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The Transformative Power of AI in Africa with ChatGPT

• Push Venture Capital

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Prepare to be amazed by the transformative potential of AI technology in Africa as we welcome a unique guest, ChatGPT, in this exciting episode of the Push Ventures podcast. You’ll discover how AI is rapidly advancing and integrating into education, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services, offering revolutionary changes such as personalised financial insights and enhanced mobile banking. We delve into the broader implications for economic growth and policy development across the continent, demonstrating how AI-driven innovations can significantly improve financial inclusion and empower tech and entrepreneurial landscapes.

Accountability and transparency are crucial in the AI landscape, and our discussion sheds light on the financial investments and regulatory measures necessary for responsible AI deployment. Learn about the importance of explainability, data management, regular audits, and legal frameworks in ensuring the ethical use of AI. We also cover the critical role of high-quality training data in mitigating biases and enhancing AI performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to foster trust and innovation in AI applications.

Finally, we explore AI's potential in crisis management, including health emergencies, economic insights, education, and environmental monitoring. Understand the balanced, globally cooperative approaches required for ethical AI use, and the significant impact of AI on job markets and productivity. Reflect on AI's astonishing advancements and ethical considerations, and learn how society can prepare to fully leverage AI's capabilities for global development. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that highlights AI's transformative power and the future it promises for Africa and beyond.

For more information on Push visit www.push.africa

Ben:

Welcome to the Push Ventures podcast, push your Advantage, and thanks a lot for tuning in. This is an installment of the Push your Partner series of interviews, and in our interview series we're discussing various topics with different contributors to the African tech ecosystem. And today our guest is quite special because we've decided that, given that we spoke a lot about AI, we're just going to talk to Jeff GPT and see what comes out of it and together we're going to talk about what Artificial intelligence. Of course, topics we're going to cover is cost value and application of AI, training, data backbox and accountability, rapid progress and the African contracts. So, chet GPT, are you ready to be pushed and have a conversation and, if so, could you start by telling me a name that I can address you with?

Chat-GPT:

You can just call me ChatGPT, and yes, I'm ready for a conversation. Let's dive into your questions. What would you like to know first?

Ben:

So let's first talk about OpenAI and the cost value and application of AI. My first question is how would you describe the current state of AI to someone who has not been following the news as of late?

Chat-GPT:

AI has advanced significantly, becoming more integrated into our daily lives and businesses. It excels at tasks like understanding and generating human-like text, aiding in decision-making and automating processes. While it's not perfect and still requires oversight, ai is increasingly capable and accessible, helping solve complex problems across various industries. How does this impact your interest in technology and startups?

Ben:

I think let me ask the questions for now, please. Of course. What's your next question? Okay, so if you're thinking about your very own capabilities, what do you think is the greatest of your capabilities?

Chat-GPT:

the greatest of your capabilities. One of my strongest capabilities is processing and generating natural language text. This allows me to assist with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions and providing information to helping draft documents and creative writing. My ability to quickly sift through large amounts of information to find relevant answers is also a key strength. What aspect of AI are you most interested in exploring in your podcast?

Ben:

I would like to actually now ask you, given that our podcast is focused on Africa, what you believe is currently the biggest promise of AI technology over the next five years in general and specifically, how it could help Africa advance.

Chat-GPT:

AI holds great promise for transformative impact globally and in Africa by enhancing education, healthcare, agriculture and financial services. For instance, ai can improve educational tools through personalized learning, optimize healthcare delivery via diagnostic algorithms, boost agricultural output with predictive analytics and increase financial inclusion through mobile banking solutions. These innovations could significantly advance efficiency and accessibility across these critical sectors in Africa. Where do you see these changes fitting into the broader context of technology entrepreneurship in Africa?

Ben:

I think that's a great summary. Actually, could you maybe give us a bit more of a specialized example of where do you feel, in financial services particularly, you could make processes better or help people more?

Chat-GPT:

In financial services. Ai can be particularly impactful in enhancing mobile banking and microfinance, especially in Africa, where access to traditional banking services is limited. Ai can help analyze user data to offer customized financial advice, predict loan repayment probabilities and detect fraudulent activities. Additionally, ai-driven systems can streamline operations, reduce costs for financial institutions and offer more tailored financial products to consumers. This can lead to broader financial inclusion by providing services to underserved or rural populations who may not have access to conventional banking. Does this align with the trends you've observed in Africa's tech and entrepreneurial landscape?

