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Reid Hoffman

What if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Possible is an award-winning, weekly podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Hosts Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger explore what’s possible with forward-thinking leaders, deep thinkers, and ambitious builders across many fields, such as technology, art, education and healthcare. These conversations center on the ways technology—and, in particular, AI—is shaping the future. In episodes, AI tools such as OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Inflection’s Pi are at work, offering informational asides, prompting guests, or demoing what they can do. Lastly, between guest episodes, Aria interviews her co-host Reid on his latest takes on what’s possible if we use technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Possible

This week, Reid and Aria dive into the debate over new $100,000 fees on H-1B visas, and discuss how immigration powers U.S. innovation and how to ensure startups aren’t shut out. They also cover developers’ mixed feelings about using AI in coding, the leap from 60% to 85% accuracy in medical AI predictions, and what it will take to bring regulators and clinicians on board. Plus, Reid shares why he’s skeptical of a three-day work week and reflects on the Trust in American Institutions Challenge, highlighting some inspiring finalists.

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Reid riffs on Trump’s $100K visa fee, 3-day work weeks, and AI trust issues

What’s the role of semiconductors—and the companies that make them—in powering human progress? What does it look like to innovate thoughtfully in a landscape where the demand for power may be higher than the supply? With AI evolving faster and faster, how can we keep up? 

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Lisa Su joins the show to talk about hardware, global manufacturing, and risk-taking. She shares what she has learned leading AMD from near-bankruptcy a decade ago to its current standing as one of the world’s leading chipmakers. Lisa also weighs in on geopolitics, the AI arms race, startups, what makes her want to hire someone, and AI’s enormous potential to advance healthcare for humankind. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Topics:

2:46 - Hellos and intros

2:54 - The origins of Lisa's interest in hardware

4:19 - Deciding to bet on chips

6:06 - MIT and early engineering days

6:28 - Google Gemini defines "bunny suits"

8:25 - Differences between AMD and NVIDIA

10:25 - AI’s potential to improve healthcare

16:27 - Driving AMDs comeback

19:40 - Making patience and long-term vision a company-wide virtue

22:06 - Vision for the next 10 years

24:59 - Midroll

25:16 - The impact of geopolitics on AMD

28:38 - Environmental implications of chip production 

30:41 - Major hardware innovations in the start-up space

32:14 - AI driving coding acceleration

33:47 - How AMD encourages employees to leverage AI

35:22 - Identifying and empowering talent 

39:08 - Rapid-fire questions

Select mentions: 

Liquid.ai

The Worlds I See by Dr. Fei-Fei Li 

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Lisa Su on semiconductors, compute, and big bets

This week, Reid and Aria discuss Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 and live translation capabilities, AI-generated movies (specifically Critterz from OpenAI), and what really could be lost — or gained — as AI technology becomes more widespread. Plus, Reid reflects on his speech at the Bologna Business School two years ago, and how far AI has come since then in amplifying creativity and humanity. 

Select mentions: 

Superagency

Bro-Botz (https://www.youtube.com/@Bro-BotzDTI) 

Reid’s Bologna Business School commencement speech 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Reid Riffs on AI translations, Apple Intelligence, and OpenAI’s Critterz

What could we gain—and what might we lose—when technology begins to approximate the contours of human connection and presence? In this episode, Reid and Aria chat with comedian, actor, and political commentator Stephen Colbert. Best known for hosting The Colbert Report and The Late Show, Stephen combines a razor sharp satire with a sincere curiosity about the world. Together, Reid, Aria, and Stephen discuss the art of live performance, the many lessons one can learn from J.R.R. Tolkien, and the nature of creativity, humor, and imagination in the age of AI. The result is a meditation on discovery, empathy, and the bonds that make connection more than performance — but a shared act of being human.

