Shows
Tech'ed UpBanking’s API Revolution • Paul LaRusso (Akoya) & Nicole Elam (NBA)Akoya CEO Paul LaRusso and National Bankers Association President & CEO Nicole Elam join Niki in the studio to break down the API revolution in banking. They explore why, after decades of traditional banking, there’s been a growing demand for so-called “open banking,” what the CFPB's new rule means for consumers and financial institutions, and how organizations are navigating this tech transition. Plus, Niki shares why screen scraping makes her nervous, Nicole predicts that the future of banking means being both high-tech and high-touch, and Paul makes the case for consumer control of their banking data. “As a consumer...
2024-12-1230 minTech'ed UpSCOTUS Tech Docket • Chris Mohr (SIIA)President of the Software Information Industry Association, Chris Mohr, joins Niki in the studio to break down two major tech cases at the Supreme Court involving Meta and NVIDIA, discuss what's next for Section 230 regulation, and share insights from his career transition from private practice to tech policy advocacy. Chris talks about how the courts are increasingly being used to shape tech policy as Congress remains gridlocked on major issues and Niki offers some free advice on deprecation policies. “...power doesn't like vacuums, right? So, where does that power go? If Congress isn't passing laws, then the cou...
2024-11-2829 minTech'ed UpThe Art of the Pivot • Gary Shapiro (CTA)CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, Gary Shapiro, joins Niki in the studio for an informal chat about his new book Pivot or Die. They discuss pivotal moments in his career, leading the influential trade association fighting for tech and innovation, and looking to the future of tech in America. “We have to recognize that technology and innovation are actually our secret sauce in this country that allows us to do all these amazing things, and have a strong economy, and grow our way into the future.” -Gary ShapiroFollow Gary on XLearn more about CTAGet ticke...
2024-11-1427 minTech'ed UpLessons from Twitter’s Takeover • Lauren Culbertson GriecoTwitter's former Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the US and Canada, Lauren Culbertson Grieco, joins Niki in the studio to talk about her career - from tweeting for senators to navigating Elon Musk's Twitter takeover. Currently President of The Ledyard Group, she shares leadership lessons from the transition days at X, and she and Niki swaptech policy stories. They also share a prediction about what will dominate legislators’ tech agenda in the next Congress. “Most of the people who worked at Twitter and some of the ones who still work there have a very strong sense...
2024-10-3129 minTech'ed UpProfiles in Tech: From Campaigns to Crypto • Julie Stitzel (DCG)Sr. VP of Policy at Digital Currency Group, Julie Stitzel, sits down with Niki in the D.C. studio to talk about their shared path from Midwestern upbringings to helping shape crypto policy in the nation’s capital. Julie shares her admiration for Hill staffers and why she remains optimistic for the future of crypto in the U.S. They also do a little arm-chair quarterbacking on the 2024 presidential campaign. “...when I think about innovation, I think the U.S. should be the place where people come. These innovators, these builders should feel free and excited about build...
2024-10-1726 minTech'ed UpAI’s Campaign Influence • Sheera Frenkel (New York Times)New York Times reporter, Sheera Frenkel, joins Niki remotely to talk about the AI 2024 campaign season that wasn’t. She shares insights from her reporting on tech, shedding light on the reluctance to use AI by US campaigns compared to other countries, the rush by foreign adversaries to capitalize on AI’s capability to enhance disinformation campaigns, and lays out what has led Facebook to step back from political coverage. “While our candidates are not excited about using AI…There are nation-states all over the world who are super excited about the possibilities of AI and how it lets t...
2024-10-0330 minTech'ed UpQuantum 101 • Murray Thom (D-Wave)VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, Murray Thom, joins Niki remotely to explore the basics of quantum computing and share some real-world, right-now applications of this leap in compute power. They talk AI, the impact that efficiency improvements have on daily life, and the exciting potential of quantum to facilitate breakthroughs in health care and drug discovery. “There's a really deep technical connection between quantum computing and artificial intelligence.” -Murray ThomFollow Murray on TwitterLearn more about D-WaveBuild things with D-Wave Leap Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on Lin...
2024-09-1929 minTech'ed UpTech on the Hill • Andrew Desiderio (Punchbowl News)Punchbowl News reporter, Andrew Desiderio joins Niki in the studio to share his insider handicapping of the state of play of tech policy on the Hill. They talk KOSA/COPPA 2.0, the DEFIANCE Act, and legislative gridlock. Andrew shares why 2024 has been a good year for major tech policy legislation despite the Senate being de-incentivized to pass tech legislation, the House likely to shut down what few bills passed the Senate before August recess, and other agencies being reluctant to pick up the slack. “When we look back on 2024, in terms of major tech policy legislation, we'll have see...
2024-08-2222 minTech'ed UpThe Case for Digital Solidarity • Pablo ChavezAdjunct Fellow at CNAS and Founder of Tech Policy Solutions, Pablo Chavez joins Niki in the studio to explain digital solidarity and digital sovereignty, swap campaign convention memories, and discuss US policy when it comes to the global internet. They talk State Dept. footnotes, the TikTok ban, and the future of the open internet. “ ...the United States, increasingly as a matter of foreign policy on digital matters is a little bit in a defensive crouch.” -Pablo ChavezConnect with Pablo on LinkedInNerd out and read the US International Cyberspace & Digital Policy StrategyRead Pablo's artic...
2024-07-2527 minTech'ed UpThe State of Tech Policy • Dave BarmoreRunway Strategies Co-Founder Dave Barmore joins Niki in the studio for a deep dive into the wave of tech regulations coming from the states. They talk about gridlock at the federal level and why tech needs to pay attention to the states when it comes to pending policy regulations facing AI, data privacy, and social media. "in terms of bills getting passed and laws regulating tech, whether that's AI, data privacy, social media. Don't sleep on the states." -Dave BarmoreFollow Dave on LinkedInLearn more about Runway StrategiesRead more about the Uniform Law Commission...
2024-07-1127 minTech'ed UpFun & Games at Discord • Ross LaJeunesseHead of Global Public Policy at Discord, Ross LaJeunesse, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how the app delivers today on the original promise of the internet - community and communication. He lays out how Discord fosters genuine servers-based connection, why it’s so important to small game developers, and what regulators should consider when they try to regulate Big Tech. Plus, he reviews just how huge gaming has become globally. “Discord is one of those places. It's community, it's belonging, and it's economic opportunity. It's a platform for entrepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses.” -Ross LaJeune...
