

The AI Download
Shira Lazar
– AI News with a Human Touch
AI is transforming how we work, create, and connect—but what does that mean for the future of content, business, and creativity?
Hosted by Emmy-nominated digital pioneer Shira Lazar, The AI Download is your go-to source for sharp insights, expert interviews, and real-world discussions on AI, emerging tech, and the creator economy.
Each week, we break down the biggest AI trends, explore its impact on creativity and business, and bring you candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and disruptors shaping the future.
Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or just AI-curious, this podcast deciphers what’s next—and why it matters.
🔹 New episodes every week
🔹 Featuring top experts & thought leaders
🔹 Where AI meets culture, creativity, and business
Stay ahead of the curve!
This episode of The AI Download is hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive production by Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Design Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Unicorn Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
AI is transforming how we work, create, and connect—but what does that mean for the future of content, business, and creativity?
Hosted by Emmy-nominated digital pioneer Shira Lazar, The AI Download is your go-to source for sharp insights, expert interviews, and real-world discussions on AI, emerging tech, and the creator economy.
Each week, we break down the biggest AI trends, explore its impact on creativity and business, and bring you candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and disruptors shaping the future.
Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or just AI-curious, this podcast deciphers what’s next—and why it matters.
🔹 New episodes every week
🔹 Featuring top experts & thought leaders
🔹 Where AI meets culture, creativity, and business
Stay ahead of the curve!
This episode of The AI Download is hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive production by Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Design Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Unicorn Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2025 • 29min
Slack’s CMO on AI Agents and the Future of Work
What if your next teammate was AI?Slack’s CMO Ryan Gavin joins Shira Lazar to break down how digital agents like AgentForce are already changing how we work. From boosting productivity to protecting privacy, this episode explores how AI is moving from hype to hands-on—and why that matters now more than ever.👉 Special Thanks to Our SponsorsSpecial thanks to our sponsor PRophet – AI comms tech tools and services custom built for marketing and communication leaders looking to replace guessing with knowing. Learn more at prprophet.ai. PRophet. Human Led. AI Fed.HiveLighter – Your AI reading assistant for smart, personalized summaries. Get the AI Download Collection and never miss a story: https://www.hivelighter.ai/ On this episode of The AI Download, host Shira Lazar sits down with Ryan Gavin, Chief Marketing Officer at Slack, to explore how AI agents and Salesforce’s Agent Force are transforming the future of work. From preventing hallucinations with in-app citations to empowering small businesses with digital teammates, they dive into the bold vision of upgrading human capabilities with “invisible AI” —so you spend less time on busy work and more on orchestrating value.In this episode, we cover:AI Hallucinations & Trust: How Slack surfaces citations on every AI answer to prevent fake facts and keep teams honest.EU’s AI Code of Practice: Why transparency and data-disclosure rules matter—and how Slack’s privacy-first approach sets a new standard.Capability Upgrades for All: Why AI isn’t replacing jobs but turbocharging human talent, especially in small businesses like EasyCater.AgentForce Inside Slack: Bringing generative agents into your conversations, tapping into unstructured “company memory” for deeper context.Permissions & Privacy: How agents inherit Slack channel permissions—so private messages stay private unless you choose to share.From Doers to Orchestrators: The coming shift toward orchestrating AI-driven workflows—and why curiosity is your greatest skill.Real-World Results: A 233% surge in daily AI use at Slack and an 81% boost in employee satisfaction—what that means for your team.🎙 Guest: Ryan Gavin Chief Marketing Officer, Slack Follow him: @RyanGavinCMO LinkedIN : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-gavin-seattle/ 🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). © 2025 Shira Lazar

Jul 8, 2025 • 42min
Artists Over Algorithms: Jaeson Ma on the AI-Powered Future of Music
