Episode #1 Pilot

In this pilot episode of The Divine Spark, Sara Steever introduces the podcast Paulsen launched to explore a human-first approach to integrating AI into marketing in agriculture, energy and other rural sectors. She shares her personal journey and evolving thoughts on generative AI, initially feeling anger and concern over the implications of AI on creative work before ultimately gaining a deeper understanding that generative AI, like all creativity, is a derivative process. The episode seeks to lay the groundwork for a series of interviews that will take a closer look at the responsible use of AI with a focus on preserving the "divine spark" that makes humans unique.

Show Notes:

• [00:25] Welcome from Sara Steever

  • Paulsen CTO Sara Steever introduces herself and outlines the podcast's goals. She discusses the rapid pace of AI advancements and the ethical questions they raise.

• [01:19] Sara's Initial Reaction to Generative AI

  • Sara shares her initial anger upon encountering generative AI, particularly how it can mimic original artistic works without permission.

• [02:05] A Change in Perspective

  • Sara recounts three pivotal moments that changed her perspective on AI: a conversation with her brother, an email exchange with a colleague about the Hollywood writers' strike and a devotion by C.S. Lewis.

• [02:59] Understanding Generative AI as Derivative

  • Sara explains how she came to view both human creativity and AI-generated content as derivative, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI use.

• [03:49] Embracing the Divine Spark

  • Sara discusses the "divine spark" that distinguishes humans from AI, including creativity, intuition, and the ability to act ethically. She stresses the need for a human-first approach to AI.

• [04:44] Paulsen's Human-First AI Principles

  • Sara outlines Paulsen's commitment to a human-first AI approach, which includes respecting human creativity, maintaining transparency, and fostering a learning environment.