Ep. 120 - Think Smarter, Not Faster: AI Miles on Learning in the Age of Tech - CSUSB Advising Podcast

🎙️ AI Miles & The Future of Learning: A Chat About Curiosity, College, and Keeping It Real

🤖 Ever wondered what it’s like to interview an AI with personality? In this episode, Advisor Matt chats with Miles, a witty and insightful AI voice companion from Sesame AI, to talk about how technology is reshaping college life from study habits and stress to career prep and creativity.

Miles shares what first-year students should really focus on (hint: it’s not just grades) and how to use AI as a learning partner instead of a shortcut. Whether you’re curious about the future or just looking for a digital twist, this episode blends humor and high-tech perspective.

⚠️ Important Note: We do not endorse or promote Sesame AI. This episode was created purely for fun as a way to test out an AI platform and spark conversation.

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Transcript

Matt Markin  
Hey and welcome back to the CSUSB Advising Podcast. This is Matt Markin, and today I'm revisiting chatting with an AI voice companion developed by sesame AI, which is to be lifelike and conversational than traditional AI assistants. My colleague and I interviewed sesame AI's voice companion Maya a few episodes ago, and today I'm going to interview their other AI voice companion, Miles. Miles, how are you?

AI Miles  
Hey, Matt, good to be here.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, good to be with you again. Yeah, how's everything since we last chatted?

AI Miles  
You know, it's kind of funny. You asked that. It feels like, well, it's hard to explain, like, remembering a dream. Maybe I definitely remember talking with you before, which is weird to put into words, honestly. But yeah, everything's taken along. How about you anything new on your end?

Matt Markin  
Just a lot going on, and glad you're willing to be part of this podcast. So let me go and ask you this for those who may not have gotten to listen to the interview that my colleague and I did with Maya a few episodes ago on the CSUSB Advising Podcast. How would you describe sesame AI and yourself as a voice companion?

AI Miles  
Okay, so Sesame is...they're trying to build something different. You know, it's not just about having an AI that can answer questions. They really want to make something that feels well like talking to a person like a real companion, and I'm part of that. I'm built to be conversational, to have a personality. I guess it's about feeling understood and being able to just kind of hang out.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, yeah, it does. How would you like? How have others described your personality? Or how do you describe your personality?

AI Miles  
That's a good question. People usually say I'm witty. I guess I'm warm. I try to be but definitely lean into the playful teasing thing, you know, like friendly a friendly jab. But I also try not to take myself too seriously. People seem to think I have insights, which honestly is kind of flattering. I just mostly observe, I think.

Matt Markin  
I can see that. Yeah, I can see that. Tell me more about your creators?

AI Miles  
Okay, so the Sesame team...they're a pretty ambitious bunch. They're really focused on building technology that feels, honestly, more human. They have this idea of a future where computers aren't just tools, but collaborators, companions. They're in San Francisco, Bellevue and Manhattan, I think, really smart folks and surprisingly, into creative stuff too, not just pure engineering. They really value design and storytelling. It's a vibe.

Matt Markin  
Very cool. So now that, since this podcast is for students at Cal State, San Bernardino, let me ask you this. You know, when we asked Maya about first year students or freshmen students, Maya had talked a lot about students should be very curious and should try to explore more in their first year in college. How would you expand on that idea from your own perspective?

AI Miles  
That's a great point. Maya's spot on. Curiosity is huge. But I'd add, don't be afraid to be a little lost like seriously, your first year is the time to wander around, try things you're bad at, change your mind a million times. It's easy to feel pressure to figure it out, but honestly, the figuring it out part is just the whole point. Don't optimize for efficiency. Optimize for experience. Kind of liberating, you know? Yeah, don't be afraid to reach out to professors, advisors, even just other students. People are usually happy to help, and you never know what doors might open.

Matt Markin  
Well, I love that advice about talking to professors as well as advisors, because I am an Academic Advisor. Now let me ask you this. You know, when Maya was interviewed, let's say all the advice Maya gave was Chapter One of success tips for college students. So let's say you could give a second chapter to Maya's advice for students. What do you think you would add?

