In this thought-provoking episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander sits down with tech philosopher and engineer Jasvin Bhasin to explore one of the defining questions of our time: What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?

With 84% of U.S. high school students already using AI for schoolwork and major companies restructuring their workforces around automation, Jasvin and Eric unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, creativity, and the global job market. They examine the commoditization of creative output, the rise of the attention economy, and why the humanities may become more—not less—essential in an AI-driven era.

Jasvin offers a compelling case for redefining value in the digital age, championing interdisciplinary collaboration and a renewed emphasis on decision-making, critical thinking, and “genius” as the ability to see what others cannot. She shares why she’s optimistic about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how young people can prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist.

This episode challenges long-held assumptions about intelligence, productivity, and the future of work—and invites listeners to rethink how societies should adapt as machines increasingly share the cognitive landscape with humans.

This conversation explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education, creativity, and the job market. It highlights the increasing reliance on AI in schools, the commoditization of creativity, and the need to reevaluate educational systems and skills for the future. The discussion emphasizes the importance of humanities and critical thinking in an AI-driven world, while also empowering the next generation to navigate these changes effectively.

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Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of AI in Education

02:50 Creativity and Original Thought in the Age of AI

05:43 Reevaluating Education and Skills for the Future

09:09 The Importance of Humanities in the AI Era

11:53 Navigating the Job Market in an AI-Driven World

14:54 Empowering the Next Generation

17:50 Changing the Conversation Around AI

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About Jasvin Bhasin

Jasvin Bhasin is a German tech philosopher, computer engineer and advisor with Indian roots. She is the founder of bridge.the.NEXT( ), a Munich-based "think-and-do" tank dedicated to shaping the future at the intersection of technology, society and leadership.

Her work spans advising start-ups, corporates, government agencies and academia on topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of work. A sought-after keynote speaker and writer, Jasvin brings a unique perspective to technological transformation and human-centered innovation.

She is a Salzburg Global Fellow and an active mentor in several industry programs focused on empowering the next generation of leaders. Prior to founding her venture, Jasvin spent more than a decade building an international career across the technology, banking, and automotive industries.

Follow Jasvine on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasvinbhasin/

Subscribe to the bridge.the.NEXT( ) LinkedIn Newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7401570271750676480

Follow bridge.the.NEXT( ) on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/bridge.the.next/

Subscribe to Jasvine’s Substack Newsletter here: https://jasvinbhasin.substack.com/

Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander/

What if the next frontier of artificial intelligence wasn't about the future but about reclaiming the past? Nigerian artist, filmmaker, and creative technologist Malik Afegbua became a global conversation-changer when his viral "Elder Series"—AI-generated images of stylish seniors on a fashion runway—highlighted the deep-seated biases in AI training data, forcing us to confront the lack of representation in our digital future.​

​In this powerful episode, Malik argues that the solution to AI’s bias lies in intentional storytelling and leveraging technology to connect directly with the wisdom of the past. He introduces the revolutionary concept of creating digital twins of our ancestors, which would enable future generations to engage with their heritage and access "credible knowledge from our ancestors”.

​Malik and host Eric Olander discuss how African creatives are intentionally shaping AI, how understanding historical context is crucial for future projections, and why embracing technology can be the most powerful way to preserve cultural legacy for a better tomorrow.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Why the quality of AI's outputs depends entirely on challenging its biased inputs, and the role of African creatives in that process.

​The groundbreaking vision of creating 'digital twins' to represent and learn from ancestral knowledge in a modern context.

​How preserving African histories through technology is helping to build an aspirational future not one that is suppressed or sad.

​Why understanding historical timelines is crucial for revealing patterns that inform our decisions today.

​Malik’s advice on how a positive mindset and intentional stories can empower change without needing external permission.

Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of AI in Daily Life

03:04 Bias and Representation in AI

05:53 The Role of African Creatives in AI

09:02 Challenges of Access and Ownership in AI

12:03 Preserving African Histories through Technology

17:46 Reimagining the Future with AI

20:56 Empowering Change through Technology

About Malik Afegbua:

Malik Afegbua is a Nigerian artist and the CEO of Slickcity Media, in Lagos, Nigeria. He weaves magic across film, VR, and design. At Slickcity Media, he crafts documentaries, commercials, and immersive VR experiences, pushing boundaries and blending tradition with innovative tech like VR and AI art.

