The Brave Technologist

Evin McMullen, CEO and co-founder of Billions Network, builds a mobile-first identity layer to verify humans and AI while preserving privacy. She discusses proving humanity with zero-knowledge proofs. She covers agent identity and accountability, balancing privacy with convenience, regulatory collaborations, and risks of agent swarms.

Charles Hoskinson is a co-founder of Ethereum, and the CEO and Founder of Input | Output (the company behind the Cardano blockchain). In this episode he shares his journey into the world of cryptocurrencies and his early influences. He also explains the conception and operational details of the Midnight Network (a privacy-focused, layer-two solution), and discusses his ambitious efforts in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Key Takeaways: Trillion dollar disruption ideas and a vision for how users will interact with the Internet in 2035 Why regulation is the single most exciting opportunity for DeFi Ways we can bring the world together in 2026 by working more cooperatively and combatting polarization How regenerative species force us to rethink how humans should approach longevity Cutting-edge research involving exosomes, electrical fields and hyperbarics Guest Bio: Charles Hoskinson is a co-founder of Ethereum, and the CEO & Founder of Input | Output (the company behind the Cardano blockchain). He also owns and operates a state-of-the-art healthcare clinic in rural Wyoming focused on anti-aging; is part of the group that de-extincted the dire wolf; and co-founded a lab that is genetically engineering bioluminescent plants. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Dave Chatterjee, an Adjunct Associate Professor and cybersecurity strategist, discusses how AI is reshaping cyber threats and the need for a proactive approach to cybersecurity. He introduces his Commitment-Preparedness-Discipline (CPD) framework and highlights three underestimated AI risks. Chatterjee emphasizes the importance of using AI defensively and outlines the rise of adaptive deepfakes, sharing practical steps individuals can take to enhance their security. He also predicts the emergence of roles like Chief AI Security Officer to combat these evolving threats.

Leah Price, Vice President of Tinman AI at Better, dives into the future of mortgage technology. She discusses how outcome-based AI pricing revolutionizes traditional models, only charging when results are achieved. Leah reveals the power of embedded AI and avatars in providing seamless, personalized borrower interactions. She explores the importance of Gen-AI in modernizing mortgage workflows and highlights the shift toward borrower-centric designs, ensuring accuracy and trust in financial transactions. Prepare for an innovative approach to homeownership!

Join Bhavesh Mehta and Mahesh Kumar, tech leaders and co-authors of AI-First Leader, as they unpack the lessons from the Nova Bridge chatbot failure. They discuss how missing governance and oversight can jeopardize AI initiatives. With insights on aligning C-suite and engineering teams, they emphasize the importance of a strategic AI roadmap and fostering an AI-ready culture. Learn how human judgment and reliability are vital in AI systems, and discover effective practices for small businesses to harness AI confidently and safely.

Emad Mostaque, founder and CEO of Intelligent Internet, discusses his vision for an open and intelligent internet, along with the impact it can have on everyday users. He acknowledges the risks of AI surpassing human capabilities, but shares an optimistic view of where the true strength of a society lies. He also discusses the ways communities can withstand these disruptions and thrive in a changing world. Key Takeaways: What problems AI agents are ready to solve today, and when we can expect future unlocks The future of low-cost intellectual work, and how specialized AI agents can be designed to safely reduce cognitive friction The implications of AI on a nation's gross domestic product (GDP), and the importance of measuring community intelligence Advice for parents raising the next generation of users Guest Bio: Emad Mostaque is the founder of Intelligent Internet, and is dedicated to advancing distributed and accessible artificial intelligence systems. As founder of Stability AI, he influenced the widespread availability of generative AI tools for image, audio, and video, reaching over 300 million downloads. He contributes to the development of open source AI infrastructure, including as an advisor to Render 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

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.