Historically, we've relied on government and the public sector to regulate the development of society-altering technologies, radio, telephone, automobiles, air travel, broadcast, internet have all come under the slow but steady oversight of the public sector. Even social media is being scrutinized and regions like Australia are beginning to legislate age limits for access.

Artificial intelligence is a different animal and it's moving at an exponential rate of development. It also promises radical social and cultural change from eliminating entire workforces; to shifting global power centers; consolidating wealth; and creating scientific fiction inspiring potentials. AI promises tectonic shifts in healthcare, human thriving, science, energy, economic output, social equity, and more. How can we navigate a future with such wide ranging potentials? Is government able to regulate at this pace of change? Should we, what about in regions like the US where all regulation of AI is being intentionally sidestepped? Is legislation even the right construct for dealing with the future of AI?

Enter the AI collective, a global gathering of civil society, including individuals, researchers, investors, and operators. The AI Collective is a fast growing, nonprofit, grassroots community still in its early days, but already 200,000 members strong with more than 300 organizers and operating on every continent except Antarctica. And that's just as of this recording date. They boast a relationship with almost every major AI and tech organization you can think of.

Today we're gonna talk to two of the founding leadership team from the AI Collective, AJ Green, Founding Director of Growth, and Catherine McMillan, Founding Director.

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Guest Information

The AI Collective Website | LinkedIn

Catherine McMillan, Founding Director | LinkedIn

AJ Green, Founding Director (Growth) | LinkedIn

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On this episode of The 311 Podcast, Paul, Catherine, and AJ chat about:

• Welcome to Season 3
• Introduction to the AI Collective
• AJ Green's Journey to the AI Collective
• Catherine McMillan's Path to the AI Collective
• Diverse Team and High Agency
• Corporate Partnerships and Community Trust
• Manis Event: A Case of Perfect Timing
• The Role of AI Collective
• Moonshots & the Secret Sauce Ahead
•  Final Thoughts from Paul

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Bonus Resources for Stuff We Talked About:

• Edelman Trust Barometer

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Recorded in January 2026

This is a show about the people that make digital public service work. If you'd like to find out more, visit the311podcast.com

We're going to keep having conversations like this. If you've got ideas of guests we should speak to, send us an email to info@the311podcast.com