Ayush Prakash Podcast

Dr. Matthew Guzdial joins the podcast to break down how (and if!) AI is reshaping video game design, and why the gap between what's being promised and what's actually shipping is bigger than anyone wants to admit. We also get into VR as a cautionary tale; basically what happens when hype outruns infrastructure, why that pattern is playing out again, and what it means for anyone building or betting on the next wave of creative technology.Connect with Matthew:Website: https://guzdial.comBluesky: https://matthewguz.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/matthew-guzdial-170a1360Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jKqmTbIAAAAJPodcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

How has the internet actually changed humanity? In this episode, I’m joined by digital anthropologist Giles Crouch to go deep into the "Human-Tech Intersect." Giles has spent over 20 years decoding the invisible cultural forces that dictate how we buy, believe, and belong.We discuss the massive shift of humanity living in two worlds at once (the physical and the digital) and how the internet has evolved from a simple tool into an environment that rewires our rituals and social structures.In this episode: We start by looking at how the internet moved from being an "information superhighway" to a digital ecosystem that now dictates much of our behavior. Giles explains why digital platforms often strip away the context of our cultural rituals and what that loss means for real human connection. We also dive into the limits of modern technology, specifically why AI can reflect our past data but remains incapable of understanding the deeper "why" behind human behaviour.As we move toward a future where technology and biology are increasingly blurred, Giles shares why "cultural intelligence" is the only way to navigate the shift from physical communities to digital echo chambers. If you’ve ever felt like our tools are changing our intuition and memory, this episode will help you understand the neurological and sociological patterns at play.-Connect with Giles: Website: https://www.gilescrouch.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gileswcrouch/Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Dr. Maya Ackerman is a world-renowned AI researcher, generative AI pioneer, and CEO and Co-Founder of WaveAI. She is an Associate Professor at Santa Clara University and the author of "Creative Machines: AI, Art & Us." In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every creative domain, from music and visual art to writing and design, and where fear about AI replacing human artists has reached fever pitch, how do we understand what machines can actually create versus what only humans can imagine, and what does this technological shift reveal about the nature of creativity itself?In this episode, we cover:What creativity and hallucinations really areWhat the actual capabilities and limitations of creative AI systems reveal about both machine and human intelligenceHow generative AI exposes the hidden assumptions, biases, and blind spots embedded in human societyWhy AI-generated art, music, and writing are fundamentally mirrors that reflect human ingenuity, cultural values, and collective unconscious back at us rather than representing truly independent machine consciousnessHow creative professionals can use AI as a tool to enhance rather than replace their work, and what frameworks exist for maintaining human agency and artistic vision while leveraging computational capabilitiesWhat the rise of generative AI means for the future of creative industries, the economics of art-making, and whether machines expanding creative accessibility democratizes creativity or devalues itWhy fixing AI ethics alone is insufficient-Connect with Maya: Website: https://maya-ackerman.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Machines-Future-Human-Creativity/dp/1394316267LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackerma/Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Dr. Ashleigh Rankin holds a doctorate in psychology. Recently, she’s been diving into how new technologies, AI included, are shaping the ways Gen Z and the rest of us understand ourselves, relate to others, and navigate an increasingly digital world. Her perspective brings together human behavior, financial wellbeing, and the everyday impact of technology.In this episode, we cover:Why vulnerable minds—including children, adolescents, and those with existing mental health conditions—are particularly susceptible to AI's psychological impacts and what makes them different from the general population in their responses to AI systemsHow AI is rewiring our neurological reward systems through constant dopamine hits, infinite scroll mechanisms, and algorithmic content delivery that exploits the brain's evolutionary vulnerabilitiesWhat the relationship is between neurological states (how our brains physically respond to stimuli) and psychological states (our emotional and mental wellbeing), and why understanding this connection is critical for navigating AI healthilyHow people can establish boundaries with AI systems to prevent psychological dependency, addiction patterns, and the erosion of critical thinking skills that occurs with over-reliance on algorithmic decision-makingWhy the way we interact with AI now is creating long-term neurological patterns that may fundamentally alter human cognition, attention spans, and our capacity for deep work and sustained focusWhat practical frameworks individuals can implement to use AI as a tool rather than allowing it to become a psychological crutch or replacement for human judgment and connectionHow parents, educators, and mental health professionals can identify early warning signs of unhealthy AI relationships and intervene before psychological harm becomes entrenchedConnect with