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PODCAST
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Episodes
Stream or download all of our episodes below.
Stream or download all of our episodes below.
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Episode 58 - The Regulation of Emerging Technologies: Implications for AI
Erich Schwartz, Adjunct professor of Law and Tower Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin, talks with Austin Forum director Jay Boisseau about how emerging technologies are regulated compared to more pervasive technologies - often, after the first incidents with negative impacts. The conversation covers models and methods of regulation, then turns to AI specifically due to the many recent calls for regulation --including by AI leaders-- before fears of larger negative societal impacts occur. |
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Episode 57 - Making AI Good for Humans
Professor Sharon Strover of The University of Texas at Austin talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about AI's implications for humans--what are the risks (both accidental and intentional), why is it hard to address some of them, and what UT's Good Systems program is doing to help! Sharon and Jay cover a wide range of related topics as they discuss the risks and benefits of AI for humans and the need to learn how to co-exist in ways that benefit all. |
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Episode 56 - The Growth and Successes of AI
Saurabh Jha of Dell Technologies has a conversation with Austin Forum Executive Director Jay Boisseau about why ChatGPT, Large Langue Models, and generative AI are so compelling, how AI is much more than that, and how deep learning based on neural networks is key to so many AI advances. Saurabh and Jay close by talking about the kinds of successes companies and organizations are achieving now with AI, and what they are both excited about next in AI advances and capabilities. |
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Episode 55 - Community and Culture in Computing
Amy Winecoff, Research Fellow at Princeton University (and an Austin Forum regular attendee!) talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about her research findings on how community and culture influence tech companies, especially startups. She also shares how the nature of the technology influences the community and culture, with examples contrasting AI companies with Web3/blockchain companies. |
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Episode 54 - What You Should Know About SXSW Interactive 2023
Paul O'Brien, CEO and Founder of MediaTech Ventures (and SXSW attend for many years!) joins Austin Forum on Technology and Society executive director Jay Boisseau (and also a regular at SXSW Interactive) to discuss this year's SXSW Interactive conference and share highlights in the technologies content of the program. They discussing technology topics including AI, cybersecurity, digital privacy and trust, metaverse, gaming, climate tech, quantum computing, and more, and why the coverage of all these technologies--and the applications and influence in society--make SXSW Interactive an important conference to supplement more focused technology topics conferences. They close with recommendations for companies, executives, technology professionals, and individuals about how to get the most out of SXSW Interactive for their organizations, careers, and lives. |
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Episode 53 - The Last of Us - and the Convergence of Gaming, Video, and More
The video game market is much larger than Hollywood box office or music purchases, even though it’s not (yet?) as universal. Gaming is also evolving. PC and console games are now massive productions with a strong focus on story, with directors and writers (and awards!), making them better for movies and series. “The Last of Us” is now an HBO series based on the award-winning game, and builds on a great storyline—a weakness for many previous game-based movies and series. Gaming is also driving technologies such as graphics cards, displays, and gaming engines forward in ways that benefit other computing devices and drives innovation in graphics used in video. In short, the large gaming market has increasing influence outside of gaming, and a there is growing convergence of gaming content and technologies with other areas of entertainment—and soon with work, education, and daily life. Gaming is changing technology and society, and we’re going to benefit in many ways. |
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Episode 52 - LastPass, Passwords, and How to Protect Your Online Accounts
The recent announcement by LastPass being hacked—and other recent notable cybersecurity incidents—led us to chat with Gabe Schuyler, enterprise solutions engineer at Wiz and general computer security expert. Join us as John Lockman, our own AF Tech Director, also shares his personal computer security advice with AF Director Jay Boisseau in this informative episode—and then go fix your computer security holes. |
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Episode 51 - Mis-, Dis-, and Mal-information: Growing Problem, But Some Hope
Misinformation (including disinformation, which is intentional disinformation), have been around as long as humans have had communication and conflict. However, technologies such as the web, smartphones, and social media have enabled spreading of misinformation much faster and more widely. This has created mistrust in political leaders, in science such as vaccines and climate change, in social issues, and more. Robert Matney of PrimerAI shares with Austin Forum executive Director Jay Boisseau the history and current disinformation landscape, and they discuss how technologies (smartphones, social media, etc.) have enabled faster creation and distribution of mis-, dis-, and mal-information. We then discuss recommendations for individuals and companies, and how technologies including AI as well as improvements in the current tech tools may help with identification and mitigation. All hope is not lost! |
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Episode 50 - SXSW 2023: Themes, Trends, and Why You Should Attend!
