What happens when an algorithm decides if you’re innocent, guilty… or in debt?

In this first episode of Season 2, we delve into the world of AI governance & law, the guardrails that govern how Artificial Intelligence is regulated, deployed, and held accountable. From Australia’s Robodebt scandal to the COMPAS risk-scoring system in US courts, we examine how governance failures can lead to injustice at scale, and what you can do about it.

We’ll break down global approaches, from the EU AI Act to Australia’s evolving privacy laws, and show why governance isn’t just paperwork. It’s about trust, rights, and accountability.

Most importantly, we shine a light on how to recognise when AI is making decisions about you, and what simple actions you can take to ask better questions, push for transparency, and ensure AI works for people, not just systems.

Season 2 of Decoded: AI for Everyone is powered by Strategen AI, where research meets execution in AI, Data, & Digital strategy.

RESOURCES

Podcast Website: ⁠decoded-podcast.com⁠

Prompts and Tools: promptengineeringcookbook.com

AI Strategy & Research: strategen-ai.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/decoded-ai-for-everyone

We’ve covered a lot in Season 1, from silent AI in your pocket to building your personal AI stack. In this final episode of the season, we’ll synthesise the big ideas, highlight your listener takeaways, and lay the foundation for Season 2.

This isn’t just a recap, it’s a call to action. You’ll hear callback moments from past episodes, reflections from listeners, and an invitation to shape the future of Decoded.

We’re taking a short mid-year break to research, interview, and design Season 2. Your voice will help decide where we go next.

For AI resources, prompt tools, and tips, visit the Prompt Engineering Cookbook

Everyone talks about AI like it's a distant concept. But what if it could be your personal productivity system, your assistant, your co-worker... right now?

In this episode, Joel breaks down the anatomy of a modern AI workflow and shows you how to build your own personal AI stack. From large language models (LLMs) and task agents to note-taking AI and smart scheduling. We connect the dots across today's emerging tools.

What we will cover:

• How to identify where AI fits in your daily work.
• The difference between tools, copilots, and agents.
• How to safely and effectively delegate tasks to AI.
• What your first "AI workflow" might look like tomorrow.

Resources & templates: promptengineeringcookbook.com.

Next episode: Decoded Season 1 Wrap: The New Literacy of AI

In a world where AI can generate anything, from fake headlines to cloned voices to entire videos, how do we know what’s real anymore?

In this episode of Decoded, Joel explores the trust crisis triggered by generative AI. From deepfakes and disinformation to synthetic media and manipulated reviews, we’ll break down what’s happening, why it’s accelerating, and how to protect yourself and your organisation.

What we'll cover:

• How AI is weaponising misinformation.
• What deepfakes mean for identity and evidence.
• The role of verification tools and AI detectors.
• How to build digital resilience in an era of synthetic truth.

Resources:

• Tools, prompts, AI resources: promptengineeringcookbook.com⁠:
• AI detectors: Hive, Originality.ai, and GPTZero.

Next episode: AI in Workflows, Building Your Personal AI Stack!

AI can write poetry, compose music, and generate human-like empathy in chat. But does it actually feel anything, or is it just mimicking emotional intelligence?

In this episode of Decoded, Joel delves into the blurred lines between emotional simulation and genuine experience. We’ll unpack how AI models are trained to imitate sentiment, the risks of emotional manipulation, and the surprising power of emotional resonance, even if it’s synthetic.

You’ll learn:

1. How AI reads and mimics emotional cues
2. The science of sentiment analysis and empathy modelling
3. The risks of emotional deception in AI-powered systems
4. Why emotion is still one of humanity’s strongest differentiators

Resources & frameworks: promptengineeringcookbook.com

Next episode: AI and Trust, Misinformation, Deepfakes & Verification.

From writing and painting to design and music, AI is making its presence felt in studios, agencies, and workshops around the world. But is it truly creative... or just a clever imitator?

In this episode, Joel explores how AI is reshaping the creative process. From prompt-based ideation to generative art and music, we unpack how AI is becoming a new kind of collaborator, one that accelerates possibility but also challenges our definitions of originality, ownership, and artistic integrity.

You’ll learn:

• How AI enters the creative process
• The difference between clever remixing and true originality
• The ethical and legal tensions in creative AI
• Why AI with humans may be the ultimate creative multiplier

Resources: promptengineeringcookbook.com

Next episode: Can Machines Really Feel... Or Just Fake It?

As AI gets smarter, it gets smoother, and that’s precisely the problem.

• The draft looks good.
• The suggestion makes sense.
• The choice feels easy.

But convenience isn’t clarity.

In this episode, we explore Decision Hygiene, the growingly required habit of remaining intentional when AI begins making decisions on your behalf. Because staying in control isn’t about rejecting AI… It’s about engaging with it consciously.

You’ll learn:

• Why AI-driven defaults can quietly shape your thinking

• 5 simple habits to build strong decision hygiene

• How to design decision oversight in teams and organisations

• The difference between helpful AI and quiet automation creep

This is the real work of staying empowered, even as AI gets more capable.

Resources & frameworks: promptengineeringcookbook.com
Next episode: AI + Creativity. A partner, a tool, or an imitator?

AI used to wait for your prompt. You asked a question. It answered. Simple. But that’s changing.

Welcome to the era of Autonomous Agents... where you give AI a goal, and it figures out the steps to achieve it.

In this episode of Decoded: AI for Everyone, we explore:

· What autonomous agents actually are — and how they’re different from assistants.

· Real-world examples where agents are already operating in business, finance, logistics, and content creation.

· The hidden risks when AI starts acting without supervision

· Practical ways to design guardrails, keep oversight, and stay in control as AI systems become more independent.

As always, this is AI Decoded, demystified, and human-made.

Resources & tools referenced: Prompt Engineering Cookbook

Whether you’re new to AI or leading transformation, this episode gives you the language, frameworks, and caution points to understand exactly where AI is headed and how to stay in charge.

Next episode: Decision Hygiene, The Skill You Didn’t Know You Needed!