The Altered Perception(TAP)

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In this episode of 'The Altered Perception Show,' we dive deep into the world of wearables(AR/AI glasses, smartwatches, Plaud Note etc.) and AI with Austin Mejia, Product Manager for Pixel Watch and Wear OS at Google. Austin discusses the evolving landscape of smartwatches, smart glasses, and other wearable technology, offering insights into foundational models, on-device AI, and the future potential of these devices. From the convergence of AI and health tracking to the challenges and innovations in hardware development, this conversation uncovers the fascinating progress and future of wearables. Additionally, Austin shares his own journey and offers valuable advice for those looking to enter the tech industry.

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Meet Austin Mejia: Leading AI for Pixel Watch
03:31 Austin's Journey: From Policy to Hardware
04:32 Building the AI Team at Google
10:40 The Future of Wearables and AI
16:30 Challenges and Innovations in Wearable Tech
28:49 The Role of AI in Enhancing Wearable Usability
34:17 Pixel Watch 4: A Game Changer
37:12 Pioneering Smart Replies on Wearables
37:40 Challenges of On-Device LLMs
39:41 Improving Messaging on Smartwatches
40:44 Gesture and Voice Interaction
42:27 Collaborating with Qualcomm on Hardware
44:38 Foundational Models and Wearables
47:39 Health and Fitness Tracking
53:21 Privacy and On-Device AI
57:54 Future of Wearables and AI
01:14:27 Advice for Aspiring Technologists

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Who has the real agency—humans or AI? In this episode of The Altered Perception Show, host Gaurav sits down with Preyas Joshi, Global Product Leader at Amazon and 12-year AWS veteran, to dive into the power struggle between people and intelligent machines. Together, they unpack what responsible AI means, how guardrails shape agentic systems, the importance of data grounding, and the evolving role of agent orchestration across industries. From open source debates to future innovations in robotics and wearables, discover practical insights and ethical challenges as Preyas shares strategies for organizations and individuals to adapt, build proprietary technology, and integrate AI responsibly in a fast-changing world—no matter your technical background.

00:00 Introduction
00:11 The Importance of Data and Proprietary Technology
00:33 Human Imperfection and AI Expectations
00:48 The Context-Aware Robot
00:57 Customer Retention Strategies
01:22 Welcome to the Altered Perception Show
01:27 Guest Introduction: Preyas Joshi from Amazon
03:22 Understanding Responsible AI
04:27 The Importance of Grounding in AI
08:13 Open Source vs. Closed Source AI Models
11:19 The Risks and Safety of AI Models
17:04 The Role of Governance in AI
19:06 Introduction to RAG and Agentic AI Systems
25:43 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Productivity
29:26 Learning and Adapting to AI
35:27 Snap Dev: An Example of Agentic AI
43:40 Implementing AI Policies in Different Industries
44:50 The Importance of Organizational Design in AI
45:11 Challenges and Failures in AI Implementation
47:00 Experimentation Mindset in Machine Learning
48:27 Educating Organizations on AI
49:17 AI in Non-Tech Industries
51:18 Data Strategy and Proprietary Data
54:13 Building vs. Buying AI Solutions
55:37 Agent Orchestration Systems
01:07:24 Future of AI: Memory and Embodiment
01:11:18 Responsible AI in Wearables and Robotics
01:19:37 The Philosophical Debate on AGI and ASI
01:24:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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We've been told the future is all about code and algorithms, but what if the biggest breakthroughs in AI, electric vehicles, and space travel are actually waiting on a physical revolution? What if the next great bottleneck isn't compute, but the very materials we use to build our world?

This week on The Altered Perception Show, we're joined by Dr. Pradyumna Gupta, a PhD in material science and founder of Infinite Lab—the "Uber of material testing." Dr. Gupta delivers a masterclass on why the next generation of technology will be defined by materials science. He argues that the current silicon-based world is hitting a hard physical limit, and the race is on to find the "wonder materials" that will unlock our future.

In this episode, you will discover:
*Why silicon alone can’t sustain the next wave of AI
*How diamond, graphene, and 2D materials could change chips forever
*The role of photonics in unlocking faster, more energy-efficient AI models
*Why gallium nitride and silicon carbide are already reshaping EVs and power electronics
*How material science could enable safer, longer space missions
*The intersection of cutting-edge science, AI infrastructure, and human exploration

00:00 Introduction
00:28 The Role of Material Science in Innovation
01:28 Welcome to the Altered Perception Show
01:38 Meet Dr. Gupta
02:15 The Importance of Material Science in AI
05:17 Infinite Lab: The Uber of Material Testing
09:06 Challenges and Innovations in Material Testing
19:46 The Future of Space and Aerospace Materials
27:35 Betting on the Next Decade's Key Materials
34:03 Exploring Carbon and Silicon in AI Chips
34:26 The Heat Dissipation Challenge in AI Hardware
35:51 Diamond as a Thermal Conductor
37:33 Future Materials for AI and Technological Systems
38:57 Photonics: The Future of Computing
44:55 The Role of Material Science in Various Industries
46:17 The Future of Batteries and Energy Storage
50:14 Hydrogen as a Fuel Source
52:34 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles
56:56 The Importance of Material Science in AI and Beyond

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Step into a world where intuition meets everyday decision-making ✨. With 17 years of experience in tarot, our guest Patricia Scibek shares how this ancient practice isn’t about predicting the future, but about helping people find clarity, confidence, and direction in their lives. From breaking the myths of “fortune telling” to showing how tarot acts as a mirror to your inner self, this conversation explores how you can use intuition as a practical tool for career, relationships, and personal growth 🌿.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• 🌌 How a near-death experience reshaped her view of the universe and led to tarot as a calling
• 🔮 Why tarot is a tool for channeling clarity, not just cards or “fortune telling”
• 🧠 How intuition is a skill anyone can develop and strengthen
• 📜 The deeper history of tarot and its roots in divination across cultures
• 💞 Insights into connecting emotions, purpose, and relationships through tarot readings
• ⏳ Why life’s pivotal choices in the next few years can shape your long-term path
• 🌳 The role of family, ancestry, and epigenetics in intuition and divination.

 ✨ Tune in and unlock the wisdom within — your next chapter might just begin here. Cheers!

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What’s the real difference between a startup that gets funded and one that fades away? Is it the idea? The timing? The tech? Or something else entirely?

This week on The Altered Perception Show, we pull back the curtain and get the unfiltered truth. We're joined by Pablo Castro, Managing Partner at OneSixOne Ventures, who shares the investor's side of the story—a perspective built from funding 28 companies and witnessing countless pitches. Pablo reveals that what VCs really want isn't a perfect product or a flawless pitch deck; it's a specific set of traits and a radically different approach to building.

This episode is your official playbook. We break down the actionable strategies and mindset shifts that separate the top 1% of founders from the rest.

Inside the Playbook, you will learn:

• Customer Obsession: The #1 rule you must follow from Day One (Hint: Stop building for your customers and start building with them).
• Founder Grit: Why resilience is non-negotiable, and the hard truth about the startup journey that no one tells you.
• Building Lean: The counterintuitive reason a scrappy, resourceful team is more impressive to investors than a well-funded one.
• The 30-Minute MVP: How legendary companies like DoorDash started with almost nothing, and how you can apply their launch strategy today.

If you’re ready to stop guessing what investors want and start building a company they can't ignore, this episode is your essential guide.

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Is the AI revolution all hype? We're flooded with news of god-like models and dystopian fears of job replacement, but what if we're missing the real story?

