TechFirst with John Koetsier

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier talks to Dan Hollenkamp, the CEO of Toggled, about the future of smart buildings in 2024. They discuss the difference between devices that are smart and just remote controllable, the continuous improvement in building systems, and emphasize on the usage of data for smart devices. Dan sheds light on how buildings should assist in facilitating our tasks, be predictive, and become an active member of the grid to help stabilize the energy demand. They also discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in smart buildings, the idea of buildings moving from energy consumers to energy load managers, and the impact of work from home and return to the office on smart buildings. Join them as they delve into the evolving world of smart buildings and their part in our future. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:13 The Future of Smart Buildings 02:23 Understanding Smart Devices vs. Remote Controllable Devices 02:43 The Role of Data in Smart Buildings 09:36 The Impact of Work from Home on Smart Buildings 11:45 Buildings as Energy Load Managers 15:54 The Role of AI in Smart Buildings 21:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Guest Rolf Illenberger, founder & CEO of VR Direct, joins host John Koetsier to discuss the inflection point of VR in 2024, the role of different VR headsets including Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest Pro, the challenges and opportunities of VR in consumer and enterprise markets, and the intersection of VR and AI. Illenberger predicts that by the end of 2024, every enterprise will need a VR strategy.

Princess Wangchuk discusses establishing an AI center in Bhutan to bring 'Ancient Wisdom & Ethics' to AI. Topics include AI and drones in the US military, AI in agriculture and transportation, AI applications in elder care and renewable energy, and the challenges and opportunities of AI infrastructure in Bhutan.

Are you ready to dive into the emerging world of robot coworkers? In this video, originally recorded at Web Summit in Lisbon, I chat with special guest David Reger, CEO of Neura Robotics. We chat about what it will be like to work with robots, how we can ensure robots don't kill us (as is happening now, occasionally), and what will change about work and us in the process. We talk about: Working with Robots: A New Frontier The Future of Robot Partnerships Impacts on Different Industries Ensuring Safety and Trust The Role of AI in Human-Robot Interaction Transforming Work and Embracing Automation The Importance of Fairness and Equity Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier explores the global transition from traditional coil and magnet speakers to solid-state semiconductor alternatives with Mike Householder, a VP at XMEMS. The discussion includes the history of the speaker, the advantages of using solid-state semiconductors, and the future vision for sound technology. Mike also makes a big product announcement and provides insight into how his innovative technology will improve audio quality and enhance sound experiences in various devices like earbuds, phones, and home theaters. 00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of Sound Technology 00:31 The Limitations of Current Sound Technology 00:40 Introducing a New Silicon-Based Sound Technology 00:49 Interview with Mike Householder from XMEMS 01:12 Understanding the Old Tech: Coil and Magnet Speakers 03:08 The Advantages of Solid State Components 05:20 The Benefits of the New Tech for Manufacturers and Consumers 07:58 The Unique Sound Signature of the New Tech 16:32 The Path to Market Dominance and Upcoming Product Announcements 20:47 The Future of Sound Technology: Beyond Personal Audio 24:25 The Science Behind Ultrasonic Amplitude Modulation 30:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of TechFirst, host Jon Koetsier welcomes Emmy award-winning XR director Michaela Ternasky-Holland to delve into the world of immersive storytelling through technologies such as virtual reality (VR). Using her VR documentary project, On the Morning You Wake, as a case study, Michaela explains how the deeply immersive nature of VR can change the audience's perception of a global threat - nuclear weapons. She compares the engagement and impact of VR experiences to traditional 2D experiences, highlighting how the narrative and the audience's sense of agency play key roles in creating quality engagement. The discussion further explores the future of immersive storytelling, addressing their potential and challenges in the technology field. 00:01 Introduction and Context 00:34 Guest Introduction: Michaela Ternasky Holland 00:56 The Role of Technology in Storytelling 01:13 Discussing the Project: On the Morning You Wake 05:18 The Impact of VR on Audience Engagement 05:40 Challenges and Solutions in VR Accessibility 08:07 The Emotional Impact of VR Storytelling 10:55 The Future of VR and Storytelling 12:04 The Role of Research in VR Storytelling 19:07 The Intersection of VR and Gaming 21:30 The Ultimate Expression of Storytelling in VR 25:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

It all started with a stolen car. In 1983 Chicago resident David Meilahn's car was stolen. He bought a new one, a Mercedes Benz 280SL 2-seater. But then he needed to replace his old radio-phone ... and the sales rep told him there was something new: a cellular phone. He was one of the first few to be selected, then won a race to place the very first commercial cell phone call, which ended up being from Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, to Alexander Graham Bell's grand-daughter in Germany. This is his story, along with the story of Stuart Tararone, the AT&T engineer who helped build that system and still works for the company to this day.

Generative AI is being used by NASA to accelerate complex tasks, reducing weeks of work to days. It can enhance data querying, improve enterprise knowledge management, and provide access to all data using natural language. Challenges in managing and modernizing financial data systems are discussed, with a focus on reducing hallucinations with the help of generative AI.

How will generative AI impact work? And why are smaller companies adopting generative AI more than enterprises? Generative AI is almost literally exploding: there are so many possibilities. But how is it changing work and business? Recently GBK Collective, a consultancy founded by top academics at Wharton, studied 672 businesses in the US with annual sales over $50 million In this TechFirst we're chatting with 2 of the authors to get a sneak peek into what they learned: - Dr. Stefano Puntoni, Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School and Co-Director of AI at Wharton - Jeremy Korst, former Microsoft and T-Mobile exec, now President of GBK Collective

Is equity, inclusion, and diversity in AI a solved problem? I’ve written a lot of stories lately about AI. AI is critical to our future of automation ... robots ... relf-driving cars ... drones ... and … everything: smart homes, smart factories, safety & security, environmental protection and restoration. A few years ago we heard constantly how various AI models weren’t trained on diverse populations of people, and how that created inherent bias in who they recognized, ho they thought should get a loan, or who might be dangerous. In other words, the biases in the people who create tech were manifesting in our tech. Is that solved? Is that over? To dive in, we’re joined by an award-winning couple: Stacey Wade and Dr. Dawn Wade. They run NIMBUS, a creative agency with clients like KFC and featuring celebs like Neon Deion Sanders.