Stay ConnectedWhat’s happening on the frontlines of tech? Tune in for a zippy conversation 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.
Tech’ed Up is on hiatus – subscribe on YouTube or listen on your podcast app of choice.
Copyright: © 2024 Tech'ed Up
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 know that it's coming through a digital environment." -Sheila Warren
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 Birnbaum
Disinformation 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
Cybersecurity 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 Howe
Retired 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 Bernard
Commissioner 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 Peirce
In 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 whether it's something physical or not- digital is sexy now, y’know? - Macey Smith
White House deputy press secretary and former Bitfury exec Jamie Smith joins Niki Christoff in the studio to explain the basics of blockchain technology. She says it’s time for all of us to start paying attention to this space. And it's totally okay if you don’t understand it yet.
"I would say to tech companies who work in this space: it's time to be, you know, a full grownup. Avoiding Washington is not possible. It is not an option." -Jamie Smith
Former Congressman and ex-CIA operative, Will Hurd, joins Niki Christoff in the studio to talk about the power and potential of artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the basics of AI and 5G, the Chinese government's global ambitions, why Rep. Hurd believes we're in the midst of a new Cold War, and how he thinks the United States can catch up. His new book, American Reboot, expands on this vision for U.S. competitiveness.
“We have AI now that can help farmers grow more crops, use less water, use less land. Hello?! Why would we not try to push that and move at lightspeed in order to pull that off?”- Will Hurd
New York Times technology reporter and Pulitzer finalist, Cecilia Kang, joins host Niki Christoff in the studio to talk all things Facebook. Taped the same day Congress grilled company executives over Instagram's effect on kids, this conversation covers Facebook's unusual corporate structure and how its apps are used around the world. Bonus: hot takes on Mark Zuckerberg’s tweenage ambition to be a modern-day Roman emperor.
“I think the key here is that they don't for a moment tap the brakes. [Facebook’s] goal continues to be: more and more engagement and staying ahead and growth and scaling.” -Cecila Kang
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
