Podcasts about Information technology

What happens when the welfare state designs its technology to side-eye first and ask questions later? In this episode of Compromising Positions, we get hands-on with Big Brother Watch's “Suspicion by Design” report, unpacking how the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uses algorithmic profiling and AI systems to detect Universal Credit fraud and why defaulting to suspicion is a dangerous position for any government to take.This episode is a measured examination of welfare AI, algorithmic decision-making, and what happens to trust, consent, and dignity when systems are built to watch first and explain never.Expect socio-technical theory, legal realities, real-world harms, and the kind of uncomfortable questions policymakers really don't like being asked.In This Episode, We Discuss:Suspicion Architecture: What happens when suspicion is a design choice. The Algorithmic Gaze meets Dataveillance: What happens when you can't opt out of AI lead services that are inherently bias against you.Why “Security Through Obscurity” Fails: We show why secrecy doesn't equal safety.Fraud Detection that Punishes the Many, not the Few: How to design AI systems that protect public funds without criminalising the people who need it most.Show NotesSuspicion by Design: What we know about the DWP's algorithmic black box, and what it tries to hide by Big Brother Watch (2025)Surveillance as Social Sorting: Privacy, Risk and Digital Discrimination by David Lyon (Ed) (2003)Information Technology and Dataveillance by Roger Clarke (1988; 3015)

Technology stocks led US equity markets higher overnight ahead of Nvidia Corp's much anticipated quarterly result after the closing bell - Dow rose +308-points or +0.63% International Business Machines (IBM) Corp (up +3.58%) and UnitedHealth Group Inc (+3.74%) rallied over >3.5%.The broader S&P500 gained +0.81%. Information Technology (up +1.79%) and Financials (+1.68%) gained over >1.5% to lead just five of the eleven primary sectors higher. Industrials (down -0.79%) and Real Estate (-0.69%) sat at the foot of the primary sector leaderboard. Axon Enterprise Inc jumped +17.55% after the technology company in global public safety posted a stronger-than-expected fourth quarter result after the closing bell of the previous session.

The nation's highest court is adopting new technology to prevent conflicts of interest. The Supreme Court says it is now using newly developed software to assist in identifying potential conflicts for the justices. The software will run automated recusal checks that compare information about parties and attorneys in a case with lists created by each Justice's chamber. The Court's Office of Information Technology worked with the Legal Office and the Clerk's Office to design the technology. New court rules to support use of the software will take effect March 16. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we break down the upcoming Single BPA for Information Technology Program Management Support (ITPMS) with the Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With an anticipated value of $50M–$100M and a Full & Open competition, this opportunity covers enterprise IT portfolio management, governance, financial oversight, acquisition management, scheduling, and PMO support for HSI systems.Listen now to understand the scope, competition landscape, and how to prepare before the solicitation drops.Contact ProposalHelper at sales@proposalhelper.com to find similar opportunities and help you build a realistic and winning pipeline.

After a series of protests that led to a protracted evaluation period, the General Services Administration is moving forward with the Alliant 3 procurement, announcing Friday the first round of awards for the governmentwide IT services contract. GSA said in an online award notice that it received 133 proposals for the Alliant 3 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) solicitation and selected 43 winners for the first phase. Those not chosen are still eligible for future award phases until the agency has selected all 76 recipients, per the notice. The announcement comes more than a year after the GSA issued the request for proposals for the next iteration of the GWAC award, which has no maximum dollar ceiling, due to unsuccessful bid protests from multiple vendors. The latest iteration of the vehicle is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for a variety of IT-based services that builds upon the GSA's Alliant and Alliant 2 GWACs. With these awards, agencies can issue task orders for services including cybersecurity, data solutions, systems engineering and cloud services, the GSA said. Longtime government contractors like Maximus, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics Information Technology, and Leidos were among the 43 phase one winners. Democratic lawmakers are once again pushing back on the Department of Homeland Security's expansive use of surveillance technology, with more than a dozen members of a House Oversight subcommittee expressing concern in a letter to Secretary Kristi Noem over the agency's processes for collection and analysis of cellphone data.The representatives pointed to recent reports of the agency procuring tools from Penlink, which is said to collect cellphone location data and allow customers to search for devices, and Paragon, a vendor known to enable access to a mobile device without the owner's knowledge or consent. Without guardrails, these tools introduce risks to data privacy and civil liberties, according to the signatories of the letter, which was led by Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio, ranking member of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation. “Location data can reveal intimate details of a person's life, including where they live, work, worship, go to school, or seek medical care,” the lawmakers said. “DHS could use these tools to identify individuals for targeting based solely on their presence in certain locations, without a warrant or probable cause and regardless of their citizenship or residency status.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

In this episode:  Dr. Emi Barresi, Lee Crowson, Natasha Desjardines, Nicolas Krueger, Rich CruzI/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/jobVisit us https://www.seboc.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLIJoin an open-mic event:ReferencesAshforth, B. E., & Gibbs, B. W. (1990). The Double-Edge of Organizational Legitimation. Organization Science, 1(2), 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1.2.177Bandura, A. (1999). Moral Disengagement in the Perpetration of Inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0303_3Boakye, D., Sarpong, D., Meissner, D., & Ofosu, G. (2024). How TalkTalk did the walk-walk: strategic reputational repair in a cyber-attack. Information Technology & People (West Linn, Or.), 37(4), 1642–1673. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-08-2022-0589Brown, M. E., & Treviño, L. K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2006.10.004De Roeck, K., & Farooq, O. (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Leadership: Investigating Their Interactive Effect on Employees' Socially Responsible Behaviors. Journal of Business Ethics, 151(4), 923–939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3656-6Dickson, M. W., Smith, D. B., Grojean, M. W., & Ehrhart, M. (2001). An organizational climate regarding ethics: the outcome of leader values and the practices that reflect them. The Leadership Quarterly, 12(2), 197–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(01)00069-8“Open Letter from More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-Based Companies | Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.” Mnchamber.com, 25 Jan. 2026, www.mnchamber.com/blog/open-letter-more-60-ceos-minnesota-based-companies.Liu, M.-L., Lin, C.-P., Chen, M.-L., Chen, P.-C., & Chen, K.-J. (2020). Strengthening knowledge sharing and job dedication: The roles of corporate social responsibility and ethical leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 41(1), 73–87. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-06-2019-0278Ullah, I., Hameed, R. M., Kayani, N. Z., & Fazal, Y. (2022). CEO ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility: Examining the mediating role of organizational ethical culture and intellectual capital. Journal of Management & Organization, 28(1), 99–119. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2019.48Victor, B., & Cullen, J. B. (1988). The Organizational Bases of Ethical Work Climates. Administrative Science Quarterly, 33(1), 101--125. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392857Weber, J., & Opoku-Dakwa, A. (2022). Ethical Work Climate 2.0: A Normative Reformulation of Victor and Cullen's 1988 Framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(3), 629–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04778-4Williams, J. (2024). Greenwashing: Appearance, illusion and the future of ‘green' capitalism. Geography Compass, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12736

Leading AI nations are racing to preserve dominance while new contenders rise and others struggle to break dependence on foreign capabilities.  As alliances reshape the balance of power, how is AI redefining the path to economic growth and global influence? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos. Watch it here: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/ai-power-play/ Speakers: Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President, Microsoft Ian Bremmer, President and Founder, Eurasia Group Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Minister of Railways, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552  

As global supply chains fracture, AI reshapes productivity, and technology becomes a core instrument of national power, India is making an ambitious push to redefine its role in the world economy from IT services provider to deep tech superpower.In the season 2 premiere of  TechSurge, host Sriram Viswanathan brings together three defining perspectives to examine how India is positioned to become a global leader in frontier technologies, and what must go right for that vision to succeed.The episode begins with S. Krishnan, Secretary at India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, who outlines how India is treating deep tech as national infrastructure. From the India Semiconductor Mission and AI compute investments to the new RDI (Research, Development & Innovation) framework, Krishnan explains how long-horizon industrial policy is being used to derisk private capital, strengthen domestic design and manufacturing, and accelerate commercialization.Next, former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant places India's technology ambitions in a global context. As post-WWII institutions weaken and supply chains are redrawn, Amitabh argues that India's decade of structural reforms, digital public infrastructure, and global partnerships has created a historic opening, if India can sustain free enterprise, execution discipline, and state-level reform.Finally, T.K. Kurien, CEO and Managing Partner of Premji Inves, brings the investor and operator lens. Kurien explores why India has excelled at services and business-model innovation but lagged in core technology creation and what it will take to build globally dominant deep tech companies. From patient capital and university-led innovation to focused national bets in AI applications, biotech, and semiconductors, he outlines the path from ambition to execution.Across policy, geopolitics, and capital, one message is clear: India's deep tech future will not be decided by vision alone but by alignment between government direction, private risk-taking, and long-term discipline.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits and future Season 2 episodes.Episode LinksIndia Semiconductor Mission (MeitY): https://www.meity.gov.in/India AI Mission & AI Kosh: https://indiaai.gov.in/National Research Foundation & RDI Scheme: https://anrf.gov.in/Premji Invest: https://www.premjiinvest.com/Timestamps00:00 India's Deep Tech Inflection Point02:05 Industrial Policy as National Infrastructure06:52 Why Government Must Catalyze Product Innovation Beyond IT Services09:13 Building the Ecosystem: Talent, Research, Diaspora Return & Startup Scale13:10 India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): What's Different This Time24:56 ISM 2.0 Plans: Fixing Design Incentives & Unlocking Risk Capital27:15 IndiaAI Mission Explained: Compute, Data (AI Kosh) & Model Development33:09 Global Order Shifts: Supply Chains, Tech Power & Introducing Amitabh Kant41:19 Alliances That Matter: China, Europe/Japan Partnerships & Why the US Is Key54:11 How Government Can Take Risk: Fund-of-Funds, R&D Incentives, and Grand Challenges57:07 Dismantle Red Tape, Build World-Class Infrastructure, 01:00:57 Why Premji Invest Focused on Growth Stage (and What Changed for Early Stage)01:03:16 India vs US Investing: Where Returns Come From and Avoiding Valuation Hype01:05:28 Building India's Startup Ecosystem: Capital, Patience, and Core Tech vs Business Models01:13:41 Three Sectors to Bet On: AI Software/Agents, Biotech Breakthroughs, and Pragmatic Semiconductors

US equity markets weaker after booking three straight sessions of gains, with oil prices climbing to six-month highs amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran  - Dow fell -268-points or -0.54% Boeing Co (down -2.18%) and Sherwin-Williams Co (-2.23%) both fell over >2%.The broader S&P500 eased -0.28%, with Financials (down -0.86%) leading eight of the eleven primary sectors lower. Investors moved out of private credit stocks after private market and alternative assets manager Blue Owl Capital Inc (down -5.93%) announced it's going to tighten investor liquidity following its sale of US$1.4B in loan assets, spurring worries among investors about losses in the murky private loans area. Blackstone Inc (-5.37%) and Apollo Global Management Inc (-5.21%) both fell over >5%.   Information Technology fell -0.53%, with reports ChatGPT maker OpenAI is set to close a US$100B funding round. Utilities returned to the top of the primary sector leaderboard with a +1.13% gain.  Bookings Holdings Inc -6.16% a day after the on-line travel agency posted higher sales and profit for the fourth quarter. However, Bank of America analysts noted strategic reinvestments will likely slow the company's pace of margin expansion. Carvana Co shed -7.95% after the online used-car retailer recorded some weakness in some key profitability metrics that outweighed solid sales numbers for the fourth quarter released after the close of the previous session.The Nasdaq lost -0.31%.The small capitalisation Russell 2000 added +0.24%.  

