Episode 59 - How Immersive Environments Can Create Great Human Experiences

Erin Reilly, Professor fo Practice and Founding Director of the Texas Immersive Institute in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas, talks with Austin Forum director Jay Boisseau about immersive experiences and the technologies that enable them. They discuss the history and present of immersive technologies, the broad potential applications uses, and why immersive experiences map so well to humans, how we experience the world, and how we understand it.

Episode 58 - The Regulation of Emerging Technologies: Implications for AI

Erich Schwartz, Adjunct Professor of Law and Tower Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin, talks with Austin Forum director Jay Boisseau about how emerging technologies are regulated compared to more pervasive technologies - often, after the first incidents with negative impacts. The conversation covers models and methods of regulation, then turns to AI specifically due to the many recent calls for regulation --including by AI leaders-- before fears of larger negative societal impacts occur.

Episode 57 - Making AI Good for Humans

Professor Sharon Strover of The University of Texas at Austin talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about AI's implications for humans--what are the risks (both accidental and intentional), why is it hard to address some of them, and what UT's Good Systems program is doing to help! Sharon and Jay cover a wide range of related topics as they discuss the risks and benefits of AI for humans and the need to learn how to co-exist in ways that benefit all.

Episode 56 - The Growth and Successes of AI

Saurabh Jha of Dell Technologies has a conversation with Austin Forum Executive Director Jay Boisseau about why ChatGPT, Large Langue Models, and generative AI are so compelling, how AI is much more than that, and how deep learning based on neural networks is key to so many AI advances. Saurabh and Jay close by talking about the kinds of successes companies and organizations are achieving now with AI, and what they are both excited about next in AI advances and capabilities.

Episode 55 - Community and Culture in Computing

Amy Winecoff, Research Fellow at Princeton University (and an Austin Forum regular attendee!) talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about her research findings on how community and culture influence tech companies, especially startups. She also shares how the nature of the technology influences the community and culture, with examples contrasting AI companies with Web3/blockchain companies.

Episode 54 - What You Should Know About SXSW Interactive 2023

Paul O'Brien, CEO and Founder of MediaTech Ventures (and SXSW attend for many years!) joins Austin Forum on Technology and Society executive director Jay Boisseau (and also a regular at SXSW Interactive) to discuss this year's SXSW Interactive conference and share highlights in the technologies content of the program. They discussing technology topics including AI, cybersecurity, digital privacy and trust, metaverse, gaming, climate tech, quantum computing, and more, and why the coverage of all these technologies--and the applications and influence in society--make SXSW Interactive an important conference to supplement more focused technology topics conferences. They close with recommendations for companies, executives, technology professionals, and individuals about how to get the most out of SXSW Interactive for their organizations, careers, and lives.

Episode 53 - The Last of Us - and the Convergence of Gaming, Video, and More

The video game market is much larger than Hollywood box office or music purchases, even though it’s not (yet?) as universal. Gaming is also evolving. PC and console games are now massive productions with a strong focus on story, with directors and writers (and awards!), making them better for movies and series. “The Last of Us” is now an HBO series based on the award-winning game, and builds on a great storyline—a weakness for many previous game-based movies and series. Gaming is also driving technologies such as graphics cards, displays, and gaming engines forward in ways that benefit other computing devices and drives innovation in graphics used in video. In short, the large gaming market has increasing influence outside of gaming, and a there is growing convergence of gaming content and technologies with other areas of entertainment—and soon with work, education, and daily life. Gaming is changing technology and society, and we’re going to benefit in many ways.

Episode 52 - LastPass, Passwords, and How to Protect Your Online Accounts

The recent announcement by LastPass being hacked—and other recent notable cybersecurity incidents—led us to chat with Gabe Schuyler, enterprise solutions engineer at Wiz and general computer security expert. Join us as John Lockman, our own AF Tech Director, also shares his personal computer security advice with AF Director Jay Boisseau in this informative episode—and then go fix your computer security holes.

Episode 51 - Mis-, Dis-, and Mal-information: Growing Problem, But Some Hope

Misinformation (including disinformation, which is intentional disinformation), has been around as long as humans have had communication and conflict. However, technologies such as the web, smartphones, and social media have enabled the spreading of misinformation much faster and more widely. This has created mistrust in political leaders, in science such as vaccines and climate change, in social issues, and more. Robert Matney of PrimerAI shares with Austin Forum executive Director Jay Boisseau the history and current disinformation landscape, and they discuss how technologies (smartphones, social media, etc.) have enabled faster creation and distribution of mis-, dis-, mal-information. We then discuss recommendations for individuals and companies, and how technologies including AI as well as improvements in the current tech tools may help with identification and mitigation. All hope is not lost!

Episode 50 - SXSW 2023 Themes, Trends, and Why You Should Attend!