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Topics:

2:35 – Hellos and intros

2:53 – Stephen Riffs on humanity and Dungeons & Dragons 

6:08 – Tolkien characters and desert island companions

7:02 – Creativity, empathy, and imagination in comedy

11:37 – Performing for a live audience

13:02 – Comedy as a third space

16:22 – Early ideas about interactive technology and improvisation

19:14 – Can AI art escape the uncanny valley

22:27 – The human “micronutrients” that AI cannot replace

24:05 – Parasocial relationships and the future of entertainment

26:50:– Midroll

26:58 – Responsibility and fact-checking

29:56 – Personalization versus discovery in AI storytelling

33:47 – Lessons from Tolkien

41:22 – AI as part of human evolution

44:51 – How AI can already be employed in health fields

48:46 – AI in video games and creative amplification

49:58 – Balancing skepticism and excitement about AI

50:06 – Rapid-fire Questions

Select mentions: 

A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane by Barry Yourgrau

Exploring The Lord of the Rings with Dr. Corey Olsen

Letter 144 by J.R.R. Tolkien 

Robert Heinlein

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Stephen Colbert on connection, discovery and human nature

This week, Reid and Aria discuss the challenges around integrating AI into organizations and workspaces, China’s recent pivot away from NVIDIA, and OpenAI’s new $50 million NGO-focused fund. Reid also offers his take on a recent Stanford study that looks at entry-level jobs at risk of AI replacement. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Reid riffs on AI adoption, NVIDIA, and AI’s impact on entry-level jobs

Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued—and , in several instances, reversed—in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform—not human teachers—and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Topics:

3:45 - Hellos and intros

4:12 – MacKenzie’s path from Stanford psychology to Alpha Schools

6:11 – Updating traditional school systems with AI

7:46 – What makes Alpha Schools different

12:01 – The 2-Hour Learning model 

15:40 – Key lessons from AI in classrooms 

18:11 – AI supercharges students with the “four C’s”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity

20:47 – Teacher-student connection and mentorship 

21:54 – Scaling Alpha Schools & lowering costs

25:47 – AI-driven assessment & personalized learning plans

29:38 – Midroll

29:47 – Alex shares his experience as an Alpha School student and entrepreneur 

34:19 – Challenges of scaling 

36:09 – Student incentives & using Alpha currency to teach kids financial literacy

38:55 – Alpha students learn life skills & develop entrepreneurial projects 

41:44 – GT School for highly accelerated learners

44:55 – “Future of Education” podcast highlights

47:16 – Teachers vs. guides & redefining expertise in education

49:21 – Using AI for public speaking & coaching

51:02 – Rapid fire questions

Select mentions: 

Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities — New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/us/politics/ai-alpha-school-austin-texas.html 

Future of Education Podcast: https://futureofeducationpod.com/ 

Berry: https://berryplush.com/ 

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

MacKenzie Price on AI-Powered K-12 Schools

This week, Reid and Aria discuss the much-anticipated launch of GPT-5, Figma's blockbuster IPO, Perplexity’s bid to acquire Google Chrome, and the end of AOL’s dial-up internet service. Plus, Reid offers his take on why some companies find explosive growth and others fade just as fast. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Select mentions: 

For the Hamilton v.s. Satoshi Bitcoin Rap Battle: https://reid.medium.com/bitcoin-rap-battle-hamilton-vs-satoshi-de3058b3dff0 

The innovator’s dilemma by Clayton Christensen

Reid riffs on GPT-5, Figma's IPO, and the end of AOL dial-up

How can we take digitally-empowered democracy straight out of science fiction into reality?

This week, Reid and Aria are joined by two digital democracy pioneers, Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth. Audrey Tang is a cyber ambassador-at-large and former inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs for Taiwan. Their pioneering initiatives like the Sunflower Movement, g0v, and vTaiwan have fought misinformation and influenced policy decisions. Audrey is also a senior research fellow for the Collective Intelligence Project, co-founded and directed by Divya Siddarth. Divya leads projects worldwide that give voice to the public in building better AI. 