Frictionless checkout has become one of the most discussed topics in retail technology. But for enterprise retailers, the real question is not whether checkout can be frictionless. It is whether it can perform consistently under pressure. Checkout is where throughput, labor efficiency, compliance, and shrink converge. It is the operational control point of the store. In a conversation hosted by Emily Crowe, Editor-in-Chief at Progressive Grocer, Matt Redwood, VP Retail Technology Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf, joined Zara Ngouen, VP Information Technology at Lidl US, to examine what modern AI-enabled checkout requires at scale. The discussion explores how retailers are applying AI-powered age verification to reduce associate interventions while strengthening regulatory compliance. It addresses how real-time behavioral analytics can proactively identify risk patterns and support shrink reduction strategies. And it examines how retailers are redesigning front-end environments to balance automation with human oversight, preserving both efficiency and customer trust. A key theme throughout the conversation is that frictionless checkout is not about removing people or layering in disconnected technology. It is about intelligent retail infrastructure. AI, software, hardware, and services must work together to optimize front-end performance across diverse store formats. As labor volatility continues and cost pressure intensifies, front-end optimization has become a strategic priority. Retailers are rethinking checkout architecture not only to improve customer experience, but to strengthen operational resilience, reduce shrink exposure, and scale modernization efforts across large store estates. For retail executives evaluating AI checkout solutions, loss prevention technology, and automation strategies, this episode offers practical insight into how leading organizations are approaching front-end transformation today.

Kentaro Toyama spent a decade designing technologies to fight global poverty and improve education and health. As co-founder of Microsoft Research India lab, he made a troubling discovery – innovative technologies can't create change on their own. Realizing that social progress depends more on people than on the technology they use, Kentaro became a self-proclaimed “geek heretic” who now teaches others the importance of putting people over tech. In this revisited episode, Dart and Kentaro discuss why technology is never the solution on its own, how human systems shape outcomes, and what it really takes to create meaningful social change.Kentaro Toyama is W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community Information at the University of Michigan, a fellow of the Dalai Lama Center at MIT, and author of Geek Heresy.In this episode, Dart and Kentaro discuss:- Why technology needs a human touch to succeed- Kentaro's leadership at Microsoft Research India- The 10 fallacies of technology- Why the most important areas of focus are unmeasurable- The pitfalls of focusing on the end-goal- How to create societal change- Innovation versus tried-and-true approaches- The law of amplification- 3 elements of intrinsic growth- And other topics…Kentaro Toyama is W.K. Kellogg Professor of Community Information at the University of Michigan School of Information, a fellow of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT, and author of Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology. Before moving to Michigan, Kentaro co-founded Microsoft Research India, where he helped grow the lab into 60 full-time research staff. Kentaro is also a former researcher for UC Berkeley and former co-editor-in-chief of the Information Technologies and International Development journal.Resources Mentioned:Geek Heresy, by Kentaro Toyama: https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Heresy-Rescuing-Social-Technology/dp/161039528XConnect with Kentaro:www.kentarotoyama.orgWork with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what's most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

Rich Hoffman is an information technology professional with experience supporting Army communications, systems infrastructure, and secure digital operations. Hoffman's work focuses on maintaining reliable networks, safeguarding sensitive data, and implementing technical solutions that ensure operational readiness in demanding environments. His background highlights the critical role of IT in modern military logistics, cybersecurity, and real-time information management, where precision, security, and resilience are essential.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

In a world full of transactional networking and surface-level connections, Sarah Hubbard is redefining what it means to build relationships that matter.Sarah is the Founder and CEO of The Intentional Network and the author of the book by the same name—a results-driven approach to networking built on authenticity, trust, and shared growth. Her community brings together high-performing professionals who aren't just exchanging business cards, but solving real problems, sharing proven strategies, and scaling together.In this conversation, we explore why intentional networking beats traditional networking every time, how to cultivate genuine relationships that create long-term value, and what happens when professionals commit to learning and growing together through mastermind-style collaboration.Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or business leader tired of “networking for networking's sake,” this episode offers a smarter, more human approach to building a powerful professional ecosystem.

Today my guest is Nachiket Mor, a health economist whose work focuses on the design of national and regional health systems. He is a visiting scientist at the Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Information Technology and Public Policy at IIIT Bangalore, and a commissioner and author on the Lancet Citizens' Commission on Reimagining India's Health System, which published its final report in The Lancet in January 2026. We talked about the different layers of the Indian healthcare system, the design and policy failures in both public and private sector healthcare, the role of community workers, the health insurance and regulation market, and much more.  Recorded January 29th, 2026. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Learn more about The 1991 Fellowship. Connect with Ideas of India Follow us on X Follow Shruti on X Follow Nachiket on X Click here for the latest Ideas of India episodes sent straight to your inbox. Timestamps (00:00:00) - 1991 Fellowship (00:01:11) - Intro (00:02:32) - Policy Design Failure in India's Healthcare System (00:07:43) - Layers of Indian Healthcare (00:14:04) - ASHA Workers (00:23:59) - State Capacity (00:26:47) - The Exit to the Private Sector (00:34:00) - Getting Ambitious with ASHA Workers (00:37:54) - Stacking Healthcare (00:51:53) - India's Private Sector Healthcare (01:05:14) - Government Insurance Instruments (01:13:10) - Insurance Regulation in India (01:41:09) - Outro

In questo episodio l' intervista a Florenzo Marra, Amministratore Delegato di BTO Research, unaboutique di consulenza che trasforma strategia e tecnologia in risultati misurabili.BTO guida i leader in percorsi di evoluzione su misura, progettando esperienze innovative esostenibili che coniugano precisione operativa e visione strategica.Un lavoro che nasce da ricerca, innovazione ed esperienza sul campo e che oggi si sviluppa da Milano a Roma,Torino, Bologna, fino a Lussemburgo, Monaco e ViennaAlla fine del 2022, BTO è entrata a far parte del gruppo Relatech, rafforzando le propriecapacità di delivery internazionale. Nel 2024, il gruppo è stato acquisito da Bregal Unternehmerkapital, uno dei principali operatori di private equity a supporto di aziende mid-cap ad alta crescita nella regione DACH e nel Nord Italia. Una partnership che accelera ulteriormente l'espansione internazionale e lo sviluppo strategico di BTO sui temi Digitali, Information Technology e Operational Technology.Ed è da questo osservatorio privilegiato che entriamo nel punto che molte aziende italianecontinuano a ignorare: la tecnologia si compra, la cultura no. E senza cultura, la tecnologiadiventa solo un acceleratore di inefficienze.In questo episodio molte idee nette, zero fuffa.Perché tanti progetti “perfetti” falliscono.Perché ruoli, responsabilità e processi decisionali sono spesso disegnati per un mondo chenon esiste più.Perché la vera trasformazione non è fare le stesse cose più velocemente, è ridisegnare iprocessi.Tre passaggi ti restano addosso.Primo. Humanology First. Mettere le persone al centro e usare la tecnologia come leva, noncome sostituto.Secondo. L'elemento umano non delegabile. La responsabilità delle decisioni. L'AIsuggerisce scenari. Tu rispondi delle conseguenze.Terzo. La trasformazione digitale non finisce. Se pensi che sia un progetto con una data dichiusura, hai già iniziato a perdere terreno.Si parla anche di private equity, ma in modo utile. Numeri e cultura non pesano uguale. Inumeri dicono dove sei stato. La cultura dice se puoi replicare, scalare e reggere quando ilcontesto cambia. E oggi il contesto cambia sempre.Chiusura forte. La linea di confine non la decide la tecnologia. La decide l'uomo, con ciò chesceglie di non delegare.A guidare la conversazione di oggi è Marco Mizzau — già CEO di aziende complesse, oggiSenior Advisor per fondi di Private Equity e banche d'affari, investitore e business fixer conil fiuto per le imprese che cambiano davvero le regole del gioco.Marco ha visto cosa succede quando visione e capitale si incontrano… o si scontrano.E, come sempre, lo farà senza filtri.Qui non si fanno PR.Qui si parla di scelte vere, di tensioni strategiche, di futuro industriale — con il coraggio didire le cose come stanno.Se ti occupi di impresa, leadership, organizzazione, questa puntata ti dà un criterio pratico perleggere il presente.Buon ascolto

This week at NSTA: The Bus Stop- Executive Director Curt Macysyn welcomes first-time guest Adam Silbernagel, Senior Vice President of Information Technology at Summit School Services and a 2026 NSTA Midwinter Meeting MST Technology Panelist. Adam shares his professional background and how he found his way into the student transportation industry, along with his first impressions after attending his first live NSTA meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Adam gives listeners a unique perspective on the MST panel, Averting Disaster: Tech Goes Down—Be Prepared, and discusses how contractors can maintain operations when critical technology systems fail. The duo explore the increasing reliance on software and telematics in school transportation, the challenges that it creates for contractors, and how leaders balance operational needs with IT priorities. Shifting to a more personal note, Adam reflects on being named a finalist for the 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE Awards and shares some marathon training stories. Curt and Adam dive into some Big Ten basketball talk before wrapping up with where listeners can learn more about Summit School Services. Become a podcast subscriber and don't miss an episode of NSTA: The Bus Stop- NSTA Vendor Partners can take advantage of our comprehensive advertising package that will help you reach your target audience - private school bus operators!Support the show

