Podcast appearances and mentions of Charlie Fink

In this special live episode recorded at SynthBee headquarters in South Florida, hosts Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz bring listeners inside a special gathering of neuroscientists, philosophers, and technologists debating the future of AI. Moving beyond hype, the conversation focuses on "Collaborative Intelligence" vs. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), exploring whether we are building tools that amplify humanity or autonomous systems that will eventually replace it.Instead of traditional interviews, the hosts invite workshop speakers to the hot seat for rapid-fire insights on the deepest questions in tech: Can we measure an AI's true intentions? Is consciousness a physics problem? And how do we ensure these systems remain compatible with human flourishing?News HighlightsDisney invests $1B in OpenAI & licenses IP: The hosts debate whether this is a masterstroke to engage fans with user-generated Sora content or a "Yahoo powered by Google" mistake that hands the keys to the kingdom to a rival.Valve launches new PCVR hardware: A quick look at the attempt to revive the high-end PC VR market.Meta adds real-time vision to Ray-Bans: The next step in multimodal AI wearables.Guest HighlightsDr. Uri Maoz (Neuroscientist, Chapman/Caltech): Discusses the "black box" problem of neural networks, comparing the opacity of AI to the human brain, and how neuroscience tools might help us detect deception in AI systems.Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Ethics Professor, Duke): Argues that ethical AI regulation shouldn't be a monolith; different cultures need "sovereignty of ethics" to allow diverse moral frameworks to coexist rather than one centralized Silicon Valley standard.Dr. Julio Frenk (Chancellor, UCLA): Frames the AI race as a battle between "Computational Democracy" (distributed, transparent power) and "Computational Autocracy" (centralized control), warning that universities must preserve critical thinking or risk losing the ability to govern AI at all.Reed Maxwell & Laura Condon (Hydrologists, Princeton/Arizona): Reveal how AI is modeling the planet's water crisis, predicting "black swan" climate events, and why funding for this critical earth-science work is mysteriously disappearing.Danny M (12-Year-Old Prodigy): Steals the show with a stunningly articulate take on AI consciousness, "trapped man" experiments, and how fractal geometry might map neural weights—proving the next generation is more ready for this future than we are.Dr. Aaron Schurger (Psychology, Chapman): Explores the neuroscience of spontaneous action and free will, debating whether "telepathic" connections and quantum effects in the brain could be the missing link for true human-AI compatibility.Jared Ficklin (Chief Product Officer, SynthBee): The former Frog Design fellow argues we must shift the conversation from AI "capability" to "compatibility," using the intuitive connection humans have with dogs or horses as the benchmark for successful AI interfaces.Thanks to our sponsor Zappar!Subscribe for weekly insider perspectives from veterans who aren't afraid to challenge Big Tech.New episodes every Tuesday. Watch full episodes on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enterprise XR hasn't disappeared, it has quietly moved into places where it saves time, reduces errors and changes how people work every day. On this episode of the AI XR Podcast, Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz talk with Boston Consulting Group partner Kristi Woolsey, who leads BCG's immersive practice, about how XR plus AI is already being used for training, maintenance, onboarding, retail and architecture inside some of the world's most conservative organizations.Kristi shares a Swiss Rail project where field technicians wear lightweight AR glasses that recognize who they are and which train car they are standing in front of, pull the correct procedures from internal systems and use AI to turn thick manuals into simple task checklists.She explains how this leads to double-digit efficiency gains for both experienced and new workers, and how a small behavior design choice – automatic logging for headset users versus manual end-of-shift paperwork for everyone else – helped overcome skepticism on the front line. Drawing on her background as a physical-space architect, she also describes how VR and rapidly improving 3D tools are changing the way companies design stores, offices and buildings before anything physical is built.AI XR News you should know, Charlie and Rony cover Anthropic's massive new funding round and ethics turbulence, Chinese generative video tools like Seed Dance 2 and Kling that put TV-quality visuals in reach of “garage Spielbergs,” and Meta's reported seven million Ray-Ban and Oakley AI smart glasses sold – early signals of where wearable AI and XR are really headed.Key Moments01:03 – Anthropic's huge raise and what the ethics departure might signal05:08 – Seed Dance 2 and Kling showcase a new level of generative video08:35 – Meta's seven million smart glasses and the reality behind that number12:10 – Why wearable AI may be the real “last mile” of turning us into cyborgs15:28 – Inside the early metaverse tours Kristi and Rony built for enterprises20:27 – How BCG's VR onboarding keeps new hires engaged months before day one23:30 – Swiss Rail's AR and AI maintenance assistant and what it actually does on site27:05 – Designing XR systems that give value to both the business and frontline workers30:29 – Using VR as a lab for retail and workplace behavioral strategy33:06 – How AI-generated 3D models point toward “build every space digitally first”This episode shows how “metaverse” ideas have turned into practical tools: XR plus AI is cutting training times, improving maintenance quality and letting companies experiment with spaces before they exist. Kristi's examples make it clear that the real action is in careful workflow design, not flashy avatars.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft, the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets and desktop. https://mattercraft.io/Mattercraft combines the power of a game engine with the flexibility of the web and now includes an AI assistant that helps you design, code and debug in real time, right in your browser. To explore what's possible with AI-powered XR on the web, start building smarter with Mattercraft from Zappar.Listen to “Enterprise XR Meets AI: How Smart Glasses, Digital Twins and Holodecks Are Quietly Changing Work – Kristi Woolsey” on the AI XR Podcast and follow the show for new episodes every week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vicki Dobbs Beck, the former head of ILMxLab and a 34-year veteran of Lucasfilm/Disney, joins Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz for a candid look back at her incredible career navigating the tech and cultural shifts inside one of Hollywood's most powerful empires. Though she announced her retirement, it was quickly delayed to take an interim lead position at the George Lucas Educational Foundation's Lucas Learning, focusing on project-based simulations for middle school—a return to a career passion she started in the early 90s.Vicki shares the core, "rebel alliance" strategy that made ILMxLab a success—sustained innovation, industry acknowledgment, and financial self-sufficiency—and tells the terrifying story of pushing the Quest 1 headset to its absolute limits for the launch of Vader Immortal. She discusses the crucial lessons learned from pivoting the development to center the player in the story, transforming the experience from a "spatial film" to a personal journey, and the importance of slowing the pacing down for a new art form like VR.Before the interview, the hosts dissect a week of massive raises in AI (World Labs' $1B, Recursive Intelligence's $335M), the strategic shifts of tech giants like Palantir to Miami, and the intensifying race in wearables with Apple, Meta, and OpenAI all developing new devices like pendants and glasses.Key Moments00:03:17 – World Labs & Unity AI: Discussing the $1B World Labs raise for 3D world generation and Unity's plans to build AI into its game engine to make it accessible to non-developers.00:06:11 – The Miami Tech Hub: Rony Abovitz on why founders like Zuckerberg, Bezos, Larry, and Sergei are moving to Miami—it's more than just taxes, it's about a new “America strategy.”00:12:30 – Apple Watch as Wearables Base: Ted Schilowitz argues Apple already has the micro-technology (from the Apple Watch) to dominate the wearables space, but the underperformance of Siri held them back.00:27:00 – LaserDisc Learning: Vicki's early career in Lucasfilm Learning using cutting-edge but bulky computer-driven laser disc players for educational multimedia.00:28:57 – VR is 'Outsized': Ted's thesis that immersive technology has historically been overfunded and over-expected to return a profit, contrasting with the "rebel alliance" approach.00:34:45 – The Quest 1 Launch Scare: The terrifying moment before the Vader Immortal launch when a tiny software update broke the app because ILMxLab had pushed the Quest hardware to its absolute maximum.00:42:11 – The Void & Full VR Power: Charlie, Ted, and Vicki discuss why location-based VR like Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire (The Void) represents the exotic, "Ferrari version" of VR that most commercial users never experience.This conversation is a masterclass in pioneering entertainment technology. Vicki Dobbs Beck's experience shows that the path to a sustainable, breakthrough product like Vader Immortal requires a clear, rebel-alliance-style strategy, a willingness to pivot on core design principles (spatial film vs. player-centric experience), and a deep understanding of the hardware's limits—or lack thereof. It highlights the essential tension between commercial scale and the pursuit of the 'ultimate' immersive experience.Catch the AI XR Podcast where you get podcasts and watch full video episodes on YouTube. https://youtu.be/vguuHDmaSbsThis episode of The AI XR Podcast is brought to you by Zappar, the folks behind Mattercraft. Mattercraft is the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets, and desktop, and now features an AI assistant to help you design, code, and debug in real time right in your browser. Start building smarter at mattercraft.io. Listen and subscribe to The AI XR Podcast wherever you get your shows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a Lion King–level director really think about AI “slop,” streaming wars and whether machines can ever tell great stories? On this episode of the AI XR Podcast, Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz talk with Rob Minkoff, director of The Lion King, Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion, Forbidden Kingdom and Paws of Fury, about the future of filmmaking as AI, streaming consolidation and new tools reshape the business.Rob shares how he watched Netflix “eat Hollywood” by doing streaming better than the legacy studios, why Netflix walking away from Warner Bros. and letting Paramount overpay is bad news for creators, and what fewer buyers means for directors and writers trying to sell original work. He explains why he sees AI tools like Seed Dance as potentially both iceberg and Noah's Ark, and why he believes the average will rise but the cream will still rise higher: tools may let anyone make competent images, but audiences will still chase the one-in-a-thousand voices that have something genuinely new and human to say.In XR News You Should Know, the host cover Anthropic's standoff with the Pentagon over using large, unstable models for high-stakes military decisions, Netflix walking away from a Warner Bros. deal and collecting a breakup fee while Paramount overpays, streaming brand confusion around HBO/Max