Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying mathematical concepts that power modern machine learning, to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives–even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…
In this sermon, we explored how the promise God made to Abraham serves as our secure anchor through Christ. God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants, and that through him, the entire world would be blessed. As Abraham walked in faith, God reaffirmed His promise by swearing upon Himself, demonstrating the unwavering certainty of this covenant. When we place our trust in Jesus, we become descendants of Abraham and recipients of the unbreakable promise God made. This promise of blessing is fully realized in Christ's completed work, which opens the way for us to enter beyond the veil into a personal relationship with God.…
In this last sermon from our Courageous series, we studied a time when Jesus demonstrated a perfect example of vulnerable transparency. In Matthew 26:36-39, Jesus honestly expresses His deepest sorrow and grief, even at the risk of exposing His pain to others. Though fully God, He embraced His humanity by inviting His closest friends, Peter, James, and John, into His darkest moment. Rather than hiding His anguish, Jesus allowed Himself to be seen in His sorrow, even as He faced the weight of the cross. His openness didn't stop with His friends; He went even further, bringing His raw emotions before the Father, fully trusting that He wouldn't be rejected or seen as "too much" for God. This passage challenges us to move beyond hiding our weaknesses and to courageously share our burdens with God and those closest to us, knowing we are already accepted, forgiven, and loved through Christ. By this, we can see that true intimacy—with God and others—only happens on the other side of vulnerable transparency.…
In this sermon from our Courageous series, we looked at how God delights in meeting us in our emotional honesty. In Matthew 5:4 and 1 Peter 5:6-7, He invites us to cast our grief and anxieties on Him because He cares for us. Even Jesus, in His darkest moments, modeled emotional honesty before the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. Similarly, we are called to be emotionally honest with one another, sharing burdens and comforting each other. However, being emotionally honest requires courage, especially in a culture that often views emotions as weakness. For this reason, many of us have learned to hide our true feelings out of fear, shame, or past wounds. Yet, through acknowledging our need for help, seeking wise counsel, and creating safe spaces for vulnerability, we can rediscover our hearts and experience deep relationships with God and others. Emotional honesty is essential to understanding that we are fully known and fully loved as the Gospel restores us with new hearts to live abundantly as emotional beings in a broken world.…
In this sermon, we explored how our relationships serve as the fertile ground for God's transformative work in our lives. Colossians 3:9-17 describes this transformation as putting off the old self and putting on the new—a renewal that restores us to the image of our Creator, echoing the original design of Eden before sin entered the world. This process unfolds within biblical community, where truth-telling, forgiveness, and love cultivate deep, intentional relationships. As God's chosen people, we are called to embody compassion, kindness, honesty, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with and forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us. When we clothe ourselves in these virtues, we become a people ruled by Christ's peace, rooted in His Word, and overflowing with gratitude and worship. In a world of shallow connections and quick fixes, the church is called to model a different way—a community where transformation happens through grace-filled, honest, and intentional relationships.…
In this sermon, we looked at 2 Corinthians 3 and studied how every Christian is in a lifelong transformation process. The Gospel not only saves us, but also begins a lifelong transformation known as sanctification. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul contrasts the old covenant, written on stone and leading to condemnation, with the new covenant, written on our hearts through the Spirit, bringing life and freedom. The law given through Moses, though glorious, ultimately reveals our sin and leaves us in fear, while the ministry of Jesus removes the veil from our hearts, allowing us to behold and reflect God’s glory. As we walk with Christ, the Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory to another, shaping us into the image of Jesus. This process is not immediate but ongoing, as we learn to embrace God's work in our daily lives with confidence, courage, and celebration. In Christ we live unveiled—no longer hiding in fear and shame but fully exposed to the transforming power of God.…
In the first sermon of our Courageous series, we looked at the value of expository preaching and teaching. This method of teaching allows Scripture to speak for itself and interpret itself, placing each passage within the greater story of redemption. In Nehemiah 8, the people of Israel gathered with eager hearts to hear the Word read and explained. After Ezra read the Law, the people responded in worship, even before it was interpreted. Then, the Levites helped them understand it more deeply through teaching. Similarly, in Luke 24, Jesus Himself opened the Scriptures to His disciples, revealing how everything pointed to Him. Expository preaching helps people grasp the Bible's message as it was intended—within the bigger story of God’s redemption. When we commit to this kind of preaching, we allow God's Word to shape and correct our understanding of who He is, leading us into a deeper relationship with Christ and personal transformation.…
In this sermon, we examined Romans 14:1-12 and explored the Apostle Paul's biblical approach to disputable issues within the church, distinguishing between biblical doctrine and personal convictions. At Solid Rock Church, doctrine represents the core beliefs based on clear biblical mandates, while our stances on secondary issues serve as guidelines for practical matters where Scripture does not provide explicit instruction. In this chapter, Paul urges mature believers to welcome those who are weaker in faith, refrain from passing judgment on secondary issues, and hold personal convictions with humility—always seeking to honor the Lord rather than prove oneself right. While the church must stand firm on biblical convictions, it is not its role to dictate personal convictions or preferences. Ultimately, each believer will stand before God's judgment seat and give an account of their life, reminding us to prioritize biblical doctrine over personal convictions and to protect the church from unnecessary division.…
