Generative AI 101
Welcome to Generative AI 101, your go-to podcast for learning the basics of generative artificial intelligence in easy-to-understand, bite-sized episodes. Join host Emily Laird, AI Integration Technologist and AI lecturer, to explore key concepts, applications, and ethical considerations, making AI accessible for everyone.
Episodes

Monday Dec 09, 2024
What is AGI?
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) the holy grail of AI or just a techie’s pipe dream? In this episode, host Emily Laird breaks down AGI’s elusive potential: an AI that doesn’t just crush one task but can think, reason, and solve problems across the board—just like humans, minus the coffee. We compare narrow AI to kitchen gadgets, explore why generative AI is a stepping stone, and ask the big, spooky questions: What if AGI outsmarts us?
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AGI than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Thursday Dec 05, 2024
November Recap: AI Shaping Tomorrow
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
In the final episode of Generative AI 101’s November recap series, we examine AI’s profound influence on society and sustainability. From ChatGPT’s staggering 3.7 billion visits to its potential to replace search engines, to AI-powered Jesus in a Swiss confessional booth (which is Emily's favorite by far), we tackle the thrilling, weird, and thought-provoking intersections of tech and humanity. Plus, we explore AI’s growing energy demands, predictions of human-level AI by 2026, and Google’s leaked “Jarvis” assistant prototype.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in the month of November 2024 than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
November Recap: AI on Trial
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
In part three of our four-part November 2024 recap, we turn the spotlight on AI’s missteps and controversies. From OpenAI’s legal troubles over copyright infringement to Coca-Cola’s soulless (said people on X) AI-powered Christmas ad, we explore where AI stumbles in creativity and ethics. We also unpack Google’s chatbot Gemini delivering a shockingly hostile message and discuss the U.S. government’s bold plans for an AI arms race against China.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in the month of November 2024 than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
November Recap: AI Breakthroughs
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
In the second episode of our November series, Generative AI 101 unpacks the breakthroughs that make you say, “Wait, AI can do that now?” Discover how Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet is revolutionizing the way we process dense PDFs, explore AI’s role in predicting space weather to safeguard satellites, and learn how AI helped The Beatles earn a Grammy nod by reviving John Lennon’s voice. Finally, learn about taking a virtual tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Microsoft’s AI is blending cultural preservation with cutting-edge tech.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in the month of November 2024 than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Monday Dec 02, 2024
November Recap: AI's Power Plays
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
In the first episode of our four-part series on November’s biggest AI stories, Generative AI 101 explores game-changing partnerships and industry shake-ups. Host Emily Laird explores Disney’s bold move to integrate AI and AR into storytelling magic, Anthropic’s collaboration with AWS and Palantir to bring ethical AI to national security, and Niantic’s use of Pokémon Go data to build a groundbreaking geospatial AI model. From Hollywood to the Pentagon and beyond, this episode unpacks how AI is reshaping industries and sparking debates about innovation and ethics.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in the month of November 2024 than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Friday Nov 22, 2024
AI in Space: Generative AI & the Search for Life Beyond Earth
Friday Nov 22, 2024
Friday Nov 22, 2024
In the final episode of our AI in Space series, Emily Laird takes us to the edge of the cosmos, exploring how generative AI is helping answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: Are we alone in the universe? From anomaly detection and simulating celestial phenomena to scanning exoplanet atmospheres for biosignatures, AI is revolutionizing the search for alien life. nk.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in Space than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Thursday Nov 21, 2024
AI in Space: Generative AI Enters the Space Race
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
In the third episode of our AI in Space series, Emily Laird explores how generative AI is transforming spacecraft design and production. From rapid prototyping that slashes timelines to topology optimization that makes parts lighter and stronger, discover how NASA is using AI to build smarter, tougher space tech.
Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in Space than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
AI in Space: Autonomy & Robotics
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
In the second episode of our AI in Space series, host Emily Laird explores the fascinating world of AI-driven autonomy and robotics. Learn how AI systems like AutoNav help Mars rovers navigate treacherous landscapes, while tools like AEGIS hunt for scientifically valuable rocks. From terrain mapping to space weather forecasting, discover how AI protects equipment and astronauts from cosmic hazards. Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in Space than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Monday Nov 18, 2024
AI in Space: Blueprints & Algorithms
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
In this first episode of our AI in Space series, host Emily Laird takes you on a cosmic tour of AI’s starring role in space exploration. From analyzing petabytes of telescope data to discovering exoplanets and optimizing Mars rover missions, AI is turning the impossible into everyday science. Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in Space than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Thursday Nov 14, 2024
AI in Engineering: How AI is Redesigning the World
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
In this final episode of our AI in Engineering series, host Emily Laird explores how AI is transforming industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. From designing ultra-efficient car parts to real-time quality control on skyscrapers, AI is doing more than automating tasks—it’s rethinking how things are built. Emily explores AI’s role in predictive maintenance, resource efficiency, and the futuristic “digital twins” concept, all while tackling the ethical challenges of this powerful tech. TConnect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode or have questions, reach out to Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more insights into the evolving world of generative AI. And remember, you now know more about AI in Engineering than you did before!
Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn

Lecturer + Speaker
Transform your business with Emily Laird's captivating presentation on Generative AI. An AI expert and dynamic speaker, Emily breaks down complex concepts with ease and entertainment. Perfect for businesses and organizations eager to discover AI's potential.