April 2022 Summaries

In a discussion about Empathy and User Research, Dr. Alan Cowen, CEO of Hume, and dscout CEO Michael Winnick, along with host Matt Forte, explore how empathy can be fostered in user research to drive innovation in AI. They discuss the differences between studying human behavior in academia versus real-world settings, the impact of screen time on sensory experiences, and the shared goal of using technology to strengthen human bonds rather than replace them. The conversation also touches upon the future of user research and the potential for AI to scale traditionally qualitative data.

The podcast delves into expressive vocalizations and their role in human-computer interaction, featuring experts from Hume AI, Creative Destruction Lab, DeepMind, Université de Montréal, and Mila. Discussions revolve around the importance of studying non-word utterances like yelps, laughs, and sighs in our social and emotional lives. The podcast also explores new datasets such as ExVo challenge data that aid progress in understanding vocal expression.