37 episodes
Breaking the 20% Black Lemon Podcasts
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- Technology
Before computers were machines, they were women! For a span of two centuries the term "computer" was effectively interchangeable with a woman tasked with the role of a human calculator, adept at solving intricate mathematical problems. Then World War II started and men decided to build computers. Despite their zeal to build the machines, they had no interest in programming them, so they left the job to the women. Women, under the leadership of figures like Grace Hopper, played a pivotal role in shaping the burgeoning industry. And then, in 1984, everything changed. Women exited and the men became the programmers, the software engineers, and the "rock stars" of the digital epoch. Today merely 20% of IT degrees are being awarded to women. In this podcast with the help of my wonderful guests, we delve into the chronicles of these forgotten women, the trailblazers who guided us into the digital era.
This podcast explores the amazing lives of women who pioneered the early years, and why the women left. We also talk about the women who are proving today that we can still make it, we can still lead the industry. And finally, we try to find the magic formula to break the 20% and bring back the women.
Let's break the 20%!
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Jia Tan, XZ Utils and the perils of trust with Andreas Constantinides
This week Andreas Constantinides, a renowned cybersecurity expert, joins me to help me uncover the alarming case of Jia Tan—a fabricated identity at the center of a sophisticated cyber espionage operation. Andreas lends his extensive expertise as we analyze how Jia Tan, seemingly a diligent contributor to open-source projects like XZ Utils, was a cover for a collective executing a long-term backdoor placement in critical software infrastructure. This episode not only explores the broader implications of trust and security in the open-source community but also discusses the fact that female personas are commonly used by hackers in long-sting operations. Join us as we piece together the digital puzzle that nearly compromised millions of servers worldwide.
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Xenia Miscouridou on Statistics, AI, Public Health, and Women in Tech
This week I am joined by Xenia Miscouridou, a pioneer in the realm of artificial intelligence and a beacon for women in science. Celebrated on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Xenia stands at the forefront of machine learning research. Her academic journey has taken her from Imperial College London, Cambridge, and Oxford University, to New York and Switzerland, to her current lectureship at the University of Cyprus, intertwining research with a dedication to teaching. We explore her academic ventures, her influence on global health through AI, and explainability in machine learning. We also illuminate her dedication to fostering female representation in the science and tech world.
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Discussing Kara Swisher's 'Burn Book' with Alexander Davidian
In this episode, I am joined by Alexander Davidian, an insightful observer of the Cypriot startup scene. Together, we unpack the no-holds-barred narrative of Kara Swisher in her latest book, "Burn Book". We dive into Kara's fearless world, discussing her unique style that combines tough questioning with biting humor. From an aspiring CIA operative to tech journalism’s most potent force, they explore Kara’s evolution and her revelations about Silicon Valley's tech bros. This episode is more than just a book review; it's a recognition of Swisher's role in holding tech titans to account, her razor-sharp predictions, and her ability to secure groundbreaking interviews.
If the episode leaves you wanting more then buy the book, follow Kara on X, and tune in to listen to her 2 podcasts, Pivot and On with Kara Swisher.
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Future Start-Up Founders Programme with Neofytos Xenofontos
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Neofytos about the Future Start-Up Founders Programme, an initiative organized by the CCS and co-funded by the Erasmus+ EU project, Femme Forward. This online school is designed to empower women to turn their tech start-up aspirations into reality, mirroring our podcast's mission to illuminate and support the pivotal role of women in the tech industry. We talk about the program's highlights, including its comprehensive curriculum that spans business and tech concepts, soft skills, and empowerment, all tailored for women eager to pioneer their own businesses in the tech realm but also about the significance of such initiatives in fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem, where women are not just participants but leaders shaping the future.
Find out more about the program and register by visiting https://www.startupschoolcyprus.com/ffsf2024/.
To find out more about Cyprus Computer Society visit https://ccs.org.cy/.
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Digital Divas with Andreas "Splash" Kyriacou & Christina Tryphonos
This week we leave reality at the door and dive into the world of fiction! Today, we're logging into the mainframe of our imaginations to celebrate the digital divas who've hacked, coded, and innovated their way through some of our favorite stories. 🎮💻👩💻
Joining me to decode the stories of these iconic characters are digital storytellers, Andreas and Christina. As directors, they know a thing or two about crafting compelling narratives, and they're here to help me read between the code lines. So, plug in, power up, and let us know if you agree with our list of selected heroines or not.
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A Dialogue with Cyprus' Chief Scientist, Demetris Skourides
Mr. Demetris Skourides is the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology appointed by President Nikos Christodoulides. Since his appointment in September 2023, Mr. Skourides has been entrusted with the pivotal role of leading Cyprus towards becoming a dynamic and competitive economy, propelled by research, scientific excellence, innovation, technological development, and entrepreneurship. Join us in this enlightening interview as we unravel Mr. Skourides' career path, his goals for the future, and his strategic vision for positioning Cyprus as a regional powerhouse in research and innovation. Explore the initiatives and projects driving this transformative agenda, and gain insights into the critical role of businesses, digital transformation, and AI in shaping Cyprus's future landscape.
more episodes at www.blacklemon.tv