Making Sense of AI 2gether with Soul Machine's CPO Darren Wilson

Episode: Soul Machines –Why These Digital Workers don't want your jobs From Hollywood CGI to digital coworkers: Claudine and Lisa sit down with Darren Wilson, Chief Product Officer at Soul Machines, to explore how expressive AI-driven “digital people” are reshaping the way we work, learn, and interact. Episode Summary In this episode, Claudine Wong and Lisa Bernard talk with Darren Wilson about the rise of agentic AI—digital workers with humanlike faces and emotional expression. Why they don't want your jobs, but how they are supposed to be your coach or GPS instead. Soul Machines began with CGI roots in films like Avatar and King Kong, then evolved into creating digital companions that can coach, train, and even empathize with users. Darren explains how these digital people can roleplay tough workplace conversations, ease customer frustration, and create safer, more natural interactions than chatbots alone. The trio also tackle questions of “creepy factor,” job displacement, and guardrails to prevent AI-human intimacy from going too far. Key Takeaways Beyond chatbots: Soul Machines builds AI-powered digital workers with expressive faces. Not replacing—enhancing: Digital people supplement human roles by handling tasks, coaching, and training. Empathy matters: Avatars read user emotions—mirroring concern, reassurance, or joy in real time. Guardrails in place: Avatars avoid inappropriate or overly intimate exchanges. From novelty to necessity: AI once felt like a party trick—now it’s shaping workplace learning, training, and customer support. 00:00 – Welcome & episode intro 01:52 – From chatbots to “agents” that actually do work 02:15 – Meet Darren Wilson, CPO at Soul Machines 02:49 – Are digital workers replacing humans? 04:00 – Conversational leaps: natural speech & empathy 05:54 – Soul Machines’ origins in CGI & film 08:58 – Building digital personas for travel, finance, and coaching 11:51 – Why faces matter: avoiding “uncanny valley” 15:41 – Designing empathy into AI 18:25 – Job shifts: evolution vs. elimination 21:20 – Guardrails & “do not date your chatbot” 25:25 – Fun detour: the “Black Superman” cocktail 26:30 – Darren practiced with an avatar before this podcast 27:55 – AI helps locate a missing hiker in the Alps 29:18 – Looking ahead: from movies to workplaces to robots Lisa Bernard (Demystify AI) Instagram: @demystifyai Claudine Wong Facebook & Instagram: @claudinewongktvu Youtube: ClaudineWongKTVU TikTok: @claudinektvu Timestamps & Highlights Memorable Quotes “Our goal at Soul Machines is to create a workforce that will supplement—not replace—the human workforce.” – Darren Wilson“If you’re looking angry, our avatars look concerned. If you smile, they smile back.” – Darren Wilson“Guardrails are important. Do not date your chatbot.” – Claudine Wong Guest Snapshot Darren Wilson is the Chief Product Officer at Soul Machines, a company creating digital people—AI-driven agents with expressive, humanlike faces. With roots in CGI and motion capture, Darren now leads innovation in making AI interactions more natural, empathic, and useful across industries from HR to customer experience. Connect With UsStay connected and join the AI conversation: What Now?Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Making Sense of AI 2gether wherever you listen. Drop us a thought: Would you feel comfortable practicing a tough conversation with a digital coworker? Connect with Darren Wilson and Soul Machines on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices