Generative AI 101

Keyword stuffing is as outdated as flip phones, and AI-driven search doesn’t care about your SEO tricks from 2012. AI isn’t just reading your content—it’s figuring out if it actually helps people. In this episode, we break down Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the new way to create content AI trusts, references, and ranks. Learn why intent matters more than keywords, how AI interprets context...

Google’s midlife crisis is here, and AI search is taking over. By 2026, search traffic is predicted to drop by 25%, and if your content isn’t optimized for AI, you might as well be screaming into the void. In this episode, we break down Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—the new way to make AI trust, cite, and use your content. Forget keyword stuffing and backlink games—AI search engines don’t j...

Traditional search engines are in trouble, and AI-powered search is calling the shots. Welcome to the world of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), where stuffing keywords like a Thanksgiving turkey won’t save you. In this episode, Emily Laird breaks down how AI search actually works, why Bob’s pizza blog is doomed, and what it takes to get noticed in an internet run by algorithms. If AI doesn’t...

DeepSeek’s R1 model dropped, and the internet lost its mind. Some say it’s a game-changer. Others call it a Cold War villain. Is it really the end of OpenAI? A death blow to Nvidia? Or just another case of tech Twitter losing it? In this episode, we bust the biggest myths about DeepSeek—its origins, training costs, efficiency, and whether it “stole” from OpenAI. Plus, should the U.S. be worried ab...

If you've ever yelled at ChatGPT for giving you a dumb answer, maybe the problem isn’t the AI—it’s the way you asked. In this episode, we break down how to prompt reasoning models the right way. From skipping “think step by step” to using the “Self-Ask” trick, we’ll show you how to get AI to actually think instead of just parroting back words. Because when it comes to talking to AI, it’s not just...

AI keeps bragging about its "reasoning skills," but is it actually getting smarter, or just better at faking it? In this episode, we put AI’s so-called intelligence to the test with hardcore benchmarks—BIG-Bench HARD, TruthfulQA, and more—to see if these models can truly problem-solve or if they're just memorizing answers like a sneaky high schooler. Spoiler: Not all AIs are built the same, and so...

AI isn’t just playing back what it’s heard, it’s starting to think (or at least fake it really well). In this episode, we break down Reasoning Large Language Models—how they work, why they matter, and whether AI is finally learning to reason or just getting better at pretending. From OpenAI’s o3-mini to DeepSeek’s brainy R1 we’re talking about the latest in AI that doesn’t just guess—it strategize...

Inference is the thing that makes AI seem smart—until it absolutely isn’t. It’s how AI predicts words, makes decisions, and sometimes convinces you it actually knows things (spoiler: it doesn’t). In this episode, we break down the different types of inference, why it’s so expensive, and how AI screws it up—because, let’s be honest, it does. Plus, a deep dive into reasoning models, logic rules that...

AI agents aren’t just here to help, they’re teaming up, getting specialized, and maybe even plotting to replace your personal assistant and your fridge. In this episode, we’re breaking down the biggest trends shaping AI agents in 2024 and beyond, from multi-agent systems (yes, AI needs teamwork too) to industry-specific specialization (because your doctor, lawyer, and financial advisor might all b...

AI agents aren’t just changing the game, folks, they are the game, and everyone with a venture capital fund is betting big. In this episode, we follow the money, from record-breaking R&D spending at OpenAI, Microsoft, and NVIDIA (Jensen Huang, our Danny Zuko of AI, is back at it again) to the great AI startup shopping spree—where Amazon, Salesforce, and even Microsoft are acquiring companies l...

AI agents aren’t just scheduling your meetings—they might be running the whole office soon. In this episode, we’re breaking down the biggest players in the AI agent space: Salesforce’s Agentforce 2.0, Google’s Gemini 2.0, Microsoft’s Copilot Studio, Amazon’s Bedrock Agents, and NVIDIA’s NeMo (because of course, Jensen Huang had to be here). These aren’t just digital assistants—they’re reasoning, l...

Let's unpack the rise of DeepSeek, the scrappy Chinese AI lab that’s making waves and giving Silicon Valley sleepless nights. From handing out free code-generating models to launching a budget-friendly reasoning powerhouse, DeepSeek is proving that you don’t need deep pockets to shake up the AI game. Host Emily Laird explores their tech wizardry—think Mixture-of-Experts and FP8 Mixed Precision Tra...

Another day, another OpenAI advancement - Emily Laird explores OpenAI’s latest innovation: the Operator Agent. Picture this—a virtual assistant with Sherlock Holmes-level observation skills that not only takes your commands but also clicks, scrolls, and types its way through the web on your behalf. From booking your dream vacation to crafting the perfect grocery list, Operator promises to save you...

