TechSequences

In the race to the future, our cars are becoming supercomputers on wheels. By 2025, it’s estimated that 70% of light-duty vehicles and trucks globally will be connected to the internet. These rolling data centers are set to generate a staggering amount of information – up to 25 gigabytes per hour for automated vehicles. As we transition into an increasingly interconnected automotive ecosystem critical questions emerge.

Join us for a conversation with Berkeley law professor James Dempsey and Professor Andrew Grotto of Stanford: who should control the vast amounts of data generated by our vehicles? And how can we balance the benefits of connectivity with the need for robust security, privacy, innovation and competition?

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

With the dawn of AI, more and more applications that we rely on for work or play are being augmented by generative AI. According to Gartner, 55% of organizations have implemented or are piloting generative AI solutions. This rapid uptake is driven by the promise of increased efficiency and innovation. However, this also brings significant challenges, particularly concerning data quality and privacy. For example, the US Congress recently banned the use of Microsoft Copilot for its staff, citing risks of data leaks. Gartner also advises caution, warning that AI tools’ ability to access and manipulate unprotected content could lead to sensitive information being exposed both internally and externally.

Join us for a conversation with Alastair Paterson, a serial cyber-security entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Harmonic Security.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

If you have ever come across a story that resonated with you because it sounded authentic, only to find out later that it was not true, you have experienced the paradox of “authenticity” versus “facticity”.  In fact, in the post truth digital age, authenticity is less about factual accuracy and more about emotional resonance. Algorithms, often perceived as objective and neutral, actually shape and influence our perceptions of authenticity, identity, and truth. This concept is particularly relevant in today’s media landscape, where “fake news,” embellished personal stories, and various forms of misinformation can often feel authentic despite being factually incorrect.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Wendy Hui Kyong Chun and  Dr. Ioana B. Jucan to understand the relationship between algorithms and authenticity in the digital age, and the implications of living in a world where our perceptions of truth are constantly being manipulated.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

The introduction of the internet, a pivotal event in the Third Industrial Revolution, was shaped by crucial design and policy decisions made by early internet pioneers. Decisions such as adopting packet-switching for ARPANET, developing TCP/IP, and creating HTML and HTTP were fundamental in building the modern Internet. These choices enabled efficient data transmission, standardized communication, and facilitated the exponential growth of online connectivity. However, these decisions also had unintended consequences, including security vulnerabilities and the spread of misinformation.

Join us for a conversation with Scott Bradner and Scott Shackelford, authors of the book Forks in the Digital Road: Key Decisions in the History of the Internet about these early decisions, their profound impact, and potential lessons for the future.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guest: Dave Hallett

Cancer, called the “Emperor of All Maladies” has been a formidable adversary of mankind since time immemorial. With its multitude of forms and elusive nature, cancer presents a daunting challenge for drug discovery. However, AI offers a glimmer of hope. From lung and breast cancer to melanoma and leukemia, AI-driven drug discovery is harnessing the power of machine learning, deep learning, and predictive analytics, to target a diverse array of cancer types for more effective treatments.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Dave Hallet, an  experienced drug hunter with over 20 years’ experience leading successful teams and collaborations for drug discovery. Dave is also the Chief Science Officer and the interim CEO at Exscientia, a publicly listed global drug discovery company headquartered in the UK.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guest: Jen Sovada

Quantum sensing is poised to revolutionize virtually every aspect of our world. Quantum sensing’s distinctive ability to detect magnetic signatures is already aiding in navigation for countless fuel tankers worldwide, providing otherwise unachievable medical scans, and keeping all of our computer clocks in sync. 

Join us for a conversation with Jen Sovada, President of SandboxAQ’s Global Public Sector, on the existing and potential uses of quantum sensing and the consequences for fields as diverse as national security to navigation.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guest: Alp Kucukelbir

The manufacturing sector, notably cement and steel production, accounts for nearly 20% of global CO2 emissions. As artificial intelligence (AI) looms large in its potential to reshape all industries, there’s mounting pressure to integrate AI into manufacturing as a tool to combat climate change. Advocates highlight AI’s capacity to revolutionize manufacturing processes, offering optimization of operations, predictive maintenance to preempt equipment failures, and enhanced resource efficiency. Moreover, proponents envision AI facilitating the shift towards a circular economy, where materials like steel and plastics are recycled rather than discarded after their useful lifespans. However, critics caution against the substantial energy consumption associated with AI, suggesting that its benefits in streamlining manufacturing processes may be outweighed by its energy demands.

Join us for a discussion with Alp Kucukelbir, adjunct professor at Columbia University and Chief Scientist and co-founder of Fero Labs, as we delve into the potential and pitfalls of AI integration in manufacturing.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guests: David Bellos and Alex Montagu

Aside from IP lawyers, how many of us, particularly technologists, know about the origins of copyright laws and how they have evolved from the 18th century (yes pre-industrial revolution) to present? Our guess is not many. Inspired by a thought-provoking book “Who Owns This Sentence?: A History of Copyrights and Wrongs”, our latest episode delves into the origins of copyright laws and their evolution. Today copyrights touch virtually everything we see, listen, experience, or work with. But do they protect those they claim to protect? And just how relevant are they in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the age of AI?

Join us for a discussion with the authors, Professor David Bellos and Alex Montegu.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guest: Magnus Revang

Every year, Gartner unveils its Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies report, spotlighting 25 pivotal technologies to keep a keen eye on. It is hardly surprising then that this year generative AI took center stage in the report as Gartner believes it will yield transformational benefits in the next two to five years.

Join us for a a wide ranging discussion about the challenges in designing clever user experience and the innovations we have made, or can expect, thanks to generative AI with Magnus Revang, Chief Product Officer at Openstream.ai. Magnus is a former Gartner Research Vice President and an award-winning product and thought leader in the fields of user experience (UX), AI, and Conversational Virtual Assistants. 

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Guest: Jenny Reardon

Since the mid 2000’s the field of genetics has seen rapid technological innovation, particularly in DNA sequencing and genotyping technologies that enable analysis of large portions of an individual’s genome at a relatively affordable cost. These advancements made possible not only the monumental Human Genome Project, but also direct-to-consumer DNA testing kits. So did these innovations democratize access to genetic information, or not?  What about questions of access, control and inclusion? 

Please join us for a conversation with Dr.  Jenny Reardon, Professor of Sociology and the Founding Director of the Science and Justice Research Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  Her research draws into focus questions about identity, justice and democracy that are often silently embedded in scientific ideas and practices, particularly in modern genomic research. 

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.