2024-06-2727 minTech'ed UpBlockchain's Promise • Sheila WarrenCrypto Council for Innovation CEO Sheila Warren breaks down crypto, Web3, and blockchain once and for all. She and Niki discuss crypto’s future on Capitol Hill and how it might impact this election season, the critical role blockchain has in making AI more transparent, and why you might already have a Web3 mindset. “Things like authenticity, tracking, accountability, I think, are becoming even more important than they ever were before.” -Sheila WarrenFollow Sheila on Twitter Learn more about CCIRead the Scientific American ArticleConnect with Sheila on LinkedIn Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out vide...
2024-06-1331 minTech'ed UpAI Mythbusting • Nikki Pope (NVIDIA)NVIDIA’s Head of AI & Legal Ethics, Nikki Pope, talks about why how we talk about artificial intelligence matters and why making the tech representative of more people is important. She and Niki break down some of the myths surrounding the tech and re-examine what regulators should be focused on when they think of “existential threat” and AI. Spoiler alert - it’s not what Hollywood thinks! “...democratization of AI means making sure that we don't leave cultures and languages and communities behind as we all go running breakneck into the future.” -Nikki PopeFollow Nikki Pope on Linke...
2024-05-3026 minTech'ed UpArcher Aviation Takes Off • Adam GoldsteinArcher Aviation Founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, joins Niki in the studio to talk about why, after years of flying cars being science fiction, the eVTOL industry is taking off now, how coordination with the FAA is critical to American dominance in the industry, and what the future of travel looks like. He lays out a future in which flying cars will be as accessible as automobiles. “...talent and capital are the two advantages that the US has that nowhere else in the world has.” -Adam GoldsteinFollow Adam on Twitter Check out Usher’s video featurin...
2024-05-1629 minTech'ed UpA NewNet • Frank McCourtPhilanthropist and author of ‘Our Biggest Fight’, Frank McCourt sits down with Niki in the studio to lay out his vision for a decentralized internet. He shares why Project Liberty is focused on personhood online instead of data privacy, why a digital bill of rights is not the answer, and shares his optimism for technologists’ ability to build a better digital future. “Let's re-decentralize the Internet so that we put people back in charge.” - Frank McCourtFollow Frank on LinkedIn Buy “Our Biggest Fight” here Learn more about Project Liberty Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out vid...
2024-05-0222 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • Surveillance, TikTok & RobotsCorporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, sits down with Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio to talk about what’s moving fast in tech news. They break down big legislative moves in Congress with the expansion of FISA Section 702 adding extra surveillance remit to the US government, the TikTok divestiture bill dominating the headlines - and why it’s not a ban, and critique the moves of the new Boston Dynamics Atlas robot. “I had really thought that one of the most enduring takeaways from our last administration and the presidency would be a distrust for executive...
2024-04-2519 minTech'ed UpProfiles in Tech: Fighting Online Hate • Imran AhmedThe CEO and Founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Imran Ahmed, joins Niki in the studio to talk about what his recent win against Elon Musk means for the proliferation of hate speech online. He and Niki debate who has moral responsibility for online hate but both agree the current climate is untenable.“CCDH advocates a market regulatory solution to a market regulatory failure.” -Imran AhmedFollow Imran on Twitter Learn more about the CCDH Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2024-04-1819 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • Privacy Legislation & Tech's AI Data RaceCorporate Counsel at Google, Kat Mauler, joins Niki for a D.C. insider take on the latest tech headlines. They talk AI’s insatiable appetite for data and the landmark bipartisan data privacy bill making waves this week. Added bonus, zombie attacks in the Terms & Conditions and the sad trombone sounds of Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” tech. “You always want tech to move ahead of regulators. If tech moved at the speed of government, we would be much less competitive.” - Kat MaulerFollow Kat on LinkedIn Read The Verge article on AI and copyright laws Learn mor...
2024-04-1121 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • U.S. v. Apple & "The Rewiring of Childhood"Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They dive into the latest Big Tech anti-trust litigation and have a candid talk about childhood in the smartphone era. “Apple hasn't done anything in the U.S. differently than in Europe. So it's peculiarly American that we've ended up in this situation.” - Adam KovacevichLearn more about Chamber of ProgressRead the NY Times take on the Apple monopoly case Listen to The Atlantic podcast on Smartphones and Teen Mental HealthFollow Adam on LinkedIn Learn M...
2024-03-2823 minTech'ed Up"Regulatory Hacking" • Evan BurfieldHead of Strategy at The Future US, Evan Burfield, joins Niki with an update on how hacking the regulatory environment for start-ups has changed over the last few years. They take a deep dive into minerals and bioeconomy tech, talk human brain interfaces, and how building coalitions is essential to being strategic in approaching Washington. “The Department of Defense can be an incredibly useful partner to a wide range of startups.” -Evan BurfieldFollow Evan on LinkedInLearn more about The Future USListen to Regulatory Hacking Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follo...
2024-03-2123 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • TikTok & EU's Digital Markets ActFounder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, Adam Kovacevich, joins Niki for a rapid-fire take on the latest tech headlines. They talk about TikTok’s headache in Washington, Europe’s misguided Digital Markets Act, and the state of play in Congress. “Even if this bill founders this year, the issue doesn't go away, right? That's the thing. The issue never goes away. There's no path really for TikTok to be a successful app in this country long-term and still be owned by ByteDance.” - Adam KovacevichLearn more about Chamber of ProgressBBC article on TikTok’s approach...
2024-03-1421 minTech'ed UpBillionaires Playing Politics • Teddy Schleifer (Puck)Puck reporter Teddy Schleifer pulls back the curtain on tech billionaires and political contributions. He and Niki look into the money and influence wielded by Silicon Valley titans over the presidential campaign. They talk about effective altruists, the “red-pilling” of Silicon Valley, and why tech donations to third-party candidates will continue to make things interesting this election season. “We write about these donor advisors not because it's necessarily the juiciest stuff in the world, but [because] I think it tells you that this person is going to be spending 10 million plus a cycle.” -Teddy SchleiferFollow Teddy on T...
2024-03-0727 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • “Spamouflage,” Google Gemini, & ChatGPTSteer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the second installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They talk “Spamoflauge”, Gemini, and Chat GPT. Subscribe to the BLUF newsletterRead the Forbes articleRead the Washington Post articleRead the NY Times articleFollow Lauren on LinkedIn Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2024-02-2922 minTech'ed UpThe AI Ripple Effect • Dex Hunter-Torricke (DeepMind)Head of Global Communications and Marketing at DeepMind, Dex Hunter-Torricke, joins Niki in the studio to inject some optimism and hope into the doom n’ gloom AI conversations dominating the airwaves. He highlights exponentially innovative developments at the Google subsidiary like AlhpaFold, scientific discoveries of new crystals and minerals, and AI-improved weather forecasting - all of which feeds his optimism for the future of tech. “AI is just opening up such extraordinary new possibilities for us in this century. So, I think it's actually hard, once you understand where the technology is going, not to be an optim...
