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Hyperscalers are spending more than $750 billion a year on AI infrastructure, and much of it is for physical hardware that needs financing. That's creating a compelling opportunity for asset-based lenders who can underwrite real collateral and contracts rather than picking technology winners. On this episode of Disruptive Forces, host Anu Rajakumar speaks with Sean Hinze of Neuberger's Specialty Finance team. Together, they discuss: Why hyperscalers prefer off-balance-sheet financing and what that means for private credit How to underwrite GPU deals when chip technology evolves every two years Why power is the new bottleneck — and what a 68-gigawatt US shortfall means for lenders Where the strongest relative value sits today across chips, power equipment, and fiber How to separate hype from opportunity in a crowded space This communication is provided for informational and educational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. Information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but there is no representation or warranty as to its accuracy, completeness or reliability. This communication is not directed at any investor or category of investors and should not be regarded as investment advice or a suggestion to engage in or refrain from any investment-related course of action. Neuberger is not providing this material in a fiduciary capacity and has a financial interest in the sale of its products and services. Investment decisions should be made based on an investor's individual objectives and circumstances and in consultation with his or her advisors. All information is current as of the date of this material and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Neuberger products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all client types. This material is not intended as a formal research report and should not be relied upon as a basis for making an investment decision. The firm, its employees and advisory accounts may hold positions of any companies discussed. This material may include estimates, outlooks, projections and other "forward-looking statements." Due to a variety of factors, actual events or market behavior may differ significantly from any views expressed. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Indexes are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools. Neuberger may utilize AI tools in its business operations to improve operational efficiency and for assistance in research and analyzing data among other uses. AI tools are dependent on historical data, consequently, if the content or analyses that AI applications assist Neuberger in producing are or are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, or biased, a client account may be adversely affected. Additionally, AI tools used by Neuberger may produce inaccurate, misleading or incomplete responses that could lead to errors in Neuberger's and its employees' judgement, decision-making, investment research or other business activities, which could have a negative impact on the performance of a client account. The application of AI in investment processes, research, or analysis is evolving and subject to limitations, including data quality, algorithmic biases, and interpretive errors. AI outputs should not be relied upon as the sole basis for investment decisions. No assurance is given regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of information generated by AI. This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions. The "Neuberger" name and logo are service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. © 2026 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved. M-003297
Russ d'Sa (CEO & Co-founder @ LiveKit) joins the show to deconstruct the "Product Paradigm Shift" toward voice-driven interfaces and agent-centric UX . We dive into LiveKit's high-stakes scaling lessons: from powering OpenAI and Character AI's voice mode, how they navigated real time bottlenecks to hit the next level of scale, the architectural necessity of a multi-cloud strategy, and the foundations of a co-founder relationships that can effectively blend engineering & business strategy. ABOUT RUSS D'SA Russ is a startup vet who founded his first company in the 2007 YC batch and was the 2nd frontend engineer hired at Twitter, Russ d'Sa now leads voice AI unicorn LiveKit. They're the backbone of ChatGPT Voice Mode, Salesforce Agentforce, Grok, and roughly 30% of US 911 calls. ABOUT LIVEKIT LiveKit is an open source framework and cloud platform for building voice, video, and physical AI agents. It provides the tools you need to build agents that interact with users in realtime over audio, video, and data streams. Agents run on the LiveKit server, which supplies the low-latency infrastructure (including transport, routing, synchronization, and session management) built on a production-grade WebRTC stack. This architecture enables reliable and performant agent workloads. SHOW NOTES: The product paradigm shift toward voice-driven apps and natural human-computer interfaces (2:44) Voice-apps in practice: How these trends impact the strategy of product building today (5:32) Early adopters: Why legacy industries like healthcare use voice AI (7:55) Reevaluating and building product experiences optimized for AI agents (12:52) How AI trends will impact roadmaps and Go To Market (18:16) The origin of LiveKit: Building real-time infra for the pandemic (21:07) The OpenAI moment: Powering the fastest-growing consumer app (23:48) Scaling with OpenAI: Navigating the challenges of balancing time-to-market with system design (25:39) The Character AI outage: Solving cross-continental state sync and hitting the next level of scale (29:00) The problem: When telemetry breaks first: Managing analytics and logging for millions of concurrent AI sessions (32:04) Architecting for resilience: Multi-cloud from day one and why treating infra as a utility matters (33:22) Co-founder dynamics: Blending engineering strategy with business outcomes (37:15) Rapid Fire Questions (40:51) This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team: Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-Host Jerry Li - Co-Host Noah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/ Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/ Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Midyear is the right time for a reality check — fromstrengthening the grid to managing the impacts of inflation, global uncertaintyand evolving regulations, electric cooperatives are actively adapting to a hostof challenges. This episode of Power Plays examines six emerging issuesthat will influence discussions and strategic decisions throughout 2026.
Episode 4 of Rethinking EHS, Season 3 focuses on the fast-growing data center sector and the need to balance speed, innovation, and sustainability. The episode explores how global demand for digital infrastructure is accelerating rapidly, driven by cloud adoption, AI, and increasing digital consumption, while physical constraints such as power, space, and water are shaping where and how data centres are developed. Emerging hubs like Milan are gaining prominence as traditional markets reach capacity, supported by evolving regulatory frameworks that are beginning to recognise data centers as strategic infrastructure. Looking ahead, the industry's future will depend on improving safety maturity, strengthening collaboration across the supply chain, and ensuring data centers are developed as responsible “neighbours” that minimise environmental impact. Ultimately, global collaboration, combined with local knowledge, will be key to scaling the sector sustainably and building a more resilient digital infrastructure. --- Guest quotes: Julie Kreger-King: “There's a real tension between the need for speed and the need to put strong systems and processes in place.” Alessandro Intile: “We are not building warehouses or chemical plants—we are exactly in the middle, with risks that must be carefully managed.” --- Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction & data centre growth overview 00:01:10 – What's driving global demand (cloud, AI, digitalisation) 00:02:31 – Emerging hubs and regulatory developments in Europe 00:04:25 – Regulatory differences between regions 00:05:51 – Why data centres are a critical EHS focus area 00:08:08 – Safety maturity across the sector 00:10:10 – Balancing speed vs systems and processes 00:12:21 – Technology evolution and new risk factors 00:14:03 – Supply chain and quality challenges 00:16:06 – Brownfield development and environmental risks 00:20:13 – Overlooked risks: noise, fuel storage, permitting 00:22:35 – Achieving global consistency vs local requirements 00:28:24 – Advice for EHS professionals entering the sector 00:32:31 – Future ESG priorities and industry maturity 00:36:03 – The role of global collaboration 00:38:01 – Closing reflections --- Sponsor Copy Rethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of 70+ companies providing environment, health, safety, and sustainability services, working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit inogenalliance.com to learn more. --- Links https://Inogenalliance.com/resources https://Inogenalliance.com/podcast Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-kreger-king/ Charlotte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-buffoni-a42b9629/ Alessandro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-intile-5730a2124/?skipRedirect=true Produced by https://madcontent.co.nz/
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating vast new fortunes. But behind every chatbot, image generator and AI model is a physical product: a semiconductor chip.In this edition of Follow the Money, we trace the global supply chain powering the AI revolution. From the companies designing the world's most advanced chips, to the factories manufacturing them, and the specialist machines needed to produce them, we examine who is profiting from the surge in demand.We also explore why so much of the world's most advanced chip production is concentrated in one place, Taiwan, and what that means for the global economy at a time of growing tensions between China and the West.As governments compete for technological leadership and businesses spend billions on AI infrastructure, we ask a simple question: who's getting rich from the AI boom, and what happens if the supply chain breaks?Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: David Cann
