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What happens when the lights go out? For most of us, it’s just an inconvenience. But for millions of households and small businesses, outages mean life-saving medicine spoils, work grinds to a halt, and daily life becomes uncertain.

This week on Things Have Changed, we’re joined by Cole Ashman, founder of Pila Energy, who is on a mission to make backup power accessible to everyone.

From growing up in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina to working on cutting-edge energy products, Cole has seen firsthand how fragile the grid can be — and how urgently we need solutions that work for all people, not just homeowners with deep pockets.

With Pila, Cole and his team are building portable, modular, and intelligent batteries that can protect what matters most — whether that’s a fridge, a CPAP machine, or your home office.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why today’s grid challenges (aging infrastructure, AI-driven demand, climate disasters) make resilience more urgent than ever
• The problem with traditional backup power and who gets left behind
• How distributed, plug-and-play batteries can scale faster than big infrastructure projects
• Why resilience should be a right, not a privilege

🎧 If you care about technology, climate, or the future of energy, this conversation will change the way you think about power — and what it means to stay resilient.

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When Fatigue Becomes Fatal: Voice AI and the Future of Worker Safety

Fatigue isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a $400 billion problem. In this episode of Things Have Changed, we sit down with Yujie Wang, founder of Vocadian, to talk about a silent workplace epidemic that affects doctors, truckers, miners, and factory workers alike: occupational fatigue.

Yujie draws from his time at MIT and Harvard to share how cutting-edge voice-AI and circadian science can detect fatigue before disaster strikes. After a near-eyeball-loss accident involving a fatigued driver, Yujie dove into research, developing a non-intrusive, voice-based biometric that can flag impairment in just 30 seconds—no wearables needed.

We explore:

• How shifting sleep-wake cycles and cognitive weariness impact high-risk professions.
• The creative ways Vocadian integrates voice screening into pre-shift checklists, sometimes alongside mining booths or safety training modules.
• Why multimodal data—including environmental factors and scheduling—is critical for accurate insights.
• The ecosystem around worker safety: companies, insurers, unions, and regulators all play a part in making this tech useful and accepted.

From the rumble of highways to the flattened hospital corridors, you’ll hear stories of close calls—and how voice might just be the early warning we desperately need.

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Today, more than ever, industries are turning to tech to address inefficiencies that plague day-to-day operations. The legal industry, often viewed as one of the most traditional and slow-moving professions, is undergoing a silent revolution. Lawyers, known for their meticulous review processes and reliance on institutional knowledge, are increasingly overburdened by repetitive tasks like document review and answering the same questions multiple times.

Ruli AI, co-founded by Bryan Lee, is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging artificial intelligence to redefine how lawyers work. On Things Have Changed, we recently hosted Bryan Lee, co-founder and CEO of Ruli AI, to discuss how AI could tremendously boost efficiencies within the legal space while giving lawyers the tools they need to focus on strategic, high-value work.

Ruli AI: The AI Partner for Lawyers

Bryan’s career journey is far from the typical one - going from big law to launching an AI startup. After spending years juggling the demands of capital markets law, in-house legal counsel, and AI development at Google and Meta, Bryan observed a universal pain point: lawyers spending countless hours on tasks that could be automated.

“Imagine if lawyers had an AI partner that could handle repetitive tasks, like summarizing contracts, reviewing for inconsistencies, or even answering basic questions,” Bryan explained. “That’s where Ruli AI steps in.”

Ruli AI offers a legal platform with two primary components:

1. Legal Hub: Automates intake processes, answers FAQs, and centralizes organizational knowledge for seamless collaboration.
2. Copilot: A personal assistant for lawyers, capable of summarizing documents, conducting research, and providing clear, actionable insights.

This dual approach makes Ruli AI a trusted partner that helps lawyers focus on what they do best: solving complex legal challenges.

The Legal Profession’s Efficiency Problem

At the heart of Ruli AI’s mission is the drive to solve a problem that plagues the entire legal industry: inefficiency! The numbers are staggering. In a typical in-house legal team, a single lawyer might support 100 or more employees, resulting in a backlog of unanswered questions, delayed document reviews, and unproductive hours spent on repetitive tasks.

Lawyers and AI are an Ideal Fit

Ruli AI shows that AI & Law is a perfect fit. There is growing consensus that at least in the Legal field, AI is being viewed more as an Aid, and not a Replacement. By automating routine tasks, AI can empower lawyers to spend more time on complex cases, strategic thinking, and client relations. This technological shift allows legal teams to work more efficiently and cost-effectively while maintaining high-quality services.

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In this episode of Things Have Changed Podcast, we sit down with Sélim Benayat, co-founder of Bento and now Director of Product at Linktree, to explore the shifting landscape of the creator economy and how Bento is helping creators showcase their work in a whole new way. Sélim shares the story behind Bento’s creation, their journey through Sequoia’s Arc program, and how they scaled their vision into a platform now empowering creators worldwide to curate their digital identities effortlessly.

