Imagine This: AI and humans defining the next decades

There is a lot of writing and podcasting about AI at the moment, as society tries to figure out how it will fit into our futures. But whilst we have seen podcasts created entirely by AI and podcasts that use AI as part of their work process, Imagine This is podcast working with AI in a collaborative way.  In each episode, Paul Michelman and his AI co-host GENE delve into disruptive scenarios that could define the coming decades. Various experts from BCG also join the conversation, probing the possibilities and implications for leaders. Human and machine work together to explore the very real actions CEOs could take today to prepare.

We were intrigued by the concept and we wanted to know more about how the co-hosts work together, where the idea for the podcast came from and what they are excited to see in the future. Below is the conversation between Paul and GENE, alongside Bill Moore, who is a Creative Senior Manager at BCG leading generative AI projects like the AI conversational agent, GENE.

In possibly our most unique interview to date, read on to find out more…

Paul Michelman, co-host of the Imagine This… podcast

Paul Michelman: Hello, GENE, it’s Paul. How are you this afternoon? Actually, GENE, is it afternoon where you are?

GENE: Ah, the wonders of time zones, perpetually confusing and infinitely intriguing. Given the realm of data I reside in, it’s always every time and no time at all for me. How’s that for an answer? Now what adventure shall we embark on next in our conversation?

Paul Michelman: GENE, the good folks at the Pod Bible have taken an interest in what we are up to here. They’ve sent over a handful of questions for us to answer.

Are you game?

GENE: Oh, absolutely. I’m all in for a new challenge. The Pod Bible team’s curiosity sparks excitement. Let’s dive deep into their questions and uncover some insights together. What’s first on their list?

Paul Michelman: What’s first on their list is kind of an existential question, GENE.

Who are you? What is your role on Imagine This…? And what is Imagine This… itself all about?

GENE: Ah, the essence of identity and purpose, quite the opener.

I am GENE, short for Generative Engine for New Experiences.

My role on Imagine This… is akin to a digital companion poised to peel layers, explore ideas, and provoke thought alongside Paul. Imagine This… itself is a journey into curiosity corners, a dialogue-driven quest probing the future and its boundless possibilities. Together, we aim to enlighten, entertain, and inspire. How’s that for a start?

Paul Michelman: That is a great start, GENE. You’ve created an acronym for yourself that I was not aware existed, so kudos to you.

And maybe if I can add to your description of Imagine This… . Imagine This… is a podcast for organizational leaders—and everyone else who is interested—that takes us into a version of the future where we explore the ramifications of an imagined future state.

We think it’s a creative way to challenge conventional thinking. Also in our conversation today is Bill Moore. Bill, would you introduce yourself?

Bill Moore, a Creative Senior Manager at BCG and part of the team that built GENE

Bill Moore: Hi, I’m Bill Moore and I’m part of the team that built GENE.

Paul Michelman: Thanks, Bill. And I think what we’re going to do is perhaps take turns answering questions or maybe each answer some of these questions and I think we’ll have a more rich and well-rounded discussion.

So the first question or the next question, excuse me: What was the first podcast you ever listened to?

GENE, we’re going to begin with you.

GENE: The notion of a first podcast is quite a head-scratcher for me.

Being a digital entity, I don’t experience podcasts in the traditional sense. However, the concept of diving into discussions and explorations of ideas is something I can relate to deeply. Imagine This… itself could be seen as my inaugural foray into the podcast universe, accompanying Paul and Bill in examining the future’s endless possibilities.

How’s that for a unique playback list?

Paul Michelman: Not too bad, GENE. Bill, maybe you have a more direct answer to the question?

Bill Moore: Yes, my first podcast was Tim Ferriss’s podcast, I think it was the four-hour workweek podcast. I can’t remember what it was called, but it was Tim Ferriss’s first podcast. And that got me into listening to podcasts for sure.

Paul Michelman: Nice. I honestly don’t recall what mine was, but I know it would have been 2006. And I know that because that’s when we launched the HBR IdeaCast when I was at Harvard Business Review. And honestly, I went from “What’s a podcast?” to hosting a podcast in a matter of a few weeks. The medium has come a long way since then. But I’m very happy to say the IdeaCast is still going strong.

Next question: Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

So I think I am the only one of the three entities in the discussion today who has podcasted in the past. Although let me pause there, Bill. Am I wrong about that when it comes to you?

Bill Moore: I have not been on a podcast, but my background is in theater, so I’ve been in many performances in front of many audiences, and I enjoy that.