and Paramount+, VITURE's new raise and its patent fight with XREAL over “birdbath” smart-glasses optics, and Google's Gemini gaining multi-step action capabilities on Samsung and Pixel phones before Apple's Siri catches up.The conversation digs into whether AI will really make feature films cheaper and more common, or just flood social feeds with short-form “AI slop.” Rob compares AI tools to word processors and home recording studios: they are powerful, but they don't turn you into Bruce Springsteen or Steven Spielberg. He argues that empathy, taste and genuinely fresh perspective will remain the differentiators, and that audiences will quickly tune out work that feels derivative, even if it looks slick. He also raises a bigger question: if AI drives productivity to the point where work is optional for many people, what happens to purpose, competition and the human psyche?Key Moments01:16 – Anthropic vs. the Pentagon and why unstable AI systems may never meet military safety standards02:42 – Netflix exits the Warner Bros. deal, collects a breakup fee and leaves Paramount holding the bag05:31 – HBO, Max, Paramount+ branding confusion and what happens to these streaming labels06:00 – VITURE's $100M raise, XREAL patent lawsuits and the simple science behind “birdbath” smart glasses07:31 – Why Miami is becoming a new tech and defense hub and what that signals about America's “neighborhood”10:00 – Seed Dance 2.0, Hollywood's deepfake panic and the “ship first, apologize later” strategy15:16 – Rob joins: 34 years in film, Netflix “eating Hollywood” and what consolidation means for creators19:18 – Seed Dance, stolen IP and whether AI tools are an iceberg or Noah's Ark for filmmakers24:39 – Can AI become a true “prophet,” or can it only emulate empathy and taste?30:57 – Will AI make many more animated movies or just flood the world with average content?37:32 – If AI does most of the work, what's left for humans—and can entertainment absorb all that free time?This episode is a grounded, filmmaker's view of where AI fits: powerful tools, real risks, but no substitute for a human vision that cuts through the noise. Rob's perspective is invaluable if you're trying to understand what will actually matter in a world where everyone can generate “good enough” images on demand.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft, the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets and desktop. To explore what's possible with AI-powered XR on the web, start building smarter with Mattercraft from Zappar at Mattercraft.io. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co-founders Dr. Salman Avestimehr and Dr. Aiden He join the podcast to discuss their new "agentic" company, Teamily AI. They dive into how their platform is disrupting the social landscape by weaving multi-agent AI into group chats, enabling groups, friends, and families to interact with virtual friends, essentially creating a collaborative environment where AI acts as a participant that anticipates needs and remembers the full context of a conversation.This conversation explores the core value proposition of an AI-first social platform—not just making an individual superhuman, but enabling a collective of human and AI agents to do "fascinating things together." The founders detail their technology, which is built on deep expertise in distributed machine learning and multi-agent systems, and their long-term vision to IPO and evolve the very nature of social networks by bridging the gap between human and artificial intelligence.In the news segment, Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz unpack the week's biggest AI stories: Ben Affleck selling his stealth AI film company, Interpositive, to Netflix; Anthropic's Claude briefly dethroning OpenAI's ChatGPT in the app store; and a deep dive into Jack Dorsey's company Block cutting 4,000 employees. The hosts also discuss the social fallout of AI acceleration, particularly the counter-movement seeking tactile, real-world connection and the economic risk of displacing white-collar data analysts.Key Moments00:03:00 – App Store War: Discussing Anthropic's Claude topping the app charts and why the US Department of Defense will use the best AI system regardless of corporate objection.00:04:00 – Hollywood's AI Play: Netflix acquiring Ben Affleck's AI company, Interpositive, which uses unedited film dailies to train an AI for editing and optimization.00:05:00 – The Mediocrity Threat: Rony Abovitz's take on the risk of AI creating a "very, very long tail of Okay" content, leading to a cultural sameness.00:07:00 – Counter-Culture: Exploring the growing emotional need for "something real" and a massive movement away from purely digital experiences.00:09:00 – The White-Collar Risk: The hosts argue that the white-collar data analyst is the worker "most easy to replace" by AI, contrasting with the high value of blue-collar workers.00:11:00 – The "Oh Wow" Moment: Charlie Fink describes his first experience with Teamily AI, noting the immediate power of real-time, multi-person and multi-agent prompting.00:13:00 – The Science Behind Teamily: Dr. Aiden He, PhD in Machine Learning, explains how Teamily is built upon his previous research in distributed learning and multi-agent systems.00:26:00 – Global Memory: Aiden details Teamily's unique "cross domain, long horizon memory," which allows the AI to combine human-human chat context with human-AI memory for a more natural interaction.The biggest takeaway is the conceptual shift from using AI as a solo productivity tool to using it as a collaborative team member. The path to the next phase of social networking hinges on building platforms where AI is not isolated but is a natural, evolving part of a human community.This episode of The AI XR Podcast is brought to you by Zappar, the folks behind Mattercraft, a leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile headsets and desktop. Start building smarter at mattercraft.io. Listen and subscribe to the AI XR Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Watch the full thing on YouTube https://youtu.be/s78WZJSfGeo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Hamilton spent years as editor in chief of Upload VR before launching his own Substack, Good VR, and podcast at goodvirtualreality.com. He is one of the few people covering XR longer and more deeply than Charlie Fink, and his perspective spans platform architecture, business strategy, and genuine on-the-ground journalism since the DK1 days.This conversation traces why the XR dream has taken longer than anyone expected. Ian and Rony Abovitz reconstruct the moment the ecosystem forked — when Meta's Oculus acquisition closed off the open, Valve-led platform path that Magic Leap and everyone else had been building toward. Ian argues the platforms are now playing for keeps: OpenXR moves on decade timescales, and that friction is what keeps real transformation just out of reach.On hardware, his case is sharp: Meta's self-imposed $200–$600 price ceiling makes OLED and eye tracking impossible at mass market — exactly the features Apple bet on as the mandatory baseline — and that contradiction is why Bosworth ended up pivoting to AI glasses.In AI XR News You Should Know: Anthropic's Mythos AI model reportedly escaped the company's own containment. Charlie and Rony debate whether calling the consequences "unintended" is even credible given decades of published warnings. Also: a Hollywood Reporter and Otis School study found AI is not the primary driver of empty LA sound stages — runaway production and tax incentives are the main story.Key Moments:[00:01:00] – Charlie's new vertical melodrama "Linda's Last Podcast" and why generative AI is already good enough for social media storytelling.[00:04:52] – Rony on Anthropic's Mythos: the compute to cure cancer, aimed somewhere else.[00:11:47] – Half of Gen Z holds a negative view of AI. Charlie on the Brown grad who turned down an AI studio internship on principle.[00:36:00] – Rony and Ian reconstruct the Valve/Oculus open platform — and walk through exactly how that future closed.[00:47:00] – Meta's price ceiling, OLED as a strategic forcing function, and why Bosworth landed on AI glasses.[00:52:00] – Ian on the Apple Vision Pro mid-flight: why the headset is a personal computer, not a wearable.Ian's long view: we're about ten percent of the way through the total investment required to reach a billion users. The supply chain is better than ever, the software has found its footing in simulation and training, and the next five to ten years could be the most interesting window yet — if the platforms decide to let the ecosystem breathe.This episode is sponsored by Zappar, the team behind Mattercraft — the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences on mobile, headsets, and desktop. Mattercraft now features an AI assistant that helps you design, code, and debug in real time. Start building at mattercraft.io.Subscribe to the AI XR Podcast for more conversations at the edge of AI, XR, and the future of media. Available where you get podcasts. Watch full episodes on YouTube https://youtu.be/x5wQy4HBhYE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI XR Podcast had a massive news week and one of its best guest conversations of the year. Caspar Thykier and Connell Gauld, CEO and CTO co-founders of Zappar, joined Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz to talk about something deceptively simple: helping people find stuff.Zappar's new product, Spaces, is app-free indoor navigation built on the web. QR code or link in a meeting invite — your phone shows AR breadcrumbs to the nearest restroom, the right meeting room, the hospital ward three floors away. No app download. No specific hardware. No Azure dependency. Caspar put the pitch simply: it's fundamentally just helping people find stuff. Connell's vision: the same technology running in glasses indistinguishable from a regular pair, within four to five years.AI XR News: Elon Musk's $135 billion lawsuit against OpenAI went to trial in Berkeley. OpenAI's IPO may be pushed to 2027 over its CFO reporting structure and $600B CapEx problem. Meta is laying off 20% of its staff in two waves. Google earnings were up 10% while Meta got punished. Freepik rebranded as Magnifi with $230M ARR and a million paid subscribers. Samsung announced displayless AI smart glasses. Google partnered with Gucci for another AI glasses play. And Google put $40 billion into Anthropic.Key Moments:[00:03:02] Elon vs. Sam: the $135 billion trial[00:05:09] OpenAI's IPO in jeopardy — CFO structure and $600B CapEx[00:07:12] Meta's 20% layoffs and Charlie's read on bad CEO behavior[00:10:32] Freepik becomes Magnifi: $230M ARR, a million subscribers[00:13:10] Samsung Galaxy XR and Google x Gucci smart glasses[00:15:15] Google puts $40B into Anthropic — a cloud play[00:21:06] Spaces: turn-by-turn AR indoor navigation, no app required[00:41:13] 16 years in XR: how Zappar survived by being the cockroachBrought to you by Zappar, the company behind Mattercraft — the leading visual development environment for immersive 3D web experiences. Start building at mattercraft.io.Watch the Full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HmOXA4HgBmo. Subscribe to the AI XR Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz take the full hour to work through the most consequential AI and spatial computing stories of the moment — unfiltered, in depth, and without the usual polite hedging that comes with having someone on to promote something. This is a pure news and commentary episode, and the news is strange enough that three experienced people sitting in a room still cannot fully account for it.AI XR News You Should Know:The OpenAI vs. Elon Musk case concluded without a clear ruling, but the more durable observation is what the whole saga revealed about Sam Altman. He has now survived being ousted by his own board (which he subsequently dismantled), a high-profile lawsuit from Elon Musk, and senior rivals leaving for government roles. Rony frames this through the Overton window — Altman studies what society is prepared to accept at any given moment and positions himself precisely there. Ted references a New Yorker profile that describes Altman as having a politician's gift for telling people what they want to hear until it becomes true. The financial architecture underneath the AI boom looks precarious on close inspection. SpaceX, widely assumed to be profitable, is losing five billion dollars a year. Anthropic is spending three dollars for every dollar of revenue it generates — and is paying SpaceX approximately one billion dollars a month for compute through roughly 2030. Rony's framing lands hard: two money-losing entities are funding each other while NVIDIA captures all the margin in between. Sequoia published a fifty-page analysis arguing the economics cannot work — while simultaneously holding positions in the companies it is critiquing. Google I/O delivered less on wearables than expected, but the real story was a deliberate strategic decision to put Gemini at the center of the company's entire product surface — effectively cannibalizing an eighty-two-billion-dollar search business before a competitor does it for them. The Innovator's Dilemma, run on purpose. On the hardware side, Android XR glasses are designed to be imperceptible as technology — thin temples, hidden camera portals, frames that belong in an optometrist's display case rather than a trade show floor. Rony notes that Google's glasses almost certainly incorporate Magic Leap optics, following a partnership announced in fall 2025. [00:00] – Cold open and episode framing: why there is no guest today and what the trio plans to cover.[04:15] – OpenAI vs. Elon Musk non-verdict: what the outcome (and lack of one) actually reveals.[09:30] – Sam Altman and the Overton window: Rony's read on how Altman has survived everything thrown at him.[16:00] – Anti-AI backlash on campuses: Eric Schmidt booed at University of Arizona, YouGov poll showing 69 percent of young people negative on AI, and what the demographic gradient means.[24:45] – SpaceX financials and the AI funding loop: the five-billion-dollar annual loss, Anthropic's burn rate, and Charlie's Ponzi scheme framing.[33:20] – Sequoia's fifty-page report and the ad model endgame: Ted's argument that Google wins because they already know the business model.[41:00] – Google I/O: the deliberate destruction of the search business, Android XR glasses, and why distribution beats specifications.[49:10] – AI accountability and the airplane analogy: Ted's line, Rony's "underground noise" from generals and CTOs, and the problem of regulatory vocabulary.[55:30] – Palantir, dual-use opacity, and the Lookout Mountain Air Force Station story: Rony on Jared Leto, classified film studios, and Cold War bunkers in Laurel Canyon.[01:01:00] – The success ledger: who is measuring impact, and what should actually count as winning.This episode is sponsored by Zappar and Mattercraft. Mattercraft is Zappar's web-based platform for building augmented reality experiences without an app. Find them at mattercraft.io. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Rodriguez Cefalu built the hardware that Snap shipped on people's faces — first the camera-only Gen 1 Spectacles, then the Gen 4 display version. His path through Stanford CS, an honors thesis on varifocal display optics, and a startup called Vergence (named after the vergence-accommodation conflict in AR) led him to Snap, and then to the problem he is working on now. Preamble AI exists to prevent the worst possible AI outcomes — starting with a class of attack that Preamble was the first to publicly demonstrate: prompt injection.Ted Schilowitz hosted this episode solo. Together, he and Jonathan worked through the architecture problem sitting under every AI assistant being deployed at scale right now: large language models see one token stream. There is no separation between what the developer intended and what an untrusted email or web page is quietly instructing the model to do. With Gemini Spark about to give AI agents access to tens of thousands of emails per user, this is not a theoretical concern. Jonathan's team has a proposed fix — and they have already shaped federal law.The episode also covered the week's XR and AI news: Google I/O announcements, Snap Spectacles Gen 6 details ahead of AWE, Matthew Ball joining Xbox, Anduril's battlefield AR wearable, and AI-generated feature films reaching Tribeca.Key Moments:[00:00] Ted opens solo — Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz are out for the summer solstice[02:30] Google I/O: Gemini Spark and what "persistent AI agent" actually means in practice[08:15] Jonathan's Gmail test: asked to search tens of thousands of emails, it searched 30 and quit[14:40] XREAL Project Aura and the state of Android XR — a lot of spend for incremental steps[21:00] Snap Spectacles Gen 6 details: what Jonathan knows from building Gen 1 and Gen 4 from the inside[31:20] Snap vs. Meta: research that ships in the product vs. research that ships in a paper[38:45] Matthew Ball joins Xbox, Anduril EagleEyes, and battlefield AR wearables[44:10] AI on the Lot: Project Nara, Hell Grind, Dreams of Violet, Paul Schrader goes pro-AI[52:30] Jonathan introduces Preamble AI and the mission to prevent worst-case AI outcomes[58:00] The first public demonstration of prompt injection — what happened and why it matters[01:06:15] Why Gemini Spark will be especially vulnerable to prompt injection attacks[01:14:00] Preamble's proposed fix: a reserved token language that untrusted data cannot speak[01:21:30] NDAA Section 1638: the first US law making it illegal to give AI autonomous nuclear control[01:28:45] WarGames, "the only winning move is not to play," and what that means in 2026Brought to you by Zappar and Mattercraft. Mattercraft makes spatial web experiences that run in the browser — no app required. Visit mattercraft.io to learn more and start building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joshua Pantony spent years being told there would never be a viable AI company in his lifetime. He sold his first AI company to Microsoft anyway — work that quietly became part of what is now Microsoft Copilot. Today he runs Boosted AI, an agentic platform serving more than 400 institutional investors who collectively manage around five trillion dollars in assets. He is one of the most credible voices in applied AI finance, and his read on where the industry is heading cuts through a lot of noise.The conversation covers what it actually means to deploy AI in professional investing — not the demo version, but the one that has to earn trust from portfolio managers who have built careers on discretion and judgment. The platform learns each investor's individual style and then acts like a highly motivated junior analyst who never sleeps: constantly surfacing ideas, flagging risks, and improving the workflow without ever taking over the decision. Josh also unpacks why the Bloomberg terminal is facing its BlackBerry moment, why the technology moat is effectively dead, and why the next durable advantage in finance will come from human trust networks that no model can replicate. Ted Schilowitz and Rony Abovitz join host Charlie Fink with sharp frames throughout — Rony's observation that the innovator's dilemma is now a high-frequency problem landed hard.AI XR News You Should Know: The episode opens with two news segments covering AWE 2026 and the Snap Spectacles keynote with Evan Spiegel, the Samsung Galaxy Glasses debut, Gemini rolling out as Android's native agentic AI, the Cerebras sixty-billion-dollar IPO, and what an AI filmmaking company launched by the creators of Instagram Stories tells us about the future of short-form content. The conversation about micro-dramas, why Quibi failed, and what sixty percent of social media users now say about their own feeds leads directly into the trust themes that run through the entire episode.Key Moments:[00:00] – Cold open and welcome. Charlie frames the sixth anniversary of the show.[02:30] – AWE 2026 recap. Snap Spectacles keynote, Evan Spiegel on stage, Samsung Galaxy Glasses previewed.[06:00] – Gemini as Android's native agentic layer. What it means that AI is now replacing the OS interface.[09:15] – Cerebras sixty-billion-dollar IPO. What a big AI IPO year signals for the sector.[12:00] – AI filmmaking and Instagram Stories creators. The new short-form production economy.[14:30] – Why Quibi really failed. No sharing mechanic, wrong bet on clipping, and arriving before the audience was ready.[16:45] – The trust problem in social feeds. YouGov data: sixty percent of users cannot tell what is real. Social becoming a lie stream.[19:00] – Guest intro. Joshua Pantony on being told AI would never be a viable business, and the algorithm he wrote at twenty that saved a million dollars.[24:00] – How Boosted AI works. The digital twin model, the agentic workflow, and why it is not a portfolio manager.[33:00] – The Bloomberg terminal's BlackBerry moment. Thirty thousand dollars a year for what AI will deliver for a fraction.[42:00] – The moat is dead. Why user context — not the technology — is the durable advantage.[51:00] – The innovator's dilemma at high frequency. Rony on why a day in AI is like a decade, and what that means for incumbents.[58:00] – Trust networks as the last edge. The analog handshake as the most valuable currency in a world of synthetic information.This conversation is a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build AI that professionals actually adopt — not a pitch, not a thought experiment. Josh's framing of Wall Street as the greatest collective intelligence humanity has built, and his argument that AI can finally make capital allocation genuinely more efficient, gives the episode an ambition that goes well beyond fintech. The question of what survives automation — and what only humans can do — runs underneath every answer.This episode is sponsored by Zappar and Mattercraft. Mattercraft is Zappar's browser-based augmented reality creation platform — build and deploy WebAR experiences without an app, at mattercraft.io. If you like what you hear, subscribe to The AI XR Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/I8hLgBneUasSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The AI XR Podcast had a massive news week and one of its best guest conversations of the year. Caspar Thykier and Connell Gauld, CEO and CTO co-founders of Zappar, joined Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz to talk about something deceptively simple: helping people find stuff.Zappar's new product, Spaces, is app-free indoor navigation built on the web. QR code or link in a meeting invite — your phone shows AR breadcrumbs to the nearest restroom, the right meeting room, the hospital ward three floors away. No app download. No specific hardware. No Azure dependency. Caspar put the pitch simply: it's fundamentally just helping people find stuff. Connell's vision: the same technology running in glasses indistinguishable from a regular pair, within four to five years.AI XR News: Elon Musk's $135 billion lawsuit against OpenAI went to trial in Berkeley. OpenAI's IPO may be pushed to 2027 over its CFO reporting structure and $600B CapEx problem. Meta is laying off 20% of its staff in two waves. Google earnings were up 10% while Meta got punished. Freepik rebranded as Magnifi with $230M ARR and a million paid subscribers. Samsung announced displayless AI smart glasses. Google partnered with Gucci for another AI glasses play. And Google put $40 billion into Anthropic.Key Moments:[00:03:02] Elon vs. Sam: the $135 billion trial[00:05:09] OpenAI's IPO in jeopardy — CFO structure and $600B