Pondering AI – Details, episodes & analysis

Philip Rathle traverses from knowledge graphs to LLMs and illustrates how loading the dice with GraphRAG enhances deterministic reasoning, explainability and agency.    

Philip explains why knowledge graphs are a natural fit for capturing data about real-world systems. Starting with Kevin Bacon, he identifies many ‘graphy’ problems confronting us today. Philip then describes how interconnected systems benefit from the dynamism and data network effects afforded by knowledge graphs. 

Next, Philip provides a primer on how Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) loads the dice for large language models (LLMs). He also differentiates between vector- and graph-based RAG. Along the way, we discuss the nature and locus of reasoning (or lack thereof) in LLM systems. Philip articulates the benefits of GraphRAG including deterministic reasoning, fine-grained access control and explainability. He also ruminates on graphs as a bridge to human agency as graphs can be reasoned on by both humans and machines. Lastly, Philip shares what is happening now and next in GraphRAG applications and beyond. 

Philip Rathle is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Neo4j. Philip was a key contributor to the development of the GQL standard and recently authored The GraphRAG Manifesto: Adding Knowledge to GenAI (neo4j.com) a go-to resource for all things GraphRAG. 

A transcript of this episode is here. 

Matthew Scherer makes the case for bottom-up AI adoption, being OK with not using AI, innovation as a relative good, and transparently safeguarding workers’ rights. 

Matthew champions a worker-led approach to AI adoption in the workplace. He traverses the slippery slope from safety to surveillance and guards against unnecessarily intrusive solutions. 

Matthew then illustrates why AI isn’t great at making employment decisions; even in objectively data rich environments such as the NBA. He also addresses the intractable problem of bias in hiring and flawed comparisons between humans and AI. We discuss the unquantifiable dynamics of human interactions and being OK with our inability to automate hiring and firing. 

Matthew explains how the patchwork of emerging privacy regulations reflects cultural norms towards workers. He invokes the Ford Pinto and the Titan submersible catastrophe when challenging the concept of innovation as an intrinsic good. Matthew then makes the case for transparency as a gateway to enforcing existing civil rights and laws. 

Matthew Scherer is a Senior Policy Counsel for Workers' Rights and Technology at the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). He studies how emerging technologies affect workers in the workplace and labor market.   Matt is also an Advisor for the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination. 

A transcript of this episode is here.

Katrina Ingram addresses AI power dynamics, regulatory floors and ethical ceilings, inevitability narratives, self-limiting predictions, and public AI education.   

Katrina traces her career from communications to her current pursuits in applied AI ethics. Showcasing her way with words, Katrina dissects popular AI narratives. While contemplating AI FOMO, she cautions against an engineering mentality and champions the power to say ‘no.’ Katrina contrasts buying groceries with AI solutions and describes regulations as the floor and ethics as the ceiling for responsible AI. Katrina then considers the sublimation of AI ethics into AI safety and risk management, whether Sci-Fi has led us astray and who decides what. We also discuss the law of diminishing returns, the inevitability narrative around AI, and how predictions based on the past can narrow future possibilities. Katrina commiserates with consumers but cautions against throwing privacy to the wind. Finally, she highlights the gap in funding for public education and literacy.  

Katrina Ingram is the Founder & CEO Ethically Aligned AI, a Canadian consultancy enabling organizations to practically apply ethics in their AI pursuits. 

A transcript of this episode is here. 

Paulo Carvão discusses AI’s impact on the public interest, emerging regulatory schemes, progress over perfection, and education as the lynchpin for ethical tech.           

In this thoughtful discussion, Paulo outlines the cultural, ideological and business factors underpinning the current data economy. An economy in which the manipulation of personal data into private corporate assets is foundational. Opting for optimism over cynicism, Paul advocates for a first principles approach to ethical development of AI and emerging tech. He argues that regulation creates a positive tension that enables innovation. Paulo examines the emerging regulatory regimes of the EU, the US and China. Preferencing progress over perfection, he describes why regulating technology for technology’s sake is fraught. Acknowledging the challenge facing existing school systems, Paulo articulates the foundational elements required of a ‘bilingual’ education to enable future generations to “do the right things.”  

Paulo Carvão is a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, a global tech executive and investor. Follow his writings and subscribe to his newsletter on the Tech and Democracy substack.  

A transcript of this episode is here. 

Dr. Christina Jayne Colclough reflects on AI Regulations at Work.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

Giselle Mota reflects on Inclusion at Work in the age of AI.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

Ganes Kesari reflects on generative AI (GAI) in the Enterprise.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

Chris McClean reflects on Digital Ethics and Regulation in AI today.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

Dr. Erica Thompson reflects on Making Model Decisions about and with AI.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

To learn more, check out Erica’s book Escape from Model Land: How Mathematical Models Can Lead Us Astray and What We Can Do About It

Roger Spitz reflects on Upskilling Human Decision Making in the age of AI.

In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next.

To learn more, check out Roger’s book series The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption