Dream Machines: Spatial Computing + AI

with Evan Helda
  • 5.0 (65)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Dream Machines is a podcast & newsletter exploring spatial computing, AI, and how these tools can make us more human, not less. This convergence is about to collapse the boundary between imagination and reality, unlocking human potential in ways we can barely imagine. But it's also going to challenge everything we know about the human experience—about the self, identity, presence, and connection. Which is why Dream Machines isn’t just about where technology is going—it's about where it’s taking us.... Dream Machines is hosted by Evan Helda: a writer and technologist who has been at the forefront of immersive tech (AR, VR, 3D) for the past 9 years. He's currently a business development leader for Spatial Computing at AWS (Amazon Web Services), driving go-to-market and product strategy for all things immersive tech. If you're interested new tech like the Apple Vision Pro or ChatGPT, or in interviews with exciting guests like Matthew Ball (author of 'The Metaverse'), Todd Kaplan (Curiosity expert and author of 'Curious?'), or Vince Kadlubek (co-founder of Meow Wolf), then you're in the right place! www.dreammachines.ai

  1. Alvin Wang Graylin | AI, Abundance, and Rewiring Civilization for 'Our Next Reality'

    21H AGO

    Alvin Wang Graylin | AI, Abundance, and Rewiring Civilization for 'Our Next Reality'

    Apple Podcast Link Spotify Podcast Link This interview is with Alvin Graylin — one of the boldest voices out there today on AI, reimagining civilization in the age of intelligence. Alvin is the best-selling author of the book, Our Next Reality, which is a super thought provoking exploration of how immersive tech and artificial intelligence are going to reshape every layer of society. Prior, Alvin spent over a decade on the front lines of the XR industry—building and leading HTC’s VR business in China, and serving as Chairman of the Virtual World Society. Today, Alvin's on a new mission: to help humanity navigate the AI transition—researching, writing, and evangelizing ways to ensure AI serves a greater good and unlocks an age of abundance. And While Alvin is an optimist, he’s also a realist—and he’s clear that this transition won’t be smooth unless we get a few critical things right. We talk about… * The real risks of AGI—not just killer robots, but unaligned incentives, unchecked power, and job displacement. * His call for an “AI Bill of Rights,” and why the U.S. and China must shift from competition to cooperation—perhaps through what he calls a CERN for AI. (worth checking out the link to AI Bill of Rights here) * And finally, we explore XR—not as a form of escape, but as a tool for empathy, education, and rewiring human behavior at scale. This conversation is expansive, urgent, and radical. Let’s get into it. Enjoy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 48m
  2. Philip Rosedale | Virtual Worlds, AI, and the Illusion of Self

    JUL 31

    Philip Rosedale | Virtual Worlds, AI, and the Illusion of Self

    Apple Podcast Link Spotify Podcast Link Today’s guest is a legend within spatial computing. We're speaking with Philip Rosedale, one of our spaces most renowned pioneers and the visionary founder of Second Life. Long before the 'metaverse' and 'web3' became buzz words, Second Life was the first, commercially successful, virtual world, with a self-sustaining, digital society where millions could create, trade, and become whoever they wanted to be. Philip does a lot of podcasts, so I tried to make this one unique. Call me biased, but mission accomplished. This is easily my favorite conversation of the year. We explore the enduring magic of Second Life, what it taught him about economics, identity, and why adults—not just kids—still crave virtual connection. We dive into the deep stuff—how avatars act as mirrors of the self, why virtual identity can actually reshape real-world behavior, and how platforms like Second Life may hold the key to understanding consciousness itself. We talk about the illusion of self, the Proteus Effect, and what it means to co-create identity in a shared digital world. And we ask: what happens when AI agents start growing up in these spaces? Could virtual worlds become safe playgrounds for emerging machine minds—and what might they teach us in return? We then get philosophical, in all the best ways. We explore: * Avatars as mirrors of the self * How virtual identity can reshape real-world behavior * What happens when AI agents start growing up in these spaces? Could virtual worlds become safe playgrounds for emerging machine minds—and what might they teach us in return? So, definitely strap in for this one and enjoy, its wonderfully wide-ranging, it's mind bending, and it's most importantly, full of soul... With that, I bring you Philip Rosedale. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 10m
  3. A Spatial Reckoning: Why One Industry Veteran Walked Away

