Arielle Friedman Is an AI Consultant with an Eye for the Human Side

Many futurists begin with a budding interest in machines and digital technology. But for Arielle Friedman, CEO of Alchemy Digital Advising, it began with a fascination for biology. As a university student, she was captivated by genetics, believing that the future of humanity lay in unraveling the secrets of life itself.

However, she grew unsettled by the ethical implications of what she learned. The power to manipulate human life could be dangerous, she decided, so she began to wonder how else humanity might progress and solve the problems of our time.

As she worked to answer this question, Arielle developed a new understanding of how natural and artificial intelligence relate.

How Two Minds Connect: Merging Human and AI Systems in Business and Entertainment

Arielle’s pivot toward AI presented her with a new set of philosophical questions. At the UBC, she pursued a degree in Cognitive Systems, where she studied the parallels between human thought and machine learning.

Arielle was interested in learning more about AI’s relationship with human cognition. She wanted to understand what it could and couldn't do and where the line between machine and mind could be found.

This question taps into a broad curiosity shared by many. Almost by accident, Arielle had turned herself into an expert consultant on AI cognition and its interactions with humanity.

Since then, Arielle has worked with over fifty companies on achieving their digital goals. She’s now working with the entertainment industry on crafting realistic portrayals of AI that can ask audiences challenging questions and offer meaningful possibilities.

Proposing an Ethical Future for AI

Arielle is consulting on the sci-fi thriller Serena, directed by Rob Alicea. An award-winning documentary screenwriter, Arielle is helping to ensure that the portrayal of AI is believably woven into a meaningful plotline.

The film explores questions of particular interest to Arielle, such as how humanity interacts with AI and the increasing trust placed in technology. Her belief in responsible technological advancement heavily influences her approach to the film.

As a student, reading Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle was a turning point, planting the idea that not all knowledge is inherently good. Arielle has kept this philosophical anchor close, advocating for a cautious and ethically driven approach to AI. She hopes humanity can boldly recognize and pursue AI's potential without losing sight of the risks.

This philosophy informs all of Arielle’s work, whether she advises companies on integrating AI or ensures that fictional depictions of technology don't lose sight of what is real. She hopes to expand this consulting work further into entertainment and help more productions incorporate AI in ways that elevate both storytelling and meaning.

In the meantime, Arielle continues sharing her thoughts on AI’s future through her substack, Analog Futures, where she writes about the field's complexities. Her article comparing the complexity of AI to the human mind would be an excellent place for a new reader to start.

Find more about her work there, or visit her consulting website to learn more about what she can bring to different projects.

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