Chatting GPT

When Munich's citizens were invited to reimagine one of their main streets using AI, the results didn't just sit in a presentation deck—they were actually built. Damiano Cerrone, founder of Urbanist AI and Co-Plan AI, has worked with over 80 organisations worldwide to transform how cities engage with their residents. Instead of traditional surveys asking "what do you want?", his platforms let people visualise, evaluate, and iterate on urban design ideas in real-time. The twist? Damiano argues AI models should be biased—tuned to each participant's perspective—because that's what makes collaboration meaningful. From training Eastern European mayors to test policies with generative AI, to working with the UN Development Programme and Dubai's Prime Minister's office, he's pioneering what he calls "collaborative public governance." The challenge ahead: making European city centres attractive to humans again after decades of infrastructure-led dehumanisation.Guest: Damiano CerroneCompany: Urbanist AI & Co-Plan AILocation: Helsinki, FinlandKey Topics Discussed[02:02] Munich's streets transformedHow a citizens' engagement process during a festival led to an AI-imagined green space and water feature being built as a prototype on one of Munich's main streets.[03:29] Training mayors in Eastern EuropeWorking with the UN Development Programme to help mayors use generative AI to evaluate and test their own policies—compressing months of work into rapid visualisation cycles.[05:33] The collaboration vs. replacement questionWhy cities are asking "why engage people when we can simulate engagement with AI agents?"—and Damiano's response: treating AI as a billion colleagues, not a billion replacements.[08:37] When what people want is wrongHow AI enables people to evaluate their own ideas by seeing them visualised, leading to minds being changed through the process itself rather than being told "no" by experts.[16:38] Embracing bias in AI modelsDamiano's contrarian stance: models should be tuned to individual participants' biases because that's what creates interesting, fruitful conversations—not sterile consensus.[18:13] The mega-trend for European citiesWhy attracting human beings back to dehumanised city centres is the biggest urban challenge ahead, following the post-COVID exodus.Resources MentionedUrbanist AI: site.urbanistai.comCityLab Berlin: Monthly neighbourhood engagement programme (Kids Lab)Futureville (RTÉ): Irish television series imagining Athlone in 2050Connect with Damiano: LinkedInFor Built Environment ProfessionalsDamiano's work demonstrates how participatory AI can close the gap between consultation and implementation—particularly relevant for architecture practices, engineering consultancies, and planning departments struggling with meaningful stakeholder engagement. His platforms have been adopted by governments worldwide, proving that citizen-generated spatial ideas can move from digital visualisation to physical intervention.Chatting GPT is produced by AI Institute. If you're interested in AI adoption for built environment firms, visit https://weareaiinstitute.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Maryrose Lyons speaks with Geoffrey Allen, CEO and co-founder of Mersus Technologies, an immersive training company specialising in VR for life sciences and manufacturing.In this illuminating chat, Geoff discusses Mersus's unique approach, which includes pioneering hand-tracked only mobile VR experiences to avoid complex controllers. They explore the concept of spatial computing as the "next digital frontier," moving past the 2D internet into a 3D environment.Key takeaways from the conversation:Discover how Mersus uses VR to standardise operations and eliminate contamination risks in high-value processes, such as training staff how to properly put on a gown or handle expensive compounds.Immersive training is self-directed and self-paced, leading to dramatic improvements in training time (75–80% quicker) and higher retention rates through muscle memory.The Role of AI: Geoff explains that the future involves integrating AI, including custom LLMs, to eventually allow for no-code virtual environment creation.Talent Development: Learn about the Mersus talent programme that trains college students in the necessary game engine skillsets (Unity and Unreal) for making commercial immersive media. By the way, they just picked up a prestigious award for Excellence in Talent Development for their programme which is a huge achievement.Tune in to hear why Geoff says, "If Apple's betting it, you have to keep an eye on it," when it comes to spatial technology.Geoff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreyallenirl/Mersus Technologies Website: https://mersus.io/Lex Fridman Interview with Mark Zuckerberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVYrJJNdrEgAvatar Academy on Meta Quest Store: https://www.meta.com/experiences/avatar-academy/8856539844374985/#spatialAI #3d #VR Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on ChattingGPT, we have Stephen Redmond - an influential leader in data analytics and digital transformation, with a background spanning AI leadership roles at BearingPoint and Accenture. He's the Founder and Chief AI Officer of Straitéis AI, a consultancy focused on helping SMEs cut through AI noise to find real value. He is also now working with the AI Institute to deliver AI strategy for clients - combining his expertise in strategy, prioritisation and governance with ours in AI literacy training and implementation.In this show we talk about:How some executives are stuck in conference-induced paralysis whilst their staff are already using ChatGPT on their phones. Stephen Redmond talks about what actually works when implementing AI in business.Key Topics:The Freeze Response Why C-suite leaders attend conferences, hear everything they should be doing, then do nothing. The third option beyond fight or flight that's stopping AI adoption.Shadow AI Reality Billions of weekly ChatGPT users aren't waiting for corporate approval. Staff are using AI anyway—often unsafely. The security risk hiding in plain sight.AI Literacy vs AI Strategy Why training needs to start at the top and bubble up through middle managers. How literacy is climbing the Gartner hype cycle whilst generative AI slides into the trough of disillusionment.The Practical Approach Show, tell, ideate. Map customer journeys, identify pain points, prioritise by value. Why some problems need process tweaks, not AI.From Fear to Curiosity Maryrose on how the conversation shifted from "AI will take my job" (2023) to "data security" (2024) to "overwhelm" (early 2025) and now "curiosity" (now heading into 2026).The SME Gap Why Irish small-to-medium enterprises—especially construction and professional services—represent the biggest untapped opportunity for practical AI implementation.Stephen Redmond LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenredmond/Straitéis AI website: https://www.straiteis.ie/AI Institute website: https://weareaiinstitute.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Chatting GPT, Maryrose Lyons speaks with Breffni Greene, the head of AI and design innovation at Henry J Lyons Architects. They discuss the integration of AI in architecture, the challenges faced in traditional practices, and the evolving roles of graduates in an AI-driven environment. Breffni shares his journey of becoming an AI champion within his firm, the importance of engaging sceptics, and innovative uses of AI in projects. The conversation also touches on the future of architectural education and the skills needed for upcoming professionals in the field.Connect with Breffni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breffnigreene/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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A Look Back from 2030: The Human Side of AIHow Skills, Culture, and Transformation Shaped the Future of WorkIn this episode of Chatting GPT, Maryrose Lyons sits down with transformation expert Stephanie Prenderville for a playful yet thought-provoking conversation set in the year 2030.Together, they explore how work has evolved in an AI-first world—from three-day work weeks and skills-based rewards to the critical importance of human literacy. You’ll hear insights about why creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking have become the core skills of the modern workforce, and how leaders can overcome fear and overwhelm to build cultures that thrive alongside technology.Topics Covered:What it really means to put humans at the heart of AIHow AI transformed hiring, learning, and performance managementWhy critical thinking and human literacy are non-negotiable leadership skillsThe move to transparent, skills-based rewardsThe role of creativity and sustainability in measuring successTips for leaders starting their AI transformation journeyConnect with Stephanie Prenderville:👉 Follow Stephanie on LinkedInLearn more about the AI Institute:👉 Visit the AI Institute Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From cyber law to Kabul, from the UN to Brussels, Caro Robson has been at the frontline of AI regulation for two decades. In this episode, she joins Maryrose Lyons of the AI Institute to dissect the global power struggle over AI.They talk DeepSeek, Deep State, and the deep flaws in Europe’s AI readiness. Caro breaks down the delays in the EU AI Act, the surprising innovation culture in China, and the human cost behind every clever chatbot.Expect a smart, clear-eyed take on ethics, enforcement, and why Malta is outperforming Ireland on AI preparation.📚 Read Caro’s latest work: carorobson.com/blog-news-resources including her post on the EU AI Act 'Is it dead on arrival?'📚 Kate Crawford's book "Atlas of AI" which Caro highly recommends.📚 Link to the podcast with Declan Power on AI in warfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.