The Brave Technologist

Arjun Khemani, a memetic advocate and author, dives deep into the realm of privacy and digital freedom. He explores why privacy is fundamental, emphasizing the limitations of Bitcoin and the power of Zcash's shielded transactions. Discover how memes can both manipulate and liberate, and the vital role of independent thinking in today’s digital landscape. Arjun shares his journey of transformation and his mission to promote rational optimism in a world often clouded by fear.

Thorsten Jaeckel, Head of Product at 0x and Matcha, discusses the roadblocks to DeFi adoption, including regulatory challenges and user experience hurdles. He emphasizes the need for intuitive design that rivals Web2 applications. Thorsten dives into how Layer 2 solutions impact DeFi, the importance of execution transparency for trust, and the future of tokenized equities. He also shares practical tips for newcomers using Matcha to navigate DeFi with ease.

Sean Hehir, CEO of BrainChip, discusses their innovative neuromorphic technology, which mimics the way the human brain processes information to enable smarter, more efficient edge computing. We explore the real-world impact of bringing AI directly to devices, from wearables to smart home products, and what this means for speed, privacy, and energy efficiency. Tune in to learn how BrainChip is paving the way for a new generation of intelligent electronics and what's next for brain-inspired artificial intelligence. Key Takeaways: How BrainChip is working across health tech, automotive, and consumer electronics to make brain-inspired AI a reality in the products we use every day. How BrainChip worked with Onsor Technologies to unveil AI-powered wearable glasses that predict epileptic seizures before they happen. Neuromorphic computing: what it is, why it's important, and how Brainchip is innovating in this area. Why energy efficiency is the hidden frontier we need in AI's next big leap. How Edge and Cloud AI are different and how they'll work together over time. Guest Bio: Sean Hehir is the CEO of BrainChip, the company behind Akida™, which is the world's first neuromorphic AI processor, mimicking how the human brain works to bring intelligence directly onto devices. After decades driving global partnerships at Microsoft, HP, and Cisco, he now leads BrainChip's push to move AI from the cloud to the edge—making it faster, safer, and dramatically more energy-efficient. Under Sean's leadership, BrainChip is powering breakthroughs across health tech, automotive, and consumer electronics, including AI-powered wearable glasses (built with Onsor Technologies) that can predict epileptic seizures before they happen. Sean is also a frequent industry speaker and serves on the board of the Silicon Valley Executive Network. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Jay Chrawnna, director of The Kus, shares fascinating insights on how Web3 is quietly enhancing our daily lives without users even noticing. He delves into the evolution of Consumer Web3, emphasizing gaming as a key player in digital asset ownership. Jay showcases Indonesia's Mandala project, a blockchain initiative improving governmental transparency and efficiency. He argues that Polkadot offers unmatched scalability for this next wave of technology while stressing the need for builders to simplify blockchain complexity for mainstream adoption.

Juan Leon, Senior Investment Strategist at Bitwise Asset Management, dives into the growing institutional embrace of Bitcoin and Ethereum. He discusses how ETFs are revolutionizing access for institutions, with a focus on the soaring $500T opportunity in real-world asset tokenization. Leon highlights the rise of Ethereum treasuries as potential income generators for traditional investors. Plus, he predicts a significant shift towards on-chain finance that could redefine corporate treasuries and payment systems.

Jack Pertschuk, former Principal Engineer at Pinecone, dives into the world of vector databases and their critical role in AI and search technology. He discusses the challenges of educating the market about this evolving tech and the importance of hybrid retrieval methods. Jack emphasizes how context engineering can enhance response accuracy for large language models. He shares practical advice for teams considering vector search adoption, highlighting the need for strategic metrics and evaluation to maximize their ROI.

Andrew Pelekis, the CEO of Claynosaurz and creator of the viral Nobody Sausage, discusses transforming digital ownership through fun and accessible Web3 technologies. He highlights the importance of community engagement in building lasting brands, compares user experience to platforms like TikTok, and shares insights on navigating regulatory clarity. Andrew also explores new revenue models that empower creators and fans, the evolving landscape of crypto acceptance, and upcoming projects like games and a TV show that integrate his innovative digital IP.

Liz Zaborowska, Founder & CEO of Bhava Communications and Spring Catalyst, explores the common fears and misconceptions that lead to resistance against AI adoption. She emphasizes the importance of proper training and support, ensuring that team members feel confident and secure in their use of AI tools. Key Takeaways: The business benefits of embracing AI, including practical strategies to overcome fears and successfully adopt artificial intelligence throughout your team How AI tools can complement, rather than replace, human creativity The ongoing importance of fact-checking in the digital age Principles of responsible AI use and the policies that support it Ways to maintain authenticity with AI-generated content Guest Bio: Liz Zaborowska is the founder and CEO of Spring Catalyst, where she helps teams optimize performance and navigate AI adoption. With over 20 years in technology and deep expertise in team dynamics, she empowers organizations to transform how they create, communicate, and collaborate in the AI era. Liz has worked with AI companies for more than a decade and served in an advisory capacity for the Responsible AI Institute. Liz is also the founder of Bhava Communications, an award-winning marketing, PR, and social media agency that has helped hundreds of enterprise and consumer technology companies stand out as category leaders. Prior to founding her own companies, she ran technical, product, and corporate marketing on the tech startup side. She studied biology and theater at Tufts University, bringing a unique perspective that combines scientific rigor with creative ideation to help businesses and individuals thrive in our rapidly evolving technological landscape. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Daniela Barbosa, General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director at LF Decentralized Trust, discusses the most promising open-source projects they've supported so far, and how more builders can get involved. She also emphasizes the importance of community contributions and cross-sector partnerships to accelerate the adoption and impact of decentralized technologies. Key Takeaways: How LF Decentralized Trust fits within the Linux Foundation and why it matters Why open source collaboration is key to interoperable, secure trust frameworks Common misconceptions about open-source blockchain The role of open governance in driving enterprise and government adoption How open-source communities are shaping next-gen secure, privacy-first technologies Guest Bio: Daniela Barbosa serves as General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, and Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust. She has 20+ years of enterprise technology experience, including seven years driving the global, collaborative development of enterprise-grade blockchain and identity technologies at Hyperledger Foundation. She is a leading voice for the power of openly developed decentralized technologies to spur efficiency, privacy, and inclusivity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

Explore the intriguing dynamics between TradFi and DeFi stablecoins, highlighting their unique risk profiles and the impact of the Genius Act on regulatory clarity. Discover how platforms like Curve Finance ensure liquidity and stability in the space. Gerrit delves into the real-world implications of crypto adoption in high-inflation countries like Argentina, and discusses the dual role of AI in enhancing crypto security while posing new risks. The conversation blends insights on financial technology, regulation, and the future of digital currencies.