IntoTexas AI Podcast

Shannon Belew

Your deep dive into AI news and trends reshaping Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas—including the impact of artificial intelligence. Hosted by Shannon Belew, IntoTexas AI brings you the most important AI stories impacting Texas—from data centers and enterprise adoption to startups, policy, and the shifting balance of power in work. Each episode delivers: The biggest AI news stories connected to Texas What it means for business leaders, innovators and investors Fast insights you can actually use It's a front-row seat to how AI is transforming one of the most important economic regions.

  1. 4d ago

    Erin Brockovich Enters the AI Debate | Why Data Centers Are Becoming a Community Issue

    What happens when one of America's most recognizable environmental advocates turns her attention to AI infrastructure? In this episode of IntoTexas AI, Shannon Belew explores Erin Brockovich's new crowdsourced data center mapping initiative and why it matters to Texas. Texas has become one of the nation's leading destinations for AI infrastructure investment, with major projects emerging across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Abilene, Red Oak, Temple, and El Paso. As AI continues to expand, so does the conversation around the physical infrastructure that powers it. This episode examines: ✅ Erin Brockovich's new data center mapping project ✅ Why Texas generated the most community submissions on the platform ✅ The difference between confirmed projects and crowdsourced reports ✅ Water, power, land use, and infrastructure considerations ✅ The recent Hill County data center moratorium in North Texas ✅ Why AI is becoming a community conversation—not just a technology conversation ✅ What might come next as communities, developers, and policymakers navigate the future of AI infrastructure This is not a story about choosing sides. It's a story about visibility, transparency, and how communities are responding as AI moves from software into the physical world. IntoTexas AI explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, infrastructure, education, workforce development, and communities across Texas. 🔗 Visit: IntoTexas.com 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly insights on AI, innovation, and the future of Texas. #AI #Texas #ErinBrockovich #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #TexasBusiness #Infrastructure #Technology #IntoTexasAI #CommunityDevelopment #AIInfrastructure #TexasTech #FutureOfAI

    16 min
  2. 5d ago

    The Rise of AI Layoff Protections and “Human First” Clauses

    Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how we work — it’s beginning to reshape how workers negotiate for protection. In this episode of IntoTexas AI, Shannon Belew examines the growing movement toward AI-related labor protections after employees at The Texas Tribune secured contractual safeguards against layoffs caused by artificial intelligence. But this story goes far beyond journalism. As AI-related layoffs increase across the United States, workers, unions, and companies are now confronting difficult questions: Should employees be protected from AI-driven job loss?Could “Human First Clauses” become standard in future employment contracts?What happens to entry-level jobs in the AI economy?And how does Texas fit into one of the biggest workforce transformations in modern history? This episode explores: AI-related layoffs and labor trends in the U.S.The Texas Tribune Guild agreementAI protections emerging in media and HollywoodThe impact of AI on younger workersThe future of unions, contracts, and workplace negotiationsWhy Texas may become a major battleground in the AI labor debate IntoTexas AI explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, infrastructure, policy, labor, and society across Texas and beyond. Subscribe for more episodes on: AI infrastructureTexas technology newsBusiness strategyWorkforce transformationData centersAI policyAutonomous systemsEnergy and AIAnd the future of work Visit: IntoTexas.com #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #Texas #TechNews #AILayoffs #Journalism #Union #Workforce #BusinessStrategy #IntoTexasAI

