ai unprompted

20 Episodes
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By: ai unprompted crew

a weekly show about ai aiunprompted.substack.com

020 - What's It Like to Have a Full-Time Personal AI Assistant
#20
Yesterday at 2:47 PM

ai.u crew continue their discussion on using new AI tools to “automate yourself,” focusing on agentic products like Claude Cowork, Microsoft Cowork, and Perplexity Computer, how to get started, and subscription costs. They note Claude’s $20/month plan is quickly token-limited and may require upgrading to a higher tier (about $125/month) for sustained use. Kevin describes Cowork controlling a browser to complete a driver safety course (with user oversight), building presentations, and scraping hundreds of sites to assemble a financial model, while cautioning that token use can make simple web tasks inefficient and that guardrails are necessary. Travis highli...


019 - From Chatbots to Coworkers
#19
03/23/2026

ai.u crew discuss the shift from prompt-response AI chatbots to “AI coworkers” or computer-use agents that perform multi-step work across apps, highlighting Anthropic’s Claude Cowork ($20–$200/month), Microsoft Copilot Tasks ($30/user/month), and Perplexity Computer ($200/month). They describe the interaction change from asking questions to delegating outcomes, with humans increasingly acting as supervisors who define context, monitor progress, and apply judgment, while noting concerns that convenience may erode competence and that many workflows require undocumented institutional knowledge. They debate whether automating tasks is always worth the setup and trust costs, and suggest processes and software may need redesign. They als...


018 - AI and the Creative Industries
03/13/2026

ai.u crew discuss AI’s growing impact on creative industries, citing news that YouTube surpassed Disney as the world’s largest media company with $62B in projected 2025 revenue and that Ben Affleck’s AI-focused filmmaking venture was reportedly acquired by Netflix for $600M, signaling generative tools entering mainstream production. They debate whether AI further democratizes creation like YouTube did, while threatening economic viability for working artists (e.g., Kevin’s graphic-artist daughter) and potentially flooding markets with content. They explore whether art must be “real” to feel real, comparing AI to CGI, animation, and Pixar, and note an AI-generated...


017 - The Future of Work: Agent Orchestration
02/27/2026

Ryan, Travis and guest Shayne Boyer from Microsoft discuss “agent orchestration,” or humans coordinating multiple specialized AI agents to complete multi-step tasks. They cite recent developments like Perplexity Computer, Google/Samsung Gemini multi-step mobile agents, Open/Claude tools, and Microsoft Copilot Tasks, and explain that routing work to the best model and giving agents tool access are key trends. The conversation stresses that despite hype, agents are brittle, often produce low-value output, and require heavy human “composer/puppet master” supervision, clear prescriptions, guardrails, evaluation, and delegation skills. They compare multi-agent setups to specialized human teams, planning/execution/eval roles, and even...


016 - The Future of AI Is What We Choose Not to Build
02/20/2026

ai.u crew discuss a LinkedIn post by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman (co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection AI) and his argument that the next decade of AI will be shaped more by what we choose not to build. They unpack three themes: (1) AI should not pretend to suffer or have an inner life; its value is in “inhuman strengths” like endless patience, tireless explanations, and calm reasoning. The hosts debate AGI vs superintelligence and distinguish behavioral realism from moral status, warning against attributing consciousness or rights to AI. (2) Suleyman’s stance against AI romance/erotica and concerns about depend...


015 - Opus 4.6, 5.3 Codex, and Open Claw
#15
02/10/2026

The ai.u crew discuss Tesla delivery issues and the unique community around new Tesla owners. They highlight recent major releases from OpenAI and Anthropic, detailing the capabilities of Opus 4.6 and Codex 5.3, and their implications for AI application development and knowledge work. The hosts also dive into the evolving ecosystem of personal AI assistants, sharing their personal experiences and the rapid pace of innovation in this area.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:36 Big Week in AI: Major Releases

00:49 Kev's Recent Purchase: A Tesla Story

01:49 Tesla Delivery and Subreddit Experience

06:10 XR Glasses...


