ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode, recorded in person at Oru Space in London, Sherif sits down with AI researcher Philippe Beaudoin and social entrepreneur Vibushan Thirukumar to explore where artificial intelligence is taking us — and whether we’re steering the wheel or just along for the ride.
Recorded 7 July 2025
This is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about meaning, technology, values, and the future of human flourishing. We cover:
The journey from narrow AI to general intelligence
Why today’s AI is powerful, even without consciousness
AI as alignment partner, not task executor
The future of work and the coming workforce disruption
What AI means for education, especially for young people
The value of authenticity in a world of auto-generated content
Building non-agentic AI: Philippe’s work at nonprofit research lab Law Zero
Community, co-design and place-based futures: Vibushan’s vision through Oru
Why abundance won’t solve inequality without intention
Guest Bios
Philippe Beaudoin is senior director of research at Law Zero, the new nonprofit AI research lab focused on safety and non-agentic AI. He previously co-founded Element AI, Waverly, and Numeno, and has worked at Google and in academic AI research.
Vibushan Thirukumar is co-founder and CEO of Oru Space, a new kind of co-working and wellbeing hub rooted in values, hospitality and intentional design. He’s also a yoga teacher and a fierce advocate for community-driven spaces.
Links
- Law Zero – AI safety research lab founded by Yoshua Bengio
- Oru Space – Co-working, community and wellness spaces
- Philippe’s “Field Notes on Something” – On his evolving relationship with AI