Hugh Forrest, SXSW Co-president (and longtime advisory board member of the Austin Forum!), joins Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss SXSW 2023. They discuss the themes of content programming for SXSW 2023, technology trends, and what’s new this year. Join us to learn why you should attend SXSW 2023 if possible and how everyone can benefit from SXSW 2023, including free programming. |
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Episode 49 - Technology and the Economy in 2023
Economics expert and consultant Angelos Angelou, CEO and founder of both Angelou Economics and International Accelerator, joins Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss the economic health of the tech sector--in Austin and beyond--heading into 2023, and what Angelos expects for 2023 in tech job growth rates, tech stock valuations, challenges presented by both supply chain issues and by sanctions, and much more. |
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Episode 48 - What's the Big Deal About ChatGPT?
We're baaack! (And we promise to be more regular in 2023!) Luke Wilson, head of global infrastructure at Optiver, and Adnan Khaleel, business and technology strategist at Intel, join Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss the buzz about ChatGPT, including what it is, what it can do, some its weaknesses and limitations, and what the future may hold. |
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Episode 47 - Why You Need (or Need to be) a Strategic Futurist
Nancy Giordano, a strategic futurist with Play Big Inc and a globally recognized speaker, consultant, advisor, and more, talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about the importance of merging 'futurism' and 'strategic planning' to envision and create a better future. She shares her definition of the role, the qualities it takes to be a strategic futurist, the kind of impact they can have, and examples of some companies that have embraced the importance of strategic futurists. As always, she closes with recommendations for listeners to embark on this role, and for companies and organizations to embrace this way of thinking, planning, and achieving. |
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Episode 46 - UX Design, and How It Makes Tech Better
UX designers Erik Summa of Dell Technologies and Jennifer "Houli" Houlihan of the Flatiron School talk with the Austin Forum's executive director Jay Boisseau and UX designer Mary Garza about what design is, why UX design is important (and quantifiable), why your company should take UX design seriously, and how you can become a UX designer if you wish! |
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Episode 45 - Does the Metaverse Need Fashion? Yes!
Gaming and VR environments allow us to have avatars that represent ourselves, and for more serious metaverse applications we probably want to look human--maybe even professional. But what about when thousands, or millions, of people--or the whole planet--need to appear in a metaverse? There's a lot to consider when making metaverse environments, and that includes clothes! Graham and Jordan Cooley, CEO and COO of Hologress, have you covered (pun intended) and share with the Austin Forum's Jay Boisseau how they are making it easier for participants, creators, and fashion/clothing companies to create clothes for massive metaverses of people/avatars. |
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Episode 44 - What Makes Austin Special? Tech Is (Only) a Part of It!
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, fueled by explosive growth in its tech sector companies ranging from startups to global leaders and spanning many areas of computing plus biotech, energy tech, manufacturing tech, and more. The Austin Next podcast duo of Michael Scharf and Jason Scharf talks with Austin Forum on Technology and Society executive director Jay Boisseau about what makes Austin different... special... unique. Their bullishness and positivity about Austin overall, and its spirit of tech innovation in particular, are backed by interviewing many Austin leaders as well as conducting extensive research and drawing on their own significant expertise. They share insights, perspectives, and even recommendations of value to Austinites, to techies, and to anyone interested in what is working in Austin and how cities and regions should embrace their own opportunities, culture, and unique characteristics. |
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Episode 43 - Online and Hybrid Events: Lessons and Recommendations from the AF Team
The Austin Forum on Technology and Society held monthly in-person-only events on diverse technologies and their influence and impact on all aspects of society since 2006--to as many as 300+ people. When the Covid-19 pandemic canceled our in-person events, we made the decision that our mission was more important than our methods of execution--and learned new methods. Join us as executive director and founder Jay Boisseau, managing director Heather Bishop, technology director John Lockman, and communications coordinator (and remote team member) Delanie Majors share our successes, challenges, lessons, and recommendations for effective online and hybrid events. |
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Episode 42 - The Power of Storytelling to Help AI Change the World
Ganesh Padmanabhan, the creator of the podcast "Stories in AI," talks about storytelling and AI with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau and Technology Director John Lockman. We talk about how wonderful conversations--and the podcast medium--can be about everything, including complex topics like AI, how intimate that can be, and how much such conversations can not only explain but inspire. (Also, AI was used to produce this episode about AI!) |
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Promo - Preview for the new weekly Upload
The Austin Forum Upload podcast has had three great seasons, but there is more to cover all the time. So, we're not starting season 4--we're coming back as a weekly podcast! Hear what's coming up in the weeks and months ahead, and as always send us your requests and ideas to info at austinforum.org! |
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S3E16 -Looking Ahead to Tech Topics for the 2nd Half of 2021
The techies behind the popular Tech Breakfast podcast: Aaron Buley, Russ Cantwell, and Tyler Gates. Hear their excellent (and fun) recommendations for emerging and evolving technologies and applications to cover. Aaron, Russ and Tyler share their insights and interests in this episode to wrap season 3 of the Austin Forum Upload and set up more great podcasts (and posts and events) soon! |
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S3E15 - UAPs and UFOs. What Do We Know? What Don't We Know?