Let's breakdown The Stargate Project—a $500 billion initiative aimed at turning the United States into the global epicenter of artificial intelligence. Think Silicon Valley meets the Manhattan Project (minus the nuclear fallout). With major players like OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, Nvidia, and Microsoft at the helm, this project promises to revolutionize everything from national defense to healthcare...

Let's unpack how AI agents are reshaping the workplace—faster than your boss can figure out Slack. From automating boring tasks like scheduling meetings to teaming up with humans for game-changing results, these digital assistants are more than just tools—they’re coworkers who don’t need a paycheck. Learn how companies like JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, and Sephora are using AI agents to save time, unco...

In this episode of Generative AI 101, host Emily Laird explores the bold new world of next-gen AI agents—autonomous, personalized, and ready to collaborate like the ultimate overachiever. From managing your business trip to customizing your dinner plans, these digital assistants are poised to reshape everything from customer service to scientific discovery. But with great power comes great questio...

Let's talk AI Agents! Host Emily Laird explores the world of AI agents—the brainy, adaptable, and slightly intimidating tech that's reshaping how we work, create, and solve problems. These aren’t your grandma’s chatbots; they’re smart, autonomous problem-solvers capable of planning logistics, crafting content, and even outdoing you in productivity. From Google DeepMind’s breakthroughs to OpenAI’s...

In the thrilling finale of our latency series, host Emily Laird takes you to the cutting edge of speed in AI. Let's explore quantum computing—the rebellious prodigy promising near-instant problem-solving—and 5G, the Beyoncé of mobile networks, slashing latency to milliseconds. From self-driving cars that react faster than your reflexes to AI-enhanced 5G networks zapping bottlenecks, this episode e...

In this episode host Emily Laird trades her podcast mic for a virtual toolbox to tackle one of AI’s biggest headaches: latency. From turbocharged processors to algorithmic magic, we’ll explore how to trim those maddening milliseconds that make your chatbot stutter or your self-driving car hesitate. Whether it’s GPUs juggling calculations like circus performers or edge computing serving up fresh da...

In this episode of we're exploring latency—the tiny delays that can make your chatbot feel more like a bored teenager than a seamless conversationalist. Host Emily Laird unpacks why milliseconds matter, from dodging pedestrians with self-driving cars to avoiding rage-quits in battle royale games. Whether it’s network latency (data stuck in traffic) or compute latency (your AI’s brain lagging on th...

In this episode, Emily's breaking down the basics of open-source AI. What does it mean for software, and AI models, to be open source? Why does it matter? And how is it changing the way we innovate, collaborate, and build technology? From the transparency it brings to the opportunities for customization and creativity, we explore why open-source AI is a movement that’s reshaping the future. Connec...

In the grand finale of Generative AI 101’s “12 Days of Shipmas” series, Emily Laird unpacks Days 10 through 12, where OpenAI truly stuck the landing. From giving ChatGPT a phone number for actual voice conversations (yes, you can now call your AI) to seamlessly embedding it in apps like Notion and WhatsApp, these updates redefine accessibility and productivity. And the mic-drop moment? OpenAI’s o3...

Let's unpack days 7 through 9 of OpenAI’s “12 Days of Shipmas.” From the launch of Projects—a tidy new feature that organizes your chaotic ChatGPT chats— to upgraded voice-based ChatGPT Search (think Siri, but actually useful), and a developer-focused suite of faster, cheaper tools, this episode unpacks it all with wit and clarity. Whether you’re decluttering your AI life, exploring hands-free sea...

Join host Emily Laird as she unpacks days 4 through 6 of OpenAI’s “12 Days of Shipmas,” where cutting-edge AI meets holiday cheer. Discover Canvas, a collaborative workspace that turns ChatGPT into the ultimate brainstorming buddy, and marvel at the ChatGPT-Siri integration, giving Apple’s assistant a much-needed IQ boost. Plus, Advanced Voice with Video transforms ChatGPT into a hands-on guide fo...

Let's break down the first three days of OpenAI’s “12 Days of Shipmas,” spotlighting the o1 Reasoning Model’s logical prowess, ChatGPT Pro’s upgraded capabilities, and Sora, a text-to-video generator that’s as exciting as it is unsettling. With sharp insights and a no-nonsense approach, Emily unpacks these cutting-edge developments—perfect for anyone craving an AI update that’s smart, clear, and j...