This week, we're joined by Karthik, a General Manager of Data & AI at Microsoft, who pulls back the curtain on the AI gold rush. He argues that the race for bigger models is overshadowing the real challenge: bridging the massive gap between technological power and tangible, real-world value. If AI is the engine, he explains, then high-quality data is the fuel and human partnership is the driver—and right now, we're running on empty.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Human + AI Equation: Why the most successful companies won't replace people, but will create "1+1=3" outcomes by amplifying human creativity and compassion.
• Beyond "Big Data": What "rich data" actually means (context, quality, policies) and why it’s the secret ingredient for building AI that actually works.
• The Economic Reality Check: The unspoken reason so many AI projects stall at the proof-of-concept stage and fail to deliver a return on investment.
• From Fear to Fuel: Actionable strategies for leaders to transform workforce anxiety into a powerful tool for innovation and growth.

This isn't just another talk about algorithms. It's a strategic playbook for anyone looking to navigate the next decade of technology. Tune in to understand where the real opportunities in AI lie—and how to seize them.

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Step into a conversation steeped in flavor, culture, and imagination. We begin with the rich history and origins of tea — from ancient Pu-erh traditions to the myths around caffeine and detox brews — guided by special guest Jeannie Liu, founder of Seattle’s iconic Miro Tea, a café that has redefined tea culture in a city of coffee. Since 2007, Miro Tea has become a community hub and award-nominated destination, celebrated for its ethical sourcing, curated tea collections, and a legacy of nearly two decades in the global tea scene.

From there, our dialogue flows into the realms of dreams, consciousness, and the possibilities of AI in shaping awareness. We explore how cultivating refined taste and beauty isn’t just about tea — it’s about designing brands, products, and experiences that truly resonate.

A journey across leaves, minds, and aesthetics, this episode blends the wisdom of tradition, the curiosity of innovation, and the artistry of living well — all steeped to perfection. So pour yourself a cup, sit back, and enjoy the episode.

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In this episode of The Altered Perception Show, we dive deep into the future of storytelling with John Gauntt — Creative Director of the Seattle AI Film Festival and host of the Culture and Code podcast. From AI-powered filmmaking that gives independent creators a global stage, to the craft of writing stories that move people beyond the tech, John shares how AI is transforming creativity without replacing the human heart behind it.

🎬 Discover how the Seattle AI Film Festival is bringing together filmmakers, technologists, and dreamers from 22+ countries.
 🖋 Learn why mastering storytelling and writing will set you apart in the AI era.
 🌍 Hear powerful examples — from African history brought to life, to Hollywood-level visuals on a laptop.

Whether you’re a creative, a techie, or just AI-curious, this conversation will challenge how you see the future of film, art, and human connection.

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What if your phone, watch, or laptop had its own AI brain — smart enough to help you anywhere, even offline? In this episode, we sit down with Shelby Heinecke, Senior AI Research Manager at Salesforce and PhD in Mathematics, to explore the future of AI agents, on-device AI, and why small models could make a big difference.

We cover:

• What AI agents really are (in plain English) and how they work
• How small language models can make AI faster, cheaper, and more private
• Why your devices might soon run AI entirely on-board — no cloud required
• The role of clean data in making agents more reliable and accurate
• Behind-the-scenes of Shelby’s research at Salesforce, including the X-LAM large action model
• How AI agents could change everything from personal productivity to global access

Shelby also shares career insights for aspiring AI researchers, her take on the timeline to AGI, and why 2025 might be the “Year of the AI Agent.”

Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a builder, or just curious how the tech in your pocket is evolving, this episode is packed with insights (and a few laughs) you won’t want to miss.

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Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Ryan Alli, Lead Product Designer at Uber. In this episode, Ryan shares his journey from mechanical engineering to product designing and management, emphasizing the importance of user-centric design. Learn about the evolving roles of product designers and managers in the era of AI, strategies for building impactful products, and the significance of balancing data-driven approaches with emotional design. Whether you're a startup enthusiast, a product manager, an aspiring product designer, or a curious about AI's impact; this discussion offers valuable insights into the future of product development and management.

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