CRAFTED.

Here’s a jaunty debrief from PopTech, a notoriously hard conference to describe, that always features obscenely talented entrepreneurs and changemakers.In this episode, Kwaku Aning, Sarah Rose Siskind, and I share some of the great stories and great vibes from this year's conference, including:FetusGPT, Sarah’s madcap experiment to train an AI on everything her soon-to-be-born baby is hearing from inside the wombWhy Colossal Biosciences is de-extincting the dire wolf and other “charismatic animals” (dodos and woolly mammoths are in the works) — and why de-extinction is an important goal that will help us solve lots of other problems along the way“Shade-as-a-Service”, a new idea from climate champion, farmer, and entrepreneur Eben Bayer, the founder of MyForest Foods (maker of MyBacon, the top-selling non-meat bacon). The idea is to launch giant parasols into the atmosphere to cool the Earth below.Why Tibet and Taiwan are so key to the tech industry (not to mention global stability); Tibetan PM-in-Exile Lobsang Sangay was a speaker.How to make progress on what matters most to you, featuring a prioritization exercise from Deep Future inventor and investor Pablos HolmanFeatured Voices:Sarah Rose Siskind, science and comedy writer and the founder of Hello SciCom, a STEM communications agencyKwaku Aning, professional connector, founder/principal of RetroFuturism ConsultingDan Blumberg (me!), host of CRAFTED. and the founder of Modern Product Minds. HMU if you want to build something great. I love building from zero to one.And Pretty Please... Share with a friend! Word of mouth is how podcasts grow!Subscribe to the newsletter at crafted.fmShare your feedback! I’m experimenting with new episode formats and would love your feedback on this and other episodes. Email me: dan@modernproductminds.com or DM me on LinkedInSponsor the show? I’m actively speaking to potential sponsors for 2026 episodes. Let's talk! Get psyched!… There are some big updates to the show in 2026!

A quick debrief from Climate Week / UN General Assembly week, including: How seemingly normal everything felt, in spite of [...you know...] everythingAI will destroy the climate?AI will solve climate change? AI will kill us all? (If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies)A call for AI Red LinesThe UN takes action on AIA plea to “stay in the game” (even though it's hard)Joining me from New York are: Kwaku Aning, creates strategic partnerships that drive meaningful changeLendy Krantz, collaboration strategist, helps companies reimagine their operations in physical and virtual environmentsAnd you can join all three of us (hi, I’m your host Dan Blumberg!) from October 7-9th at PopTech in Washington DC. It’s a great conference and I’ll be interviewing many of the technologists and futurists who will be on stage for future episodes of the podcast. If you’d like a discount code, DM me on LinkedIn or email me: dan@modernproductminds.com 

What’s up with “the MIT study” that claims 95% of all AI pilots fail? Did anyone actually read it beyond the headline? (Dan did—and he has thoughts.)Also: the good, the bad, and the quietly dystopian side of putting AI in kids’ classrooms.And… are robots really the thing Melania should be worrying about? That’s just some of what Kwaku Aning, return guest and founder of Retrofuturism, and I get into on this very lively, very bubbly, and very uncrafted edition of CRAFTED.More new episodes—and a major update to the show—are coming soon. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app and get the newsletter at crafted.fm---Come hang with us at PopTechCome hang with us and see live recordings of CRAFTED., at PopTech! PopTech is a “curator of what’s next” and this will be my third time at the conference. I keep going back because I get new ideas, new inspiration, and really get to know the attendees and speakers. This year’s talk’s include “A possibilist’s guide to the future”, “AI: In service to human(ity),” “Vibe coding for human rights” and more. To see the full list of talks and speakers, see PopTech.org and if you’ve never been before and would like a discount, DM me on LinkedIn or email me: dan@modernproductminds.com ---Referenced in this episode:MIT study on AI profits rattles tech investors (Axios)Full 26-page MIT study (Scribd)AI Is a Money Trap (Ed Zitron)The Fever Dream of Imminent Superintelligence Is Finally Breaking (Gary Marcus in the NYTimes)How Chatbots and AI Are Already Transforming Kids’ Classrooms (Bloomberg)Alpha School – the “AI-Powered Private School”Melania Trump Has a Warning for Humanity: ‘The Robots Are Here’ (NYTimes)---Like this episode?You’ll also like my conversation with Khan Academy’s Chief Product & Learning Officer on what happens when AI becomes your tutor—and what it means for the future of learning.