Economics expert and consultant Angelos Angelou, CEO and founder of both Angelou Economics and International Accelerator, joins Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss the economic health of the tech sector--in Austin and beyond--heading into 2023, and what Angelos expects for 2023 in tech job growth rates, tech stock valuations, challenges presented by both supply chain issues and by sanctions, and much more.

Episode 49 - Technology and the Economy in 2023

Economics expert and consultant Angelos Angelou, CEO and founder of both Angelou Economics and International Accelerator, joins Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss the economic health of the tech sector--in Austin and beyond--heading into 2023, and what Angelos expects for 2023 in tech job growth rates, tech stock valuations, challenges presented by both supply chain issues and by sanctions, and much more.

Episode 48 - What's the Big Deal About ChatGPT?

We're baaack! With more for 2023! Luke Wilson, head of global infrastructure at Optiver, and Adnan Khaleel, business and technology strategist at Intel, join Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau to discuss the buzz about ChatGPT, including what it is, what it can do, some of its weaknesses and limitations, and what the future may hold.

Episode 47 - Why You Need (or Need to be) a Strategic Futurist

Nancy Giordano, a strategic futurist with Play Big Inc. and a globally recognized speaker, consultant, advisor, and more, talks with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau about the importance of merging 'futurism' and 'strategic planning' to envision and create a better future. She shares her definition of the role, the qualities it takes to be a strategic futurist, the impact they can have, and examples of some companies that have embraced the importance of strategic futurists. As always, she closes with recommendations for listeners to embark on this role, and for companies and organizations to embrace this way of thinking, planning, and achieving.

Episode 46 - UX Design, and How It Makes Tech Better

UX designers Erik Summa of Dell Technologies and Jennifer "Houli" Houlihan of the Flatiron School talk with the Austin Forum's executive director Jay Boisseau and UX designer Mary Garza about what design is, why UX design is important (and quantifiable), why your company should take UX design seriously, and how you can become a UX designer if you wish!

Episode 45 - Does the Metaverse Need Fashion? Yes!

Gaming and VR environments allow us to have avatars that represent ourselves, and for more serious metaverse applications we probably want to look human--maybe even professional. But what about when thousands, or millions, of people--or the whole planet--need to appear in a metaverse? There's a lot to consider when making metaverse environments, and that includes clothes! Graham and Jordan Cooley, CEO and COO of Hologress, have you covered (pun intended) and share with the Austin Forum's Jay Boisseau how they are making it easier for participants, creators, and fashion/clothing companies to create clothes for massive metaverses of people/avatars.

Episode 44 - What Makes Austin Special? Tech Is (Only) a Part of It!

Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, fueled by explosive growth in its tech sector companies ranging from startups to global leaders and spanning many areas of computing plus biotech, energy tech, manufacturing tech, and more. The Austin Next podcast duo of Michael Scharf and Jason Scharf talks with Austin Forum on Technology and Society executive director Jay Boisseau about what makes Austin different... special... unique. Their bullishness and positivity about Austin overall, and its spirit of tech innovation in particular, are backed by interviewing many Austin leaders as well as conducting extensive research and drawing on their own significant expertise. They share insights, perspectives, and even recommendations of value to Austinites, to techies, and to anyone interested in what is working in Austin and how cities and regions should embrace their own opportunities, culture, and unique characteristics.

Episode 43 - Online and Hybrid Events: Lessons and Recommendations from the AF Team

The Austin Forum on Technology and Society held monthly in-person-only events on diverse technologies and their influence and impact on all aspects of society since 2006--to as many as 300+ people. When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled our in-person events, we decided that our mission was more important than our methods of execution--and learning new methods. Join us as executive director and founder Jay Boisseau, managing director Heather Bishop, technology director John Lockman, and communications coordinator (and remote team member) Delanie Majors share our successes, challenges, lessons, and recommendations for effective online and hybrid events.

Episode 42 - The Power of Storytelling to Help AI Change the World

Ganesh Padmanabhan, the creator of the podcast "Stories in AI," talks about storytelling and AI with Austin Forum executive director Jay Boisseau and Technology Director John Lockman. We talk about how wonderful conversations--and the podcast medium--can be about everything, including complex topics like AI, how intimate that can be, and how much such conversations can not only explain but inspire. (Also, AI was used to produce this episode about AI!)

Episode 41 - SXSW is BACK!

Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer of SXSW, sits down for a chat with Jay Boisseau, executive director of the Austin Forum, to discuss all things SXSW: past, present, and where it's headed next.

Weekly AF Upload Preview

The Austin Forum Upload podcast has had three great seasons, but there is more to cover all the time. So, we're not starting season 4--we're coming back as a weekly podcast! Hear what's coming up in the weeks and months ahead, and as always send us your requests and ideas to info at austinforum.org!