014 - OpenClaw: The Viral Personal AI Assistant
#14
02/02/2026

In this episode of au unprompted, hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk delve into the rapid emergence of Open Claw, a viral personal AI assistant agent developed by Peter Steinberger from Austria. They discuss its early success and widespread adoption in 2026, recounting how users are rushing to buy Mac Minis to install and utilize this groundbreaking technology. The hosts explore the assistant's capabilities, including memory persistence, proactive assistance, and integration with various services like Apple Notes, GitHub, and Smart Home devices. They also touch on the importance of security and the potential ethical implications of Open Claw's...


013 - Getting Started with Personal or Professional AI Projects
01/19/2026

In this episode, the hosts discuss the current state and future developments of Siri in the context of rapidly evolving AI technologies, focusing on Apple's strategy with OpenAI and potential WWDC announcements. They also delve into personal AI projects, highlighting practical applications such as using AI for real estate research, personal knowledge management (PKM), and weekly executive summaries. The conversation touches on the importance of structured data, the potential for AI in local businesses, and the need for professionals to integrate AI into their workflows for enhanced productivity.

00:00 Introduction: The Rise and Fall of Siri

02:07...


012 - Navigating the AI Wave: Kicking Off 2026
01/09/2026

In this season two premiere the ai.u crew kick off 2026 by reflecting on the rapid developments in AI from the past year. They discuss Andrej Karpathy's viral tweet about feeling behind in AI progress and explore the challenges of keeping up with the fast-paced changes in the field. The hosts emphasize the importance of integrating AI into daily workflows and offer practical advice for both beginners and advanced users. They also highlight the need for affordable AI access to ensure it benefits a broad audience, and they touch on the future of AI agents in automating complex tasks...


011 - The Future of Education and AI
#11
12/23/2025

In this final episode of season one of ai unprompted, the ai.u crew welcome special guest Brian Tupper, Kevin's brother, to discuss the integration of AI in education. They explore how AI can revolutionize classroom learning, address concerns about its potential downsides, and share personal stories about its application in teaching. The hosts debate the balance between using AI to complete tasks efficiently and ensuring that students develop critical thinking skills. As they wrap up the year, they reflect on the role of human interaction in education and the potential for AI to foster creativity and deeper learning...


010 - AI 2026 Predictions
#10
12/19/2025

ai.u crew delve into predictions for the future of AI and technology in 2026. The discussion covers anticipated advancements in multimodal AI models, the evolution of hardware devices like AI-powered glasses, and potential regulatory impacts. They explore the practical applications of AI in consumer and enterprise sectors, including the emergence of specialized small models for specific tasks and the potential for AI to significantly disrupt industries such as content creation, customer service, and autonomous driving. The episode also touches on the expected maturation of AI technologies, the role of agents in workflows, and the importance of robust data management...


009 - The Next-Generation of Developers and the Future of Coding
#10
12/12/2025

the ai.u crew are joined by Microsoft’s Principal Product Manager, Shane Boyer. The discussion centers on how the next generation of developers will learn their craft in an era dominated by AI-driven code generation. They delve into the experiences of seasoned developers juxtaposed with newer coders using AI tools like GitHub Copilot. The conversation explores the balance between leveraging AI to accelerate development and the importance of developing foundational coding skills. They also touch on the emotional and practical challenges of relying on AI for code generation, the evolution of 'vibe coding,' and the potential future of...


008 - Robotics, Humanoids, and AI
12/08/2025

An in-depth discussion on the history and future of robotics and AI, focusing specifically on humanoid robots. They explore the development of robotics from the 1970s to the present day, the technical challenges of creating human-like dexterity and form, and debate the necessity and implications of having humanoid robots in daily life. The conversation also delves into behavioral science, privacy concerns, and potential future applications. Listeners are invited to share their thoughts on the form and function of future robots.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:38 History of Robotics: The Early Years

02:22 Robotics in the 1980s...


