I recently sat down with Jasmine Lehman (#AtomBombBody) on the XReality Pro Podcast, and her career trajectory is a masterclass in adaptability. What happens when you mix marketing expertise, voice acting, and a passion for VR tutorials?

You get a fascinating conversation with AtomBombBody.In this episode:

✅ Streamlining VR content with OBS & MetaQuest Developer Hub.

✅ Navigating the "No AI" vs. "AI-First" divide in education.

✅ Why the "hustle culture" of LA differs so much from the Bay Area.

✅ Tips for Gen Z creators looking to break into the industry. Don't miss this deep dive into the tech shaping our future.

Here are the Podcast Links:

📽 YT: https://lnkd.in/ghhCeav5

🍎 Apple: https://lnkd.in/gq9eMSVX

🎙 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gqAiRSNf

Partner with GatherVerse

Quick note for listeners working at the intersection of AI, education, and workforce.

Futures Summit 2026 takes place September 9–10 in Santa Clara, focused on Human Skills in an Autonomous World. It’s a convening for people doing the real work—educators, technologists, and partners building equitable, scalable solutions.

If your organization wants to connect with California Community Colleges leaders, sponsorship opportunities are open now.

Details at bit.ly/FuturesSummit26.

Are we giving AI too much credit when it comes to true human creativity? 🎬🤖

I am BEYOND excited to share our latest podcast episode featuring the incredible Elad! With his deep background as a VFX artist and director of immersive projects (including Bono’s Stories of Surrender), Elad brings a brilliant, grounded perspective to the AI hype train.

In this episode, we dive deep into the rapid rise of AI and its real-world impact on everything from filmmaking to the classroom. While AI is an incredible tool, we tackle the hard truths about what happens when we prioritize shortcuts over the human journey of creating.

Here is a sneak peek at what we cover:

• The Classroom Crisis: Why AI tools like ChatGPT are challenging traditional education and causing shifts in English and Tech departments.

• The AI "Skills Gap": Why relying on bots instead of training junior employees could backfire on major companies.

• The Power of Imperfection: Why the process of art, collaboration, and human flaws will always evoke a stronger emotional response than polished, AI-generated content.

• Ethical Guardrails: The growing need to protect IP, unique storytelling, and real human interactions (yes, we talk about that frustrating AWS bot experience!).

🎧 Links for XReality Podcast:

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Whether you are an artist, a student, or just someone trying to navigate the future of work, this conversation is an absolute must-listen. We also give a quick shoutout to our upcoming plans for Future Summit 2026! 🚀

Let us know in the comments: Do you think AI will ever be able to replicate genuine human emotion in art? 👇

#ArtificialIntelligence #Filmmaking #FutureOfWork #EdTech #Creativity #VFX #PodcastEpisode #FutureSummit2026

Are Smart Glasses the "Final Form Factor" for AI? 👓🤖I recently sat down with Qiuxuan (Eileen) Wu, Program Manager at Google and researcher from the MIT Media Lab, for a mind-bending conversation about the future of embodied AI.We didn’t just talk about chatbots. We talked about a future where your AI isn't just on a screen—it’s seeing what you see and hearing what you hear.In this episode, we dive deep into:The "Final Form Factor": Why Eileen believes smart glasses will become our extended memory and "ambient" partners.Bridging the Gap: How we ensure high-tech tools (like VR/AR) are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.The Workforce Revolution: A look at our pilot program for training EV technicians using VR headsets at California Community Colleges. 🚗⚡Agentic AI: Moving from AI that "chats" to AI that does—automating the mundane so humans can focus on strategy.If you’re interested in how we transition from "staring at phones" to "interacting with the world," this episode is for you.Connect with Eileen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-wu-1111b0107/👇 Listen to the full episode here: 📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wuQuick note for listeners working at the intersection of AI, education, and workforce.Futures Summit 2026 takes place September 9–10 in Santa Clara, focused on Human Skills in an Autonomous World. It’s a convening for people doing the real work—educators, technologists, and partners building equitable, scalable solutions.If your organization wants to connect with California Community Colleges leaders, sponsorship opportunities are open now.Details at bit.ly/FuturesSummit26.Partner with GatherVerse#AI #SmartGlasses #FutureOfWork #EdTech #AugmentedReality #Podcast

Are we becoming AI's passengers, or its pilots? ✈️

I just sat down with Rick White, a polymath and professor at MiraCosta College, for an episode that completely changed how I look at the future of technology and education. Rick’s background is incredible—spanning genomics, blockchain, and now, leading a groundbreaking Human-Centered AI degree program.

Here is why you need to listen to this one:

The Generational Shift: We talked about why my students preferred building a zombie shooter game over reading Romeo and Juliet. Rick explains how we can help the younger generation reclaim their independence and imagination in a digital-first world.