    22 min
  3. May 21

    Will AI Replace Engineers? AECOM and SMU Partner for Next-gen AI Infrastructure

    Can artificial intelligence transform infrastructure engineering—and what does that mean for the next generation of graduates? In this episode of IntoTexas AI, we examine how Dallas-based AECOM and Southern Methodist University are partnering to train engineers who can work alongside AI to design and build the world’s most important infrastructure projects. We also explore AECOM’s broader AI strategy, including its acquisition of Norwegian startup Consigli and the company’s ambitious effort to integrate AI into core engineering workflows. In this episode:Why AECOM partnered with SMUWhat “AI-native infrastructure engineers” meansHow AI is changing engineering careersAECOM’s $390 million acquisition of ConsigliWhy engineering firms are beginning to act like technology companiesWhat this means for students graduating into the AI eraWhy Dallas could become a global center for AI-driven infrastructure innovationFeatured Organizations:AECOMSouthern Methodist UniversityConsigliWhy this matters:As AI reshapes industries across the economy, infrastructure engineering may be one of the most important sectors to watch. The companies that combine technology, talent, and responsible deployment could define how the world is designed and built for decades to come. Subscribe to IntoTexas AI for weekly insights on artificial intelligence, business strategy, infrastructure, and the companies shaping the future in Texas and beyond. #ArtificialIntelligence #AECOM #SMU #Engineering #Infrastructure #TexasAI #AIJobs #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation #IntoTexas

    18 min
  4. May 15

    When Robots Fly Coach: How Texas Sparked a Debate About Robot Rights

    A humanoid robot named Stewie bought a ticket, buckled into a window seat, and flew on a Southwest Airlines flight to Dallas. Two days later, the airline banned all human-like and animal-like robots from both cabins and checked baggage. What happened—and what does it reveal about the future of artificial intelligence? In this episode of IntoTexas AI, Shannon Belew explores the remarkable story involving Dallas-based The Robot Studio and examines a much larger question: How should we treat our robots? Are humanoids passengers, employees, teammates, or simply advanced tools? You’ll also hear: Why humans instinctively treat robots as social beingsThe science behind “anti-robot speciesism”How robots like Sophia have challenged ideas about citizenship and rightsWhy Texas is becoming a major hub for robotics and physical AIWhat business leaders need to consider as humanoids enter the workplace From airlines and factories to hotels and hospitals, robots are moving from novelty to operational reality. This episode takes a thoughtful—and occasionally humorous—look at what the way we treat robots says about the way we see ourselves. If you’re interested in robotics, AI strategy, physical AI, and the future of human-machine relationships, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. #IntoTexasAI #PhysicalAI #HumanoidRobots #SouthwestAirlines #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #TexasTech #FutureOfWork #RobotEthics #DallasTech

    19 min
  5. May 13

    Autonomous Vehicles in Texas: A New Law and the Road Ahead

    Texas is entering a new phase in autonomous vehicle deployment — one defined not just by innovation, but by regulation, accountability, and real-world performance. In this episode of IntoTexas AI, host Shannon Belew breaks down what the state’s new authorization requirements mean for companies operating robotaxis, delivery fleets, and autonomous trucking across Texas. From new oversight by the Texas DMV to first-responder safety plans and ongoing compliance expectations, this isn’t just a policy update — it’s a shift in how autonomy scales. We also take a closer look at the companies shaping this space, including Waymo, Zoox, Tesla, Aurora, Kodiak, and others — and why Texas has become one of the most important proving grounds in the country. Beyond robotaxis, the episode explores the massive opportunity in autonomous freight and delivery — from long-haul trucking along I-35 to last-mile logistics — and what it could mean for the Texas economy, workforce, and supply chains. But what about safety and public trust? As autonomous systems continue to evolve in real time, questions around safety, certification, and public trust are becoming harder to ignore — including concerns raised by researchers at University of Texas at Austin about how to regulate technology that never stands still. Texas isn’t just adopting autonomous vehicles. It’s becoming the driving force for the next generation of transportation.

    23 min

About

Your deep dive into AI news and trends reshaping Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas—including the impact of artificial intelligence. Hosted by Shannon Belew, IntoTexas AI brings you the most important AI stories impacting Texas—from data centers and enterprise adoption to startups, policy, and the shifting balance of power in work. Each episode delivers: The biggest AI news stories connected to Texas What it means for business leaders, innovators and investors Fast insights you can actually use It's a front-row seat to how AI is transforming one of the most important economic regions.