The ProFiles Podcast

[Bonus Interview] Tom Mitchell on AI's Past, Present, and Future

In this thought-provoking conversation, I sit down with AI pioneer Tom Mitchell from Carnegie Mellon University to explore the crossroads of artificial intelligence and human society. Tom shares fascinating insights on the ethical boundaries we should consider as AI systems become increasingly autonomous, the delicate balance between regulation and innovation, and his unexpected journey from AI researcher to brain scientist and back again. We dive into pressing questions about data privacy in the AI age, including clever mathematical techniques for preserving privacy while still advancing technology. Tom also offers a compelling vision of how AI could transform education and why learning to collaborate with these systems might be the most essential skill of the future. Whether you're an AI expert or just curious about how these technologies will shape our world, this conversation offers both wisdom and wonder about what lies ahead.
Listen now to hear from one of the field's most brilliant and thoughtful voices as we explore the fascinating intersection of minds and machines.

The Economics of AI: Gold Rush or Fool's Gold?

What's the real price tag behind that AI chatbot? In this episode, I dig into the eye-popping economics of artificial intelligence. We're talking $50K graphics cards, data centers that cost billions, and an industry burning cash faster than it makes it.
I've got Nvidia's Jensen Huang revealing AI systems need 100x more computing power than we thought, Warren Buffett warning about fiscal dangers, and experts from the trenches telling us who's actually making money (spoiler: not many).
Is this tech revolution sustainable or just another bubble? Listen in as we follow the money and discover why the AI winners might not be the biggest spenders, but the smartest ones.
Works Cited:
Interview Quotes:
Roger Bringmann - Interview with Charlie, April 25, 2025. Quote about supercomputers and trillion parameter models.
Jensen Huang - Interview with CNBC, "Nvidia CEO Huang: DeepSeek's R1 reasoning AI consumes 100x more compute than non-reasoning AI," March 19, 2025. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1hSllYGSR4
Amanda Kushner - Interview with Charlie, April 25, 2025. Quote about AI implementation and cost savings.
Daron Acemoglu - Interview with CNBC, "America is unprepared for 'economic storm' caused by AI," MIT Economist Nobel Laureate, February 14, 2025. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1gLIc9ebiE
Tom Mitchell - Interview with Charlie, April 25, 2025. Quotes about Google's data advantage and technology trade-offs.
Warren Buffett - Interview on fiscal policy concerns, "Warren Buffett on why U.S. fiscal policy 'scares' him," April 30, 2025. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1YaS_lSAmw
Studies and Reports:
McKinsey Global Institute, "The cost of compute: A $7 trillion race to scale data centers," April 2025. Data on projected data center requirements of $6.7 trillion worldwide by 2030.
IBM Institute for Business Value, "The CEO's guide to generative AI: Cost of compute," 2024. Finding that computing costs are expected to climb 89% between 2023 and 2025.
European Parliamentary Research Service, "Economic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI)," July 2019. Report warning that 54% of jobs in the EU face computerization risk.
Our World in Data, "Artificial Intelligence," 2023. Data on AI development trends and economic impacts.
Audio Clips Used:
Jensen Huang CNBC interview clip (0:22-0:31): "This reasoning AI consumes 100 times more compute than a non-reasoning AI." Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1hSllYGSR4
Warren Buffett clip (2:19-2:33): "The tendency of a government to want to debase its currency over time... there's no system that beats that. Fiscal policy is what scares me in the United States." Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1YaS_lSAmw
Daron Acemoglu clip (1:05-1:23): "I don't think we've had such amazing good times. If you look at the measure of productivity growth that economists focus on, it's been pretty slow for the last 20 years." Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1gLIc9ebiE
Additional References:
PricewaterhouseCoopers, "The macroeconomic impact of artificial intelligence," February 2018. Data on AI's projected contribution to global GDP.
Andreessen Horowitz, "Navigating the High Cost of AI Compute," May 10, 2024. Analysis of AI infrastructure costs and optimization strategies.
Epoch AI, "Trends in GPU Price-Performance," June 27, 2022. Historical data on GPU computational efficiency improvements.

The AI Arms Race – Who’s Winning? (Very Important)

In the high-stakes arena of artificial intelligence, the world's two superpowers are locked in a battle for dominance. The United States and China are racing to control the future of tech, and the implications are staggering. From the cutting-edge labs of Silicon Valley to the secretive research facilities of Beijing, we're diving into the heart of the AI arms race. Who's winning? And what does it mean for the rest of us?
 