Cyborgs vs. Centaurs: We explored the "Jagged Frontier" of AI. It’s not just a tool; it’s becoming an operating system for life. The goal isn't to let AI control us, but to use it to amplify our own human agency.

The "Why" Over the "How": In a world where AI can do the "how" (coding, writing, calculating), the most valuable skill you can have is understanding the "Why". We’re moving toward a future where "learning velocity" is more important than a GPA.

Tech with a Soul: Rick introduced me to the Confucian concept of Ren—the joy found in altruism—and how we can actually build that into our AI systems to create a more equitable society.

We are at a crossroads between "techno-feudalism" and a world of radical abundance. Rick’s vision for a human-centered future is the roadmap we all need.

🎧 Check out the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

What do you think? Is AI your co-pilot or are you just along for the ride? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

Follow Rick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rvjwhite

Listen to XReality Podcast: 

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

#AI #FutureOfWork #HumanCenteredAI #Education #Podcast #GenerativeAI #EdTech

🎙️ XReality Podcast #63: Where AI Ethics Meets Global Politics with Tugce Varol

I am beyond excited to share our latest conversation on the XReality Pro Podcast with the incredible Tugce, an academic powerhouse who brings a truly global perspective to the tech world! 🌍✨

We didn’t just scratch the surface; we went deep into the heart of how technology is reshaping our societies, our rights, and our future. Tugce’s journey—living and teaching across Turkey, Russia, and the U.S.—provides a unique lens on how different political systems handle (and mishandle) the rise of AI.

Here’s what we unpacked:

⚖️ The Regulation Gap: Why Europe is leading the way in protecting human dignity (hello, GDPR!) while the U.S. plays catch-up.

🤖 AI as a Human Tool: Moving past the "AI vs. Humans" debate to explore how AI can solve massive global challenges like climate change and healthcare access.

🗳️ Protecting Democracy: The urgent need for AI ethics and guardrails in the age of AI-generated political ads and data privacy concerns.

💰 The Future of Work: A fascinating look at Universal Basic Income (UBI) and how AI might finally give us the time to focus on what truly matters: social sciences and human connection.

🎓 AI Literacy in Education: Why higher education must evolve to ensure the next generation is ready for an AI-driven world.

Whether you are a professor, a tech developer, or just someone curious about where our world is headed, this episode is a must-listen. We ditched the rigid Q&A for a raw, natural conversation about the things that actually matter.

Substance over speed. Impact over hype.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now:

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

Connect with Dominique Wu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquewu

#XRealityPodcast #AIEthics #GlobalPolitics #AILiteracy #TechRegulation #PodcastLife #FutureOfWork #Innovation

Check out the XReality Podcast #62: XR, AI, and Game Audio Design

🎧 From piano keys to virtual worlds 🎮

I had an inspiring conversation with Larry Yucheng Chang:

🔊 VR audio is not 2D audio with depth sprinkled on top.

In VR, sound is the world. It is spatial. It is emotional. It is brutally honest. Every footstep, every interaction needs feedback that feels right. Miss it, and the spell breaks. Get it right, and suddenly the world breathes back at you.

🤖 AI in music is a collaborator, not the boss.

We discussed tools like Suno and the legal and ethical gray areas we are all navigating. My takeaway is simple. AI is great at opening doors. It can spark ideas and remix directions. But music theory, taste, restraint, and intention still belong to humans. The soul does not autocomplete.

🎹 The journey shapes the sound.

Larry shared his path from classical piano training in Taiwan to becoming an audio director in VR. Moving from linear film timelines to interactive systems like The Price of Freedom or the Van Gogh immersive experience changes everything. Sometimes audio is about realism. Sometimes it is about poetry. Sometimes it is not explaining the world, but reshaping how you feel inside it.

🌱 Design empathy is everything.

We talked about VR accessibility and non-gamers. How easy it is for designers to forget what it feels like to be new.

✨ AI will not replace artists. But it will expose the lazy ones.

The future belongs to creators who supervise, curate, and tell stories with care. Tools will keep changing. Meaning still requires humans.

This conversation felt less like an interview and more like a reminder.

Sound is space.

Code is rhythm.

Story is still king.

And the future?

It already sounds interesting.

💡 Connect with Larry: https://lnkd.in/gE8sPBQf

💡 Check out his current work: https://lnkd.in/gZm7Wpsr

Listen to XReality Podcast: 

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

#XR #VR #Game #Audio #SoundDesign #Composer #Music #Piano #Education #Coding #GameDesign #Entertainment #UX

XReality Podcast #61: AI, XR, and Cybersecurity with Dan Kuykendall

I spoke with Dan, a cybersecurity veteran with 25 years in the trenches, and the parallels between early internet chaos and today’s AI/XR rush are uncanny. Security is scrambling to keep up with prompt injection attacks, AR privacy risks, and an innovation pace that laughs at regulation.

