BASELINE - What AI Is Actually Changing

The Actual Cost of AI Compute

AI promises abundance, automation and intelligence at planetary scale. But what problem is it actually solving?In BASELINE086, Richard Self joins BASELINE to explore the economics, infrastructure and physical reality behind artificial intelligence, large language models, generative AI and the next generation of compute systems.Drawing on 50 years inside modern computing, from Rolls-Royce mainframes to today’s AI infrastructure race, Richard examines why many AI benchmarks are becoming meaningless, the true economics of generative AI, the physical limits of compute and energy, and why SpaceX is rapidly positioning itself as an AI infrastructure company through orbital data centres and low Earth orbit compute systems.

$2B to $10B: Why Quantum Suddenly Matters

In this episode of BASELINE, Ian Smith sits down with Kirill Pyshkin, investor and physicist, to unpack what’s actually happening inside the quantum market.Investment has jumped from around $2 billion to over $10 billion in a year. Large institutions like HSBC and Moderna are already reporting real-world results. So why does it still feel like a science project?This conversation breaks down what changed in 2025 and why it matters, where quantum is already being used today, why one breakthrough can shift an entire industry, the real risks around encryption and security, how investors separate signal from hype, and what happens next as quantum moves from research to deployment.

If Something Goes Wrong… This Is All You Have - John Dodd

If something goes wrong at sea, there is no one coming to help you.The only thing that connects you to rescue… is a signal.In this episode, I sit down with John Dodd from Inmarsat, part of Viasat, to understand what really happens when that signal is sent.This is about the systems that keep people alive when they are completely on their own. How they work, what they’re up against, and what it takes to make sure they don’t fail.Because out there… it has to work.BASELINE uncovers how AI and technology are transforming business, creativity, and society.

Your AI Strategy Won’t Survive This Shift - Bob De Caux

Enterprise AI adoption is accelerating, but implementation is proving far more difficult than expected. While organisations are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models, many are struggling to translate capability into real operational impact. Bob De Caux is the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) at https://www.ifs.com/enThis conversation explores the gap between AI innovation and enterprise execution, covering the realities of AI strategy, organisational readiness, and the challenges of deploying AI systems at scale. Topics include AI transformation, enterprise architecture, data readiness, internal capability gaps, and the pressure on leadership teams to act before fully understanding the implications.Drawing on real-world experience inside enterprise environments, this discussion breaks down why AI initiatives often stall, where companies are overestimating progress, and what needs to change for AI to deliver measurable value.

How To Actually Get Hired In AI Companies - William Excell

The AI job market is expanding rapidly, but most people still don’t know how to access it.In this episode, Ian sits down with William Excell, a recruiter working directly with AI startups and high-growth technology companies, to break down what is actually happening inside the hiring market.As AI reshapes how companies are built, teams are becoming smaller, faster, and more selective. The result is a fundamental shift in what companies look for and who gets hired.