AI: the Medium is the Message

02/18/25 • 68 min

Join Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard as they navigate the evolving landscape of technology and its influence on our personal and professional lives. The conversation addresses OpenAI’s Deep Research and others growing role in academic work, highlighting both its value in accelerating research and its limitations—particularly around citation accuracy and the need for genuine human interpretation. Drawing on concepts like Marshall McLuhan’s “the medium is the message” and historical analogies such as the electric light, they illustrate how one technological leap can trigger vast societal changes in the 'adjacent possible' space. Throughout, they consider the balance of gains and losses that come with rapid innovation, the merits of amateurism in driving creative breakthroughs, and the importance of responsible, permissionless innovation. Ultimately, this dialogue underscores how human ingenuity, paired with emerging technologies, can open new frontiers while preserving the essence of what makes us uniquely human.

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Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu

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Host Bios:

Sean M. Leahy, PhD - ASU Bio
Sean is an an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is a Foresight Catalyst for the Future of Being Human Initiative and Research Scientist for the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

Andrew Maynard, PhD - ASU Bio
Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society. He is the founder of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative, Director of the ASU Risk Innovation Nexus, and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU College of Global Futures.

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Previous Episode

Artisanal Intellectual: a response to OpenAI's Deep Research

In this episode of Modem Futura, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for humanity. This episode highlights the challenges and frustrations faced when using AI tools, particularly in academic contexts, while also emphasizing the exciting possibilities that arise from the partnership between humans and AI. In this episode the hosts take a close look at their experience with the newly released Deep Research from OpenAI Pro and share initial impressions and some suggestions for much needed improvement. They discuss how AI can generate new ideas, challenge traditional academic perspectives, and enhance the research process. Drawing on philosophical insights, including Heidegger’s (1954) views on technology pitfalls of 'gestell' (enframing), they examine the existential risks of over-reliance on AI and emphasize the importance of critical thinking in navigating technological change. Throughout the discussion, they advocate for a nuanced, flexible approach to technology adoption and scientific discourse, underscoring the value of the knowledge-seeking journey itself.

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Next Episode

The Art of Doing Nothing

In this episode Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard discuss AI fatigue, the philosophical implications of technology, and the storytelling behind technological progress as they ponder the quote from Oscar Wilde does 'life imitate art, or does art imitate life'? Their conversation covers the allure and nostalgia of new technologies, the way technology builds community, and the intricate relationship between consumerism, authenticity, and personal narratives. Rich with references to Oscar Wilde and personal anecdotes, they examine the influence of big corporations and AI, emphasizing the importance of intentionality, creative space, and reflective boredom in our fast-paced digital world. They also explore how science fiction and imaginative narratives shape our understanding of the future, humanity’s legacy, and our existential relationship with art and technology.

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