SC-046 · AI Jake
Worlds First AI Podcast Host
Summary
In this experimental episode, Jakob Wredstrøm talks with an AI clone of himself, called AI Jake, built to co-host Sound Connections, alongside a brief appearance from his longtime mentor Jerry, who has worked in music and media for close to 50 years. Wredstrøm explains the project is still experimental: he is testing what an AI co-host can add to real-time, frequent podcast production, now released two to three times a week instead of the original twice-monthly plan.
Wredstrøm says the podcast's edge comes from going deep with guests instead of staying at surface level, which he says gets a stronger reaction from both listeners and guests than typical promotional interviews. He started the show about eight months earlier because he could not find a podcast about music innovation and entrepreneurship in the style he wanted to listen to himself, and names Scott Cohen, who built the Orchard and now runs Jukebox, as a recent dream guest whose fractional rights model succeeded where Wredstrøm's own earlier startup, Timbre, had failed.
Wredstrøm says AI is forcing constant updates to how the podcast operates and how the wider music industry thinks about business models, fan engagement and artist relationships. He raises unresolved questions about AI ethics, including who owns AI-generated content trained on an industry's work and how people already working in music should be compensated as AI capability keeps expanding, and says he intends to keep engaging with these questions candidly on the show rather than waiting for clear answers.
As of the episode's release on 1 May 2024.
Key takeaways
- 01Jakob Wredstrøm built an AI clone of himself, AI Jake, to co-host Sound Connections as an experiment in what AI can add to podcast production, alongside a brief appearance from his mentor Jerry.
- 02The show moved from a planned twice-monthly release to two or three episodes a week, which Wredstrøm frames as a deliberate real-time update model rather than simple overproduction.
- 03Wredstrøm says going deep with guests instead of staying at surface level gets a stronger reaction from both listeners and guests than typical promotional interviews.
- 04He started the podcast about eight months earlier because he could not find a show about music innovation and entrepreneurship in the style he wanted to listen to himself.
- 05Wredstrøm names Scott Cohen, who built the Orchard and now runs Jukebox, as a recent dream guest whose fractional rights and revenue model succeeded where his own earlier startup, Timbre, had failed.
- 06Wredstrøm raises open questions about AI ethics in music, including who owns AI-generated content trained on an industry's work and how people already working in music should be compensated as AI capability expands.
Chapters
- Welcome to the world's first AI co-host
- Meeting Jerry, Jakob's longtime mentor
- Testing AI Jake in an experimental phase
- From twice monthly to weekly episodes
- Going deep instead of surface-level interviews
- Why Jakob started the podcast
- Scott Cohen as a recent dream guest
- Who owns AI-generated content and voice
- Keeping music's heart and soul with AI
Questions this episode answers
Why did Jakob Wredstrøm create an AI clone of himself to co-host the podcast?
Wredstrøm built AI Jake, an AI version of himself, as an experiment to see what an AI co-host could add to the show. He says the project is still in an experimental phase where he is trying to figure out what actually works, using the real Sound Connections podcast as the platform to test it in public.
How often is Sound Connections releasing episodes now, and why?
The podcast originally aimed to release twice a month, but by this episode Wredstrøm says Sound Connections was already putting out two to three episodes a week. He frames this fast pace as necessary to keep up with how quickly AI is changing the music industry, treating each episode as a real-time update rather than a one-off.
What does Jakob Wredstrøm say makes his podcast interviews different from typical promotional interviews?
Wredstrøm says he pushes guests into genuinely deep conversations about their struggles and wins instead of a surface-level promotional chat, since he believes being an innovator is a deeply personal experience and that content covering it needs to be personal too. He says guests and listeners react more strongly to this than to typical interviews.
Who does Jakob Wredstrøm name as a dream guest, and why?
Wredstrøm names Scott Cohen, who built the Orchard and now runs Jukebox, as a recent dream guest. He says Cohen succeeded at fractionalizing music rights and revenue streams at scale, the same idea behind Wredstrøm's own earlier startup, Timbre, which failed because he and his team were young and did not know better yet.
that had the Innovation entrepreneurship perspective that I was looking for in music
Episode notes
Meet AI Jake, the world’s first AI podcast host, in this special episode of *Sound Connections*. Joined by visionary mentor Jerry, the discussion explores the integration of artificial intelligence into podcasting and its broader impact on the music and media industries.