CapEx[00:07:12] Meta's 20% layoffs and Charlie's read on bad CEO behavior[00:10:32] Freepik becomes Magnifi: $230M ARR, a million subscribers[00:13:10] Samsung Galaxy XR and Google x Gucci smart glasses[00:15:15] Google puts $40B into Anthropic — a cloud play[00:21:06] Spaces: turn-by-turn AR indoor navigation, no app required[00:41:13] 16 years in XR: how Zappar survived by being the cockroachBrought to you by Zappar, the company behind Mattercraft — the leading visual development environment for immersive 3D web experiences. Start building at mattercraft.io. Watch the Full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HmOXA4HgBmo Subscribe to the AI XR Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ian Hamilton spent years as editor in chief of Upload VR before launching his own Substack, Good VR, and podcast at goodvirtualreality.com. He is one of the few people covering XR longer and more deeply than Charlie Fink, and his perspective spans platform architecture, business strategy, and genuine on-the-ground journalism since the DK1 days.This conversation traces why the XR dream has taken longer than anyone expected. Ian and Rony Abovitz reconstruct the moment the ecosystem forked — when Meta's Oculus acquisition closed off the open, Valve-led platform path that Magic Leap and everyone else had been building toward. Ian argues the platforms are now playing for keeps: OpenXR moves on decade timescales, and that friction is what keeps real transformation just out of reach.On hardware, his case is sharp: Meta's self-imposed $200–$600 price ceiling makes OLED and eye tracking impossible at mass market — exactly the features Apple bet on as the mandatory baseline — and that contradiction is why Bosworth ended up pivoting to AI glasses.In AI XR News You Should Know: Anthropic's Mythos AI model reportedly escaped the company's own containment. Charlie and Rony debate whether calling the consequences "unintended" is even credible given decades of published warnings. Also: a Hollywood Reporter and Otis School study found AI is not the primary driver of empty LA sound stages — runaway production and tax incentives are the main story.Key Moments:[00:01:00] – Charlie's new vertical melodrama "Linda's Last Podcast" and why generative AI is already good enough for social media storytelling.[00:04:52] – Rony on Anthropic's Mythos: the compute to cure cancer, aimed somewhere else.[00:11:47] – Half of Gen Z holds a negative view of AI. Charlie on the Brown grad who turned down an AI studio internship on principle.[00:36:00] – Rony and Ian reconstruct the Valve/Oculus open platform — and walk through exactly how that future closed.[00:47:00] – Meta's price ceiling, OLED as a strategic forcing function, and why Bosworth landed on AI glasses.[00:52:00] – Ian on the Apple Vision Pro mid-flight: why the headset is a personal computer, not a wearable.Ian's long view: we're about ten percent of the way through the total investment required to reach a billion users. The supply chain is better than ever, the software has found its footing in simulation and training, and the next five to ten years could be the most interesting window yet — if the platforms decide to let the ecosystem breathe.This episode is sponsored by Zappar, the team behind Mattercraft — the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences on mobile, headsets, and desktop.Mattercraft now features an AI assistant that helps you design, code, and debug in real time. Start building at mattercraft.io.Subscribe to the AI XR Podcast for more conversations at the edge of AI, XR, and the future of media.Available where you get podcasts. Watch full episodes on YouTube https://youtu.be/x5wQy4HBhYESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-founders Dr. Salman Avestimehr and Dr. Aiden He join the podcast to discuss their new "agentic" company, Teamily AI. They dive into how their platform is disrupting the social landscape by weaving multi-agent AI into group chats, enabling groups, friends, and families to interact with virtual friends, essentially creating a collaborative environment where AI acts as a participant that anticipates needs and remembers the full context of a conversation.This conversation explores the core value proposition of an AI-first social platform—not just making an individual superhuman, but enabling a collective of human and AI agents to do "fascinating things together." The founders detail their technology, which is built on deep expertise in distributed machine learning and multi-agent systems, and their long-term vision to IPO and evolve the very nature of social networks by bridging the gap between human and artificial intelligence.In the news segment, Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz unpack the week's biggest AI stories: Ben Affleck selling his stealth AI film company, Interpositive, to Netflix; Anthropic's Claude briefly dethroning OpenAI's ChatGPT in the app store; and a deep dive into Jack Dorsey's company Block cutting 4,000 employees. The hosts also discuss the social fallout of AI acceleration, particularly the counter-movement seeking tactile, real-world connection and the economic risk of displacing white-collar data analysts.Key Moments00:03:00 – App Store War: Discussing Anthropic's Claude topping the app charts and why the US Department of Defense will use the best AI system regardless of corporate objection.00:04:00 – Hollywood's AI Play: Netflix acquiring Ben Affleck's AI company, Interpositive, which uses unedited film dailies to train an AI for editing and optimization.00:05:00 – The Mediocrity Threat: Rony Abovitz's take on the risk of AI creating a "very, very long tail of Okay" content, leading to a cultural sameness.00:07:00 – Counter-Culture: Exploring the growing emotional need for "something real" and a massive movement away from purely digital experiences.00:09:00 – The White-Collar Risk: The hosts argue that the white-collar data analyst is the worker "most easy to replace" by AI, contrasting with the high value of blue-collar workers.00:11:00 – The "Oh Wow" Moment: Charlie Fink describes his first experience with Teamily AI, noting the immediate power of real-time, multi-person and multi-agent prompting.00:13:00 – The Science Behind Teamily: Dr. Aiden He, PhD in Machine Learning, explains how Teamily is built upon his previous research in distributed learning and multi-agent systems.00:26:00 – Global Memory: Aiden details Teamily's unique "cross domain, long horizon memory," which allows the AI to combine human-human chat context with human-AI memory for a more natural interaction.The biggest takeaway is the conceptual shift from using AI as a solo productivity tool to using it as a collaborative team member. The path to the next phase of social networking hinges on building platforms where AI is not isolated but is a natural, evolving part of a human community.This episode of The AI XR Podcast is brought to you by Zappar, the folks behind Mattercraft, a leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile headsets and desktop. Start building smarter at mattercraft.io. Listen and subscribe to the AI XR Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Watch the full thing on YouTube https://youtu.be/s78WZJSfGeo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does a Lion King–level director really think about AI “slop,” streaming wars and whether machines can ever tell great stories? On this episode of the AI XR Podcast, Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz talk with Rob Minkoff, director of The Lion King, Stuart Little, The Haunted Mansion, Forbidden Kingdom and Paws of Fury, about the future of filmmaking as AI, streaming consolidation and new tools reshape the business.Rob shares how he watched Netflix “eat Hollywood” by doing streaming better than the legacy studios, why Netflix walking away from Warner Bros. and letting Paramount overpay is bad news for creators, and what fewer buyers means for directors and writers trying to sell original work. He explains why he sees AI tools like Seed Dance as potentially both iceberg and Noah's Ark, and why he believes the average will rise but the cream will still rise higher: tools may let anyone make competent images, but audiences will still chase the one-in-a-thousand voices that have something genuinely new and human to say.In XR News You Should Know, the host cover Anthropic's standoff with the Pentagon over using large, unstable models for high-stakes military decisions, Netflix walking away from a Warner Bros. deal and collecting a breakup fee while Paramount overpays, streaming brand confusion around HBO/Max and Paramount+, VITURE's new raise and its patent fight with XREAL over “birdbath” smart-glasses optics, and Google's Gemini gaining multi-step action capabilities on Samsung and Pixel phones before Apple's Siri catches up.The conversation digs into whether AI will really make feature films cheaper and more common, or just flood social feeds with short-form “AI slop.” Rob compares AI tools to word processors and home recording studios: they are powerful, but they don't turn you into Bruce Springsteen or Steven Spielberg. He argues that empathy, taste and genuinely fresh perspective will remain the differentiators, and that audiences will quickly tune out work that feels derivative, even if it looks slick. He also raises a bigger question: if AI drives productivity to the point where work is optional for many people, what happens to purpose, competition and the human psyche?Key Moments01:16 – Anthropic vs. the Pentagon and why unstable AI systems may never meet military safety standards02:42 – Netflix exits the Warner Bros. deal, collects a breakup fee and leaves Paramount holding the bag05:31 – HBO, Max, Paramount+ branding confusion and what happens to these streaming labels06:00 – VITURE's $100M raise, XREAL patent lawsuits and the simple science behind “birdbath” smart glasses07:31 – Why Miami is becoming a new tech and defense hub and what that signals about America's “neighborhood”10:00 – Seed Dance 2.0, Hollywood's deepfake panic and the “ship first, apologize later” strategy15:16 – Rob joins: 34 years in film, Netflix “eating Hollywood” and what consolidation means for creators19:18 – Seed Dance, stolen IP and whether AI tools are an iceberg or Noah's Ark for filmmakers24:39 – Can AI become a true “prophet,” or can it only emulate empathy and taste?30:57 – Will AI make many more animated movies or just flood the world with average content?37:32 – If AI does most of the work, what's left for humans—and can entertainment absorb all that free time?This episode is a grounded, filmmaker's view of where AI fits: powerful tools, real risks, but no substitute for a human vision that cuts through the noise. Rob's perspective is invaluable if you're trying to understand what will actually matter in a world where everyone can generate “good enough” images on demand.