I've had the privilege of meeting, connecting with, and absorbing wisdom from various unique people throughout my career. As part of my 10-Part Series of The 9 Inspirational Women Leaders In AI Shaping The 21st Century, I was honored to have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Vivienne Ming. Dr. Ming explores maximizing human capacity as a theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor, and demented author. Over her career, she's founded six startups, been chief scientist at two others, and launched the "mad science incubator," Socos Labs, where she explores seemingly intractable problems--from a lone child's disability to global economic inclusion--for free. As the co-founder and Chief Scientist of Dionysus Health, she applies machine learning to lessen the corrosive health effects of chronic stress in communities. Vivienne Ming, co-founder and chief executive officer of Socos Labs LLC, speaks during the Milken ... [ ] Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.

In front of a packed room of MIT students and alumni, Vivienne Ming is holding forth in a style all her own. "Embrace cyborgs," she calls out, as she clicks to a slide that raises eyebrows even in this tech-smitten crowd. Fifteen to 25 years from now, cognitive neuroprosthetics will fundamentally change the definition of what it means to be human." She's referring to the work that interests her most these days, as cofounder of machine learning company Socos and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Center for Theoretical Neuroscience. If you're curious, the answer is unambiguously yes.") But the talk has covered a lot more than this, as Ming has touched on many initiatives and startups she's been involved with, all solving problems at the intersection of advanced technology, learning, and labor economics.

Previously an academic, Vivienne Ming initially regretted her decision to become an entrepreneur. Her first project combined neuroscience and artificial intelligence and education. Thinking she could change the world, she created amazing technologies, that everyone she demonstrated to loved. However, investors didn't see the opportunity and didn't want to work with her. Instead, they wanted to buy the entire product and appoint their own CEO's.

Vivienne Ming: AI giants'too big to be allowed control' The Times Vivenne Ming swept into the room, frazzled. One of America's leading thinkers on artificial intelligence (AI) had spent the previous night in an airport, where she …

Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. Named one of 10 "women to watch in technology" by Inc. Magazine, she is the co-founder and managing partner of educational technology company Socos, which focuses on using machine learning and neuroscience to improve educational outcomes and workplace development. She was previously a visiting scholar at the Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at UC Berkeley, and sits on the board for companies and nonprofits like StartOut, the Palm Center, and Cornerstone Capital. We had the opportunity to speak with Ming about artificial intelligence, workforce development, and how purpose drives performance in the run-up to her upcoming Dreamtalk on November 7 at Dreamforce. You've spoken previously about your mission to leverage AI to maximize human potential.

Theoretical neuroscientist, technologist and entrepreneur Dr Vivienne Ming looks to artificial intelligence and neuroprosthetics to augment humans. She spoke to Claire O'Connell. Artificial intelligence is a hot topic. From computers that can beat chess masters or diagnose disease, to the notion of autonomous machines putting humans out of jobs, there's a lot to think about. But, as with so many technologies, AI is just a tool, and it is how we use it that matters, according to theoretical neuroscientist and entrepreneur Dr Vivienne Ming, who was in Dublin last week.

During the recent Consumer Goods Forum global summit here in Cape Town, I had the opportunity to briefly chat with Vivienne about some of the issues confronting the digital disruption of this industry sector. [The original transcript has been edited for clarity and space.] Named one of 10 Women to Watch in Tech in 2013 by Inc. Magazine, Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, technologist and entrepreneur. She co-founded Socos, where machine learning and cognitive neuroscience combine to maximize students' life outcomes. Vivienne is a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley's Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, where she pursues her research in neuroprosthetics. In her free time, Vivienne has developed a predictive model of diabetes to better manage the glucose levels of her diabetic son and systems to predict manic episodes in bipolar suffers. She sits on the boards of StartOut, The Palm Center, Emozia, and the Bay Area Rainbow Daycamp, and is an advisor to Credit Suisse, Cornerstone Capital, and BayesImpact. Dr. Ming also speaks frequently on issues of LGBT inclusion and gender in technology. Every once in a while I have the opportunity to discuss wide-ranging topics with an intellect that stimulates, is passionate and really cares about the bigger picture. Those opportunities are more rare than one would think. Although set in a somewhat unexpected venue (the elite innards of consumer capitalism) her observations on the inescapable disruption that the new wave of modern technologies are prescient and thoughtful. Ed: In a continent where there is a large focus on putting people to work, how do you see the challenges and disruptions resulting from AI, robotics, IoT, VR and other technologies playing out? These technologies, as did other disruptive technologies before them, tend to replace human workers with machine processes. Vivienne: There is almost no domain in which artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and automation will not have a profound and positive impact. Medicine, farming, transportation, etc. will all benefit. There will be a huge impact on human potential, and human work will change. I think this is inevitable, that we are well on the way to this AI-enabled future.

I'm hanging out with my 4-year-old daughter in the early evening, trying to keep her entertained and pull dinner together, when my phone buzzes. Normally I'd feel guilty for checking it immediately, and distracted even if I didn't. It's a timely suggestion from an app called Muse. Here's what it says: "Try playing'Simon Says' with L,. using directional words like: behind, around, between. 'Simon Says stand between the chairs.')" I can even call out the commands while chopping vegetables.