Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying mathematical concepts that power modern machine learning, to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives–even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…
The Nerd Eternal's first actual play show! Join us for some superhero action as we play ICONS: The Assembled Edition. In season one we follow a new group of unknown heroes as they rise from obscurity to international fame! In season two we expand in to the Wider World! Seeing how the events or season one have changed the world and what new supers have been inspired. All of this from the eye's of a dozen different heroes! In season three we run a three part anthology. The founding of a school for super-children, a War in deep space and a team to fill the void left by the loss of a great hero. In season four NE1 has uncovered a global conspiracy but with so many heroes off world he must recruit a team of villains to take on the Hellfires conspiracy.
The Nerd Eternal's first actual play show! Join us for some superhero action as we play ICONS: The Assembled Edition. In season one we follow a new group of unknown heroes as they rise from obscurity to international fame! In season two we expand in to the Wider World! Seeing how the events or season one have changed the world and what new supers have been inspired. All of this from the eye's of a dozen different heroes! In season three we run a three part anthology. The founding of a school for super-children, a War in deep space and a team to fill the void left by the loss of a great hero. In season four NE1 has uncovered a global conspiracy but with so many heroes off world he must recruit a team of villains to take on the Hellfires conspiracy.
The final assault on the Pharaoh begins. As the Heroes of S.P.E.A.R. storm into her capital, a smaller team guard a team of mystics. Mystics who seek to unravel the spell she's put on the world. Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
The Heroes of S.P.E.A.R. have gathered some of the most powerful magic users on the planet. They must now call as many free heroes as possible and plan their assault on Memphis. Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
Having gathered Wolf Witch and Ma'at the team heads not south to Shavannah Georgia. Were Wolf Witch says the Crucible lives. Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
The team is in bad need of an expert in mystic affairs. Unable to find the Crucible they head to Seattle where Wolf Witch use to have a shop. Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
The Heroes have stepped in to a trap. U.N.I.S.O.N.'s mother Dr. Brain is already K.O.ed. Can the team turn this around and who did Landshark propose to? Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
A message from Santo Luna has Landshark ready to run to his side but the rest of the team suspects a trap. Are they right? Is it worth the risk if they can acquire the help of such a powerful magic wielder? Music by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
Locked in battle with Ferron Steele and his security forces, can the heroes stop Steele from fulfilling the Pharoah's plan? Theme by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
This issue the team heads to an old Soviet science city. What is Ferron Steele doing for the Pharaoh? The Heroes don't know but nothing good can come from the man who tried to take over the U.S. working for the woman who took over the world. Theme by TeknoAXE
The Heroes of S.P.E.A.R. face off against Lord Anordu! If they win he can longer harass them on their voyage home. If they lose he takes Independence Ray, and the rest of team return home. Theme by TeknoAXE #actualplay #iconsrpg
The Heroes of S.P.E.A.R. are finally on the last leg of their journey. Home is only a few weeks away. What threats await them in the endless black sea of space? Theme by TeknoAXE
The Team makes it's appearance at the Gakradian Consul's Estate. The party is going great but not all is as it seems. Music by TeknoAXE #iconsrpg #actualplay
Speaking with the self-proclaimed witch queen leaves Ray and the heroes unsure of who's the bad guy. A subsequent kidnapping sends them on a hunt through the ancient infrastructure under the alien city. Music by TeknoAXE
As they take a rescued family home the crew have and Spiored encounter in deep space. Luckly the people of Gakrad welcome them with open arms. Time for some shore leave! Music my TeknoAXE #iconsrpg #actualplay