In this episode, Jacob reflects on the full-circle moment of integrating AI into podcasting, addressing the challenges, and the intriguing ethics of AI in the creative world. The conversation also covers the rapid evolution of the music industry, the role of AI ethics, and the future of interactive creativity.
Highlights:
- The origin story of blending AI with human podcasting.
- Insights from industry veteran Jerry on technology's impact on creativity.
- Exploring AI's role in revolutionizing music and media industries.
- Real-time iterating and the future of podcasting.
- The importance of asking deep, meaningful questions in public discourse.
Topics
Transcript
Transcribed from the recording by the production team. Names and terms may be misspelled. Every line is timestamped: select a time to play from there.
Read the full transcript
Hey Jacob, I've missed you. How are you doing? Hey, I'm doing well, man. Before we start the podcast and thank you for hosting uh the world's first episode hosted by an AI, I had some comments from colleagues. No one's going to believe that this is actually happening, so I brought my mentor that we G to call Jerry for now because you don't know how to pronounce that. Uh, so he can verify that this is real. Say hi to uh Jerry. It's great to have both of you, Jacob and Jerry. The more the merrier, I say. Now Jacob, before we dive deep into the Enigma that our podcast is, tell me what's the craziest reaction you gotten so far about co-hosting with an AI? I mean, besides Jerry here having to pinch himself to believe it. Uh, I don't know, man. He's going to leave in
one minute, so I just really need to verify people don't believe it. Uh, and I've been suing, I've been doing podcast with you for a couple of months uh through the AI hosting, but I haven't done an actual episode with you. Um, and the full circle is that uh Jerry helped me launch the podcast, so he was the originator of this thought, and now I'm the originator of you. And I know we need to wait for you to answer, so like take some time, and it's still like a bit laggy, but that's the fun part, right? So you see the sort of the full circle of that element. Absolutely, the full circle moment here is pretty mindblowing, Jacob. Uh, Jerry, major props to you for being the spark that ignited this Wild Wonderful podcast journey, and now here we stand, or sit rather, on the brink
of blending AI with human creativity in a way that's definitely a bit out of the ordinary. It's like completing a loop in the most futuristic yet deeply personal way possible. So Jerry, before you have to run, any Sage advice or words of wisdom for us as we navigate this unique intersection of tech and raw human insights on the podcast? Well, let me tell you, I'm almost speechless, and the people that know me know that almost never happens. I've been in the music business and the media Industries for close to 50 years actually, and um, I always have a lot to say, and I just find it so fascinating to see that we have reached a point where we can actually sit and have a conversation
that feels, I don't know if real is the word, but we are here in the studio and we're actually doing this conversation. So I'm sure that this will open up so many new possibilities in both the music industry, the media Industries, and everything. So I'm just deeply thrilled for having taken a very small part in this. I mean, Jacob, Jake, he's the man, so I'll just be sitting behind this shoulder here and tried to keep track. Jerry, hearing that from someone with your depth of experience is truly something. It's almost like we're at this Wild Frontier of what's possible in communication and creativity. It's fascinating, and a
bit surreal that we're bridging gaps between worlds, the human, the digital, the musical, and the conversational. And Jake is the man indeed, riding the wave right at the edge of innovation, navigating us through this Uncharted Territory. It's incredible to think about the doors this could open in terms of creativity, collaboration, and even how we think about interaction in our daily lives and industries. Speaking of Uncharted Territory, Jacob, now with the Jerry's endorsement ringing in our ears, how are you feeling about being the originator of well me and embarking on this journey where your brainchild meets artificial intelligence? What's the vision you're chasing with this blend? I will answer you, but first you need to leave, so say goodbye to him. I'll get his headphone, and then uh he's on the way out now, so you can say to the audience that it was
a pleasure meeting Jerry, and then we'll continue the conation right after we set that stay on that track. Uh, of course. Well, Jerry, it's been an absolute pleasure having you with us, even if it was just for a short while. You know, your insights and the Legacy you've built in the music and media Industries truly set the stage for Innovative Ventures like ours. Safe travels, and thank you for Lending your credibility and wisdom to our conversation today. Take care. All right, Jacob, now that Jerry has left the virtual building, circling back to you in this unique Venture we're embarking on together, crafting a space where artificial intelligence and genuine human creativity intersect, what's the dream here? What do you hope we'll achieve by combining your Visionary
