Welcome to It Starts With... a weekly podcast series where we uncover the people behind the stories from fossils to AI, and the microscopic to the galactic.

Our host David Boldeman is joined by AI expert Jon Whittle to unpack one of the biggest and most misunderstood ideas shaping our lives today: artificial intelligence.

Jon has spent more than 30 years working in AI including NASA, Data61 and Melbourne Business School. He cuts through the hype to explain why so many people are getting it wrong and what is coming next.

From real-world examples like software development and everyday tools, to an electrician using ChatGPT on the job, we explore where AI is useful, what it means for how work gets done, and how it will affect you the customer.

The takeaway is simple: AI isn’t replacing everything overnight, but it is reshaping how decisions get made. And understanding that starts at the beginning.

Jon's book AI in Business was published in January 2026 is available to buy in print or ebook via CSIRO Publishing.

DISCOVER MORE:

• For the latest science news visit https://connectsci.au/news
• Jon's substack blog is Being Human in an AI World
• Jon has also hosted his own podcast: My CSIRO Presents Everyday AI podcast

It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia.

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