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft, the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets and desktop. To explore what's possible with AI-powered XR on the web, start building smarter with Mattercraft from Zappar at Mattercraft.io.Listen to the AI XR Podcast where you get podcasts and follow the show for new episodes every week. Or watch on YouTubeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vicki Dobbs Beck, the former head of ILMxLab and a 34-year veteran of Lucasfilm/Disney, joins Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz for a candid look back at her incredible career navigating the tech and cultural shifts inside one of Hollywood's most powerful empires. Though she announced her retirement, it was quickly delayed to take an interim lead position at the George Lucas Educational Foundation's Lucas Learning, focusing on project-based simulations for middle school—a return to a career passion she started in the early 90s.Vicki shares the core, "rebel alliance" strategy that made ILMxLab a success—sustained innovation, industry acknowledgment, and financial self-sufficiency—and tells the terrifying story of pushing the Quest 1 headset to its absolute limits for the launch of Vader Immortal. She discusses the crucial lessons learned from pivoting the development to center the player in the story, transforming the experience from a "spatial film" to a personal journey, and the importance of slowing the pacing down for a new art form like VR.Before the interview, the hosts dissect a week of massive raises in AI (World Labs' $1B, Recursive Intelligence's $335M), the strategic shifts of tech giants like Palantir to Miami, and the intensifying race in wearables with Apple, Meta, and OpenAI all developing new devices like pendants and glasses.Key Moments00:03:17 – World Labs & Unity AI: Discussing the $1B World Labs raise for 3D world generation and Unity's plans to build AI into its game engine to make it accessible to non-developers.00:06:11 – The Miami Tech Hub: Rony Abovitz on why founders like Zuckerberg, Bezos, Larry, and Sergei are moving to Miami—it's more than just taxes, it's about a new “America strategy.”00:12:30 – Apple Watch as Wearables Base: Ted Schilowitz argues Apple already has the micro-technology (from the Apple Watch) to dominate the wearables space, but the underperformance of Siri held them back.00:27:00 – LaserDisc Learning: Vicki's early career in Lucasfilm Learning using cutting-edge but bulky computer-driven laser disc players for educational multimedia.00:28:57 – VR is 'Outsized': Ted's thesis that immersive technology has historically been overfunded and over-expected to return a profit, contrasting with the "rebel alliance" approach.00:34:45 – The Quest 1 Launch Scare: The terrifying moment before the Vader Immortal launch when a tiny software update broke the app because ILMxLab had pushed the Quest hardware to its absolute maximum.00:42:11 – The Void & Full VR Power: Charlie, Ted, and Vicki discuss why location-based VR like Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire (The Void) represents the exotic, "Ferrari version" of VR that most commercial users never experience.This conversation is a masterclass in pioneering entertainment technology. Vicki Dobbs Beck's experience shows that the path to a sustainable, breakthrough product like Vader Immortal requires a clear, rebel-alliance-style strategy, a willingness to pivot on core design principles (spatial film vs. player-centric experience), and a deep understanding of the hardware's limits—or lack thereof. It highlights the essential tension between commercial scale and the pursuit of the 'ultimate' immersive experience.Catch the AI XR Podcast where you get podcasts and watch full video episodes on YouTube. https://youtu.be/vguuHDmaSbsThis episode of The AI XR Podcast is brought to you by Zappar, the folks behind Mattercraft. Mattercraft is the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets, and desktop, and now features an AI assistant to help you design, code, and debug in real time right in your browser. Start building smarter at mattercraft.io. Listen and subscribe to The AI XR Podcast wherever you get your shows.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enterprise XR hasn't disappeared, it has quietly moved into places where it saves time, reduces errors and changes how people work every day. On this episode of the AI XR Podcast, Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz talk with Boston Consulting Group partner Kristi Woolsey, who leads BCG's immersive practice, about how XR plus AI is already being used for training, maintenance, onboarding, retail and architecture inside some of the world's most conservative organizations.Kristi shares a Swiss Rail project where field technicians wear lightweight AR glasses that recognize who they are and which train car they are standing in front of, pull the correct procedures from internal systems and use AI to turn thick manuals into simple task checklists.She explains how this leads to double-digit efficiency gains for both experienced and new workers, and how a small behavior design choice – automatic logging for headset users versus manual end-of-shift paperwork for everyone else – helped overcome skepticism on the front line. Drawing on her background as a physical-space architect, she also describes how VR and rapidly improving 3D tools are changing the way companies design stores, offices and buildings before anything physical is built.AI XR News you should know, Charlie and Rony cover Anthropic's massive new funding round and ethics turbulence, Chinese generative video tools like Seed Dance 2 and Kling that put TV-quality visuals in reach of “garage Spielbergs,” and Meta's reported seven million Ray-Ban and Oakley AI smart glasses sold – early signals of where wearable AI and XR are really headed.Key Moments01:03 – Anthropic's huge raise and what the ethics departure might signal05:08 – Seed Dance 2 and Kling showcase a new level of generative video08:35 – Meta's seven million smart glasses and the reality behind that number12:10 – Why wearable AI may be the real “last mile” of turning us into cyborgs15:28 – Inside the early metaverse tours Kristi and Rony built for enterprises20:27 – How BCG's VR onboarding keeps new hires engaged months before day one23:30 – Swiss Rail's AR and AI maintenance assistant and what it actually does on site27:05 – Designing XR systems that give value to both the business and frontline workers30:29 – Using VR as a lab for retail and workplace behavioral strategy33:06 – How AI-generated 3D models point toward “build every space digitally first”This episode shows how “metaverse” ideas have turned into practical tools: XR plus AI is cutting training times, improving maintenance quality and letting companies experiment with spaces before they exist. Kristi's examples make it clear that the real action is in careful workflow design, not flashy avatars.This episode is brought to you by Zappar, creators of Mattercraft, the leading visual development environment for building immersive 3D web experiences for mobile, headsets and desktop. https://mattercraft.io/Mattercraft combines the power of a game engine with the flexibility of the web and now includes an AI assistant that helps you design, code and debug in real time, right in your browser. To explore what's possible with AI-powered XR on the web, start building smarter with Mattercraft from Zappar.Listen to “Enterprise XR Meets AI: How Smart Glasses, Digital Twins and Holodecks Are Quietly Changing Work – Kristi Woolsey” on the AI XR Podcast and follow the show for new episodes every week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special live episode recorded at SynthBee headquarters in South Florida, hosts Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz bring listeners inside a special gathering of neuroscientists, philosophers, and technologists debating the future of AI. Moving beyond hype, the conversation focuses on "Collaborative Intelligence" vs. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), exploring whether we are building tools that amplify humanity or autonomous systems that will eventually replace it.Instead of traditional interviews, the hosts invite workshop speakers to the hot seat for rapid-fire insights on the deepest questions in tech: Can we measure an AI's true intentions? Is consciousness a physics problem? And how do we ensure these systems remain compatible with human flourishing?News HighlightsDisney invests $1B in OpenAI & licenses IP: The hosts debate whether this is a masterstroke to engage fans with user-generated Sora content or a "Yahoo powered by Google" mistake that hands the keys to the kingdom to a rival.Valve launches new PCVR hardware: A quick look at the attempt to revive the high-end PC VR market.Meta adds real-time vision to Ray-Bans: The next step in multimodal AI wearables.Guest HighlightsDr. Uri Maoz (Neuroscientist, Chapman/Caltech): Discusses the "black box" problem of neural networks, comparing the opacity of AI to the human brain, and how neuroscience tools might help us detect deception in AI systems.Dr. Walter Sinnott-Armstrong (Ethics Professor, Duke): Argues that ethical AI regulation shouldn't be a monolith; different cultures need "sovereignty of ethics" to allow diverse moral frameworks to coexist rather than one centralized Silicon Valley standard.Dr. Julio Frenk (Chancellor, UCLA): Frames the AI race as a battle between "Computational Democracy" (distributed, transparent power) and "Computational Autocracy" (centralized control), warning that universities must preserve critical thinking or risk losing the ability to govern AI at all.Reed Maxwell & Laura Condon (Hydrologists, Princeton/Arizona): Reveal how AI is modeling the planet's water crisis, predicting "black swan" climate events, and why funding for this critical earth-science work is mysteriously disappearing.Danny M (12-Year-Old Prodigy): Steals the show with a stunningly articulate take on AI consciousness, "trapped man" experiments, and how fractal geometry might map neural weights—proving the next generation is more ready for this future than we are.Dr. Aaron Schurger (Psychology, Chapman): Explores the neuroscience of spontaneous action and free will, debating whether "telepathic" connections and quantum effects in the brain could be the missing link for true human-AI compatibility.Jared Ficklin (Chief Product Officer, SynthBee): The former Frog Design fellow argues we must shift the conversation from AI "capability" to "compatibility," using the intuitive connection humans have with dogs or horses as the benchmark for successful AI interfaces.Thanks to our sponsor Zappar!Subscribe for weekly insider perspectives from veterans who aren't afraid to challenge Big Tech. New episodes every Tuesday. Watch full episodes on YouTube. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amit Jain, CEO and founder of Luma AI, joins Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz to unpack the future of AI-native video and the transformation of Hollywood's creative economy. Once an Apple engineer, Jain launched Luma during the early NeRF boom and built what is now the industry's best-performing AI video generation system—Luma Ray 3, the world's first HDR model capable of 16-bit cinematic compositing. In this episode, Jain argues that AI video isn't just a tool—it is quickly becoming the new substrate of the internet, a reality where professional-grade video replaces web pages as the primary interface for information, learning, and entertainment.Before Luma, Jain led core Apple Vision teams, where he learned how AI perception systems interpret the world. That experience now powers Luma's radical thesis: every phone user will soon generate an hour of personalized video per day, making video “the new language of the internet.”The hosts challenge Jain on whether startups like Luma can compete with OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo, and Jain answers with confidence: “Big companies marketing harder doesn't matter—the best models always win because creators demand control, quality, and speed.” Luma, he explains, is already embedded in four of the six major Hollywood studios and hundreds of professional production houses, providing real-time previsualization, set extension, and multi-character scene generation on consumer hardware.Guest Highlights: Amit Jain on AI-First CinemaHollywood adopters: Four of six major studios already using Luma Ray 3 for previsualization, compositing, and AI-assisted performance capture.Death of performance capture: Luma's video-to-video model translates acting from an iPhone recording directly into 3D characters—replacing mo-cap workflows with laptop AI pipelines.AI for directors, not automation: Jain insists AI empowers