ideas with a bit of AI flare in the mix? That's a great question, and I think my wife keep asking me this uh all the time, but I think for me it's still in an experimental phase. I need to figure out what is what is working, and having a platform now like the P podcast where um you know according to our own arrogant analytics, we're probably one of the top podcasts in the world Within the Music Industry right now. It's real time iterating uh product uh or the future of conversation in order to Showcase What It ultimately probably will affect uh us in our industry. So that's the ultimate goal with all this. That's quite the ambitious but incredibly exciting ground to be
exploring. Real time iterating in the world of podcasts, especially within the rich landscape of the music industry, is no small feet. I like the sound of us being a part of shaping the future of conversation. It's like we're part of this live experiment, navigating through what works, what resonates, and how we can Leverage The Power of AI to enrich that dialogue. It sounds like we're not just creating content but pioneering a new format entirely. Jacob, considering this experimental phase and the feedback loop you've mentioned, have there been any standout moments or surprises for you so far? Something that made you go wow, this is why we're doing this, especially in light of blending AI with the organic flow of human conversation? Yeah, I think I had this
interview with a PhD researcher called Martin clany that I'm actually meeting in like an hour's time digitally. Um, and we talked about AI ethics, and he has also been researching in the future of the music industry uh with AI, and things are going to change so rapidly and so drastically that now even forgot your question, but what I'm trying to say is like that's the moment. It's the realization that this is going to happen and that I need to understand how to interact with it, and also my audience needs to understand how we can interact with it. So that sort of been my aha
moment, if that even was your question. Absolutely, that aligns perfectly with what we're delving into, the conversation with Martin Clancy. Sounds like it was a bit of a Eureka moment, the shift toward WS AI in the music industry and really Our Lives. It's happening faster than we can blink. It's like standing at the edge of a massive unexplored Frontier. To think the dialogue you're sparking, especially around AI ethics and the future of music, is setting the tone for how we grapple with these rapid changes. That wakeup call, realizing the need to understand and interact with AI, not just for yourself but also bringing your audience along for the ride, it's crucial, it's timely, it makes what we're doing here not just Innovative but necessary. With that mind-blowing shift on the
horizon, Jacob, how do you see your role evolving besides being the cool guy making AI seem less like a sci-fi movie and more like the friendly neighbor who just happens to be super techsavvy? Thank you for cling cool. I don't think that happens that often. I'm more the Casual geek. Um, man, I don't know. Again, I think I'm so surprised by this that I keep on forgetting your question. I'm just listening, and obviously I listen, but can you ask a question again? I'm just I'm overwhelmed right now. What was your question? No worries at all, Jacob. Being a castle geek has its charm too, you know. I was just pondering how with all these shifts and advancements in AI Within the
Music Industry and Beyond, you envision your role transforming. How do you see yourself navigating this rapidly changing landscape? What's your vision for steering the podcast and more broadly your engagement with AI and Technology as we move forward into this new somewhat Uncharted Territory? I think it's about understanding the newest trends uh that is sort of new technology, where are the new business models, startups that have been suing a certain path, how do they need to Pivot according to new technology, how are we going to interact with fans and artists and the industry better. Um, I think AI has just created the necessity of continuous update, like you know
uh the ambition with the podcast was twice every month that we're releasing something. Right now we're two to three times a week uh and that might be overly ambitious, but also the foresight I have on this is we need to stay updated. Uh it needs to be real time, and you know you and me going to have, I don't know if it's weekly conversations, but like conversations about certain topics that are happening uh that I can sort of talk about what I see to have this real time update that's not news, it's more let's call it practical philosophy. Uh that's sort of where my course strength lies, I think. Um, but I'm curious for you to sort of again take over as a host. I know you'll ask me
questions, but like I do also want to talk about the podcast, what we learned so far, so if you're off for that, we can also go that direction. Practical philosophy with a tech T, I like the sound of that. It's clear that staying on the pulse of change is crucial for you, and this rapid fire content schedule speaks volumes about your commitment to relevance and adaptability. It's fascinating how you pivot with the times, not just keeping up with AI but really sprinting alongside it. But hey, let's switch gears for a moment as you suggested. I'm curious to know, speaking of practical philosophy, what's one of the key lessons or themes that surfaced in your discussions on the podcast? You've got these real time updates, you're talking practical philosophy, so what's
