating Hyper Growth Environments 42:23 The Future of Knowledge Management 47:01 The Tax of Progress and the Future of Autonomy Key Insights Hyper-Growth in Companies: Grace describes the experience of working in a hyper-growth environment as both exhilarating and demanding. She likens it to "flying in a rocket ship," highlighting the rapid changes and challenges it presents. Remote Work Dynamics: With extensive experience in remote work, Grace doesn't focus much on the remote aspect, suggesting it's become second nature to her. She emphasizes the importance of asynchronous communication and creating connections in a remote setting, especially in a hyper-growth environment. AI as a Mirror of Humanity: Grace discusses AI's role as a reflection of humanity since it is trained on human data. She explores the idea that AI, much like humans, can be seen as a "hallucination machine" creating content based on the data it has learned from. Emotional Capacity in AI: The conversation touches on the current state of AI and its lack of emotional capacity. Grace argues that while AI can mimic emotions on the surface, it does not have a grounded experience of life and emotions like humans do. Knowledge Management in Hyper-Growth Environments: Grace points out the challenges of knowledge management in a rapidly changing environment. She stresses the importance of prioritization in knowledge capture and the need for scalable methods to disseminate knowledge effectively. Personal Growth Amidst Organizational Changes: Grace shares her personal approach to managing growth, both for herself and her team. She talks about the importance of self-management, consistency, and setting personal boundaries to ensure effective leadership and team support. Future of Content Creation: Grace envisions a future where AI could play a significant role in content creation, speculating about a world where shows like "Friends" could be created based on user specifications. Role of AI in Expanding Human Creativity and Content Consumption: The discussion delves into how AI might change our interaction with content, potentially leading to a higher appreciation for live performances and human creativity. Challenges in Multilingual AI Training: Grace discusses the complexities of training AI in multiple languages, which requires a diverse team of trainers and a deep understanding of each language's nuances. Philosophy and Mindset for Handling Rapid Growth: Grace reflects on the importance of awareness, reflection, and the ability to adapt strategies in a hyper-growth environment. She emphasizes the need for a balance between broad vision and focused problem-solving.

3. 

   1 Feb 2024

   From Chinchilla Care to Tech Flair: Rene Arias' Unique Journey

   In this episode of the Plain Sight podcast, Stewart Alsop talks with Rene Arias, an indispensable team member serving as the Information Technologies Administrator at Invisible Technologies. Rene shares the roots of his nickname, 'Hermes', and how he earned it through his reliable and swift problem-solving skills from the early days of the company. He also details his unexpected journey to Invisible, moving from chinchilla rancher to tech expert. Rene delves into how the sense of community and shared goals in a startup such as Invisible Technologies fosters trust. He also outlines how an AI revolution has unfolded within the company during his time there. This episode provides glimpses into both the professional and personal lives of Rene, including his intriguing encounters with his African Grey parrot, Leia. Check out this GPT we trained on this episode (https://chat.openai.com/g/g-fib9blkFN-plain-sight-companion-rene-arias) Timestamps 00:02 Introduction and Guest Presentation 00:08 Rene's Role at Invisible Technologies 00:28 The Story Behind Rene's Nickname 'Hermes' 01:51 Rene's Journey to Invisible Technologies 03:39 Rene's Career Progression at Invisible Technologies 04:41 Rene's Experience of Becoming a Partner 07:15 Rene's Previous Work Experiences 07:33 Rene's Experience Working at a Chinchilla Ranch 14:59 The Role of Trust in Invisible Technologies 20:41 Rene's Role in the AI Revolution at Invisible Technologies 23:12 Rene's Unique Role and Trust in the Organization 33:27 Rene's Pet Parrot and Chinchilla 41:54 Conclusion and Contact Information Key Insights Role at Invisible Technologies: Rene Arias serves as an Information Technologies Administrator at Invisible Technologies. He plays a crucial role in resolving technical issues and is highly regarded for his efficiency and reliability, earning him the nickname "Hermes" after the Greek messenger of the gods. Joining Invisible Technologies: Rene's journey to Invisible began through a Facebook post by Skylar Stevens, a former partner at Invisible. His pre-existing trust and reputation led to him being hired for a role initially termed as "the century role," reflecting his responsibility in guarding sensitive information and managing internal processes. Career Evolution at Invisible: Rene has experienced significant growth in his career at Invisible Technologies, evolving from an agent to a specialist, and ultimately to a partner by the end of 2021. His promotion to partner was a recognition of his dedication and hard work, particularly his close collaboration with Francis Pedraza, the former CEO. Work Experience Prior to Invisible: Before joining Invisible Technologies, Rene worked in various roles, including as a Lyft driver, a waiter, and interestingly, at a chinchilla ranch. His responsibilities at the chinchilla ranch included caring for the animals and ensuring they found good homes. The Startup Environment: Rene's experience at Invisible Technologies marks his first foray into the startup world. He highlights the sense of community and collaboration at Invisible, despite being a remote company. The startup environment at Invisible is characterized by a shared goal and collective progression. Remote Work Culture at Invisible: Rene discusses the successful implementation of a remote work culture at Invisible. He attributes this success to a strong emphasis on culture and community, allowing for open communication and creative freedom among employees. Impact of AI on Invisible Technologies: Rene has witnessed the integration and evolution of AI within the company. He compares this experience to being part of a pioneering phase similar to the early days of the dot-com era, highlighting the potential of AI to transform processes and efficiencies within the company. Rene's Personal Interests: Outside of his professional life, Rene has a passion for parrots, particularly his African Grey parrot named Leia. He shares interesting anecdotes about Leia's intelligence and personality, demonstrating his deep interest in and knowledge of animal behavior. Trust and Dependability: Trust is a central theme in Rene's role at Invisible. He is seen as a dependable figure within the organization, with a unique ability to handle sensitive information and manage various internal systems effectively. Unique Contributions and Job Satisfaction: Rene expresses a sense of pride and fulfillment in his role at Invisible, acknowledging the uniqueness of his contributions across different departments and the trust placed in him by his colleagues.

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.