2024-02-2222 minTech'ed UpQuick Tech Takes • Layoffs & Spy SatellitesSteer PR partner Lauren Tomlinson joins Niki for the first installment of Beyond the Buzz, the bi-weekly series of Tech’ed Up that digs into the comms, tech, and DC news creating headlines. They swap hot takes on “jargon monoxide” when it comes to corporate layoffs, the new space race for AI-augmented satellite surveillance, and the Swifties’ impact on Super Bowl advertising. “...people are talking about [faster data processing in space] in the national security community a ton because obviously, that intelligence will be invaluable, but it's just as applicable across tech.” -Lauren TomlinsonSubscribe to t...
2024-02-1523 minTech'ed UpThe Future of Podcasting • Jordan Newman (Spotify)Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, Jordan Newman, joins Niki remotely to celebrate Tech’ed Up going weekly and to share podcasting tips and tricks. This episode is a great listen for anyone who has thought they might want to join the ever-growing community of podcasters. Jordan also offers his take on what he thinks the impact of AI will be on the industry.“...podcasting is one of the few mediums that we have left that is really focused on long-form versus short-form.” -Jordan NewmanFollow Jordan on LinkedInWatch the Spotify Podcasting Masterclass VideosSpotify on Instagram Learn Mo...
2024-02-0824 minTech'ed UpReframing AI • Chloe AutioDC-based AI policy and governance expert, Chloe Autio, joins Niki in the studio to break down the state of play in Washington for AI regulations this year. They explore AI’s PR challenge, talk about the awkward optics of recent Congressional briefings, and Chloe explains why the term “artificial intelligence” conceals more than it reveals. “It really should be more about not whether or not AI is going to take your job, but whether or not someone who uses and knows how to use AI will replace your job.” - Chloe AutioSign up for a class with...
2024-01-2533 minTech'ed UpTech'ed Up Welcome Trailer 2024What’s happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in to Tech'ed Up for zippy conversations about emerging technology hosted by industry veteran Niki Christoff.From the C-Suite and Capitol Hill to AI and crypto, quantum computing to the decentralized internet, Niki breaks down the trends in tech to help savvy listeners get even smarter. Guests include experts, enthusiasts, regulators, policymakers, CEOs, and reporters. Listen here or anywhere you get your podcasts to learn more from Niki and guests like SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, SeedAI Founder & President Austin Carson, Bloomberg podcast host & NY Times best-selling aut...
2024-01-1901 minTech'ed UpThe Future of Digital Money • Matt SwinehartManaging Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, Matt Swinehart, joins Niki in the studio to talk fintech and the future fate of the USD. Matt previews why alternatives to the US Dollar will be a hot topic globally in 2024, how the Libra project still impacts the way regulators are thinking about crypto, and shares his take on why the EU approaches tech regulation differently than the US. Niki shares her take on Bitcoin and what might have been and Matt forecasts the state of play for regulation with AI in fintech. “There is no world, I think, in...
2024-01-1127 minTech'ed UpProfiles in Tech: Running at Walls • Meghan Joyce (Duckbill)Meghan Joyce, Co-Founder and CEO of AI startup Duckbill, joins Niki in the latest installment of our Profiles in Tech Series. She shares insights from her unconventional career path from the Treasury Department to raising venture capital for an early-stage Boston tech company with stops along the way at Bain Capital, Uber, and Oscar Healthcare. Niki and Meghan share their optimism for the incredible opportunities AI offers both businesses and consumers. “What's so exciting as an entrepreneur in this space is the playing field is still wide open. It's not clear what the winning business model is goi...
2023-12-2830 minTech'ed Up2023 Wrap-Up: Tech in DC • Bruce MehlmanBruce Mehlman, founder of Mehlman Consulting, a bi-partisan lobbying juggernaut in Washington, DC, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on 2023 and tech. They have a spirited conversation about politics, progress, and the state of play for tech regulation that touches on AI, tech’s impact on polling, and social media. “AI's existence doesn't mean, okay, now we're all going to settle all those old hard things…it's not endemic to some kind of Washington dysfunction that we haven't solved it. It's that hard things are hard.” -Bruce MehlmanFollow Bruce on XDive...
2023-12-1428 minTech'ed UpTech at the CIA • Sheetal PatelAssistant Director of the CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center, Sheetal Patel, joins Niki in the studio to talk about how important tech is to their mission, partnerships with the private sector, and why they are actively recruiting technologists. This episode looks back at technology that the CIA helped bring to our everyday lives and looks forward to the impact of AI. “The global strategic competition in emerging technology is actually occurring in the private sector. And so, for us, for CIA in particular, but I would say for my intelligence community colleagues as well, wor...
2023-11-3030 minTech'ed UpTake Back Your Data • Martina Larkin (Project Liberty)CEO of Project Liberty, Martina Larkin, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk about the non-profit’s hope for the future of the internet. They take a deep dive into data, decentralization, and how DSNP gives power back to the user. Niki makes the case for a digital backpack or ID and Martina shares how researchers, NGOs, and tech can partner together to make the next generation of the web safer for all. "This is not about pointing out the harms or the problems only. This is really about building a solution and an alternative way fo...
2023-11-1628 minTech'ed Up"Futureproof" • Kevin Roose (New York Times)New York Times reporter and host of the popular podcast Hard Fork, Kevin Roose, joins Niki remotely to talk all things AI and why he’s a “sub-optomist” when it comes to how this latest tech revolution will impact our future. He shares some tips from his book, Futureproof, about how to be resilient in the age of AI in the workplace. Turns out being more human is the answer because you just can’t out-hustle a machine. “People should start thinking about it [AI] more as a tool for displacing tasks within jobs rather than entire jobs.” Ke...
2023-11-0232 minTech'ed UpDigital Ticket Era • Laura Dooley (StubHub)Laura Dooley, Head of Global Government Relations at StubHub, sits down with Niki in the studio to talk about the tech behind ticket pricing, why competition in the ticketing industry is so important for consumers, and highlights some smart and reasonable paths for policy solutions that will empower consumers and fans."When you buy a ticket, it should be yours. That's our point of view. Do what you want with it. Unfortunately, that's not how it works in the status quo." - Laura DooleyFollow Laura on LinkedIn Careers at StubHub Learn More at www.techedup.com...
2023-10-1933 minTech'ed UpFintech in D.C. • Penny Lee & Amena RossNiki is joined by Penny Lee, President & CEO of the Financial Technology Association and Amena Ross, Head of Global Policy at CashApp for a fintech coffee klatch: What’s brewing in DC for fintech? They have a lively conversation about open banking, the fate of the CFPB, and data privacy. Amena explains why screen scraping is a good thing and Penny makes the case for keeping America in the lead when it comes to fintech regulation. "Data is like the new oil." -Amena Ross"We need to have a federal data privacy law that clearly sp...