007 - How To Keep Up With AI
#7
11/21/2025

In this episode, the hosts discuss the overwhelming advancements in AI and technology, offering listeners practical strategies to stay ahead. They cover the importance of 'just-in-time learning' or 'jet learning,' emphasizing the need for focused learning areas and eliminating unnecessary noise. The conversation also highlights using AI for personalized learning and coaching, the significance of structured learning approaches, and leveraging AI for effective communication. Through personal anecdotes, they explore how AI can help tackle complex tasks and projects. The ultimate takeaway is to embrace technology tools to enhance productivity and keep up with rapid changes in the tech...


006 - The Promise of AI: How Ari Used AI to Give His Brother Ben a Voice
#6
11/10/2025

In this episode of ai unprompted, hosts Ryan, Kevin, and Travis welcome Ari from NARBE House to discuss an inspiring journey of using AI to assist his brother, Ben, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder. Ari shares how he leveraged open-source tools and AI-powered solutions to create custom software, communication aids, and games that significantly improved Ben's quality of life. The discussion highlights the transformative impact of technology when combined with determination and love. Ari also talks about founding the NRB Foundation to help others in similar situations. This heartfelt conversation showcases the potential of AI to make...


005 - AI Companions
#5
11/06/2025

In this episode of ai unprompted, hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk discuss the evolving role of AI companions. They explore the balance between AI as a utility tool for efficiency and its potential as a social companion, addressing both benefits and ethical concerns. Listeners' feedback is featured, and the hosts delve into real-world applications and cultural differences in the acceptance of AI relationships. The episode also highlights the importance of AI in enhancing human potential rather than replacing human interactions, with insights from industry leaders.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers00:30 Listener Feedback: Sibling Rivalry01:43 Shoutouts and...


004 - AI in the Workplace: Bugs, ROI, and Human Integration
#4
10/31/2025

In this episode of AI Unprompted, hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk discuss various facets of AI's impact on productivity and workforce dynamics. They start by analyzing an essay by Boyd Kane on AI vulnerabilities compared to traditional software bugs, emphasizing the unique challenges AI systems pose. The conversation then transitions to addressing feedback and examining a Wharton School report on AI adoption in enterprises, highlighting increased usage and ROI despite concerns of accurate measurement and over-reporting. The hosts stress the importance of establishing clear metrics for AI's effectiveness, including engagement, goal setting, and qualitative employee feedback...


003 - The Current State of AI
#3
10/23/2025

In this episode of 'AI Unprompted,' hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk delve into the current state of AI, with a focus on large language models (LLMs). They discuss a recent interview with Richard Sutton, the father of Reinforcement Learning, who questioned the value of LLMs due to their lack of true learning ability. The discussion covers the utility of LLMs, their future roles, and the implications of synthetic data. They also touch on new advancements such as OpenAI's Atlas browser and how it integrates AI more seamlessly into daily tasks. The episode encourages listeners to...


002 - Everyday AI Hacks for Life and Work
#2
10/16/2025

In this episode of AI Unprompted, hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk dive into real-world applications of AI in both their personal and professional lives. They discuss recent AI breakthroughs from Google and Yale's CTS Scale model, explore various scenarios where AI has aided them—from medical advice to DIY fixes and financial planning—and emphasize the importance of human relationships and empathy versus AI-driven interactions. The hosts also provide tips for enhancing AI use, including leveraging reasoning models and meta-prompting for more effective outputs. The episode ends with reflections on AI as a tool to supplement huma...


001 - Meet the ai.u crew and OpenAI Dev Day 2025
#1
10/09/2025

In this episode of ai unprompted, hosts Ryan Lowdermilk, Kevin Tupper, and Travis Lowdermilk dive into AI Dev Day 2025 and the proliferation of AI apps and agents. They discuss the implications for industries and individual users concerning the integration of apps within AI prompts. Topics include the privacy concerns surrounding AI, the evolving ecosystem for app developers, and new features like Agent Kit and Chat Kit that enable developers to create multi-agent workflows. The hosts also touch on the growing trend of using AI for customer support and sales optimization and ponder whether AI-driven agentic workflows will ultimately replace...