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Welcome to Episode 49 of the BIG5D Podcast, a production of BigFive Digital and the Africa B2B Tech Report.
In this episode, I talk about AI and blockchain with the candid and opinionated Steven Boykey Sidley. Steven is a professor at the Johannesburg Business School (part of the University of Johannesburg).
Steven is the author of multiple books, including non-fiction works on technology as well as novels and plays. His latest book is It’s Mine: How the Crypto Industry is Redefining Ownership. He is also an investor and advisor.
Steven is a regular contributor to The Daily Maverick, where he opines on trends in technology. This latter pursuit brings Steven regularly to my attention and led me to think he would be a great podcast guest. And I was right.
This candid and engaging conversation spans AI safety, the AI opportunity for startups, and AI's geopolitical implications.
A few highlights
In this clip, Steven agrees that AI tools make it at least conceivable for a startup to scale to unicorn status without taking on employees.
I have been obsessed with the AI-enabled one-person unicorn ever since I watched Sam Altman (Open AI) and Alexis Ohanian (Reddit) discuss this in a YouTube video. I also believe this represents a unique opportunity for African founders who struggle to raise seed capital. AI may be making seed capital obsolete.
Here Steven talks about how many AI startups are building on top of existing AI models. We got into whether this approach is truly innovative and sustainable.
And finally, we talked about the long-term implications of AI. Steven is not optimistic that humans will be able to prevent the worst outcomes.
You can also catch this episode on your favorite podcast apps.
If you prefer to watch the full interview with Steven on our YouTube channel, here it is.
Recommended Reading
The following is a curation of content from around Africa, the Middle East, and the world related to big tech, digital marketing, small business, startup life, venture funding, M&A, and more. Please vote with your clicks to tell us what we should curate for you in future editions.
Conduit Raises $6.5M for Cross-Border Payments Expansion
Africa Not Spared from TikTok’s Global Layoffs
Launch Africa Ventures Funds Digital Lending Marketplace Kredete
93% of Saudi Entrepreneurs Comfortable Using AI
Now Money Rolls Out New Strategic Banking Relationships
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BIG5D Podcast Ep. 49: "Trends in AI and Blockchain" with Author Steven Boykey Sidley