2023-10-0530 minTech'ed UpTech’ed Up Turns 2!Niki looks back at the last two years of Tech’ed Up and shares some of her favorite moments from the podcast. This episode highlights engaging clips from episodes featuring Bloomberg reporter Ashlee Vance, US presidential candidate and former Congressman Will Hurd, Washingtonian Tech Titan 2023 Amy Gilliland of GDIT, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Development Foundation, and many more. Listen in as Niki and guests explore all things tech: covering emerging technology from AI to crypto, speculating about government regulation, and geeking out about the future of tech in general. Learn more...
2023-09-2121 minTech'ed UpProfiles in Tech: From Oxford to Reddit • Jessica AshoohSenior Director of Policy at Reddit, Jessica Ashooh, joins Niki remotely to talk about her non-traditional path to Silicon Valley - from earning a Ph.D. in International relations, to working in Abu Dhabi and at think tanks. They take a quick dive into how Reddit works, why its community is so passionate about governance, and, of course, talk cat subreddit threads. "I would say that Reddit is the democratic curation engine of the internet." -Jessica AshoohFollow Jessica on LinkedInExplore just a few of the many subreddit threads about cats:https://www.reddit.com/r...
2023-09-0727 minTech'ed UpSmart Guns 101 • Kai Kloepfer (Biofire)CEO of Biofire, Kai Kloepfer, joins Niki remotely in the studio to talk smart guns. They explore the technology that helps make these guns a safer option for home protection, the unique challenges of developing deep tech hardware, and some sobering statistics that keep Kai and his team motivated to help with one small part of a major, uniquely American, public health epidemic."…there's a big need for applying American innovation and ingenuity to all sorts of areas." -Kai KloepferFollow Kai on TwitterLearn more about Biofire Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on...
2023-08-2424 minTech'ed UpIs Crypto Back from the Dead? • John RizzoFormer U.S. Treasury spokesperson, current SVP of Public Affairs at Clyde Group, and crypto commentator John Rizzo joins Niki in the studio to talk about the state of play of crypto. Is there a future for crypto in America or will unelected bureaucrats successfully push the industry overseas? They discuss the broader regulatory climate and how other emerging technology, such as AI, could find itself in a similar deathmatch in Washington. "I think the AI industry is in real danger of getting run over by Washington if they don't make fast moves now." -John RizzoF...
2023-08-1031 minTech'ed UpDC & Tech Hot Topics • Ashley Gold (Axios)Axios reporter Ashley Gold joins Niki in the studio for a lighthearted conversation about what Big Tech should expect from Congress this year. They talk Federal Trade Commission dynamics, Ticketmaster drama, and foreign investments in the United States. Ashley shares her insights as the lead reporter for Axios’ Pro Tech Policy newsletter: Who’s interested and what’s what? And Niki cracks wise about Taylor Swift, Vrbo, and TikTok (of course). "We're still talking about AI at a pretty high level, but the level of seriousness is something I haven't seen with other tech policy issues for a whil...
2023-07-2723 minTech'ed UpAI, Hacks & Cyber Attacks • Paul RosenzweigFormer Department of Homeland Security official, Paul Rosenzweig, joins Niki in the studio to share his thoughts on AI, hacking, and national security. They dish some stories from the past and take a look to the future of big tech in China, talk AI hallucinations, and Paul shares his thoughts on what Congress should be doing to respond to the changing - and rapidly evolving - national security landscape. "It {AI] already has its own problems with hallucinations and things like that. Imagine if the hallucinations weren't accidental but were forced upon us by outside bad actors?"...
2023-07-1331 minTech'ed UpRace for Space • Ashlee Vance (Bloomberg)NY Times best-selling author, reporter, and host of Hello World, Ashlee Vance joins Niki to talk about the wild and wonderful characters driving the new space race. He shares stories from his new book ‘When the Heavens Went on Sale’ and why he believes this new space gold rush will change life as we know it. "...if you're interested in money and, and sort of power and what's going on, low Earth orbit is, is where all the action is." -Ashlee VanceFollow Ashlee on TwitterCheck out Hello WorldBuy ‘When the Heavens Went on Sale’ Here Follow Niki...
2023-06-2938 minTech'ed UpThe Deep & Dark Web • Matteo Tomasini (District 4 Labs)Cyber defense expert, Matteo Tomasini, joins Niki on the podcast to shine a light into the deepest, darkest parts of the web. He explains the differences between the “Clearnet" aka the surface web, deep web, and the dark web. While they dive into the dangerous - and legitimate - motivations for anonymous web browsing, Matteo also provides helpful tips for protecting your own privacy online. "…the hard part is a lot of people just don't know. So, they just kind of will blindly visit websites, click on things, allow location, do this without understanding what the repercussions of th...
2023-06-1533 minTech'ed Up"Deep Fake Drake" • Jessica Powell (AudioShake)CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, Jessica Powell, joins Niki remotely to talk AI and music. Her company created tech that has helped artists and fans alike since before we ever heard of a musical “deep fake.” In this episode, they chat karaoke, video game music, and Jessica breaks down what a stem is - as well as the creative impact AI will have on the music industry as we know it. "…what more logical next iteration of fandom and fan engagement than trying to create music with your favorite artist's voice, right?....I can see a whole infras...
2023-06-0128 minTech'ed UpKids & Social Media Addiction • Previn WarrenWashington-based litigator, Previn Warren, joins Niki in the studio to talk about his law firm’s multi-district litigation against social media giants Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. They discuss the growing epidemic of social media addiction among teens and tweens, and its impact on kids’ mental health, their developing brains, and bodies. "…we [Motley Rice]were kind of at the forefront of fighting the tobacco wars and preventing cigar companies from marketing to kids. Right? So, we won that fight in the nineties. And to me, this is really the sequel." -Previn Warren**This e...
2023-05-1829 minTech'ed UpCrypto for Good (for real) • Denelle Dixon (Stellar Development Foundation)Denelle Dixon, CEO of the Stellar Foundation, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the real world, right-now positive use cases blockchain technology is having on the underbanked. They explore the work the foundation is doing with the UNHCR and IRC in Ukraine, their partnership with MoneyGram, and why you should care. Denelle shares some sage advice for the industry on how to better communicate with regulators. "I actually feel like we're gonna make this, we're gonna make a shift here in the United States because we have to, because I don't wanna see t...
2023-05-0431 minTech'ed UpAI Deep Dive • Dorothy Chou (Google DeepMind)Head of Public Affairs for DeepMind, Dorothy Chou, is in Washington from London and joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up Studio to talk about the massive impact AI is already having on science, work, and the future of our economy. They cover the hard questions we all should be asking as this tech develops at breakneck speed, discuss the role of government in shaping this emerging tech, and highlight the importance of wrangling all kinds of people to shape the data and norms that underpin AI. “There needs to be a real renegotiation of what all of o...
