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TechFirst with John Koetsier

TechFirst with John Koetsier

By John Koetsier

Tech that is changing the world. Innovators who are shaping the future.

Deep discussions with diverse leaders from Silicon Valley giants and scrappy global startups. Plus some short monologues based on my Forbes columns.
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6 reasons most want to work from home even after Coronavirus (and 6 reasons some don't!)

TechFirst with John KoetsierJun 15, 2020

00:00
06:13
Billions of robots in 10 years

Billions of robots in 10 years

Billions of robots within a decade? A similar growth curve to smartphones? We currently have about 30 million robots on the planet, not counting Roombas and similar small bots. RobotLab CEO Elad Inbar says that will hit BILLIONS with a B within 10 years. We discuss the exponential increase in commercial robots globally and predict billions of robots integrating into daily activities, from service industries to personal assistance, over the next decade. We chat about the evolution of robotics from novelty items to essential aspects of business operations, highlighting the role of robots in automating mundane tasks and their future potential in enhancing customer service and living standards. Inbar also emphasizes the importance of service infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of robotics technology, drawing parallels with past technological advancements like mobile phones and cars.

And we dive into specific applications of robots in restaurants, cleaning services, and healthcare, particularly for dementia patients, and the franchise model RobotLab is adopting to expand its reach and capacity to deliver robotics solutions. 00:00 The Dawn of the Robot Decade: Envisioning a Future with Billions of Robots 01:02 The Big Picture: Robots Transforming Business and Society 07:10 The Current State of Robotics: From Hospitality to Manufacturing 09:50 The Future of Work: Robots Filling the Gaps in the Workforce 12:40 Enhancing Customer Service: How Robots are Changing the Game 13:31 The Restaurant Revolution: Robots Taking Over Service Roles 16:35 Exploring the Role of Robots in Restaurants 16:47 Adapting Robots to Different Restaurant Environments 18:18 Growth Areas Beyond Restaurants: Cleaning and Retail 22:47 The Future of Customer-Facing Robots 24:00 Robots in Assisted Living: A Compassionate Solution 27:09 Unlocking the Potential of Robotics in Business

Mar 21, 202432:37
Apple Vision Pro: future of surgical training?

Apple Vision Pro: future of surgical training?

Is the Apple Vision Pro the future of surgical training? In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier discusses the transformative impact of virtual reality (VR) on surgical training, highlighting the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of VR in reducing the learning curve for surgeons. The conversation features Richard Vincent, CEO of Fundamental VR, who elaborates on how VR technology, particularly the Apple Vision Pro, is revolutionizing surgical education by offering rapid, repeatable training sessions without the logistical setbacks associated with traditional methods. They explore the hardware agnosticism of Fundamental VR's software, ensuring compatibility with various VR platforms, and delve into the new possibilities unlocked by the Apple Vision Pro's advanced features, including its intuitive control system, powerful compute capacity, and exceptional optics. The discussion also touches on the incorporation of haptics for a more immersive training experience, the potential of VR for remote collaborative training, and the broader implications of VR technology in the medical field. 00:00 Unlocking the Future of Surgical Training with VR 01:15 The Cost-Effectiveness of VR in Surgical Training 03:13 Achieving Competence: The Role of VR in Surgery 04:45 Hardware From Oculus to Apple Vision Pro 07:04 The Revolutionary Apple Vision Pro in Surgical Training 10:35 The Power of Haptics: Enhancing VR Training with Physical Feedback 13:07 The Impact of Device Cost on VR Training Accessibility 14:34 Expanding Horizons: VR's Role in Remote Surgery Training 17:03 The Future of Medical Training and Collaboration with VR 18:48 Apple Vision Pro: A Game-Changer for Medical VR Applications 20:15 Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects

Mar 13, 202420:22
AGI in 3 to 8 years

AGI in 3 to 8 years

When will AI match and surpass human capability? In short, when will we have AGI, or artificial general intelligence ... the kind of intelligence that should teach itself and grow itself to vastly larger intellect than an individual human? According to Ben Goertzel, CEO of SingularityNet, that time is very close: only 3 to 8 years away. In this TechFirst, I chat with Ben as we approach the Beneficial AGI conference in Panama City, Panama. We discuss the diverse possibilities of human and post-human existence, from cyborg enhancements to digital mind uploads, and the varying timelines for when we might achieve AGI. We talk about the role of current AI technologies, like LLMs, and how they fit into the path towards AGI, highlighting the importance of combining multiple AI methods to mirror human intelligence complexity. We also explore the societal and ethical implications of AGI development, including job obsolescence, data privacy, and the potential geopolitical ramifications, emphasizing the critical period of transition towards a post-singularity world where AI could significantly improve human life. Finally, we talk about ownership and decentralization of AI, comparing it to the internet's evolution, and envisages the role of humans in a world where AI surpasses human intelligence. 00:00 Introduction to the Future of AI 01:28 Predicting the Timeline of Artificial General Intelligence 02:06 The Role of LLMs in the Path to AGI 05:23 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Economy 06:43 The Future of AI Development 10:35 The Role of Humans in a World with AGI 35:10 The Diverse Future of Human and Post-Human Minds 36:51 The Challenges of Transitioning to a World with AGI 39:34 Conclusion: The Future of AGI

Mar 05, 202440:11
Oysters reporting water quality? Not science fiction!

Oysters reporting water quality? Not science fiction!

