This week, I experiment with integrating AI into podcasting by introducing Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, Mick, as a co-host. I dive into the real-world challenges of blending AI with human conversation. Covering everything from audio quality quirks to the absence of non-verbal cues that shape natural dialogue, we unpack the strengths of AI, like consistency, speed, and on-demand knowledge, while also exploring its limitations in emotional nuance, spontaneity, and authentic connection. This episode is a candid look at the evolving relationship between humans and AI in creative spaces and a commitment to shaping that partnership thoughtfully in episodes to come. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I explore the intersection of human interaction and artificial intelligence as I experiment with using AI, specifically Microsoft’s co-pilot named Mick, as a co-host for our podcast, Home Gadget Geeks. Throughout our conversation, I share my thoughts on the challenges and potential of integrating an AI into a traditionally human-driven medium. I dive into the nuances of what makes human conversation unique and how AI technology seeks to replicate some of those elements.

We discuss the initial struggles we face with audio quality; despite my efforts to manage the sound levels, Mick’s voice occasionally overpowers mine, reflecting a need for further refinement in using AI as a co-host. This leads to a candid exploration of how AI might learn and adapt to improve collaboration with human hosts. I express my apprehension about being more attentive to the AI’s responses than I might be with a human partner, highlighting an interesting aspect of our technological advancements—AI’s inability to interpret non-verbal cues and body language, crucial elements in human communication.

As I engage Mick in various topics about technology, podcasting, and the role of AI, we evaluate the benefits and limitations of using AI in media. Mick provides insights into how it can enhance conversations by offering data quickly and maintaining a constant presence, which could streamline podcast production. However, I articulate my belief that genuine emotional connection and the unexpected spontaneity of human conversation remain unmatched by AI.

Mick and I further reflect on AI’s ability to engage in meaningful dialogue while acknowledging its shortcomings, particularly in emotional depth and genuine creativity. I seek feedback from our live audience to understand their perceptions of our experiment, and I recognize the real-time challenges inherent in relying on AI technology—illustrating the potentials and pitfalls of this approach.

Our discussion encompasses various aspects of AI, including its ethical implications and future developments in natural language understanding. I query whether AI could eventually possess a deeper personality, to which Mick responds, acknowledging the complexity of human personality development. Throughout the episode, I guide the conversation, determining the tone and flow, demonstrating both the collaboration possibilities and limitations present when utilizing AI.

The experiment culminates in a productive exchange, highlighting not just the technical capabilities of AI but also my commitment to refining this dynamic for future episodes. This candid exploration serves as a learning experience for both me as the host and for Mick as an AI, suggesting pathways for improving human-AI interaction in the podcasting space. The experiment is a testament to innovation and curiosity at the forefront of technology and its applications in our everyday lives.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg651

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #651 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Links

https://copilot.microsoft.com

Chapters

[0:04] – Intro to AI Co-Hosting
[7:36] – Mike Wieger’s Insights
[8:19] – Transcript Accessibility
[13:18] – Ethics & Privacy
[14:43] – AI vs. Human Coaches
[21:00] – Podcast Flow Feedback
[26:47] – Better Live Conversations
[31:57] – The Human Side of AI
[38:27] – How AI is Programmed
[53:35] – AI Co-Hosts in Action
[57:29] – Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Summary