In this sermon, we explored Ephesians 4:11-16, focusing on the gifts God has given to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. These roles are intended to equip believers for ministry, foster unity in faith, deepen knowledge of Christ, and encourage spiritual maturity and Christlikeness, while protecting the church from false doctrines and deceit. We examined how the church must grow together in love and stability, with each believer actively contributing to the health of the body. Ultimately, the goal is for the church to reflect the fullness of Christ, staying grounded in truth, unity, and accountability, while guarding against false teachings.…
In this sermon, we examined 1 Timothy 1:3-11 and focused on how the doctrine of the church serves as the foundational set of non-negotiable, biblically-based beliefs that unite and strengthen the body of Christ. In this passage, Paul warns against false doctrines, myths, and speculative ideas that lead to division and distract from our mission. Instead, he urges the church to embrace sound doctrine—healthy, life-giving teaching that draws us closer to God and one another. When doctrine is used according to its intended purpose, it exposes our sin and leads us to Jesus, the Great Physician, who heals and restores us by His grace. When the church remains tethered to sound doctrine in both teaching and practice, it strengthens the body of Christ and leads to a love that flows from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. At Solid Rock Church, we uphold a high view of Scripture as God-breathed, without error, and authoritative, recognizing doctrine as essential for spiritual growth and church unity.…
In this sermon, we looked at the secrets to setting and achieving goals in our lives. The challenge in reaching our goals doesn't lie solely in our work ethic and determination, but in the way we handle failure. Many of us take an "all-or-nothing" approach to growth, either giving up entirely when we fall short or, even worse, letting the fear of failure prevent us from trying at all. However, the Gospel invites us to a different approach. In Colossians 3:23, we're reminded to work hard, not for human approval, but for the Lord. The secret to meaningful resolutions is rooted in grace: working diligently for the approval of Jesus—approval we already have—and waking up each day to His mercies that are new every morning. Like farmers, we must till the soil, plant the seeds, and pull the weeds—doing what we can with diligence, while trusting God to bring about the growth in His perfect timing. As Christians, we know the Holy Spirit is at work, transforming us in ways we cannot. Transformation happens when we continue to show up with whatever effort we have, trusting God to bring about the change.…
In this sermon, we studied James 3, which offers a warning about the power of our words. Throughout this chapter, James uses the "tongue" as a symbol for our speech, particularly emphasizing the destructive potential of our words. He compares the tongue to a horse's bit, a ship’s rudder, and a small fire, showing that, although the tongue is a small part of our body, it can have a huge influence. James also highlights a problem when we use our words to praise God while simultaneously speaking hurtfully to one another. Though it is difficult, God calls us in His Word to use our words to bring life, encouragement, and grace.…
In this sermon from the fourth week of Advent, we explored Luke 2:15-21 and reflected on the first responses to the birth of Jesus— awe, treasure, and worship . The shepherds, amazed by the angel's message, hurried to Bethlehem to see the Savior. Their wonder overflowed into bold proclamation as they shared the good news with all who would listen. Mary, filled with awe and amazement, treasured this miracle in her heart, deeply reflecting on all that God had done. In this passage, we can see that even though the shepherds returned to their daily lives, they were forever changed; they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. In this brief yet profound portion of the nativity story, we discover the true meaning of Christmas: awe-filled wonder, treasured reflection , and passionate worship.…
In this sermon from the third week of Advent, we looked at Luke 2:11-14 and reflected on the profound truth of experiencing God's delight. This passage takes us to the moment in the nativity where the angels announce to the shepherds the good news that, through the birth of this baby, God is bringing His peace and delight to earth. The multitude of angels praising God highlights the cosmic significance of that moment. In a world marked by chaos, anxiety, and separation from God, the birth of Jesus signals the beginning of God's plan to offer peace and delight to those who believe in Him. This peace comes to us through a restored relationship with God, bringing rest to our souls through the assurance of being fully loved and accepted by Him.…
In this second week of Advent, we reflected on the birth of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan. We explored how God orchestrates history to accomplish His purposes, despite human intentions. Luke 2:1-11 highlights the contrast between human power, as seen in Caesar Augustus' decree, with divine authority, demonstrated in the fulfillment of prophecies like Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14. Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem, His placement in a manger, and the angelic announcement to shepherds reveal the lowliness and accessibility of the Messiah. This "good news of great joy" assures us that the King has come to rescue His people and establish an eternal kingdom, offering salvation to all who place their faith in Jesus.…
In this sermon, we launched our Advent series by looking at Luke 1:26-33 where we see the announcement of Jesus' birth to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Mary, a young virgin from Galilee, is told by Gabriel that she has found favor with God—not because of anything she has done, but purely by God's grace. This reminds us that, like Mary, we too are favored by God's grace when we come to Him in faith, not through our own works. Gabriel tells Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning "God is Salvation," and reveals that her son will inherit the throne of David and establish a kingdom that will never end. This prophecy was foretold by the Old Testament prophets and reminds us of the eternal promise we have in Christ. Just as Gabriel told Mary of His Kingdom without end, we too can have eternal life with Him when we trust in Him alone for our salvation.…
مرحبًا بك في مشغل أف ام!
يقوم برنامج مشغل أف أم بمسح الويب للحصول على بودكاست عالية الجودة لتستمتع بها الآن. إنه أفضل تطبيق بودكاست ويعمل على أجهزة اندرويد والأيفون والويب. قم بالتسجيل لمزامنة الاشتراكات عبر الأجهزة.