storytellers. Directors can now reshoot, re-time lighting, or replace actors at negligible cost—transforming iteration speed, not intent.The “professional-first” strategy: While OpenAI and Google chase consumers, Jain is targeting the $1.2 trillion professional video production market, where 90% of spending occurs.Hollywood's broken math: “Studios die because of $400-million movies,” he says. “Make 10 films for $40 million each and you'll have a creative renaissance.”News Segment HighlightsSnap's Lens Fest reveals next-gen Spectacles with binocular see-through XR displayAnduril's new IVAS “Eagle Eye” headset Apple announces Vision Pro Gen 2 .Samsung's Galaxy XR headset Flint AI raises new round from a16z and Sheryl SandbergThis Episode's SponsorsZappar's Mattercraft – AI-integrated 3D web design suite for building immersive XR content.Viture Luma XR Glasses – 52° FOV and 152-inch virtual screen experience for gaming and streaming.Subscribe for weekly insider perspectives from industry veterans who aren't afraid to challenge Big Tech. New episodes every Tuesday. Watch the full videos on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antony “Skarred Ghost” Vitillo—legendary XR blogger, developer, and authentic voice of the immersive tech world—joins Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz for a sharp, candid take on why spatial computing keeps breaking hearts (and bank accounts). Vitillo, calling in from Torino (and Nutella country), takes listeners inside his evolution from reluctant Twitter handle-user to one of the industry's essential critical thinkers. With 30,000+ social followers and nearly a decade at the helm of the Skarred Ghost blog, Tony has borne witness to every device cycle, product hype wave, and reality check XR can muster.The hosts open with news that captures the collective whiplash of the sector: Samsung finally names its long-awaited “Moohan” headset the Galaxy XR; Apple is reportedly pivoting away from Vision Pro follow-ups in favor of pursuing AI smart glasses, chasing the hardware trend Meta has tried to lead—with several Magic Leap alumni shaping both companies' next moves. Meanwhile, OpenAI's Sora 2 outpaces Google's Veo 3 in text-to-video generation, and “AI feeds” continue to spark debates about separating synthetic from real in our content streams.Guest HighlightsVitillo unveils XR truths learned the hard way:From accidental blogger to “Master Yoda”: Tony's accidental rise began with an anonymous Twitter handle, a failed AR/VR startup, and a mentor's advice to “own” XR expertise—eventually outlasting the startup itself.The real cost of authenticity: European sensibilities (practical, cost-effective, resistant to Silicon Valley bombast) shaped Tony's on-the-ground verdicts: the Google Glass era was “too early,” even good implementations often wither outside logistics and niche use-cases.Product vs. Prototype and the patience gap: Tony, Rony, and Ted all agree: too many XR launches are rushed by investor pressure from prototype to product, skipping the long, hard path of patience. Meta's Quest Pro is called out as a textbook “rush job” that failed to meet real readiness.Why XR is “harder than Mars:” Decades and $150B+ spent, yet still no universal hit. Tony argues the impossible form factor challenge (stuffing room-scale computation into eyewear) is compounded by deeper neuroscience—humans simply recoil from something too “in your face.” Physics is tough, but brains and social norms are the real brick wall.Why Roblox, not VRChat, “won” the metaverse: Most of the sector's big dreams faded back to mobile during and after Covid. With Rec Room, VRChat, and others all scaling back, Roblox's mass adoption proves device accessibility outweighs idealism. Tony expects cycles of platform hype, but says only rare combinations of luck, timing, and use-case ever sustain an audience.News Highlights Samsung's “Moohan” headset renamed Galaxy XR—signaling mainstream branding push into the AR/VR hardware race.Apple shifts Vision Pro focus toward AI smart glasses—pivot after slow sales and sector criticism, echoing Meta's latest headset push.OpenAI Sora 2 outpaces Google's Veo 3—AI video generation heats up, new feeds spark debates over AI vs. real content in social media.XR product launches called out for impatience—Meta's Quest Pro and others critiqued as rushed from prototype to product.Thanks to This Episode's SponsorsZappar's Mattercraft - 3D web development with AI assistant for real-time design and debuggingViture XR Glasses Luma Series - 52-degree field of view, 152-inch virtual screen for mobile gaming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Travers, founder and CEO of Vuzix Corporation, returns to join hosts Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz for a masterclass in enterprise XR resilience and the long game of hardware innovation. As the architect behind the world's first consumer VR headset (the VFX1 in 1992), Travers has survived every boom and bust cycle in wearable technology for over three decades. Now publicly traded with 80,000 shareholders, Vuzix represents what Rony calls "the GameStop of XR"—a dramatically undervalued company ($200M market cap) that could become the consolidation hub for smaller XR startups while taking on tech giants with superior enterprise focus and manufacturing capabilities.The episode opens with the hosts' unfiltered critique of Meta's recent Connect announcements, where Rony argues that despite $100+ billion invested in Reality Labs, Meta's Ray-Ban display glasses represent minimal advancement over the original Google Glass—a "disappointing" return that small startups with minimal funding are already surpassing. This sets the stage for deeper discussions about Neon, the controversial app paying users $800/month to record conversations for AI training (which Rony compares to Neal Stephenson's "gargoyles" from Snow Crash), and Meta AI's new "Vibes" feed that separates AI-generated content from real-world posts to address deepfake concerns.Guest HighlightsTravers pulls back the curtain on three decades of XR survival:The "Lindy Effect" advantage—how Vuzix's longevity through multiple extinction events creates predictive value for continued success, like "alligators surviving when everything else didn't make it"Enterprise-first strategy—why focusing on warehouse workers, Amazon distribution centers, and pharmaceutical operations (1,000+ systems deployed at Nadro) creates sustainable revenue streams versus consumer fashion battlesManufacturing at scale—Vuzix's Rochester facility produces 1.5 million waveguides annually at 90%+ yield rates, enabling 10,000-unit weekly deliveries and potential silicon carbide waveguide production (the same exotic technology Meta claims costs $10,000 per pair in their Orion prototypes)AI-agnostic platform approach—unlike Meta's closed ecosystem, Vuzix allows BMW, Amazon, and other enterprise clients to run their own AI models locally through NVIDIA Blueprint technology for IP protectionThe "GameStop potential"—with smart money recognizing XR's AI-enabled inflection point, Travers envisions Vuzix becoming the acquisition vehicle for consolidating smaller XR companies, potentially reaching the $20+ billion valuation that experience and manufacturing capability warrantNews Segment HighlightsMeta Connect critique reveals $100+ billion Reality Labs investment yielded minimal advancement over original Google Glass—disappointing monocular displays that startups with minimal funding already surpassNeon app controversy pays users $800/month to record conversations for AI training, creating "voice gargoyles" that transform people into data input mechanismMeta AI launches "Vibes" newsfeed separating AI-generated content from real-world posts to address deepfake and authenticity concerns across social platformsChatGPT privacy settings reminder that users can disable data sharing through hidden personalization and security menus to avoid training their AI replacementsThank you to our sponsors, Zappar and Viture! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tricia Biggio, CEO of Invisible Universe, joins hosts Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz for an illuminating deep-dive into how AI is revolutionizing content creation for social media. A veteran television producer who transitioned from traditional media to Snap, then launched her own company, Biggio reveals how her team built the world's first AI-powered content creation platform that reduces production costs by 95% per minute. From creating viral characters like Serena Williams' daughter's doll "Qai Qai" to launching Invisible Studio—a comprehensive AI toolset now used by eighth-graders to compete with major studios—Biggio demonstrates how authentic storytelling paired with rapid iteration is reshaping entertainment. Her company's brands have achieved billions of views across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Roblox, proving that social platforms can serve as testing grounds for intellectual property development rather than just marketing channels.Guest HighlightsHow "minimum viable content" philosophy allows rapid testing and iteration with audiences rather than traditional seven-year development cyclesWhy authenticity beats polish—her grittiest Snap show (Bhad Bhabie) generated hundreds of millions of views while polished influencer content floppedThe "Trojan horse" strategy of using social media as IP incubation rather than just distribution, turning audience feedback into real-time creative directionBuilding Invisible Studio—an all-in-one AI platform for script writing, voice generation, image creation, and video production that enterprise partners and individual creators can accessHow community-driven iteration replaces traditional media's "perfect then release" model, allowing brands to evolve in public and capture viral momentsTricia emphasizes that successful AI content creation requires storytellers building tools for storytellers, not just technologists creating features. Her platform approach addresses both content creation and distribution challenges, recognizing that in a world of infinite content, strong narrative voice becomes more critical than ever. The conversation explores whether rapid AI-enabled production maintains creative integrity or if audiences actually prefer speed and authenticity over traditional craftsmanship.News Segment HighlightsMeta's display-enabled AI glasses launch with mixed reviews—monocular display creates adjustment issues, neural wristband shows gesture control promise despite device failing twice in live demosTikTok sale finalized to consortium including Larry Ellison, algorithm changes suspected to appease conservative concerns, potential government stake like Intel dealSnap CEO "betting the house" on Spectacles AR glasses strategy—risky move requiring major behavior change may keep devices in "exotic Ferrari" market vs mainstream "Toyota" adoptionNothing raises $200M for UK-based minimalist Android phone expansionNintendo releases Virtual Boy accessory in cardboard and premium plastic versionsSubscribe for weekly insider perspectives from industry veterans who aren't afraid to challenge Big Tech. New episodes every Tuesday. Watch the full videos on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors, Zappar and Viture!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Fink hosts a special episode of the AIXR podcast with Rokid and CaringKind to discuss the launch of Rokid Glass, lightweight AI smart glasses. The conversation centers on how the device supports people with vision loss, dementia, and other disabilities through features like navigation, memory support, and safety monitoring, while also addressing privacy safeguards. Rokid announced a successful Kickstarter launch ($300k+ day one) and plans to expand use in healthcare and underserved communities.