*Warning* Bad sound quality - apologies!

In this special live edition of the AI/XR Podcast from Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025, hosts Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz are joined by returning guests from Zappar, co-founders Connell Gauld (CTO) and Casper Thykier (CEO) and Auki Labs' CEO Nils Phil, to explore how AI and spatial computing are merging in real-world environments. The conversation spotlights Zapper’s Mattercraft platform and its use of “accessible QR codes” to enable spatial navigation and real-time AR experiences without downloading an app. Nils  introduces the idea of “collaborative machine perception” as a necessary condition for robots to navigate and work in the physical world—what he calls the “great reversal,” where AI exits the digital and enters the real. Later, XR Guild co-founder Avi Bar-Zeev joins to discuss ethics in XR, the need for community mentorship, and the importance of preserving the creator ecosystem in the age of AI scraping. The conversation closes with personal reflections on past projects like Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride, Google Earth, and HoloLens.

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In the latest episode of The AI/XR Podcast, the discussion is focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and filmmaking, highlighted by insights from industry entrepreneur Bryn Mooser, founder of Asteria Studio. The news segment begins with an overview of Meta's shift towards automating ad creation, raising concerns over the potential disruption of traditional advertising roles. Mooser shared his vision for Asteria Studio, emphasizing that AI should enhance, rather than replace, the creative process for filmmakers. He discussed a recent collaboration on a hybrid live-action AI film, connecting the narratives of technology and artistry. The podcast examined how AI tools could democratize filmmaking, allowing small teams to produce high-quality content while maintaining creative control, and pondered the philosophical implications of AI art. As the episode concluded, the hosts predicted a new golden age of storytelling driven by technological advancements, alongside concerns about the potential job displacement within the industry and the enduring value of great storytelling skills in an evolving landscape.

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Rony and Ted welcome Angela Dunning, an attorney at Cleary Gottlieb specializing in AI and copyrights. With Charlie on vacation, they switched up the format, bringing Angela in at the top of the show, lacing news tidbits throughout. The big news this week was Google I/O, highlighting the $250/month Gemini Ultra model and the Veo 3 video generation tool, now offering voice. Rony expresses a bit of cynicism as Google once again re-re-enters XR. The conversation veers into the philosophical and legal future of machine authorship and sentience. Angela draws on her experience litigating the “monkey selfie” case to explain current copyright limitations, but notes shifting standards, including a recent case where an entirely AI-generated image was granted protection, due to extensive human control. She emphasizes the importance of human authorship, distinguishing between derivative output and directed creation.

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This week the hosts dive into the Trump's AI tour of the middle east, funding news for Gen-AI companies, and gen-AI in the metaverse (Meta's builder bot is back!), Roblox adds ecommerce, and VRChat an avatar shop where users can sell unique creations, This led to a conversation about the pioneering role of Second Life. Our guest is Ori Inbar, CEO of the upcoming 16th edition of Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, CA, from June 10 - 12th. He told us the theme of this year show, which features Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, Anduril and Oculus founder Palmer Lucky, and game industry legend Nolan Bushnell. In addition to recording an episode of the AI/XR podcast from the expo stage, there will be special programs like the Gaming Hub and Builder's Nexus. With XR crossing into the mainstream, as evidenced by significant sales of smart glasses and broad participation from industry leaders, the panel emphasizes the collaboration between AI and XR as essential for future advancements. 

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In the latest episode of "The AI/XR Podcast," the hosts welcomed Nikola Todorovic, co-founder of Wonder Dynamics, to discuss key developments in the entertainment and technology sectors. The conversation began with insights into Netflix's new vertical video content strategy and the evolving role of devices in content consumption. The hosts then explored the integration of AI in Meta's Ray-Bans, addressing concerns about user data exploitation while highlighting the technology's potential to disrupt traditional smartphone usage. Todorovic detailed Wonder Dynamics' innovative approach to CGI character creation, leveraging AI to streamline the filmmaking process and reduce costs.

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In the latest episode of the AI/XR Podcast, the hosts engage in a dynamic panel discussion featuring guest Joan Bajorek, author of Your AI Roadmap. The conversation opens with a recap of recent corporate earnings, highlighting Meta's success and the competitive landscape involving Microsoft, Google, and Apple. Bajorek shares her personal experiences with job displacement in the AI sector, emphasizing the need for individuals to adapt their careers in the face of AI advancements. She outlines strategies for resilience, such as building a personal brand, networking, and diversifying income streams. The panel addresses the economic implications of AI, advocating for the development of micro-businesses over reliance on gig work, and raises concerns about public awareness regarding AI’s impact on employment. Discussions also touch upon financial education, the potential need for Universal Basic Income, and the challenges some individuals may face in adapting to AI changes. Also, Charlie is giving away tickets to AWE in Long Beach June 10 -12th. That's a $900 value. Contact him via charliefink.com. First come, first served.

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In this episode, hosts Charlie Fink, Rony Abovitz, and Ted Schilowitz discuss viral AI-generated media and concerns over synthetic content verification. They touch on identity theft issues arising from unauthorized use of voices in AI avatars. The conversation shifts to Infinite Reality’s controversial $3 billion funding claim, which Forbes investigated but found inconclusive. They introduce guest Sam Liang, CEO of Otter.ai, who recounts founding Otter to capture and make human voice data searchable. Liang describes Otter’s early partnership with Zoom, the company’s evolution into a major AI transcription platform, and its competitive advantages in voice data. He highlights Otter’s new AI meeting assistant capable of proactive participation and outlines future plans for multilingual support and independent voice agents.

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In the latest episode of "The AI/XR Podcast," hosts Charlie, Rony, and Ted welcome Adam Draper of Boost VC. First we dive into pressing industry news, including Google’s monopoly verdict and OpenAI’s user base. Adam shared his investment philosophy focused on making small pre-seed bets to minimize risk while highlighting innovative ventures like Prospera, a special economic zone in Honduras fostering biotech advancements. The conversation continued with Adam discussing ethical considerations in tech investments, emphasizing trust and accountability among founders. He concluded with insights on the future of robotics, predicting an upcoming boom fueled by accessibility and affordability of technology for young innovators.

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In the latest episode of "The AI/AR Podcast," hosts Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz welcomed John Gaeta to discuss his innovative project, Escape AI, which serves as a platform for emerging creators using cutting-edge technologies like game engines and generative AI. Gaeta described how Neo Cinema represents a new wave of storytelling that gives space to unconventional narratives often overlooked by mainstream streaming services. He outlined the platform's vision, showcasing a curated network of artists and fostering community engagement through social viewing features akin to Crunchyroll's model. With a monetization strategy focused on direct support for creators, Escape AI is set to launch its fundraising round after an initial pre-seed investment of $1.5 million.

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In this episode Charlie and Ted celebrate reaching over a million downloads before diving into news which includes OpenAI’s $40B raise and $300B valuation, Runway’s "paltry" $380M in funding, the fate of TikTok, and the rapid evolution of cinematic AI. Our guest is futurist, producer, and investor Patty Rangel, who recounts her journey from theater to tech, her pioneering work with holography and VR, and her involvement with Singularity University, OpenAI, and the 2045 Initiative. Rangel shares insights on training AI agents, ethical AI development, and the vision of digital immortality through avatars, all while blending theater, space travel, and futurism.

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