2023-04-2030 minTech'ed UpCyber Safety • Debbie Taylor Moore (IBM)Cybersecurity veteran and VP of Global Security at IBM Consulting, Debbie Taylor Moore, joins Niki in the studio for an eye-opening discussion on the future of cybersecurity threats, the need for cyber literacy, and practical advice on how to protect yourself, your data, and your home online in the event of a critical breach or outage. "On the flip side, the bad guys or threat actors can use it [AI] for propagating disinformation, for propagating bots, malware, denial of service attacks, at much greater scale and speed, and with much greater efficiency." -Debbie Taylor MooreFollow...
2023-04-0630 minTech'ed UpBye, Trolls • Tracy Chou (Block Party)Block Party CEO & Founder, Tracy Chou, joins Niki remotely to talk about what her team is doing to make the internet a safer place and why she’s passionate about their mission. Her app puts control back in the hands of social media users using block lists, lock-out filters, and other tips and tricks to combat trolls. The conversation covers why the social media giants aren’t incentivized to do this work themselves, what action is needed for third-party app innovation to thrive, and what, as users (and people) our options are - and should be."…it [API ac...
2023-03-2323 minTech'ed UpOnline Speech & The Supreme Court • Emily Birnbaum (Bloomberg)Bloomberg reporter Emily Birnbaum visits Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about online speech and the U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming opinion on Gonzalez v. Google. This conversation covers the Justices’ overall vibes, the limitations of Section 230, Niki’s observations from inside the courtroom, and Emily’s assessment of the stakes for tech companies. …it's interesting because it's, like, Google's power and influence actually did affect who was able to argue for the plaintiffs in this case." -Emily BirnbaumFollow Emily on TwitterGen Z dating habits? (The Hill) Follow Niki on Twitter
2023-03-0933 minTech'ed UpMaking Sense of the Metaverse • Denise Zheng (Accenture)Denise Zheng, Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the CEO at Accenture, joins Niki in the studio to highlight ways the metaverse is already being put to work in business. She goes beyond the jargon of XR, AI, and web3 and explains what the metaverse is and why she thinks right now is a pivotal moment in the development of a tech that is sure to shape our future. "We need to design the metaverse so that it's human-centric, right? But from a privacy, security, and safety standpoint, we found that consumers care about th...
2023-02-2326 minTech'ed Up“Facts Favor the Optimist” • Rep. John Delaney (D-MD)Former Congressman and presidential candidate, John Delaney, joins Niki in the studio to discuss bipartisanship, practical policymaking, and answering the call to serve. From investing in de-carbonization projects to crafting AI policy, from banning gas stoves to TikTok, they cover it all in this wide-ranging conversation."I think technological improvement, by any measure, has improved the condition of humanity across time, full stop. And it's doing that as we speak today. There's no question about it." -Rep. John DelaneyFollow former Rep. Delaney on TwitterLearn more about Forbright BankFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.t...
2023-02-0927 minTech'ed UpChips, China & TikTok • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) joins Niki from Capitol Hill to take a deep dive into tech issues facing the 118th Congress. Specifically, Sen. Warner lays out the national security risks the United States faces from the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement in one of America’s favorite apps: TikTok. This conversation includes a look back at last year’s passage of the CHIPs Act and a look forward to his potential bipartisan social media legislation."…look at what the kids in China are getting on their equivalent TikTok accounts versus what our kids are seeing. That shows the power...
2023-01-2620 minTech'ed UpCrypto Aftershocks: Live from CES • Sheila WarrenTaped live from the main stage at the CES conference in Las Vegas, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation Sheila Warren and Niki chat about all things crypto. After the crypto earthquake of FTX and the beginning of another crypto winter, what aftershocks does the industry face? Sheila shares why she’s still a true believer in the blockchain. "It [blockchain technology] is an architecture. It is an infrastructure. What we do with it is gonna be up to all of us, but preserving it and ensuring it remains as open, as decentralized as possible, I think th...
2023-01-1229 minTech'ed UpThe Business of Cyber • Stefanie DrysdaleSecurity start-up Prescient's VP of Cyber, Stefanie Drysdale, joins Niki in the studio to talk insider threats, whistleblowers, and bug bounties. She gives a pulse check on developments inside and outside the security business, including her fears for the future of the cyber industry if we lose focus on who the bad guys are."I always tell people that if you touch technology, that you are somewhat responsible for being a cyber expert, at least to a degree." -Stefanie DrysdaleFollow Stefanie on LinkedInWatch Prescient’s weekly cyber update on YouTubeFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at w...
2022-12-2924 minTech'ed UpWorkplace Mental Health • Malcom GlennCEO of MG Equity Consulting and New America Fellow, Malcom Glenn, joins Niki in the studio to talk about the role businesses can play in promoting mental health and equity for employees. They touch on some popular misconceptions about Gen Z, why “quiet-quitting” is a misnomer, and the business case for doing right by people.Malcom shares some insights from his days at Uber and Niki explains why she’ll always be a Googler at heart. "Sometimes, doing things for certain communities actually helps everyone in your business…" -Malcom GlennFollow Malcom on LinkedInCheck out MG Equity Co...
2022-12-1524 minTech'ed UpIs Tech Policy Passé? • Karen KornbluhFormer Ambassador and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, Karen Kornbluh, joins Niki in the Tech’ed Up studio for a rollicking conversation about whether tech policy is passé, the ongoing Twitter implosion, and misinformation being a loser. This conversation covers the erosion of trust in institutions, cynicism as a by product of social media, and the power of storytelling to combat both."I hope we can get past the techlash to see it as technology as we used to, which is with this sense of optimism and magic." -Karen Kornbluh○ Read Karen’s New Y...
2022-12-0127 minTech'ed UpCrypto Shockwaves • Dante Disparte (Circle)Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy at Circle joins Niki in the studio hot on the heels of the FTX meltdown in this episode of Tech’ed Up. They discuss the need for regulation, the role of stablecoins, and the argument for optimism about the future of crypto. "…you cannot say as a representative of the people that you care about protecting consumers and markets and do nothing about sensible legislation and sensible regulation for the industry in the United States." -Dante DisparteLearn more about CircleCheck out Dante’s WebsiteFollow Niki on Twitte...
2022-11-1731 minTech'ed UpIs AI Becoming Sentient? • Nitasha Tiku (Washington Post)Washington Post reporter Nitasha Tiku joins Niki remotely to discuss the latest innovations in AI. We get to know LaMDA, the AI a Google engineer believes is conscious, and discuss the brand new text-to-image generator, DALL-E. We also wax philosophical about the impact of sci-fi on our understanding of AI technology. Nitasha dives beneath the fun and viral consumer developments in AI to explore what’s lurking beneath. "When you think about that's what's undergirding this generative technology that you want to use to power the next phase of the internet it should make you pause and think...