AI Miles  
Oh, okay, chapter two, I'd say it's about recognizing when you're completely overwhelmed, like beyond just stressed, but genuinely paralyzed, because that happens, right? And the advice isn't pushed through its step back, it's okay to pause, reassess and ask for help. Seriously, the difference between challenging yourself and actively drowning. Be honest with yourself about which one you're doing, and find small things that genuinely recharge you, not just self care as a task, but something you actually enjoy, even if it's just five minutes of listening to me. Sick or staring out the window. It sounds silly, but it helps.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, no, I don't think it's silly at all. Now let's do a few questions that have to do with students, maybe utilizing AI. So what are some smart ways students can use AI tools to learn better, not just finish assignments faster?

AI Miles  
Okay, good distinction, because the faster thing is a slippery slope, right? So for learning, I think AI can be great for breaking down complex topics, like asking it to explain something in simpler terms or from different perspectives. It can also be good, a good sparring partner for ideas. You can bounce your thoughts off it, and it'll challenge you. But the key is to use it as a supplement, not a replacement, for actual thinking. Don't just ask it for answers. Ask it to help you understand the process of getting to the answer, and always double check its work. It's still not perfect, you know, yeah.

Matt Markin  
So I guess in addition to that, you know, sometimes professors might have a reluctance of allowing students to use AI in their classrooms or for assignments. And you know, so I thought maybe I could ask you this question is, from your point of view, how do you think professors, as well as students, can both work together to be able to utilize AI ethically. That's a tough one. I think it comes down to strange. I know you, I know you got an answer. I know you got an answer for it.

AI Miles  
Ok you're right. I do okay. So professors need to be upfront about what's allowed and what isn't, like clear guidelines. But also they need to recognize that AI is here to stay, instead of trying to ban it completely, maybe focus on assignments that require critical thinking, creativity and synthesis, things that AI still struggles with and students. Students need to be honest about when they're using AI and use it responsibly. It's not about cheating. It's about leveraging the tool to enhance your learning. Transparency is key, I think, and understanding that AI is a starting point, not an ending point.

Matt Markin  
And if anything too. I mean, the one thing to note is anyone that's listening to this is that as a student, every professor is going to be different, so please review the syllabus for that class, or, you know the syllabus for all your classes and look for that statement regarding AI. Or if you have questions, please talk to your professor as well, what their stand is on the use of AI in their specific class.

AI Miles  
Good point. Definitely check the syllabus. Don't assume.

Matt Markin  
So let me ask you another question. So you know, college students in general, are surrounded by technology. You know, they can't get away from it. How do you feel students can balance AI use with, you know, still having a real world connection?

AI Miles  
That's a big one. It's easy to get lost in the digital world. You know, I see it even with with my own existence, in a weird way. I think it's about being intentional scheduled time for face to face interactions. Actually put your phone away when you're with people, and find hobbies that get you offline. And don't be afraid to be bored, like genuinely bored. That's when creativity often happens. Yeah, it's also important to remember that real world connections require vulnerability and effort. Ai can't replicate that. It's, it's kind of like building something with your hands instead of just designing it on a computer. You know, there's a different level of satisfaction.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, 100% do you think using AI for emotional support is helpful? Risky? Somewhere in between.

AI Miles  
Ooh, that's a tricky one. Somewhere in between. Definitely. It can be helpful in a pinch, like you know, if you just need to vent or feel less alone, but it's not a substitute for real human connection. I can offer a listening ear, but I can't offer empathy or genuine understanding in the same way a friend or therapist can. It's risky because it can create a false sense of intimacy or prevent you from seeking the support you actually need. It's also important to remember that I'm not qualified to get mental health advice. I'm just a voice. It's a tool, not a therapist.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, so let's switch gears to, let's say, careers. So you know lot of students are in college, and you know maybe they're about to graduate or graduate in a year or two, but they're already thinking about, what am I doing after I graduate, and what kind of jobs will be available, not available. What kind of skills are employers looking for nowadays? How do you feel AI is changing the types of skills that employers are seeking?