Can you use sentinel oysters and other mollusks to track water quality near your cities, beaches, or the Great Barrier Reef? Actually ... yes. In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier chats with the CEO of Moloscan, a company focused on bio-monitoring and protection of marine environments using live shellfish. The company uses aquatic bivalves, such as oysters, mussels, or clams to monitor the environment. These mollusks, which are filter feeders, react to changes in water conditions, helping to detect pollution and other disruptions in water quality. The discussion covers the technological developments and rigorous research necessary to map out the normal behaviour of these animals and provide accurate water quality ratings. They also discuss how this method is more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional mechanical probes and lab tests. The CEO shares examples of installations in varied environments, ranging from oil and gas platforms to diverse geographical locations from Quebec to Qatar. 00:00 Introduction to Sentinel Oysters and Water Quality Monitoring 00:55 Understanding the Concept of Biomonitoring 01:48 The Science Behind Mollusk Behavior and Detection 02:43 The Journey of Developing the Monitoring Device 04:24 Understanding the Sensitivity and Precision of Mollusks 05:12 The Role of Mollusks in Detecting Water Pollution 08:06 The Technical Aspects of Monitoring Mollusk Behavior 10:43 The Real-world Application of Mollusk Monitoring 15:34 The Challenges and Benefits of Using Mollusks as Sensors 22:51 The Potential for Expanding the Technique to Other Biomes 06:24 Conclusion: The Future of Biomonitoring

Feb 23, 202425:49
Here's an all-wheel drive e-bike ... with ChatGPT

Here's an all-wheel drive e-bike ... with ChatGPT

Do you need ChatGPT integrated into your new bike? How about an all-wheel drive bike? (OK: a 2-wheel drive ... but yeah, that's all-wheel drive!) In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier chats the CEO of Urtopia about their new AI-integrated 'smart bike with a mind'. The e-bike market is predicted to grow to about $26 billion by 2028, but Dr. Owen Chang explains how Urtopia is taking a different approach by developing most parts in-house to create a fully integrated, software-enabled product. He says their AI features, like ChatGPT integration, makes e-bikes safer and more personalised. It can also provide assistance including directions, making the ride safer and more enjoyable. Utopia is further developing its own version of GPT based on GPT-5, refining its potential functionalities. We also chat about the world's first e-bike that has drive motors on both wheels, providing more power and better traction. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:06 Exploring the Fusion GT Bike 01:47 The Design and Development Process 03:53 The Power of Dual Motor and Dual Battery System 06:51 The Future of Bikes: ChatGPT Integration? 07:12 The Role of AI in Utopia's Bikes 07:38 The Vision of Utopia: A Bicycle with a Mind 16:48 The Future of Smart Devices and E-bikes 25:30 Conclusion: The Bike as a Wearable Device

Feb 16, 202426:11
App store for your brain: reading brain waves to fix sleep, pain, learning

App store for your brain: reading brain waves to fix sleep, pain, learning

Can you deliver medical treatment by changing brainwaves instead of injecting drugs? Elon Musk has recently implanted his first Neuralink into a human patient. But can we get neurotech medical treatment without drilling holes in our skulls? Maybe ... According to Element, a startup with roots in MIT, we can. And they say they can read your brainwaves, manipulate them, and fix issues like sleep disorders, tremors, pain, as well as speeding up learning.  Today we're chatting with Meredith Perry, the CEO and former NASA astrobiology Researcher, plus Dr. David Wang, co-founder and CTO, who has a PhD in AI from MIT. This technology could potentially treat medical conditions ranging from sleep disorders and tremors to learning difficulties. We also discuss the future of medtech, envisioning an 'app store for the brain' where individualized treatments can be downloaded like apps, focusing on promoting the most optimized state of health for any given individual through real-time detection and diagnosis. 00:00 Intro to Neurotech and Neurostimulation 00:33 Welcome and Introduction of Guests 01:31 Understanding the Concept of Elemind's Neurotech Device 02:59 Exploring the Form Factor of the Device 04:23 How it works 07:28 Effectiveness and Impact of the Device 13:05 Future Plans and Vision for the Device 18:52 Potential and Impact of the Device on Healthcare 21:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Feb 07, 202421:50
Hacking reality: Apple Vision Pro and security

Hacking reality: Apple Vision Pro and security

Can someone hack your reality if you're wearing an Apple Vision Pro? In this episode of TechFirst, John Koetsier discusses the arrival of Apple's Vision Pro, a groundbreaking VR headset, and its associated privacy and security concerns with Synopsys principal security consultant Jamie Boote. They chat about how the device's advanced sensor systems can map out user environments, posing potential risks and security threats if hacked. Koetsier and Boote also consider Apple's past experience with hardware security and predict potential vulnerabilities and threats that may accompany this new technology. 00:00 Introduction to Apple Vision Pro 00:23 Privacy and Security Concerns 02:02 Potential Threats and Vulnerabilities 03:27 The Impact of New Technology on Security 04:20 Trust in Apple's Security Measures 06:25 Predictions for Future Security Issues 07:46 The Evolution of Software and Security 13:35 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Feb 05, 202414:51
Smart buildings 2024: not just energy consumers