Some of China's largest technology companies have spent tens of billions of yuan this year to push artificial intelligence initiatives for the upcoming Spring Festival, marking their most significant effort yet to take AI applications out of labs and into the daily lives of a nation of more than 1.4 billion consumers.今年，中国一些大型科技公司已投入数百亿元，在即将到来的春节期间推广人工智能应用。这是他们迄今为止最大的一次努力，旨在将AI应用带出实验室，融入超14亿消费者的日常生活。The move could potentially give China an early lead in large-scale consumer AI adoption, which may be difficult for its rivals in the United States to replicate, industry experts said.业内专家表示，此举可能让中国在大规模消费者AI应用上率先一步，美国竞争对手或难以效仿。At the center of this effort is Alibaba's Qwen app, which announced a 3 billion yuan ($420 million) holiday campaign starting on Friday. The campaign offers users free food, retail and services, but only if they make purchases through the app's AI-assisted ordering system.阿里巴巴的"通义千问"应用是此番推广的核心，该应用2日宣布开启总价值30亿元的新春活动。这项活动为用户提供免费食品、零售和服务，但前提是他们必须通过应用的AI点单系统进行购买。For example, users could buy a cup of milk tea or coffee for as little as 0.01 yuan, an offer that has sparked a social media frenzy. Many consumers joked online that they were drinking their first "AI milk tea".例如，用户可以花0.01元购买一杯奶茶或咖啡，这一活动在社交媒体上掀起热潮。许多消费者在网上开玩笑说，这是自己人生中的第一杯"AI奶茶"。Alibaba's wider ecosystem, including Taobao flash sales, travel platform Fliggy, ticketing service Damai, grocery chain Hema and payment service Alipay are also participating in the campaign by linking AI prompts directly to ordering and payment systems.阿里巴巴更广泛的应用生态系统也参与了活动，包括淘宝闪购、旅游平台飞猪、票务服务商大麦、生鲜超市盒马和支付宝，将AI提示直接链接到订购和支付系统中。Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The move is not simply promotional largesse. It is a behavioral experiment aimed at lowering the cost of trials to near zero and habituating users to use AI for decision-making and transactions."北京市社会科学院研究员王鹏说："此举并非简单的营销推广，而是一项行为实验，旨在将试错成本降至近乎零，使用户逐渐习惯于用人工智能进行决策和交易。"Among the other players, Tencent Holdings' Yuanbao AI assistant distributed 1 billion yuan in digital red envelopes while testing new AI social features. Baidu Inc distributed 500 million yuan in incentives within its core Baidu app, encouraging a user shift from "search" to "ask AI".在其他厂商中，腾讯的"元宝"AI助手在测试新AI社交功能时，分发了10亿元的数字红包。百度则在其核心的百度应用中提供了5亿元的奖励，鼓励用户从"搜索"转向"问AI"。According to Wang, the researcher, this Spring Festival may become a turning point where ordinary users, at scale, form the habit of turning to AI when they need something.在王鹏看来，今年春节可能成为一个转折点，普通用户开始普遍养成需要什么就去找AI的习惯。While Chinese firms are integrating AI into food delivery, travel booking, entertainment and retail, US companies are focusing more on workplace productivity and software automation.当中国企业将AI整合到外卖、旅游预订、娱乐和零售中时，美国企业更关注工作场所的生产效率和软件自动化。Wang emphasized that China's digital infrastructure, including its large population of mobile internet users, deeply entrenched mobile payment systems, and mature online-to-offline commerce networks, gives the country a natural advantage.王鹏强调，中国的数字基础设施具有天然优势，包括大量的移动互联网用户、深度渗透的移动支付系统，以及成熟的线上线下商业网络。"These allow AI systems not only to suggest actions but also to execute payments and services within a closed loop — a level of integration that is harder to achieve in more fragmented Western digital markets," he added.这些优势使AI系统能够在闭环内不仅提供行动建议，还能执行支付和服务，而这种整合水平在数字市场较为分散的西方国家较难实现。Behavioral change消费习惯改变However, Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, warned that heavy subsidies do not guarantee lasting behavioral change.不过，工信部信息通信经济专家委员会委员盘和林警告说，高额补贴并不能保证消费习惯的改变。"Holiday red envelopes and free offers can drive a temporary surge, but the real test comes after the incentives fade. The key question is whether users will still order drinks or plan trips via AI when there are no discounts."节日红包和免费活动可以带来暂时的热潮，真正的考验是在福利活动结束后。关键的问题是，当没有折扣时，用户是否还会通过AI订购饮料或计划旅行。"Only AI products that solve real problems and integrate into everyday life will endure. For China's tech giants, the real test of turning trial into habit is only beginning," he said.只有能解决实际问题并融入日常生活的AI产品才能持久。对于中国科技巨头而言，将尝试变成习惯的真正考验才刚刚开始。"frenzy /ˈfren.zi/狂热，疯狂promotional largesse /prəˈməʊ.ʃən.əl lɑːrˈʒes/促销优惠/推广让利temporary surge /ˈtem.pər.ər.i sɜːrdʒ/暂时激增/短期热潮incentive /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/激励措施/奖励

In this episode:  Dr. Emi Barresi, Tom Bradshaw, Dr. Paul Spector, Rich Cruz, Natasha Desjardines, Nicolas Krueger, Lee Crowson I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events References: Ball, K. (2022). Surveillance in the Workplace: Past, Present, and Future. Surveillance & Society, 20(4), 455–461. https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v20i4.15805 Bar-Gil, O., Ron, T., & Czerniak, O. (2024). AI for the people? Embedding AI ethics in HR and people analytics projects. Technology in Society, 77, Article 102527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102527 Clarke, S., Tuckwell, W., & Luck, M. (2025). Professionals and the Ethics of Workplace Surveillance. Journal of Social Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1111/josp.70000 Clavel, C., d'Armagnac, S., Hebrard, S., Hesters, T., & Potdevin, D. (2025). Humanized AI in Hiring: an empirical study of a virtual AI job interviewer's social skills on applicants' reactions and experience. International Journal of  Human Resource Management, 36(2), 206–234. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2440784 Cross, M. (2024). Stopping the Spying: US Labor Unions' Responses to Electronic Surveillance at Work. Labor Studies Journal, 49(4), 281–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/0160449X241259141 McStay, A. (2020). Emotional AI, soft biometrics and the surveillance of emotional life: An unusual consensus on privacy. Big Data & Society, 7(1), 205395172. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053951720904386 Sánchez Abril, P., Levin, A., & Del Riego, A. (2012). Blurred Boundaries: Social Media Privacy and the Twenty-First-Century Employee. American Business Law Journal, 49(1), 63–124. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-1714.2011.01127.x Sebastian, R. A., Ehinger, K., & Miller, T. (2025). Do we need watchful eyes on our workers? Ethics of using computer vision for workplace surveillance. Ai and Ethics (Online), 5(4), 3557–3577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-025-00726-4 Tursunbayeva, A., Pagliari, C., Di Lauro, S., & Antonelli, G. (2022). The ethics of people analytics: risks, opportunities and recommendations. Personnel Review, 51(3), 900–921. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-12-2019-0680 West, J. P., & Bowman, J. S. (2016). Electronic Surveillance at Work: An Ethical Analysis. Administration & Society, 48(5), 628–651. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399714556502 Yam, J., & Skorburg, J. A. (2021). From human resources to human rights: Impact assessments for hiring algorithms. Ethics and Information Technology, 23(4), 611–623. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-021-09599-7

US equity markets advanced after posting a sharp rebound last Friday (6 February), with technology again leading the gains - Dow inched +20-points or +0.04% higher to a fresh record closing high of 50,135.87 a day after the 30-stock index has climbed above the 50,000 level for the first time. Microsoft Corp (up +3.05%) was the leading Dow component, while Caterpillar Inc (+2.19%), Cisco Systems Inc (2.31%) and Nvidia Corp (2.5%) all climbed over >2%. Merck & Co Inc fell -3.51%, while Travelers Companies Inc (down -2.88%), Nike Inc (-2.36%) and Amgen Inc (-2.21%) all fell over >2%.The broader S&P500 added +0.47%, with Information Technology (up +1.59%) sitting atop the primary sector leaderboard for a second consecutive session. Health Care and Consumer Staples both declined -0.86%. AppLovin Corp soared +13.26% and was the leading performer in the S&P500 after a financial publisher retracted some of its most explosive claims regarding AppLovin's alleged connections to transnational crime syndicates. Oracle Corp rallied +9.64%   Kroger Inc rose +3.85% after the after the grocery giant named former Walmart Inc (down -1.63%) executive Greg Foran its new CEO. Micron Technology Inc fell -2.84%, with some traders citing South Korean press reports indicating that Micron's HBM4 offerings aren't fast enough for Nvidia Corp and thus will get shut out of the upcoming Vera Rubin graphics processing units (GPUs).

From Literacy to Savviness: Rethinking How We Learn with AI (EP:45) With Chris Minter, PHD How do we stay thoughtful, skilled, and grounded as AI accelerates faster than our instincts can adapt? In this episode, we explore the shift from simply knowing about AI to becoming truly savvy in how we use it. Chris Minter invites us to consider how contextual inputs, desired outputs, and intentional engagement shape our ability to think clearly in an age of intelligent tools. Together, we examine the balance between efficiency and depth, the risks of over‑reliance and “AI slop,” and the importance of protecting our own voice, judgment, and craftsmanship as educators and learning leaders. Questions? Feedback? Ideas? Contact us at edufi@mayo.edu Audio Editing: Celina Bertoncini Additional Resources: Conrad, K., & Kamperman, S. (2025). Building critical AI literacy: An approach to generative AI. Thresholds in Education, 48(2), 142–158. Open PDF: https://academyforeducationalstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/conrad-kamperman-final-1.pdf Biagini, G. (2025). Towards an AI‑literate future: A systematic literature review exploring education, ethics, and applications. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 35, 2616–2666. Mills, K., Ruiz, P., Lee, K., Coenraad, M., Fusco, J., Roschelle, J., & Weisgrau, J. (2024). AI literacy: A framework to understand, evaluate, and use emerging technology. Digital Promise Sun, Y. (2026). Conceptualizing critical AI literacy in writing education: Power dynamics in Chinese EAL students' negotiations with GenAI. Applied Linguistics Review. Advance online publication. Aleman, E., Martínez, R., Dilek, M., & Baran, E. (2025). Directions for navigating critical AI literacy in teacher education. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 37, 1460–1488. Wulff, P., & Kubsch, M. (2025). Learning against the machine: The double‑edged sword of (Gen)AI in STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 12, Article 66. Deep, P. D., & Chen, Y. (2025). The role of AI in academic writing: Impacts on writing skills, critical thinking, and integrity in higher education. Societies, 15(9), 247. Oc, Y., Gonsalves, C., & Quamina, L. (2025). Generative AI in higher education assessments: Examining risk and tech‑savviness on student adoption. Journal of Marketing Education, 47(2), 138–155. Giannakos, M., Azevedo, R., Brusilovsky, P., Cukurova, M., Dimitriadis, Y., Hernández‑Leo, D., Järvelä, S., Mavrikis, M., & Rienties, B. (2025). The promise and challenges of generative AI in education. Behaviour & Information Technology, 44(11), 2518–2544.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced several tech-related bills Wednesday, including legislation to strengthen the Technology Modernization Fund, reform federal IT procurement and pare down educational requirements for agency cybersecurity roles. The TMF, which was created by law in 2017 to fund tech modernization projects across agencies, has been the subject of much hand-wringing in govtech circles after Congress let the funding vehicle expire late last year. The Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act (H.R. 2985), however, would get the TMF back on track, reauthorizing the TMF and its governing board through 2032. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who chairs House Oversight's Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee, said it was her “privilege” to work with former Rep. Gerry Connolly on the bill before he died of cancer last May, calling the late Virginia Democrat one of TMF's “strongest supporters” and a “good-faith partner” on the bill. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, ranking member of the cybersecurity subcommittee and co-sponsor of the TMF bill, said extending the TMF “is critical to ensuring federal agencies, many of which still rely on outdated IT systems, can modernize their infrastructure and defend against growing cyber threats.” In addition to reauthorizing the TMF, the bill would require agencies to “fully reimburse the fund” at levels that ensure it remains operational through 2032, per the bill text. The legislation also requires agencies to pay back administrative fees and create inventories of their legacy IT. The bill also included an amendment from Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., Connolly's longtime chief of staff, that would require the Government Accountability Office to issue biannual reports on how TMF funds have been used to address legacy IT projects the watchdog deems high-priority. Improving government IT systems is also top of mind in the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act (H.R. 4123), which advanced out the committee by a 42-0 margin. The legislation would streamline the federal procurement process for small businesses and push federal contracting officers to examine larger acquisitions “where the potential for waste, fraud and abuse is high,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer. The Kentucky Republican noted that the bill would increase the micro-purchase threshold from $10,000 to $25,000 and raise the simplified-acquisition threshold from $250,000 to $500,000. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

US equity indices declined as a "risk-off" selloff spared few corners of the market and with losses acerating in the closing hour of trading - Dow -593-points or -1.20% Microsoft Corp (down -4.97% and now down over >27% from its 28 October peak) and Salesforce Inc (-4.75%) both fell over >4.5%, while investment banks Goldman Sach Group Inc (-2.51%) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (-2.24%) fell over >2%.The broader S&P500 -1.23% and slipped into negative territory for the calendar year-to-date, with Materials (down -2.75%) and Consumer Discretionary (-2.59%) falling over >2.5% and leading nine of the eleven primary sectors lower. The Information Technology sector fell -1.22% after entering official correction territory a day earlier, down ~11.2% from its 29 October peak. Consumer Staples (up +0.25%) and Utilities (+0.11%) were the only primary sectors to settle in positive territory.

