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
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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/
🔗 Menzies School of Health Research: 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
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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
🌐 Center for AI and Digital Policy
👉 Enjoyed this episode? Like, share, and subscribe to support more meaningful conversations on AI and ethics!
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
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 HopeLinks from this Episode
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:
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
Links from this episode:
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:
Books by Rasmus:
Connect with Us:
Follow the podcast for more discussions on Mindful AI and leadership.
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Links from this episode:
How AI Can Make Us Better Leaders - Harvard Business Review
The Best Leaders Can't Be Replaced by AI - Harvard Business Review
AI and Human Leadership - Potential Project
Universal Emotions - Paul Ekman
Folk psychological attributions of consciousness to large language models - Study from University of Waterloo showing that a majority things ChatGPT is conscious to some degree
Life 3.0 - Max Tegmark
Yuval Noah Harari on Tim Ferris Podcast - 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
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.