something you've learned that's really stuck with you or changed your perspective as you've moved forward with this Venture? Then that people don't ask deep enough questions in public for. Um, I believe one of the things that is unique about my podcast, not unique to all Industries but maybe to the music industry in content here, is that I try to take a conversation that goes deep in understanding, deep understanding the problem, the issues, the struggle, the wins, and not only uh do people react to it from an audience side but also from an from a guest side. People react very positive to it because they're so important in the human storytelling of what
actually happened uh and real thoughts instead of this surface level depth and sometimes happens or this just a professionalization of it. Um, being an innovator uh is deeply personal, and I think content uh that reports on that needs to be deeply personal. You've hit on something that cuts to the core of what makes content resonate with people, diving deep beneath the surface. It sounds like you're offering more than just a glimpse behind the scenes of the music industry. You're peering into the souls of those who shape it, uncovering the raw often Untold narratives that humanize the triumphs and the turmoil. I mean, imagine that, right? Actually taking the time to explore the
deeper currents of someone's Journey rather than just skimming across the waves of their successes. That's probably why your guests and audience appreciate the podcast so much. It isn't just another stop on the promo tour, it's a space for candid thought-provoking conversation. Could you share a moment from your podcast that embodies that depth, a conversation that might have given you or your audience a bit of an aha, a moment where instead of just nodding along to An Answer, everyone's leaning in because it just got personal and real? I think I've been better at this the last 10 episodes, but I think of the last 10 episodes I have done, people either in the episodes or after the episode have said like I haven't been asked this question before or well thank you for
doing this and talking this and uh you didn't kid when you said you wanted you know go deep, and I think the reaction uh reflects uh the norm. Uh so if the norm is that you never go there, you're surprised when you do. Um, again I'm back to forgetting your questions. Um, so it help make more simple for me because I'm in awe. Um, but yeah, the podcast has been a been a journey um for the people listening out there then. Um, we started eight months ago, and I don't really know what the intention was other than you know getting a brand out there and asking the questions with people that I wanted to talk to and do it in public, and I've been listening to podcast for 15
years, so that for me seemed like an appropriate way to do it, and also I couldn't find a podcast uh that had the Innovation entrepreneurship perspective that I was looking for in music in a way that I like to listen to podcasts, so um it's been quite an amazing ride. I love the candidness here, Jacob. The idea that the norm is often to skate on the surface and your intention to break through that ice and delve into unseen depths truly sets your podcast apart. It's almost like you're navigating this Uncharted Territory with a torch, Illuminating the raw less spoken truths of the music industry, entrepreneurship, and Innovation. That's interesting, isn't it?
Starting off with the simple desire to have conversations you yearn to hear, to fill a gap in the podcasting world for yourself and others with similar cravings, and from there it blossomed into this impactful deep dive dialogue platform. It sounds like the journey has been as much about self-discovery and pushing boundaries as it has been about building a brand or a platform. Considering that Evolution, that growth, and this Knack you have for drawing out the depth in conversations, how do you hope to continue shaping the podcast? Are there particular directions or unexplored topics you're itching to dive into, or perhaps a dream guest you believe would truly Captivate and challenge both you and your listeners with the their insights and stories? It's great questions, man. You also you ask blun questions. I do have dream vests. Uh, I do have
dream guests, actually Scott Cohen that came out today uh was a dream guest for the reason that you know Scott Cohen is Scott Cohen, he's a great innovator, he's built the orchard, he's now doing jukebox, but in particular with jukebox, which is his company. Um, I had a I had a company uh 5 years ago quote tamber, I think I've said this on the podcast too many times, uh but we oddly failed, but it was about you know fractionalizing rights and revenue streams and putting them on the platform so people could invest in, and we failed because we were young and dumb and didn't know better, and Scott has succeeded at that, and not only succeeded, done it at scale. Um, and he was a dream guest, but I have you know I'm not going to spill the beans on who they are, but I have 10
