S2.EP39 - The Future of AI w/ Maggie Engler & Numa Dhamani, Authors of Introduction to Generative AI

Unlock the truth about AI safety, misinformation, and the future of transformative technology—directly from leading researchers shaping the digital landscape. If you're a leader, innovator, or curious mind, this episode reveals why understanding AI’s risks and potentials isn’t just technical; it's strategic, ethical, and essential to navigate the coming decades.Imagine mastering AI security before the attacks happen. Maggie Engler from Microsoft shares how safety isn’t just an add-on—it's core to AI’s value, spanning governance, system design, and risk management. Numa Dhamani from UT Austin emphasizes that expertise isn’t static; it evolves as AI itself advances, urging organizations to stay agile in a rapidly changing environment. Together, they unpack practical frameworks, from regulatory pitfalls to the rising importance of hybrid AI models that combine language, vision, and symbolic reasoning.You’ll discover:How large language models are just the beginning—what's next after LLMs and the potential of multimodal and world models.Why prompt injection and deepfakes are the biggest threats today, and how to build defenses that matter.The role of AI in democratizing education and solving grand scientific challenges, like drug discovery and climate modeling.The profound impact of AI on trust, security, and even the future of collaboration—highlighting that AI safety is a martial art of adaptation and anticipation.Failing to grasp these issues means exposing your organization—not just to technical failure but to legal, ethical, and reputational risks. But those who act now can build resilient, trustworthy AI systems that serve society and create new opportunities. This episode is perfect for leaders ready to think differently about risk, for engineers who want to understand the real stakes, and for anyone eager to see AI not just as a tool but as a force for good.Join experts who see AI as a force to protect and empower, not just disrupt. Because as Maggie puts it—security and safety are part of AI’s true value, and understanding this is how we harness its full potential.