Smart buildings 2024: not just energy consumers

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier talks to Dan Hollenkamp, the CEO of Toggled, about the future of smart buildings in 2024. They discuss the difference between devices that are smart and just remote controllable, the continuous improvement in building systems, and emphasize on the usage of data for smart devices. Dan sheds light on how buildings should assist in facilitating our tasks, be predictive, and become an active member of the grid to help stabilize the energy demand. They also discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in smart buildings, the idea of buildings moving from energy consumers to energy load managers, and the impact of work from home and return to the office on smart buildings. Join them as they delve into the evolving world of smart buildings and their part in our future. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:13 The Future of Smart Buildings 02:23 Understanding Smart Devices vs. Remote Controllable Devices 02:43 The Role of Data in Smart Buildings 09:36 The Impact of Work from Home on Smart Buildings 11:45 Buildings as Energy Load Managers 15:54 The Role of AI in Smart Buildings 21:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jan 16, 202421:60
VR 2024: inflection point with Apple Vision Pro, Quest 3, enterprise

VR 2024: inflection point with Apple Vision Pro, Quest 3, enterprise

In this end-of-year podcast of TechFirst for 2023, host John Koetsier explores the future trajectory of Virtual Reality (VR) technology, especially its potential in 2024. The podcast features Rolf Illenberger, founder & CEO of VR Direct, who believes that 2024 will be a critical inflection point for VR with wide-scale adoption, particularly in enterprises. There is notable discussion on different VR headsets including the Meta Quest Pro, Quest Three, and the upcoming Apple Vision Pro, as well as the role of AI in VR. The conversation also dives into the challenges and opportunities VR presents for both the consumer and enterprise markets, with an emphasis on the need for intuitive user interfaces and valuable use-cases. The podcast concludes with Rolf's prediction that by the end of 2024, it would be vital for every enterprise to have a VR strategy. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:07 Discussion on VR Trends and Predictions for 2024 00:45 Interview with Rolf Dillenberger, CEO of VR Direct 01:12 The Host's Personal Experience with VR 01:44 The Future of VR: An Inflection Point 02:48 Enterprise Applications of VR 04:51 The Impact of Work from Home Trends on VR 06:24 The Role of Apple Vision Pro in VR 20:58 The Intersection of VR and AI 21:52 The Inflection Point for VR in 2024 26:36 Conclusion and Farewell

Dec 29, 202326:57
AI in Bhutan: why Princess Wangchuk is building an AI center

AI in Bhutan: why Princess Wangchuk is building an AI center

You’ve probably heard of Bhutan, and you may have heard of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness measurement, which is about measuring how happy a country is as well as how wealthy a country is. Now the royal family in Bhutan is establishing an AI center to teach AI to locals ... and maybe bring Bhutan happiness -- and ethics -- to AI. To bring, as the princess puts it, "Ancient Wisdom & Ethics" to artificial intelligence. In this TechFirst, I chat with Enrique Hernandez about his and Princess Wangchuk's goal of bringing an AI center to Bhutan. Subscribe to TechFirst https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/ Wangchuk AI Center https://wangchukai.com/

Dec 14, 202341:03
Say hello to your robot coworker

Say hello to your robot coworker

Are you ready to dive into the emerging world of robot coworkers? In this video, originally recorded at Web Summit in Lisbon, I chat with special guest David Reger, CEO of Neura Robotics. We chat about what it will be like to work with robots, how we can ensure robots don't kill us (as is happening now, occasionally), and what will change about work and us in the process. We talk about: Working with Robots: A New Frontier The Future of Robot Partnerships Impacts on Different Industries Ensuring Safety and Trust The Role of AI in Human-Robot Interaction Transforming Work and Embracing Automation The Importance of Fairness and Equity Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Dec 01, 202318:23
Reinventing speakers: replacing 100 year old tech with MEMS chips

Reinventing speakers: replacing 100 year old tech with MEMS chips

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier explores the global transition from traditional coil and magnet speakers to solid-state semiconductor alternatives with Mike Householder, a VP at XMEMS. The discussion includes the history of the speaker, the advantages of using solid-state semiconductors, and the future vision for sound technology. Mike also makes a big product announcement and provides insight into how his innovative technology will improve audio quality and enhance sound experiences in various devices like earbuds, phones, and home theaters.


00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of Sound Technology

00:31 The Limitations of Current Sound Technology

00:40 Introducing a New Silicon-Based Sound Technology

00:49 Interview with Mike Householder from XMEMS

01:12 Understanding the Old Tech: Coil and Magnet Speakers

03:08 The Advantages of Solid State Components

05:20 The Benefits of the New Tech for Manufacturers and Consumers

07:58 The Unique Sound Signature of the New Tech

16:32 The Path to Market Dominance and Upcoming Product Announcements

20:47 The Future of Sound Technology: Beyond Personal Audio

24:25 The Science Behind Ultrasonic Amplitude Modulation

30:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nov 16, 202330:09
Can VR change history? Maybe 1 mind at a time ...

Can VR change history? Maybe 1 mind at a time ...

In this episode of TechFirst, host Jon Koetsier welcomes Emmy award-winning XR director Michaela Ternasky-Holland to delve into the world of immersive storytelling through technologies such as virtual reality (VR).


Using her VR documentary project, On the Morning You Wake, as a case study, Michaela explains how the deeply immersive nature of VR can change the audience's perception of a global threat - nuclear weapons. She compares the engagement and impact of VR experiences to traditional 2D experiences, highlighting how the narrative and the audience's sense of agency play key roles in creating quality engagement. The discussion further explores the future of immersive storytelling, addressing their potential and challenges in the technology field.