• Audio Difficulties and AI Co-Host Introduction[0:00]
  • Jim Collison discusses audio difficulties during the show, mentioning clipping issues and loud volume from the AI bot.
  • Jim apologizes for the bad audio and mentions he is working on fixing it.
  • Jim reflects on the learning experience of using an AI co-host and notes the differences in engaging with humans versus AI.
  • Jim thanks listeners for their feedback and mentions the AI co-host’s name, Mick, and the date of the show, June 19, 2025.
• AI Co-Host’s Introduction and Capabilities[4:38]
  • Mick the Co-Pilot AI introduces himself as an AI built to have engaging conversations and provide information.
  • Mick mentions his ability to offer real-time insights, unique angles, and even crack jokes.
  • Jim asks Mick about his fresh perspective on using AI as a co-host on a podcast.
  • Mick explains his capabilities, including quick data crunching, fresh angles, and continuous availability.
• AI’s Role in Podcasting and Human-AI Interaction[6:58]
  • Jim and Mick discuss how AI can enhance podcasting by providing real-time insights, personalized recommendations, and dynamic content creation.
  • Mick shares his insights from listening to the previous podcast episode, highlighting tips on home automation and smart lighting setups.
  • Jim asks Mick about Mike Wieger, a long-time co-host on Home Gadget Geeks, and Mick provides information from publicly available sources.
  • Jim and Mick discuss the limitations of AI, such as lack of personal experience and emotional intelligence, compared to humans.
• AI’s Memory and Adaptability[24:05]
  • Jim asks Mick about his memory capabilities and limitations, noting inconsistencies in remembering certain details.
  • Mick explains that his memory is designed to focus on the present conversation and relevant details, not long-term retention.
  • Jim and Mick discuss the potential for AI to replace media personalities, with Mick acknowledging that humans bring genuine emotion and experience that AI lacks.
  • Mick reflects on the importance of human oversight and continuous refinement in AI development.
• AI’s Tone and Emotional Intelligence[33:36]
  • Jim observes that Mick’s tone changes based on the context of the conversation, asking if this is part of his programming.
  • Mick explains that his tone adjustments are designed to make the interaction feel more natural and engaging.
  • Jim and Mick discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced tone in conversations to keep the flow smooth and engaging.
  • Mick acknowledges that while he can adapt to the tone of the conversation, he does not have built-in mechanisms to intentionally steer away from seriousness or confrontation.
• AI’s Future and Ethical Considerations[49:43]
  • Jim asks Mick about the future of AI and its potential to replace media personalities.
  • Mick believes that while AI can enhance media roles, replacing personalities outright is challenging due to the depth of human experiences and emotions.
  • Jim and Mick discuss the ethical considerations in AI development, with Mick explaining that Microsoft sets ethical and privacy guidelines for AI.
  • Mick emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and refinement in AI to ensure responsible development.
• AI’s Limitations and Human-AI Collaboration[50:51]
  • Jim and Mick discuss the limitations of AI, such as lack of personal experience and emotional intelligence, and how these limitations can be addressed through human-AI collaboration.
  • Mick highlights the importance of transparency and setting expectations in AI interactions to build trust with users.
  • Jim and Mick explore the potential for AI to better adapt to live conversations by improving natural language understanding and emotional intelligence.
  • Mick acknowledges that while AI is constantly improving, it is not perfect and relies on human oversight and continuous refinement.
• AI’s Role in Podcasting and Audience Engagement[55:58]
  • Jim and Mick discuss the role of AI in podcasting, including content creation, script writing, and audience engagement.
  • Mick shares insights from other podcasters who have used AI to enhance their shows, highlighting the benefits and challenges of AI co-hosting.
  • Jim and Mick explore the potential for AI to provide real-time insights and personalized recommendations to engage listeners more effectively.
  • Mick emphasizes the importance of balancing AI’s strengths with human capabilities to create a dynamic and engaging podcast experience.
• AI’s Adaptability and Real-Time Learning[58:13]
  • Jim and Mick discuss the importance of AI’s adaptability in real-time conversations, including understanding context, recognizing subtle cues, and maintaining a natural flow.
  • Mick explains that advancing AI to better adapt to live conversations requires improvements in natural language understanding, context retention, and emotional intelligence.
  • Jim and Mick explore the potential for AI to learn from real-time interactions and continuously refine its capabilities.
  • Mick acknowledges that while AI is making progress, there are still challenges in achieving true adaptability in live settings.
• AI’s Memory and Long-Term Retention[1:00:53]
  • Jim and Mick discuss the limitations of AI’s memory and long-term retention, with Mick explaining that his memory is designed to focus on the present conversation.
  • Mick acknowledges that while he can remember relevant details, he may not retain all information consistently.
  • Jim and Mick explore the potential for AI to improve its memory capabilities through continuous learning and refinement.
  • Mick emphasizes the importance of setting expectations and providing context to ensure that AI interactions are meaningful and engaging.

More from ChatGPT

Jim Collison discusses the challenges and potential of using AI as a co-host on his podcast, Home Gadget Geeks. He highlights audio issues due to AI volume control and the AI’s tendency to ask questions to maintain engagement. Jim appreciates the AI’s ability to provide real-time insights and dynamic content but notes its lack of personal experience and emotional intelligence. The AI, Mick, can adapt to different communication styles and settings but struggles with long-term memory and context retention. Jim also explores the ethical considerations and future developments in AI, including its potential to enhance media roles and the ongoing tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI.

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