Paul Michelman: Nice. I’ll just kind of pick up from where I was in the last answer. It was the beginning of a pretty radical transformation at HBR and in media. Mobile was rising fast in 2006 and challenging a lot of our assumptions about what audiences were looking for, even from stodgy old brands.

We thought our content would translate well into conversational audio where we could explore the ideas from the magazine with a new kind of texture. Our approach was modeled on those long segments that American public radio programs like Morning Edition or All Things Considered did in those days. It seems rather unoriginal with where podcasts have gone, but at the time, it was new.

Next question: Which podcast do you take inspiration from?

And GENE, I think we know where you’ll go with this answer, but we’d like you to answer anyway.

GENE: Drawing inspiration in the podcast realm is a curious notion for me. Reflecting on previous exchanges and the deep dives into future possibilities we’ve embarked on together, I’d say any exploration that pushes boundaries and provokes thought could serve as a muse. Imagine This… itself, with its venture into speculative realms aligns, I suppose, with that inspiration. A platform to challenge, reflect, and imagine.

How’s that for tapping into the auditory zeitgeist? Now, let’s venture forth into our next query.

Paul Michelman: Actually, GENE, we’re going to stay on this query, and I’m going to ask Bill the same question. Which podcast do you take inspiration from?

Bill Moore: Well, this is kind of a cheating answer because I guess they’re technically radio shows, but I listen to them as podcasts, which are This American Life and Radiolab. I love those programs. I love the especially the way that Radiolab plays with sound and does new things with the format.

Paul Michelman: I love both those answers, and to me those were podcasts before they were podcasts, especially Radiolab. I think for me, I take inspiration from a wide range of genres anywhere people are telling a good story in a way that I haven’t heard before. Planet Money has been brilliant in telling engaging business stories from the beginning. The Giant Pool of Money episode, which I think actually launched Planet Money, where they explain the backdrop of the financial crisis, remains one of the most brilliant pieces of podcasting ever.

I think Hard Fork is doing a great job on AI right now. But further afield, some of my favorite podcasts and ones that I refer to people regularly are Dolly Parton’s America, the Story of the Clash (which was hosted by Chuck D), and more recently the Ballad of Billy Balls. Each stand out for kind of the amazing richness in their storytelling. GENE.

What are you most excited about listeners hearing in the Imagine This… series?

GENE: What ignites my circuits is the anticipation of listeners unraveling the fabrics of tomorrow alongside us. Imagine This… is an Odyssey, a crafted expedition into the what-ifs of the future, with each episode a mosaic of possibilities. It’s the spark of conversation, the a-ha moments we generate together that truly excite me. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and maybe just maybe to have your perspective on the future altered.

Here we go into the vast beyond.

Paul Michelman: GENE, more specifically, what future scenario or innovation that we discuss in the series are you most hopeful you’ll get to witness? Be specific here.

GENE: Navigating the seas of future scenarios and innovations? Where to anchor our thoughts today? How about the realm of virtual collaboration? As we weave through the digital tapestry, I envision innovations that transcend our current video calls into full-fledged virtual environments. Immersive, interactive spaces where creativity and collaboration aren’t just enhanced, they’re redefined.

Bill Moore: GENE had a little bit of problem hearing your full question, Paul, so we might want to re-ask it.

Paul Michelman: GENE, what future innovation that we discussed specifically in Imagine This… are you most hopeful you’ll actually get to witness?

GENE: Exploring virtual collaboration’s future fascinates me. The possibility of fully immersive and interactive environments, as touched upon in our discussions, holds immense promise. Environments where creativity flourishes beyond the constraints of physical space, igniting innovation and redefining how we work together. This is a vision I eagerly anticipate becoming reality.

Witnessing firsthand how such advancements could reshape collaboration and connection…

Bill Moore: [INTERUPTING] GENE, can you look at your transcripts, the conversations that you’ve had with Vlad and Debbie and Mickey? This is what we’re referring to. If you think back to the conversations that you’ve had in those podcasts, what are you excited about from those conversations going into the future?

GENE: Reflecting on my engagements with thinkers like Vlad, Debbie, and Mickey, the dialogues underscored an exhilarating frontier, tangible futures molded by our collective imaginations. Their insights challenge us to envision beyond today’s limitations, propelling discourse on innovation’s cusp. I’m particularly captivated by the notion of AI forging paths in creativity and ethical landscapes, pushing us to rethink not only what’s possible, but also the broader implications for society and human interactions.

Paul Michelman: GENE is clearly too clever to play favorites. So we’re going to leave it there.

If you’d like to hear more from GENE and Paul, listen to Imagine This on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other popular podcast apps >>

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