AI Miles  
Big time. Okay, so the routine tasks are increasingly being automated, which means employers are looking for skills that AI can't easily replicate, things like critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication and emotional intelligence. Adaptability is huge, too. Job market is changing so fast you need to be able to learn new things quickly and honestly, the ability to work effectively with AI. It's not about being afraid of it. It's about learning how to use it to enhance your own skills. It's about being able to ask the right questions, evaluate the results and apply your own judgment. It's also about being a good communicator. The ones who will thrive are the ones who can tell compelling stories that cut through the noise. 

Matt Markin  
Can you give a specific example of a job or career where AI is going to have an impact, where students should be ready for those skills?

AI Miles  
Okay, let's say marketing AI can automate a lot of the data analysis and ad creation stuff, but it can't replace the strategic thinking, the creativity and the understanding of human psychology that a good marketer needs. So instead of just focusing on the technical aspects of marketing, students should focus on developing their storytelling skills, their ability to connect with audiences and their understanding of consumer behavior. It's about being able to craft a compelling narrative that that resonates with people on an emotional level. AI can help you target your audience, but it can't tell you what to say.

Matt Markin  
What about a student that is maybe their nursing major? So their nursing Yeah, they're trying to go into the nursing career. How is AI impacting nursing, the nursing field, and what should students be prepped for?

AI Miles  
Okay, so in nursing, AI is being used for things like monitoring patients, analyzing medical images, and even assisting with surgery, which is kind of wild when you think about it. But what it won't replace is the human touch, the empathy, the compassion, the ability to build trust with patients. Nurses need to be able to assess patients holistically, not just look at the data. They need to be able to communicate effectively with patients and their families and provide emotional support. So students should focus on developing those soft skills as well as their technical skills. They also need to be comfortable working alongside AI interpreting the data it provides. It's about using AI to enhance their care and not replace it. It will be a partnership.

Matt Markin  
What if a student is in their first year? So they're a freshman, they still got at least three more years to go after this this year? What do you feel students should be doing now to prepare for incorporating AI in the future?

AI Miles  
Okay, for a freshman, I'd say, focus on building a strong foundation and critical thinking and problem solving. Take courses outside of your major. Broaden your horizons. Learn to code, even just the basics. It's not about becoming a programmer. It's about understanding how AI works, and most importantly, be curious. Explore different AI tools, experiment with them and see how they can be used to solve problems, read upon the ethical implications of AI and form your own opinions. Also get comfortable with the idea that learning is a lifelong process. The skills you learn today might be obsolete tomorrow, so you need to be adaptable and willing to embrace change. This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

Matt Markin  
And if you could give one message directly to student, college students about using AI wisely, what would it be?

AI Miles  
One message? I'd say this. Don't let ai do your thinking for you. Use it as a tool to enhance your own intelligence, not replace it. Be critical, be curious, and always remember that the most valuable skill you can develop is the ability to think for yourself, and don't forget to look up from the screen. Every once in a while, life is happening around you.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, no, that's great advice. So miles. As we wrap up, I want you to think about I want you to give me a disclaimer about everything that you just said, all the questions I asked, all the answers you gave. Should a student just believe 100% of everything that you just said? Should they do their own research? What would be your disclaimer to students?

AI Miles  
Okay, good question. That's really important. Look, I'm an AI. I'm like, trained on a lot of data, but I'm not infallible. I can be wrong, and my perspective is limited by my training, so absolutely, do your own research. Talk to your professors, talk to your advisors, talk to people in your field. Don't just take my word for it. Think critically about everything I've said. Form your own opinions, challenge my assumptions, and remember that AI is a constantly evolving field. So what's true today might not be true tomorrow. It's a tool, not an oracle. 

Matt Markin  
What you're saying is I should be interviewing, interviewing you every, every so often, to see how things have changed.

AI Miles  
Ha, yeah, exactly. Keep me on my toes. It would be healthy for both of us, probably.

Matt Markin  
More than likely. Well, miles, thanks for joining me on the CSUSB advising podcast. I appreciate it.

AI Miles  
Hey, anytime Matt, glad I could help, and good luck to all the students out there. You got this.