WORST DAY EVER for SILVER Cold Snap in Florida – Massive Critter Drop New Fed Chair named Pausing on space PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Interactive Brokers  Warm-Up - WORST DAY EVER for SILVER - Cold Snap in Florida - Massive Critter Drop - New Fed Chair named - Pausing on space Markets - Bitcoin plunges - Crypto "winter" - Deep dive into January economic results - USD rises from multi-month low - EM still powered ahead - ELON - PT Barnum move Cold Snap - On February 1, 2026, Florida faced a significant drop in temperatures, reaching a record low of 24°F (-4°C) in Orlando. This marked the lowest temperature recorded in February since 1923. - Iguanas dropping from tress all over the streets - Iguanas can survive temperatures down to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 7°C) by entering a "cold-stunned" state, where they appear dead but are just temporarily paralyzed and immobile; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 30s and 40s, especially below freezing, can be lethal, particularly for smaller individuals, leading to tissue damage and organ failure. - They get sluggish below 50°F (10°C) and fall from trees as they lose grip. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Executive Order 26-03 on Friday, allowing residents to collect and surrender cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit during an unprecedented cold weather event. Right on Schedule - Remember we talked about how the Nat Gas price was going to reverse, just as quickly as it spikeed? - Nat gas down 25% today - down about 28% from recent high - Still about 50% higher than it was before the spike. THIS! - Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company's proposed $100 billion investment in OpenAI  was “never a commitment” and that the company would consider any funding rounds “one at a time.” - “It was never a commitment,” Huang told reporters in Taipei on Sunday. “They invited us to invest up to $100 billion and of course, we were, we were very happy and honored that they invited us, but we will invest one step at a time.” Then Oracle announced that it will do a fundraiser in the form of equity and debt - needs to fund more datacenter build-out. - What happened to the OpenAI $300 Billion committment? - Or is the money that NVDA "committed to OpenAi, that they must have committed to Orcle, not a committment - GIGANTIC CIRCLE JERK Fungus - -Interesting - Did you know? Botrytis cinerea, a fungus causing grey mold, affects grapes by causing bunch rot, ruining fruit in high humidity. - While it often destroys crops, specific dry, warm conditions can transform it into "noble rot," concentrating sugars and creating high-value dessert wines (e.g., Sauternes, Tokaji) with honeyed, raisin-like, and apricot flavors. January Economic Review Employment — Job growth was nearly flat in December, with 50,000 new jobs added and earlier months revised lower. — Unemployment dipped slightly to 4.4%, but it's still higher than it was a year ago. — Long-term unemployment didn't change and remains high, and the labor force participation rate slipped to 62.4%. — Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% in December and are up 3.8% over the past year. — Weekly jobless claims stayed close to last year's levels, showing a labor market that is cooling but not weakening sharply. FOMC / Interest Rates — The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. — Most policymakers agreed the economy continues to grow at a solid pace, though job gains are slowing and inflation remains above target. — Two committee members supported a small rate cut, but the majority preferred to wait. - Fed Chair Powell: Clearly, a weakening labor market calls for cutting. A stronger labor market says that rates are in a good place. It isn't anyone's base case right now that the next move will be a rate hike. - The economy has once again surprised us with its strength. Consumer spending numbers overall are good, and it looks like growth overall is on a solid footing. - Upside risks to inflation and downside risks to employment have diminished, but hard to say they are fully in balance. We think our policy is in a good place. - Overall, it's a stronger forecast since the Fed's last meeting. Haven't made any decisions about future meetings, but the economy is growing at a solid pace, the unemployment rate is broadly stable and inflation remains somewhat elevated, so we will be looking to our goal variables and letting the data light the way for us. - Most of the overrun in goods prices is from tariffs. We think tariffs are likely to move through, and be a one-time price increase. - Dissent: Miran and Waller (Miran is a admin shill and Waller wanted job as Fed Chair) GDP & Federal Budget — Economic growth remained strong in Q3 2025, with GDP rising at an annualized 4.4% driven by strong spending, higher exports, and reduced imports due to tariffs. — Investment was mixed, with business spending increasing while housing activity declined. — The federal deficit for December rose to $145 billion, though the fiscal year-to-date deficit is slightly smaller than last year. Inflation & Consumer Spending — Personal income and consumer spending rose moderately in October and November. — Inflation, measured by the PCE index, increased 0.2% in both months and roughly 2.7% year-over-year. — The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in December, with shelter, food, and energy all contributing. — Producer prices also increased, though 2025 producer inflation slowed compared to 2024. Housing — Existing home sales rose in December, but the number of homes for sale is still low. — Prices dipped a bit from November but remain higher than they were a year ago. — New-home sales in October were steady compared with the prior month but much higher than last year. — New-home prices fell compared to 2024, though they are still high relative to long-term norms. Manufacturing — Industrial production rose 0.4% in December and was up 2.0% for the year. — Manufacturing output increased, while mining activity declined and utility output jumped. — Durable goods orders grew sharply in November, driven by a big increase in transportation equipment, pointing to strong demand in key industries. Imports & Exports — Import and export prices rose slightly through November 2025. — The goods trade deficit widened in November because exports fell while imports increased. — For the year so far, both exports and imports are running above 2024 levels, though the overall trade deficit remains larger. Consumer Confidence — Consumer confidence fell sharply in January after improving in December. — Both views of current conditions and expectations for the future weakened, with expectations dropping well below the level that often signals recession risk. Earnings — Roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies have reported Q4 earnings, and overall results are strong. — 75% of companies have beaten EPS estimates, though this is slightly below long-term averages. Revenue beats remain solid at 65%. — Companies are reporting earnings 9.1% above estimates, which is well above the 5-and 10-year surprise averages. — The S&P 500 is on track for 11.9% year-over-year earnings growth, marking the 5th straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. — Eight of eleven sectors are showing positive year-over-year earnings growth, led by Information Technology, Industrials, and Communication Services. — The Health Care sector shows the largest earnings declines among lagging categories. — The forward 12-month P/E ratio sits at ~22.2, elevated relative to 5-and 10-year averages, signaling continued optimism despite tariff and cost concerns. — FactSet also notes the S&P 500 is reporting a record-high net profit margin of 13.2%, the highest since 2009. INTERACTIVE BROKERS Check this out and find out more at: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/   S3XY No More - Tesla is ending production of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover by the end of Q2 2026 to focus on autonomous technology and humanoid robots (Optimus). - Do we have any idea with the TAM for either of these are? - Huge assumptions that Robotaxi will be a bug part of the global transportation. But, what if it isn't? - Unproven being built, taking out the proven - investors were not too happy about this...Stock was down after earnings showed continued sluggish EV sales and BIG Capex for Robotaxi refit, robots and chip manufacturing. But... - Friday - not to allow TESLA stock to move down tooo much. - With SpaceEx looking for an IPO in June - valuations have moved from $800B to 1.5T supposedly. - Now there is discussion of merging in xAI and possibly Tesla - Tesla shares dropped after earnings FED CHAIR PICK - Drumroll: Kevin Warsh - Seems like a good pick from the aspect of experience and ability - Deficit reducer? - More hawkish than market expected? - Announce Friday after several leaks in the morning And then... - Silver futures plummeted 31.4% to settle at $78.53, marking its worst day since March 1980. -It was down 35% during the day - the worst daily plunge ever on record. - It was the worst decline since the March 1980 Hunt Brothers crash. - The sharp moves down were initially triggered by reports of Warsh's nomination. - However, they gained steam in afternoon U.S. trading as investors who piled into the metals raced to book profits.- USD Spiked higher - Gold was down 10% - GOLD saw a drop of 10% to the close - 12% intraday - this was also a record - Bitcoin is down 25% from its recent level 2 weeks ago - ALL BEING BLAMED ON THE FED CHAIR PICK -- QUESTION - Will Trump back-peddle this OR talk to supporters in congress or tell them not to confirm him if markets continue to act squirrely? Fed Statement and Rates - Fed out with statement - no change on rates - Changes: Inflation up, employment steady, economy strong - Does not bode for much in the way of cuts - probably on hold though end of Powell term Apple Earnings - Apple reported blowout first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and predicted growth of as much as 16% in the current quarter, matching the period that just ended. - Sales could be even better, Apple said, if the company just secure enough chips to meet its customers' iPhone demands. - The company reported $42.1 billion in net income, or $2.84 per share, versus $36.33 billion, or $2.40 per share, in the year-ago period. - Apple saw particularly strong results in China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sales in the region surged 38% during the quarter to $25.53 billion. - “The constraints that we have are driven by the availability of the advanced nodes that our SoCs are produced on, and at this time, we're seeing less flexibility in supply chain than normal,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. - Stock up slightly - no great moves.... Blue Origin - Blue Origin will pause tourist flights to space for “no less than two years” to prioritize development of its moon lander and other lunar technologies. - The decision reflects Blue Origin's commitment to the nation's goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence. - The pause in tourist flights grounds the company's reusable New Shepard rocket, which has sent more than 90 people to the edge of space and back to experience brief periods of weightlessness. - Datacenters on the Moon? (sounds like a Pink Floyd album)     Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN CUP 2025 Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

At just 24 years old, Mikhail Edwards is showing what is possible when focus, curiosity and drive come together at the right moment. And this is only his beginning.  On this week's Good Things with Brent Lindeque, I chat with Mikhail, who has just completed his Master's in Information Technology in an astonishing 10 months. Most people take two years to reach that milestone, but Mikhail managed it while working, lecturing and publishing research internationally, and he did it all with distinction. What makes his journey even more remarkable is that he did not study IT at school. His interest started in business and how systems operate behind the scenes, before evolving into a passion for technology and innovation. Since then, his academic path has moved fast, from a BCom in Informatics in 2022, to Honours by the end of 2023, and now a completed Master's, with a PhD already underway. During his Master's year, Mikhail also worked as an assistant lecturer, UX Lab coordinator and intern at the BMW IT Hub, where his research into artificial intelligence and cloud-based systems took shape. That work earned him a place presenting at an international conference in Portugal and later led to publication in a peer-reviewed journal, an achievement few reach so early in their careers.