    JUN 26

    A Spatial Reckoning: Why One Industry Veteran Walked Away

    Apple Podcast Link Spotify Podcast Link It’s time for some straight talk. No hype, no press release optimism, no corporate spin. Just two guys with some scar tissue—and a lot of history—talking about what’s really happening in the world of spatial computing/XR. In this episode, I sit down with Kharis O’Connell—former design leader at AR headset startup: Meta (the original Meta), Google, and Amazon. Kharis has been in the XR arena since before the game began. From early experiments with Nokia's Point & Find in 2007 to helping define zero-learning-curve design principles at (OG) Meta, he’s seen the promise, the collapse, and the recycled hype cycles firsthand. But this isn’t just a walk down memory lane. It’s a reckoning. Kharis recently left the XR industry. He’s no longer building AR glasses or pitching immersive futures to execs in Silicon Valley boardrooms. And that’s what makes this conversation special. He’s honest. Candid. Unfiltered. It’s the kind of clarity you only get once you’re no longer trying to raise funding or ship a prototype. Reasons to listen: * If you’re in the spatial computing space and having doubts * If you’ve ever wondered why AR hasn’t had its iPhone moment * If you’re building in this space and unsure whether to keep going We cover: * The philosophical vision behind the original Meta and why it failed * Why “zero learning curve” design is mostly a myth * What really happened at Google’s stealth AR program (and why it shut down) * The failure of imagination across today’s use cases (yes, cooking demos again) * Whether Apple Vision Pro was our “iPhone moment” (spoiler: it wasn’t) * How the obsession with technology becomes an echo chamber—and how Kharis broke out * The one big question every builder should ask themselves: Who is this for—and at what cost? This episode won’t give you all the neat answers. But it will definitely give you better questions. And if you’re like me—still carrying a flicker of belief that this tech can nourish the soul, not just the shareholder—then maybe that’s enough to keep going. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 39m
  4. Introducing... Dream Machines [Audio]

    JUN 21

    Introducing... Dream Machines [Audio]

    Medium Energy is now Dream Machines, narrowing the focus on the most powerful force in technology today: the convergence of spatial computing and AI. These tools are two sides of the same coin. Problem is... most people don't realize how and why. Nor do they realize what it means for their business, their careers, their children, their relationships, the list goes on. This newsletter/pod will change that. You see... Spatial computing has been misunderstood. It's far more than just AR/VR headsets and the 'metaverse'. Spatial computing is about any machine/device that can see, interact, and localize itself in the real world: this includes AR glasses, robots, drones, and self driving cars. It also includes data, of an incredibly important kind... spatial data, i.e. data with an X-Y-Z coordinate, or what I like to call... 'world data' representing people, places, and things. For decades, much of this data has lied dormant. Despite being immensely valuable, it's been woefully hard to access and to use. This ranges from 3D data (CAD, point clouds), to sensor data (IoT), to visual data of all types (photos, videos, scans) But now, the terrain is shifting, and this data has an all new raison d'être... AI is now supercharging spatial computing, and spatial is returning the favor — giving AI a body (robots), a perspective (3D computer vision), and a way to hear, navigate, and interact with the world (AR glasses). Of most importance, it will give AI real world agency, and ultimately, the feedback loop needed to unlock the holy grail: AGI (artificial general intelligence). At which point, the machines will dream, while helping humanity realize many of its dreams along the way. As such, Dream Machines isn’t just a nod to the power of spatial + AI. It’s your window into all the ways the boundary between imagination and reality is about to collapse. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    5 min
  5. The Healing Power of Immersion w/ Dr. Walter Greenleaf

    APR 20

    The Healing Power of Immersion w/ Dr. Walter Greenleaf

    Today’s episode is an inspiring ride through the future of medicine, healing, and human potential. My guest is Dr. Walter Greenleaf, a legend in the world of virtual reality and healthcare. For nearly 40 years, Walter’s been building and studying how immersive tech can treat PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, addiction, and even rewire how we think and feel. Walter's primary role today is within Stanford Universty, where a Direector within Stanford Medical Mixed Reality center, and the resident AR/VR expert within ther Virtual Human Interaction Lab. His work sits at the cutting edge of neuroscience, immersive design, and digital wellness—and he’s advised countless startups and health systems on how to bring these technologies into the real world at scale. In this conversation, we go deep on... - the rise of emotionally intelligent technology - the science of neuroplasticity, how VR can train us to be more mindful parents or more compassionate teammates - how it might soon work alongside psychedelics, AI, and even becomes a tool to explore our future selves. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 8m
  6. The Ultimate Trifecta | Digital Twins + Spatial Computing + AI

