TechMobility Topics

Every year it seems, various publications, social media posts, podcasts, and the like reveal new “best places to retire abroad” lists.  Providing snapshot overviews and amazingly beautiful photos of top expat countries, these features are wildly popular whether its audience is seriously considering moving to a foreign country or just in the “wouldn’t be nice”, camp.  To be clear, its possible, but the devil is in the details.  I have a bit of information to share.  

General Motors has hired a long time technology executive to be its first-ever Chief AI Officer. The new position will lead efforts to accelerate the automaker's use of AI across its corporate footprint.  Will other automakers follow suit?

The Land Aircraft Carrier.  This futuristic marvel comes from the AeroHT subsidiary of the Chinese automaker Xpeng.  It combines an off-road capable, six-wheeled electric van with a detachable electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that is neatly folded into the rear compartment.  Is this the future?  

Air Force General Randall Reed, commander of the United States Transportation command (USTRANSCOM) testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and made a request for the purchase of ten used cargo ships to bolster the aging fleet that supports American military operations overseas.  I don't know about you, but there are plenty of red flags here.  I investigate. 

Corporate conventional legends Siemens Energy and Rolls-Royce SMR are teaming up to develop small modular reactor nuclear projects.  I guess that small scale nuclear energy is having a moment after years of being out of favor.  

The Toyota Tacoma.  A mainstay of the automaker’s American line-up since its 1995 debut, the Tacoma pickup truck was originally considered to be a compact in only its first generation.  With the introduction of the second-generation Tacoma in 2004, it moved up to a midsize classification.  Toyota designed the truck to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where it recognized that it would be used more as a personal vehicle rather than commercial, agricultural, and off-road purposes.  

The fourth and current generation of the Tacoma was introduced in 2024 and is built on the automaker’s TNGA-F global body-on-frame vehicle platform, which it shares with the larger Tundra pickup.  The latest Tacoma was designed by teams at Toyota’s Calty Design Research facilities in California and Michigan with the intention “to be authentic to the way our customers use their trucks for rugged outdoor fun”, according to Calty president Kevin Hunter.  He went on to further explain that the truck was styled with “the iconic Tacoma look, referred to as “Tacoma-ness”, including “high lift, big tires, slim body, and a powerful athletic stance” as inspired by prior Toyota Baja trophy racing trucks. 

The El Hatico farm in Cali, Columbia has been transformed by the family who owns it into a radically new environment.  Called a silvopasture, it’s the intentional integration of trees, grasses, and livestock.  Turns out that its good for both the cows and the environment.  

Here is a sobering fact:  although the United States of America is the WORLD’S largest oil producer, it still needs to import more crude oil than it makes.  I will explain why during this podcast! 

This topic is near and dear to those of us who care about protecting the right of human authorship in the sea of rising AI-created content.  The US Copyright Office has issued a report – Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Part 2, which provides critical insight into how AI-generated works fit or don’t fit within existing copyright law.  You will want to listen to this one! 

GM's luxury nameplate is adding more choices for EV customers with th debut of the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ, a luxury 3-row SUV that the automaker contends will deliver on the brand's promise of performance, craftsmanship and technology.  But does it though?