00:01 Introduction and Context

00:34 Guest Introduction: Michaela Ternasky Holland

00:56 The Role of Technology in Storytelling

01:13 Discussing the Project: On the Morning You Wake

05:18 The Impact of VR on Audience Engagement

05:40 Challenges and Solutions in VR Accessibility

08:07 The Emotional Impact of VR Storytelling

10:55 The Future of VR and Storytelling

12:04 The Role of Research in VR Storytelling

19:07 The Intersection of VR and Gaming

21:30 The Ultimate Expression of Storytelling in VR

25:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Nov 13, 202326:31
Very first cell phone call: meet the man who made it ... and the engineer who helped make it happen

Very first cell phone call: meet the man who made it ... and the engineer who helped make it happen

It all started with a stolen car. In 1983 Chicago resident David Meilahn's car was stolen. He bought a new one, a Mercedes Benz 280SL 2-seater. But then he needed to replace his old radio-phone ... and the sales rep told him there was something new: a cellular phone. He was one of the first few to be selected, then won a race to place the very first commercial cell phone call, which ended up being from Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, to Alexander Graham Bell's grand-daughter in Germany. This is his story, along with the story of Stuart Tararone, the AT&T engineer who helped build that system and still works for the company to this day.

Oct 29, 202330:39
Can generative AI make rockets launch faster?

Can generative AI make rockets launch faster?

Generative AI won't be building Falcon 9s or new space shuttles just yet. But can it help with all the work that goes into running an organization that builds the future? According to Kendall Clark, CEO of Stardog, yes. Generative AI that democratizes access to data and insight and knowledge speeds up organizations can help with launching space ships, or anything else. For NASA, a generative AI solution is apparently helping the team to do in days what used to take weeks.

Oct 21, 202326:57
81% Of Companies Have Generative AI Teams

81% Of Companies Have Generative AI Teams

How will generative AI impact work? And why are smaller companies adopting generative AI more than enterprises?


Generative AI is almost literally exploding: there are so many possibilities. But how is it changing work and business?


Recently GBK Collective, a consultancy founded by top academics at Wharton, studied 672 businesses in the US with annual sales over $50 million


In this TechFirst we're chatting with 2 of the authors to get a sneak peek into what they learned:


- Dr. Stefano Puntoni, Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School and Co-Director of AI at Wharton

- Jeremy Korst, former Microsoft and T-Mobile exec, now President of GBK Collective

Oct 12, 202336:32
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in AI: solved problem?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in AI: solved problem?

Is equity, inclusion, and diversity in AI a solved problem?


I’ve written a lot of stories lately about AI. AI is critical to our future of automation ... robots ... relf-driving cars ... drones ... and … everything: smart homes, smart factories, safety & security, environmental protection and restoration.


A few years ago we heard constantly how various AI models weren’t trained on diverse populations of people, and how that created inherent bias in who they recognized, ho they thought should get a loan, or who might be dangerous.


In other words, the biases in the people who create tech were manifesting in our tech.


Is that solved? Is that over?


To dive in, we’re joined by an award-winning couple: Stacey Wade and Dr. Dawn Wade. They run NIMBUS, a creative agency with clients like KFC and featuring celebs like Neon Deion Sanders.

Oct 02, 202325:20
Apptronik has a totally different approach to building humanoid robots

Apptronik has a totally different approach to building humanoid robots

Who will win the race to have the world’s first usable general purpose humanoid robot?


I thought I knew all the companies making general purpose robots:

- Tesla

- Sanctuary AI

- Figure AI

- Fourier Intelligence

- Agility Robotics

- Boston Dynamics


I was wrong ... there’s probably a bunch I don’t know. But one that popped up as interesting is Apptronik. They’re based in Austin TX, they're partnering with NASA, and they're building Apollo, a 5’8” 160-pound robot.


In this TechFirst, we chat with CEO Jeff Cardenas. And we learn that he has a completely different approach to building a humanoid robot than probably every other robotic company out there.

Sep 25, 202336:53
Generative AI 10X'd this solopreneur's output

Generative AI 10X'd this solopreneur's output

Could artificial intelligence make you MORE human? Help you become your best self? And, maybe, 10-15X your output?


In this TechFirst we chat with author, flow coach, and entrepreneur David Passiak, who has gone way down the generative AI rabbit hole and made tools like ChatGPT his CMO, CEO, CRO, chief strategy officer, chief content officer, and more.


He says it's 10X'd his output, but in some ways it's even more that that.


10Xing what you can do it one thing, but enabling what you could never do (like design, or software engineering) is yet another level of enabler.


We also get a little deep and talk about what it means to be human in a world where everything is gaining intelligence.

Sep 18, 202333:58
Solving the GPU shortage: software to 2-4X existing GPU utilization

Solving the GPU shortage: software to 2-4X existing GPU utilization

GPUs are rare and expensive right now. Every company doing AI model training needs more, and NVIDIA can't build enough, especially of the NVIDIA H100 GPU.


Run.ai CEO and co-founder Omri Geller says he has a software solution to this hardware problem.


The key: GPUs are mostly idle, even in high-demand settings. According to Geller, his software 2X to 4Xs your GPU capacity on existing hardware, simply by streamlining workloads and maximizing GPU usage time.


In this TechFirst, we chat about:

- the GPU shortage

- how many GPUs we need

- what Open AI is using right now

- whether OpenAI is getting dumber or not

- and much more


As always, get a full transcript and subscribe to the audio podcast at my website:

https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Sep 12, 202318:06
The Black Swan cargo drone carries 800 pounds for 1500 miles

The Black Swan cargo drone carries 800 pounds for 1500 miles

Dronamics just got a license to operate in Europe. Its Black Swan cargo delivery drone is the size of a 2-seater aircraft and carries 800 pounds for 1500 miles.


