TechMagic with Cathy Hackl

• Digital Presence, AI-Driven Noise, Content Repurposing, Real-World Experiences, and Brand Differentiation with Cathy Hackl, Lee Kebler, and David Cash

  In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler break down the biggest shifts shaping tech, entertainment, and personal branding. They explore emerging trends, from real-world experiences like Beastland, to the growing influence of spatial computing, and why authentic human content is becoming a premium as AI saturation rises. In the second half, Cathy sits down with David Cash, Founder and CSO of Cash Labs, Founder and Executive Producer of Catalyst Content Haus and Head of Marketing and acting CMO of DeLorean Labs, to discuss building a future-proof personal brand, repurposing content at scale, and why founders must take ownership of their digital presence now. Together, they reveal practical strategies for standing out and earning trust in an AI-driven media landscape.Come for the tech and stay for the magic!David Cash Bio:David Cash is the Founder of Cash Labs and Catalyst, recognized as a leading force in bringing Web3 and emerging technologies to market. After a 12-year acting career and seven years running a production company, working on campaigns for brands like Brisk, Gaviscon, and Netflix, David became an early leader in Web3, authoring the first Master’s thesis on NFTs and producing Metaverse Fashion Week. Through Cash Labs, his work has driven billions of impressions and major revenue for global brands. His newest venture, Catalyst, helps executives create high-impact, future-ready content.David Cash on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics: 00:00 Intro: Tech Magic Returns from the Middle East00:03 Beastland: MrBeast's Pop-Up Amusement Park Phenomenon in Riyadh00:08 Apple Vision Pro & Real Madrid: The Future of Immersive Sports Content00:12 Tim Cook's Potential Departure and Apple's Need for Disruption00:16 Meta Quest 3S at Costco for $200: The VR Hardware Game Heats Up00:20 Meet David Cash: From Child Actor to Web3 Pioneer and Content Strategist00:24 Why Business Leaders Must Own Their Content Strategy Now00:27 Catalyst: Productizing Executive Content Creation Into a Luxury Service00:30 How to Build a Personal Brand Session in One Day00:33 The Dead Internet Theory: Why Authentic Voices Are Your Competitive Moat00:36 Syndication Strategy: Turn One Piece of Content Into 1,000 Assets00:37 Legacy Media Still Matters: Why Adweek and Vogue Amplify Personal Brands00:40 The Evolution of Entertainment: From Broadway to Authentic Vlogging00:43 Human-Crafted Content as Luxury: The OnlyFans to OnlyWalks Future00:44 The Metaverse Isn't Web3: Redefining Virtual Spaces and Digital Identity00:48 How Your Content Choices Today Shape Your XR Future Tomorrow00:52 AI as a Tool: When to Use Generative Tech and When to Create Authentically00:53 The "Human Authored" Label: Why AI Slop Is Making Credibility Scarce00:57 Silicon Valley's Billion-Dollar Paradox: Oracle, SoftBank, and Unsustainable Bets01:00 Hardware Matters: Why Lam Research Is the Invisible Infrastructure Winner01:03 Key Takeaways: Personal Branding, Content Strategy, and the Human Edge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• AI Hype Cycles, Coca-Cola’s 70K-Prompt Misstep, Spotify’s AI Slop Battle, VR’s Killer-App Problem, Pokémon GO’s Execution Edge & Digital Passports with Lee Kebler and Andrew Schwartz