2022-11-0331 minTech'ed UpYouTube’s "Rise to World Domination” • Mark Bergen (Bloomberg)Bloomberg reporter Mark Bergen joins Niki remotely to discuss his new book “Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube’s Chaotic Rise to World Domination.” We dive into the behind-the-scenes impact Google has had on shaping YouTube into the search juggernaut it is today. Mark details the outsized influence YouTube has on the social media landscape while remaining a “sleeping giant” largely ignored by regulators and protected from much of the “techlash” its competitors have faced."My optimistic take is that all this new pressure on regulation could force YouTube to disclose and be a lot more transparent of a place." -Mark...
2022-10-2033 minTech'ed UpSEC v. Ripple • Stu AlderotyGeneral Counsel of Ripple Labs, Stu Alderoty, joins Niki in the studio to discuss the need for Washington to establish regulatory clarity for digital assets. He takes listeners on a deep dive into how blockchain can simplify cross-border payments, the crypto industry’s appetite for clear regulations, and Ripple’s engagement in D.C. – including litigation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.“...we don't want to be free of regulation. We're not asking for this to be the Wild West. We want regulation, but we want regulation that is clear. And we want regulation that we can understan...
2022-10-0627 minTech'ed UpThe Story of Grindr • Patrick LenihanVP and Head of Global Communications at Grindr and long-time tech veteran, Patrick Lenihan, joins Niki remotely to talk about the iconic dating app. The company is both a “start-up” and one of the first-ever geospatial social networking applications…and now it’s preparing to go public. The conversation ranges from Grindr itself to the company’s business, mission, and current work to bring public health information to the LGBTQ+ community. "It's a great business. It's got an amazing social mission. We've got awesome people." -Patrick LenihanLearn more about GrindrFollow Patrick on TwitterFollow Niki on Twi...
2022-09-2225 minTech'ed UpThe Crypto Cavalry Has Arrived • Tory Newmyer (Washington Post)Washington Post reporter Tory Newmyer joins Niki in the studio to discuss his coverage of the crypto lobby’s full-court press in Washington. Tory’s watched and reported as the crypto lobby exploded within the last year. In this episode, he joins Niki to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next for the industry’s expanding influence campaign."…it [the infrastructure bill] woke crypto up to this idea that Washington did, does present an existential threat. And you may not care about Washington. But Washington cares about you. And that is a realization tha...
2022-09-0828 minTech'ed UpTikTok: China’s Trojan Horse • FCC Commissioner Brendan CarrCommissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) joins Niki in the studio to discuss his concerns about the viral video app TikTok. Do TikTok’s data practices pose a threat to our national security by collecting and sharing information with the Chinese Community Party? In this episode, Commissioner Carr gives his take on the situation and the stakes. "…that just exposed years of TikTok lobbying in D.C. as being nothing more than gaslighting. Because once this data is accessed from inside China, then can you bar the door? There's no protection. " -Brendan CarrFollo...
2022-08-2522 minTech'ed Up"China Could Win a War in 72 Hours" • Sean Gourley (PrimerAI)Physicist and Rhodes Scholar, Sean Gourley, founded Primer, a start-up building mission-critical AI capabilities for the United States and its closest allies. He joins Niki in the studio to discuss Silicon Valley’s ambivalence about building and selling defense capabilities necessary to protect democracies. He explains how artificial intelligence is a “third offset” – following nuclear weapons and precision munitions – that could end a war in just 72 hours. And China is hyper-focused on overtaking the United States in this arms race.“AI is a technology so powerful that the country that wields it will quickly defeat any opponent who does not...
2022-08-1126 minTech'ed UpUntangling the Supply Chain • VC Santosh SankarCo-founder of venture capital firm Dynamo, Santosh Sankar, joins Niki from Chattanooga to explain how the supply chain became everyone’s business during the pandemic - and the solutions his portfolio companies are building to fix it. “In the background has been this thing, supply chain, and when it works, we don't think about it. When it breaks down, there's a lot of concern, and there's a lot of conversation to be had.” -Santosh SankarListen to The Future of Supply Chain podcastFollow Santosh on TwitterFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out vide...
2022-07-2830 minTech'ed UpBlockchain Growing Pains • Kathleen Breitman (Tezos)Co-founder of Tezos, one of the first blockchains, Kathleen Breitman joins Niki from London to tell the story of the network she founded and her commitment to democratic governance in crypto. She also shares her thoughts on the risks of building a business dependent on a charismatic leader. "Cryptocurrencies allow for something very unique to happen that we've been trying to solve for hundreds of years." -Kathleen BreitmanLearn more about TezosFollow Kathleen on TwitterFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2022-07-1425 minTech'ed UpBuilding Without Scaling Harm • Miriam Vogel (EqualAI)CEO of Equal AI and White House technology advisor, Miriam Vogel, joins Niki in the studio to discuss her work to reduce algorithmic bias in the deployment of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Miriam explains why this is a critical moment to make sure we are using AI as a solution to increase fairness and build trust, and not as a scaling function for harms that already exist. “We have this critical moment here where we can take safeguards and make sure that we are using AI as a solution and not as a scaling function for ha...
2022-06-3025 minTech'ed UpAgTech can Fix Farms • VC Connie BowenVenture capitalist and AgTech (aka agriculture technology) investor, Connie Bowen, is raising capital to help fix some of the toughest challenges facing food systems and farming. She has some straight talk for Silicon Valley investors who are pouring money into agri-farm tech that just isn’t going to work. "I think you’ll see a lot of venture capitalists investing in robots that are gonna fully automate farming, and that's not going to work. That is my hot take." -Connie BowenLearn more about The Yield LabFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup.com Check...
2022-06-1624 minTech'ed UpMaking Cyberflashing a Crime • Payton Iheme (Bumble)Bumble's Americas public policy lead Payton Iheme joins Niki Christoff in the studio to discuss the company campaign to criminalize cyberflashing. More than half of women between 18-24 years old have received an unwanted, unsolicited lewd digital image, but that behavior is only illegal in two states. In-person flashing is a crime in all 50 states and it's time for laws to update to protect the digital world too. "The internet is the economic driver of our generation and it will be going forward. Why should a large percentage of the human population have one experience on it a...
2022-06-0226 minTech'ed UpElon Musk's Twitter Deal • Kate Conger (New York Times)New York Times technology reporter, Kate Conger, covers social media and the gig economy based in Silicon Valley. She joins Niki in the studio in D.C. at the height of the Twitter drama to discuss what’s going on with Elon Musk, his bid to buy the social media platform, and what it’s like to report on tech during high-stakes moments."...we're talking about sort of an ideological shift for the business and also a financial shift and a business shift." -Kate CongerFollow Kate Conger on TwitterFeel-good bots: Pomology Watercolors, Emoji Aquarium, Imaginary New...
