I had such a fun time where instead of being interviewing the guest, @BrianAhuja interviewed me and the subject was mind bending:
how to teach robots how to partner dance?
0:02 — Intro to the idea of being interviewed on the podcast.
1:41 — AI embodiment: the idea of robots interacting physically with the world.
2:23 — Ballroom dance as inspiration for understanding embodied intelligence.
4:49 — Cost of dance classes in Brazil and Argentina.
5:54 — Concept of a partner dancing robot (teaching vs. partnering).
7:59 — Free will, pre-programmed movement, and transhumanist implications.
9:50 — Proper hip movement mechanics in Latin dances.
11:04 — Eye-level balance and the role of visual systems in movement.
13:08 — Importance of open eyes for dance improvisation and balance.
14:04 — Learning improvisation through socials and dancing with strangers.
15:21 — Cultural differences in dance hours (Buenos Aires vs. Las Vegas).
17:43 — Challenges for robots to generate fluid, humanlike movement.
19:46 — Contrast between robotic joints and human muscle-based motion.
23:58 — Fascia and Tom Myers’ “Anatomy Trains” in relation to movement.
26:10 — Yin/yang roles in partner dance and subtle lead-follow dynamics.
26:53 — Haptic feedback requirements for robotic partner dancing.
30:44 — Red-teaming as adversarial training for both LLMs and robots.
34:51 — Proposal of the “Ahuja Test” — a Turing Test for movement.
36:52 — Discovery of existing research in robot partner dance.
38:24 — Embodiment in AI and philosophical views on consciousness.
42:05 — Sensuality vs. sexuality in dance as a nonverbal social mode.
44:04 — Speculation on founding a lab, company, or foundation.
47:28 — Difficulty of maintaining vision in rapidly changing tech landscapes.
48:08 — Discussion of merging with AI as a survival path.
50:12 — Naming LLCs and the anecdote of “Galactosa.”
52:32 — Commentary on nonprofit structures, narrative manipulation, and Silicon Valley dynamics.
The next industrialists are in Detroit, millions of jobs coming back, and most of these founders believe floor workers should get stock. Just totally different from the repulsive greed of Big Tech. These guys believe in America and also the American worker. 🇺🇸