In this enlightening episode, Oliver is joined by Mike McTear, Emeritus Professor at Ulster University to delve into the evolving world of Conversational AI and its broader implications. With a career spanning over two decades in the field of spoken and conversational dialogue systems, Mike offers an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience. As he nears the completion of his upcoming book, set for release in early 2024, he shares his insights on ethical considerations, advancements in foundational models, and the future trajectory of large language models in both academia and industry.  The conversation also touches upon the rapidly changing landscape of AI technology, highlighting recent developments at OpenAI and significant industry shifts. Mike’s expertise shines as he discussed the practical applications and challenges of implementing these technologies in various sectors including customer experience and mental health support. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the current state and future potential of Conversational AI, straight from a seasoned expert in the field.   Please note the book mentioned in this episode, which Mike is co-authoring is launching in February 2024. It’s called: ‘Transforming Conversational AI: Exploring the Power of Large Language Models in Interactive Conversational Agents and can be pre-ordered on Amazon via this link - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transforming-Conversational-AI-Exploring-Interactive/dp/B0CN2GY3Q6/ref=sr_1_1