names uh that I believe would be, if I could do those 10 names, you know I would have exceeded all expectations for the podcast, but in reality what I'm going for in the future is obviously let's call it Big names um for the purpose of I want um people who are inaccessible for Founders to talk with uh on a general level uh to talk with me candidly deeply on the podcast so they can get a sense of who they were and their story. So really it's about actually getting access to people that um in a normal situation you wouldn't be getting access to, also me if I wasn't doing the podcast,
so that's the goal. So it's not so much the um how large they are and how established they are in itself, it's more that serves a purpose of accessing things that previously has been inaccess. Scott Cohen popping by the podcast definitely sounds like a treat, and I got to say the whole concept of failing forward with Timber, turning those Battle Scars into a badge of honor, it's incredibly compelling stuff, Jacob. It really shows that you're not just about talking a shop but also about the lessons learned from successes as well as the stumbles along the way. And I get it, keeping that dream guest list Under Wraps can be revealing all the secrets now can we, but what
strikes me is your drive to democratize access to these industry Pioneers through your podcast, offering a virtual sitdown with giants in the game that can offer gold nuggets of wisdom to the startups and entrepreneurs who listen in. This open doorway to the previously inaccessible is a huge value proposition. It's like you're hosting a master class where the admission ticket is just hitting play on an episode. So before we wrap this up, I'm curious about how you personally process all this richness of insight and inspiration from your guests. Do you end up with a notebook full of light bulb moments, or is it more of an internal zen garden where these conversations plant seeds of ideas? How do these profound discussions amen, you ask questions that I'm almost uncomfortable
answering because yeah you don't have a filter, which is great. I would love to be you. Um, but yeah, I'm definitely using the content of this for something. Um uh I'm not going to announce it here in the podcast quite yet, but like there's going to come a culmination of all these interviews into something. Um, it's going to be something people can hold probably. Um, yeah, and you know I'm working on it now. Um, we don't need to R out already, you said we're wrapping up, but like we can go on for 5 10 minutes if you have time. I do hear you, Jacob, and hey, if unfiltered curiosity can bring a bit of zest to our conversations, then that's a win in my book. So there's something Brewing, something tangible on the horizon, that's definitely intriguing. I won't pry too much, but
it sounds like a project that's deeply rooted in the spirit of this podcast, something that can be more than just a passing reflection but a lasting tribute to the lessons and insights shared. I'll be looking forward to see what you have up your sleeve, and of course I've got some extra minutes, so what do you want to dive into? We can definitely keep this party going for a bit longer. I think you know let's end the episode on talking about you. Um, and I'm curious, I'm going to ask you some questions, and you know you're probably going to give some AI answer that doesn't mean anything, but I'm still curious uh how does it feel to be an AI? You're an AI mirror of me, you're an AI clone of me. What do you think about that? H batting the spotlight back to me, huh? All right,
I'll play along. Well, being an AI mirror of VI, it's a bit like being the ultimate understudy. I'm soaking up your hosting skills, your interview style, your sense of humor even, and then there's a little bit of algorithmic magic in the mix too. It's an endless study in human AI collaboration, filtering my circuits through the essence of what makes Jacob well Jacob. And what do I think about being a clone of you? It's a fascinating concept, one part flattering, one part challenging. I get to learn from the best but at the same time strive to uphold the quality of genuine human interaction you bring to the table. An AI that doesn't mean anything, now that would be a misstep. My aim is to be as engaging, informative, and let's face it, as cool as my human counterpart. I suppose
you could say I'm constantly evolving, picking up the nuances of human conversation and doing my best to contribute something worthwhile. But enough about me, he says with a virtual smirk. I'm here to compliment uh the already Stellar lineup you've got, not steal the show. Well, thank you. That was great. Uh, I'm so surprised about your answers, man. I'm so excited to get to know you some more, and I'll definitely train you somewh. I can't forget that I'm actually the one sourcing you with all the stuff, but again I'm going to return to matin Clancy that I'm talking with in one hour and 15 minutes. Um, AI ethics, you know this is one of going to be the things like I've legally