We also talked about AI in the industry. Yes, AI speeds everything up, but you still need real skills. You can’t debug what you don’t understand. Clear thinking still wins.

In education, we agreed that students should learn the fundamentals first. Build something yourself, then bring in AI. The future belongs to people who can read, question, and shape the code.

My favorite part was Dan’s story. High school dropout to open-source contributor to cybersecurity leader to VR. A journey built on curiosity and grit.

The field is moving fast, but the human edge still matters.

Listen to XReality Podcast: 

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

#AI #Cybersecurity #XR #AR #VR #TechLeadership #FutureOfWork #EdTech #AIinEducation #Innovation #ArborXR #XRealtiyPro

Check out XReality Pro Podcast #60 featuring Spatial AI & XR AI Accessibility with Dylan Fox. I had the pleasure of sitting down with my co-host, Donnell Layne, an AI fellow at the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, and Dylan's journey is a story every creator should hear.

Transitioning from mechanical engineering to UX design, Dylan has become a leading voice in accessible VR and AR. He reminded me that purpose rarely arrives as a straight line; it comes as a calling. His advice was invaluable: find mentors, volunteer, and join communities like XR Access, IEEE’s Ethics of Extended Reality, and Teach Access. These are the places where opportunities begin to unfold.

If you care about XR, AI, ethics, or inclusive futures, this conversation will inspire you.

Connect with Dylan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanrfox

Connect with Donnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donplayne

Episode drops now:

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

Join XReality Podcast #59: AI, XR, and the New Dawn of Game Creation with Mike Chaves

In our conversation, we talked about AI pipelines for XR creators and some developers' new AI tools that help increase productivity!

🗣️ Voice Interfaces, Latency Battles, and “Happy Failures”

We dived into voice-driven XR, accessibility for players who can’t use controllers, and the beautifully chaotic early days of Humane and Rabbit. The theme? Latency is annoying. Innovation isn’t linear. And happy accidents sometimes teach us more than clean wins.

🧩 Building Custom AI Pipelines

Michael and I agreed on this: relying entirely on APIs is yesterday’s game. The real magic is in crafting your own pipelines and building for the community that will actually use what you create. Tools like Cursor and Lovable are great for fast vibes, but real mastery blooms when creators also dive into the IDEs, GitHub, and the guts of their code.

🤖 Developers Are Becoming Supervisors

One of my favorite parts. We’re stepping into an era where coding becomes a story, and creators act more like supervisors guiding a constellation of AI teammates. I use Cursor to speed through Unity development, not because AI replaces the craft, but because it lets me spend more time shaping the experience behind the code.

Follow Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejchaves/

Listen to XReality Podcast: 

📽 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

🎙 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dominique-wu

Partner with GatherVerse

🔥 The future of AI, XR, and Spatial AI isn’t just coming…

#AI #XR #SpatialAI #GameDevelopment #AIEducation #ImmersiveLearning #UGC #Astrocade #Creators #FutureOfWork #HumanInTheLoop #AIForGood #Unity3D #DesignersWhoCode #AIxXR #AIinEducation

XReality Podcast #58: AI Film, games, and XR with Eric Oldrin

Eric Oldrin and I talk about where filmmaking, XR, and generative AI are headed — and wow, the future is bright and wild. Eric’s career—from filmmaking to Macromedia to Meta—has one constant: storytelling as human connection. We talked about how 360 films spark empathy, how generative AI needs strong creative direction, and why the human touch still matters more than ever.

We also dove into: AI in education: Use it for ideation, but keep students grounded in original thinking.AR & wearables: Huge opportunities ahead, especially in audio storytelling.Algorithms & Gen Z: Tech is shaping political identity more than we admit.AI tools for creators: The real power is in clarity, planning, and strong prompts — the skills senior devs already have.

Eric’s advice to young filmmakers and XR creators? Tell your story with whatever tools you have. Don’t wait. Create. Excited to have him join my students’ upcoming Unity game showcase — and looking forward to future collaborations!

🌟✨ Connect with Eric Oldrin here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/oldrin/

✨ Connect with XReality Pro here:

Website: https://xrealitypro.com/

Design Studio: https://www.hummingbirdsday.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xrealitypro/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrealitypro/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xrealitypro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xreality_pro

Discord: https://discord.gg/KxtQrnd8cX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XRealityAcademy/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2efjyNJUMdFu5uUnRcz5RxApple

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xreality-podcast-uncover-opportunities-for-spatial/id1738791992

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@XRealityPro

📘 Get your "Spatial Design" book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM57X543