Today in Tech

Despite security training and improved security systems that aim to keep the bad guys out, ransomware and other malware continue to invade our systems due to human mistakes. Keith chats with Tulsa University Professor Justin Miller, a former Secret Service agent, about the top mistakes that end users, companies and governments continue to make in the realm of cybersecurity.

A range of high-profile computer hacks have shut down car dealerships, furniture manufacturers, and even had an effect on Disney, showcasing that as temperatures rise, so do the security attacks. Tech Influencer Evan Kirstel joins the show this week as guest co-host to discuss those stories and others from the week, including whether Amazon Prime Day is still a big deal, and whether we want an AI Burt Reynolds to read us the news or an audio book.

As generative artificial intelligence continues to make strides and make mistakes, a growing number of experts and businesses are trying to figure out whether AI needs to be used by everyone within a company. Will this technology eventually fade into the background, or does it need to remain as “the great disruptor”? Keith chats with Ryan Cox, head of artificial intelligence at Synechron, about where AI heads over the next few years.

Market analyst firm IDC said the Apple Vision Pro has yet to sell 100,000 units, leading many to believe that the ‘spatial computing’ device is a flop. Meanwhile, Apple fans turn their attention to a potential robotics device with AI features. Computerworld columnist and journalist extraordinaire Mike Elgan joins the show to discuss this and other technology topics, including whether we will all become cyborgs eventually, and if we think Mark Zuckerberg is “king of the millennials.”

While we continue to see ‘meh’ reactions to products like Apple’s Vision Pro headset and Meta continues to struggle with its Oculus headsets, there is still a feeling that spatial computing will be with us in the future. Deloitte Consulting takes a futuristic look at the ups, downs and everything in between of the technology – not through a list of charts and graphs, but through the use of speculative fiction and “What If?” types of stories. Mike Bechtel, chief futurist and managing director at Deloitte, joins the show to discuss this world of 2030 and how different spatial technology will have both positive and negative impacts on the world we live in.

The U.S. attempting to ban TikTok goes beyond just stopping a social media app that shows funny dance videos or makeup tips. Experts in national intelligence say it’s about stopping a foreign state (China) from waging information warfare against the U.S. and protecting citizens from propaganda campaigns. Keith chats with Craig Albert, Ph.D., from Augusta University about the dangers of TikTok, as well as how foreign nations and other cyberhacker groups utilize social media to subtly (and not-so-subtly) influence the opinions of American citizens.

The Recording Industry Association of America and big music groups sue some artificial intelligence companies over the use of copyrighted materials in training data sets, the latest salvo in the ongoing battle between content holders and AI startups. Also, is Amazon late to the AI party with a potential ChatGPT competitor? Analyst Jack Gold joins the show as guest co-host this week to discuss the latest technology news with Keith.

Today’s technology leaders and entrepreneurs are completely different from the tech giants that created and dominated Silicon Valley over the past 20 to 30 years. The next generation of technology leaders will need even different skills from today’s bigwigs. Keith chats with Robert Eric Siegel, a lecturer in management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a venture partner at Piva, about how tech leadership is evolving.

In the news these days: The U.S. Surgeon General declares that social media is creating a mental health crisis for adolescents, and is looking to Congress to put warning labels on apps; AI continues to have its ups and downs – ChatGPT passes the Turing Test, but AI technology gets dumped at the McDonald’s drive-through. Computerworld contributing columnist Mike Elgan joins the crew as guest co-host to discuss these and other technology news stories from the past few weeks.

For years, there existed a church and state separation between the world of video games and business training. Even concepts of ‘gamification’ haven’t much moved the needle when it comes to figuring out new ways to train people beyond papers, lectures and presentations. But with better technology now available, businesses can create “games” that will offer better training and education for workers. Keith Shaw chats with Sam Glassenberg, CEO of medical games company Level Ex, about what is causing this shift in the market.