Why aren’t more people using AI conversational interfaces for conversational learning?

In this episode, we wanted to explore the conversational side of our AI companions. When it comes to AI capabilities, most of the focus in tech remains on productivity gains and even imaginary superpowers such as “fixing the climate”, as Sam Altman and other techno-optimists with doomsday bunkers like to prophesize. 

Meanwhile, existing conversational powers of AI tools are often sidelined. Conversational capabilities are mainly discussed in the context of persuasiveness risk assessments, or as part of Black Mirror visions of people developing intimate relationships with AIs, in the style of the movie Her and others. 

And while conversations are indeed crucial for relationship-building, we haven’t yet seen that many discussions about conversational learning. Not in the context of AI tutors helping students prepare for exams. But conversational learning as a natural human technology for making sense of our world, improving collaboration, and nurturing our imagination. In short, the skills we need to face our current meta-crisis. 

During our discussion, we ponder about the history of conversational interfaces, our existing mental models, and the design of our spaces and systems that make it challenging to make time and space for conversational learning in our daily lives. We explore the human yearning for a yarn and invite you not just to “think outside the box”, but to step outside the boxes and forms of linear thinking and standardized testing to embrace embodied conversational learning, especially thought voice interfaces. Both with humans and LLM-based AI assistants. 

If you’d like to wonder and wander with us, join Tethix firekeepers Alja Isaković and Mathew Mytka in this meandering exploration inspired by the latest Pathfinders Newmoonsletter. In addition to the resources explored in the Newmoonsletter, we recommend exploring:

• Five AI-generated podcast episodes that'll make you think

• Meet Open NotebookLM: An Open Source Alternative to Google's NotebookLM

• Parliaments around the world: what can architecture teach us about democracy?

• How the buildings you occupy might be affecting your brain

• Ministry of Futility text-based adventure game

• Tyson Yunkaporta discusses Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World

• Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning

• Warm Data Labs

• Beyond prompts: A field guide for more relevant & interesting AI conversations

Related episodes of the Pathfinders Podcast:

• What should we do with the time that new technologies save?

• How do we nurture weird online communal gardens where we can play together?

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You can learn more about the Tethix pathfinding adventure at: https://tethix.co/pathfinders/ and support this podcast on Substack: https://tethix.substack.com/subscribe