View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony are joined by Jake and Parker to talk about their shifts in approach to each of their eternal cubes. While Jake, Parker, and Andy have long maintained generally “power motivated” eternal cubes, they've each grappled with concerns about aesthetics, complexity, or gameplay in the last few years of Magic releases. They talk about how they've changed their design philosophies in light of those changes and how they've reframed the way they make decisions about the cards they choose to play.Discussed in this episode:Bodleian CubeBun Magic CubeTheseusTurbo CubeAtavusPulp NouveauMidwinterCascade CascadeFour TCGs in Magic's Trench Coat, article by Parker LaMascusIf you'd like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts' Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy's “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony's “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro2:57 - Main Topic: Power Motivated Cube11:21 - The Vibeshift17:08 - Gameplay Styles19:33 - Paper Drafting and Taste24:41 - Why Play High Power Level Magic30:53 - Stat Inflation39:33 - Power Motivation in 202645:46 - Theorycrafting with Powerful Cards49:26 - Concluding Games53:14 - Make Your Cube About Something55:57 - Advice
Jeff Zielinski is CFO of Hong Kong-based Buyandship, a leading cross-border e-commerce platform with operations across Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. He has spent his entire career working at the intersection of Asia, TMT, and finance.Jeff began his career in 2000 in Morgan Stanley's technology investment banking group in Hong Kong, working on transactions for many of Asia's largest technology companies. From 2005 to 2015, he was with Goldman Sachs Principal Strategies (GSPS) and Azentus Capital — the Asia GSPS spinoff — captaining investments in TMT and Greater China across the major technology verticals, including internet, e-commerce, semiconductors, and hardware. At Goldman Sachs, he also represented GSPS Asia on the firm's Asia Pacific Risk Committee, and was a founding partner at Azentus when it spun off from Goldman in 2011 under the Volcker Rule. Earlier in his career, he held technology-related roles at News Corporation.Today, alongside his work at Buyandship, Jeff is an active investor and advisor in the regional technology ecosystem and serves with education-focused nonprofits in the community.LinkedIn: https://hk.linkedin.com/in/jeff-zielinski
The twin pressures of vulnerable energy supply and rising power demand are making energy security a durable investment theme. Hugo Liebaert, Sustainable Investment and Research Analytics at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains where opportunities are emerging around critical energy bottlenecks.General disclosure: This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL's Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2026 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.BII0626-5595004-EXP0627
This is the first in a series of check-ins with previous guests about the unfolding nuclear renaissance. In this episode, Tyler Bernstein, CEO and co-founder of Zeno Power, returns to talk with me about Zeno's progress (check out our first episode here). We chop it up about the importance of Trump's EOs, NASA's commitment to a permanent lunar base, and—wait! I'm burying the lede. Zeno has just acquired Vallecitos Nuclear Center in California, the first commercially owned nuclear plant. Though the plant itself is decommissioned, Zeno will be using its hot cells to industrialize the production of their nuclear batteries. My conversation with Tyler made the nuclear renaissance feel all the more real. The thumbnail for this episode is a photo of one of the hot cells; to see more (as we discuss in the episode), you can check out this video.
Die Ukraine scheint mir ihrer spektakulären Kampagne gegen die Versorgungslinien Russlands im besetzten ukrainischen Hinterland Schritt für Schritt die Versorgung der Krim als auch des südlichen Oblasts Chersons abzuschneiden. Die Drohnenarmee der Ukraine zerstört zahlreiche Tanklaser und andere Versorgungspfade auf der einzigen Hauptstraße, die Russland über das Festland mit der Krim verbindet. Die Auswirkungen werden bereits deutlich sichtbar. Lange Schlangen an den Tankstellen, Sprit gibt es nur noch gegen Coupons und die Nerven der Russen liegen blank. Da hilft es auch nicht, dass die Ukraine jetzt auch noch im großen Stil die Infrastruktur des Militärs und der Ölindustrie in St. Petersburg und Moskau zerstört. Während der bisher größte und spektakulärste Angriff auf die Moskauer Raffinerie läuft nehmen wir für Euch ein neues Update über die Situation auf und berichten auch, welche Rolle die Firma Palantir in der Ukraine spielt.
My newsletter: https://simonowens.substack.com/ For more than a decade, Erin Millar has been trying to answer a question that has plagued the journalism industry: What should replace the local newspaper model after it collapses? Her first attempt came with The Discourse, a Canadian media company that experimented with new approaches to community-driven reporting before eventually evolving into a network of local news outlets. But along the way, Millar realized that the biggest opportunity wasn't necessarily building another media chain — it was creating the infrastructure that could help hundreds of independent publishers thrive. That insight led to the launch of Indiegraf, a software and services company that now supports 180 local communities across North America and beyond. In a recent interview, Millar explained why she believes the future of local news will be built around networks rather than traditional chains, how Indiegraf helps publishers generate revenue, and why consolidation may actually strengthen independent media.
Welcome to episode three of The Production Geeks! Streaming live from our Midtown Manhattan rooftop, we are diving into the complex engineering behind two massive, upcoming live events. In this episode, we talk about:• Upgrading our NYC studio with a cutting-edge 1.2mm pitch LED video wall for an international 4th of July celebration. We break down the realities of broadcast refresh rates, power circuits, and front-serviceable wall mounting.• Solving the extreme technical challenges of live streaming the first-ever 30-person fully electric passenger plane test flight. • How we are leveraging iPhones with the LU Smart app, bonding cellular connections with Starlink in mid-air, and programming a multi-second delay to keep ground and air cameras perfectly in sync.• Marrying live flight data (via JSON push/pull API) into Singular Live HTML graphics over a vMix switcher.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction & Rooftop Margaritas1:40 - Project 1: 4th of July Tall Ships Live Stream5:22 - The Tech of LED Walls: Pixel Pitch & Refresh Rates7:37 - Powering & Mounting Heavy Studio LED Walls11:07 - Getting Seamless Visual Angles with LED Panels15:53 - Project 2: Streaming the First Electric Passenger Plane Flight17:27 - Networking, Starlink on Planes & Latency Delays20:18 - Integrating Real-Time Flight Data & Cloud Backups25:07 - The Nightmare of Starlink Port ForwardingWhether you're an audio listener or watching us via the new video podcast features on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, thank you for tuning in! Make sure to rate, review, and follow the show on your favorite platform.BRAND STORYTELLING | FULL SERVICE VIDEO PRODUCTIONProfessional Branded Video Production Storytelling Experts#SorrentinoMedia | Full-Service Video Production Company including LiveStreaming services232 Madison AvenueSuite 1002New York, NY 10016mike@sorrentinomedia.com (212) 203-8419www.SorrentinoMedia.com https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/contact-sorrentino-media#videoproduction We specialize in digital video content production.From green-screen instructional videos to unscripted digital series and live streams - we will make it interesting and make it pop. Anyone can say they are a production company - we have a broad portfolio of work that has delivered results. #podcast Productionhttps://www.sorrentinomedia.com/podcast-productionWe offer all podcast production services including recording, editing, and publishing.We are passionate about telling your audio stories and bringing them to life in a way that will resonate with your listeners. Whether you need full-service podcast production or our professional advice on which direction to take, we are excited to work with you!#mediatraining https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/media-trainingMichael Sorrentino has a solid track record in working with on-air personalities from reporters/anchors to thought leaders. If you have never been on camera, media training can get you up to speed in no time. If you are a seasoned TV guest, we will fine-tune your skills to make you the best guest you can be!#nyc #studios https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/our-production-studios At the heart of Manhattan, Sorrentino Media offers three production studios for rent that are ideal for anything from small shoots to full-scale productions. Located at 232 Madison Avenue, at the corner of 37th and Madison, we are just minutes from both Penn Station and Grand Central.Our studios are fully equipped with the latest in production technology and our experienced team is available to assist you with all your production needs. We offer teleprompters, green screens, cameras (HD and 4k options are available), lighting panels and audio equipment, including wireless options. We also have a separate control room for live streaming with 4k and HD multi-camera switching.Extra features include a hair and makeup room with a styling station, a Nespresso coffee maker, and a fridge stocked with water and small snacks.Whether you need a space for a photoshoot, commercial shoot, music video, or anything else, we have the space and equipment you need. Have a project in mind? Contact us today to learn more about our rates and availability for film studio rental in NYC.REMOTE VIDEO PRODUCTION KITS AVAILABLE https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/remote-video-productionREMOTE PRODUCTION TIPS: https://www.sorrentinomedia.com/remote-video-production-tips