Creators, from engineers and designers to artists, have always had a hard time trying to visually showcase their work when it's scattered across different platforms. Sélim and his co-founder, Mugeeb recognized this problem and built Bento, a slick and visually stunning platform that lets you pull in all your creative projects into one central hub, making it easier to keep your work & portfolio organized and presentable.

Tune in as we dive deep into Bento’s acquisition by Linktree, the lessons learned from building a startup, and where Sélim sees the future of the creator economy headed. 

If you're a creator, entrepreneur, or just curious about the evolving digital space, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Be sure to subscribe to Things Have Changed Podcast and share this episode with fellow creators and visionaries.

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Have you ever stumbled upon an article or a piece of content online and wondered, "Did someone actually write this, or is it the work of ChatGPT?" In today’s world, where content is produced at an incredible pace, it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference.. and that’s a problem in the age of misinformation.

Think about it: people are getting their news on social media, X, Youtube or Facebook! With the advancements of AI, it’s hard to tell how something online can be truly authentic. With latest studies showing >12% of Google's search results being AI-generated, it's critical to ensure the integrity of the digital content we consume and create.  

That's where Originality AI comes in! We’re thrilled to host Jon Gillham, founder and CEO on Things Have Changed. as he shares how his team are tackling these issues head-on by developing cutting-edge tech to detect AI-generated content. In a short span of time, Originality AI have achieved remarkable results, and is the most accurate AI Detector in the market for ChatGPT, GPT-4o, Gemini Pro, Claude 3, Llama 3 etc.

So today on Things Have Changed, we'll dive deep into how Originality AI works, its impact on various industries, and why ensuring content authenticity is more important than ever.

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Revolutionizing Battery Recycling: The Future of Sustainable Energy Management

As the world embraces the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, with 1.3 million EVs sold in 2023 alone—a 40% increase from the previous year—the issue of battery disposal and recycling is becoming increasingly critical. The demand for lithium-ion batteries, essential for EVs and other electronics, has skyrocketed, yet the challenge of managing these batteries at the end of their life remains largely unaddressed.

The Circular Economy and Battery Recycling

The concept of a circular economy, where products are reused, recycled, and remade into new products, is gaining traction as a sustainable solution to the growing battery waste problem. Traditional fossil fuels are consumed and discarded, but batteries, composed of valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, present an opportunity for continuous reuse. This shift from a linear to a circular model could significantly reduce the environmental impact of battery disposal.

Cling Systems: Pioneering Circularity

William Bergh, the Founder and CEO of Cling Systems, is at the forefront of this transformation. Cling Systems aims to revolutionize the battery supply chain through closed-loop recycling, ensuring that used batteries are efficiently reclaimed and repurposed. This approach not only reduces landfill waste but also conserves valuable raw materials, contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

Bergh's vision extends beyond recycling. He advocates for urban mining, a process where waste batteries are harvested for their raw materials, effectively replacing traditional mining. This method capitalizes on the fact that batteries, unlike fossil fuels, are not consumed but stored, making their materials available for repeated use.

Challenges and Innovations in Battery Recycling

Despite its potential, the battery recycling industry faces significant hurdles. One major challenge is the lack of standardization in battery design, which complicates the recycling process. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which are standardized and widely recycled, lithium-ion batteries vary greatly in their composition and design. This variability makes it difficult to develop efficient recycling processes that can handle the diverse range of batteries in use today.

Additionally, the supply of end-of-life batteries is highly fragmented. Batteries reach the end of their life in various locations, often ending up in drawers or being exported to different countries. This dispersed supply chain complicates the logistics of collecting and recycling batteries. Cling Systems addresses this challenge by creating a comprehensive database of battery types and conditions, enabling more efficient tracking and management of used batteries.

The Future of Battery Recycling

Looking ahead, the future of battery recycling hinges on continued innovation and collaboration. The industry must scale up recycling processes, standardize battery designs, and develop more efficient logistics systems. As urban mining becomes more prevalent, the reliance on traditional mining for battery materials could diminish, leading to a more sustainable and self-sufficient supply chain.

Bergh envisions a world where the environmental and commercial value of batteries is maximized through seamless recycling and repurposing processes. By removing the costs and complexities of circulating batteries, companies like Cling Systems are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future. The shift towards a circular economy in battery management not only addresses the immediate waste problem but also supports the broader transition to renewable energy and a low-carbon economy.

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The Power of PR: Navigating Today’s Media Landscape with Sneha Saigal

In our hyper-connected world, the stakes for corporate reputation are incredibly high. Remember Cristiano Ronaldo's simple gesture that caused a $5 billion drop in Coca-Cola's market value? Or the backlash against Pepsi's Kendall Jenner ad? These moments remind us how quickly public sentiment can shift.

