Apple has announced a partnership with OpenAI, the home of ChatGPT. The deal will see Apple integrate ChatGPT into Siri, its chatbot assistant, across iPhones, Macs, and iPads. The move follows similar steps from Apple’s major tech rivals to capitalise on the AI boom, with the likes of Google-parent Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta all announcing new products and partnerships. TechInformed reported on the whole story; read it here.

Then, NAK3D founder and best-selling author Kelly Vero joins the podcast to underline the importance of regulating the Metaverse and ensuring user safety. She advocates for robust reporting mechanisms and the active involvement of decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) in governing the metaverse, prioritising the user's security.

Holding no punches, Vero reveals how she really feels about who should be at the helm steering the path of the Metaverse (and who shouldn't!). She also discusses the challenges of spatial computing and the potential of interoperability between physical and digital spaces. She also gives businesses some tips on how to use the Metaverse to their advantage.

James Pearce sits with Phil Tomlinson from TaskUs for a thought-provoking exchange on the delicate interplay between AI and human trust. They navigate through the intricacies of the AI landscape, where the rush to integrate cutting-edge technologies must be counterbalanced with the imperative of safety and reliability.

From policy-making to quality assurance, they discuss how AI is not just reshaping businesses but also enriching our daily lives by amplifying human capabilities across service sectors. Plus, the burgeoning job market birthed by AI innovation and the critical role of human oversight in safeguarding the integrity of AI systems.

They debunk common myths surrounding AI's impact on employment, particularly in customer service and content moderation, while contemplating the ethical ramifications and potential regulations that might mandate human interaction. Also, a few firsthand experiences with AI's practical benefits and touching on TaskUs's trailblazing initiatives, including their GenAI-powered platform and tools.

Nicole starts with insights into how three companies are using AI to tackle global food waste. Varda uses satellite imagery to monitor soil health across farms globally, while Relex employs AI to optimise supermarket product stocking, reducing waste. Synoptica's sensor technology for packaging detects spoilage, ensuring food freshness throughout the supply chain. Read the full story here...

Then, special guest Ashleigh Ainsley from Colorintech joins to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the tech industry. Ashley emphasised the potential of AI in enhancing workplace DE&I strategies, particularly in skills development and personalised learning. He also envisions AI as a co-pilot in workplace communication, promoting inclusivity and productivity.

In this episode of TI:TALKS, Thomas Dexmier, the AVP for Business Development and Enterprise Solutions at HTC Vive, discusses the future of VR and XR technology.

TI's Ricki Lee spoke with Dexmier at MWC24 in Barcelona about how VR and XR are revolutionising industries like healthcare, mining, agriculture, education, and government agencies, offering immersive training experiences and enhancing workforce skills.

Dexmier also delves into the potential of spatial computing platforms for business collaboration and communication and discusses the importance of content creation, device accessibility, and the role of 5G in shaping the future of VR and XR technology.

He also discusses what Apple's entry into the VR field with its Vision Pro means for the industry as a whole and whether it sparks horror or hope for HTC.

Join us as we explore the innovative advancements in VR and XR technology and the exciting possibilities they hold for the future, like training butchers how to slice meat! Don't miss out on this insightful discussion with Thomas Dexmier on the latest trends and developments in the world of virtual and augmented reality.

In this episode, Ricki and Ann-Marie discuss the concerning trend of cybersecurity professionals turning to the dark web for higher pay, the recent approval of the EU's AI Act, and the potential impact on AI innovation.

They are joined by special guest Alvaro Bravo from Universal Plastic to talk about using AI to clean up oceans and restore coral reefs. Alvaro shares insights on how Universal Plastic leverages AI and blockchain to tackle plastic waste. The conversation also touches on the collaboration between tech-based ocean conservation projects and the future outlook of AI in environmental conservation. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the intersection of technology and sustainability.

Earlier this week, UK, US, and EU law enforcement joined forces to take down one of the most prolific ransomware gangs. They took over the LockBit website and sent a warning to all cybercriminals. Read the full story from TI here.

Then, telecoms expert and editor at Total Telecom, Harry Baldock, joins the team to discuss the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. An MWC veteran, he tells us what to expect, the key themes of this year's event and advice for newbies.

In this episode, Ricki Lee and Nicole Deslandes discuss the groundbreaking work of MetaBrainLabs, which uses AI and wearables to assist people with addictions throughout their recovery. Naomi Owusu, CEO, and co-founder of Tickaroo, also joins the discussion to explain the threat of deepfakes to open democracy.

The technology that was initially trialled to help golfers improve their game is now being used similarly to how cognitive-behavioural therapy is employed to help those struggling with substance abuse leave their addictions in the past. Read the full story here.

We're also going to talk about deepfakes again. Sadiq Khan's leaked deepfake audio caused uproar, and he publicly called for tougher regulations in the area. We will discuss the possible implications of deepfakes for the upcoming London mayoral elections.

Furthermore, we're joined by Naomi Owusu. Naomi takes us through the threat that deepfakes pose to democracy in a year of elections, and how media and news outlets bear the responsibility of educating their audiences about them.

Understanding customer transactions is the holy grain for financial service companies. For Bud Finance this involves turning ‘dark’ data into usable data which it is doing by developing domain specific, custom-trained large language models.

Last year we wrote about what the fintech doing with AI .In this follow up podcast, Bud’s VP of engineering Michael Cullum shares exactly how they are doing this and explains the advice he has for others who are earlier on in their AI journey.

“They key thing is to validate as quickly as possible: exactly what makes sense and what doesn’t so you can take those learnings into your processes as quickly as possible,” he says.

“There have also been times we’ve gone and built something and then someone else has built a tool to do exactly that.

“It would help to have some kind of crystal ball to look at general AI infrastructure and tooling because  I don’t want our team doing too much outside our particular domain or our focus because takes away from understanding our customers better.”

More broadly, we also ask Cullum whether he thinks that all business problems can  be solved through code and algorithms now.

In this enthralling episode, the TechInformed crew dives into Elon Musk's latest venture with Neuralink, exploring the successful implant of a computer chip into a human brain and its potential to redefine medical technology as we know it. Join us as we address the benefits and ethical considerations associated with this cutting-edge innovation.

We're also going in deep on deepfakes. Find out how these AI-crafted illusions are shaping the future of information authenticity and the profound effects they may have on democratic processes during pivotal campaigns in the "year of elections".

Plus, we welcome Tom Ffiske, editor at Immersive Wire, to the discussion table. Tom brings his expert insight into VR and immersive tech to our discussion about Apple's latest launch—the staggering $3,499 Vision Pro. Tune in to learn about the device's capabilities and how it's packed with the potential to transform the landscape of augmented reality.

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