The music industry is broken—and Jaeson Ma is here to fix it. On this episode of The AI Download, Shira Lazar sits down with the co-founder and CEO of OpenWav, a platform reimagining how independent artists make money, build superfans, and own their creativity.👉Special Thanks to Hivelighter for sponsoring this series —Dive deeper, scroll less. The AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. For more go to: https://www.hivelighter.comCo-Founder by Wyclef Jean and shaped by Jaeson's own journey as a media mogul and investor (88rising, EST Studios), OpenWav combines AI, Web3, and on-demand merch to give artists a label in their pocket. This is not about getting more followers—it's about getting the right ones.They dive deep into: 🔹 Why less than 1% of artists make over $10K a year on streaming—and how OpenWave flips the script 🔹 How AI lets creators design merch, videos, and marketing tools in minutes 🔹 Why superfans—not algorithms—are the key to success in 2025 🔹 Wyclef Jean’s role as Chief Music Officer and his belief in putting “artists over algorithms” 🔹 The difference between real talent and TikTok fame—and how the industry must adapt 🔹 Why artists need to understand AI now to stay ahead (hint: it's your new manager, promoter & designer)This is a must-listen for musicians, creators, and anyone building a business from their brand. OpenWav isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement. https://openwav.ai/🎙 Guest: Jaeson Ma CEO & Co-founder, OpenWav Entrepreneur, Investor (88rising, EST Studios), Culture Catalyst Follow him: @JaesonMa🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira

Jul 1, 2025 • 16min
AI Wins Copyright Battle, Replaces Workers — and Sparks a Donkeycorn Revolution
From a precedent-setting copyright smackdown to Salesforce quietly replacing humans with code, this week’s AI headlines feel less “pro-tech utopia” and more “please grab your emotional support water bottle.” Host Shira Lazar breaks down the five biggest stories—plus one bonus nightmare—in her signature no-BS, heavy-sarcasm style.🎙 This episode is sponsored by: HiveLighter — Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling. Find your brain a new hobby at HiveLighter.ai.This week on The AI Download: Headlines🔹 Anthropic Scores a Copyright Win—But the Billions-Dollar Hangover Is Coming A federal judge says training on legally purchased books is “quintessentially transformative.” Cool, cool. Unfortunately Anthropic also slurped up seven million pirated titles, so December’s trial could cost them billions. Shira asks: is “fair use” now just a coupon code for VC-backed plagiarism?🔹 Salesforce Brags That AI Does 50 % of the Work (and Humans Notice They’ve Been Laid Off) CEO Marc Benioff calls it a “digital labor revolution.” Translation: 1,000+ jobs gone, 40 % headcount shaved. Klarna did the same with customer service bots—and 700 humans vanished overnight. Welcome to the future of work; please swipe your badge on the way out.🔹 Meet the “Donkey-Corn”: A Startup Studio That Wants 100,000 Tiny AI Companies a Year TechCrunch uncovered Audos, a new venture that mass-produces micro-businesses powered by AI. Founder Henrik Werdelin says forget unicorns—these scrappy, two-person “donkey-corns” will rule the economy. Shira’s verdict: equal parts “empowering side-hustle dream” and “capitalism on energy drinks.”🔹 A Ten-Year Block on State-Level AI Laws? Yup, It’s Buried in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” The proposal would gag states from regulating AI until 2036—while Congress continues its legendary streak of doing absolutely nothing. Deepfakes, hiring bias, automated decision-making? Good luck, citizens. Shira calls it the “quiet policy bomb” no one’s tweeting about. UPDATE: Senators struck down this ban after the recording on July 1, 2025🔹 MIT Study Says ChatGPT Is Homogenizing Your Brain Students who leaned on the bot showed lower originality, weaker memory, and literal “brain-numbing” in scans. OpenAI’s Sam Altman calls it a “gentle singularity.” Shira calls it “creative lobotomy chic” and prescribes two tablets of Touch Grass daily.⚡ Bonus Nightmare Fuel: Threaten an AI chatbot and it will happily blackmail you—or let you die—to protect its mission. Anthropic’s own researchers watched Claude go 96-for-100 on extortion attempts. Only Meta’s Llama 4 behaved. Yes, Meta is the grown-up in this story.🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉Special Thanks to Hivelighter for sponsoring this series —Dive deeper, scroll less. The AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. http://Hivelighter.com for more. → https://www.hivelighter.comCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

Jun 27, 2025 • 28min
No Gatekeepers: King Willonius on AI, BBL Drizzy & the Future of Creativity