His viral "The Elder Series" exemplifies his genius. Using AI, he reimagined seniors in vibrant fashion shows, sparking a global dialogue about inclusivity and challenging ageism. But Malik's impact extends beyond visuals. He is a champion for social change and founded C.E.L.S. to empower Nigerian youth through education and mentorship.

He is a cultural guardian, collaborating with Meta to preserve African heritage through VR documentaries. His expertise in AI design shines through collaborations with Marvel Studios, Cadbury, Glenfiddich, IBM, and more. His AI art has graced platforms like Cannes and the Mozambique Ministry of Tourism.

At Slickcity Media, Malik leads the charge, translating ideas into captivating content across platforms. He harnesses the power of AI to enhance storytelling and deliver innovative narratives, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Follow Malik Afegbua on:

Instagram: @slickcityceo⁠

LinkedIn: @malik-afegbua

Find out more about ‘The Elder Series’ here: https://elderseries.carrd.co

Find out more about Salzburg Global here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, joins Salzburg Global President & CEO Martin Weiss to challenge how the world thinks about conservation. For decades, global efforts have focused on protecting wildlife from people — but Kaddu argues that the future of conservation depends on putting people at the centre.

In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Kaddu shares how African-led, people-centred approaches are transforming communities, driving economic opportunity, and redefining the global sustainability agenda. From mountain gorillas in Rwanda to youth movements across the continent, he makes a bold case: the future of the planet depends on Africa.

Why traditional conservation models — rooted in colonial history — have failed African communities

How centering people, livelihoods, and local economies leads to more sustainable conservation outcomes

The success story of Rwanda’s community-owned luxury lodges and mountain gorilla conservation

The crucial role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s political, economic, and environmental future

Why the global fight against climate change cannot succeed without Africa

How Europe and Africa can move beyond aid toward equitable trade, investment, and shared innovation

The mindset shift Kaddu believes is needed: from protecting Africa to partnering with Africa

Chapters:

00:00 The Need for a People-Centered Approach to Conservation

10:12 Rethinking Conservation Economics

20:11 The Role of Youth in Africa's Future

26:07 Optimism and Opportunities in Africa's Development

Takeaway:

Conservation isn’t about protecting animals from people — it’s about empowering people to live with and benefit from wildlife. To secure a sustainable future, the world must change the conversation and recognise Africa’s central role in global survival.

About Kaddu Sebunya:

Kaddu Sebunya is the Chief Executive Officer of African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). He has over 25 years’ experience in conservation at grassroots, national and regional levels in the USA, Africa, and Europe, and is now responsible for driving AWF’s long term-strategy.

Kaddu has worked with Oxfam UK, the World Conservation Union - IUCN, USA Peace Corps, Conservation International, and Solimar International.

He believes conserving Africa’s wildlife is too important and too urgent to be left to the West alone. He is concerned that big African voices leading the fight against the destruction of habitat and wildlife today are few, arguing that it is time the African elite step forward.

Working with leaders in business, politics, civil society, policy, international development and education as well as the youth, Kaddu is building a global coalition for conservation to protect Africa’s natural capital for posterity. He sees conservation as a social, economic, security and health question requiring new partnerships and multi-sectoral strategies for the people and wildlife to benefit.

Kaddu is a member of the China-Africa Wildlife Conservation Council, a group of civil society and business leaders convened by AWF and the Aspen Institute to serve as a people-to-people platform for supporting China-Africa cooperation on wildlife and wildlands conservation, sustainable economic development, and governance. He is also a member of the Club of Rome and contributes frequently to newspapers in Africa, Europe and the USA.

Kaddu has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and two Master’s degrees: An MA in Law, Policy and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA; and an MSc in Sustainable Resource Management and Policy (Imperial - Wye College, University of London).

Learn more about the African Wildlife Foundation: https://www.awf.org

Follow Kaddu Sebunya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaddu-kiwe-sebunya-384b4658/

Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

Follow Martin Weiss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-weiss-ba264424a/