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  • Birds & Nerds | Families are complicated: Uncovering family secrets through genetic testing | Bill Griffeth
    2025/10/02

    "Genealogy is the pursuit of truth, and if you choose to begin researching your family’s history, you had better be prepared to accept whatever truths you uncover.” That's the advice from Bill Griffeth, retired CNBC anchor and author of two books on his own family history.

    Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by me, Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS!

    Bill is my nerd in this episode of the podcast and we have a lot to talk about. We discuss whether we will one day have mandatory genetic testing for insurance purposes, and we delve into the world of genealogy, exploring personal stories of family history, and the impact of DNA testing, including the emotional, often life-changing journey of uncovering family secrets. We each share a few of our own family secrets!

    How does this all connect to birds? Turns out that some birds are not as monogamous as we were led to believe. Sanderlings, we are talking to you! It's complicated, just as it is with people! Yes, humor can be a coping mechanism for dealing with complex family dynamics, so we have quite a few laughs along the way.

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    Books by Bill Griffeth on Amazon:
    A Stranger in My Genes
    By Faith Alone

    Follow Bill Griffeth on social:
    Instagram: @thebillgriffeth
    Threads: @thebillgriffeth

    Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/

    Want to know more about me? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything!
    Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

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    39 分
  • Birds & Nerds | Getting AI governance right is critical, especially as we push its creative limits
    2025/09/07

    Who is in charge of making sure AI is being used for us and not against us? And can we use artificial intelligence to understand what birds are saying to each other, and then learn how to talk with birds directly? That would be pretty cool, dontcha think!?

    Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS! My nerd for this episode is Vilas Dhar, president of The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropic organization advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

    Vilas offers a compelling metaphor: society is moving through the "five stages of grief" with AI — form denial to over-optimism, fear, anger, and now, pragmatic acceptance. "We're no long asking if we should use AI, but how we should us it responsibly." In the podcast, we discuss the tension between short-term efficiency and long-term value creation. Vilas offers a third path: use Ai to enhance productivity, not replace workers. "This isn’t just about regulation — it’s about redefining our social contract in the age of AI," Vilas tells me.

    And then there were birds!

    Vilas and I talk about how AI is already being deployed to understand birds' migration patterns to better protect them, especially those species that are under threat. We also talk about how AI is in the hands of birders, helping them identify birds through apps such as Merlin and eBird. We take the conversation a fantastic step further: What if AI could decode birdsong and tell us exactly what a bird is saying!?! We image what they might say to us, given the chance to express their opinions!

    A great conversation. Lot's of good information about the ethical use of AI for people and society. And we find the connection between AI and birds.

    Learn more about the work of The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation:

    https://www.mcgovern.org/

    Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/

    Want to know more about me? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything!

    Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

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    18 分