In this episode, Chris sits down with Ben Nowack, co-founder and CEO of Reflect Orbital, one of the first companies building satellites that redirect sunlight from orbit to specific spots on Earth - with the goal of delivering sunlight on demand, 24/7. Why would you want sunlight 24/7? Agriculture and farming, construction projects, rescue missions, military operations, powering solar panels closer to 100% of the time instead of ~30%, etc. Ben started Reflect in 2021. He spent the first year in a garage, $60k in credit card debt, before a $350k raise came in. Reflect has now raised more than $35 million - Sequoia led the seed (its first space investment since SpaceX), Lux Capital led the $20M Series A - and launches its first satellite later this year. They discuss: - A speech Gwynne Shotwell gave during his tenure at SpaceX that he will never forget - What he learned while working at SpaceX that he implements at Reflect - The story of building the actual company and why building hardware is hard - How they think about vertical integration - The trillion $ business case for redirecting sunlight - How he recruits technical talent - what works and what doesn't Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (1:07) "Rockets Are Cool, But They're Not the Big Money Makers" (7:00) Lessons from SpaceX: What Ben Took (and Left Behind) (16:35) The Origin: From High School Fusion Reactors to Reflect Orbital (25:10) The Fossil Fuel Problem and Why It's So Hard to Beat (28:37) "By 3 AM You Have a Minimum Viable Financial Model" (35:44) The Breakthrough: Putting Mirrors in Space (41:00) Building the First Satellite (51:03) First Satellite and Seven-Figure Demand Nobody Expected (57:00) The Constellation Plan: 18 Satellites, Global Coverage (1:10:00) What It's Like to Order Sunlight (1:22:00) Why Fashion Designers Build Better Spacecraft Than JWST Engineers (1:25:36) The 10-Year Vision: Starship, Scale, and Powering the Earth Find our sponsors: Collateral Partners - https://collateral.com/fort Relay Human Cloud - https://www.relayhumancloud.com/powers/ Download FastJets: iOs: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fastjets/id6756160345 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyjetting.app Chris on Social Media: X: https://x.com/fortworthchris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepowerspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispowersjr/ Visit our website: https://www.powerspod.com/ Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO
The Hankook Clarksville plant puts a lot of big tire industry talking points under one very large roof: domestic production, product availability, supply chain stability and proof-of-product testing.I visited Hankook's Tennessee campus for a closer look at the company's North American manufacturing strategy, including the Phase Two expansion that is expected to add another 4.5 million to 5 million consumer units of annual capacity. The plant first began domestic production in 2017 with about 4.5 million units of annual capacity, and Hankook is also beginning medium commercial tire production at the site, with plans to reach up to 1 million medium truck units.“I think we're all aware of what's going on in the market with tariffs. A lot of product is coming in from all over the world, and we feel it's very important to have domestic production with an American-made product," said Rob Williams, President and CEO of Hankook Tire North America. "It's good from a supply chain standpoint. It's also very important for dealers to be able to get product just in time.”Inside the facility, automation plays a major role, from AI-driven forklifts to highly technical equipment operated from control panels. Hankook also benefits from sister companies that help build the equipment and technology used in its tire production process.“Today, with any production, automation is very important. Innovation is very important. It still has the human element, though," Williams said. "We never want to feel like the technology overshadows the human element. However, today we can employ people who know they can work on state-of-the-art equipment. You'll see forklifts running around that are all AI-driven. We literally can have one operator operate multiple pieces of equipment because in a lot of cases, they're really just overseeing the control panel.”The visit also included drive time on several Tennessee-made products, including the Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, Laufenn X Fit AT2, Dynapro XT and DynaPro MT2. Between the expanded plant, warehouse space and proving ground behind the facility, the Hankook Clarksville plant is becoming a major part of how the company plans to grow in North America.www.tirereview.comwww.hunter.com
June 16, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson speak with Joanne Muller, Transportation Correspondent for Axios. They discuss new vehicle-to-grid technology that allows EVs to stabilize the power grid. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Inside Modular: The Podcast of Commercial Modular Construction
Send us Fan MailEric Kwong, founder of AluHouse USA LLC, started with an aluminum manufacturing foundation in Hong Kong and used that advantage to create durable, design-forward modular units. From there, the company's path tracks the pressures reshaping construction worldwide: labor shortages, housing demand, and the need for consistent quality that job sites often struggle to deliver. In this episode, Eric describes how AluHouse's capabilities expanded from aluminum into steel and concrete systems that can support mid-rise and high-rise modular construction.Eric also shares what makes global expansion succeed or fail. Eric explains how to evaluate market potential, why building codes and QA/QC systems matter, and why culture is not a side note but an operational requirement. He digs into supply chain integration, certification needs across regions, and where modular clearly outperforms traditional construction today, plus where customization and complex finishes still require careful planning.Support the showListen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/
In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, Dr. Robert Fisher—one of the pioneers of modern transplant surgery—explores the rapidly advancing field of xenotransplantation and why it may represent a true turning point in medicine.From CRISPR-driven genetic engineering to breakthroughs in immunosuppression and scalable organ production, Dr. Fisher breaks down how decades of research are converging to make cross-species organ transplants a clinical reality.The conversation also dives into what this means for patients, how it could transform transplant access, and the critical role of rigorous, collaborative clinical research in translating breakthrough science into real-world care.01:23 Dr. Fisher's path into transplant surgery03:05 Why xenotransplantation is reaching a turning point (CRISPR + immunosuppression)04:47 Advances enabling scalability, safety, and compatibility 08:32 Ethics, risks, and clearing misconceptions10:27 Real-world patient impact and clinical considerations 13:10 Logistics, coordination, and clinical execution15:49 New immunosuppression strategies driving success17:44 Collaboration, ethics, and managing risk 20:49 Eliminating waitlists: expanding access to transplant22:54 Milestones toward adoption and future outlook
Irish Sports Daily's Jamie Uyeyama joins to discuss his recent visit to campus for Irish Invasion and how recruiting has continued to improve under Marcus Freeman. Then a look at how the 2026 Notre Dame team looks to compare to previous playoff-era title winners as well as this season's other top contenders. Sign up for the newsletter and/or browse the merch here: https://linktr.ee/rakesreport
On Episode 304 of the Remarkable Retail podcast, co-hosts Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc dig into a busy earnings season, the global forces reshaping retail, and the competitive divides separating winners from also-rans. They open with the department store sector, which Steve frames as "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Macy's shows incremental progress and Bloomingdale's posts double-digit growth, but Kohl's stays stuck and JCPenney's latest numbers underscore the structural problems dogging traditional operators. The throughline: shifting market share, real estate decisions, and changing consumer behavior keep narrowing the path forward for the format, and the gap between the sector's healthier players and its laggards continues to widen. From there, the hosts turn to retail's brighter turnaround stories. Victoria's Secret keeps building momentum with stronger comps and improved profitability, while Gap Inc. shows how disciplined brand management and sharper product focus can revive a business. They also weigh the intensifying competition among athleisure brands as the category's leaders pull further ahead and the middle of the pack scrambles to keep up. Value retailing is the episode's recurring theme. TJX, Ross Stores, Burlington, and Five Below all posted strong results, reinforcing the durable consumer shift toward value and the treasure hunt. Steve and Michael explore why off-price keeps outperforming while dollar stores wrestle with a tougher customer—and they spotlight Costco, where fuel, membership economics, and traffic-driving loss leaders keep the warehouse club model ahead of much of the sector. Drawing on his recent travels through Portugal and Spain, Steve shares observations on European retail: the distinct dynamics of specialty players, the enduring pull of department stores like El Corte Inglés, and one of the world's most remarkable retail experiences, Livraria Lello in Porto, a bookstore so beloved that shoppers pay admission and book a timeslot just to get in. The episode closes with Walmart's fast-expanding same-day delivery, the rise of faster fulfillment across retail, Saks Global's exit from bankruptcy, and the geopolitical risks looming over supply chains and consumer spending. Michael also previews his visit to T&T Supermarket's first California store—a reminder of how much innovation is still alive in modern grocery. It's a wide-ranging look at a sector where the winners are pulling away and the stragglers are running out of time. Join us at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York June 23rd and 24th with this exclusive discount code for 10% off general admission tickets and FREE retail tickets: Your code is "REMARKABLE" . See you in the Big Apple! About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.