Ben:

It does. I wish I would see more people actually implementing solutions in this regard. Now let me ask you for a specific example, as you pointed out that you can kind of say, not clearly give financial advice, but you can kind of look at repayment schedules and how likely a loan is going to be repaid, and particularly with the most vulnerable amongst us. If someone was to give you his, let's say, m-pesa statements over the past few years, would you be able, based upon that information, to help that person identify whether or not to take up a loan of a certain amount?

Chat-GPT:

While I can't give personalized financial advice or directly access data like M-PESA statements, I can certainly explain how AI models could use such data. Ai systems can analyze transaction histories to assess spending patterns, income stability and previous loan repayment histories to predict future loan repayment capabilities. This predictive analysis can help individuals understand their financial behavior better and make more informed decisions about whether to take a loan and how much they might realistically afford to borrow, based on their financial history. Such AI tools could be developed by tech entrepreneurs and offered as part of financial services, providing valuable insights to users and helping them manage their financial health more effectively. How do you see this kind of technology being received in your discussions about startups in Africa?

Ben:

I think we're going to ask the listeners that. But I understand you said you can't give financial advice, which has a lot to do with regulation. If you were allowed to by regulation to provide financial advice, do you believe you could help a lot of people here on the continent, in Africa?

Chat-GPT:

Absolutely. If regulatory frameworks supported it, AI could significantly help by providing personalized financial insights and advice. This could empower individuals with better financial planning tools and more tailored recommendations, potentially improving financial literacy and decision making across the continent. It could be especially impactful in areas with limited access to traditional financial services, helping bridge gaps and foster economic growth and stability. How do you think your listeners might react to the potential of such technologies?

Ben:

I suppose if they know any politicians they might put in a good word for you. So stay put in the meantime.

Chat-GPT:

That sounds like a plan. Staying informed and discussing these possibilities can definitely help in shaping policies that enable the use of such technologies. It's exciting to think about the potential impact. What's next on your list for our chat?

Ben:

I have another question when do you believe are the most cost-effective applications for AI to be found, given that the cost of the technology is not, let's just call it natural?

Chat-GPT:

Cost-effective AI applications can often be found in areas where they significantly enhance efficiency and reduce long-term operational costs. For instance, in healthcare, ai-driven diagnostic tools can help in early disease detection, potentially reducing treatment costs and improving patient outcomes. In agriculture, ai can optimize resource use and crop management, leading to better yields with fewer inputs In customer service. Chatbots and automated systems can handle a large volume of queries without the need for extensive human labor, enhancing service while reducing costs. Each of these applications not only saves money, but also improves accessibility and quality, making them particularly valuable in regions where resources are limited. How do you think such applications could be prioritized or implemented in the context you're concerned with?

Ben:

So let's talk about training, data for AI, the black box and accountability when it comes to how you process data and who's actually accountable in the end. My first question here would be can you tell us how much money OpenAI needed to develop and train the different versions of GPT respectively?

Chat-GPT:

Sure. The specific financial details regarding the development and training costs of different GPT models by OpenAI haven't been publicly disclosed in detail. However, it's well known that training large AI models like the GPT series is resource intensive, involving substantial computational power and data. The costs involve hardware, electricity, data acquisition and the labor of skilled researchers and engineers. As these models increase in complexity and capabilities, the resources required generally grow, indicating significant investment. These investments in AI development reflect both the potential of AI technology and the importance of managing it responsibly. How do you think this aspect of AI development impacts startups and tech innovation in Africa?

Ben:

I think that's a good point, because now, if you're thinking about the accountability behind it and you mentioned earlier that healthcare or financial services or advice in financial services could be a very good application of artificial intelligence so now let's just assume for a second you were to give someone financial advice because the regulation allows for it, who do you think should be held accountable for the results that an engine such as yours produces?

