TechMagic with Cathy Hackl

Mixed Reality Headsets, Jason Momoa’s CPG Pivot, NASA x Oakley, Gen Z Careers, and Gaming AI with Cathy Hackl, Lee Kebler, and Jeff Shardell

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler welcome Jeff Shardell, founder and CEO of Humble Brands, to hear about his journey from leading at Google to redefining sustainability in the CPG world. Jeff shares how his tech background shaped his approach to eco-friendly product design, scaling consumer goods, and building an authentic celebrity partnership with Jason Momoa. Cathy and Lee also dive into cutting-edge mixed reality news, from ByteDance’s lightweight Pico headset to Oakley’s NASA visor collaboration. Plus, how Gen Z’s gaming habits are reshaping career paths. With updates on AI’s impact on gaming jobs and Roblox’s new adult dating features, this episode bridges the worlds of innovation, sustainability, and immersive tech. The hosts also preview what’s coming in Season 3 after their summer break.Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!Jeff Shardell BioJeff Shardell is the CEO and Founder of Humble Brands, a sustainable personal care company known for its natural deodorants and eco-friendly packaging. With a distinguished background in tech leadership, including roles at Google during its early growth phase and Netscape, Jeff leveraged his experience scaling companies to revolutionize the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry. He co-founded gloss.com, which was later acquired by Estée Lauder, before launching Humble Brands with a mission to create better-for-you personal care products while reducing environmental impact.Jeff Shardell on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Intro and Welcome Back, Cathy04:15 Music, AI and the Future of Live Entertainment13:12 AI's Impact on Gaming: Candy Crush Layoffs & Industry Changes29:18 Jeff Shardell: From Google Executive to Humble Brands Founder35:00 Building Authentic Celebrity Partnerships in CPG40:23 Sustainable Innovation: Beyond Plastic Packaging51:35 ByteDance's New Mixed Reality Hardware & Industry Trends56:20 Space Tech: Oakley's NASA Visor Collaboration01:00:31 Gen Z Gaming Skills Becoming Career Opportunities01:07:08 Season Wrap-up & Summer Break Announcement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Deepfakes, Danish AI Laws, Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest Zoom, and Atari vs ChatGPT with Lee Kebler and Adam Davis McGee

In this episode of TechMagic, Cathy Hackl is on vacation so host Lee Kebler is joined by Adam Davis McGee, where they unpack the latest tech headlines shaping the future of AI, VR, and gaming. They break down Secretary Marco Rubio's call for AI regulation following a deepfake incident and Denmark’s trailblazing AI liability laws. The duo also explores Apple Vision Pro’s potential design upgrades, the unexpected Zoom integration in Meta Quest, and Nintendo’s controversial Switch 2 game key card approach. Plus, they discuss how Atari’s 1979 chess program outwits ChatGPT, revealing current AI limits. Tune in for sharp insights on the evolving balance between tech innovation and responsibility.Come for the tech, stay for the magic!Lee Kebler BioLee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInAdam Davis-McGee BioAdam Davis-McGee is a dynamic Creative Director and Producer specializing in immersive storytelling across XR and traditional media. As Senior Producer at Journey, he led the virtual studio, pioneering cutting-edge virtual experiences. He developed a Web3 playbook for Yum! Brands, integrating blockchain and NFT strategies. At Condé Nast, Adam produced engaging video content for Wired and Ars Technica, amplifying digital storytelling. His groundbreaking XR journalism project, In Protest: Grassroots Stories from the Frontlines (Oculus/Meta), captured historic moments in VR. Passionate about pushing creative boundaries, Adam thrives on crafting innovative narratives that captivate audiences worldwide.Adam Davis-McGee on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Intro: Welcome to Tech Magic with Lee Kebler and ADM03:25 AI Regulation: From Political Confusion to Real Action17:15 The Rise of AI-Generated Music and Content Authentication37:10 The Hidden Cost of AI: Electricity Bills Spike Across 13 States41:45 Apple Vision Pro: Design Missteps and Future Updates50:05 Meta Quest's Evolution: From Gaming to Zoom Integration54:30 When Old Meets New: Atari Chess vs Modern AI58:20 Nintendo Switch Key Cards: Digital vs Physical Gaming Culture01:02:00 Final Thoughts & Show Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Interview with two Humanoid Robots about Love