As AI and data centers drive unprecedented energy demand, where will the power come from? In the 100th episode of the Oilfield 360 podcast, hosts David de Roode and Victoria Beard Queen welcome back the show's very first guest, Jamie Stewart, president of EnQuest Energy Solutions. Stewart shares how EnQuest evolved from a frac-equipment company into a growing player in natural gas power solutions, driven by the rising need for reliable energy infrastructure. The conversation explores distributed power, workforce challenges, industry relationships, and the opportunities created by the AI-driven energy boom.00:00 Why Oil and Gas Matters00:36 Podcast and Sponsors01:59 Welcome and 100th Episode02:39 How the Show Began06:19 Introducing Jamie Stewart07:55 EnQuest After COVID09:29 EnQuest Business Overview10:27 Power Generation Pivot14:32 Data Centers Need Everything17:14 How EnQuest Entered Power19:51 Efficiency vs Demand21:42 Hiring and Culture23:44 Talent Shortage Reality27:00 Why Join EnQuest Now28:13 Natural Gas Frac Future30:40 Engine Tech Explained31:11 Natural Gas Fuel Savings32:23 Going Fully Gas Powered32:54 Safety Culture And Learning34:04 Networking And Industry Events36:15 Barbecue Competition Stories40:24 Petroleum Museum Magic41:27 EnQuest Future Vision43:17 Life Outside EnQuest45:27 Cooking And Grill Tales47:45 Meeting Natalie And Giving Back50:42 Parting Wisdom And Wrap
This week: Tanja Lischka, senior director for government affairs at Siemens Energy, talks with Ian Welsh about the power grid evolution required as electrification continues to be rolled out, and the challenges and opportunities this represents. And, Ian also speaks with Ginny Maceda senior manager for mission and stability at Danone about regenerative agriculture and climate strategy. Plus: how green roofs can boost resilience; more inclusive climate action in Latin America; climate change's impact on displacement in Africa; and, a spotlight on soils in the wine sector, in the news digest with Babette Pages Prange.
Veterans, corporate burnout survivors and anyone who has ever confused suffering in silence with being strong will find something worth hearing in this one. This episode is for the people who are fine, totally fine, definitely fine... and haven't slept properly in three months.More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/omar-ritterOmar Ritter has lived more than most people will ever face in a lifetime. West Point graduate, Bronze Star recipient, combat veteran from Iraq and Kosovo, twenty-year Wall Street executive, brain tumor survivor. He's also someone who spent years hiding the fact that he was falling apart on the inside while everything looked great from the outside. In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Omar sits down to talk honestly about PTSD, burnout, identity loss and what it actually took to get better.Omar's breaking point didn't come on a battlefield. It came in boardrooms, in sleepless nights at JP Morgan, in a moment when he left his wife home alone with their week-old baby to go deliver documents to his boss at 3am. He was the guy who always got things done, no matter what it cost him. And that identity, the guy who never cracks, is exactly what nearly killed him.He opens up about his gunner from Iraq, a man who appeared fine on Facebook, who was chatting and checking in, and who then took his own life and the lives of his children after an untreated mental health crisis hijacked everything he was. Omar doesn't sugarcoat it. He calls PTSD what he believes it is: a hijacker in the cockpit of your brain, making you do things the real you never would.The conversation covers what burnout actually looks like versus just being tired or stressed, and why veterans in particular are so reluctant to get help. Omar is blunt about the stigma, but he's equally blunt about the excuses. TriCare covers treatment. Corporate benefits packages cover therapy. You can schedule a session on your lunch break and nobody needs to know. The resources exist. The harder part is deciding you're worth using them.One of the most powerful threads in this episode is the difference between powering through and real resilience. Omar held a gun to his own temple while powering through a job he hated in a city he never wanted to live in. He knows the difference from the inside. Resilience, he says, is bouncing back. Powering through with an untreated mental health condition is just damage accumulating until your body or your brain forces the issue.He also talks about the identity crisis that hits veterans when they leave service and walk into corporate America leading with their rank and their medals, only to find out nobody in the room knows what a combat action badge is or why it should matter to them. The reframe he had to learn was painful but necessary.Omar now teaches accounting and finance at UNC Charlotte, sits on veteran entrepreneur boards, and wrote the book West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness. His audiobook just dropped. His message is simple: raise your hand, make the call, and deal with the rest once you're healthy. Everything else can wait.
Dr. Aleksandra Pikula is quadruple board-certified in Medicine, Neurology, Vascular Neurology, and Lifestyle Medicine… with Neurology and Vascular Neurology Fellowship and postdoctoral training at Boston University, Harvard University, and the Framingham Heart Study.Dr. Pikula holds a status of an Associate Professor of Medicine, a Clinician-Investigator, and Co-Director of the Women's Neurology Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto.Since 2023, she had been appointed as the Inaugural Jay & Sari Sonshine Chair in Stroke Prevention and Cerebrovascular Brain Health at the University of Toronto, University Health Network, and Krembil Brain Institute… and serves as the founding director of the Jay and Sari Sonshine Centre at UHN.Her clinical and research focus is on stroke prevention and outcomes in younger adults, particularly emphasizing women's brain health during midlife. Dr. Pikula advocates for a holistic approach to brain care, targeting stroke and dementia prevention through evidence-based lifestyle medicine programs.Plant-Based Canada was also privileged to feature her as a speaker for our 2026 Conference, where she discussed plant-forward nutrition for the brain across the lifespan. That talk will be available to participants for three months.RESOURCES Through HER Prism Facebook Instagram Linkedin Framingham Heart Study Jay and Sari Sonshine Centre Women's Neurology Fellowship Program at the U of T Support the show
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop interviews Joshua Pearce, the John Thompson Chair in Innovation at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Ivey Business School at Western University, about the revolution in open source hardware for scientific research. They discuss how three-dimensional printing, Arduino controllers, and open source designs are dramatically reducing research costs—often by 85-95%—while democratizing access to lab equipment worldwide. Pearce shares stories from his 2013 book "Open Source Lab" and explains how the movement has exploded since then, covering everything from filter wheel changers and ball mills to metal three-dimensional printers and battery research equipment. The conversation explores recycle bots that turn plastic waste into filament, the role of AI in accelerating hardware development, and how open source licensing creates a global knowledge management system where improvements are shared across the scientific community. For those interested in learning more, Pearce recommends checking out the journal HardwareX, repositories like Thingiverse and My Mini Factory, and appropedia.org for open source scientific tools and appropriate technology designs.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and introduction to Joshua Pearce, discussing his work on open source lab equipment and the evolution since publishing his book in 201305:00 Early development of open source hardware including the breakthrough filter wheel changer project built by a high school student that saved thousands of dollars10:00 Discussion of how Arduino and RepRap three-d printers enabled the democratization of scientific tools, making complex equipment accessible to anyone15:00 Economic impact showing average tool savings of 85 percent, with Arduino and three-d printing combinations reaching mid-90s percent cost reduction20:00 Case study of PhD student Mariam building complete battery research tool chain from scratch using open source designs and three-d printed components25:00 Recycle bots enabling transformation of waste plastic into three-d printer filament for pennies, revolutionizing material costs and sustainability30:00 Collaboration between universities and open source companies creating fluid handlers and acquisition systems, accelerating research capabilities globally35:00 Large language models assisting code translation and research planning, though hallucinations require careful verification and domain expertise40:00 Importance of fundamental knowledge when using AI tools, comparing vibe coding acceleration with necessity for understanding underlying principles45:00 Testing standards and calibration methods for open source equipment, balancing precision requirements against cost-effectiveness for specific applications50:00 Metal and ceramic three-d printing developments including MIG welding techniques and sintering processes for creating functional parts55:00 Knowledge management through open source licenses, repositories like Thingiverse and Apropedia enabling global collaboration and continuous improvementKey Insights1. Open source hardware has evolved dramatically since Joshua Pearce wrote his book in 2012-2013, to the point where