Ashley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ponderosa_kw/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Tillys-Toolbox-Emotions-Ashleigh-Rankin/dp/B0F2B2RW18Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Brian Sachetta is an author, anxiety recovery advocate, and someone who has personally navigated the debilitating cycles of panic and fear. He is the author of the book "Get Out of Your Head: Stop Letting Anxiety Run Your Life."In this episode, we cover:- Why millions of people suffer from anxiety and panic attacks by spending too much time trapped in their own heads trying to "solve" feelings that cannot be solved- How fear is fundamentally just a feeling, and why our instinct to overanalyze it only plunges us deeper into spirals of darkness and anxiety- What anxiety actually is, where it comes from, and why understanding its origins is the first step toward breaking free from its grip- Why we keep perpetuating our own anxiety cycles even when we consciously know they don't serve us or improve our lives- Helpful tactics anyone can use immediately to mitigate acute episodes of panic and anxiety when they arise- How to shift from trying to control or eliminate anxiety to learning how to let feelings be without feeding them through ruminationConnect with Brian: Website: https://getoutofyourhead.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Your-Head-Overcoming-ebook/dp/B07L5Z6V75?Podcast Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Joe is the host of the podcast Salty Ginger Talk. In this episode, we discuss: - Why the crisis of modern masculinity is creating widespread confusion and anxiety among men of all ages. - How masculinity and femininity are not opposing forces but complementary energies that exist within all people regardless of gender. - Why the old paradigms of dominance, stoicism, and emotional suppression are no longer serving men or the communities around them. - What young males need to understand about building healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, and purposeful lives in an era of rapid social change. -How men can reclaim positive aspects of masculine energy—strength, presence, protectiveness—while releasing toxic patterns of aggression, isolation, and fear. - What practical wisdom anyone can apply to foster a new vision of masculinity rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, accountability, and interconnection rather than competition.Connect with Joe: YouTube: @SaltyGingerTalk -Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Alisa Gracheva is a licensed mental health counselor and spiritual integration specialist who has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between traditional therapy and ancient healing wisdom. In a world where mental health crises are reaching epidemic proportions and conventional treatments often fall short, how do we address the deeper spiritual disconnection that underlies many psychological struggles? This conversation with Alisa explores how she is revolutionizing mental health treatment by helping individuals reconnect with their Higher and Authentic Self through the integration of therapy, sacred plant medicine, sound healing, and energy work.Expect to learn why traditional therapy alone often fails to create lasting transformation for those dealing with trauma and substance abuse, how sacred plant medicine and alternative healing modalities can unlock profound psychological breakthroughs when used responsibly, what role sound healing therapy and energy work play in addressing mental health disorders at their energetic root, why reconnecting with one's spiritual essence is often the missing piece in achieving true mental wellness, how individuals can safely explore alternative healing paths while maintaining grounding in evidence-based practices, what practical tools anyone can use immediately to begin their journey toward spiritual and psychological integration, and how a shift from purely symptom-focused treatment to holistic soul-centered healing might be the key to addressing the mental health crisis in our disconnected modern world.Connect with Alisa: Website: https://caringtherapistsofbroward.com/staff/alisa-grachevaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisa_art/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alisagracheva89/-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135

Arik Brueckner is the CEO of Choice, a pioneering global online booking platform for paid companionship and intimacy.In a world grappling with what his company calls "the global pandemic of loneliness," how do we address the growing disconnect between technology's promise of connection and our deepest human needs? This conversation explores how one entrepreneur is attempting to de-stigmatize paid companionship while increasing safety for everyone involved.Expect to learn how technology is revolutionizing an industry that extends far beyond sex work, why traditional approaches to combating loneliness may be failing, what ethical frameworks look like when building platforms for vulnerable populations, how identity verification and safety technology can transform intimate services, why the stigma around paid companionship might be more harmful than the practice itself, what the intersection of business and basic human needs reveals about our society, and how we might redefine what healthy connection looks like in the digital age.Find Arik: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arikbrueckner/Website: choice.ch-Info: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ILhje5HSua1FEOlTyFAhGApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3qXL37WConnect: Website: https://ayushprakash.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-ayush/ Instagram: instagram.com/ayushprakashofficialBooks: AI for Gen Z: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981182135