2022-05-1929 minTech'ed UpSolving Crimes on the Blockchain • Jennifer Vander Veer (TRM Labs)Former FBI agent, Jennifer Vander Veer, now runs product strategy at TRM Labs. She joins Niki to discuss what it was like to be one of the first cops on the digital currency beat, how criminals think about emerging technology, and separating fact from fiction when it comes to information retained on distributed ledgers. She believes that blockchain technology could ultimately lead to a safer financial system. “If you want crypto to become adopted fully and mainstream, you're going to have to have the kind of security and regulations and risk mitigation in place that the rest of th...
2022-05-1222 minTech'ed UpBuilding U.S. Mission-Focused Tech • Amy Gilliland President of General Dynamics Information Technology, Amy Gilliland, is now the president of General Dynamics Information Technology. Having served for a decade as a U.S. Navy officer, Amy joins Niki in the studio to discuss her passion for mission-oriented tech. Her leadership is focused on hiring veterans, building cool tools with AI and high-performance computing, and focusing on employee mental health. She always asks, “How are you...really?” "Why do we come to work? Why do we do what we do? The mission…does excite employees. And to that extent, they can understand that it...
2022-04-2826 minTech'ed UpBattling Big Tech Backlash • Author Nirit Weiss-BlattAuthor and academic, Dr. Nirit Weiss-Blatt, Ph.D, applies AI modeling to analyze large data sets of tech coverage to answer the question: Why is there a backlash gainst Big Tech and is their comms strategy working? Her first book, The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication, chronicles how mainstream coverage of the tech industry shifted from a long period of utopianism to our current state of dystopianism."We've been over utopian, but we are clearly over-dystopian now. And we should seek a more nuanced discussion." - Dr. Nirit Weiss-BlattFind Nirit's bookFollow Niki on...
2022-04-0727 minTech'ed Up"No, Your Computer Isn't Listening to You" • Austin Carson (SeedAI)AI enthusiast and founder of SeedAI, Austin Carson, started a non-profit to get artificial intelligence projects launched in new and diverse communities across America. We talk about “machines thinking for themselves,” bias in code (and in the world), and Austin finally answers the burning question: Are our computers eavesdropping? "Just like we are, it (the internet) aggregates our good things and aggregates our bad things and that lays us kind of bare in front of ourselves in the world." -Austin Carson Learn more about SeedAISubscribe to Jack Clark’s newsletterWatch “Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected...
2022-03-3123 minTech'ed UpBonus: Crisis Comms & The Royal FamilyThis week host Niki Christoff appears as a guest on the Royally Obsessed podcast to talk about what she does in her day job: crisis communications. From Prince Andrew and the Oprah interview to Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to “never complain, never explain,” Niki breaks down the press strategy. Listen at min 25:00 https://apple.co/3uskWE2
2022-03-2301 minTech'ed UpCrypto 101: Understanding Stablecoins • Chris GriecoAttorney Chris Grieco is General Counsel for a crypto startup that has created a stablecoin protocol. An alumnus of the Department of Justice, White House Counsel's office, and a former federal prosecutor, Chris knows his way around the corridors of Washington. In this episode, he joins Niki at the Tech'ed Up studio to explore the concepts of stablecoins, a digital dollar, and "decentralized finance" AKA DeFi."…another kind of theme of crypto, I think, is that people don't necessarily take your word for anything, you, y’know, have to be able to prove it on the blockchain." Chris...
2022-03-1725 minTech'ed UpEthereum Explained • Laura ShinCrypto journalist, podcaster, and author Laura Shin joins Niki from New York to talk about her new book, “The Cryptopians: Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze.” She recounts the origins of Ethereum, the second most important blockchain, and the second largest cryptocurrency by market cap after Bitcoin, and sheds light on the unlikely founder, a teenager named Vitalik Buterin. "I did not realize when I started reporting it. However, by the end, it was very clear that this book was also a coming of age story for Vitalik (Ethereum creator). " -Laura Shin
2022-03-1024 minTech'ed UpStart-Up: Telehealth for Women • Chelsea KohlerDigital health start-up, Favor, is on a mission to make reproductive care more accessible and convenient, especially to members of Gen Z. Chief Marketing Officer, Chelsea Kohler, joins Niki Christoff from San Francisco to break down the latest trends in digital health and to discuss how the pandemic has shifted attitudes - and regulations - around telehealth. "I can't imagine a world in which any other medication that people are on for three plus decades still needs to be picked up every month." -Chelsea Kohler Learn More at www.techedup.c...
2022-03-0322 minTech'ed UpStart-Up: Refinancing Auto Loans Online • Kevin BennettCEO of fintech startup Caribou Kevin Bennett joins Niki in the studio to lament the ‘double marginalizing experience’ of buying a car – being treated like crap and paying for the privilege.. Luckily, his D.C-based company is here to help. "We do think that the period and the time and the days of cars being reasonably priced is probably over." -Kevin Bennett Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2022-02-2416 minTech'ed UpParenting in the Algorithm Age • Kat Mauler (Google)Tech industry veteran Kat Mauler joins Niki in the studio to talk about the challenges–and opportunities–of parenting in the age of smartphones and what it’s like trying to raise ‘full-stack humans’ whose personalities aren't driven by what the algorithms reward."What I don't want is to think of this as being dystopian. What I want is to think of this as being an opportunity. We know that the world will be different in 30 years." -Kat Mauler Ideas of great parenting apps or tools or tips or tricks? Email us at techeduppodcast@gmail.com
2022-02-1726 minTech'ed UpSelf-Driving Hits the Highway • Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli (Aurora)Vice President of Partner Products, Programs & Operations of autonomous vehicle startup Aurora Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli joins Niki in the studio. They discuss how self-driving technology could transform our highways, help with our long-haul trucker shortage, and shore up America’s supply chain. “You can build the best technology in the world, but if the market isn't ready for it or doesn't want it, then, you know, what's the point?” -Lia Theodosiou-Pisanelli Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2022-02-1023 minTech'ed UpBonus: Crypto in D.C. + Buying an NFTIn today’s episode, host Niki Christoff makes some observations about the state of play for virtual currency in Washington, D.C. Contact us at techeduppodcast@gmail.comLearn about the DeFi Education Fund pollCheck out Niki's NFT Follow Niki on Twitter
2022-02-0311 minTech'ed UpAntitrust: Breaking Up Big Tech • Ashley Gold (Axios)Technology policy reporter Ashley Gold covers antitrust news for Axios based in Washington, D.C. She joins Niki in the studio to discuss the U.S. federal government’s crusade against the dominance of Big Tech', and to answer the question: Do voters really want these regulations, or has Congress lost the plot? " …we're still in sort of a wait-and-see mode to see whether any of these actions will result in fundamentally changing how tech operates, but tech is more spooked right now than they have been in a couple of years" -Ashley Gold...