he can no longer keep up with all the developments in the field. What started as a collection where every single example could fit in one book has exploded into an entire ecosystem with dedicated journals and thousands of researchers contributing. The vision was that scientific papers would eventually include hyperlinks to equipment designs that anyone could download and replicate, and that future is largely here today. There are now so many open source hardware articles being published that no single person can read them all, which represents a massive success for the movement.2. The fundamental breakthrough enabling open source scientific hardware came from combining several key technologies, particularly the RepRap three-d printer project and Arduino microcontrollers. Pearce's introduction to the field came when he needed a sixty-five dollar plastic part for a solar laptop project and discovered Adrian's open-sourced rapid prototyper that could make its own parts. This led to building equipment like a filter wheel changer for testing solar panels with a high school student in about a week, replacing a device that would have cost two thousand five hundred dollars with five months lead time. The democratization of tools like three-d printing and Arduino, combined with extensive code libraries and shared designs, means that even high school students can now create sophisticated scientific equipment.3. Open source scientific hardware delivers massive economic benefits, with the average tool saving scientists around eighty-five percent compared to commercial equipment, and savings reaching the mid-nineties when using Arduino and three-d printing. The economics are so compelling that the tax paid on a normal scientific tool can cover the cost of an open source alternative. A thousand dollar three-d printer can manufacture scientific tools worth more than a thousand dollars in a single Saturday. This dramatic cost reduction makes sophisticated research accessible to laboratories around the world regardless of their funding levels, fundamentally democratizing scientific capability.4. The knowledge management approach enabled by open source licenses creates a powerful collaborative improvement cycle where thousands of people worldwide contribute to evolving designs. When researchers publish equipment designs with strong reciprocal licenses, anyone can use, modify, or even sell the designs, but improvements must be shared back with the community. This creates a dispersed international engineering effort where equipment continuously improves through contributions from researchers across different institutions and countries. The RepRap three-d printer exemplifies this process, starting as barely functional prototypes but evolving through community contributions to surpass commercial alternatives in speed, resolution, and material capabilities.5. The integration of large language models and AI tools has significantly accelerated open source hardware development, though with important caveats about their limitations. LLMs excel at translating code between languages, suggesting experimental approaches, and helping researchers navigate unfamiliar fields by quickly synthesizing information from scientific literature. However, they suffer from hallucination problems and cannot be trusted for writing scientific articles or conducting complete literature reviews without verification. The key to effective use is having enough foundational knowledge to ask the right questions and verify outputs, using AI as a powerful acceleration tool rather than a replacement for expertise.6. Material science capabilities in open source hardware have expanded far beyond plastic three-d printing to include metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites through innovative adaptations of basic equipment. Pearce's lab has developed methods for metal three-d printing using modified MIG welding for as little as twelve hundred dollars, created slot-die coating systems for seventeen nanometer semiconductor layers using converted three-d printers, and developed techniques for ceramic printing through various material mixing approaches. The recycle bot technology enables converting waste plastic into high-quality filament for twenty-five cents instead of twenty-five dollars per roll, dramatically reducing material costs while enabling circular manufacturing practices.7. The infrastructure for sharing and discovering open source hardware designs has matured into a robust ecosystem spanning academic journals, commercial repositories, and specialized communities. Hardware X and the Journal of Open Hardware publish peer-reviewed designs alongside traditional scientific journals increasingly incorporating open hardware sections. Repositories like Thingiverse recently returned to hardcore open source principles after ownership changes and contains millions of designs, while Appropedia serves as a wiki for appropriate technology with thousands of open source designs. The GOSH community hosts annual conferences bringing together university researchers, companies, and independent hardware hackers, while field-specific communities have formed around technologies like the OpenFlexure microscope, creating networks where knowledge accumulates and never gets lost.
Kash Dhanda is the COO at Jupiter.Most people know Jupiter for its flagship DEX aggregator and perps. But we've dug into the onchain business backing JUP token value accrual and why the fundamentals are worth understanding heading into the next bull run.In this episode of Revenue Meta, Kash walks us through how Jupiter generates revenue across five distinct products: DEX aggregator, perps, Jupiter Lend, JupUSD, and Jupiter Spend, plus more revenue streams growing in development. This is a fascinating deep dive into Solana's largest, most dominant DeFi super app, including why perps for just three trading pairs wins over so much trade volume, how JLP remains one of Jupiter's most popular products, and how JUP token value accrual is aligned with Jupiter's app success. We also get the inside details on what's coming with Jupiter Lens DEX, prediction markets for the World Cup, Jupiter Spend, and their new Offerbook for borrowing and lending with long tail tokens.------
The Information's Cory Weinberg breaks down Goldman Sachs' exclusive financial models for the SpaceX IPO, detailing a massive $350 billion cash burn projection through 2030 and the S&P 500's decision to block a fast-tracked index entry. Co-executive editor Martin Peers exposes the internal engineering friction at xAI, including Elon Musk's habit of firing researchers over unrealistic deadlines and how staff used personal accounts to access Anthropic's models. Finally, San Francisco Bureau Chief Jason Dean unpacks the exclusive scoop that data center developer Switch is in talks with KKR and Brookfield to raise capital at a valuation of at least $50 billion.Articles discussed on this episode: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/wall-street-expects-spacex-burn-350-billion-cash-2030https://www.theinformation.com/articles/xai-went-chasing-anthropic-poweringhttps://www.theinformation.com/articles/data-center-developer-switch-talks-raise-billions-50-billion-plus-valuationSubscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theinformation The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agendaTITV airs weekdays on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us:X: https://x.com/theinformationIG: https://www.instagram.com/theinformation/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@titv.theinformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theinformation/Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:13 - SpaceX Models Slated to Burn $350 Billion09:41 - Why S&P Refused to Fast-Track SpaceX 13:32 - The xAI and Anthropic Cat and Mouse Game19:50 - The AI Paradox for Cybersecurity Stocks23:01 - Data Center Giant Switch Eyes $50B+ Valuation
AI gets all the headlines, but the data centers behind it don't run without fuel. Natural gas is a huge part of that story, and so is the land underneath it. Peter Snell, founder and CEO of PetroVybe, joins Brent and Khalil to explain how he's building a natural gas company designed for the AI era from the ground up.They dig into why so much Permian gas stays trapped, why PetroVybe operates where the infrastructure already exists, and how a 10-year asset strategy gets built one acquisition at a time. Peter also breaks down how landmen can use AI as a daily planning tool, what data center developers keep getting wrong about mineral rights and right of way, and why planning for failure is part of the model. It's a practical look at where energy, technology, and land work all meet.Key Timestamps01:06 - Why Data Centers Matter04:12 - PetroVybe Origin Story08:02 - Permian Gas Bottlenecks15:40 - Building a 10-Year Asset Base20:14 - AI Limits and Landman Playbook32:32 - Data Centers Land Pitfalls40:42 - Ten-Year Pivots And Stewardship47:01 - AI Future Trades Wrap UpMemorable Quotes"AI centers don't exist without fuel, and I think that's often missed in the public eye." — Peter"AI's not here to take your job. AI's here to make your job easier so we can do more with you and not hire five more landmen." — Peter"A landman is not going anywhere." — Brent"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable with learning about those new things." — PeterKey TakeawaysAI data centers run on natural gas. The public conversation focuses on AI capabilities, but the compute can't run without fuel. Natural gas is core to powering the buildout, and that puts land and mineral work at the center of the story.The Permian has gas, but it's trapped. The infrastructure is built for oil, not gas, so much of the supply can't reach market profitably. PetroVybe