S3E16 - Looking Ahead to Tech Topics for 2nd half of 2021

The techies behind the popular Tech Breakfast podcast: Aaron Buley, Russ Cantwell, and Tyler Gates. Hear their excellent (and fun) recommendations for emerging and evolving technologies and applications to cover. Aaron, Russ, and Tyler share their insights and interests in this episode to wrap season 3 of the Austin Forum Upload and set up more great podcasts (and posts and events) soon!

S3E15 - UAPs and UFOs. What Do We Know? What Don't We Know?

Recent US government reports, videos and interviews with credible witnesses (e.g. Navy pilots) have been released recently that discuss unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), sometimes referred to as UFOs (unidentified flying objects). Are they technology? Are they natural phenomena? How should we read and understand such reports and videos? Jay Boisseau and Jessica Sager interview Dr. J. Craig Wheeler, renowned astrophysicist (and also science fiction writer) about these reports and why we should be careful about assuming they are extraterrestrial, or even flying, or possibly event ‘objects,’ and how we might better pursue answers and understanding to determine what these UAPs are.

S3E14 - A Conversation for Clarity in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity--and related terms like computer security, network security, data protection, computer viruses/worms/bots, etc--are both concerning and confusing for most people. In this episode, Jay, John, and Jessica have a free-flowing conversation with computer security expert Tod Beardsley, Director of Research at security company Rapid7, about topics and the current big picture of cybersecurity.

S3E13 - Measuring Brain Activity for Health and Performance

Jay and John talk to Jim Prather, President of WAVi, about neurotech--specifically, monitoring and measuring brain activity as a means of increasing understanding about everything from stroke and concussion impact recovery to mental performance. Yes, this is getting real, and WAViMed is now in about 150 clinics around the country and is being used in multiple research projects.

S3E12 - Edge Computing, Pervasive Sensors, and Instrumenting Everything

The number of connected devices in the world is growing rapidly, driven by our desire to monitor and improve mobility, safety, infrastructure quality, and our environment. The "Internet of Things" may not be the right phrase, but we will see more computing and sensing devices that are connected, enabling real-time and predictive analytics and even autonomy. Join Jay and John as they ask edge computing/IoT expert Jason Shepherd, CTO of Zedada, about the practical realities and future opportunities of edge computing and connected devices.

S3E11 - Neurotech: Accelerating Healing and Improving Health with Neurological Technology

The brain, spinal cord, and extended network of the nervous system throughout the body act as ’software’ to help manage the muscles, organs, bones, and other ‘hardware’ of the human body, and play a fundamental role in its operation, healing, and wellbeing. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs are learning how to hack the body through electrical stimulation technologies to improve healing and condition. Dr. Ramona von Leden, Director of Research and Clinical Education at NeuFit (neu.fit), explains how this important therapeutic technology works.

S3E10 - AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Jay Williams of Quantum Materials Corp

In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun).

S3E9 - AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Charlie Burgoyne of Valkyrie Intelligence

In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun).

S3E8 - AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Jean-Leah Njoroge

In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun).

S3E7 - The Growing Importance of Design in Tech (and Everywhere)

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote working and collaboration, and thereby encouraged (required, really) the near-continuous usage of online technologies for communications, collaboration, and general productivity in teams and companies. Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau talks with General Assembly UX instructor Jennifer "Houli" Houlihan and new UX designer Mary Garza about the growing importance of design in tech, how the pandemic has influenced it, and how design will look after the pandemic. They also share some recommendations and fun things about design!

S3E6 - AI Facts, Fiction, and Fun with guest Matt Sanchez

In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun).

S3E5 - Can Technology Support Spirituality?

Co-hosts Jessica Sager and Jay Boisseau talk with Rabbi Neil Blumofe about whether/how tech can help one discover spirituality, sustain it, or enhance it (including during a pandemic). Rabbi Blumofe shares his views on spirituality and religion, questions the hosts about spirituality, and addresses whether an AI can have a soul.

S3E4 - AI Facts, Fiction and Fun

In this subseries of the Austin Forum Upload, Luke Wilson, John Lockman, and Jay Boisseau -- AI and HPC geeks by day, and full-spectrum geeks around the clock -- will share their takes on recent AI news and achievements (facts), on AI usage/accuracy in TV/movies/etc (fiction), and the weirdest, wackiest, most dubious recent achievements in AI (fun).

S3E3 - Crossover with Tech Breakfast Podcast

The Austin Forum Upload team - Jay Boisseau, Jessica Sager, and John Lockman - joins the Tech Breakfast podcast team for a free-flowing conversation about current tech news and tech trends. We cover personal data sharing and tracking, Tesla’s beasty new Plaid models, the Gamestop/Reddit/RobinHood madness, and a little bit about 5G, space, and walking to Mordor. We had a lot of geeky fun, and hope you do, too!

S3E2 - Social Media Influence in Society and Political Climate Part II

Jay Boisseau continues the interview about social media influence in society and political climate with Sherri Greenberg and Talia Stroud, professors at The University of Texas at Austin, and Paul O’Brien, CEO of Mediatech Ventures. The scale and influence of these private sector platforms and their ability to cancel individuals or even entire services is legal, but is it also dangerous? Should such platforms have the protections of Section 230 while also having global-scale influence? How do we find a balance between their influence in society and their lack of regulation ensuring the protection of society? Our experts discuss this and offer their recommendations for the future.

S3E2 - Social Media Influence in Society and Political Climate Part I

Jay Boisseau interviews three experts in social media influence - Sherri Greenberg and Talia Stroud, professors at The University of Texas at Austin, and Paul O’Brien, CEO of Mediatech Ventures. After the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms disabled the accounts of then-President Trump. Additionally, to further reduce risk, tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Apple, refused to host apps and services for platforms enabling misinformation leading to the events at the Capitol. Is all of this legal? Is it wise? Is it the way forward? This first part lays the foundation, and part 2 will dive deeper into the issues and possible future.

Season 3 Preview

A preview of the topics we are excited about as Season 3 continues in 2021!

S3E1 - SXSW Is Coming Back! Get the Scoop from Hugh Forrest

SXSW has just announced its return for 2021 as an online experience with a strong focus on seven themes that are influencing our economy, society, and culture. Join Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau as he interviews SXSW Chief Programming Office Hugh Forrest about the return of SXSW, the new program themes, and how the SXSW will evolve to further increase its relevance, reach, and impact.

S2E11 - Quantum Computing Might Change Everything!

Quantum computing has made the headlines in 2019 as tech companies large and small invest in research, hardware, software, and expertise to realize its tremendous potential. But what is quantum computing? How does it differ from classical computing and why is it potentially transformative? What does it imply for international competition? Austin’s leading innovator and tech guru Whurley, CEO and founder of Strangeworks, explains all this and more in a conversation with guest interviewer Chelsea Collier of Digi.City and Jay Boisseau.

S2E10 - Using Design Thinking to Improve Your Projects, Work, and Personal Life

The technology of the future will require unique solutions. Borrowing elements from the designer’s toolkit like empathy and experimentation, designers and engineers are collaborating to create more innovative technology solutions with Design Thinking. John Lockman and Jennifer “Houli” Houlihan discuss the background and impact of design thinking with Alex Zub, co-founder and head of tech at Handsome.