Exploring AI Agents | WIRED

Will Knight: Perhaps we also need to revitalize the open source movement to avoid relying on agents owned by large corporations that collect and direct data to them. We should utilize open source code and models.

Michael Calore: That’s an excellent suggestion. We should involve Signal in this. They ought to develop their own model.

Lauren Goode: That sounds fantastic.

Michael Calore: Alright, let’s pause for a moment, and we’ll return shortly. Thank you, Will and Lauren, for such an engaging discussion. Let’s set AI agents aside for a while and focus on some recommendations. Will, as our guest, could you suggest something for our listeners?

Will Knight: Sure, I mentioned this earlier, but I want this to be my recommendation. I’ll hold it up, which is great for radio. This book, The Evolution of Agency by Michael Tomasello. I found it incredibly intriguing and very illuminating regarding what’s lacking in AI concerning agency and the necessity of grasping human social interactions and culture. This aspect is essential for understanding the overall landscape of intelligence in AGI, a topic everyone discusses but often overlooks.

Michael Calore: Great choice! Lauren, what about you?

Lauren Goode: I recommend supporting local news, especially Mission Local.

Michael Calore: Awesome!

Lauren Goode: Mission Local is a nonprofit news outlet based in San Francisco that covers the Mission district and the city at large. They excel at reporting current events, particularly amidst increasing activity in U.S. cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where protests against ICE raids are occurring. Mission Local has been effectively covering these happenings in San Francisco. I encourage everyone to support them and their local news sources.

Michael Calore: I’d like to recommend an essay from the latest issue of Harper’s. It’s by Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard, who, Lauren, I know you’re tired of hearing about. But it’s a remarkable essay titled “The Reenchanted World.” In it, Karl Ove reflects on technology, recounting his first experience with a computer 40 years ago. He admits to not following technological developments since then, which starts to trouble him. He poses a compelling question: “To keep somewhat informed about the political situation in the world is a duty, something one has no right to turn away from. Shouldn’t something similar apply to technology, given its immense influence?” I love this quote because it encapsulates our discussion today; to engage with the world, one must understand how these systems operate. He travels to a Greek island to meet writer James Bridle, as their book Ways of Being serves as an excellent introduction to both artificial and natural intelligence. Their conversation delves into the development of AI and how various computing intelligence forms manifest in our lives. It’s a brilliantly reported piece on our current technological landscape.

Lauren Goode: Sounds great.

Michael Calore: Indeed.

Lauren Goode: It seems much shorter than his novels.

Michael Calore: Yes, you can finish it in under an hour.

Lauren Goode: That works for me.

Michael Calore: Thanks for tuning in to Uncanny Valley. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please follow our show and rate it on your preferred podcast app. For any questions, comments, or show suggestions, reach out to us at uncannyvalley@WIRED.com. Today’s episode was produced by Adriana Tapia. Amar Lal at Macro Sound mixed this episode. Jake Loomis served as our New York studio engineer. Meghan Herbst fact-checked the content. Jordan Bell is our executive producer, Katie Drummond is WIRED’s global editorial director, and Chris Bannon oversees global audio.