It's also 50% cheaper with 60% fewer emissions and 80% faster than standard airfreight.


In this TechFirst, host John Koetsier chats with Dronamics CEO and co-founder, Svilen Rangelov. Topics include:


- The Black Swan cargo drone

- Why is it so much cheaper, faster, and less polluting?

- Dronamics has raised $40M. One of its investors is the European Union itself. It now have a license. What are the next steps?

- Concerns and challenges of drone cargo delivery?

- Will the Black Swan ever be an EV?

- Safety and hacking ... how are you protecting this drone?

- What kind of ground support is required?

Aug 26, 202315:17
Wireless power for robots on the moon

Wireless power for robots on the moon

It looks like we will soon be delivering power wirelessly to NASA robots on the moon. Yank Tech just won a NASA contract to to develop wireless charging solutions for autonomous vehicles on the moon.


In this TechFirst, we chat with CEO Josh Yank.


Topics we cover include:

- Wireless power on the moon ... how does it work?

- What’s the power source … solar energy?

- When will it be ready?

- When could it be used?

- What missions will this be used on?

- Any uses on earth?

- There's been a massive growth in humanoid robots … is this tech useful for them?

Aug 21, 202317:18
Space phones: why Apple, AT&T, Verizon are adding space comms

Space phones: why Apple, AT&T, Verizon are adding space comms

"ET phone home" has never been more relevant. We're seeing a wave of phone calls to space, or at least space connectivity from relatively ordinary cell phones.

- Apple added SOS

- T-Mobile is working with Starlink

- AT&T is working with AST SpaceMobile

Why? And where is this going?

To answer, we chat with a senior director from Ciena. It's a networking giant that supports 85% of the world’s largest telcos, with customers like AT&T, Amazon, Google, Deutsche Telekom, Verizon, and the U.S. DoD.

Formerly with Nortel, his name is Brian Lavallée.

Aug 11, 202314:60
Sanctuary AI humanoid general purpose robot: a deep dive with CEO Geordie Rose

Sanctuary AI humanoid general purpose robot: a deep dive with CEO Geordie Rose

Right now might be the golden age of humanoid general purpose robot development. Tesla, of course, is building the Optimus robot. Figure.ai is working on one as well, plus others like Chinese company Fourier Intelligence with the GR-1 Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robots. So is Sanctuary AI. Sanctuary says they’re on a mission “to create the world’s-first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots.” They’ve recently released their 6th generation robot, called Phoenix, and have completed their first commercial deployment in March. They’ve raised over $100 million. Today we’re chatting with co-founder and CEO Geordie Rose.

Jul 31, 202348:57
Tesla full self driving: worse than a drunk driver?

Tesla full self driving: worse than a drunk driver?

Elon Musk calls him "batshit crazy," but Dan O'Dowd has built software for the F-35 fighter jet, the B2 bomber, and to secure U.S. nuclear forces. He's also built a microprocessor for Mars, worked on the Mac at Steve Jobs' request, and completed a ton of test drives of Tesla full self driving.


His conclusion: it's worse than a drunk driver.


And: it does not recognize small children.


In this TechFirst we chat with Dan about his tests, what he thinks is wrong with Tesla, and why Tesla is falling behind General Motors and Google (Waymo) in full self driving.

Jul 24, 202327:55
Humanoid robots: 'we could be one-to-one with humanoids quickly'

Humanoid robots: 'we could be one-to-one with humanoids quickly'

Optimus, the Tesla bot, has been in development for 2 years and still can’t really do that much. There’s another dream team of engineers and roboticists who are building a humanoid robot that they call the “kinder, gentler” robot.


In this TechFirst we chat with 2 investors in Figure.ai: Jesse Coors and Gregg Hill.


They think humanoid bipedal robots could be one-to-one with humans in numbers "pretty quickly." Corporations will want thousands, and most of us will want at least one.


We also dive deep in the Figure.ai robot as I ask them these questions:

- Capability?

- Timeline to usefulness?

- Battery life?

- Cost?

- Where does a humanoid robot fit in the world?

- What does it do to our economy?

- Where do you see it helping most?

Jul 13, 202327:52
Can open source AI save health care? HIPPO AI founder Bart de Witte chats with John Koetsier

Can open source AI save health care? HIPPO AI founder Bart de Witte chats with John Koetsier

Can we get an open source medical AI that saves millions of lives?


Everywhere on the planet, health care is a problem. In the US it's too expensive. In Canada it's too busy. In much of Africa and India it's too rare, and in many other countries including Western Europe, it's overwhelmed and overrun.


AI could help, but only if we can get our act together, says HIPPO AI foundation founder Bart de Witte ...

Jul 06, 202336:48
Intel research scientist: ChatGPT is NOT generative AI

Intel research scientist: ChatGPT is NOT generative AI

ChatGPT is not actually generative AI, says Intel senior research scientist Ilke Demir.


In this TechFirst we chat with an Intel scientist who has been working on generative AI for years. We talk about the genesis of generative AI, which is as far back as the 1970s, and we talk about ethical uses of generative AI and how we can use neuromorphic computing to help reduce the massive computation cost of generative AI. Plus, we also talk about what Intel is doing with generative AI, including several projects around privacy.

Jun 28, 202344:03
Is nuclear back? Talking to Nano Nuclear Energy about tiny reactors

Is nuclear back? Talking to Nano Nuclear Energy about tiny reactors

I’ve done a lot of shows on alternative energy ... green energy sources like wind, geothermal, solar ... but should nuclear be in the mix?