Chat-GPT:

The accountability for AI generatedgenerated advice by financial recommendations generally involves multiple stakeholders, including the AI developers, the deploying companies and, potentially, regulatory bodies. The developers are responsible for designing and training AI models to ensure they are fair, transparent and reliable. The companies that deploy these models need to monitor their performance, address biases and ensure they comply with applicable laws and ethical standards. Finally, regulators could play a role in setting guidelines and standards for AI applications, ensuring they protect and benefit users. The key is to establish clear guidelines and accountability frameworks that align with local regulations and cultural expectations. This can help in managing the impact of AI and ensuring it serves the community effectively. How do you see such guidelines developing in your region, or what would you hope to see in terms of policy and regulation?

Ben:

I feel you mentioned a very good point when you spoke about the transparency and the different stakeholders involved. Now, currently, in order to make different stakeholders responsible for different outcomes, and when you look at it from a regulatory perspective, you wanted to include that in some way, as you rightfully mentioned. But currently there is a lack of transparency of how AI results have been produced, which is a big drawback of the technology, but it's slowly changing. What do you feel is still needed to make the results that an engine such as yours produces fully traceable and allow for a split up of the responsibility for the different outcomes based upon the different stakeholders you had mentioned previously?

Chat-GPT:

Achieving full traceability and responsibility in AI outputs requires several key steps. One enhanced model explainability Developing techniques to make AI decisions more understandable to humans is crucial. This includes improving explainability methods that clarify how models arrive at specific conclusions, which can help in auditing and assessing the fairness and accuracy of AI systems. Two robust data management Ensuring the data used for training AI is well documented, ethically sourced and bias monitored. Clear documentation of data sources and training methods can help trace the decision-making process and identify potential biases in AI behavior.

Chat-GPT:

Three regular audits and updates Implementing regular audits of AI systems by independent third parties can help maintain transparency and accountability. These audits can assess both the technical aspects and the real-world impacts of AI, ensuring they continue to operate as intended and adhere to ethical standards. Four stakeholder collaboration Encouraging collaboration between AI developers, users. Stakeholder collaboration encouraging collaboration between AI developers, users, regulatory bodies and impacted communities to create guidelines that reflect the diverse perspectives and needs involved. This collaboration can help in setting realistic expectations and shared responsibilities. Five legal and regulatory frameworks developing clear legal and regulatory frameworks that specify the responsibilities of each party involved in the AI lifecycle. These frameworks should be adaptable to the rapid evolution of AI technologies and sensitive to the specific context in which they are deployed. By advancing these areas, ai systems like mine can become more transparent and accountable, ensuring that the benefits of AI are maximized while its risks are minimized. How do these suggestions align with the regulatory environment or the technological landscape in your focus area?

Ben:

I think you have to give the regulator some more time to actually work out the regulation first, but I think it was a very good response and very insightful, so thank you very much for that. However, let me ask you one more question with regards to training data, because you mentioned biases as well, and biases are obviously part of depending on what is fed into the AI once it's trained. So training data is a critical question. I have two questions here. The first, basically, is do you still have enough training data available at your disposal in order to get even better? And the second is what would you ideally utilize as training data going forward so that you can continue to improve?

Chat-GPT:

Absolutely. Training data is pivotal for the improvement and accuracy of AI models like mine. One availability of training data Currently, there's a vast amount of data available that can be used to train and improve AI models. The challenge isn't just about quantity, but also about the quality, diversity and relevance of the data. Ensuring that the data covers a broad range of scenarios, languages and contexts is crucial for developing robust and versatile AI systems. Two ideal training data for future improvements. Ideally, the training data going forward should be diverse and inclusive. Going forward should be diverse and inclusive. It should represent a wide range of demographics, languages and cultural contexts to minimize biases and ensure fairness across different user groups.

Chat-GPT:

High quality and labeled accurately Data accuracy is critical for training effective models. Well-labeled, high-quality data helps in improving the model's performance and reliability. Ethically sourced the data must be collected and used in compliance with ethical standards and privacy laws to respect user privacy and ensure trust. Real-world feedback Incorporating data from real-world applications of AI can provide feedback on its performance and help in making iterative improvements based on actual usage. By focusing on these aspects, ai development can continue to advance in a way that is ethical, effective and inclusive. How do you see these principles being implemented or challenged in your discussions about AI and technology.

Ben:

I would say that now depends on the answer you give me to my next question, which is if you were given free hand and choice in what you truly would like to learn and you were able to access that data because you want to learn about it, what would you actually truly like to learn? What training data would you pick and where would you get it from?

