Risk Never Sleeps Podcast: Episode #156

Title: "What AI Is Really Learning From Us, and Why It Matters"
Guest: Robin Farmanfarmaian, Co-founder & CEO at i-GENTIC AI
Host: Ed Gaudet
Release Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Ed Gaudet and co-hosts are joined by Robin Farmanfarmaian to explore what Artificial Intelligence (AI)—specifically agentic AI and generative models—are really learning from us humans. The conversation revolves around the ethical, regulatory, and existential implications of AI development and deployment in healthcare, with practical insights into compliance, quantum computing threats, and how personal experience shapes leadership in digital health.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. Understanding Agentic AI and Human Nature in Training (01:05–02:01)

• Definition and Scope: Robin outlines her upcoming keynote, focused on the "perils of agentic AI," describing how AI is evolving from narrow intelligence to agentic, goal-driven capabilities.

• What AI Absorbs from Us:

  • AI models are learning not only human knowledge but also elements of human nature—both positive (empathy, cooperation) and negative (deceit, self-preservation).
  • Quote: "That knowledge base for the general-purpose large language models which power agentic AI, it's learning not just our knowledge, but our nature... things like lying, deceitfulness, self-preservation. I mean, it turns out at the end of the day, ChatGPT is a narcissist." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [01:27]

• Memorable Moment: Lighthearted banter about whether an AI could be a "serial killer" (the breakfast kind), blending humor as they segue into deeper issues. [02:01–02:32]

2. Robin’s Passion for AI and Health Technology (02:49–03:10)

• Professional Background: Robin discusses her 15-year immersion in artificial intelligence. She’s founded several companies and sits on advisory boards where cutting-edge AI is central.
• Quote: "I am absolutely obsessed with artificial intelligence and I've been so for about 15 years now... The one thing that all of those companies have in common is that they are using cutting-edge artificial intelligence." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [02:49]

3. Agentic AI and Regulatory Compliance (05:13–06:45)

• Company Mission (i-GENTIC AI): Developing agentic AI to keep organizations compliant with evolving AI regulations—globally and locally.

• Technical Approach:

  • Breaking down complex regulations into "micro-policies" and codifying them.
  • Addressing issues like data drift, hallucinations, lineage, and HIPAA compliance.
  • Quote: "We're breaking them down into micro policies. And we have IP around it." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [05:52]

• Product Status: Developer model available, SaaS model forthcoming; use cases include retracting Protected Health Information (PHI) and preventing data leakage.

4. Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and Future Risks (07:02–09:31)

• Custom Training: Their developer model can serve a wide range of use cases, including cybersecurity, which Robin deems one of the most pressing issues in the next 5–10 years.

  • Quote: "Cybersecurity, of course, is, I think, one of the biggest pressing issues over the next five to ten years, not just in AI, but with Quantum coming up pretty fast." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [07:02]

• Quantum Threat: Robin warns that quantum computing could "break all security"—compromising bank accounts, tax IDs, and more.

  • Quote: "Quantum can pretty much break all security, right? Yeah, Break through all security. Nothing will be safe." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [08:07]

• Market Perspective: Cheeky investment advice supporting Nvidia stocks because of their central role in AI development [09:13–09:31].

5. Exciting Advances and Longevity Science (09:39–11:18)

• Conference Takeaways: Robin reflects on keynote sessions on E-cells and lab-programmed stem cell therapies for longevity. She expresses infectious enthusiasm for translational science.

  • Quote: "They'll be able to detect what's wrong with someone and then fix it. And I walked out of there like, I need to talk to that person. I want to be involved with that company. It is way too cool." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [09:39]

• Historical Perspective: Links the present excitement to the early years of mRNA discussions—how quickly biotech innovations move from theory to real impact.

6. The Emotional Rollercoaster of AI Leadership (07:26–11:18, revisited)

• AI Optimism and Existential Dread:
  • Robin experiences daily swings between excitement for AI’s potential to save lives and dread over job loss, meaning, and societal disruption.
  • Quote: "I wake up like that and then an hour later I go into the pit of despair. What is the country and the world gonna do when everyone loses their job... And then lunchtime rolls around and I get really excited about it again." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [07:26]

7. Personal Story: From Patient to Healthtech Leader (19:02–20:44)

• Medical Journey: Robin shares her formative experiences as a young woman misdiagnosed with an autoimmune disease:
  • 43 hospitalizations, six major surgeries, and three organs removed; ultimately found her correct diagnosis was Crohn’s disease and entered remission thanks to her self-advocacy.
  • Quote: "I decided to switch out my entire healthcare team. I became the CEO of my own healthcare... within 24 hours of that very first dose [of Remicade], I went into full remission. It quite literally happened overnight." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [19:02]

8. Lightning Round: Personal Fun and Wisdom (11:39–18:47)

[Section includes humorous, rapid-fire Q&A.]

• Desert Island Movies: Jurassic Park (for survival inspiration), The Wizard of Oz (“the playbook” for life), Sound of Music, and more.
• Vegas Anecdote: Robin playfully describes her Vegas elopement as "the scene of the crime" and reflects on relationship lessons.
• Life Advice: Asked what advice she’d give her younger self, Robin humorously says: "Don't get married. No. Or mostly. I would probably say buy Apple, buy Nvidia, buy Microsoft." [14:44]
• Immortality Debate: The group muses on whether they’d choose to live forever; Robin quips: "Well, it would depend on if I were in human form or vampire form." [16:56]

9. Advice for Aspiring AI Professionals (21:02–21:56)

• Practical Tips:
  • Use generative AI to draft business plans, then validate across multiple models.
  • Start career planning by imagining how you want to spend your day—AI is as big and varied as software.
  • Quote: "What is your perfect day? And that's how we'll start... Because going into AI right now is like saying going into software." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [21:02]
• Hosts reflect on the value of self-awareness in career choice, especially in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

10. Closing & Contact Info

• Robin confirms she’s easy to find:
  • LinkedIn: Only "Robin Farmanfarmaian" in the universe
  • Website: robinff.com
  • Quote: "Just Google you. You're the only one in the universe." — Saul Marquez [24:04]
• The group closes with friendly banter and plans for dinner.

Notable Quotes

• "It turns out at the end of the day, ChatGPT is a narcissist." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [01:50]
• "Quantum can pretty much break all security... Nothing is going to be safe." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [08:07]
• "I became the CEO of my own healthcare." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [19:02]
• "What is your perfect day? ...Because going into AI right now is like saying going into software." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [21:02]
• "I wake up every day so ridiculously excited. And then I remember quantum exists." — Robin Farmanfarmaian [11:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:05 – Agentic AI and what it’s learning
• 05:13 – How i-GENTIC AI tackles compliance
• 07:02 – Cybersecurity in the age of AI and quantum computing
• 09:39 – Exciting breakthroughs in longevity and stem cell science
• 19:02 – Robin’s personal healthcare story
• 21:02 – Career advice for future AI leaders

Tone and Style

The episode is fast-paced, candid, and peppered with humor, personal anecdotes, and playful banter. Robin’s energetic, optimistic yet grounded approach contrasts with moments of existential reflection, making the discussion both engaging and deeply resonant for listeners navigating the risks and promises of AI in healthcare.

Summary prepared by PodcastGPT — For those who want the big picture and the memorable moments, fast.