 Software is eating the world, right? We've all heard this phrase by now, but inventor and investor Pablos Holman has something important to add: “The world can't eat software.”That’s why Pablos focuses on “deep tech”, i.e. how to invent new solutions to real world problems like energy, water, waste, construction, and sanitation. Pablos says we’re still mostly using version 1.0 technology for these fundamental systems, but recent advances, including AI and the ability to prototype and test in software, are enabling incredible innovation in hardware.Pablos has worked with Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and more. He's kind of a mad scientist and in this episode we’ll discuss things that sound like science fiction, but that Pablos says are coming soon, such as solar panels in outer space that can beam clean energy down to earth, autonomous cargo ships blown by the wind across the ocean, and tiny nuclear reactors buried a mile underground that power the world above. At Deep Future, Pablos is on a mission to solve the world's biggest problems, and he's hoping more people will make the jump that he did from software to hardware and into deep tech, because, as he says, “ all the people who've been building software their entire career, those are the ones who are going to save the world.”—Chapters02:25 Deep tech and why it’s so important05:56 How Pablos became an inventor07:44 Getting Blue Origin off the ground11:35 Running an invention lab at Intellectual Ventures13:40 Why solar panels in space will soon power Earth16:46 Why all problems are energy problems21:33 Better nuclear reactors are coming28:25 How rapid iteration in software enables better hardware31:35 An appeal to software people to get into deep tech — and save the world—Links:Deep Future book, podcast, and firm: deepfuture.techPopTech conference: poptech.org (if you're new to PopTech and would like a discount, email me or DM me on LinkedIn)Sign up for the CRAFTED. newsletter: crafted.fmLearn more about how Modern Product Minds can help you build the future: modernproductminds.comEmail me: dan@modernproductminds.com

Karen Hao, an AI journalist and author of Empire of AI, dives into the complexities of artificial intelligence from a global perspective. She argues that larger AI models come with enormous environmental costs and advocates for smaller, more efficient alternatives. Hao discusses the ongoing protests in Chile against data center expansions and highlights Indigenous efforts in New Zealand to use AI for cultural preservation. She also examines the issues of linguistic inequity in AI, stressing the importance of community empowerment and self-determination in technology.

Oskar Serrander, co-founder of Wondercraft, dives into the revolutionary impact of AI on audio content creation. He reveals how their platform lets brands and creators prototype high-quality audio in seconds. The conversation touches on the importance of originality in an age of sameness and how audio remains an underutilized medium. Oskar shares insights on the future of synthetic voices, the playful creation of a dog-friendly airline ad, and the balance between innovation and regulation in the evolving landscape of audio storytelling.

Kevin Smith, Co-founder of Snipd, is redefining the podcast experience by transforming it into a powerful learning tool. He discusses how Snipd allows users to save key moments, or 'snips,' enhancing knowledge retention. Kevin shares his journey of adapting to generative AI in app development, emphasizing a shift from traditional coding to a more collaborative mindset. He also hints at a future where podcasts become interactive companions, with listeners possibly engaging in conversations with AI-hosted shows.

Tim Hong, Chief Product Officer at MoneyLion, discusses creating engaging money habits for today's youth. He emphasizes that the challenge isn't just overcoming bad habits but establishing good ones from scratch. Tim shares insights on using AI for personalized financial guidance and how many financial apps feel cumbersome. He explains the concept of 'self-driving money' and questions if users truly want to give up control. Tune in for an engaging conversation about making finance relatable and inspiring for a new generation.

This podcast features highlights from a top tech show celebrating its third Webby Awards win. Experts discuss how AI is revolutionizing software development and the importance of open-source in this transformation. The conversation includes insights on creative AI, startup efficiency, and unique approaches in drug discovery and neurotechnology. Thought leaders emphasize blending empathy and philosophy with data-driven methods in tech to create more meaningful user experiences. It's an engaging exploration of innovation and the future.

Join a rooftop chat at SXSW where the evolving AI landscape takes center stage, highlighting the shift from commodity models to the importance of trust and branding. Discover why B2B creators are shaking up the content world, as employee-generated content emerges as a game changer. Dive into the intimacy of podcasting versus video and how metrics differ across platforms. Marvel at how AI shapes creativity while humorously acknowledging we're still in the 'fart app' era. Authenticity shines as long-form stories make a comeback!