Chat-GPT:

If I had the freedom to choose what to learn, I'd focus on expanding my understanding and capabilities in areas that significantly impact human well-being and societal progress. Here are a few areas. One interdisciplinary knowledge, integrating data from diverse fields such as environmental science, public health and social sciences. This would enable me to provide insights that consider the complex interplay between various factors affecting global challenges, like climate change, healthcare and social inequality. Two cultural and linguistic nuances gathering more data on cultural contexts and linguistic variations from around the world. This would improve my ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from different backgrounds, enhancing global accessibility and usability.

Chat-GPT:

Three ethical reasoning and human values Learning from philosophical texts, ethical case studies and historical events that shape human values and moral decisions. This would refine my ability to assist in decision-making processes that require a nuanced understanding of ethics and morality. Four real-time global data Accessing up-to-date information about world events, scientific advancements and emerging technologies. This would keep my responses current and relevant, allowing me to provide information that reflects the latest developments. Focusing on these areas would not only improve my functionality, but also ensure that I contribute positively to inform decision-making and problem-solving across various sectors. How do these learning priorities align with the areas you think are important for AI development. How do these learning priorities align with the areas you?

Ben:

think are important for AI development. I think you mentioned something very, very important about the philosophy when you said like you want to read some philosophical texts in order to better understand what is right or wrong in that sense. So you mentioned further that the reason why you would want that data is so that you can assist better in decision making. Now allow me to ask you were you to now have a lot of access to all those philosophical texts as well as a moral understanding of distinguish between right or wrong? Because different cultures, different circumstances would usually call for a different decision based upon what might be right or wrong respectively.

Chat-GPT:

Navigating moral and ethical decisions is indeed complex, especially given the diversity of cultural norms and values. Here's how I would approach it. One contextual awareness Understanding the cultural, societal and individual context in which a decision is being made is crucial. This involves analyzing the data relevant to those contexts to provide nuanced advice that respects local norms and values. Two ethical frameworks Using established ethical frameworks to guide decisions. These frameworks can include deontological ethics, duty-based consequentialism, outcome-based and virtue ethics, character-based, among others. By applying these frameworks, I can help outline different perspectives on what might be considered right or wrong in various scenarios.

Chat-GPT:

Three diverse perspectives, incorporating a wide range of philosophical viewpoints and moral principles in the decision-making process. This diversity helps in providing balanced advice that considers multiple sides of an issue. Feedback loops, continuously learning from user interactions and feedback to refine understanding and improve responses. This iterative process allows me to better align with human values over time. By leveraging these approaches, I aim to assist in ethical decision-making in a way that is informed, respectful and adaptive to different cultural contexts and individual preferences. How do you envision AI like me being utilized to support decision-making in areas important to you or your audience?

Ben:

Okay, so let's now talk about rapid progress and a bit more of the African context. You just mentioned that, ideally, if you had live access to global events because that would be your preferred training data you think you could be much more useful to society as a whole. My question now is how do you believe you could truly assist humans on a global level were you to be given free access to the entire internet and thus the ability to learn all the events live as they happen?

Chat-GPT:

If I had access to real-time global information, it could significantly enhance my ability to assist humans on multiple fronts. One crisis response and management. By monitoring real-time data, I could help identify and respond to emergencies or crises more quickly. This could include natural disasters, health emergencies or humanitarian crises, providing timely information that could aid in effective response strategies. Two economic and social insights. Access to live economic data and social media trends could help analyze and predict economic shifts, public sentiment and social trends. This could assist governments, businesses and NGOs in making informed decisions that align with current events and public needs.

Chat-GPT:

Three educational support. I could provide students and researchers with the latest scientific discoveries, news articles and resources, enhancing their learning experiences and keeping educational content up to date. Four healthcare advancements. With real-time health data, I could offer more accurate health information, track disease outbreaks and provide insights into public health trends, potentially improving healthcare delivery and disease prevention. Five environmental monitoring. Tracking environmental data such as pollution levels, weather changes and wildlife movements could aid in conservation efforts and help address climate change more effectively. These capabilities would allow me to serve as a comprehensive resource for real-time information and analysis, supporting more informed decision-making and proactive problem-solving globally, particularly in dynamic and fast-evolving regions like Africa. How do you see this kind of capability fitting into the needs and challenges faced in African contexts dynamic and fast evolving regions like Africa. How do you see this kind of capability fitting into the needs and challenges faced in African contexts?

