About the podcast

Artificial General Intelligence — the type of AI that reaches or even surpasses human capabilities — is an exciting topic. But what is not explored as much is an equally important theme that throws up the following questions: What happens before AGI is here? And, what should we be doing to prepare?

In “Before AGI”, I aim to have honest conversations about the goals, challenges and future of AI development.

About your host

Aleksander Mądry

Aleksander leads the Strategic Deployment effort at OpenAI, identifying areas of society and the economy AI can impact the most—and then making that transformation happen. Previously, he founded OpenAI’s Preparedness team, focusing on understanding risks posed by frontier AI models.

He's also a professor at MIT (currently on leave), where his research revolves around making machine learning reliable, responsible, and ready for real-world use, with an eye on AI policy and AI’s broader societal implications.

What to expect in show format and questions

In-depth and engaging conversations on the goals, challenges and societal considerations pertinent to AI's evolution. We cover topics such as AI in education, human-AI collaboration and the economic impacts of AI technologies.

Who is the audience of the show?

“Before AGI” is tailored for individuals keen on understanding the trajectory and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) as it advances toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Rather than focusing solely on the technical aspects of AGI, the podcast delves into the preparatory steps society should consider before reaching that milestone.

How long is each episode?

Your recording session will be 60 minutes long so that we have adequate time for tech checks & topic alignment before recording.

The final episode will be ~45 minutes long.

Is the show audio or video?

The show is primarily audio, although we do record video when possible for YouTube and social media clips. It would be great to have you on camera, if possible.

How to prepare for your interview:

  • Use your computer - Please use your computer for recording, not your phone. This will ensure we have the best quality possible.

  • Google Chrome is preferred - If possible, please have Google Chrome open during the interview. This enables us to record an audio backup of the interview. If you don’t have Google Chrome, it’s ok, but it’s preferred.

  • Remove distractions - Please be in a quiet area where you will not be disturbed and silence all notifications on your computer and mobile device.

  • Audio quality - Please use the best microphone you have available. If you do not have a microphone then use at minimum a pair of earbuds or a headset. This ensures the best audio quality for the listener.

  • Raise your webcam to eye level (you can stack your computer on top of books if needed).

  • Ensure that the light is in front of you and not behind you. If you have a window, set your computer with the window behind your computer screen so there is adequate light on your face.

How will this be recorded?

We will record your interview in-studio. 

Where is the podcast hosted?

The podcast is hosted on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other major podcast directories. The video episode will also be available on YouTube.

What is the time commitment & process?

To get involved with an episode, a guest should expect:

  • Podcast briefing - with the support of our podcast team, we create a “podcast brief” of proposed questions and talking points for the episode.

  • 30-minute kickoff call - to discuss topics and refine the podcast outline.

  • Asynchronous time - to review and approve talking points.

  • 60-minute recording session - 60-minute session to record the final episode. The final run time will be ~45 minutes.

  • Asynchronous time - to share and promote the episode once live.

What will I receive after the episode goes live?

After the episode goes live, you will receive social media assets that may include social videos, audiograms or quote blocks. You’re strongly encouraged to share these on your social platforms.

When will the episode go live?

An episode will typically be published 30–90 days from the date of recording, depending on the number of episodes we have in the pipeline.

What are the expectations for promotion? 

We will deliver social assets to every participant of the episode. We ask that you please share these on your primary social channels.

Co-marketing opportunities

Our team would love the opportunity to partner with your marketing department to co-promote the episode. We typically collaborate in the following ways

  • Our team can create a written article based on the podcast episode that lives on your company’s site. Our team will handle content development and we can co-create it to match the tone of the corporate blog.

  • We can provide social media content to help you promote the episode from your company’s corporate LinkedIn to expand reach and drive awareness.

  • If you have a podcast or webinar series at your company, we would be happy to have a member of our team appear as a guest.