TechMagic with Cathy Hackl

On this week's episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about Murderbot Diaries, a Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book series. Hackl and Kebler discuss the Figma Adobe merger failure. Hackl and Kebler talk about  Marriott Bonvoy Land in Fortnite and Asgard’s Wrath 2 in VR. OpenAI suspends ByteDance’s account. Kebler tries to break ChatGPT 4. Hackl and Kebler discuss Epic, Meta, and Unity joining the Alliance for OpenUSD. Hackl interviews Nick Vinckier, Director of Corporate Innovation at Chalhoub Group.Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe.Show Notes:Apple is adapting the Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book series MurderbotFigma and Adobe are abandoning our proposed mergerFortnite’s Marriott Bonvoy Land is a ghost town of video game sadnessVR’s killer app has finally arrived” - IGN gave it a perfect score and called it a masterpieceOpenAI suspends ByteDance’s account after it used GPT to train its own AI model.Alliance for OpenUSD Unveils Roadmap for Core USD Specification and Ecosystem CollaborationNick Vinckier on LinkedInThe hottest new climate technology is bricksSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Lydia Kostopoul, an expert in AI and historical preservation, joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of AI in preserving history. The EU becomes the first to enforce laws on AI, while AI's ability to communicate with the dead is explored. The success of the Fortnite x Lego collaboration and VR's popularity during the holiday season are also highlighted. Exciting upcoming topics include AI in education, mimicking dialects with AI, and emerging technologies in death and communication with the deceased.

Irena Cronin, Co-Founder & SVP of Product at DADOS Technology, joins Hackl to discuss games, musical avatars, and the ecological impact of generative AI. They talk about Kiss retiring and leaving music to their avatars, the environmental impact of generative AI prompts, and the Eminem Fortnite concert.

Hackl and Kebler discuss a possible Lego x Fortnite launch, gesture technology at AWS re:Invent, the importance of thumbnails in Fortnite Creative, and an article about women in AI. They also explore the impact of new creation technologies, like AI and gaming engines, on generative fandoms, as well as brand placement in games and the rise of AI influencers.