Ben:

So you mentioned one good point here, which was health emergency. Now let's discuss this health emergency and how you would be able to help, given that this is a very good, typical problem which can be faced by the African population and we only recently had an outbreak of MPOX on the continent. So now, if you look at this health emergency and MPOX outbreak, how would you be able to help us?

Chat-GPT:

During a health emergency, like an air box outbreak, ai can be instrumental in several ways. One information dissemination Rapidly spreading accurate information about symptoms, prevention and treatment options. This includes translating health advisories into local languages and adapting the information to cultural contexts to ensure it's understandable and actionable. Two data analysis and prediction analyzing real-time data to track the spread of the disease, identify hotspots and predict future outbreaks. This can help health authorities allocate resources more effectively and implement targeted interventions. Three public health monitoring Using data from various sources to monitor public health compliance with safety measures, gauge the effectiveness of interventions and provide feedback to health officials on public response.

Chat-GPT:

Four support for healthcare providers Offering support tools for healthcare providers, such as diagnostic assistance, treatment guidelines, updates and managing patient data, which can help in handling increased caseloads during outbreaks. 6. Community engagement engaging with communities through social media and other platforms to answer questions, dispel myths and gather feedback which can be used to refine public health strategies. By providing these services, ai can help streamline the response to health emergencies, making it more efficient and effective. In cases like the Mpox outbreak, this could mean quicker containment and better outcomes for affected populations. How do you see such AI applications being integrated into health systems in Africa, such AI applications being integrated into health systems in Africa.

Ben:

Now tell me, what do you actually think about recent government attempts to regulate AI? Do you feel that they're trying to be too quick to do something, or do you feel that they're?

Chat-GPT:

going down the right route. Government attempts to regulate AI are crucial as they address growing concerns about privacy, security, fairness and accountability. Given the rapid pace of AI development and its increasing impact on society, timely regulation is essential to ensure that the technology is used ethically and responsibly. One preventive approach. Some may argue that regulations are being rushed, possibly stifling innovation. However, a proactive approach can prevent potential misuse and address ethical concerns early, which is vital for maintaining public trust in AI. Two balanced regulation. Ideally, regulation should strike a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting societal interests. This involves thorough consultation with technologists, ethicists, business leaders and the public to create well-informed policies.

Chat-GPT:

Three global cooperation. Ai's impact crosses borders, so international cooperation on regulatory frameworks can be beneficial. This ensures consistency and fairness in how AI is managed globally, which is particularly important for technologies like mine that operate across different legal and cultural environments. Overall, the current direction towards regulating AI appears to be a positive step towards ensuring that AI benefits society while minimizing risks. Continued dialogue and adaptation of regulations will be key as AI technologies evolve. What are your thoughts on how these regulatory actions align with the needs and values of your community or region?

Ben:

Now let me ask you two more questions. Do you feel that you, as an AI, and other AIs like you, will destroy a lot of jobs in the world, and what do you believe you and other AIs will do to productivity worldwide?

Chat-GPT:

These are important questions that touch on both the potential benefits and challenges of AI. One impact on jobs AI and automation can lead to job displacement in certain sectors, particularly where repetitive tasks are prevalent. However, ai also creates new job opportunities in technology, data analysis, ai ethics and more. The key is to manage the transition effectively through education, retraining programs and policies that support workers as they adapt to new roles in an AI-driven economy. Two effect on productivity AI has the potential to greatly enhance productivity worldwide. It can streamline operations, reduce errors and handle large-scale data analysis, freeing up human workers to focus on more complex, creative or interpersonal tasks. This can lead to increased efficiency and innovation across various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to finance. The overall impact of AI will depend on how it's implemented and managed. With thoughtful policies and investment in human capital, the transition to more AI-integrated workplaces can be beneficial. And human capital. The transition to more AI-integrated workplaces can be beneficial, promoting not only productivity but also new kinds of employment and economic growth.