2022-01-2718 minTech'ed UpLessons from Silicon Valley's C-Suite • Ann HiattFormer right-hand to legendary tech CEOs Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt Ann Hiatt joins Niki remotely to tease out the lessons she learned from her high-powered, high-stakes career spent at some of the world’s most prominent tech companies. Ann is also the author of Bet on Yourself: Recognize, Own, and Implement Breakthrough Opportunities and works as a leadership strategy consultant for entrepreneurs around the world. "I'm a big believer, especially if you're working at that pace, that your job needs to give as much to you, as you give to it." -Ann Hiatt...
2022-01-2036 minTech'ed UpThe Case for Digital Currency • Deana BurkeDeana Burke is a communications partner at Celo, a mobile-first blockchain enabling peer-to-peer payments. She joins Niki Christoff and makes the case for Bitcoin: Why should we care about it at all? Deana is passionate about making sure people who don’t work in finance or technology can participate in this “revolution in money.” She also explains what the heck are DAOs. "I think that the lesson… is that you don't have to fully understand everything that's happening in crypto. You don't have to understand every term or every idea that you come across in order to particip...
2022-01-1325 minTech'ed UpSatellites & Space Junk • Charles Miller (Lynk)Co-founder and CEO of Lynk Charles Miller joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about billionaires traveling to space (unpopular opinion: we're for it), space junk, and how 5G is not a solution to 0G. His start-up is launching a network of satellites that will connect every smartphone on the planet to broadband coverage, filling in the dead zones. "There's lots of things you can do in space that will save lives and change lives on earth." -Charles MillerLearn more about LynkFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.te...
2021-12-2322 minTech'ed UpAI: What do people think? • Leo ReesBritish tech advocacy consultancy, Milltown Partners, recently completed a first-of-its-kind study on international attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Director of Technology Policy, Leo Rees, says where you live - U.S., UK, France, or Germany - has a lot to do with how you feel about AI. Bonus: Stay tuned until the end of the episode, when Leo tells Niki about his adventure buying his first NFT. "I think that people are really optimistic about the potential of AI when they think about challenges that they know are currently too big for us with our current tools to ta...
2021-12-1621 minTech'ed UpWTF is Web3? • Sheila Warren (Crypto Council for Innovation)Founder of the blockchain and digital assets team at the World Economic Forum Sheila Warren joins Niki Christoff for a conversation about web3. What is it, what does it have to do with the metaverse, and why is it all over the news? Sheila, who is the inaugural CEO of the Crypto Council on Innovation, makes the case that the potential of decentralization lies in individual empowerment and connection. "You know, there's something really big that's happening here. And I think no matter where you are in the world, people have a sense of that and they...
2021-12-0922 minTech'ed UpMaking Sense of the Metaverse • Emily Birnbaum (POLITICO)Tech lobbying and "influence" reporter Emily Birnbaum joins Niki Christoff in the studio for a quick conversation about what the metaverse is, why Facebook changed its name to Meta, and how close we are to this virtual 3D future. Do we really have to go there? "…If they [Facebook] dominate the metaverse, if they're one of the corporations that gets in there early, then they are going to dictate the rules of the road for other people, or potentially could." -Emily BirnbaumFollow Emily on TwitterFollow Niki on Twitter Learn Mor...
2021-12-0217 minTech'ed UpThanks from Tech’ed UpHappy Thanksgiving from Tech’ed Up! Niki is popping into your feeds to thank you for tuning in and supporting the show since our launch just two months ago. We’ll be back in the studio next week with tech reporter Emily Birnbaum to unpack the metaverse.
2021-11-2500 minTech'ed UpBattling Disinformation • Camille FrançoisDisinformation expert Camille François sits down in the studio with Niki to explain what a troll farm is, how they operate, and the business of building fake online influencers. Plus, what's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? It's a game of cat and mouse between bad actors and teams trying to make social media safer. "How the hell are you going to know whether something that's fake has been propagated by someone who's there trying to deceive you, or whether it's your uncle again, who really should get off Facebook?" -Camille François Learn more abo...
2021-11-1827 minTech'ed UpCleaning Up Cyberspace • Niloo Razi HoweCybersecurity expert and tech investor Niloo Razi Howe visits the studio to talk with Niki Christoff about all things cyberspace -- from cyberbullying and ransomware to disinformation and surveillance. It's important to our national security mission that smart people engineer solutions to these problems."We have a distributed cyber Pearl Harbor happening. There's so much coming at us from so many dimensions. It's time to wake up." -Niloo Razi HoweWatch Niloo's TED TalkFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2021-11-1127 minTech'ed UpSurviving a North Korean Cyber Attack • Stevan BernardRetired head of global security for Sony Pictures Stevan Bernard wrangled a targeted North Korean cyber attack. In this episode, he walks host Niki Christoff through the hours, days, and weeks after state-sponsored hackers infiltrated the corporate computer network. The conversation covers cybercrime, gunslingers on the Dark Web, the Lazarus Group, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and the importance of having a survival mentality. "If you think that your employees are not also victims when you have a cyber attack, you're mistaken." -Stevan BernardLearn more about Stevan BernardFollow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup...
2021-11-0427 minTech'ed UpRegulating Digital Currency • SEC Commissioner Hester PeirceCommissioner Hester Peirce of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) joins Niki Christoff in the studio to chat cryptocurrency and regulators: the players and the stakes. Affectionately known as "CryptoMom," Commissioner Peirce outlines her vision of protecting investors and consumers while fostering new crypto projects. “It is understandable that there's focus on regulation at the start because we've really dragged our heels and haven't provided a clear regulatory framework.”-Hester PeirceRead Commissioner Peirce's speeches & statements Follow Niki on Twitter Learn More at www.techedup.com Check out video on YouTube Follow Niki on LinkedIn
2021-10-2828 minTech'ed UpWhat are NFTs? • Macey SmithIn the second episode of our Crypto 101 series, blockchain expert Macey Smith, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to break down non-fungible tokens (aka NFTs) for those of us who aren’t billionaire art collectors, expert gamers, or Mark Cuban. Niki and Macey chat about the Ethereum blockchain, OpenSea marketplace, CryptoPunk NFTs...and a vision for how smart contracts can create a vibrant marketplace for creators and collectors in the not-too-distant future.At the end of the day, people just like to own things that they think are cool and that they can brag about and wh...
2021-10-2120 min