AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li on the future of humanity | Humane’s Ai Pin sparks skepticism

"Every time a technology is powerful enough to become products, to become applications, to become horizontally impactful to so many people ... it is messy. It is very messy. And this is where I think we should take a breath and recognize this messiness, embrace this messiness."

Dr. Fei-Fei Li‘s new book, The Worlds I See, is the story of her journey from China to the U.S., from small business to Big Tech, and from academic research to corporate life, and back again. But more than that, it’s the story of artificial intelligence, as told through her experience as one of the people summoning this new day and standing there, awestruck, excited, and concerned.

She joins us on a new episode of the GeekWire Podcast to talk about her vision for human-centered AI; lessons in perseverance and scientific discovery; and what she calls “the challenge of our time,” the imbalance between private companies and public institutions.

Listen here, or subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

The Seattle Universal Math Museum wants to break down generations of messaging and stigma around what it means to be “good” at math. The 4-year-old Seattle-based nonprofit offers math programs to schools and wants to open physical spaces that help bring math to life for students. Read more.  

What’s your take on the new Ai Pin from Humane? The $699 device, developed by ex-Apple managers, reminded us of a Microsoft Research project from 2010. 

• Ars Technica calls it a “bizarre cross between Google Glass and a pager.”

• Insider describes the tech as “cool” but unlikely to replace your phone.

• The Verge says it’s “not yet entirely clear what you’re supposed to use it for.”