AI-Driven Social Robotics for Kids

Hi everyone,

On this podcast I interview Mike Rizkalla, founder of the creative AI company Snorble. Mike is an original thinker who once toured the world as a musician in a Canadian punk rock band, and now brings a diverse set of ideas into running an AI company. In this episode we discuss the value of small or “bespoke” language models for AI applications, as well as the concept of distributed intelligence and the role of creative design in AI (see full list of topics below).

I found this conversation fascinating, as it represents a different take on recent developments in AI, and shows how creative human thinking is always at the center of progress and success. Mike tapped artistic talents—the folks who make Sponge Bob and other memorable characters—to develop a novel AI character that’s fully real and embodied. Fascinating. While I expect some Colligo listeners will question the use of AI in childhood development, my take away was that what’s “bad and good” for our society is complicated, and there’s no one size fits all critique. The different artistic visions are illuminating.

Topics:

The difference between general and contextual intelligence
The role of embodiment in intelligence
The future of robotics
Small or bespoke versus large language models
Incorporating creative and artistic insights into AI
AI as a benefit not replacement
The problem with superintelligence
Small versus large technology dynamics
The difference between a shovel and a smartphone
Music and playing music, and other topics.

I hope you enjoy.

Mike Rizkalla, CEO of Snorble

Mike Rizkalla is the visionary CEO of Snorble, a pioneering company at the forefront of social robotics innovation. With a deep commitment to advancing AI and robotics in the education sector, Mike leads Snorble in creating interactive solutions that transform the way children and families engage with technology.

Snorble, a Companion AI for Learning