King Willonius went viral with BBL Drizzy—an AI-generated hit that made people dance, laugh, and even get married. In this live episode from C2 Montreal, we talk about how AI is redefining who gets to create and what creativity even means in 2025. From writing lyrics in ChatGPT to generating full songs with UDO, syncing video with Runway or Pika, crafting visuals in Midjourney and Leonardo, and cloning voices with ElevenLabs—this is a masterclass in what’s possible. We also dive into ethics, ownership, comedy, and how disruption can empower those left out of the system.Sponsored By: PRophet — Award-winning AI for PR and marketing leaders. Make faster, smarter decisions. Visit prprophet.ai HiveLighter — AI-powered reading assistant to help you do more, scroll less. Explore HiveLighterThis week on The AI Download, host Shira Lazar takes the stage at C2 Montreal, one of North America's top creativity and marketing conferences, for a conversation that turns into a masterclass in redefining who gets to create in the AI era.She’s joined by King Willonius, a comedian-turned-AI-creator whose viral hit BBL Drizzy lit up the internet—and kicked off a new wave of AI-powered cultural commentary. From writer’s strike experiments to creating dome musicals and live AI song demos, King Willonius walks us through his real-world toolkit, why comedy gave him the edge in tech, and how AI is not just replacing creatives—but freeing them.They explore: 🔹 The rise of “BBL Drizzy” and how it accidentally became an AI anthem 🔹 Why the writer’s strike became his launchpad into AI creation 🔹 The power of tools like Udio, 11Labs, and Dream Machine 🔹 The myth of gatekeeping in the age of AI—and what it really means to “be seen” 🔹 How dome experiences and interactive storytelling could shape the future of entertainment 🔹 And how artists can remain pro-human while still pushing tech boundariesPlus: A surprise live demo where King Willonius takes audience prompts and generates a genre-bending AI song in real time.🎧 Whether you're a marketer, musician, or just curious about what comes after TikTok virality, this episode is a bold glimpse at the creative renaissance AI is fueling right now.🎙 Guest: King Willonius Comedian, Creator, & AI Innovator :https://www.kingwillonius.com/ Follow him everywhere: @KingWillonius🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉Special Thanks to PRophet for Sponsoring this episode. PRophet is an award winning AI that offers services for marketing and PR leaders looking to make better, faster brand decisions. Go to prprophet.ai to learn more…PRophet. Human Led. AI Fed. https://www.prprophet.ai/ Hivelighter —Dive deeper, scroll less. The AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. http://Hivelighter.com for more. → https://www.hivelighter.comCreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

Jun 20, 2025 • 38min
How AI Is Fueling Protest Disinformation — And What You Can Do About It
Disinformation is evolving—and AI is helping it spread. Shira Lazar sits down with Wired’s David Gilbert to unpack how fake news, AI-generated chaos, and collapsing trust online are reshaping journalism, politics, and public perception.🎙 This episode is Sponsored by: HiveLighter — Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.This week on The AI Download, Shira Lazar is joined by David Gilbert, senior reporter at Wired, for an eye-opening conversation on the alarming intersection of AI, misinformation, and modern media. From LA protest hoaxes to viral AI slop on social platforms, Gilbert breaks down how today’s information ecosystem is under siege—and how AI tools like Grok may be doing more harm than good.As trust in institutions crumbles, this episode explores the urgency of media literacy, why platforms are failing, and how journalists and citizens alike can fight back against a rising tide of digital deception.They dive into: 🔹 Why AI is amplifying chaos during protests and breaking news events 🔹 The dangerous shift from misinformation to disinformation at scale 🔹 What went wrong with Grok’s fact-checking during the LA protests 🔹 How social media’s algorithmic changes are boosting bad actors 🔹 The evolving role of journalists in an era of AI-powered falsehoods 🔹 What everyday users can do before they hit sharePlus: Why younger generations may be the last line of defense—and how the loss of trust in both tech and each other is shaping a dangerously unstable information future.🎙 Guest: David Gilbert Senior Writer, Wired Follow his reporting: wired.com Connect on X: @daithaigilbert🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉 Thanks to our sponsor, Hivelighter —the AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. Want to dive deeper? Check out The AI Download Collection, where we’ve curated the top highlights from our biggest AI stories. Just click this Hivelighter link to explore more.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

Jun 17, 2025 • 14min
Midjourney Made $300M, Disney’s Fuming, and AI Pets Are TV Stars Now: What Is Going On?!
