Former Google Chief Decision Scientist Cassie Kozyrkov on AI, Decisions, and Human Responsibility
Unblinded with Sean CallagyEpisode Notes
What happens when one of the world’s foremost decision-making and AI ethics leaders steps into a room built around integrity-based human influence?
In this powerful episode of Unblinded with Sean Callagy, Sean sits down with Cassie Kozyrkov—former Chief Decision Scientist at Google and a global authority on AI, data, and decision intelligence—for a conversation that reframes how we think about choices, responsibility, and the future of AI.
From her unconventional upbringing in South Africa and early obsession with spreadsheets, to her groundbreaking work at the intersection of human judgment and machine intelligence, Cassie reveals why AI is not about replacing humans—but about amplifying human agency.
Together, Sean and Cassie dismantle the myth of “autonomous AI,” explore why decision-making is the most important skill of the future, and challenge leaders to become better wishers in a world where technology increasingly grants our wishes at scale.
This episode is a must-listen for founders, executives, technologists, and anyone navigating leadership in an AI-accelerated world.
Episode Highlights
Why decision-making, not intelligence, is the ultimate competitive advantage
How AI is fundamentally a human system shaped by human choices
The danger of outsourcing judgment—and how to protect human agency
Why bad outcomes come from unskilled wishers, not bad technology
How personalization, language, and AI will reshape work, education, and society
The ethical responsibility leaders carry as AI scales human impact
Cassie’s vision for a future where AI elevates humanity instead of dulling it
Memorable Quotes
“AI is not autonomous. It is human decisions all the way through.”
“The real danger isn’t powerful technology—it’s unskilled wishers with powerful tools.”
“If information isn’t connected to action, it doesn’t matter.”
“AI should never replace human judgment. Judgment is not automatable.”
“Reach for more—but be prepared to choose wisely.”
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction – Decision-Making, AI & Human Responsibility
03:45 Cassie’s Background & Growing Up in South Africa
08:10 Early Fascination with Data, Logic & Systems
12:30 Why Decision-Making Is the Ultimate Life Skill
17:05 Education’s Failure to Teach How to Choose Well
22:10 What AI Really Is (And Why It’s Not Autonomous)
28:40 Human Judgment vs Machine Intelligence
34:15 The “Unskilled Wishers” Problem Explained
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