  AI is booming, VR is evolving, and AR is exploding into the real world—but most of it still feels underwhelming.On this week’s episode of TechMagic, host Lee Kebler welcomes Andrew Schwartz while host Cathy Hackl is away. Andrew is the Director of Metaverse Engineering at Nike, and together, they unpack the realities behind today’s AI hype cycle, revealing why generative AI can feel both astonishing and underwhelming. They explore brand risks in AI-driven content, the fight against AI slop in music distribution, and the long road to mainstream VR and AR adoption. Andrew and Lee also break down Pokémon GO’s execution-first success and the rise of identity-based tech, from digital product passports to personalized, location-aware experiences, offering a clear-eyed look at what truly comes next in immersive technology.Come for the tech and stay for the magic!Andrew Schwartz BioAndrew Schwartz is a technology strategist and the Director of Metaverse Engineering at Nike, where he pioneered emerging technology integration within the Technology Innovation Office. Having coined the title "godmother of the metaverse" for industry luminary Cathy Hackl, Andrew brings deep expertise in blockchain identity, XR/AR/VR technologies, and spatial computing. Andrew Schwartz on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics: [00:00] Intro[00:00] Welcome to Tech Magic with Andrew Schwartz[00:01] How "Godmother of the Metaverse" Became Cathy Hackl's Defining Title[00:03] Nike's Metaverse Engineering and Emerging Technologies[00:06] Technology First vs. Outcome First: The Real AI Hype Cycle Challenge[00:13] Why Coca-Cola's 70,000-Prompt AI Christmas Ad Reveals a Deeper Problem[00:16] Imperfection as Strategy: When Flaws Build Brand Trust[00:21] The AI Music Crisis: How Spotify and CD Baby Protect Indie Artists[00:27] Copyright, Authenticity, and the Future of AI-Generated Content[00:31] VR Headsets Are Impressive—But Where's the Killer App?[00:34] Apple Vision Pro: Great Technology, Missing Experience[00:36] Why Beat Saber Succeeded Where Other VR Games Failed[00:38] Content Over Hardware: Lessons from iPhone, iPod, and Atari[00:40] Pokemon Go Wasn't About AR—It Was About the Brand[00:42] Super Nintendo World Shows How to Make Technology Invisible[00:44] The Future of Identity: Digital Product Passports and NFC Activation[00:47] Music Recommendation: SAULT, Neo-Soul, and the Mystery of AI[00:49] Key Takeaways: Where Tech Magic Actually Happens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• AI Does its Own Reputation Spin, Google’s AI Data Edge, The AI Slop Crisis, Self-Coding Malware, TED Next, Cathy Headlines Female Quotient’s AI Summit and interview on Cuffing Season 2.0 & Dating Tech with Myles Slayton of Cerca

  As AI systems start rewriting their own code and sanitising negative news about themselves, the line between control and autonomy is blurring. In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler explore the unsettling rise of AI self-management, Google’s growing edge over OpenAI through real-world data, and the “AI slop spiral” threatening to degrade the entire internet. They also examine malware that now uses AI to rewrite its own code, an alarming glimpse into adversarial AI. The episode also includes Cathy’s exciting interview with Myles Slayton, CEO of Cerca Dating, to explore how mutual-based dating is redefining online connections through trust and community. From Gen Z’s new dating habits to the irreplaceable value of human imperfection, this episode dives deep into what’s next for both AI and authenticity.Come for the tech, and stay for the magic!Myles Slayton BioMyles Slayton is the 23-year-old Co-founder and CEO of Cerca Dating, a mutuals-based dating app revolutionizing how Gen Z approaches online dating. A Georgetown University graduate, Miles founded Circa to address the fatigue and safety concerns plaguing traditional dating applications. With a mission to connect users through trusted friend networks rather than algorithms, Cerca has rapidly scaled to approximately 100,000 users while maintaining a healthy 60%+ female user base.Myles Slayton on LinkedInKey Discussion Topics: 00:00:00 Intro00:06:09 ChatGPT's Automatic Headline Sanitization Exposed00:14:32 The "Dog Eating Its Own Barf" Problem in AI Training00:18:02 Google Wins the AI War with Real-World Data Access00:24:23 OnlyFans Monetization Model & Vylit App Launch00:26:19 The Death of Traditional Dating Apps00:32:02 Circa: The Mutuals-Based Dating App Revolution00:33:21 Cuffing Season 2.0 and Gen Z Dating Trends00:39:15 Trust, Safety & Reputation-Based Dating00:43:50 Why AI Cannot Replicate Human Chemistry00:49:06 Roblox Abuse Lawsuit and Platform Safety Issues00:53:33 AI-Powered Malware Rewriting Its Own Code00:55:03 TEDx Atlanta and the Future of Creativity00:57:50 "Humanity is the Moat Around the Machines"00:58:50 Cathy's Gulf States Roadshow & CES 2025 Plans01:01:4 What We're Watching: Pluribus & The Spatial Race01:02:16 Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• OpenAI’s $38B Deal, Hinton’s AI Shift, GTC & FiI in Riyadh, Data Wars, Meta’s Hardware, Gaming in KSA with Cathy Hackl, Lee Kebler, Melissa Tony Stires, and Janna Salokangas.of Mia AI, Cathy Heads to TED Next and the Female Quotient’s AI Summit

