How to get closer to the world of Artificial Intelligence through an AI podcast? Pigro's team has carefully selected for you some of the best and latest AI Podcasts available online. Read the article to find your favourite AI podcast!
What are podcasts?
The term “podcast” is a blend word that originates from the union of the words "iPod" and "Broadcast" and already underlines a new way of enjoying content: but what is a "podcast" exactly?
By "podcasting" we mean a new technology that allows a radio broadcast to be transmitted over the Internet, which can also be downloaded and stored in an Mp3 player. This type of content originated in the USA in the early 2000s, when widespread access to recording and distribution tools via the Internet gave rise to this sub-genre of the radio programme, which can be downloaded and listened to for free on one's iPod devices.
The first to use the term podcast was journalist Ben Hammersley in an article published in The Guardian in 2004 "Audible revolution. Online radio is booming thanks to iPods, cheap audio software and weblogs", but its use established itself after Steve Jobs stated to have named an Itunes section in that way.
In 2014, podcasting boomed among the American general public, thanks to an audio programme called “Serial”, which narrated the story of a real crime using an episodic structure. Since then, this type of serial narration has become increasingly popular in Europe as well.
It was its new format, its adaptability to the content and the simplicity of its creation that led the podcast to success; additionally, the contemporary social-historical context - in which people are always looking for content that is easily accessible at any time and place - also played a key role in its success
According to the 2021 Edison Research’s annual Infinite Dial Report, 71% of the surveyed UK residents are familiar with podcasts, and 59% of those aged 16+ have ever listened to a podcast, among which the monthly listeners amount to 41%, while weekly listeners to 25%. In particular, UK weekly listeners, "consume" about 5 podcasts per week.
Podcasts: how does it work?
Although the podcast is a fairly free format, it has certain characteristics that have become established over time: it usually follows an episodic structure, but oftentimes it the content and the subject matter that define its length and format. Podcasts are now widespread in all sectors and can be of various kinds: from serialized stories to foreign language classes, down to insights on current affairs or in-depth analysis of specific topics or chats between friends.
How can you listen to a podcast? All you need is a smartphone, PC or tablet to download it and listen to it on your headphones. Here are some podcast apps we recommend: Apple Podcast if you are an iPhone user, Google Podcast if you are an Android user. Both platforms allow you to download for free amazingly interesting podcasts on your device.
7 Podcasts on AI
Given their thematic nature, podcasts are very useful for delving into topics that are often defined as “niche”. This is why we decided to compile a list of podcasts on the topic of Artificial Intelligence: here is the list of podcasts on AI selected by Pigro.
1. The AI Podcast
Artificial intelligence has been described as “Thor’s Hammer” and “the new electricity.” But it’s also a bit of a mystery – even to those who know it best. On the AI Podcast, you will find some of the world’s leading experts in AI, deep learning, and machine learning who explain how it works, how it’s evolving, and how it intersects with every facet of human endeavour, from art to science. The AI Podcast host is Noah Kravitz, who built one of YouTube’s all-time most successful Science and Technology channels, served as a regular tech expert on cable and local TV outlets and wrote about society-changing technologies for media outlets including WIRED, Business Insider and Entrepreneur.
2. Lex Fridman Podcast
Also known as “Artificial Intelligence: AI Podcast” or “AI + Lex”, this podcast is a set of conversations about the nature of intelligence, science, and technology (at MIT and beyond) from the perspective of deep learning, robotics, AI, AGI, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, economics, physics, mathematics, and more. One of the episodes, for example, explores artificial consciousness and the nature of reality with Joscha Bach, the VP of Research at the AI Foundation, previously doing research at MIT and Harvard.
3. Practical AI
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The focus of this podcast is to make artificial intelligence practical, productive, and accessible to everyone by depicting real-world scenarios, in an easy and comprehensible way. The most popular episode, “Learning about (Deep) Learning”, is about education for artificial intelligence practitioners and is a must for everyone who wants to know more about this fascinating subject.
4. AI in Business
This is a practical and actionable podcast that helps leaders to thrive in AI disruption with real facts and trends that matter for business operators. Each week, Emerj Founder Daniel Faggella interviews top AI and machine learning executives, investors, and researchers from globally renowned organizations to analyse critical trends, applications and disruptions of AI and to discover what top executives are doing to take advantage of them. This podcast also offers strategic AI considerations for business planning and shows which AI applications are driving real business value, and which are still experimental.
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Brain inspired is a podcast aimed at educating, challenging, inspiring and entertaining those interested in AI and neuroscience. In each episode, Paul Middlebrooks interviews experts from different fields, which may include neuroscience, cognitive science, but also philosophy and psychology.
6. Eye on A.I.
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Eye on A.I. is a biweekly podcast with senior researchers and entrepreneurs of the deep learning space, hosted by longtime New York Times correspondent Craig S. Smith. In each episode, Craig interviews some of the characters who are making a difference in the AI industry, going to analyze all the technological innovations that will impact the global context.
The topics covered in podcasts range from the more technical ones, such as deep learning and evolutions of algorithms, to the more everyday ones, such as the use of AI in data privacy, healthcare and IoT in ambient intelligence.
7. Over The Air
Over the Air is a top-rated Artificial Intelligence Podcast. In each episode, an expert guest will make bold predictions reveal unpopular opinions, and share stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
You can join it every Tuesday as they have sharp, unfiltered conversations with executives about their IoT journeys: the mistakes they made, the lessons they learned, and what they wish they’d known when they started.
These 7 podcasts on artificial intelligence show how AI is an increasingly widening sector, which interweaves with many other fields and disciplines. That's why “traditional media” are no longer suitable for their purpose!
See also: TED Talks AI: 10+1 unmissable TED Talks about Artificial Intelligence
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