Recent US government reports, videos, and interviews with credible witnesses (e.g. Navy pilots) have been released recently that discuss unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), sometimes referred to as UFOs (unidentified flying objects). Are they technology? Are they natural phenomena? How should we read and understand such reports and videos? Jay Boisseau and Jessica Sager interview Dr. J. Craig Wheeler, renowned astrophysicist (and also science fiction writer) about these reports and why we should be careful about assuming they are extraterrestrial, or even flying, or possibly event ‘objects,’ and how we might better pursue answers and understanding to determine what these UAPs are. |
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S3E14 - A Conversation for Clarity in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity--and related terms like computer security, network security, data protection, computer viruses/worms/bots, etc--are both concerning and confusing for most people. In this episode, Jay, John, and Jessica have a free-flowing conversation with computer security expert Tod Beardsley, Director of Research a security company Rapid7, about topics and the current big picture of cybersecurity. |
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S3E13 - Measuring Brain Activity for Health & Performance
Jay and John talk to Jim Prather, President of WAVi, about neurotech--specifically, monitoring and measuring brain activity as a means of increasing understanding about everything from stroke and concussion impact recovery to mental performance. Yes, this is getting real, and WAViMed is now in about 150 clinics around the country, and is being used in multiple research projects. |
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S3E12: Edge Computing, Pervasive Sensors, and Instrumenting Everything
The number of connected devices in the world is growing rapidly, driven by our desire to monitor and improve mobility, safety, infrastructure quality, and our environments. The "Internet of Things" may not be the right phrase, but we will see more computing and sensing devices that are connected, enabling real-time and predictive analytics and even autonomy. Join Jay and John as they ask edge computing/IoT expert Jason Shepherd, CTO of Zedada, about the practical realities and future opportunities of edge computing and connected devices. |
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S3E11: Neurotech: Accelerating Healing and Improving Health with Neurological Technology
The brain, spinal cord, and extended network of the nervous system throughout the body act as 'software' to help manage the muscles, organs, bones, and other 'hardware' of the human body, and play a fundamental role in its operation, healing, and wellbeing. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs are learning how to hack the body through electrical stimulation technologies to improve healing and condition. Dr. Ramona von Leden, Director of Research and Clinical Education at NeuFit (neu.fit), explains how this important therapeutic technology works. |
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S3E10: AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Jay Williams of Quantum Materials Corp
In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun). |
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S3E9: AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with Guest Charlie Burgoyne of Valkyrie Intelligence
In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun). |
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S3E8: Artificial Intelligence Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Jean Leah Njoroge
In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun). |
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S3E7: The Growing Importance of Design in Tech (and Everywhere)
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote working and collaboration, and thereby encouraged (required, really) the near-continuous usage of online technologies for communications, collaboration, and general productivity in teams and companies. Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau talks with General Assembly UX instructor Jennifer "Houli" Houlihan and relatively new UX designer Mary Garza about the growing importance of design in tech, how the pandemic has influenced it, and how design will look after the pandemic. They also share some recommendations ad fun things about design! |
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S3E6: AI Facts, Fears, and Fictions with guest Matt Sanchez
In this monthly ‘subseries’ of podcasts in the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau--AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock--will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun). |
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S3E5: "Can Technology Support Spirituality?"