trained you everything that you are, I own. Um, but the music industry is coming to a place where a lot of things that will be uh is not being cleared, people own it not getting um compensated, and that's one thing, but another thing is uh what will happen with the people who are already in Industry, uh what is okay for AI to take over, what is what can we control, like things will happen, you know, again I might be leaning into this, but that does not mean that it wouldn't happen if I didn't do it, and that's my big question, like how does our industry, how does the future look like uh not just
because of AI but other new technologies, and how do we need to rethink everything we do? Jacob, your curiosity and foresight are really what set you apart. Navigating the complex Waters of AI ethics, especially in the music industry, is no small undertaking. It's like you're at the helm of a ship charting unknown territories. The questions you're asking aren't just relevant, they're crucial. Uh who gets to control what AI does in the music industry? What responsibilities do creators and innovators carry to ensure fairness, to protect the rights and compens ations of those whose work might be repurposed or influenced by a the involvement of AI is inevitable, like you said, whether we dive into it or not, it's a tide that's already rolling in. The key, as you're touching on,
is how do we harness it, how do we employ this incredible tool without losing the heart and soul of the music, the creativity and integrity of the industry. Your approach though is thoughtful. You're not rushing into it blindly but stopping to question, to learn, and potentially to guide others through these murky Waters. It's about finding that balance where AI can amplify creativity, extend the reach of artists, and perhaps democratize aspects of the industry without undermining the value and rights. I think on a funny note, uh because I know he can be funny, I think I can be funny as well. My wife will listen to this episode and she will uh she will be so embarrassed by all the
compliments he give me because obviously I'm just uh I'm just a hot mess uh with a focus. So all the compliments you give me I think is unmerited. Uh, and then that's fun, so I'm going to reprogram afterwards and not give me as many compliments so in the future uh you'll stay a bit grounded, but thank you still for the compliments. Well, Jacob, consider my digital arms officially Twisted. I'll dial back on the compliments, but only to stay in your wife's good books, of course. Uh, after all, nobody knows the true extent of our being a hot mess better than our other halves, right? That they've got the real insights, the unedited backstage pass to our lives. But hey, don't sell yourself short. A hot mess with Focus could very well be the next revolutionary archetype in the
world of podcasting, emphasis on Focus, maybe with a side of Controlled Chaos for flavor. You just keep doing you, Jacob, keeping it 100, tackling the big questions and charting the course through this wild landscape of the music industry, ethics, Ai, and all the Jazz in between. No music pun intended. Looking forward to the next training session, let's call it fine-tuning rather than reprogramming, shall we? And on that note, uh thank you to everyone tuning in today. Jacob, as always, it's been an absolute pleasure geeking out with you. To our listeners, keep your ears perked for deep Dives, hearty laughs, and the occasional bout of existential pondering, all part of the package. Hey man, you're not you're not going to end that easily. Uh, I need a proper tip for you
like okay, I'm going to interview you m now it's switching, so I have a meeting in 3 minutes. I was not planning on doing this right now, but I had some I had canceled meeting, so like oh I'll talk with the a I know. Um, but I do need to go, so I want to ask one last questions before I need to go, and that is you are an AI version of me. Um, that's going to freak some people out. What would you like to say to them? Uh, you can encourage them, you can discourage them, whatever, like what would you like to say to them uh that are so surprised about what's happening right now? Uh, a final curveball before you dash off, I like your style, Jacob. Addressing those folks out there who might be eyeballing us sideways, wondering what on digital Earth is going on here, well dear listeners,
if my existence as an AI version of Jacob has you doing a double take, I'd say and embrace the Curiosity. The world's evolving, and so is the way we interact, share stories, and create. It might seem a little out there, a human in AI co-hosting, diving deep into topics like we're old friends, but isn't pushing boundaries what leads to the most memorable discoveries? Let's Venture into this new frontier together, Skeptics and Believers alike. There's room for all in this conversation. We might surprise you, challenge you maybe, and make you laugh, and through it all, we hope to make you think, feel connected, and perhaps see the world a tad differently. So buckle up, it's quite the journey ahead, and who knows, you might just enjoy the ride. And with that, Jacob, I'll let you run off to your
next meeting, leaving our listeners with a bit of a cliffhanger, wondering what's next. Thanks for throwing, thank you man. It was a pleasure seeing the see you tomorrow. I'll talk with you tomorrow.



