95: The Pits and Stems Sal Banan and MJ Yang (CU) on AI Growing Pains

On this episode, Brad and Jeff continue their field research at Pits & Stems, a real live speakeasy located somewhere in Boulder. They’re still joined by host and proprietor Ethan Decker, who contribrutes his wry insights as he keeps the libations flowing, and MJ Yang, Assistant Professor of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Operations at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. The conversation shifts to MJ’s work, which focuses on scientific approaches to entrepreneurship, and is centered on AI and data-driven decision making. He asserts that AI (particularly LLM’s) should be treated as a “brain-damaged peer.” It’s not the most reliable data analyst; just the fastest, and MJ emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and problem framing. Brad points out that we’re experiencing the growing pains of a fledgling technology, but that no matter how important AI becomes, there will always be a job for creative problem solvers with grit. Jeff likens AI to the dotcom boom, in that the true believers (as he was back then), think only about how much the tech is going to improve our lives, without considering the negative externalities. Ethan calls that being “nerd-sighted.” Jeff goes on to say that, because AI has been on our minds for decades, it’s not the already-predicted worst-case scenarios that worry him. He’s more concerned about the dangers we haven’t thought of. You know: those unknown unknowns. He also puts in important (seriously) plugs for Coruba and Clareen rums, from Jamaica and Haiti, respectively. They’re key ingredients in one of Ethan’s creations featured herein: the Sal Banan, an original and fully AI-proof cocktail. Enjoy and cheers! — This episode of Creative Distillation was recorded at Pits and Stems in Boulder, Colorado. Unfortunately, that’s about all we can say about it. Learn more about MJ Yang on his faculty page at the Leeds School of Business website. https://www.colorado.edu/business/leeds-directory/faculty/mj-yang -- Learn more about CU's Deming Center for Entrepreneurship: https://deming.colorado.edu Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. - An Analog Digital Arts Production for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship Produced, recorded and edited by Joel Davis "Whiskey Before Breakfast" [Traditional] performed by Jeffrey York and Brad Werner. Recorded, mixed and mastered by George Figgs ___ CREATIVE DISTILLATION University of Colorado-Boulder professors Jeff York and Brad Werner distill entrepreneurship research into actionable insights. Jeff York | Associate Professor | Research Director [email protected] Brad Werner | Instructor | Teaching Director [email protected] Deming Center for Entrepreneurship | CU Leeds School of Business 303.492.9018 | [email protected]