Episode Summary
In a thought-provoking discussion, I sat with a brilliant young tech entrepreneur, Isvari Maranwe, who is also a former particle physics and supernova cosmology researcher at CERN, Fermilab, and the Lawrence Berkeley Lab. She started writing machine learning algorithms at the age of 11!
As an award-winning cyber and national security attorney who has represented the U.S. Department of Defence, the Department of State, the Federal Communications Commission, and Fortune 500s, I was particularly interested in her views on the current trajectory of America’s political and technological affairs.
We delve into our current societal issues, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges faced by young people. She emphasises the disconnect between traditional education paths and the real-world skills needed to make a meaningful impact.
Isvari’s journey from particle physics to law at such a young age is a great example of the importance of adaptability, questioning the status quo and the courage to pursue one’s true calling, even when it defies conventional expectations.
We discuss in detail how technology is playing a negative role in shaping our lives today. She warns against the unchecked power of tech giants and the potential dangers of AI, calling for regulations that prioritise ethical development.
Her insights into the intersection of technology, privacy, and societal impact are a call to action for both policymakers and the public to engage in informed discussions about our digital future.
Join the conversation now to hear Isvari’s perspective as a Gen-Zer that should make us, the oldies, rethink our assumptions and strive for a more equitable and just society for future generations, where technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than control.
Key Takeaways
- 00:00:00 – Preview
- 00:04:10 – Introduction to Isvari’s rich journey despite her young age
- 00:09:26 – How parents have no idea what entrepreneurs and Tim’s loss of both parents
- 00:15:06 – Isvari’s career path shift from physics to law to social impact
- 00:16:58 – Transitioning to political science, politics and Isvari’s parents’ impact
- 00:19:46 – The dangerous consequences of banning children from accessing social media
- 00:23:09 – Government interventions online enhance their illegal surveillance of populations
- 00:24:44 – Isvari’s anti-regulation argument and the EU-AI Act
- 00:33:23 – Education and the generational divide that created the current economic issues
- 00:38:42 – Advocating for responsible innovation and where Silicon Valley went wrong
- 00:44:45 – How regulations empower US monopolies and produce irresponsible tech
- 00:49:18 – Why Tim wants to abolish shareholders.
- 00:53:08 – The real dangers of unchecked tech power and AI
- 00:55:29 – Has Trump worsened the political and monopolistic corruption?
- 00:57:41 – Racism in the US has now become worse and normalised, including Silicon Valley!
- 01:08:42 – Is now the right time to challenge the status quo and misinformation?
- 01:13:36 – Isvari’s rise on social media: TikTok and LinkedIn
- 01:21:32 – Does LinkedIn hate women and the meaning of being an “influencer”
- 01:26:09 – Isvari’s nonprofit work and why more young people focus on social impact
- 01:36:58 – What people get wrong about taxation, public investment and democratic socialism
- 01:44:19 – Does America have any hope for a positive future after Trump and MAGA?
- 01:52:51 – Technology failed to make the world a better place. But it’s not too late!
- 02:00:00 – Time to question everything and build new knowledge
- 02:04:30 – Tim and Isvari’s total confusion about where they are in the world!
- 02:12:05 – Why is Tim setting up business in Finland in a world that’s become more siloed?
Our Favourite Quote from This Episode
References and Citations
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AI tools may soon manipulate people’s online decision-making, say researchers – The Guardian
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Frustrated with today’s ‘attention economy’? You’re really going to hate what comes next – Fast Company
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The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books – The Atlantic
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AI hallucinations are getting worse – and they’re here to stay – New Scientist
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Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 – KPMG
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Are Scottish students using AI to cheat their way to a degree?
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People With Body Image Issues Are Asking ChatGPT for Harsh Truth: “Am I Hot or Not” – Tim’s LinkedIn Post
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Oklahoma high schools to teach 2020 election conspiracy theories as fact – The Guardian
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AI-generated ‘slop’ is slowly killing the internet, so why is nobody trying to stop it? – The Guardian
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Sara Grimes: How Tech and AI Ignore Children’s Rights
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The Future of AI Under Trump and Project 2025
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The End of AI Utopia Thanks to Dumb Politics
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Generative AI is Damaging Children’s Mental Health and Safety in the Age of “Brain Rot”
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Why 2025 Is The Era of Internet of Sh*t (IoS)
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“Brain rot” is the 2024 Word of the Year — why is this bad news?
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Forget the attention economy. Prepare for the intention economy – Fast Company