For Huang Xiaozhen, the future of artificial intelligence isn't about computing power or algorithmic scale, but about something far more ordinary: the quiet click of a light switch.在黄晓真看来，人工智能的未来并不取决于算力规模或算法复杂度，而在于更为日常、甚至平凡的场景——比如轻轻按下电灯开关的那一刻。As head of business-to-business operations at MiniMax Group Inc, a rising Chinese AI unicorn, Huang sees the current wave of innovation less as a technological leap than as a transition toward being ubiquitous.作为中国新晋人工智能独角兽企业MiniMax集团的B端业务负责人，黄晓真认为，当下这股创新浪潮与其说是一场技术飞跃，不如说是一次走向“无处不在”的转变。"As the technology iterates, AI will become like water, electricity or coal — the fundamental infrastructure of our existence," Huang said. "It will be everywhere in our lives and work."黄晓真表示：“随着技术不断迭代，人工智能将像水、电、煤一样，成为支撑我们生存与发展的基础性基础设施，它将无处不在，融入我们的生活与工作之中。”The vision widely shared by AI optimists has increasingly aligned with the nation's official policy.这一在人工智能乐观主义者中广泛流行的愿景，正日益与国家层面的官方政策形成高度契合。In its recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development, the Communist Party of China Central Committee called for "forward-looking plans" for future industries, urging exploration of diverse technology road maps, application scenarios, business models and regulatory frameworks.在关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十五个五年规划（2026—2030年）的建议中，中共中央提出要对未来产业进行“前瞻性布局”，并鼓励探索多样化的技术路线、应用场景、商业模式和监管框架。The document explicitly listed quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied artificial intelligence and 6G mobile communications as new drivers of growth.该文件明确将量子技术、生物制造、氢能与核聚变能源、脑机接口、具身人工智能以及6G移动通信等列为新的增长动能。The confidence of China's AI practitioners received a major boost in April 2025, when President Xi Jinping visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, one of the country's most active AI hubs.2025年4月，习近平主席考察上海大模型创新中心——这一全国最为活跃的人工智能集聚区之一，中国人工智能从业者的信心由此大幅提振。Standing among developers and entrepreneurs, Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, described artificial intelligence as "a young cause, and a cause for young people", encouraging them to align personal ambition with China's modernization drive.在开发者和创业者中间，习近平总书记将人工智能形容为“一项年轻的事业，也是一项属于年轻人的事业”，并鼓励大家将个人理想追求融入中国式现代化进程之中。According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China had more than 6,000 AI enterprises last year, while the scale of the country's core AI industry was expected to have exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($172.6 billion) in 2025.工业和信息化部数据显示，去年我国人工智能企业数量已超过6000家，2025年核心人工智能产业规模预计突破1.2万亿元人民币（约合1726亿美元）。The president's visit, combined with subsequent policy measures, has strengthened confidence among startups facing intense competition, according to executives working inside the ecosystem.多位业内高管表示，总书记的考察以及随后出台的一系列政策举措，显著增强了在激烈竞争环境中奋战的初创企业信心。Zhang Yun, a deputy general manager at the center, said the visit validated the pace and direction of the hub's development.该中心副总经理张云表示，此次考察充分肯定了创新中心的发展节奏和方向。"Nearly 75 percent of our workforce is under the age of 35," Zhang said. "We're seeing founders who are barely 30. As AI tools become more powerful, teams are getting smaller, younger and faster."张云说：“我们团队中近75%的员工年龄在35岁以下，一些创始人甚至刚满30岁。随着人工智能工具能力不断增强，团队正呈现出规模更小、成员更年轻、反应更迅速的趋势。”The center operates on what participants describe as a philosophy of proximity. "Upstairs and downstairs are upstream and downstream," Zhang said, referring to the close physical clustering of foundational model developers and application companies, which allows for rapid iteration and feedback.该中心运行秉持着参与者所称的“近距离协同”理念。张云解释说：“楼上楼下就是上下游”，基础模型研发团队与应用企业在物理空间上的高度集聚，使快速迭代和反馈成为可能。Yao Zhendi, CEO of Cyber Partner AI Co, said the youthfulness of the sector reflects the nature of the technological challenge itself."We're no longer doing 'one to 10' innovation, where you just improve something that already exists," Yao said.上海魂伴科技有限责任公司首席执行官姚振迪表示，该行业的年轻化正是技术挑战本身特性的体现。“我们不再是做‘一到十'的创新，只是在原有基础上改进。”他说。"We're doing 'zero to one'. There's no formula and no homework to copy. We're defining what this technology becomes."“我们做的是‘从零到一'。既没有公式可循，也没有作业可抄，而是在定义这项技术最终会成为什么。”He added that national planning documents emphasize not only AI, but the integration of embodied intelligence across industries, with a forward-looking approach to development.他补充指出，国家规划文件强调的不只是人工智能本身，还包括具身智能在各行业中的融合应用，并以前瞻性视角推动相关发展。Over the next five years, he said, AI is expected to penetrate daily life and a wide range of sectors in line with the 15th Five-Year Plan.他表示，未来五年，在“十五五”规划指引下，人工智能有望深入渗透日常生活和多个产业领域。His company is working on the convergence of the "brain", meaning large-scale models, and the "body", referring to embodied intelligence — a frontier where software meets robotics.其公司正致力于推动“脑”（即大模型）与“身体”（即具身智能）的融合，这一前沿领域正是软件与机器人技术的交汇点。Paradigm shift范式转变The national strategy outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan proposals calls for a paradigm shift in scientific research and a focus on self-reliance in breakthroughs in chips, algorithms and data.“十五五”规划建议所勾勒的国家战略，呼吁科研范式发生转变，并将重点放在芯片、算法和数据等关键领域的自主突破上。For Wang Le, CEO of Shanghai SiliconPear Technology Co, the transformation is already playing out on factory floors and toy shelves.对上海喜梨信息科技有限公司首席执行官王乐而言，这一转型已在工厂车间和玩具货架上悄然展开。Wang's company exports to more than 30 countries and uses AI to upgrade traditional manufacturing.王乐的公司产品出口至30多个国家，并通过人工智能技术推动传统制造业升级。"We're turning toys from simple manufactured goods into high-tech consumer products," Wang said."It's no longer just about branding. It's about embedding technology to upgrade the entire supply chain, which gives Chinese products a distinct global competitive edge."王乐表示：“我们正在把玩具从简单的制造品转变为高科技消费品。这已经不只是品牌问题，而是通过技术嵌入实现整个供应链的升级，从而赋予中国产品独特的全球竞争优势。”Xi's visit to the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center came after he presided over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, highlighting the need to promote the healthy and orderly development of AI in a beneficial, safe and fair direction.习近平考察上海大模型创新中心之前，曾主持中共中央政治局集体学习，强调要推动人工智能朝着有益、安全、公平方向健康有序发展。Huang, from MiniMax, said that companies across the AI value chain are directly feeling the impact of State support. From his perspective, policies aimed at supporting models and application scenarios are accelerating innovation and technical iteration across the industry.MiniMax的黄晓真表示，人工智能产业链各环节企业正切身感受到国家支持带来的影响。在他看来，围绕模型和应用场景的政策扶持，正在加速全行业的创新和技术迭代。"It's clear that more and more enterprises, scenarios and applications are moving toward AI," Huang said. "Many new startups are designing products and use cases based entirely on current AI capabilities. This looks more like a society-wide embrace of AI, and the growth of the entire industry chain is extremely fast."他说：“可以清楚地看到，越来越多的企业、场景和应用正在向人工智能靠拢。许多新创公司完全基于现有AI能力来设计产品和应用场景，这更像是一场全社会层面的AI拥抱，整个产业链的增长速度极其迅猛。”Zhou Chen, CEO of Zhejiang Dex-Robot Intelligent Technology, said Xi has explicitly called for accelerating the application of AI in technological innovation and industrial development, a signal that Zhou sees as materially beneficial for enterprises.浙江灵巧智能科技有限公司首席执行官周晨表示，习近平明确提出要加快人工智能在科技创新和产业发展中的应用，这一信号对企业而言具有实实在在的利好意义。He pointed to concrete policy measures such as subsidized computing power and pilot programs for new models. China launched a 60 billion yuan AI industry investment fund to support the development of the whole AI industrial chain.他指出，诸如算力补贴、新模型试点项目等具体政策措施正在落地实施。同时，中国还设立了规模达600亿元人民币的人工智能产业投资基金，用于支持整个AI产业链发展。"They allow companies to be bold and try things first," Zhou said."Ultimately, it helps improve human efficiency and reduce defect rates in manufacturing."周晨表示：“这些政策让企业可以大胆探索、先行先试，最终有助于提升人效、降低制造业缺陷率。”Zhou cited incentives including free or subsidized computing resources, early access to models, and funding for major research projects as mechanisms that encourage companies to experiment.周晨列举了多项激励机制，包括免费或补贴算力资源、提前接入模型以及重大科研项目资金支持，这些都有效鼓励企业开展探索性实践。He argued that China has structural advantages in pursuing such technologies: a complete industrial supply chain, a wide range of real-world application scenarios that generate data, and growing domestic computing capacity.他认为，中国在发展相关技术方面具备结构性优势，包括完备的产业链体系、能够持续产生数据的丰富现实应用场景，以及不断提升的本土算力能力。While much of the focus remains on domestic self-reliance, officials and researchers say China's AI ambitions also have an outward-facing dimension.尽管当前重点仍放在国内自主可控上，但多位官员和研究人员指出，中国的人工智能发展目标同样具有面向国际的外向维度。International public good国际公共产品Yan Weixin, chief scientist at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said Xi has called for AI to be developed as an international public good that benefits humanity.上海人工智能研究院首席科学家闫维新表示，习近平提出要将人工智能打造为造福全人类的国际公共产品。Yan said China has launched initiatives related to AI reinforcement learning and sustainable development, and has begun sharing algorithms and models with partner countries, including those participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.闫维新介绍称，中国已启动多项与人工智能强化学习和可持续发展相关的倡议，并开始与包括共建“一带一路”国家在内的合作伙伴共享算法和模型。These technologies are being applied to areas such as disaster warning systems and low-carbon industrial facilities overseas, he said.他说，这些技术已在海外被应用于灾害预警系统和低碳工业设施等领域。Highlighting the link between energy and computation, he said: "AI consumes energy, and energy defines computing power. In the future, there will be deep integration between new energy and dynamic computing."他强调能源与计算之间的关联指出：“人工智能消耗能源，而能源决定算力。未来，新能源与动态计算之间将实现深度融合。”Otto Heinrich Herzog, an academician of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and a professor at Tongji University in Shanghai, said he has been struck by the speed with which policies translate into implementation in China.德国国家科学与工程院院士、同济大学教授奥托·海因里希·赫尔佐格表示，中国政策从制定到落地实施的速度给他留下了深刻印象。"When something aligns with strategy in China, it really gets implemented," Herzog said. "That's something you don't experience in the same way in Europe."赫尔佐格说：“在中国，只要一项举措符合国家战略，就会真正被执行落实。这是在欧洲难以同样体会到的。”forward-looking /ˌfɔːwəd ˈlʊkɪŋ/前瞻性的embodied artificial intelligence /ɪmˈbɒdid ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/具身人工智能value chain /ˈvæljuː tʃeɪn/价值链pilot program /ˈpaɪlət ˈprəʊɡræm/试点项目dynamic computing /daɪˈnæmɪk kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/动态计算

