Big Technology Podcast

Peggy Johnson, CEO of Magic Leap and former executive at Microsoft and Qualcomm, discusses the future of augmented reality (AR) in enterprises. She shares Magic Leap's journey from consumer products to focusing on business applications. The conversation highlights how AR can enhance training and operational efficiency in industries like manufacturing and healthcare. Johnson also emphasizes the unique challenges faced by competitors like Meta, underscoring why AR's potential lies primarily within companies and non-profits in the near term.

Ryan Petersen, Founder and Co-CEO of Flexport, dives into the evolving landscape of the supply chain and its impact on inflation. He discusses the significant drop in shipping rates and how it aligns with decreasing inflation, reshaping consumer habits. Explore insights into how globalization and deglobalization affect trade, the prioritization of experiences over material gifts during the holiday season, and the environmental sustainability of shipping practices. Petersen also shares unique approaches like silent meetings that enhance communication in the logistics industry.

Roy Bahat, head of Bloomberg Beta and advocate for future work technologies, shares insights on the evolution of labor organizing. He discusses the mistakes that VCs made with FTX and the lessons learned for future investments. The conversation dives into Elon Musk’s ambitious plans for Twitter and how they might reshape user engagement. Bahat explores how the pandemic has shifted the tech landscape and emphasizes the growing importance of labor movements, especially within tech, highlighting their potential to drive systemic change.

Todd Sherman, the product lead for YouTube Shorts and a veteran from Twitter and Snap, dives into the competitive world of short-form video. He discusses YouTube's innovative strategies to compete with TikTok and the evolution of platforms like Vine. Sherman sheds light on the newly launched YouTube Shorts for smart TVs, emphasizing the shift to communal viewing. The conversation also explores the challenges creators face, the importance of algorithms, and how user engagement shapes the landscape of short-form content.

Marshall Kosloff and Saagar Enjeti, co-hosts of The Realignment podcast, dive into the impact of the midterm elections on tech and politics. They discuss inflation, the challenges for the Biden administration, and the evolving landscape of social media, particularly under Elon Musk's leadership on Twitter. The duo also explores the geopolitical implications of the Ukraine conflict and the future of emerging technologies like TikTok and the metaverse, emphasizing how these factors might shape voter sentiment and policy in 2024.

Simon Balmain, a former senior community manager at Twitter, shares his firsthand experience of the company's recent layoffs and the emotional turmoil within. He discusses the chaotic atmosphere post-Elon Musk's acquisition, highlighting breakdowns in communication and morale. Balmain reflects on leadership changes and their impact on company culture, as well as Twitter's struggle to adapt its revenue model amidst fierce competition. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for empathy and community support during such challenging transitions in the tech industry.

Eric Jackson, president and portfolio manager at EMJ Capital, dives into the significant downturn of major tech companies, focusing particularly on Meta's staggering 71% drop this year. He discusses the fierce competition Meta faces from TikTok, the implications of their pivot to the metaverse, and the skepticism surrounding their operational expenditures. The conversation expands to include Amazon's struggles and Apple's contrasting resilience, shedding light on the shifting dynamics of the tech market and what the future might hold for these giants.

Carmel DeAmicis, a former journalist and the 20th employee at Figma, shares her journey of the company's meteoric rise that surprised Adobe. She discusses Figma's innovative approach to real-time collaboration and how it disrupted traditional design workflows. DeAmicis reveals the cultural revolution within Figma that contrasted sharply with toxic environments at other tech giants. She also explores how Adobe's complacency allowed Figma to thrive, ultimately leading to a $20 billion acquisition that signals a significant shift in the design software landscape.

Anil Seth, a professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex and author of 'Being You,' dives into the fascinating realm of consciousness and AI. He explores what defines consciousness and the scientific hurdles AI must overcome to achieve it. The discussion also touches on the ethical dilemmas posed by AI in the metaverse, the simulation hypothesis, and the subjective nature of free will. Seth emphasizes the importance of understanding individual perceptions and the moral responsibilities that come with developing conscious machines.

Ranjan Roy, co-author of the Margins newsletter and a regular contributor to CNBC's Tech Check, dives into the complexities of the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and their detrimental effects on tech valuations. He discusses the resilience of the labor market amid economic challenges and explores the fierce competition in the short-form video landscape among platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Roy also touches on the intriguing dynamics surrounding Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition and its implications for the tech industry.