Sources:
"It's Game On in AI Race with China" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-xG4pkBGo
"Inside DeepSeek's AI Breakthrough" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHdM0oviHnY

Season 2: AI & The Future

In Season 2 of The ProFiles Podcast, I’m on a mission to uncover how artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of success, creativity, and the future of work. This season, I’ll sit down with industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to explore the opportunities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas AI presents.
The rise of AI isn’t just a technological shift—it’s a revolution. And for me, it’s personal. As someone who’s been fascinated by AI for years, I’ve spent countless hours exploring how it works, where it’s headed, and what it means for our future. Now, as I move into the next chapter of my life at Carnegie Mellon University I’m more excited than ever to dive deeper into science, technology, and AI.
This shift isn’t just about AI; it’s about understanding how these tools impact our lives, careers, and futures. As someone passionate about learning, I want to make AI accessible, relatable, and exciting for people like you—whether you’re a student, a professional, or just curious about what’s next.
By breaking down complex ideas, interviewing industry leaders, and sharing actionable insights, this new chapter of The ProFiles Podcast will help you navigate the AI revolution—and use it to your advantage. I’m so excited for you to join me on this journey.

Decoding the Future: Neeraj Gupta on AI, Investments, and Careers

In this episode, I speak with Neeraj Gupta, Chief Investment Officer at ESW Capital and Trilogy, who shares his journey from MIT to becoming a prominent figure in the software industry. He discusses how his technical background in computer science has shaped his investment strategies and the challenges of integrating newly acquired companies. Mr. Gupta offers insights into the current state of AI, its responsible use, and its potential impact on business and learning processes. He also shares advice for students navigating their careers and reflects on finding joy in work while avoiding burnout. His perspectives provide valuable guidance for anyone interested in technology, investment, and career development in today's digital landscape.

The Lone Star Storyteller: Evan Smith's Texas-Sized Impact on Journalism

Evan Smith is a prominent figure in Texas journalism, known for his innovative contributions to media and civic engagement. As the co-founder and former CEO of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit organization dedicated to in-depth reporting on state politics and public policy, Smith has significantly shaped local journalism. Before this, he served as the editor-in-chief of Texas Monthly, where he developed his storytelling and editorial leadership skills. Currently, he is a senior advisor at the Emerson Collective, focusing on revitalizing local journalism initiatives nationwide. In my podcast interview with Evan Smith, we explored his career trajectory and the founding story of The Texas Tribune. He shared insights on maintaining editorial independence amid donor expectations and discussed the unique challenges of covering Texas' diverse political landscape. The conversation also touched on how traditional news outlets can adapt to the digital age, strategies for increasing civic engagement and voter turnout, and the impact of social media on news dissemination. Mr. Smith's experiences provide valuable perspectives on the future of journalism in an evolving media landscape.

The $310 Million Difference: Robert Alvarez on How Culture Creates Change

Robert Alvarez is a distinguished business leader and former CFO and COO of BigCommerce, a leading e-commerce platform. With a remarkable track record, he played a crucial role in scaling the company’s revenue from $7 million to over $317 million during his tenure. Alvarez is celebrated for his strategic financial expertise and ability to foster high-performing teams and strong company cultures. In this episode, we explore Alvarez's leadership philosophy, including his unique approach to team dynamics, decision-making, and mentorship. He shares valuable insights on navigating growth challenges and fostering innovation, making this conversation a must-listen for aspiring leaders in the tech industry.

#NEXTUP w/ Crawford Arnow

Hello and welcome to this conversation with Crawford Arnow, a multifaceted talent and Yale student who has achieved remarkable success as a social media influencer, scholar, and performer. Crawford’s journey from a high school valedictorian to a near-million-follower TikTok creator, combined with his academic pursuit of the effects of social media on masculinity, makes him a fascinating guest. Through our engaging discussion, Crawford shares his insights on:
Starting, building and growing a large social media following
His exploration of social media’s effect on happiness
Spreading positivity on the internet
Finding and doing what you love
Balancing diverse interests
And much, much more.

#NEXTUP w/ Miriam Laeky

In this episode, we welcome Miriam Laeky, the dynamic Government Affairs Director for Equality Texas, who has also been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30. A trailblazer in community organizing and public policy, Miriam’s work is fueled by her passion for social justice and equality.
In this conversation we touch on :
Navigating imposter syndrome
The zig-zag of Miriam’s young career
The marathon of social change
What college does not prepare your for
Technology's impact on politics
The shifting work culture.
And much, much more

#NEXTUP w/ Adam Abu Ghaida

In this episode, we talk with Adam Abu Ghaida, an award-winning developer and passionate advocate for integrating technology into education. Adam has created multiple SaaS applications using Flutter, iOS, and web development, including an app that won the UAE National iOS Design Challenge. He is an incoming freshman at Harvard university. Join us as we explore his insights on the future of education and the power of technology to drive positive change.
We talked about…
The intersection between education and emerging technologies
The application of AI in advancing society
Effective development of software applications
Making positive societal change
Identifying one’s quiddity
The dichotomy between tradition and modernity
And much much more.