Today on the "Things Have Changed Podcast," we welcome Sneha Saigal, founder and CEO of Geeks&Experts, who has pioneered PR solutions that empower startups to turn crisis into opportunity. Her innovative approach helps startups navigate these volatile waters by providing scalable PR expertise, crucial for maintaining a positive public image.

Join us as Sneha shares her invaluable insights into the vital role of PR in shaping public perception and brand integrity. We'll explore how effective PR strategies can help startups not just manage crises but also build enduring relationships and a robust corporate identity. Stay tuned as Sneha reveals the transformative potential of PR in the digital age and how it can make or break a company's reputation overnight.

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Bringing Coding to the Masses with AI.

Can programming become accessible to all? This week on Things Have Changed podcast we have Filip C. Kozera (CEO) and Robert Chandler (CTO) from Wordware AI,  a startup that's simplifying app creation and making it more user-friendly for both experienced programmers and complete beginners!

AI is the hottest topic in tech right now, and for good reason. Filip and Robert break down how they see the software landscape changing – moving away from traditional coding toward simply using plain English instructions with advanced technology.

Imagine you have the next million-dollar app idea – and you're going to build it yourself! But instead of writing complex code, you're simply using...English. That's the vision driving the Wordware team, who are developing these impressive capabilities in a seamless, easy-to-use interface.

Today's episode dives into topics like the rise of "prompt engineering" as a vital new skill, the wide-ranging impacts of easily accessible AI development, and a future where creativity and clear communication are more valued than traditional programming languages. Don't miss this fascinating look into making software development more intuitive and user-friendly!

00:00 The Dawn of AI in Software Development

00:46 The Evolution of Programming: From Code to English

01:50 The Impact of AI on the Software Industry

05:02 Exploring the Future of AI and Software with WordWare

05:18 The Challenges and Innovations in AI Development

07:48 WordWare: Revolutionizing Programming with AI

09:33 The Expanding Role of AI in Various Industries

10:02 The Future of Work: AI Engineers and Domain Experts

12:31 Unlocking Creativity and Efficiency with AI

18:49 WordWare: A New Paradigm for AI Development

25:05 Empowering the Next Generation of Developers and Creatives

30:09 WordWare's Vision: Making AI Accessible to All

36:26 Closing Thoughts and Opportunities with WordWare

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When ChatGPT was launched in December 2022, few could have predicted the rapid transformation the world would undergo in the following months. It emerged as the fastest-growing consumer technology in history, catching many by surprise. 

In the year since its launch, ChatGPT has revolutionized nearly every aspect of the tech industry. It enables computers to create articles, finish homework assignments, and generate art, fundamentally altering our understanding of work, creativity, and the very notion of 'search'

As companies explore advanced AI, they often struggle with managing the necessary infrastructure, including the specialized chips that power these technologies, which can slow their progress. Brev, led by Nader Khalil offers a strategic solution that simplifies the complex landscape for companies striving to leverage AI.

Brev’s platform is designed to allow companies to focus on leveraging AI for innovation without the overhead of managing hardware, ensuring they can harness these powerful technologies efficiently.

In the midst of this GPU capacity shortage, the need for more efficient resource management is highlighted. The lack of GPUs or the GPU availabilities out there in the world is not only affecting the largest customers in the world, but also startups and midsize companies that really need access to it.

Today, on Things Have Changed Podcast, we're diving deep with Nader Khalil, Co-Founder and CEO of Brev into how they support the generative AI boom, ensuring that businesses can innovate freely with AI, reducing the trouble of managing high demand GPUs like A100, H100 and others.

Here are some helpful links:

• Nama Ventures Investment
• Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) Article on BrevDev
• Generative AI Statistics

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Tech companies today are building bigger and bigger campuses. Think about Google's sprawling complex in Mountain View, Facebook's expansive headquarters in Menlo Park, and Amazon's new HQ2 in Arlington, VA. These are not just workplaces; they are mini-cities, pulsating with thousands of employees every day. Just trying to get around campus becomes a rather daunting task and that’s a problem that Jeral Poskey, founder of Swyft Cities, thinks about a lot:

Swyft Cities was founded in 2019 by some Google Alums, behind the real estate and transportation programs for Google Campuses! The problem they were trying to solve? How do you move massive amounts of people in an increasingly growing campus?

Jeral envisions a future where getting around tech campuses and cityscapes is as seamless as hopping on a ski lift, but with the urban flair of downtown gondola rides.

Swift Cities isn't just about easing commutes; it's about transforming how we interact with our urban environments, making them more accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable. As Jeral puts it, it's about creating a 'Goldilocks density' of urban living, where communities thrive without the clutter and pollution of cars.

Helpful links:

• Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-35-why-swim-when-you-can-fly/id1687567073?i=1000645351345
• TechCrunch Win & Pitch
• https://www.holmessolutions.com/whoosh/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/america-parking-lot-spaces-addiction-economy-housing-costs-inflation-2023-4

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