We sit down with Trent Kalisch-Smith, a brilliant and engaging AI expert working at the forefront of data analytics and targeted advertising. From Snowplow’s innovative approach to data transparency to the ethical dilemmas of using AI to sell, this episode uncovers the truths and trade-offs of how data fuels modern technology. Key Topics Discussed: • How AI and behavioral data are transforming targeted ads—and why you might be the product. • The ethical challenges of using AI for personalized selling, including the psychological effects on consumers. • Privacy battles: Apple’s fines in Europe and the evolving tension between regulators and tech innovators. • Why Trent believes data transparency is key to building trust in an AI-driven world. • A candid conversation about the future of AI: Utopia or dystopia? Are you ready to question how AI shapes your world? Trent brings a thoughtful, balanced perspective on innovation, ethics, and the incredible potential of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and more. What You’ll Learn: • The hidden mechanics of AI-driven ads—and whether they’re necessary or manipulative. • Practical tips to protect your privacy in a data-hungry world. • How Trent uses AI for 10x productivity gains in coding and communication. • The real-world impact of AI on data transparency, privacy, and trust. Join the conversation in the comments: Are targeted ads a breach of ethics, or just smart innovation? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more deep dives into AI’s impact on society! 00:00 - Intro: Setting the stage for the discussion with Trent Kalisch-Smith. 00:01:47 - Trent’s introduction and an overview of the innovative work he’s focused on. 00:03:16 - Snowplow data analytics: Understanding its role in driving transparency and functionality. 00:04:16 - Legacy media and the recurring themes in common news content. 00:06:16 - Social media age restrictions and how the US is tackling TikTok. 00:06:47 - Yuka app: How data is helping consumers make informed food choices. 00:08:15 - Data transparency: How we are entering a new era powered by accessible information. 00:09:17 - Data access limitations on platforms like Stack Overflow. 00:11:10 - The role of data in fueling AI functionality and its applications. 00:14:48 - Image metadata tagging and indexing for enhanced AI learning. 00:17:25 - Targeted ads: Behavioral data and its influence on advertising strategies. 00:19:09 - The power and rise of social selling. 00:20:30 - How COVID impacted smartphone usage and data collection trends. 00:22:30 - Custom ChatGPT solutions for personalized customer communication. 00:23:19 - The ethics of using AI to target children in sales strategies. 00:24:31 - Psychological pressures created by AI-driven selling techniques. 00:25:46 - Apple privacy fines in the UK and France: The growing regulatory pushback. 00:29:07 - Top advice for improving personal data security and privacy practices. 00:31:19 - Privacy controls and how to better manage personal information. 00:31:48 - Daily AI tools: Trent’s use of ChatGPT, Claude, and Codeium for productivity. 00:33:00 - Achieving 10x productivity gains with AI tools. 00:36:12 - Defining AI: What it is and what it isn’t. 00:38:53 - How engineers tackle failures and challenges in AI development. 00:41:14 - ChatGPT’s experimental phase and the validation of its responses. 00:43:05 - Handling AI-driven calls and emails: Opportunities and annoyances. 00:43:41 - The paradox of AI prescriptive selling versus unwanted sales interactions. 00:45:31 - Do we trust our devices? Exploring consumer trust in technology. 00:50:12 - Future improvements in AI reliability over the next five years. 00:51:56 - Agentic AI: Fully autonomous workflows and their implications. 00:52:47 - Utopia or dystopia: Trent’s closing thoughts on the future of AI.

Sven Strassburg is a seasoned technologist and pragmatic problem solver with decades of experience at the forefront of technological innovation. With a sharp focus on both mental and technological puzzles, Sven combines deep curiosity with a critical mindset, often asking the vital question: “Just because we can, should we?” His expertise spans AI, quantum computing, and the intricate interplay between humanity and technology, making him a powerful voice in navigating the ethical and practical challenges of our rapidly evolving digital age. Explore the future of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and the evolving relationship between technology and humanity in this engaging episode of the BASELINE Podcast. Ian is joined by Sven Strassburg, a seasoned technology expert and problem solver, who tackles big questions like: • Are we rushing into AI, and what are the risks? • How can AI and humanity coexist in a world of rapid technological change? • What is the role of quantum computing in shaping the future of AI? • Should we prioritise ethics over technological capabilities? This discussion dives into the history of AI, the impact of technology on industries like manufacturing, finance, and automobiles, and the critical question: Will AI lead us to utopia or dystopia? Key Topics Covered: • The challenges and opportunities of IBM’s quantum computing innovations • The ethical dilemmas in using generative AI for decision-making • How data drives sustainability and AI development • The intersection of technology, freedom, and control in modern systems • The role of AI in influencing elections and societal trust Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, tech professional, or curious about how technology is shaping our world, this episode offers profound insights into the balance between progress, ethics, and human values. 00:00:000 Intro 00:00:05 Are we rushing into AI 00:07:00 Have physics and science stagnated? 00:09:43 Are we starting to doubt everything? 00:10:05 The impact of COVID on manufacturing 00:12:45 Humanity and technology coexistence 00:18:29 Humans will naturally resist control and repression 00:21:00 The use of technology in propaganda 00:23:45 Do we accept digital systems to police humanity 00:25:21 Car industry attempt to control the driver and remove freedoms 00:28:00 Do cars need to have some much data collection and analysis 00:29:54 Thoughtfulness in the development of technology 00:31:07 Are we living in a digital prison 00:33:50 Can AI influence elections? 00:41:50 Challenges with Rivian subscription service 00:45:54 Design engineers v production engineers 00:57:14 Quantum computing as a platform for AI 01:00:39 Quantum as a component of a processing architecture 01:03:28 Minimisation of Large Language Models 01:04:03 Quantum developments enhancing classical compute 01:05:00 The engineering DNA to make quantum succeed 01:05:45 Stages of engineering in a quantum computer 01:06:35 AI Utopia or dystopia?

Ben Lowe is a successful and seasoned enterprise software sales leader with a wealth of experience in crafting and closing complex deals. From automation to cloud, Ben has been at the forefront of some of the largest and most impactful software transformations in recent history. Now, as an entrepreneur, he’s leveraging generative AI to supercharge global sales and operational teams, bringing a pragmatic and commercially-driven perspective to the transformative potential of AI. In this episode of BASELINE, Ian and Ben explore how AI is reshaping sales, business, and global economies. Together, they dive into topics ranging from Agentic AI and generative AI in sales to cultural approaches to AI, the ethics of technology, and the challenges of leading a company in a rapidly changing world. • The potential and limitations of Agentic AI • Generative AI’s impact on sales and global economies • The role of ethics and regulation in AI innovation • Transforming enterprise technology with focused LLMs • The future of remote work, cultural approaches to AI, and mental health • Lessons from Ironman training, Strava, and even Lance Armstrong’s legacy 00:00 Intro 01:17 Agentic AI 04:34 ChatGPT effect in sales 08:51 Generative AI and global economies 18:37 Ethical impacts of AI 22:38 AI-generated sales emails: Effective or not? 32:12 Private generative AI capabilities for salespeople 42:00 Remote work: Benefits vs challenges 50:16 Lance Armstrong, doping, and lessons for leadership 58:12 AI Utopia or Dystopia? https://lighthousetechnology.ai