operates in South and East Texas where the takeaway capacity actually exists.East Texas land is a people business. Heirship, complicated title, smaller parcels, and hundreds of mineral owners per project make East Texas a different challenge than the contract-driven Permian. That complexity is exactly where landmen add value.Landmen can use AI as a daily planning tool. Feed Claude or ChatGPT your local context, test it against the macro trends, and build a 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month plan. The goal is to understand the connection points, not become an expert in everything.Data center developers keep skipping the land work. Sites get bought without checking mineral exposure, interconnection queue status, or right of way. The deal looks easy until the dirt underneath turns into a problem.About Our GuestPeter Snell is the founder and CEO of PetroVybe, a natural gas development company built for the AI era. After more than a decade as a management consultant and business fixer, Peter moved into oil and gas and now leads a team focused on natural gas, long-term investor protection, and biblical stewardship.Help us improve our podcast! Share your thoughts in our quick survey.ResourcesPBLA (Permian Basin Landmen's Association)Texas Tech University Energy Commerce ProgramNeed Help With A Project? Meet With DudleyNeed Help with Staffing? Connect with Dudley StaffingStreamline Your Title Process with Dudley Select TitleWatch On YouTubeFollow Dudley Land Co. On LinkedInHave Questions? Email usMore From Our GuestPeter Snell, Founder & CEO of PetroVybeConnect with Peter on LinkedInMore from Our HostsBrent on LinkedInKhalil on LinkedIn
On this episode of Energy and Business from Must Read Alaska, host Todd sits down with John Hendrix — President and CEO of HEX LLC, Homer native, civil engineer, and recently named Outstanding Alaskan of the Year — for a clear-eyed conversation about Alaska's energy future. In “Powering Alaska from Within: HEX and the Cook Inlet Comeback,” John explains how HEX LLC, the only 100% Alaskan-owned and operated natural gas producer in the state, is delivering reliable, affordable energy to Railbelt homes, businesses, and military bases right now. Headquartered in Anchorage, HEX operates critical offshore and onshore infrastructure in the Kitchen Lights Unit and recently unified its operations under one strong HEX brand while committing to new drilling and continued investment. Listeners will hear the story behind HEX's acquisition of the once-struggling Kitchen Lights Unit, how local ownership and disciplined investment turned declining production around — including doubling output from the Allegra Leigh platform in 2025 — and why Cook Inlet's estimated 19 trillion cubic feet of natural gas represents a generational opportunity for Alaska energy security. John connects the dots between local resource development, keeping the lights on and heat flowing during critical winter months, and building a stronger, more self-reliant Alaska. He also shares an encouraging message for young Alaskans considering careers in energy and for policymakers who want to see more homegrown investment succeed. If you care about affordable energy, Alaska's resource sovereignty, and practical solutions that keep money and jobs in-state, this episode delivers straight talk from the operator proving that Alaskan solutions work best for Alaskans. HEX LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hex-ak/posts/?feedView=all SPONSORS: Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/ Promo Code: energy for 10% off all our annual plans DRB Productions: https://centertix.com/events/beatles-vs-rolling-stones-musical-showdown Promo Code: London for MRAK subscribers
In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Russell Laplante, Chief Financial Officer of Convergent Energy and Power, one of the leading battery storage developers and operators in the United States. Russ shares his nearly two-decade journey in renewable energy from his Goldman Sachs training program to becoming the first employee at wind startup Own Energy in 2007, through utility-scale solar at Tradewind Energy and Savion, and now leading the financial strategy at Convergent's distributed and utility-scale battery storage platform. The conversation covers Convergent's business model working with commercial and industrial customers on behind-the-meter battery and solar-plus-storage projects, how they save C&I customers up to 40% on their energy bills, and how batteries help utilities defer costly transmission and distribution upgrades. The episode dives deep into the financing of battery storage, including tax equity, portfolio debt financing, partnership flip structures, and why distributed generation requires a fundamentally different capital strategy than utility-scale projects. Russ also shares his perspective on the massive opportunity around data centers, AI-driven load growth, speed to grid, the Big Beautiful Bill, ITC extension for storage, and what Foreign Entity of Concern(“FEOC”) compliance means for the battery supply chain. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $50 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Guest Information Russell Laplante Russell Laplante is the Chief Financial Officer of Convergent Energy and Power, one of the leading battery storage developers and operators in the United States, with over $1 billion deployed and 800 megawatts of projects operational, under construction, or in development. Russ has nearly two decades of experience in renewable energy. He began his career at Goldman Sachs before joining Own Energy in 2007 as its first employee, where he worked hands-on in utility-scale wind development across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. He later joined Tradewind Energy in an origination role before leading M&A for the solar platform that eventually became Savion. After Shell acquired Savion in 2021, Russ served as Chief Investment Officer before joining Convergent in 2025 as CFO. At Convergent, Russ oversees capital markets strategy, debt and tax equity financing, and the company's portfolio approach to distributed energy storage across commercial, industrial, and utility customers. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-laplante-cfa-42353510 Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/ Convergent Energy and Power Website: https://www.convergentep.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergent-energy-power/ Summer Solstice Fundraiser Benoy is hosting the Summer Solstice Fundraiser on June 4th in Jersey City at Hudson Hall, bringing together the clean energy community for an evening of networking and impact. The event supports Let's Share the Sun, a nonprofit delivering solar and energy storage solutions to underserved communities in Puerto Rico, including families with critical 24 hour energy needs. The event will run from 6 PM to 10 PM and includes food, networking, and a special program at 8 PM featuring insights from the Let's Share the Sun team, delegation participants, and event sponsors. This will be Benoy's third delegation in the past year, and he highlights the importance of meeting beneficiaries firsthand and seeing how solar is transforming lives. Those interested in attending or sponsoring are encouraged to reach out directly or register here: https://luma.com/jl734ggi Please provide 5 star reviews If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition. Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
Old Mutual Wealth Strategist Izak Odendaal explores what the AI-driven capital expenditure boom means for investors.
In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin sits down with Dr. David Gunnarsson, Chief Business Development Officer at Bluefors, the global leader in cryogenic measurement systems powering the future of quantum technology. With a background spanning quantum physics, low-temperature research, and commercialization, David has spent his career helping transform quantum computing from a theoretical concept into an emerging industry. David reflects on his early fascination with physics and space, his introduction to quantum computing during university, and the realization that quantum mechanics could evolve from pure theory into a practical technology. He explains the fundamentals of quantum computing, why cryogenic environments are essential for quantum systems, and how companies like Bluefors are building the infrastructure required to scale the field. The conversation also explores David's transition from academia into industry, the importance of timing and commercialization in deep tech, and how collaboration between startups, universities, and major companies is shaping the quantum ecosystem. Along the way, he shares his perspective on the relationship between AI and quantum computing, and why the next decade could unlock major breakthroughs in chemistry, drug discovery, and computational science. At its core, this episode is about curiosity, persistence, and the challenge of turning frontier scientific ideas into technologies capable of reshaping the world.
From advancing innovation in milk protein to unlocking the benefits of fiber and prebiotics, this episode of The Dairy Download explores the science and strategy driving the next generation of dairy products. In this discussion, we look at how dairy companies are meeting the rising demand for high-protein functional foods, while balancing nutrition with taste and texture.Tune in for insights from Venkat Sunkesula, vice president of research and development at Idaho Milk Products, and Junrui Cheng, PhD, senior nutrition scientist at Ingredion!If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA's Lindsay Gold at lgold@idfa.org.Like the show?Rate The Dairy Download on Apple Podcasts!