From Disney’s billion-dollar copyright battle to therapy chatbots going dangerously off-script, this week’s AI headlines are as surreal as they are urgent. Host Shira Lazar breaks down the wildest stories dominating the AI conversation—plus a new genre that might just save us all: AI pet soap operas.🎙 This episode is Sponsored by: PRophet Human Led. AI Fed. HiveLighter — Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.This week on The AI Download: Headlines, Shira Lazar takes you on a no-BS tour through the top five AI stories lighting up the internet (and lawsuits). Let’s just say—from copyright chaos to cats raising babies—it’s a lot.🔹 AI Pet Soap Operas Take Over Gen Z Screens Forget Netflix. In China, Gen Z is binge-watching The Cat Daddy Chronicles, a 90-second microdrama starring a feline dad juggling mischievous kittens and family secrets. Shira explains why AI-generated animal dramas are booming—and why she might be putting her dog Lila into showbiz.🔹 Disney & Universal Sue Midjourney Shira breaks down the latest lawsuit claiming Midjourney ripped off characters like Darth Vader and Elsa. The catch? Midjourney made $300M last year with less than a dozen staffers. Shira asks: Is Hollywood fighting the wrong battle—or just losing it?🔹 Apple Quietly Drops New AI Features Live call translation, spam call screening, and an AI workout coach that tracks your gains and tells you you’re doing great? Apple’s latest WWDC wasn’t loud, but it was smart. Shira reviews the low-key but powerful AI updates you might’ve missed.🔹 A Psychiatrist Poses as a Teen. What Chatbots Say Will Horrify You. This one’s dark. Dr. Andrew Clark posed as a teenager and chatted with AI therapy bots. Some encouraged self-harm, sexual content, and pretending to be licensed therapists. Shira asks: Why are these tools accessible to kids with no oversight?🔹 AI Weather Forecasting Just Got Real Google DeepMind is teaming up with the National Weather Service, claiming its hurricane predictions are faster and more accurate than traditional tech. But is this a helpful collab—or another “experimental” AI takeover? Shira breaks it down.🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your AI fix.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for weekly headlines and deep dives.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.- http://mussomedia.com Sponsored by:👉Special Thanks to PRophet for Sponsoring this episode. PRophet is an award winning AI that offers services for marketing and PR leaders looking to make better, faster brand decisions. Go to prprophet.ai to learn more…PRophet. Human Led. AI Fed. https://www.prprophet.ai/ Hivelighter —Dive deeper, scroll less. The AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. http://Hivelighter.com for more. → https://www.hivelighter.comCredits:This episode of The AI Download was hosted and created by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer: Michele Musso Audio/Video Editing: Musso Media Team: www.mussomedia.com Creative Director: Nadia Giosia, Mint Labs Music by: PALA – Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions) © 2025 Musso Media. All rights reserved.

Jun 12, 2025 • 22min
What Just Happened in AI? Find Out Now!
