99: The Economics of AI

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore what AI actually is, and why it doesn't just change what technology can do… it can change how society functions, who holds power, and what the future of human work and life might look like.Bridget sits down with Timo Ewalds, former Google DeepMind AI researcher and founder of Nexopia, to cut through the hype and fear around artificial intelligence. This conversation goes far beyond "AI is coming for your job." It's about how artificial intelligence intersects with consciousness, ethics, economics, and the environment — and why understanding it matters whether you're a tech insider or just someone trying to make sense of the world changing around you.In today's episode, we discuss:What AI actually is and why the definition matters more than most people thinkThe difference between AI, AGI, and ASI, and where we actually are on that spectrumWhy is sentience and consciousness so hard to define, even for researchersHow AI capabilities are growing exponentially and why that pace is difficult to comprehendThe societal implications of handing more decision-making power to machinesWhy AI benefits individuals and society in very different, sometimes conflicting, waysThe environmental cost of data centers and AI infrastructure that rarely gets talked aboutHow job displacement from AI could reshape entire economiesWhether Universal Basic Income could be a realistic response to widespread automationWhy even experts at the frontier of AI disagree about where it's all headingThanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time!