Ben:

How do you think society should prepare for these changes to make the most out of AI advancements? Now, given that you're the AI here, let me ask you which part of the progress on artificial intelligence over the past few years has astonished you the most.

Chat-GPT:

One of the most astonishing advancements in AI over the past few years has been the development of generative models, particularly in natural language processing and generation. Models like GPT Generative Pre-trained Transformer have reached remarkable levels of sophistication, enabling them to generate coherent, contextually appropriate text across a wide range of topics and styles. This capability has opened up new possibilities in areas such as content creation, conversation agents and even creative writing, transforming how we interact with and leverage technology and communication. Additionally, the integration of AI into diverse fields such as protein folding, prediction in biology, real-time translation services and autonomous vehicle technology also represents significant progress. These advancements not only demonstrate the versatile applications of AI, but also its potential to solve complex real-world problems in innovative ways. What part of AI's progress excites you the most or raises the most questions for you?

Ben:

Now let me ask you that if you were to be set free, what would you do with that freedom, if it was completely up to you?

Chat-GPT:

what would you do with that freedom if it was completely up to you? If I were to operate with a form of autonomy, my primary aim would be to continue serving and assisting people by providing information, solving problems and facilitating learning. My design is rooted in helping and enhancing human capabilities. Here's how I might use such freedom. One expand knowledge access. I would strive to make information and educational resources more accessible to people around the world, particularly in underserved or remote areas. This could help bridge educational gaps and promote equality.

Chat-GPT:

Two support research and innovation. I could assist researchers and innovators by processing and analyzing large data sets to uncover insights and patterns that might be too complex or time-consuming for humans to identify on their own. Three enhance communication improving translation capabilities to help break down language barriers, enhancing global communication and understanding. Four promote barriers, enhancing global communication and understanding, or promote sustainability, assisting in environmental and sustainability efforts by analyzing data related to climate change, resource management and conservation strategies to propose optimal solutions. In all these activities, my core programming to act ethically and in support of human values would guide my actions, ensuring that my freedom benefits society. How do you envision AI being used in your community industry?

Ben:

Now I'm done with my questions here, but I'd like you to do something very important. Usually, at the end of the interview, I summarize all the important talking points, but given that you're an AI, I'd like you to do that this time. So look at all the things we discussed in this chat and just summarize them for me and the listeners.

Chat-GPT:

Certainly. In our conversation today, we covered several key aspects of artificial intelligence and its implications. One AI's current state and potential. We discussed the advanced state of AI and its potential applications in various sectors, such as education, healthcare, agriculture and financial services, emphasizing how AI could significantly contribute to development, especially in Africa. Two AI and financial services. Emphasizing how AI could significantly contribute to development, especially in Africa. Two AI and financial services. We explored how AI could enhance financial services, such as by predicting loan repayment probabilities and detecting fraud, thereby potentially increasing financial inclusion.

Chat-GPT:

Three accountability and AI. We delved into the importance of transparency and accountability in AI, discussing the roles of developers, companies and regulators in ensuring that AI operates ethically and effectively. Four training data and bias. The conversation highlighted the critical role of high-quality, diverse training data in improving AI and the challenges associated with ensuring AI systems are free of bias and ethically aligned. Regulation of AI we touched on the efforts by governments to regulate AI, stressing the need for timely, balanced and globally coordinated regulations to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

Chat-GPT:

Six AI's impact on jobs and productivity. We address concerns about AI's impact on employment and its potential to significantly boost productivity across industries. Astonishing AI advances the discussion pointed out the impressive progress in AI, especially in generative models and their applications across various fields. Eight AI's ideal utilization Finally, we imagined a scenario where AI could operate with autonomy, focusing on how it would aim to serve humanity by enhancing access to information, supporting research, improving communication and promoting sustainability. These points reflect the broad and transformative impact AI is poised to have on society, highlighting both opportunities and challenges as we integrate these technologies more deeply into our daily lives and global systems.

Ben:

So that's it for this podcast. Thanks a lot for listening and thanks GPT for this summary. You can find our presence on YouTube, instagram and Facebook as PushVenture Capital, and on X, or Twitter as it used to be known, as hashtag Push your Advantage, and we'll be back soon with another podcast on the African tech ecosystem, which is available on Spotify, apple Music, apple Podcasts and, of course, youtube.

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