    MAR 27

    The Ultimate Trifecta | Digital Twins + Spatial Computing + AI

    * Apple Podcast Link * Spotify Podcast Link I recently sat down with Ashley Crowder, CEO of VNTANA, on her podcast Connected in 3D. We discussed all things at the intersection of spatial computing, digital twins, and AI, and where this convergence is heading within the enterprise space. We covered… * Why spatial computing is more than just headsets—it’s any system that sees and simulates the world * The real reason most companies are stuck in pilot purgatory * What a “spatial data plane” is and why companies need one * How AI + 3D data unlocks powerful new use cases—from training robots to designing factories * And why I believe generative UI will be the breakthrough that makes this all mainstream If you’re interested in using digital twins, immersive tech, or AI to make better decisions—not just more noise—this one’s worth a listen. And if you enjoy, please do give us some stars on your favorite podcast player, and please consider sharing with a friend or two! Really helps us spread the good word :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    39 min
  7. From Spatial Computing to Contextual Computing w/ Nir Daube

    MAR 4

    From Spatial Computing to Contextual Computing w/ Nir Daube

    How much of your life is spent staring at a screen? Probably more than you care to admit. Now imagine, all that distraction and friction disappearing. No more scrolling, typing, tapping. No more barriers between you and the information you need. No more heads down moments, getting lost in an array button, menus, and icons, breaking the flow of conversation and connection. Instead, AI gets unleashed from tiny text boxes. It greets you as a companion in the real world, enhances your day without distracting from it, and moves us from a world of fixed, flat UI’s to generative, spatial UI’s, adapting based upon what we’re doing, who we’re with, and where we are; perhaps even how we’re feeling… That’s the world a new startup called LIBBA is building; a world in which AR glasses and AI fuse to transform human-computer interaction, and our relationship with technology. In this episode, we’ll jump 5-10 years into the future to explore the human experience once LIBBA accomplishes this mission. How do we get there? Where are we now in the technology adoption cycle? And in classic Medium Energy fashion, we explore the philosophical questions behind this degree of merging the digital with the physical, and ask: how do we ensure that this future makes us more human—not less? To help answers these questions, I bring you Nir Daube, CEO of LIBBA. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 22m
  8. Upgrading Your Mind for the Digital Age w/ Todd Kashdan

    12/31/2024

    Upgrading Your Mind for the Digital Age w/ Todd Kashdan

    We’re closing out the year with a special one… As most of you know, part of the Medium Energy mission is to explore what it means to be human in the age of exponential technology. If that question interests you, this conversation absolutely delivers. We’re peeling back the layers of the human psyche and exploring the future of emotional and psychological well-being. At the heart of the conversation is the power of curiosity. We’ve all felt curiosity. But let’s be honest—how many of us truly know how to harness it as a tool to improve our lives? To help us do exactly that, we're speaking with Todd Kashdan, a renowned psychologist and one of the world’s top authorities on not just curiosity, but also on the psychology of well-being, psychological strength, mental agility, and social relationships. Todd is also one of my favorite authors, with numerous books that have reached millions of people. What sets his work apart is that he doesn’t just study human behavior; he dissects it, challenges it, and rebuilds it from the ground up. In doing so, he’s developed some rather contrarian takes, all of which I think are spot on. And I’m not the only one… his research is starting to blow up. He's been featured in major outlets like Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and the Hidden Brain podcast. And if that’s not impressive enough, Todd ranks in the top 1% of cited scientists worldwide, with over 225 published articles and more than 48,000 citations. So buckle up—this is a special episode with a special thinker. And spoiler alert—I’m already looking forward to doing a Part II, as we uncovered so many more ideas to unpack With that…. enjoy this first conversation with Todd Kashdan. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dreammachines.ai

    1h 6m
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About

Dream Machines is a podcast & newsletter exploring spatial computing, AI, and how these tools can make us more human, not less. This convergence is about to collapse the boundary between imagination and reality, unlocking human potential in ways we can barely imagine. But it's also going to challenge everything we know about the human experience—about the self, identity, presence, and connection. Which is why Dream Machines isn’t just about where technology is going—it's about where it’s taking us.... Dream Machines is hosted by Evan Helda: a writer and technologist who has been at the forefront of immersive tech (AR, VR, 3D) for the past 9 years. He's currently a business development leader for Spatial Computing at AWS (Amazon Web Services), driving go-to-market and product strategy for all things immersive tech. If you're interested new tech like the Apple Vision Pro or ChatGPT, or in interviews with exciting guests like Matthew Ball (author of 'The Metaverse'), Todd Kaplan (Curiosity expert and author of 'Curious?'), or Vince Kadlubek (co-founder of Meow Wolf), then you're in the right place! www.dreammachines.ai

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