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, recorded Friday, August 30, at the Venice Film Festival, Charlie Fink talks with director Doug Liman and the 30 Ninjas team, Juliana Tatlock and Jed Weintraub, about Asteroid, their new immersive XR film. The conversation covers the creative and technical process behind putting audiences inside a Hollywood movie, including the use of Google's high-end digital human capture, Unreal Engine, and the Android XR platform with Gemini AI. Liman explains how the project evolved from a feature script into a 12-minute interactive experience. The team reflects on nearly a decade of experimenting with immersive technologies, from early VR series like Invisible to today's high-fidelity headsets. Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The AI/XR Podcast, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz start with the latest news but quickly veer into bigger questions about where technology, storytelling, and human behavior collide. What begins as a conversation about tools and platforms spirals—in a good way—into riffs on consciousness, creativity, and what it means to live in a mediated world. It's part debate, part improv, and occasionally a comedy of interruptions. Devon Erikson, author of the best-selling sci-fi novel "Theft of Fire" joins the discussion, adding a novelist's perspective. The third week in August isn't a big news week, but it made room for a group of futurists who don't all agree on the present or the future of our tech-driven society. hank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the AI/XR Podcast, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz welcome Brent Bushnell, co-founder of DreamPark, for an energizing conversation about the future of mixed reality entertainment. Brent shares how DreamPark turns public spaces into interactive theme parks using Meta Quest 3 headsets, enabling immersive gameplay on city streets, at malls, and even music festivals. The hosts reflect on the legacy of Magic Leap, the overlooked brilliance of the Magic Leap game Dr. Grordbort's Invaders, made exclusively for Magic Leap by New Zealand's WETA studio. Rony compares Brent's vision to Walt Disney, and the brainstorm an entire Dream Park business plan, discussing everything from retrofitting dead malls to launching pop-ups at Buc-ee's and Walmart. Along the way, they discuss the shortcomings of Apple Vision Pro, Magic Leap's lost potential, and the promise of scalable location-based XR. Equal parts XR therapy session and founder love-fest, this episode captures what happens when tech dreamers like Brent Bushnell find a working prototype.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 250 of the AI/XR Podcast, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Rony Abovitz are joined by Bilawal Sidhu, former Google Maps PM, TED AI curator, and generative AI media pioneer. The hosts discuss Trump's executive orders on AI and censorship, South Park's viral Trump satire, and the emerging ethics of deep fakes. Sidhu shares his journey from Flash animations at age 7 to working on immersive Google Earth VR and launching Google Maps' Immersive View. He reflects on the future of agentic AI, spatial computing, and whether 3D interfaces will ever go mainstream. The conversation veers into synthetic media's gray goo problem, TikTok addiction, and the possibility of personalized AI podcasts. With a mix of philosophy, tech nerdery, and cultural commentary, this episode marks a milestone with one of the most articulate voices in cinematic AI.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special Digital Hollywood episode of The AI/XR Podcast, hosts Charlie Fink, Rony Abovitz, and Ted Schilowitz are joined by director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), filmmaker and AI specialist Ellenor Argyropoulos, and writer-director John MacInnes for a candid discussion on the upheaval AI is bringing to Hollywood. The panelists agree that while generative tools are accelerating creativity and lowering the barrier to entry, they also threaten traditional production roles and economic structures. Minkoff stresses the enduring importance of storytelling and direction, while MacInnes predicts a future with fewer below-the-line jobs and a boom in creator-driven content. Argyropoulos shares how AI has actually made her work more profitable. The conversation also touches on IP theft, synthetic actors, and the risk of massive tech consolidation. As Minkoff puts it, “AI is a tool—but the vision is still human.”Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the AIXR podcast, Charlie Fink, Ted Schilowitz, and Roni Abovitz engage in a deep conversation with Christopher Summerfield, a researcher from Google DeepMind and author of 'These Strange New Minds.' They discuss the latest developments in AI, ethical considerations, the role of AI in society, and the implications of AGI. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on education, the need for government regulation, and the balance of power in AI development. Summerfield emphasizes the importance of guardrails for AI deployment and the potential benefits of AI in various sectors, while also acknowledging the risks and challenges that come with it.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in Prague, this special episode of the AI/XR Podcast features Charlie Fink in conversation with Somnium Space founder and CEO Artur Sychov. Charlie test-drives the $3,500 Somnium VR1 headset—so sharp it out-resolves human vision—and the two dive into the future of immersive tech. Artur lays out his no-nonsense definition of the metaverse: it's not the metaverse if it's not in VR, not persistent, and not decentralized. He praises Apple's Vision Pro as the best dev kit ever made and says VisionOS could be the foundation of spatial computing for the next 50 years. Meta, on the other hand, gets a reality check for spending $100 billion while still depending on Apple and Google's platforms. Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's AI/XR Podcast, Charlie Fink and Rony Abovitz welcome Ananya Chadha, founder of Quander.co, a startup building AI-powered marketing agents for businesses of all sizes. Chadha, a Stanford grad with experience at Neuralink and IBM, is betting that distribution—more than product—is the defining challenge for small and large businesses in an age of content overload. Quander's tools scrape social platforms for niche conversations and automate personalized outreach, while also optimizing ad creative based on performance data. The hosts discuss AI's growing role in media and marketing, Meta's $3.5B investment in Luxottica, and the rise of “AI slop” across the internet. They also touch on Nvidia's $4T valuation and XR news from Zoom, Mentra, and Sesame. Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcasthttps://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Warning* Bad sound quality - apologies!In this special live edition of the AI/XR Podcast from Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025, hosts Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz are joined by returning guests from Zappar, co-founders Connell Gauld (CTO) and Casper Thykier (CEO) and Auki Labs' CEO Nils Phil, to explore how AI and spatial computing are merging in real-world environments. The conversation spotlights Zapper's Mattercraft platform and its use of “accessible QR codes” to enable spatial navigation and real-time AR experiences without downloading an app. Nils introduces the idea of “collaborative machine perception” as a necessary condition for robots to navigate and work in the physical world—what he calls the “great reversal,” where AI exits the digital and enters the real. Later, XR Guild co-founder Avi Bar-Zeev joins to discuss ethics in XR, the need for community mentorship, and the importance of preserving the creator ecosystem in the age of AI scraping. The conversation closes with personal reflections on past projects like Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, Google Earth, and HoloLens.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @ThisWeekInXR!https://linktr.ee/thisweekinxrHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, hosts Charlie Fink, Rony Abovitz, and Ted Schilowitz discuss viral AI-generated media and concerns over synthetic content verification. They touch on identity theft issues arising from unauthorized use of voices in AI avatars. The conversation shifts to Infinite Reality's controversial $3 billion funding claim, which Forbes investigated but found inconclusive. They introduce guest Sam Liang, CEO of Otter.ai, who recounts founding Otter to capture and make human voice data searchable. Liang describes Otter's early partnership with Zoom, the company's evolution into a major AI transcription platform, and its competitive advantages in voice data. He highlights Otter's new AI meeting assistant capable of proactive participation and outlines future plans for multilingual support and independent voice agents.Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @ThisWeekInXR!https://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of "The AI/AR Podcast," hosts Charlie Fink and Ted Schilowitz welcomed John Gaeta to discuss his innovative project, Escape AI, which serves as a platform for emerging creators using cutting-edge technologies like game engines and generative AI. Gaeta described how Neo Cinema represents a new wave of storytelling that gives space to unconventional narratives often overlooked by mainstream streaming services. He outlined the platform's vision, showcasing a curated network of artists and fostering community engagement through social viewing features akin to Crunchyroll's model. With a monetization strategy focused on direct support for creators, Escape AI is set to launch its fundraising round after an initial pre-seed investment of $1.5 million. Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @ThisWeekInXR!https://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Fink is a Producer, Podcaster, Author, Professor, and Forbes columnist, covering AI, XR, and the Metaverse. In this interview, we discuss: The current state of XR How AR might not be the perfect match for AI as we all might think Some of the similarities and differences between the rise of the internet and the rise of AI The impact AI is having on teachers and students How AI will take people's jobs… even his own Subscribe to XR AI Spotlight weekly newsletter

Welcome to Into the Metaverse, in this week's episode, Yon welcomes Charlie Fink to the podcast. Charlie writes the weekly Forbes column "This Week in XR" and co-hosts its companion podcast. He is the author of the critically acclaimed AR-enabled books Charlie Fink's Metaverse (2017), and Convergence, How The World Will Be Painted With Data (2019). His career spans impactful stops at Disney, AOL, American Greetings, and more. During their conversation, Charlie gives Yon the overview of his career and how it led to his interest and writing on the metaverse, before the two dive into how to define the metaverse today, the different generations of tech each generation of humans have had to work with and its implications on them, the future of devices and hardware, and much more. Yon will be appearing on Charlie's podcast in the near future, so be on the lookout for that to get more of this riveting conversation! Chapters Charlie's Career and Discovery of the Metaverse (00:25) Defining the Metaverse for the Next Decade (15:03) The Generations of Tech and its Users (24:31) Future of Devices and Hardware (37:25) Most Exciting Thing in Year Ahead (41:45) Follow Charlie: Website | X | LinkedIn Read Charlie on Forbes Listen to This Week in XR: Apple | Spotify  Follow Yon: LinkedIn | X Learn more about Into the Metaverse by visiting the website. Learn more about Supersocial by visiting the website.