  In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler explore OpenAI’s Sora and how AI-driven video generation reshapes creativity, privacy, and consent. From OpenAI’s massive $38B AWS deal to the ethical storm over data scraping and copyright, they unpack the week’s biggest tech power plays. The duo explores Geoffrey Hinton’s surprising optimism on AI’s future, Meta’s data mishap, and how companies are redefining roles through spatial computing. Plus, Lee shares insights from NVIDIA’s GTC conference and what it reveals about the true cost and promise of AI. The episode also features Cathy’s exciting interview with Melissa Tony Stires, Chief Global Officer at Mia AI, and Janna Salokangas, Co-Founder and CEO of Mia AI. Together, they discuss strategy-first adoption of AI, the importance of AI literacy, and the mindset shifts leaders need to drive human-centred transformation in the era of intelligent tools.Come for the tech, and stay for the magic!Melissa Tony Stires BioMelissa Tony Stires is an international protocol expert and leadership innovator specializing in cross-cultural communications and women’s empowerment in AI. As a Chief Global Officer at Mia AI, she bridges tradition and technology through global collaborations and billion-dollar initiatives. A certified Advanced International Protocol Officer, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker, Melissa’s work has shaped dialogues from Davos to Cannes Lions, advancing inclusivity, innovation, and global understanding in the tech landscape.Melissa Tony Stires LinkedInJanna Salokangas BioJanna Salokangas is the Co-founder and CEO of Mia AI, where she’s redefining how people and organisations unlock their full potential through AI-driven learning and innovation. Under her leadership, Mia has trained over 7,000 professionals across 65+ countries, partnering with leading institutions to deliver transformative AI education and solutions. A co-founder of Finnish Flow, Janna also champions Finland’s business community at Davos, advocating for human-centric AI and the future of equitable, empowered innovation.Janna Salokangas LinkedInKey Discussion Topics:00:00 Intro: Welcome to Tech Magic00:28 NVIDIA GTC & Nokia's $1B AI Investment00:54 Geoffrey Hinton Shifts AI Stance on Job Displacement08:17 Sharp HealthCare's First Chief Spatial Computing Officer09:05 OpenAI's $38 Billion Amazon AWS Deal Explained15:17 Perplexity vs Reddit: Data Scraping Lawsuit Breakdown21:28 AI Augmentation Over Replacement: Secret Cinema's Approach26:19 Magic Leap's Google Partnership & New AI Glasses32:17 TEDx Atlanta: Alvin Wang Graylin & Industry Leaders35:45 AI Education Interview with Janna & Melissa from Mia AI37:18 Mia AI: Human-Centered AI Education Going Global42:35 Strategy-First AI Adoption: Define Problems Before Tools42:46 Real-World Success Stories: From Universities to Single Mothers47:28 What Differentiates Mia AI in a Crowded Market Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Cathy at Nvidia’s GTC, Advances in Robotics, Cathy Goes Shopping with a Humanoid Robot, Samsung XR’s Future, Bored Apes Are Back and r what happened at Vogue Singapore's Next in Vogue and Singularity U South Africa Summit

  In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler explore the fascinating, funny, and sometimes unsettling intersection between humans and machines. From Cathy’s “shopping date” with humanoid robot Maximus to Amazon’s ambitious plans to automate its warehouses, the hosts unpack how AI and robotics are reshaping work and daily life. They also discuss Samsung’s entry into the XR race with the Galaxy headset, the return of Bored Ape Yacht Club’s metaverse project, and innovations like direct-to-vinyl recording. With equal parts humour and insight, Cathy and Lee decode how today’s emerging technologies are redefining what’s possible, and what’s still human.Come for the tech and 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 Intro: Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler01:30 Shopping with Maximus: A Human-Robot Retail Adventure10:35 Amazon's Automation Revolution: 600,000 Jobs Going Robotic18:30 The AI Bubble: Debating the Reality of AGI and Market Hype28:40 Understanding ChatGPT's Limitations and Technical Challenges37:00 Samsung Galaxy XR: A New Player in the XR Hardware Space43:50 Amazon's HUD Glasses and the Future of Spatial Computing50:25 Bored Ape Yacht Club Returns with "Otherside" Metaverse Project54:58 Upcoming Events and a Deep Dive into Vintage Audio Technology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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