Co-hosts Jessica Sager and Jay Boisseau talk with Rabbi Neil Blumofe about whether/how tech can help one discover spirituality, sustain it, or enhance it (including during a pandemic). Rabbi Blumofe shares his views on spirituality and religion, questions the hosts about spirituality, and address whether an AI can have a soul. |
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S3E4 - AI Facts, Fiction and Fun
In this monthly ‘subseries’ of podcasts in the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau--AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock--will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun). |
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S3E2 - Social Media Influence in Society and Political Climate Part II
Jay Boisseau interviews three experts in social media influence - Sherri Greenberg and Talia Stroud, professors at The University of Texas at Austin, and Paul O’Brien, CEO of Mediatech Venture. After the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms disabled the accounts of then President Trump. Additionally, to further reduce risk, tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Apple, refused to host apps and services for platforms enabling misinformation leading to the events at the Capitol. Is all of this legal? Is it wise? Is it the way forward? This first part lays the foundation, and part 2 will dive deeper into the issues and possible future. |
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S3E2 - Social Media Influence in Society and Political Climate Part 1
Jay Boisseau interviews three experts in social media influence - Sherri Greenberg and Talia Stroud, professors at The University of Texas at Austin, and Paul O’Brien, CEO of Mediatech Venture. After the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021,Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms disabled the accounts of then President Trump. Additionally, to further reduce risk, tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Apple, refused to host apps and services for platforms enabling misinformation leading to the events at the Capitol. Is all of this legal? Is it wise? Is it the way forward? This first part lays the foundation, and part 2 will dive deeper into the issues and possible future. |
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S3E1 - SXSW Is Coming Back! Get the Scoop from Hugh Forrest
SXSW has just announced its return for 2021 as an online experience with a strong focus on seven themes that are influencing our economy, society, and culture. Join Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau as he interviews SXSW Chief Programming Office Hugh Forrest about the return of SXSW, the new program themes, and how the SXSW will evolve to further increase its relevance, reach, and impact. |
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S2E11 - Quantum Computing Might Change Everything!
Quantum computing has made the headlines in 2019 as tech companies large and small invest in research, hardware, software, and expertise to realize the tremendous potential. But what is quantum computing? How does it differ from classical computing and why is it potentially transformative? What does it imply for international competition? Austin’s leading innovator and tech guru Whurley, CEO and founder of Strangeworks, explains all this and more in a conversation with guest interviewer Chelsea Collier of Digi.City and Jay Boisseau. |
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S2E10 - Using Design Thinking to Improve your Projects, Work, and Personal Life
The technology of the future will require unique solutions. Borrowing elements from the designer’s toolkit like empathy and experimentation, designers and engineers are collaborating to create more innovative technology solutions with Design Thinking. John Lockman and Jennifer “Houli” Houlihan discuss the background and impact of design thinking with Alex Zub, co-founder and head of tech at Handsome. |
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S2E9 - AI, Robotics, and the Future of Work & Society
With the powerful capabilities of the machine learning approach to AI, computers can learn to do some tasks better, faster, and/or cheaper than humans. With robotics, machines can take on some tasks with superior precision and capability (including menial and dangerous tasks). Combined, and with continued rapid advances, what does this mean for humans' place in society? Byron Reese and Craig Wheeler return to continue exploring the future of impact AI on society with Jay Boisseau. |
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S2E8 - Exploring Ethics in the AI Age
What do you trust computers to do or not do? Would you want AI to make a medical decision for you, or would you let an AI jury determine your fate? In this episode, we bring back author and futurist Byron Reese and professor Craig Wheeler to explore with Jay Boisseau the ethical concerns that arise when you teach a machine to learn. |
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S2E7 - AI Facts, Fiction, Fantasies, Fears and Fun
Jay Boisseau, John Lockman, and Luke Wilson--friends, colleagues in AI at Dell EMC, and partners in the Vizias and Austin Forum teams--share facts, fiction, fantasies, fears, and fun things about AI in this lighthearted talk about a very important topic. |
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S2E6 - Smart Cities: Using Data and Technology to Improve Cities for (All) Humans
Host, Barbary Brunner, talks with Chelsea Collier, global smart cities consultant and Digi.City founder, and with Jay Boisseau, director of the Austin Forum and also of the Austin CityUP Consortium, about what smart cities are, why they are challenging, and why they are important--for everyone. |
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S2E5 - The FBI Wants to Protect Your Tech IP!