After spending five years and tens of millions of dollars developing a new travel management system, the Defense Department abruptly scrapped the effort in 2023 and reverted to the legacy Defense Travel System it was meant to replace. A government watchdog looked into why the program failed and how the Pentagon can avoid repeating the same mistakes. For more, Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke with Vijay D'Souza, Director of GAO's Information Technology and Cybersecurity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christopher shares a career spent in restaurants, not just behind a desk. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on KPIs before investing in technology, and standardizing operations while preserving your brands' identity.Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance.On today's episode, we talk with Christopher Gumprecht, VP of Marketing and Information Technology at Craveworthy Brands. Craveworthy Brands was founded in 2022 to invigorate legacy restaurant brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. GUEST BIOChristopher is a tech savvy restaurant leader with over 20 years of experience in food and beverage. He's had roles in Restaurant Operations, Learning and Development, Marketing, IT, Software Development, and Sales. He spends his time giving back to his community by mentoring local students and helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.TIMESTAMPS00:43 - About Craveworthy Brands04:50 - Chris' journey10:02 - Competing for attention13:16 - Gaining loyalty15:52 - The promise of off-premise catering23:23 - The challenge of tech in restaurants36:21 - Today's consumer expectations42:46 - Where to find Chris43:19 - Sid's takeawaysSPONSORServiceChannel brings you peace of mind through peak facilities performance.Rest easy knowing your locations are:Offering the best possible guest experienceLiving up to brand standardsOperating with minimal downtimeServiceChannel partners with more than 500 leading brands globally to provide visibility across operations, the flexibility to grow and adapt to consumer expectations, and accelerated performance from their asset fleet and service providers.LINKSConnect with Chris on LinkedInConnect with Sid Shetty on LinkedinCheck out the ServiceChannel Website Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a bid to avert a potential US ban over so-called security concerns, popular social media platform TikTok announced on Friday that it had closed a deal to establish a majority United States-owned joint venture to run its US operations.为避免因所谓“安全担忧”而面临美国潜在禁令，热门社交媒体平台TikTok周五宣布，已达成协议，成立一家由美国持股占多数的合资企业，用于运营其美国业务。Under the agreement, US and global investors — including cloud computing giant Oracle, US private equity firm Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-based investment company MGX — will collectively hold 80.1 percent stake in the new entity.根据协议，美国及全球投资者——包括云计算巨头甲骨文、美国私募股权公司银湖资本以及总部位于阿联酋阿布扎比的投资公司MGX——将合计持有新实体80.1%的股份。TikTok's parent company ByteDance will retain the remaining 19.9 percent, keeping its ownership below the 20 percent threshold stipulated by US law.TikTok母公司字节跳动将保留剩余的19.9%股份，使其持股比例低于美国法律规定的20%门槛。As part of the arrangement, the JV will assume responsibility for safeguarding both US user data and TikTok's content recommendation algorithm.作为该安排的一部分，这家合资企业将负责保障美国用户数据以及TikTok的内容推荐算法安全。According to the statement, US user data and content recommendation algorithm will both be secured in Oracle's US cloud environment, where the new JV will retrain, test and update the algorithms and run audited, third-party-certified data privacy and cybersecurity programs aligned with US regulations.声明称，美国用户数据与内容推荐算法都将部署并保护在甲骨文的美国云环境中；新合资企业将在该环境内对算法进行再训练、测试与更新，并运行经审计、由第三方认证、符合美国监管要求的数据隐私与网络安全项目。The deal marks a major milestone for the short-video app after years of regulatory and legal battles dating back to August 2020, when Washington first sought to ban TikTok over what it claimed were national security concerns.该协议标志着这款短视频应用在经历多年监管与法律争议后取得重要里程碑。相关争议可追溯至2020年8月，当时华盛顿首次试图以所谓国家安全担忧为由禁止TikTok。Against this backdrop, Chinese authorities have repeatedly emphasized the importance of a balanced and lawful resolution.在此背景下，中方有关部门多次强调应以平衡、合法的方式妥善解决相关问题的重要性。At a news conference in Beijing in late December, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said the Chinese government hopes that relevant parties can reach a resolution regarding Tik-Tok that complies with Chinese laws and regulations and achieves a balance of interests, urging the US to provide a fair, open, transparent and nondiscriminatory business environment for the continuous and stable operation of Chinese enterprises.在去年12月底北京举行的新闻发布会上，商务部发言人表示，中国政府希望相关各方就TikTok问题达成符合中国法律法规、实现利益平衡的解决方案，并敦促美方为中国企业持续、稳定经营提供公平、开放、透明、非歧视的营商环境。"A viable path has ultimately been found by joint efforts to achieve data and algorithm compliance," said Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy, which is part of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. While TikTok's enhanced compliance framework in the US will allow its operations to continue and help stabilize its business model, the move is also expected to support the building of long-term trust with local users, laying the groundwork for future ecosystem expansion, Pan said.工业和信息化部信息通信经济专家委员会委员盘和林表示：“通过共同努力，最终找到了一条实现数据与算法合规的可行路径。”他指出，TikTok在美国强化合规框架将使其业务得以延续，并有助于稳定其商业模式；同时，这一举措也有望促进与当地用户建立长期信任，为未来生态扩展奠定基础。As a BBC report also noted, "it made sense for Washington to strike a deal rather than ban TikTok", given the app's popularity among some 200 million American users.正如英国广播公司报道所指出的，鉴于该应用在约2亿美国用户中广受欢迎，“对华盛顿而言，与其封禁TikTok，不如达成协议更为合理”。However, Pan cautioned that challenges still remain. "On one hand, stringent compliance oversight could add operational pressure. On the other, regulatory constraints may slow the pace of TikTok's algorithm iteration, forcing innovation to give way to compliance," he added.不过，盘和林也提醒称，挑战依然存在。他补充说：“一方面，严格的合规监管可能增加运营压力；另一方面，监管约束可能放缓TikTok算法迭代速度，迫使创新让位于合规。”According to the statement, the JV will be led by Chief Executive Officer Adam Presser, who previously headed TikTok's US user data-related work, and Chief Security Officer Will Farrell, who oversaw privacy and security initiatives related to the project.声明称，该合资企业将由首席执行官亚当·普雷瑟领导，他此前负责TikTok在美国的用户数据相关工作；首席安全官威尔·法雷尔则负责监督与该项目相关的隐私与安全举措。It will also be overseen by a majority-American board of directors that includes TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who will continue running ByteDance's global business.该合资企业还将由一个以美国成员占多数的董事会进行监督，董事会成员包括TikTok首席执行官周受资；周受资将继续负责字节跳动的全球业务运营。content recommendation algorithm /ˈkɒntent ˌrekəmenˈdeɪʃn ˈælɡərɪðəm/内容推荐算法cloud environment /klaʊd ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/云环境nondiscriminatory /ˌnɒndɪˈskrɪmɪnətəri/非歧视性的ecosystem expansion /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm ɪkˈspænʃn/生态扩展stringent oversight /ˈstrɪndʒənt ˈəʊvəsaɪt/严格监管algorithm iteration /ˈælɡərɪðəm ˌɪtəˈreɪʃn/算法迭代

Tune into this episode of WELSTech for a master class in herding cats as we navigate a lively discussion of the MLC degree and certificate offerings for technology directors. There’s also a broad range of picks of the week, Martin’s Screens and Souls presentation from Leadership Conference, and some free Google training to discuss. The discussion Technology director – Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular edtech co-hosts, Dr. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt, along with yet another friend in the ed tech space, Dr. Bob Martens, Martin Luther College (MLC) Director of Information Technology. The discussion centers on the MLC Technology Director graduate degree program (a 30 credit MS Education Administration program) as well as two new certifications also offered by MLC in Education Technology Leadership and Technology Integration, each requiring 9 credits. Summed up as learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the three share how the program teaches edtech leadership skills needed to manage the many facets of the ever-changing edtech learning environment. Ministry resource CoSN K-12 Innovation Notebook LM summary – Infographic, Audio, Video Martin’s Leadership Conference presentation on Screens and Souls Picks of the week 100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical Module Water Reminder Smart Light Google Chrome Split View Pirate Ship Book of Concord Community feedback Free Google Certifications – Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 as well as Gemini Certified Educator and Gemini Certified student Get involved Add comments Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net Join the WELSTech community: WELSTech Google Group WELSTech on Facebook WELSTech on Pinterest WELSTech on Instagram Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper Share with the Diigo group welstech

Tune into this episode of WELSTech for a master class in herding cats as we navigate a lively discussion of the MLC degree and certificate offerings for technology directors. There’s also a broad range of picks of the week, Martin’s Screens and Souls presentation from Leadership Conference, and some free Google training to discuss. The discussion Technology director – Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular edtech co-hosts, Dr. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt, along with yet another friend in the ed tech space, Dr. Bob Martens, Martin Luther College (MLC) Director of Information Technology. The discussion centers on the MLC Technology Director graduate degree program (a 30 credit MS Education Administration program) as well as two new certifications also offered by MLC in Education Technology Leadership and Technology Integration, each requiring 9 credits. Summed up as learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the three share how the program teaches edtech leadership skills needed to manage the many facets of the ever-changing edtech learning environment. Ministry resource CoSN K-12 Innovation Notebook LM summary – Infographic, Audio, Video Martin’s Leadership Conference presentation on Screens and Souls Picks of the week 100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical Module Water Reminder Smart Light Google Chrome Split View Pirate Ship Book of Concord Community feedback Free Google Certifications – Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 as well as Gemini Certified Educator and Gemini Certified student Get involved Add comments Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net Join the WELSTech community: WELSTech Google Group WELSTech on Facebook WELSTech on Pinterest WELSTech on Instagram Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper Share with the Diigo group welstech

What does digital trust really mean in today's AI-driven world? How are AI and quantum technologies changing the way organizations build and maintain trust? How can businesses act responsibly and ethically while embracing innovation?In this episode, Punit Bhatia talks with Sebastian Hallensleben, an expert in AI governance and digital trust. They discussed how the EU's common AI standards and the OECD's business guidance are helping shape the next phase of responsible and trustworthy innovation. Together, they explore how trust, ethics, and compliance come together in a world powered by AI and quantum technology.

Todd Schuchart, Founder of Sales Chowder, joins the podcast to share how AI sales agents are helping teams close more deals by doing less manual work.We talk about the real cost of slow follow-up, why most CRMs fail without automation, and how AI voice, SMS, and chat agents can instantly respond, qualify, and book meetings—without disrupting your existing tech stack. Todd also introduces the Found Money Agent™ and explains how reactivating cold pipeline can drive revenue faster than chasing new leads.Whether you're a solo closer or leading a scaling sales organization, this episode is packed with insights on selling smarter, scaling faster, and saving your sanity.

Read the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/30494826251399512

Vice President of Information Technology for the Southwestern Family of Companies, Ed Solima, and Training and Development Manager for Southwestern Consulting, Chad Rothermich, examine recent changes in AI, and explain how you can even use AI to learn more about...AI!Hear Ed and Chad's full discussion in their very special episode of The Action Catalyst.

What does digital trust really mean in today's AI-driven world? How are AI and quantum technologies changing the way organizations build and maintain trust? How can businesses act responsibly and ethically while embracing innovation?In this episode, Punit Bhatia talks with Sebastian Hallensleben, an expert in AI governance and digital trust. They discussed how the EU's common AI standards and the OECD's business guidance are helping shape the next phase of responsible and trustworthy innovation. Together, they explore how trust, ethics, and compliance come together in a world powered by AI and quantum technology.