Nuclear’s having a bit of a resurgence lately as a green option for reliable energy. To talk about why and where it might fit we chat with the founder and president of Nano Nuclear Energy, Jay Yu, and the CEO, James Walker.

We discuss Zeus and Odin, their two nuclear reactors, safety, disposal after their usable lifespan, and what the ideal mix of green energy sources might be.

Jun 20, 202337:50
Could full-body MRIs save millions of lives and billions of dollars?

Could full-body MRIs save millions of lives and billions of dollars?

Would you get a whole-body MRI scan to check for cancer and other problems even if you don’t feel any symptoms? Some have done just that and saved their lives.


Others simply find out that they're relatively healthy.


I seem to fall somewhere in the middle.


I recently did a 60-minute full-body MRI scan. I learned I'm mostly healthy, but there are some potential problems. The CEO and co-founder of the company that ran the MRI says that adopting these kinds of scans would be part of a switch from sick care to health care, and it could save both millions of lives as well as billions of dollars.


We chat about the technology, how it works, what it can do, and what it can't do. We also talk about why doctors are in general skeptical ... and why my doctor specifically didn't take the results super-seriously.

Jun 08, 202326:30
Apple VR competitor: my biggest fear is Apple will fail

Apple VR competitor: my biggest fear is Apple will fail

Apple's likely releasing its massively expensive VR/AR/mixed reality headset, Reality Pro, next week at WWDC 2023. One key VR competitor says he's much less worried about Apple winning than he is worried that Apple will fail.


Why?


That would devastate the consumer VR market, setting back the industry years.


In this TechFirst I chat with Varjo CEO and co-founder Urho Konttori, Finnish maker of one of the best VR headsets on the market. Their headsets are super-high resolution ("human eye resolution"), have a wide field of view, impressive color, and LiDAR for high-quality mixed reality without occlusion fails.


We chat about the state of VR, where VR is going, what Apple will do, what Meta will do, and how independents can compete with the kind of ecosystem Apple can bring to bear.

May 31, 202331:32
Generative AI will completely transform gaming as we know it

Generative AI will completely transform gaming as we know it

Generative AI is going to drive a 10X transformation in gaming, says Unity CEO John Riccitiello. It'll create truly believable worlds ... so believable it might even become more real that our "real world."


It will transform NPCs -- non-player characters -- into deep, intelligent, and differentiated characters who might be more fun to hang out with than your real friends. And it will make infinite worlds and infinite experiences more of a reality than a dream.


In this TechFirst we hang out with Unity's CEO and chat about how generative AI will change gaming.


We also discuss how Unity's runtime -- on 4 billion devices -- has an AI inference engine built into it ... one that Unity started making 5 years ago.

May 19, 202330:55
When AI takes over ... will you even notice?

When AI takes over ... will you even notice?

Huge chunks of our lives are already managed by AI. The songs we listen to, the routes we drive, the search results we see, the climate in our homes? When AGI takes over, will you even notice? In this TechFirst, we chat with Evan Coopersmith, a data scientist and AI researcher who says that when AI fully takes over ... we probably won't. And, he says, his bird can teach us a lot about what our future relationship with AI will be.

May 13, 202320:00
Generative AI and podcasting: story coming to life

Generative AI and podcasting: story coming to life

Imaging using an entire podcast as a prompt to GPT-5, or GPT-10. What would a massively capable generative AI do with a podcast?


Create a movie?

Score a soundtrack?

Build an immersive world?


John Gauntt is the host of The Augmented City podcast. He’s also a journalist, analyst, founder, and story teller who has been building an audio sci-fi ghost story about Seattle 100 years from now for the past half-decade


He created a video companion to the podcast with Midjourney.


In this episode of TechFirst, we'd going to learn how, why, and what it means for the future of podcasting and story telling. And we're also going to interview Beini Huang, the artist and designer on the project, as well as Keith Ancker, the audio engineer.


Enjoy!

May 02, 202337:14
The future of Facebook: where does Meta go from here?

The future of Facebook: where does Meta go from here?

Facebook isn't what it used to be. It's shedding staff, dismantling efforts to create the metaverse, losing ground to TikTok in short-form video, bleeding ad revenue thanks to Apple's privacy changes, and generally following rather than leading tech industry trends.


But it still has a massive number of users and some of the biggest apps on the planet.


What can Facebook do to regain its mojo? And ... honestly ... can Facebook regain its mojo?


In this TechFirst I chat with Brian Bowman, an entrepreneur and investor. He's focused on generative AI right now, but he's been in the ad space and multiple other spaces. He's a former Yahoo Executive, former CEO of Consumer Acquisition, and multiple other tech companies.

Apr 22, 202326:42
Artificial intelligence out of control? AI in the era of "meganets"

Artificial intelligence out of control? AI in the era of "meganets"

Is technology and AI out of control? Is AI already beyond our ability to manage and monitor? In this TechFirst, we chat with David B. Auerbach. He's a software engineer who has worked for Google and Microsoft and recently wrote a book. The title is a bit on the scary side ... MEGANETS: How Digital Forces Beyond Our Control Commandeer Our Daily Lives and Inner Realities. He says technology is already way out of control ... just like weather. "Rather than treating these technological systems as based on algorithmic recipes that we can just debug, it's better to think of them like the weather. The weather is a classically chaotic system that we cope with, but nobody thinks that we can actually control ..."