Over the weekend, Sam Altman was fired from OpenAI and a lot of tech news and tech drama unfolded over the last few days. Hackl and Kebler share their thoughts on OpenAI, Altman, and why the big losers of this news story are potentially the users. Hackl shares her first article published in the Harvard Business Review was just published and shares why it's about more than just mixed reality, it’s about the future of human-computer and human-to-human interaction, and yes, AI is at the core of Spatial Computing. The hosts also chat about Roblox’s latest virtual fashion report, and also how a TikTok makeup trend might be just a fad or could be the future. Hackl interviews Greg Kahn, CEO at GK Digital Ventures and President and CEO at Emerging Tech Exchange. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe. Show Notes:What Leaders Need to Know About Spatial Computing (by Cathy Hackl)A Wearable World (by Cathy Hackl & Lily Snyder)FIU and tech futurist Cathy Hackl announce the launch of Virtual Fashion Design Endowed ScholarshipRoblox’s 2023 Digital Expression, Fashion & Beauty Trends ReportTikTok Trend - makeup from the uncanny valleySwallowable device to track vital signsScientists invent micrometers-thin battery charged by saline solution that could power smart contact lensesSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about the Mac Pro Mini and developing for the Apple Vision Pro. Hackl attended the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards and why we’ll eventually see more people from tech at fashion events. The conversation of fashion and AI leads Hackl and Kebler to share their views of the Humane AI Pin released on November 9. Kebler is wary of voice control as the main control for technology devices. Hackl interviews Cynthia Miller, Head of Innovation at 11:11 media. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe. Key Highlights:1:00 - Podcast intro with co-host Lee Kebler.1:22 - What we did last week: Hackl talks about her time at the CDFA awards. Lee and Hackl discuss the Humane AI pin. Humane AI Pin, fad or future?17:00 - Should wearables be singular devices that do things very well? 18:00 - OpenAI Dev Day and GPTs.24:40 - Guest interview with Cynthia Miller, Head of Innovation at 11:11 Media44:00 - Dispatch from the Fringe47:45 - OutroShow Notes:CFDA AwardsHumane AI PinGeneral MagicCynthia Miller on LinkedInRats Use the Power of Imagination to Navigate and Move Objects in a VR LandscapeSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathy Hackl and guest host Lee Kebler are back with episode five of TechMagic, the show that dives deep into our tech futures and current tech and gaming news. In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about the new Beatles song made possible by machine learning. Hackl talks about playing video games with her kids. Hackl and Lee talk about Fortnite which released an OG map that generated 102 million hours of play and broke records. Zumba is coming to virtual reality and Kebler’s grievance with VR fitness subscriptions. Hackl interviews guest, Pico Velásquez, Founder and CEO of VIIRA Inc.Producer Lily Snyder comes back with the Dispatch from the Fringe. In this segment, Snyder shares the weirdest story in tech this week. VR is going to space!Key Highlights:1:00 - Podcast intro with co-host Lee Kebler.1:22 - What we did last week: Lee The Beatles released their final song, “Now and Then”. Used machine learning to separate vocals from old recorded tape. Cathy plays video games with her kids and the benefits of playing together and is getting ready to attend the CFDA Awards in NYC, one of the biggest nights in fashion. 13:01 - Fortnite and the gaming industry: Launched an original Fortnite map. 44.7 million players 102 million hours of play. 20 - Tech and Sports: Sports is evolving. Flag Football will be an Olympic sport. Zumba will be released on virtual reality. 29:13 - Guest interview: Cathy speaks with Pico Velásquez, Founder and CEO of VIIRA Inc.  56:29 - Architectural design in spatial computing. Keebler and Hackl talk about engineering design as a vertical for spatial computing.57:20 - Dispatch from the Fringe1:00 - 1:04:50 - OutroShow Notes:The Beatles SongWhy you should play video games with your kidsAs OG ‘Fortnite’ Breaks Records, ‘Call Of Duty’ Players Want Verdansk Or Blackout BackFlag football will be part of 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Here’s what to knowPico Velásquez on LinkedInHTC’s Vive Focus 3 has a new, far-out mission: astronaut mental healthSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathy Hackl and guest host Lee Kebler are back with the fourth episode of TechMagic, the show that dives deep into our tech futures and current tech and gaming news. In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about President Biden’s AI executive order and AI governance. They discuss Humane’s AI wearable that is to launch on November 9, ask ChatPGT questions about mental health and reminisce about Call of Duty which turned 20 this year. Marriott releases a map in Fortnite. Plus, which are a fad and which are the future?Hackl interviews guest, Ari Peralta, CEO of Arigami, about sensory design.Producer Lily Snyder comes back with the Dispatch from the Fringe. In this segment, Snyder shares the weirdest story in tech this week.Show Notes:Use the code TECHMAGIC30 for 30% off Adweek’s NexTech event.One AI Device to Rule Them AllBiden’s AI Executive OrderPeople are speaking with ChatGPT for hours, bringing 2013’s Her closer to realityCall of Duty turns 20Marriott Launches a Virtual City in FortnightWhat is Prenuvo? Ari Peralta on LinkedInArigamaRyanair in Roblox Hits 1 Million Virtual FightsSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about artificial intelligence in the music industry and the ethics of using lyrics to train AI. In a separate segment, they talk about Apple and AI.The discuss Hackl’s visit to The Sphere in Las Vegas for opening night and the gaming industry taking over The Sphere during TwitchCon. Plus, which are a fad and which are the future?Key Highlights:6:41 - 9:10 - What we did last week: Cathy visits The Sphere in Las Vegas. Lee attends the Augmented Enterprise Summit.  9:11 - 20:07 - AI and the music industry: The ethics behind using lyrics to train AI. Using AI artists to mimic real people and pushing the boundaries of musical innovation.    20:08 - 32:41 - The Vegas Sphere. The outside of The Sphere displayed ads for Microsoft and Sony during TwitchCon. Cathy gives us her first-hand account of seeing The Sphere on opening night. Can brands and artirts repurpose their Sphere content?32:42 - 38:34 - AI and Apple: Is Apple playing catch up on generative AI? Lee thinks so. Cathy thinks Apple is always one step ahead, they just don’t show their cards. 38:35 - 39:21 - Break  39:23 - 57:30 - Guest Interview with David Armano: Cathy interviews David Armano, Senior Director at Soul Machines about AI and Armano’s perspective on the future of work.57:43 1:00:50 - Dispatch from the Fringe with Producer Lily Snyder: Genetically modified silkworms produce bionic spider silk. It’s a spiderverse out there!1:00:51 - 1:03:18 - What Cathy and Lee are dressing up as for Halloween and the new FNAF movie. Show Notes:The Music’s First Reckoning with AIApple, caught by surprise in generative AI boom, to spend $1 billion per year to catch up: ReportInside Apple’s Big Plan to Bring Generative AI to All Its DevicesXbox and PlayStation battle it out at The Sphere David Armano on LinkedInSilkworms modified to make spider silkSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Futurist Faith Popcorn discusses AI and her work with brands. Topics include game development challenges, AI in fashion, and the future of wearable AI. They also explore the True Audience Data Marketplace, AI in Hollywood, and leveraging AI for multi-language communication. The conversation delves into brain-computer interfaces, the role of AI in solving global issues, and geopolitical tensions. Faith talks about guest appearances, Prince's technological advancements, and gaming visionaries.