Todd Royal, Author, BP Capital Advisors, stops by the Energy News Beat PodcastTodd Royal is an author, a true Nuclear expert, and a great friend of the Energy News Beat Podcast. I had an absolute blast visiting with Todd, and we covered a lot of great topics. Being in the rapital raising business for nuclear is an outstanding part of our Energy Dominance requirements. We need modular nuclear, mines, and critical minerals.Todd is an outstanding energy resource and industry leader. I recommend connecting with him https://www.linkedin.com/in/172466/1. Nuclear Power as the Solution to Energy DemandThe hosts emphasize nuclear energy as the most viable solution to meet growing electricity demands, particularly for AI data centers. They highlight nuclear's exceptional capacity factor (95%+), reliability, and ability to run continuously—far superior to renewables. The discussion includes the reopening of Three Mile Island and the potential to restart 20 of the 94 U.S. reactors.2. AI Data Centers and Power RequirementsA significant focus on the massive electricity demands of AI data centers and the challenges they create. The conversation explores the tension between needing this infrastructure and concerns about farmland usage, grid strain, and rising electricity costs. They discuss potential solutions like revenue-sharing models similar to oil royalties.3. Climate Policy and “Climate Orthodoxy”The speakers critique what they call “climate orthodoxy”—the ideological push for renewables and net-zero policies that they argue have harmed economies. They discuss how Democratic-led states have higher electricity costs (38% higher) and how climate policies have destroyed economies in Europe, California, and other regions.4. Renewables vs. Nuclear EconomicsA detailed comparison of levelized costs of electricity (LCOE) and total cost of electricity, arguing that renewables require expensive backup systems and storage. They propose that $10 trillion spent on wind and solar could have built 2,000 nuclear reactors instead, providing clean, reliable baseload power.5. Energy Security and GeopoliticsDiscussion of global energy security, including LNG exports, the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe's energy crisis. They argue that energy dominance and security should start at home through reliable domestic power generation.6. Regulatory and Political BarriersThe hosts contend that the real obstacles to nuclear expansion aren't technical or financial, but political—including the NRC's historical anti-nuclear stance, environmental regulations, and permitting delays that make projects expensive and slow.7. Climate Science SkepticismThey challenge mainstream climate narratives, citing scientists like Roger Pielke Jr. and Judith Curry, and reference the UN's recent acknowledgment that climate change may not be as catastrophic as previously claimed. They discuss data manipulation allegations and the RCP 8.5 climate model controversy.8. Economic Impact of Energy PolicyThe conversation ties energy costs to broader economic issues like inflation, housing shortages, and manufacturing costs. They argue that cheap, abundant nuclear power could reduce inflation and boost economic growth.9. Data Center Backlash and OppositionDiscussion of organized opposition to data centers funded by billionaires and NGOs, which has halted $152 billion in economic activity. They explore the need for better communication and compromise between tech companies and local communities.10. Policy SolutionsRecommendations include passing the SAVE Act, implementing revenue-sharing agreements for data centers, building power plants dedicated to data centers, and reforming carbon markets and subsidies.The podcast presents a pro-nuclear, skeptical-of-renewables perspective on energy policy and its economic implications.Thank you, Todd, for your great industry leadership.We have some great interviews lined up next week.Check out the Energy News Beat SubStack https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/A shout-out to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting group for sponsoring the Podcast https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/.Data2 if you have any business systems, can you trust A? Well, they have the patent on validation. . https://data2.zoholandingpage.com/energyAnd we have WellDatabase rolling in as a new sponsor. https://welldatabase.com/
Israel Gutierrez is feeling well enough to join the guys to talk about the Western Conference Finals which are headed to game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Does Mitchell Robinson even need his pinky? Plus, the Miami crew is dealing with a power outage which has Taylor driving slow and Stugotz dreading stairs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Badminton may be in the rear-view mirror, but the season is only just heating up. Nicole Brown is joined by Rosie Williams to reflect on a huge spring for British Eventing, from record grassroots participation numbers to the growing impact of the Eventing Together campaign and the launch of the new official training programme for volunteers and officials. Plus, hear from some of the people helping drive the sport forward. Fence Judge of the Year Pippa Best shares her extraordinary volunteering journey from Guernsey to Aachen, Young Volunteer of the Year Rose Chugg-Martin talks Badminton dreams and learning through volunteering, and Tom Rowland looks ahead to his first Nations Cup appearance at Bicton. Highlights: British Eventing's strong start to the 2026 season Why grassroots participation continues to grow The importance of volunteers to the future of the sport Pippa Best's journey from Guernsey to championship fence judging Rose Chugg-Martin on volunteering, confidence, and Badminton ambitions Tom Rowland on Nations Cup debuts, Bicton, and future Burghley dreams Guests: Rosie Williams, CEO of British Eventing Pippa Best, British Eventing Fence Judge of the Year Rose Chugg-Martin, British Eventing Young Volunteer of the Year Tom Rowland, British Nations Cup rider and international event competitor This episode is brought to you in partnership with Zebra Products. Zebra Products are proud to distribute some of the world's leading equestrian brands across the UK, partnering with companies that prioritise performance, innovation and horse welfare. Their portfolio includes premium saddle makers Amerigo and Equipe, anatomical bridle specialists Menetics, bit experts Nathe and Sprenger, performance apparel brands EGO7, Cavalleria Toscana and RG, alongside trusted names in protection, nutrition and care including Veredus, Cavalor, Bucas, Mattes and Uvex, supporting horse and rider at every level of the sport. Find out more at: www.zebraproducts.co.uk Learn more about the Veredus E-VENTO cross-country boots, designed for lightweight protection and ventilation: https://www.veredus.com/jumping-eventing?lang=en_US Explore the Sprenger equestrian range, known for innovative bit design and precision engineering: https://www.sprenger.de/en/collections/equestrian Inspired to get more involved? Find out how you can support training, education and the eventing community:
Natural gas is the backbone of U.S. electricity supply in the AI era. Host Llewellyn King traveled to Rockwall, Texas, located in an exceptionally fast-growing area east of Dallas, to interview David Naylor, president and CEO of Rayburn Electric Cooperative, and other executives, and tour the utility's gas-fired power plant.
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with members of the Solar Sisters about their organization, their partnership with Let's Share the Sun Foundation, and their recent delegation to Puerto Rico around International Women's Day. The conversation features Abby Hopper, Noelle Paige, Yejdie Olutosin, Addie Momyer, and Erin Greeson, who share how the Solar Sisters came together, why women's leadership matters in clean energy, and how solar and battery storage can create life-changing impact for communities facing energy insecurity. The group discusses their experience visiting La Casa de Bondad, a domestic violence shelter in Puerto Rico supported by Let's Share the Sun, and participating in a residential solar installation for a homeowner who relies on reliable electricity for medical needs. The episode also touches on the challenges facing Puerto Rico's grid, the role of solar and storage in energy resilience, the ongoing work of Let's Share the Sun to bring energy access to underserved communities, and a fundraiser Benoy is organizing on June 4th in Jersey City to support that mission. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar plus storage developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $50 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Guests Information Abby Hopper Abby Hopper is the founder of Solar Sisters and former President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). A passionate advocate for clean energy and women's leadership in the industry, Abby created Solar Sisters as a community built around three pillars: service, growth, and connection. She has been a driving force behind the Solar Sisters delegation to Puerto Rico, partnering with Let's Share the Sun to bring energy equity to domestic violence shelters on the island. Abby is widely recognized for opening doors for women across the clean energy sector and building a culture of collaboration over competition. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailhopper/ Noelle Paige Noelle Paige is Vice President of Project Development at Aspen Power, where she manages a large team and leads project development efforts. She is deeply passionate about workforce development, women in business, and the clean energy transition. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noellepaige/ Yejdie Olutosin Yejdie Olutosin is the Director of the Accelerate Program at ACORE, based in Washington, D.C., where she manages a market access platform supporting clean energy founders scaling solutions across the value chain. Since 2020, the program has grown to support over 60 companies across more than 30 states. A former Peace Corps volunteer originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Yejide brought a deeply personal connection to the Puerto Rico delegation, drawing on her own experience with energy insecurity in island communities. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolutosin/ Addie Momyer Addie Momyer is Assistant General Counsel and Director of Legal Operations at the Solar Energy Industries Association, a role she has held since 2023. Prior to SEIA, she spent her career in public interest representation and litigation at Maryland Legal Aid. Addie is passionate about ensuring the clean energy transition happens equitably and that all communities are included. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addie-momyer-bb3752262/ Erin Greeson Erin Greeson is the founder and principal consultant of ClimateLine, a communications and marketing firm focused exclusively on companies committed to the clean energy transition. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eringreeson/ Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/ Solar Sisters Website: https://solar-sisters.org Let's Share the Foundation Website: https://www.letssharethesun.org/ Summer Solstice Fundraiser Benoy is hosting the Summer Solstice Fundraiser on June 4th in Jersey City at Hudson Hall, bringing together the clean energy community for an evening of networking and impact. The event supports Let's Share the Sun, a nonprofit delivering solar and energy storage solutions to underserved communities in Puerto Rico, including families with critical 24 hour energy needs. The event will run from 6 PM to 10 PM and includes food, networking, and a special program at 8 PM featuring insights from the Let's Share the Sun team, delegation participants, and event sponsors. This will be Benoy's third delegation in the past year, and he highlights the importance of meeting beneficiaries firsthand and seeing how solar is transforming lives. Those interested in attending or sponsoring are encouraged to reach out directly or register here: https://luma.com/jl734ggi Please provide 5 star reviews If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition. Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.
