Dissecting Media Bias and AI's Role in Research and Innovation with Ben Field and Juistin Beaconsfield from Raava | #5

The Strange Attractor

Ready to delve into the world of AI startups, media bias, and the future of research and education? This episode promises an enlightening conversation with Ben and Justin, a.k.a 'the AI boys' the brains (and potential boy band) behind Rava, an emerging AI startup and impact member at CoLabs Australia. We explore their journey into this fascinating field and the decision that led them to leave their academic pursuits to focus on this promising new frontier at the absolute cutting edge of applied AI. We also explore AI's potential use as a tool for good, the ethical implications, and the unique opportunities available for pioneers in the AI space.
Ever considered how media bias and algorithms can limit our exposure to diverse perspectives? The conversation takes an interesting turn when we discuss this overlooked aspect of our digital lives. We dissect how custom news feeds can lead to polarisation, and the challenges inherent in a system driven by advertising revenue. From Twitter's community notes to other tools designed to combat bias, we dig deep into the initial conditions of these systems and the urgency of working towards unity rather than division and explore how Raava are working on a media bias plugin to help folks make sense of the information they consume.
Lastly, we dive into the potential impact of technology on the world, the importance of wide boundary thinking in its creation, and touch briefly on the concept of complex adaptive systems. We traverse a range of topics, from using technology to solve challenges in different bioregions, to the potential of an 'AI tech stack platform' that could assess the reliability of scientific data. The discussion is jam-packed with insights that will leave you with plenty to ponder. So, join us as we explore the future together, guided by the insights of our inquisitive guests, Ben and Justin. Let's expand our horizons, shall we?
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Hoofdstukken

1. AI Start-Up and the Future (00:00:01)

2. Media Bias and Polarisation on Social Media (00:13:10)

3. Graph Networks and AI for Synthesis (00:21:52)

4. Optimistic Vigilance with New Technology (00:34:05)

5. Publishing Negative Results in Research (00:47:29)

6. Large Language Models in AI and Bioinformatics (01:00:51)

7. Bridging the Gap (01:09:57)

8. Venture Studio, Innovation, and Education (01:18:14)

9. Reimagining Education for the Information Age (01:25:43)

10. Advancing Innovation and Research With AI (01:33:38)