Understanding the Evolution of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) with Dexter Pratt (Ep. 82)

What really is artificial intelligence—and where is it taking us next? In this episode, we sit down with Dexter Pratt, a leading AI researcher at UC San Diego and co-founder of the NDEx Project, to explore the history, evolution, and revolutionary potential of AI across sectors from healthcare to real estate.
From his early fascination with robotics to working on biological network data and predictive models, Dexter unpacks the journey of AI from expert systems to generative intelligence. If you’re curious about machine learning, AI’s role in scientific discovery, or how automation will change the workforce, this conversation is packed with insight.

???? What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The true history of artificial intelligence (hint: it started in the 1940s)
• Why expert systems couldn’t scale—and what replaced them
• How neural networks and computing power unlocked new capabilities
• The rise of generative AI and its creative (and dangerous) possibilities
• How AI is changing the future of healthcare, drug trials, and diagnostics
• Why AI companions could reshape psychology and social behavior
• The intersection of AI and real estate, automation, and decision-making
• The dream of an “AI scientist” and the ethics behind it
• Dexter’s work with NDExBio and collaborative science networks

???? Key Quotes from Dexter Pratt:
???? “People really don’t get how old artificial intelligence is.”
???? “It’s a bad time to be a junior programmer.”
???? “We want to revolutionize the scientific process.”
???? “What does it take to have an AI scientist?”
???? “Biology is fantastically complicated—and AI can help us keep up.”
???? “The strengths are getting awfully strong.”

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to Dexter Pratt & His Background
03:08 – The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
05:59 – A Brief History: AI’s Roots and Growth
08:53 – Expert Systems and Their Bottlenecks
11:52 – Neural Networks & Computing Power
14:46 – Generative AI Explained
17:47 – Everyday AI: From Assistants to Companions
20:54 – Programming, Automation & Employment Impact
26:59 – AI in Healthcare & Medical Innovation
30:04 – Psychological Risks of AI Companions
36:28 – The Future of Lab Automation
40:45 – Drug Approval, Clinical Trials, and AI Speed
46:01 – Predictive Models and Risk Mitigation
54:21 – The NDEx Project & AI in Biological Research
1:01:12 – AI Use Cases in Real Estate & Beyond

???? More on Dexter Pratt & NDExBio:
???? LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexter-pratt-80a0901/
???? Project: NDExBio.org – Sharing Biological Network Data

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