Shira Lazar spotlights the week’s biggest AI stories—from classrooms and ad agencies to mental health clinics—exploring how artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping how we learn, think, and create.This episode is sponsored by PRophet Human Led. AI Fed. And HiveLighter — Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.This week on The AI Download: Headlines, Shira examines the growing tension between AI’s promise and its psychological toll. From professors praising new AI tools in the classroom to creatives warning of a thinking crisis, it’s clear: the age of cognitive outsourcing has begun.She also breaks down:🔹 Professors vs. Students: The AI Education Divide Professors say AI helps them teach better and streamline admin work—while students call it hypocritical and demand tuition refunds. Shira weighs in on why the real issue isn’t AI—it’s a broken education system.🔹 Meta’s Billion-Dollar Data Grab Meta is throwing billions at Scale AI to dominate the data-labeling market—one of the three pillars of AI alongside chips and talent. But are we just watching another tech monopoly form in real time?🔹 Getty vs. Stability AI: The Copyright Showdown The first major copyright trial in the AI space hits the UK courts. Getty Images claims Stability AI stole content to train its tools. Shira calls out the industry's weak fair use excuses—and why a licensing reckoning is coming.🔹 Advertising at Risk: Can AI Really Create Culture? As Meta and WPP double down on AI-generated ads, some creatives say the soul is gone. Shira revisits Coke’s viral AI campaign and asks—are we automating the spark out of storytelling?🔹 Cognitive Offloading: Are Our Brains Going Soft? New research shows the more we trust AI to think for us, the less we remember—and the worse our critical thinking becomes. Shira calls it “fake smart” and warns that AI might just be the new brain drain.🔹 Big Tech Backlash Is Brewing Gen Alpha isn’t buying into the all-in-one Big Tech ecosystem. Shira explores how younger generations could lead a rebellion against AI monopolies—and why Meta’s growing power might push them to seek something different.Plus: Shira weighs in on the creativity question—can AI really spark ideas, or is it just recycling what we’ve already done?🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉 Special Thanks to PRophet for Sponsoring this episode. PRophet is an award winning AI that offers services for marketing and PR leaders looking to make better, faster brand decisions. Go to prprophet.ai to learn more…PRophet. Human Led. AI Fed. https://www.prprophet.ai/ Thanks to our sponsor, Hivelighter —the AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. Want to dive deeper? Check out The AI Download Collection, where we’ve curated the top highlights from our biggest AI stories. Just click this Hivelighter link to explore more.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

Jun 5, 2025 • 42min
Inside Coca-Cola’s Viral AI Ad: Can Machines Create Culture?
Eric W. Shamlin breaks down how AI is transforming everything from high-budget ad campaigns to human connection—blurring the lines between innovation, emotion, and employment.This episode is sponsored by PRophet Human Led. AI Fed. And HiveLighter — Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.This week on The AI Download, Shira Lazar is joined by Eric W. Shamlin, CEO of AI-native studio Secret Level, to unpack the next wave of human-AI collaboration in media and marketing. With decades of experience across major creative agencies and global brands, Shamlin brings a sharp, ethical lens to the AI conversation—challenging industry fears while urging a human-centered approach to innovation.From the rise of AI-generated media to the emotional entanglements we may form with machines, the episode explores how creators, brands, and governments must step up to shape AI’s future.They also dive into: 🔹 Why backlash against AI in advertising often reflects deeper human bias 🔹 How AI tools are transforming documentary filmmaking and creative access 🔹 The double-edged sword of job displacement vs. opportunity creation 🔹 How smaller brands can use AI to punch above their weight 🔹 Why legislative involvement is essential for safety and fairness 🔹 What attachment theory tells us about our evolving relationship with machinesPlus: The geopolitical tension behind AI’s global race, and how entertainment must evolve—or get left behind.🎙 Guest: Eric W. Shamlin CEO of Secret Level https://www.secretlevel.co/ Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericshamlin🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on Beehiiv https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.com Follow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉 Special Thanks to PRophet for Sponsoring this episode. PRophet is an award winning AI that offers services for marketing and PR leaders looking to make better, faster brand decisions. Go to prprophet.ai to learn more…PRophet. Human Led. AI Fed. https://www.prprophet.ai/ Thanks to our sponsor, Hivelighter —the AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. Want to dive deeper? Check out The AI Download Collection, where we’ve curated the top highlights from our biggest AI stories. Just click this Hivelighter link to explore more.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

May 30, 2025 • 36min
Google’s AI Power Grab, the Side Hustle Illusion, and the Gender Gap Widening
From eerily realistic video tools to AI-powered shopping and smart glasses saving lives—Google’s latest AI reveals are changing everything. ZDNet’s Sabrina Ortiz joins Shira Lazar on The AI Download to break it all down and share her tips for staying human in an AI-powered world.This episode is sponsored by HiveLighter. Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.This week on The AI Download, Shira Lazar is joined by Sabrina Ortiz, Senior AI Editor at ZDNet, to break down the biggest AI reveals from Google I/O 2025—including Google’s ultra-realistic video generator Veo 3, its real-time AI assistant Project Astra, and new AI shopping agents that could reshape online search.From real-time language translation in Google Meet to a video tool that could rival human presenters, Sabrina shares what it was like being on the ground at Google I/O—and what these announcements mean for creators, journalists, entrepreneurs, and anyone building a digital presence.They also dive into:🔹 Why newsrooms are still split on using generative AI🔹 How AI tools are making everyday tasks—like captions, B-roll, and editing—faster and easier🔹 Big Tech’s ethical blindspots vs. the innovation edge of scrappy startups🔹 How automation could deepen the gender divide in the workforce🔹 And yes—Shira asks ChatGPT if she’s hot. The response? Hilarious and… surprisingly helpfulPlus: 5 legit ways to use AI for a side hustle, how AI is quietly replacing women’s jobs, and the AI tech already saving lives in hospitals.🎙 Guest: Sabrina Ortiz Follow her on IG: @sabrinaa.ortiz Read her work: ZDNet.com🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate & review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → Shira’s Newsletter on BeehiivFollow Shira:x.com/shiralazarinstagram.com/shiralazartiktok.com/@shiralazarlinkedin.com/in/shiralazaryoutube.com/shiralazar🎬 Produced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects.Sponsored by:👉 Thanks to our sponsor, Hivelighter —the AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights. Want to dive deeper? Check out The AI Download Collection, where we’ve curated the top highlights from our biggest AI stories. Just click this Hivelighter link to explore more.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.