Audrey and Divya have spent years investigating how people converge on uncommon ground and how to beat polarization. They discuss the power of collective input and collaboration to create a cycle of collective intelligence. Plus, how AI tools—informed by public input—can enhance governance, digital life, and bring out the best in all of us. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Topics:

3:07 - Hellos and intros

3:38 - Audrey and Divya's partnership backstory

7:06 - Challenges and surprises with AI in governance

10:19 - What problems do CIP's projects aim to solve?

13:04 - Breakthroughs in collective intelligence

15:08 - Fighting polarization in the age of social media

16:50 - Capitalizing on innate collective intelligence

18:51 - The difference between collective intelligence and democracy

20:33 - Design principles for democracy-forward AI

23:30 - Involving the public in AI model building

26:18 - Midroll 

28:32 - Bringing Taiwan's civic wins worldwide

30:41 - Radical transparency in digital tools

35:18 - Why aren't Taiwan's initiatives landing in the U.S.

38:09 - Creating digital twins

39:52 - Reid and Aria's outlook on AI and democracy relations

42:04 - Who would Reid delegate AI centralization to?

45:05 - Rapid-fire

Select mentions: 

Plurality by E. Glen Weyl, Audrey Tang, and Community

Global Dialogues — The Collective Intelligence Project 

Alignment Assemblies — The Collective Intelligence Project 

“Anthem” by Leonard Cohen

A Half Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys

The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. Le Guin

Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer

Taiwan’s Digital Minister Knows How to Crush Covid-19: Trust | WIRED 

What Could BG Be?

Engaged California

How the Sunflower movement birthed a generation determined to protect Taiwan

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Audrey Tang and Divya Siddarth on Outfitting Democracy for the AI Era

Could the very technology that requires massive amounts of energy to power it also be key to solving the climate crisis? This week, Reid and Aria discuss the global energy arms race and why the U.S. is lagging behind competitors like China. Reid weighs in on the environmental impact and human costs of AI infrastructure, along with mounting tensions between hyperscalers and the communities that host their data centers. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Reid riffs on the energy arms race and AI addressing climate change

What can public libraries teach us about finding and sharing trustworthy information in the age of AI? How can—and should—AI build upon the technology that is books? This week, Reid and Aria head to the New York Public Library in Manhattan for a conversation with the storied institution’s president and CEO, Tony Marx. They explore the function of libraries in the age of AI, debate the future of work, and discuss what it looks like for civic institutions to embrace transformative technology without sacrificing core values. 

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ 

Topics:

2:54 - Hellos and intros

3:23 - Tony’s studies and work in South Africa

5:25 - Taking a job as president of Amherst College

8:43 - Eliminating library fines and fees

9:23 - Visiting the Inwood Library

13:30 - Determining what gets digitized 

16:20 - New media 

17:42 - AI’s function for libraries 

23:08 - Navigating hallucinations

27:57 - AI becoming our epistemology

29:36 - Technological advancements at the NYPL

33:54 - Future of work and human costs of AI

39:41 - Can AI close the educational gap?

42:43 - Trust, reliability, and AI

45:18 - Rapid-fire questions

Select mentions: 

Possible | Kim Stanley Robinson on the future of civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6OlJbPDpyc 

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

Tony Marx on the Future of Libraries, AI, and Trust

This episode has been re-uploaded to correct an error. If you are a subscriber and/or downloaded it on its release, consider deleting and redownloading it to hear the corrected audio. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

On this week's Riffs, Reid and Aria unpack last week’s conversation with Yuval Noah Harari, discussing AI's rapid advancements, its potential impacts on humanity, and the meaning of consciousness. Reid and Aria also discuss who will be responsible for making sure AI is aligned with human values –– no matter what the future looks like. 

00:00 Introduction and overview

00:16 Reflecting on the conversation with Yuval 

05:14 The role of AI labs and accountability

11:45 Philosophical questions on AI and consciousness

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Reid riffs on if AI can become conscious

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