Digital Digging with Henk van Ess
Digital Digging
The Digital Co-Pilot: AI Above the Clouds
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The Digital Co-Pilot: AI Above the Clouds

Episode 2: Using Large Language Models to explain a fast flight

Why is the flight so fast? At first glance, it seemed simple – tailwinds, right? We unravel the mystery of a New York to Phoenix flight with the help of ChatGPT through a maze of weather maps, AI analyses, and flight data. We'll challenge common assumptions, crunch some numbers, and even corner a few pilots.

What I learned:

  • Hypothesis Hyperdriver: AI can cook up initial theories faster than you can say "jetlag," tapping into a massive database of factors like weather patterns and flight stats.

  • Pattern Recognition : AI's got eagle eyes for spotting anomalies in historical flight data, flagging anything funky that might explain our unexpectedly speedy journey.

But watch out for these AI airsickness moments:

  • Garbage In, Garbage Out: The quality of AI's insights is only as good as the questions we ask. Too narrow, and we might miss the forest for the trees (or the jet stream for the tailwind, in our case).

  • Real-World Reality Check: While AI can crunch numbers like a champ, it might struggle with nuanced real-world concepts. .

  • Bias Turbulence: AI models can inherit biases from their training data, potentially leading us down a wrong flight path if we're not careful.

  • Not a Solo Pilot: AI's great, but it can't replace good old-fashioned human expertise. Always cross-check with the pros (like our friendly neighborhood pilots) for the full picture.

Combine AI's data-crunching superpowers with human critical thinking and expert knowledge, and you’re good to go.

Discussion about this podcast

Digital Digging with Henk van Ess
Digital Digging
Welcome to Digital Digging, the podcast where AI and investigative research collide in what can only be described as a digital dumpster fire of possibilities. Hosted by Henk van Ess, a man who willingly handed his voice over to a machine (because why not?), we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we uncover, analyze, and inevitably freak out over information online.
Each episode unpacks everything from spotting AI-generated texts—yes, AI trying to fool you—and uncovering global secrets using open-source intelligence, all while featuring two AI co-hosts, Castor and Pollux, because what’s a podcast without some virtual sidekicks? Think of them as the Alexa of bad advice, but with slightly more charm.
We’ll cover the latest tools, mind-bending techniques, and possibly even a few ethical dilemmas—because AI isn’t going to raise them itself, is it? Whether you’re a journalist, a researcher, or just someone who fears the robot uprising but can’t look away, Digital Digging is your crash course on the brave, new, and slightly terrifying world of AI in investigations. Buckle up, because the future’s here, and it’s weird.
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Appears in episode
Henk van Ess