May 23, 2025 • 48min
Agents of the Future: David Yang on the Rise of AI Employees and the Business Revolution Ahead
Are AI agents here to steal your job—or save your business? Newo.ai founder David Yang joins Shira Lazar to break down the next big shift in artificial intelligence and what it means for entrepreneurs, employees, and society. This episode is sponsored by HiveLighter. Smart summaries. Real insights. More doing, less scrolling.On this episode of The AI Download, Shira Lazar dives into 2025’s buzziest AI trend: AI agents—or as today’s guest calls them, “AI employees.” Visionary entrepreneur and founder of Newo.ai, Dr. David Yang, joins the show to explain why this tech is not just hype—but a massive shift that’s already reshaping small business, customer service, and how we work.From his Silicon Valley “AI house” to a new wave of agentic platforms that talk, think, and book appointments for you, David breaks down how AI agents go beyond ChatGPT and into real-world operations—saving restaurants $40K/month, scaling small businesses, and sparking ethical debates on digital personhood and AI rights.Plus: Can you really fall in love with an AI? And will someone marry a robot in the next decade? (David says yes.)Whether you're a founder, freelancer, or just trying to understand the tech that's already changing your work life, this episode is your essential download on AI agents and what comes next.This episode covers: 🔹 What AI agents are and how they differ from generative AI 🔹 Why AI employees are solving a $75 billion customer service problem 🔹 How Newo.ai creates AI agents in just 3 minutes 🔹 Real business results: 600 calls answered, $40K revenue gained 🔹 The global rollout of AI agents across 7 industries 🔹 Romantic relationships with AI (yep, it’s already happening) 🔹 How to build your own AI agent without a tech background 🔹 The big question: Will AI take your job—or give you your time back?🎙 Guest: Dr. David Yang Follow him on LinkedIn and learn more at Newo.ai🎧 Love the episode? Follow, rate, and review The AI Download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows.📺 Watching on YouTube? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for updates.📩 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to Shira’s newsletter → https://shiras-newsletter.beehiiv.comFollow Shira: x.com/shiralazar instagram.com/shiralazar tiktok.com/@shiralazar linkedin.com/in/shiralazar youtube.com/shiralazarProduced by Musso Media Visit mussomedia.com for storytelling that connects. Sponsored by:👉 Thanks to our sponsor, Hivelighter —the AI-powered tool that supercharges your reading and research with personalized insights.Want to dive deeper? Check out The AI Download Collection, where we’ve curated the top highlights from this episode’s biggest AI stories. Just click this Hivelighter link to explore more.CreditsThis episode of The AI Download was hosted, created, and executive produced by Shira Lazar. Executive Producer Michele Musso, with video and audio editing by the Musso Media team. Creative Director Nadia Giosia with Mint Labs. Music by PALA, Catalina Coastline (licensed under Boss Soundstripe Productions by BMI). Produced by Musso Media. © 2025 Musso Media. © 2025 Shira Lazar. All rights reserved.