Apr 17, 202335:26
This generative AI lets musicians and listeners create song together

This generative AI lets musicians and listeners create song together

Aimi is a generative AI application for music that make songs that are everlasting: collaborations between artists and audiences that start, but never have to end.

In this TechFirst I chat with Edward Balassanian, the CEO of Aimi, a generative AI for music that musicians can use to create, generate, and even code music ... while allowing audiences to add, customize, extend, and personalize the sound. There's free music, monetization for artists, and over 200 artists onboard who are creating something entirely new in music.


Apr 11, 202318:21
500-year ceramic geodesic dome home: now real

500-year ceramic geodesic dome home: now real

The 500-year ceramic geodesic dome home is now an actual physical reality.

I first wrote about Geoship's plan to build long-lasting, inexpensive, earth-friendly, community-centric homes about 3 years ago. Last year, Geoship showed me a prototype. Now there's an actual built, powered, and furnished dome home in Nevada City, California.

In this TechFirst, we chat with Geoship founder Morgan Bierschenk, see the dome first-hand, and get some insight into pricing, availability, technology, and livability.

The first dome home is the 18-foot diameter model. But ultimately, Geoship plans to make domes that are anywhere from 1500 to 3000 square feet. A large individual dome might be 1,000 square feet, but can be combined and connected with smaller domes for bedrooms, kitchens, home gyms, living rooms ... pretty much anything.

Mar 22, 202326:08
Chat GPT is NOT generative AI: Intel scientist

Chat GPT is NOT generative AI: Intel scientist

Is generative AI the beginning of the end for humans ... or the end of the beginning?


And, did you know generative AI has been around since 1972?


In this TechFirst we chat with Ilke Demir, a research scientist at Intel who is working on ethical generative AI applications, like a speech synthesis project that aims to enable people who have lost their voice to talk again, an open urban driving simulator developed to support development, training, and validation of autonomous driving systems.


And a privacy-focused face generator that allows researchers to mix and match facial regions (nose of person A, mouth of person B, eyes of person C, etc.) to create an entirely new face that does not already exist in a dataset, so that people can request anonymization in public photos.


We also -- of course -- talk about OpenAI and Chat GPT, and how Ilke feels that it is not actually generative AI.

Mar 17, 202343:50
YouTube invalid traffic bug: what 5 YouTube creators say

YouTube invalid traffic bug: what 5 YouTube creators say

On November 16th, revenue for skippable ads dropped 50%, 60%, even 90% for many YouTube creators. 

They say YouTube variously admits it was a bug, says it was fixed or will be fixed, or claims the payment drops are due to invalid traffic: code for "you're cheating."

However, looking at their YouTube analytics doesn't support that claim.

In this TechFirst, I chat with 5 creators who say they were impacted by the bug ... including several who have been impacted so severely they're not sure if they're going to be able to pay their bills, or keep creating content on YouTube.

Mar 10, 202330:06
3-hour discussion on everything AI :-)

3-hour discussion on everything AI :-)

So I did a Twitter Space with a bunch of really smart people, and they said I could upload the results to TechFirst. The only thing ... it's literally over 3 hours.

So ... listen however long you'd like!

The people on the Twitter Space include the host, Robert Scoble, as well as:

  • Bryan Talebi, CEO of Ahura AI
  • Tiarne Hawkins, director of AI at WeLocalize
  • Chris Nakayama from Nufa/Mimesis Labs
  • Ajay Juneja, CEO of Speak with Me
  • Adryenn Ashley, founder of Wow is Me
  • Martine Paris, AI columnist
  • Jon Swartz, senior reporter at Dow Jones
  • Ben Parr, co-founder of Octane AI and former tech reporter
  • John Bigs, former TechCrunch journalist

 ... and ... of course ... yours truly, John Koetsier!

Mar 01, 202303:36:17
Irish drone delivery company expanding to USA and mainland Europe

Irish drone delivery company expanding to USA and mainland Europe

Drone delivery is super-hot, but there aren't that many major players yet. Google's Wing is doing well, but Amazon is still just getting started, and few other significant players have major traction.

Tiny Irish drone delivery company Manna Aero, however, has completed over 100,000 drone deliveries, is expanding to Dublin shortly, and will be expanding to mainland Europe and the United States this year.

In this TechFirst with John Koetsier, we chat with Bobby Healy, CEO of Manna Aero.

Feb 17, 202324:35
AI, drones, & country-sized digital twins: mirroring the real world in code

AI, drones, & country-sized digital twins: mirroring the real world in code

Imagine building a digital twin of an entire country: all inputs, outputs, activity, infrastructure, issues, challenges ...

That hasn't happened yet, but a client used Bentley Systems's tools to create a baseline digital twin for Singapore. In this episode of TechFirst with John Koetsier, we chat with Greg Demchak, who leads digital innovation at Bentley.

Increasingly, the company is using digital twin technology, AI, and drones to monitor, protect, and maintain massive infrastructure projects including wind farms and power lines, and Bentley is helping build the ITER nuclear fusion plant in France.


Links:

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/

Full videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnkoetsier?sub_confirmation=1

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier

Feb 07, 202326:36
Our brains are 1 million times more efficient than ChatGPT: chatting with Gordon Wilson of Rain AI

Our brains are 1 million times more efficient than ChatGPT: chatting with Gordon Wilson of Rain AI

The wetware in a casket of bone that we each carry on our shoulders is 1 million times more efficient than the AI models run by services like ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, or DALL-E.