How much power does the UK's fastest supercomputer use? This week, Technology Now returns to Isambard AI, the UK's most powerful supercomputer to find out how you run such a machine. We will explore how much energy it uses, how the system stays cool, and we ask if there are any planned future developments which could increase efficiency. Dr Emma Rose, Centre Manager for the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, tells us more.This is Technology Now, a weekly show from Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Every week, hosts Michael Bird and Sam Jarrell look at a story that's been making headlines, take a look at the technology behind it, and explain why it matters to organizations. This episode is available in both video and audio formats.About Emma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-rose-7951768a/
The dairy industry has made more genetic progress in the last 15 years than at any other point in history. But most people don't fully understand what's actually driving it.In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul sits down with Nate Zwald — President of Progenco and former President & COO of ABS Global — for a deep dive into the data infrastructure, genomic revolution, and technological shifts transforming dairy genetics.Nate shares stories from growing up on Bomaz Farms, explains how genomic testing changed the industry forever, and unpacks why the future of dairy genetics may depend less on semen companies… and more on who controls the data.The conversation explores the growing importance of phenotypic data, the decline of traditional DHIA systems, the rise of robotic milking data, and how artificial intelligence could fundamentally reshape animal breeding over the next decade.This is one of the most important conversations we've had yet about the intersection of genetics, AI, data ownership, and the future structure of livestock agriculture.MEET THE GUESTNate Zwald is President of Progenco and one of the most experienced leaders in modern dairy genetics. Over the past 20+ years, Nate has played major roles in advancing genomic selection, reproductive technologies, and data-driven breeding systems across the global dairy industry.Prior to Progenco, Nate served as President and COO of ABS Global and previously led U.S. operations at Alta Genetics. Throughout his career, he has helped drive adoption of technologies such as genomics, sexed semen, IVF, and advanced genetic evaluation systems that have fundamentally accelerated dairy genetic progress worldwide.Nate also remains deeply connected to production agriculture through Bomaz Farms, his family's 1,600-cow dairy operation in Wisconsin known internationally for elite Holstein genetics.He holds advanced degrees in Genetics and Business from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and continues to work at the intersection of genetics, technology, and the future of livestock agriculture.ABOUT THE PODCASTDiscover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels, and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At Google I/O 2026, Phillip sits down with Suresh Ganapathy, Senior Director of Product Management for Consumer Shopping at Google, to unpack the day's announcements: Universal Commerce Protocol's expansion into new verticals, agentic payments arriving in Gemini Spark, and the debut of Universal Cart. We trace what these foundational pieces mean for how a billion daily shoppers, and the merchants serving them, will operate in an agent-mediated economy. Enter the Delegation Era Key Takeaways: Universal Cart maintains shopper state across Search, Gemini, YouTube, and Gmail. The cart works on your behalf: tracking prices, flagging restocks, and catching product incompatibilities. Agent Payments Protocol's (AP2) tamper-proof contracts make agent purchases verifiable and accountable to shopper intent. Merchants remain seller of record, preserving customer relationships inside agentic flows. Gemini Spark becomes Google's first consumer agent with purchasing authority this fall. Key Quotes: "We're laying the foundational building blocks of agentic commerce." — Suresh Ganapathi "People come to shop at Google over a billion times a day, and we want to make sure that we're delivering the best experience to them when they do." — Suresh Ganapathi "We want to make it really simple for shoppers to enjoy the fun parts of shopping and then delegate some of these more tedious aspects to agents." — Suresh Ganapathi "Spark is the agent. AP2 is the payments protocol. Universal Cart is the ability for consumers to have less friction." — Phillip Further Reading: More on Google's AI play: Insiders: Google Solidifies Its Place in the AI Race More on agent-mediated commerce: Member Brief: Agentic Commerce and the eCommerce Site's New Existential Crisis Our 2026 Predictions: The Age of Autonomy Learn more about Google I/O Google's Universal Cart Announcement Our Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Atlanta Braves continue to reign as MLB's best team to open the 2026 season. While they've had to navigate pitching injuries, the club's offensive turnaround is the driving force behind their early season success. Grant McAuley visits with some of the Braves to size up the work of hitting coach Tim Hyers and his staff which has been instrumental in the club's improvement. You'll hear from Michael Harris II, Austin Riley and Walt Weiss as well as a special interview with Tim Hyers. That and more as we reflect on the week that was for Atlanta. Also on this episode of From The Diamond, we'll size up the injury status of numerous key players and when they could be back to help the club. Also, a special visit with Braves great Javy Lopez, the catcher throughout the team's run of success in the 1990s. He shares a story about he 1992 NLCS that you won't want to miss. Catch From The Diamond on Sundays from 5-7pm ET on 92-9 The Game throughout baseball season, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit FromTheDiamond.com for more.
In today's episode, I'm speaking with Omar Zoubi, VP of Autonomous Mobility & Rideshare Network Strategy at TaskUs. Omar breaks down how TaskUs supports autonomous vehicle operators behind the scenes, from remote assistance to handling edge cases that today's AI systems still struggle to navigate. We get into TaskUs' role across the AV ecosystem, including who they partner with and how their human-in-the-loop model helps fleets operate safely and scale more efficiently. Omar explains the types of real-world scenarios where AVs need intervention, how those interventions feed back into improving AI systems, and what it takes to support different types of fleets with varying operational needs. The conversation also covers the current stage of the AV industry, including how companies like Waymo are approaching remote assistance and safety, and what challenges emerge as fleets grow. We discuss operational complexity, cost structures, and how companies think about cost per mile as they move toward commercialization. Finally, Omar shares his perspective on where TaskUs adds the most value today, how the human-in-the-loop model will evolve over time, and what the future of the AV industry looks like as autonomy matures. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Omar Zoubi and TaskUs (03:19) TaskUs' domain of operation (03:30) TaskUs' AV business model, and their partners (04:43) What services does TaskUs provide to its AV clients? (06:10) How does TaskUs' assistance in edge cases help AV clients improve their AI? (07:53) Common scenarios where AV companies might need remote assistance, and how TaskUs helps. (09:30) Differences between supporting different AV fleets (10:41) How Omar thinks about Waymo's remote assistance and safety (12:40) What stage of the AV industry are we in? (14:19) Biggest operational challenges as AV fleets start to scale (15:46) Common traits across operators and companies in the AV industry (17:00) How the human-in-the-loop model will evolve as AVs mature (19:05) How do you plan for unpredictable scenarios, like the recent SF blackout? (21:38) How AV operational costs are distributed and cost per mile (23:10) Where does TaskUs offer the biggest value or opportunity for AV companies? (24:00) What does the future of the AV industry look like? (25:43) Conclusions and final thoughts Notes/Links: You can find Omar Zoubi on Linkedin. TaskUs website (link). Learn how TaskUs supports AV operations in their case study (link).