In this episode, Ursula Conway, President Emeritus of the Arizona chapter of Children's Health Defense, joins us to discuss vaccine safety, health freedom, and protecting children's health… Ursula grew up in Michigan and earned her business degree at the University of Arizona. She spent her career in Information Technology within the gaming and hospitality industries, retiring as Chief Information Officer of a major gaming company. Today, she consults on a limited basis while dedicating her time to medical freedom advocacy. Her commitment stems from personal experiences with medical treatments and the tragic case of a colleague's severely vaccine-damaged nephew, which sparked her lifelong dedication to vaccine safety, informed consent, and health freedom. Ursula has been actively involved in monitoring vaccine policies, addressing censorship in healthcare, and defending the rights of medical professionals who challenge official narratives. Click play to find out: Reasons why the health statistics in the U.S. are so low.  Why vaccine safety and medical freedom remain critical issues. The risks of vaccine mandates and the importance of informed consent. Insights from Ursula's ongoing advocacy for children's health. Follow her work and advocacy to learn more about vaccine safety, medical freedom, and protecting children's health! you can also mail her at: az.ursula.conway@childrenshealthdefense.org 'Shareable' Covid Index videos for social mediahttps://www.covidindex.science/more/publicity  Book a Covid Index spokesperson for your podcast https://www.covidindex.science/more/book-a-speaker  Want to Help? Become a Research Associate.  https://www.covidindex.science/want-to-help 

Most business owners think a book is about selling copies. Henry DeVries knows better.In this episode, Henry DeVries, publisher of Indie Books International, host of Agency Rainmaker TV, and ghostwriter/editor of more than 200 business books, including a McGraw-Hill international bestseller, breaks down how a book can become one of the most powerful tools for attracting ideal clients.Henry shares the simple, repeatable framework he teaches agency owners and entrepreneurs to use their book as a positioning asset—not a commodity. We explore how the right book establishes instant credibility, opens doors to paid speaking opportunities, and generates a steady flow of inbound leads without requiring prospecting.If you've ever thought about writing a book—or already have one but aren't seeing results, this conversation will change how you think about authorship, authority, and growth.

Vice President of Information Technology for the Southwestern Family of Companies, Ed Solima, and Training and Development Manager for Southwestern Consulting, Chad Rothermich, examine recent changes in AI and other tech, and offer an in-depth use case as well as some guiding principles for vetting potential tools and vendors, engaging stakeholders in your operation, integrating into existing systems, and even using AI to learn about AI.

Happy Holidays! In this Best Moments of 2025 episode, we revisit standout discussions, sharp takes, and memorable moments from the year – covering ransomware, vulnerability management, automation, zero trust, and the evolving role of the CISO. Whether you're leading security strategy or working hands-on in IT, these highlights capture the ideas that shaped the year in cybersecurity.

In this insightful episode of the Developing the Leader Within Podcast, we close out the year with an inspiring conversation featuring Guillermo Diaz Jr., founder and CEO of Connectado, Inc. Guillermo shares his remarkable journey from a Navy veteran to a technology leader, emphasizing the importance of leveraging information technology as a strategic enabler in today's rapidly evolving corporate landscape.You will learn the following:1. The significance of cultural intelligence in leadership and its impact on technology adoption. 09:552. Strategies for shifting the perception of IT from a support function to a strategic partner in business. 14:103. How leaders can foster a culture of innovation and upskill their teams to leverage modern technology effectively. 18:364. The importance of balancing speed and responsibility in the age of AI and data analytics. 22:165. Key leadership behaviors that will differentiate successful organizations in the digital era. 25:56To get in contact with Guillermo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermo-diaz-jr/Website: ⁠⁠https://conectado.com/LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/conectado_incThis episode is sponsored by   Fantail Services  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fantailservices.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our podcast is sponsored by   The Global Trends MagazineWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gc-bl.org/global-trends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Outlier Project   Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theoutlierproject.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ascend MeditationsWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ascendmeditations.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chop AiWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.chopai.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to Catch us streaming on Roku and Amazon Fire TV on the Purpose Place Network.Also catch our Exclusive Members only content “Going Deeper Within” on the Lions Guide Academy.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lionsguide.com/gdw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Wenn Zarah früher stundenlang auf Social Media unterwegs war, ging es ihr danach häufig schlecht. Welchen Einfluss endless Scrolling auf unser Gehirn hat und ob es das sogar verändern kann, erklären zwei Experten. (Wiederholung vom 13.10.2025)**********Ihr hört: Gesprächspartnerin: Zarah, hatte früher eine Bildschirmzeit von sechs Stunden täglich und versucht, sie zu reduzieren. Gesprächspartner: Lars Kellert, Professor für Neurologie, Klinikum Großhadern Gesprächspartner: Christian Montag, Psychologe und Neurowissenschaftler, University of Macau Autor und Host: Przemek Żuk Redaktion: Ivy Nortey, Anne Bohlmann, Yevgeniya Shcherbakova, Celine Wegert Produktion: Oskar Kühl**********Quellen:Karim F., Oyewande A.A., Abdalla L.F., et al. (2020). Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Cureus 12(6): e8627. doi:10.7759/cureus.8627.Maza M.T., Fox K.A., Kwon S., et al. (2023). Association of Habitual Checking Behaviors on Social Media With Longitudinal Functional Brain Development. JAMA Pediatr.;177(2):S. 160–167. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4924.Skowronek, J., Seifert, A. & Lindberg, S. (2023). The mere presence of a smartphone reduces basal attentional performance. Sci Rep 13, 9363 (2023).Brailovskaia, J., Becherer, I., Wicker, V., et al. (2023). Less social media use – more satisfied, work-engaged and mentally healthy employees: an experimental intervention study. Behaviour & Information Technology, 43(15), 3737–3749. Brailovskaia, J., Siegel, J., Precht, L.-M. et al. (2024). Less Smartphone and More Physical Activity for a Better Work Satisfaction, Motivation, Work-Life Balance, and Mental Health: An Experimental Intervention Study, in: Acta Psychologica,Alle Quellen findet ihr hier.**********Mehr zum Thema bei Deutschlandfunk Nova:Mental Health und Social Media: Das Geschäft mit unserer PsycheAnti-Digital-Detox: Wie uns Social Media, Serien und Filme entspannen  Social Media und Depressionen: Nix wie raus!**********Ihr könnt uns auch auf diesen Kanälen folgen: TikTok und Instagram .**********Meldet euch!Ihr könnt das Team von Facts & Feelings über Whatsapp erreichen.Uns interessiert: Was beschäftigt euch? Habt ihr ein Thema, über das wir unbedingt in der Sendung und im Podcast sprechen sollen?Schickt uns eine Sprachnachricht oder schreibt uns per 0160-91360852 oder an factsundfeelings@deutschlandradio.de.Wichtig: Wenn ihr diese Nummer speichert und uns eine Nachricht schickt, akzeptiert ihr unsere Regeln zum Datenschutz und bei Whatsapp die Datenschutzrichtlinien von Whatsapp.

As usual in the final episode of the year, we hand out three awards for what we think are some of the finest pieces of information systems scholarship produced this year. Except that this time, we are live at the International Conference on Information Systems in Nashville, Tennessee, in a room packed with our listeners. While this means the quality of the audio of our recording is not so great, the quality of the papers we honor this year is. And with a room full of laughter celebrating great information systems scholarship, we end the year on a high note. Congratulations to Stefan, Christoph, and Jan for winning the Trailblazing Research Award, John and Prasanna for winning the Elegant Scholarship Award, and Yanzhen, Huaxia and Andrew for winning the Innovative Method Award 2025. References Lowry, M. R. L., Vance, A., & Vance, M. D. (2025). Inexpert Supervision: Field Evidence on Boards' Oversight of Cybersecurity. Management Science, https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.04147. Porra, J., Hirschheim, R., Land, F., & Lyytinen, K. (2025). Seventy Years of Information Systems Development Methodologies from Early Business Computing to the Agile Era: A Two-part History. Part 1: From Pre to Early ISD Methodology Era: The Emergence of ISD Methodologies and Their Golden Era (1880–1980). Journal of Information Technology, 40(4), 441-469. Porra, J., Hirschheim, R., Land, F., & Lyytinen, K. (2025). Seventy Years of Information Systems Development Methodologies from Early Business Computing to the Agile Era: A Two-part History. Part 2: Later ISD to Early Post ISD Methodology Era: Adapting to Accelerated Context Expansion (1980–today). Journal of Information Technology, 40(4), 470-498. Abbasi, A., Somanchi, S., & Kelley, K. (2025). The Critical Challenge of using Large-scale Digital Experiment Platforms for Scientific Discovery. MIS Quarterly, 49(1), 1-28. Storey, V. C., Baskerville, R. L., & Kaul, M. (2025). Reliability in Design Science Research. Information Systems Journal, 35(3), 984-1014. Larsen, K. R., Lukyanenko, R., Mueller, R. M., Storey, V. C., Parsons, J., VanderMeer, D. E., & Hovorka, D. S. (2025). Validity in Design Science. MIS Quarterly, 49(4), 1267-1294. Vance, A., Eargle, D., Kirwan, C. B., Anderson, B. B., & Jenkins, J. L. (2025). The Fog of Warnings: How Non-Security-Related Notifications Diminish the Efficacy of Security Warnings. MIS Quarterly, 49(4), 1357–1384. Baiyere, A., Bauer, J. M., Constantiou, I., & Hardt, D. (2025). Fake News and True News Assessment: The Persuasive Effect of Discursive Evidence in Judging Veracity. MIS Quarterly, 49(3), 823-860. Seidel, S., Frick, C. J., & vom Brocke, J. (2025). Regulating Emerging Technologies: Prospective Sensemaking through Abstraction and Elaboration. MIS Quarterly, 49(1), 179-204. Burton-Jones, A., Boh, W., Oborn, E., & Padmanabhan, B. (2021). Advancing Research Transparency at MIS Quarterly: A Pluralistic Approach. MIS Quarterly, 45(2), iii-xviii. Horton, J. J., & Tambe, P. (2025). The Death of a Technical Skill. Information Systems Research, 36(3), 1799-1820. Chen, Y., Rui, H., & Whinston, A. B. (2025). Conversation Analytics: Can Machines Read Between the Lines in Real-Time Strategic Conversations? Information Systems Research, 36(1), 440-455. Grisold, T., Berente, N., & Seidel, S. (2025). Guardrails for Human-AI Ecologies: A Design Theory for Managing Norm-Based Coordination. MIS Quarterly, 49(4), 1239-1266. Clark, A. (2015). Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind. Oxford University Press. Recker, J. (2021). Scientific Research in Information Systems: A Beginner's Guide (2nd ed.). Springer. Hirschheim, R., & Klein, H. K. (2012). A Glorious and Not-So-Short History of the Information Systems Field. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 13(4), 188-235.