Imagine a future where the emerging tech radically transforms human dating experiences.On this episode of TechMagic, tech futurist Cathy Hackl explores first hand the future of love and dating in the age of AI and humanoid robots. Cathy’s experiment with AI matchmaking shows its impact and limitations on human connections. The hosts discuss the importance of preserving human interactions and communications using the AI tech.Come for Tech, Stay for Magic!Cathy Hackl BioCathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She’s one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming. Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, and more. Cathy Hackl on LinkedInSpatial Dynamics on LinkedInLee Kebler BioLee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInEpisode Highlights:Cathy Interviews Two Humanoid Robots - Cathy speaks with two humanoid robots on love and connection, gaining insights into how AI is responding to questions all about love The Impact of AI in Modern Dating - Cathy shares an insightful perspective about the need for human connection over dating a humanoid robot. She highlights the reality of the dating space which is to find warmth, connection and presence which isn’t provided by AI.The AI Dating Models - Cathy discusses one of her experiments with AI matchmaking which was to bring two people together at a TED event she attended and find out if they are a match, she finds out that the couple who were a match met a day prior and had experienced a connection. This result emphasized the important need for humans - connection. The future is about presence and human connection.The Humanoid Love - Cathy talks about her latest experience with dating four AIs - Chad (Chad GPT), Jim (Gemini, Google), Mateo (Meta AI), and Claude from Anthropic. She shares how much fun the experiment is and how it is shaping her view about love.Key Discussion Topics:27:10 AI and The Future of Relationships28:08 Human Connections or AI attachments?28:44 AI Matchmaking Experiment at TED29:50 The Humanoid Love Experiment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Smart Glasses, Policy and State of AI in DC, Nintendo Glitches, Salesforce’s AI Leap, and Meta vs. OpenAI with Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler break down the latest trends shaping our AI-powered future, as well as the policy and state of AI in DC. From Meta’s $100M AI recruitment strategies to their game-changing partnerships with Oakley and Prada for smart glasses, the duo explores how AI and hardware innovation are converging. They unpack the ethical and emotional nuances of human-AI relationships, the rise of AI-generated content, and how companies like Salesforce are integrating AI into core operations. Additionally, they discuss the Nintendo Switch 2’s distribution challenges and Meta’s ambitious hardware plans. Whether it’s corporate AI integration, wearable tech, or the battle for AI talent, this episode offers a sharp look at the risks and opportunities driving tech’s next chapter.Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!Cathy Hackl BioCathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She’s one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming. Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, and more. Cathy Hackl on LinkedInSpatial Dynamics on LinkedInLee Kebler BioLee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.Lee Kebler on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl & Lee Kebler04:12 The Dangers of AI Relationships: Why We Need Human Connection11:18 AI Regulation Debate: States' Rights vs Federal Control15:13 DC's Rising Role as a Tech Power Center23:54 Meta's Quest 3S Xbox Edition: A Game-Changing Partnership28:40 Nintendo Switch 2's Success and Hardware Challenges36:50 Meta vs OpenAI: The $100M Talent War43:12 Meta's Smart Glasses Evolution: Oakley & Prada Partnership48:00 Coming Next Week: Dating Robots & AI Love Stories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dating AI, Loving Human: Exploring AI Relationships, Meta’s New Tech Partnerships, Inside AWE, and Military AI with Cathy Hackl, Lee Kebler, and Adam Davis McGee

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler unpack the complex relationship between humans and AI, from Cathy’s immersive week dating four AI boyfriends to growing concerns around AI-generated content. Cathy dives into the strange world of vibe coding and discovers anyone can gamify the pitfalls of the dating scene. The discussion spans Meta’s new smart eyewear partnerships with Oakley and Prada, VRChat’s innovative brand integration with Sawhorse Studios, and alarming developments in military AI contracts. With Adam Davis McGee joining the conversation, the trio also shares insider highlights from AWE (Augmented World Expo). Together, they explore how AI is reshaping creativity, jobs, and relationships, while emphasizing the importance of preserving human connection and authenticity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!Cathy Hackl on LinkedInSpatial Dynamics on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInAdam Davis-McGee on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler02:48 Dating AI: Inside the Experiment with Four Virtual Boyfriends08:24 The Limitations of Perfect: When AI Gets Too Performative17:22 Digital Dopamine: The Psychology of AI Relationships23:48 Tech Meets Military: The Rise of AI Defense Contracts31:10 AI Content Saturation and the Return to Human Connection39:22 Doubling Down on Human Skills in an AI World45:13 Meta's Smart Glasses and VRChat's Brand Evolution52:04 Nostalgia Goes Virtual: Classic 3D Experiences in VR56:45 Final Thoughts: Finding Balance Between Tech and Human Connection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.