Malestrum: AI — Hype, Hope & Hard Truths
🎙️ Welcome to Malestrum — a podcast where a Boomer dad and his Gen Z son tackle the big questions facing young men today.
In this episode, Barry (73) and Griffin (23) take on one of the most disruptive forces of our time: Artificial Intelligence. From early chatbots like ELIZA in the 1960s to the transformer breakthroughs of 2017 and the explosion of ChatGPT in 2022, we trace how AI went from science-fiction dream to everyday reality. Along the way, we debate what AI means for jobs, relationships, and identity — and whether it’s more companion or competitor.
🔍 Topics We Explore in This Episode:
AI’s Evolution: From symbolic systems and statistical models to deep learning and large language models.
The Transformer Revolution: Why 2017 changed everything.
ChatGPT & Mass Adoption: How the fastest-growing tech in history reshaped daily life.
Generational Perspectives: What AI looks like to a 23-year-old engineer vs. a 73-year-old writer.
Opportunities & Threats: Research, creativity, medicine, jobs — what AI gives and what it takes.
Ethical Fault Lines: Who benefits, who gets left behind, and why access matters.
AI as Companion: From productivity tool to “replacement relationship” — the dangers of digital intimacy.
The Road Ahead: Speculation, optimism, and unease about what comes next.
💬 Why We Discussed AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a backdrop — it’s center stage. Whether you’re a student, creator, worker, or parent, AI now touches how we think, work, and connect. By unpacking its history, hype, and human impact, we aim to help listeners cut through noise and fear, and instead engage critically with the choices this technology demands of all of us.
🌐 Coming Soon on Malestrum.com:
A beginner’s guide to understanding AI without jargon
Articles on AI and the job market for Gen Z and beyond
Case studies on the ethical dilemmas emerging right now
Listener stories on how AI is reshaping their lives
🌀 Malestrum — A storm worth exploring.