The House on Monday passed a bill that would revamp how agencies purchase software, putting the legislation in the same place it was a year ago: waiting for the Senate to follow suit as the clock ticks down on the congressional calendar. The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act would require agencies to examine their software licensing practices, with the aim of streamlining IT buying practices to avoid duplicative purchases. The bill is identical to legislation that passed the House last December but did not move forward in the Senate. The House bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, Pat Fallon, R-Texas, and April McClain Delaney, D-Md., would press agencies to better manage their software without limiting procurement options. They would be required to submit IT assessments to the Office of Management and Budget, the General Services Administration and Congress, so better oversight could be conducted. On the House floor Monday, Brown credited her three co-sponsors as well as former Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who died of cancer in May after taking the lead on this bill in addition to his myriad other government IT efforts. Brown, ranking member of the House Oversight Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation subcommittee, said the SAMOSA Act is a “straightforward good government bill that has strong bipartisan support from members of the Oversight Committee.” A new bill from Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Ted Budd, R-N.C., would establish a national network of cloud laboratories led by the National Science Foundation and supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with the goal of enhancing collaboration between institutions while improving research efficiency with AI. If passed, NSF will select up to six programmable cloud laboratories from a range of applicants, including academic institutions and private-sector research groups. NIST would be tasked with setting standards and reporting to Congress about the feasibility for expansion. The bill, introduced last week, aligns with provisions laid out by the Trump administration's AI Action Plan and aims to codify existing NSF proposals, according to the sponsors. NSF earmarked $100 million for a similar AI-powered cloud network in August as it looked to expand access to emerging technologies. Researchers in the co-sponsors' home states have developed methods to ease automated discoveries, which will serve as a blueprint for the national effort. NSF will judge applicants on the level of existing data integration and automated capability infrastructure and capacity to support multi-user cloud workflows, among other criteria. In addition to bipartisan backing, the legislation garnered support from officials at Carnegie Mellon University, the Accelerate Science Now coalition and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

As part of our crossover series of Fault Lines and CTRL+F, “Modern Deterrence: Allies, Innovation, and the Future of Defense,” recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jamil and Jess sit down with Congressman Don Bacon, retired Air Force Brigadier General and chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation. How should Congress prioritize modernization as China, Russia, and other adversaries accelerate their investment in emerging technologies? What lessons from Ukraine should shape U.S. doctrine, acquisitions, and alliance cooperation? And how should the U.S. think about offensive cyber, AI-enabled capabilities, and the future of deterrence in a rapidly evolving threat landscape?@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/eU3qAdj1P6M Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Tactics Meeting, Dan Smiley gathers a roundtable of experts to tackle the invisible but growing threat to the maritime industry: Cyber Security. We are joined by first-time guest Charles Grau from Fairwater, who brings his background in aerospace and the to the table. Together with regulars Jim Butler, Mark Curtis, and Theo Camlin, the panel discusses why the biggest threat to a vessel might not be the sea itself, but the vendor walking up the gangway with a thumb drive. From the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack to GPS spoofing in the Red Sea, we explore how the threat landscape is shifting from traditional oil spills to cargo fires and digital intrusions. The group also debates the challenges of connectivity during an incident—balancing the security of VPNs and firewalls against the need for real-time information sharing via tools like Starlink. In this episode, we cover: Aerospace vs. Maritime: Charles compares high-regulation aviation security to the current state of shipping. The Human Firewall: Why well-trained crew members are your best defense against phishing and social engineering. IT vs. OT: Understanding the difference between Information Technology and the Operational Technology that actually drives the ship. Response Reality: Mark shares a story about training responders on software during an active ship fire in the North Sea. The "Sticky Card" Problem: Navigating the digital divide when different agencies can't use the same software. Save the Dates: March 24-25, 2025: National Harbor Safety Conference in Seattle, WA. October 21-22, 2026: Washington State Maritime Cooperative Planning Conference in Tacoma, WA. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS) and the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC).

Stevens Roundtable: Empowering Employee Ideas with Brittany Bemben Tim Cicciarelli and Brittany Bemben, VP of Information Technology & Innovation, discuss Project Ascend, an initiative at Stevens Transport aimed at gathering employee ideas to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Brittany, the VP of Information Technology and Innovation, explains the importance of employee input and the process for submitting ideas. The conversation emphasizes that no idea is too small or too big, encouraging a culture of innovation within the organization. Team Driving Discover the transformative world of team driving with Stevens Transport in this insightful discussion. Learn how driving with a partner boosts efficiency, earning potential, and safety, while allowing for nearly constant travel and the enjoyment of America's stunning landscapes. Understand how federal regulations intersect with teamwork logistics, enabling over 5,500 miles a week. Insights on rest strategies, like bunk bed sleeping arrangements, are shared. Stevens Transport explains the advantages of choosing your driving partner and how this approach can elevate your trucking career. Explore team driving's benefits and start your journey to success now. Earn More/Team Up - https://vimeo.com/1020240977 Driver Spotlight:  Dinel Fradestin Meet Dinel Fradestin, a Stevens Transport Independent Contractor originally from Haiti and currently living in Florida. On his first day at Stevens Transport, he was nervous, but confident he was ready to change his life. He knew Stevens was the answer. As he says, "I never gave up," and now he has proudly completed his first lease completion. See the video here: https://youtu.be/wdNxvJt5W5c?si=DwVe5zwwFeJCEqHa December 2025 News Bulletin Project Ascend has officially launched at Stevens Transport! This new initiative empowers employees to submit cost-saving ideas, and if your improvement is implemented, you'll earn a cash reward. In other exciting news, Eric Miller has been promoted to Driving Academy Director, and Tyricko Duckett has stepped into the role of Lead Instructor. Tune in for more updates and December news! See the video here: https://youtu.be/b9KOYlSG6oY?si=r_7DdtBoUzptxfXR Become a Driver for Stevens Transport For questions on whether you meet our driver qualifications, please call our Recruiting Department at 1-800-333-8595 or visit: www.stevenstransport.com/drivers/ Stevens Transport 9757 Military Parkway, Dallas, TX 75227 http://www.stevenstransport.com/ http://www.becomeadriver.com/ Driver Recruiting: 1-800-333-8595.  Apply Here: https://intelliapp2.driverapponline.com Paragon Leasing Technician Careers: https://www.stevenstransport.com/careers/fleet-maintenance-jobs/

Rob Israel, a versatile leader whose journey spans from the Navy to healthcare leadership, joins us for a compelling discussion on Sales Lead Dog. Rob opens up about the essential principles that have bolstered his career, emphasizing the strength in empowering and supporting team members, surrounding oneself with intelligent peers, and championing employee growth. One notable story features a leader who successfully took a year off from her business, demonstrating the transformative power of trust and autonomy in leadership. Rob shares how these experiences have influenced his current path, transitioning from a Chief Information Officer to embracing the challenges of a sales role, inspired by his father's legacy and his own pursuit of new challenges. Trust and transparency form the bedrock of Rob's approach to sales leadership. Highlighting the importance of honesty, he advises against bluffing when faced with tough questions, advocating instead for a candid approach that builds lasting client relationships. Rob underscores the significance of nurturing these connections even after the sale is complete, ensuring client satisfaction and opening doors for future opportunities. For those stepping into leadership roles, Rob shares insights on leveraging networks for guidance, fostering a culture of learning, and the nuances of understanding team motivators. As we navigate through the evolving landscape of sales, Rob discusses the critical role of AI and CRM systems. While AI holds the promise of revolutionizing efficiency and decision-making, Rob stresses the importance of maintaining the human element and critical thinking in processes. He brings a balanced perspective on CRM systems, acknowledging their potential benefits when used correctly, but also pointing out common pitfalls such as inefficiencies and depersonalization. Rob concludes with optimism about integrating AI to streamline CRM tasks, ultimately enhancing communication and driving sales success. Don't miss the chance to connect with Rob Israel on LinkedIn and explore additional resources shared on our website. Rob Israel is an accomplished sales and cybersecurity leader with a unique blend of executive technology, healthcare, and strategic account expertise. With a career that includes serving as both CIO and CISO in the healthcare sector, Rob brings a deep understanding of clinical, operational, and regulatory realities that few sales leaders possess. This firsthand experience enables him to connect more meaningfully with executive stakeholders and translate complex security challenges into practical, outcome-driven strategies. As a Regional Sales Manager at DeepSeas, Rob partners with enterprise leaders to strengthen their security posture, drive measurable business outcomes, and align world-class threat intelligence and MDR capabilities with each organization's mission. He is known for his customer-first philosophy, trusted-advisor approach, and ability to guide clients through high-stakes decisions with clarity and confidence. Prior to joining DeepSeas, Rob held senior sales leadership roles at industry-leading technology organizations, consistently ranking among top performers and elevating client engagement across complex environments. His earlier tenure as a healthcare CIO and CISO continues to shape his perspective, allowing him to bridge the gap between technology, cybersecurity, and business operations. Outside of work, Rob is an avid hiker, scuba diver, and skier who enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family. He brings the same curiosity, discipline, and sense of adventure to his work helping clients anticipate risk, embrace innovation, and advance their strategic objectives. Rob is an experienced international speaker on both CyberSecurity and Information Technology, and has routinely helped organizations both streamline processes and save money on critical infrastructure programs.     Quotes:  "Empowering your team means developing them to the point where you can step away, and the business not only survives but thrives."   "In sales, honesty and transparency aren't just virtues; they're necessities for building lasting client relationships."   "AI has the potential to revolutionize sales efficiency, but we mustn't lose sight of the human element and critical thinking it cannot replace."   "To lead effectively, surround yourself with people smarter than you, and always champion their growth and success."  "Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. It's a sign of strength, not weakness, and it builds trust with your clients."     Links:  Rob's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-israel-a410831/ Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/ 

When I hear people talk about freedom, there seem to be two different general ideas, freedom from something and freedom to do something. It reminds me of my days in Information Technology, when people described "free" open source software as "Free speech, not free beer!" When we talk about freedom today, are we talking about free speech or free beer?

It only took us five years but we finally got Stefan Seidel on the podcast. We have been talking about him and his scholarship for a while. Today we finally get to ask him about his recent technology regulation paper, his view on grounded theorizing in information systems, his forthcoming special issue on Ethics, Regulation, and Policy that will start processing submissions in late 2026--and his bet with Nick Berente about who wins the race to 8000 citations. Episode reading list Seidel, S., Frick, C. J., & vom Brocke, J. (2025). Regulating Emerging Technologies: Prospective Sensemaking through Abstraction and Elaboration. MIS Quarterly, 49(1), 179-204. Recker, J., Zeiss, R., & Mueller, M. (2024). iRepair or I Repair? A Dialectical Process Analysis of Control Enactment on the iPhone Repair Aftermarket. MIS Quarterly, 48(1), 321-346. Seidel, S., & Urquhart, C. (2013). On Emergence and Forcing in Information Systems Grounded Theory Studies: The Case of Strauss and Corbin. Journal of Information Technology, 28(3), 237-260. Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory (2nd ed.). Sage. Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Aldine Publishing Company. Seidel, S., Berente, N., Guo, H., Oh, W. (2026): Ethics, Regulation, and Policy: The Challenge to Institutions in the Digital Age. MIS Quarterly Special Issue, submissions due November 2026. Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G., & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking Qualitative Rigor in Inductive Research: Notes on the Gioia Methodology. Organizational Research Methods, 16(1), 15-31. Berente, N., Gu, B., Recker, J., & Santhanam, R. (2021). Managing Artificial Intelligence. MIS Quarterly, 45(3), 1433-1450. Butler, T., Gozman, D., & Lyytinen, K. (2023). The Regulation of and Through Information Technology: Towards a Conceptual Ontology for IS Research. Journal of Information Technology, 38(2), 86-107 Gümüsay, A. A., & Reinecke, J. (2024). Imagining Desirable Futures: A Call for Prospective Theorizing with Speculative Rigour. Organization Theory, 5(1), https://doi.org/10.1177/26317877241235939. Grisold, T., Berente, N., & Seidel, S. (2025). Guardrails for Human-AI Ecologies: A Design Theory for Managing Norm-Based Coordination. MIS Quarterly, 49(4), 1239-1266. Seidel, S., Recker, J., & vom Brocke, J. (2013). Sensemaking and Sustainable Practicing: Functional Affordances of Information Systems in Green Transformations. MIS Quarterly, 37(4), 1275-1299.

Jim Hallers is owner/co-owner of 8 bars and restaurants in the Magnolia/Woodlands Texas area of Texas. He opened his first restaurant, Tailgators, in 2009 at the age of 46 after a long and successful career in Information Technology. Today, his portfolio includes Citizens Grill, The Republic Grille, Good Charlie's Oyster Bar and Kitchen, 2 distinct dive bars and 4 Tailgators. His 8 restaurants bring in 23 millions dollars in revenue. Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/ Today's sponsors: Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.   Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.   US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee."  Let's make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives. Today's guest recommends: 7Shifts Guest contact info:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallers/ Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share!