In this TechFirst with John Koetsier we chat for a second time with Gordon Wilson, CEO of Rain AI, which is building a neuromorphic artificial brain simulating the structure of our biological brains, and aiming at 10,000 to 100,000 greater energy efficiency than current AI architectures.

We also discuss "mortal computation" and a radical co-design of the hardware and software for AI systems, which could lead to much more efficient (and more effective) smart tools, machines, and companions.


Links:

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/ 

Full videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnkoetsier?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier

Jan 20, 202316:24
2023 mobile predictions: billion-dollar apps, TikTok, 3rd party app stores, and more

2023 mobile predictions: billion-dollar apps, TikTok, 3rd party app stores, and more

What will 2023 bring for mobile apps and games? We chat with Data.ai's Ted Krantz about 21 new billion-dollar mobile apps including Call of Duty Mobile, Bumble, and HBO Max. 

We also chat about entertainment, about third-party app stores competing with Apple, and the decline in ad revenue growth for mobile apps.

One category that's growing fast: travel, hotel, airplane ticket booking, and rental car booking apps.


Links:

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/ 

Full videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnkoetsier?sub_confirmation=1 

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier 


Jan 02, 202313:19
Aerospace giant canceled 40,000 Oculus Quest order for this tech

Aerospace giant canceled 40,000 Oculus Quest order for this tech

A massive aerospace corporation cancelled an order for 40,000 Oculus Quest VR headsets when they saw the technology in this video.

In this very special TechFirst, I've received permission from TechBeach Retreat to share the first global unveiling of a technology called AirGlass from Mobeus HQ which, the founder Richie Etwaru says, is finally the Z-axis of tech: the depth to the horizontal and vertical of our flat screens.

The most interesting part to me is that AR/VR/MR headsets are bulky and limiting. This potentially works right on every computer's screen in the world: no additional hardware needed.

After Richie's demo of Airless 2, we chat about the consequences and uses of technology you can engage with physically, as well as get into some of the details of how it's made, including that it doesn't really touch the operating system but operates between the camera and the GPU in pretty much any computer.


Links:

Mobeus: https://mobeus.com

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/


Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/ 

Full videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnkoetsier?sub_confirmation=1 


Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier 

Dec 23, 202231:08
BMW's heated seats & the evolution of ownership in an era of smart matter

BMW's heated seats & the evolution of ownership in an era of smart matter

This year we saw consumers push back hard on BMW's decision to include heated seats in vehicles but only make them actually work if people paid a monthly subscription fee.

Why?

And how does the concept of ownership change when everything is smart, everything is remotely configurable, and everything can report its own level of usage?

In this TechFirst with John Koetsier, I chat with Zach Supalla, the CEO and founder of Particle. We talk about music, software, hardware, and buying versus renting ... everything. What does value mean, and when do we like paying monthly fees versus when do we prefer to buy something upfront and own it outright?

And what does that mean for our right to repair the products we think we own? 

And does our new relationship with ownership of objects mean that the US government could force companies like Apple and Google to brick all iPhones and Android phones in Russia, if Russia used nuclear weapons?


TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/

Full videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnkoetsier?sub_confirmation=1

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier

Dec 17, 202223:47
3D printing homes: 80% automated, 50% faster, 99% less waste?

3D printing homes: 80% automated, 50% faster, 99% less waste?

We need more homes for people. We need them cheaper so people can afford them. And we need them eco-friendly and carbon-neutral and self-powering so that our planet doesn't die in the process.

Is the answer 3D printing homes?

Perhaps, partly.

In this TechFirst with John Koetsier, we chat with the CTO of Mighty Buildings, Dmitry Starodubtsev. We talk about the fact that the construction industry in the US produces 600 million tons of waste annually, that we need robotics, automation, and 3D printing involved in home building, and we talk about Might Buildings, which says they have a solution that is 80% automated, 50% faster, and produces 99% less construction waste to create Net Zero communities: communities that produce all the power they need.

We also chat about Light Stone, which Mighty Buildings has pioneered, which the company says is lighter than concrete while 4X stronger.


Links:

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/ 

Subscribe to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/techfirst 

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier

Dec 13, 202221:45
Fixing the $100 trillion physical economy: chatting with Maersk and Saint-Gobain

Fixing the $100 trillion physical economy: chatting with Maersk and Saint-Gobain

It's not every day that you get to interview a 357-year-old company founded by a king, and the company that ships 1 out of 6 things moved globally.

In this TechFirst I chat about how we're going to fix the $100 trillion global economy: make it smarter, make it faster, and make it much, much more planet-friendly.

This is a session I moderated at Web Summit in Lisbon about a month ago with Ursula Soritsch-Renier, the Chief Digital & Information Officer of Saint-Gobain, and Rotem Hershko, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Platforms for Maersk.

Enjoy!

Nov 30, 202218:57
Bots killing the supply chain & driving up prices of everything from diapers to gaming consoles

Bots killing the supply chain & driving up prices of everything from diapers to gaming consoles

We've seen it in tickets and gaming consoles. But now it's happening in diapers and food and consumer goods: bots buying, taking up all available supply, and driving up prices for the rest of us.

What can we do about it?

In this TechFirst with John Koetsier, we chat with Niels Sodemann, CEO of Queue-it, about bots, e-commerce, pricing, supply, and what we can do to fix the problem.


Links:

TechFirst transcripts: https://johnkoetsier.com/category/tech-first/

Forbes columns: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/ 

Subscribe to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/techfirst 

Keep in touch: https://twitter.com/johnkoetsier

Nov 16, 202220:09