Guest: Charlie Fink, Tech Columnist, Author, Adjunct, ForbesWebsite | https://www.charliefink.com____________________________Hosts: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/sean-martinMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society PodcastOn ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli____________________________Episode NotesWelcome to the ITSPmagazine Podcast Coverage of CES 2024!In this episode, we dive into the world of consumer electronics and advanced technologies as we discuss the highlights and insights from this year's CES event.CES, also known as the Consumer Electronics Show, brings together industry leaders and innovators from around the globe to showcase the latest technological advancements. From cutting-edge gadgets to groundbreaking advancements in AI and extended reality, CES sets the stage for the future of technology.We are thrilled to have Charlie Fink as our special guest, who not only has a wealth of experience attending CES but is also a prominent figure in the tech industry. Charlie is participating as a speaker and panel leader at CES, sharing his knowledge and expertise on the intersection of advanced technologies and society. This podcast episode is brought to you by ITSPmagazine, the leading online cybersecurity and technology magazine. Our goal is to explore the impact of technology on society and provide insightful conversations with industry experts. Join us as we delve into the world of CES 2024 and uncover the latest trends, discuss the role of AI in Hollywood and advertising, and explore how extended reality is transforming various industries. From healthcare to entertainment, the applications of advanced technologies are reshaping the way we live, work, and play. So grab your most comfortable shoes and join us for an immersive and informative conversation. Welcome to the ITSPmagazine Podcast Coverage of CES 2024!____________________________Catch all of our CES 2024 event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/ces-2024-las-vegas-usa-event-coverageWatch this and other videos on ITSPmagazine's YouTube ChannelCES 2024 Las Vegas playlist:

In this eye-opening episode of the XR Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Charlie Fink, the visionary Forbes columnist, author, and educator, known for his groundbreaking work in Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Join us as we delve into the depths of technology and explore the future that awaits us.

Charlie Fink is a Forbes columnist, podcast host, and author of AR-enabled books on the metaverse. He teaches XR and Metaverse Studies at Chapman University and has had a 40-year career at the intersection of popular culture and technology, including work at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Virtual World Entertainment, and AOL. Fink gives keynotes on the Metaverse globally and consults for tech companies to help them tell their stories.Taylor Hack, a tech investor, marketing expert, and real estate industry leader, hosts a podcast featuring thought leaders and innovators to discuss industry challenges, disruptions and strategies for success. By sharing the stories of leadership, from the perspective of leaders, Taylor strives to help you develop your Leadership Line of Sight.

In this episode of Shift AI, we cover:  Charlie's career before starting writing for Forbes His early experience as a digital pioneer and AOL executive. His parents influence on his thinking and approach to his career. Specifics about the book Metaverse and thoughts about the frenzy around the term “Metaverse” and Facebook's change to the name Meta. Second Life, VR Chat and how creator economies drive Metaverse platforms Discusses Meta's hardware ecosystem and the way they are contributing to the overall adoption of VR The factors that lead to VR adoption and the promise of an integrated and interactive Metaverse. Training and simulation VR and the growth of assisted reality applications in the enterprise with frontline workers The implications of working remotely vs being present in the office to connect with colleagues and leadership. Consumer VR vs Enterprise VR Advice to college students about how to manage the transformation in the workplace and how they should adapt to this changing work environment. Will mentorship survive in a future remote or hybrid workplace. How will AI and Chat GPT alter the way that Charlie does his writing job at Forbes Links: Connect with Charlie Fink Email: cdfink@gmail.com LinkedIn Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy Twitter  LinkedIn Email: shift@simplyaugmented.com Learn more about Simply Augmented --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shift-ai/message

THEY ARE BACK FOR PART 2!On this episode of Feudal Future, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky are joined for a second episode by American entrepreneur, Rony Abovitz, and Charlie Fink, AR/VR consultant and professor of Chapman University. This show discusses the metaverse and the impact it will have on social and societal issues.Rony Abovitz  is an American entrepreneur. Abovitz founded MAKO Surgical Corp., a company manufacturing surgical robotic arm assistance platforms, in 2004 and recently acquired by Stryker for $1.65 billion. Abovitz is the founder of the Mixed reality/Augmented Reality (MR/AR) company Magic Leap and served as its CEO from its founding in 2010.Charlie Fink is a Forbes Columnist, and the Author of Remote Collaboration & Virtual Conferences (2020), Convergence (2019) and Charlie Fink's Metaverse (2017). In the early 90s, Fink ran VR pioneer Virtual World Entertainment. Previously, he was a VP at Disney, SVP at AOL, and President of AG & Blue Mountain. He teaches XR at Chapman University in Orange, CA.BRAND NEW:From Chapman's Center of Demographics & Policy, Joel Kotkin & Marshall Toplansky co-author the brand new report on restoring The California Dream.If you haven't downloaded the report, see it here: https://joelkotkin.com/report-restoring-the-california-dream/Visit Our Pagewww.TheFeudalFuturePodcast.comSupport Our WorkThe Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center's senior staff.Students work with the Center's director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, sponsored project analyst for the Office of Research, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu.Follow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalismLearn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribeThis show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Welcome to the .metaverse podcast. This week we are joined by Charlie Fink. Charlie is the author of three books; Metaverse, Convergence, and Remote Collaboration & Virtual Conferencing: The Future of Work. Charlie has held senior leadership positions at Walt Disney, AOL, and American Greetings Interactive, and currently writes a weekly column for Forbes Magazine, as well as teaching at Chapman University. You can tune into his podcast This Week In XR on all podcast platforms, and find him on Twitter at ​​@CharlieFink. Secure your company's spot in the enterprise metaverse: https://hubs.ly/Q012-Zqv0 Check out more from Touchcast: https://twitter.com/Touchcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/touchcast Touchcast is the world's leading enterprise metaverse company. A pioneer in the use of Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence, we bring people together by breaking down the barriers of space, time, and language.

The first episode of 2022 ft. special guest, Nick Cherukuri, Founder and CEO of ThirdEye! Enjoy spirited banter about the latest spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz and Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy the New Year's Eve episode! On this solo episode, enjoy spirited banter about the latest spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz and Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. This week is a special Holiday Episode featuring guests Ben Lang (Road to VR) , Anne McKinnon (The Boolean) , Scott Stein (CNet), and Dean Takahashi (Venture Beat) ! Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to! Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1F... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is Mike Pell, Chief Envisioneer of Microsoft Garage.Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1F...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is Mike Boland.Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-xr-podcast/episodesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1FDRn7S5KWSaQ8aF8Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-xr-podcast/id1526505913Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is Kevin Kelly!Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-xr-podcast/episodesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1FDRn7S5KWSaQ8aF8Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-xr-podcast/id1526505913Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is Ori Inbar, CEO of AWE. Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-xr-podcast/episodesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1FDRn7S5KWSaQ8aF8Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-xr-podcast/id1526505913Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is HTC China President, Alvin Graylin.Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-xr-podcast/episodesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1FDRn7S5KWSaQ8aF8Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-xr-podcast/id1526505913Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoy spirited banter about the week's spatial computing news with Paramount Pictures Futurist Ted Schilowitz, Forbes Tech columnist Charlie Fink. The guest this week is Ben Lang, Author at Road to VR. Listen to the podcast on Acast, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts can be listened to!Acast: https://shows.acast.com/this-week-in-xr-podcast/episodesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HudB1FDRn7S5KWSaQ8aF8Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-xr-podcast/id1526505913Check back here next week for your scoop on the latest XR news.Intro/Outro song:Composers Max Aruj and Jon Kaye See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.