Special Supervisory Agent Jill Murphy (FBI) talks with Jay and Barbary about how important protecting intellectual property is in the Digital Era. Jill shares the common mistakes made by technology companies and entrepreneurs, the current largest domestic and foreign threats, and how the FBI want to help US tech companies and entrepreneurs. |
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S2E4 - The Personal Health Revolution: How Devices and Data Will Transform Our Bodies and Our Lives
With all the data-measuring and information-providing capabilities of a plethora of smart health devices and smartphones, why aren’t we all healthy, strong, and sporting six-pack abs? Bryan Menell, CEO of Verimos and maker of the Korus app, talks with hosts Barbary Brunner and Jay Boisseau about the potential of digital devices and data for enhancing our health, and what we must do to leverage that power. |
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S2E3 - Technology & the Future of Humanity
Futurist Byron Reese (GigaOm) and Professor Craig Wheeler (UT Austin) join Jay & Barbary for a thought-provoking discussion on rapidly developing technologies that advance quality of life, in the first episode of what is sure to become a regular sub-series of the Austin Forum Upload! |
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S2E2 - The Evolution of a Tech Mecca
Mitch Jacobson, director of the Austin Technology Incubator and long-time Austinite, talks with Jay Boisseau and Barbary Brunner about Austin's evolution from slacker town into creative, influential tech Mecca, and how other cities can learn from it & what may come next. |
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S2E1 - SXSW Interactive 2019 & Beyond: What Emerged, What Will Be Important, and What to Expect in 2020
Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer for SXSW, talks with Jay Boisseau and guest co-host Christina Newbrough about trends and ideas that emerged from SXSW 2019 & what he sees evolving leading up to SXSW 2020. |
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S1E10 - Creating Digital Experiences to Engage & Excite
Amber Allen, CEO and founder of Double A, talks with Jay about the opportunity to use technologies like AR, VR, live streaming, mobile apps and more to go beyond marketing and create more interactive and engaging experiences that last while remaining true to the product or content. |
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S1E9 - Innovation and the Business of Healthcare
Mellie Price, managing director of the Texas Health CoLab and Executive Director of Commercialization at the Dell Medical School, speaks about innovative business models for health care, what it means to build the first Tier 1 medical school in 50 years, and the unexpected role of oak wilt in her hugely successful career as an investor, mentor, and innovator. |
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S1E7 - AI, Deep Learning, and the Future of Humanity
Byron Reese, CEO of GigaOm and technology futurist & author and Paul O'Brien, CEO of Mediatech Ventures have a passionate discussion with Jay Boisseau about the power, perception, potential, limitations, and ramifications of artificial intelligence, specifically deep learning. |
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S1E6 - How Women Help Innovative Companies Achieve Greater Success
Kerry Rupp, general partner with TrueWealth Ventures, talks to Houli about the importance of having women in key roles, including leadership, in companies trying to great and achieve greater success—and she shares the data to back it up! |
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S1E5 - Enhancing Innovation and Creating a More Capable & Compassionate Workforce
Ashley Stroud Phillips, CEO of Impact Hub Austin, talks with Houli, managing director of the Austin Forum, about the importance of social good in innovation and workforce development, and how we can foster it to create a more compassionate workforce and increase companies' social impact. |
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S1E3 - Augmented Reality: The Hype, The Hope & How To Make It Successful
In a fast and free-wheeling conversation, Frank Roan, CEO and Founder of Hookbang, shares his candid views on AR, including current uses and successes (and a few failures), what to expect when the novelty wears off, and the potential for future applications, from consumers to enterprise. |
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S1E2 - Tech, Media, Innovation & Creativity: Insights For Austin & Other Cities
Paul O’Brien, Founder of Austin MediaTech Ventures, discusses with Houli the convergence technology and media, and how this is fueled by synergy between technology innovation and creativity. Paul and Houli’s conversation ranges over topics in technology, creativity, culture, education, and more. |
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S1E1 - SXSW: How It Became Influential & Where It’s Going Next
Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer of SXSW, shares the history of SXSW with Chelsea Collier, Digi.city, and why it's such a unique conference and personal experience for everyone. He shares SXSW's influential path to its voice on issues in tech & society, and where it’s headed next. |
