Future Tech And Foresight

Marc Verbenkov

Emerging and future technologies and the trends that they are linked to will be covered on this podcast. From the more obvious tech like: AI, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, and The Metaverse. To less well known disruptors like: Brain-Machine Interfaces, CBDC’s, Internet of Bodies, Smart Dust, Animal Human Chimeras, 4D Printing, Under The Skin Surveillance, Bio Computers and much more. A vision of what the future may hold will be painted to alleviate some of our collective Future Shock so we can make better decisions for tomorrow. Website: https://futuretechandforesight.com/

  1. 3d ago

    The Ex Machina Moment in Business (With Artem Koren of Semby AI) - Ep #244

    Marc and Artem Koren explore how AI is evolving from passive meeting transcription to aggressive, autonomous agents that actually execute the work for you. About the Episode For the last few years, artificial intelligence has essentially acted as an advanced stenographer, neatly summarizing our calls and identifying action items. But the market has quickly moved past basic transcription and entered an era where software actually steps in to execute tasks on its own. We are now seeing the rise of proactive agents that listen to a meeting, pull context from previous interactions, and automatically generate highly tailored presentations. This massive shift means businesses are moving from simply saving time to completely overhauling their operational workflows. As these tools become more independent, the workplace is rapidly changing in ways that will deeply impact middle management. We are approaching a wild turning point where intelligent systems can independently launch sub-agents to complete complex projects without a human hitting the go button. While this offers incredible opportunities to cut costs and scale services, it also demands strict guardrails to prevent unintended consequences. Companies that fail to adapt their structures to manage this new level of autonomy risk being entirely left behind. About the Guest Artem Koren is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Sembly AI, bringing over 16 years of product management experience to the meeting intelligence space. Having applied machine learning to his work since 2009, he recognized early on that capturing the hidden value inside daily meetings could fundamentally change how teams operate. Today, his SaaS platform uses proprietary algorithms to transcribe and analyze those conversations, instantly transforming them into actionable workflows. Having watched many tech trends come and go, Artem understands exactly what it takes to turn a flashy product into a practical tool that drives real business outcomes. He advocates for a thoughtful approach to automation, ensuring that systems actually solve problems rather than just adding another layer of complex software to the stack. Through his work, Artem continues to pave the way for a future where autonomous AI teammates seamlessly work alongside human professionals to execute high-value tasks.   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akoren/   Website: https://www.sembly.ai/  Timestamps 00:00:55 - Episode Commences 00:09:00 - Meeting Intelligence Tools Benefits 00:17:16 - Technology Adoption in Business Challenges  00:22:00 - Sembly Evolution and Assembly 3.0  00:27:31 - AI Presentation Tool Sembly Demo  00:35:07 - AI Technology Implementation Challenges  00:49:59 - Episode Concludes  Additional NotesFor more check out the website: ⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    The Ex Machina Moment in Business (With Artem Koren of Semby AI) - Ep #244
  2. Aug 19

    Why AI Will Kill Traditional Sales (With Len Ward of Commexis) - Ep #243

    Marc and Len explore how the rise of agent-to-agent interactions is destroying traditional marketing, breaking down why building a centralized "company brain" is the only way to survive. About the Episode The way customers buy is fundamentally changing, moving rapidly from a "search and retrieve" world to a demand for instant problem-solving. Very soon, traditional marketing funnels will be entirely replaced by AI agents talking to other AI agents to make purchasing decisions. This means buyers will arrive at the checkout highly educated and self-directed, completely bypassing the massive sales teams companies rely on today. Businesses that cannot provide immediate, accurate answers will simply lose to smaller, faster competitors who can. To survive this massive shift, organizations must stop dragging their feet and start building what is known as a centralized company brain. This requires digging into messy, unstructured data and digitizing every piece of business information so an AI can actually access and understand it. The runway to adapt is much shorter than previous digital revolutions, meaning the window to act is closing right now. Leaders who prioritize cleaning up their data today will position their companies to dominate in a world where speed and instant answers win. About the Guest Len Ward is the founder and CEO of Commexis, an AI consulting and product development firm focused on helping businesses eliminate bottlenecks and scale through automation. He began his career as a stockbroker at Morgan Stanley and later became VP of Institutional Equity Sales and Trading at Credit Suisse, where he developed a strong ability to anticipate market trends. He brought that forward-looking mindset to Commexis, guiding its evolution from print to digital, social, and now AI-driven solutions. Today, Len works with B2B service companies to design and implement AI systems across marketing, sales, and customer service, with an emphasis on practical, results-driven solutions. Outside of work, he is active in the numismatic community and supports the cystic fibrosis community, a cause that is personal to him. Website: ⁠https://commexis.com/⁠      LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenward/⁠  Timestamps: 00:01:15 - Episode Commences 00:03:16 - AI Journey in Digital Agency  00:05:54 - AI Transition Without Job Losses  00:10:00 - AI Implementation Business Transformation 00:13:28 - AI Adoption Timeline Urgency  00:15:43 - AI-Driven Entrepreneurship Future  00:19:06 - AI Agents Impact on Sales  00:22:32 - AI's Impact on Sales Transformation  00:26:41 - AI and Data-Driven Marketing Evolution   00:49:09 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    Why AI Will Kill Traditional Sales (With Len Ward of Commexis) - Ep #243
  3. Aug 12

    Turning Messy Data Into AI Gold (With Ilan Man of Paradox Machines.) - Ep #242

    Marc and Ilan explore how the rise of AI is finally unlocking the true value of business data, breaking down why mid-market companies are perfectly positioned to outmaneuver larger enterprises through agile pilot projects and smart data governance. About the Episode The era of big data left many companies with expensive infrastructure and little return on investment, but artificial intelligence is changing the equation entirely. Today, unstructured documents can be instantly transformed into actionable insights, and chatting directly with consolidated business systems is becoming an accessible standard. For mid-market companies, the barriers to entry have fallen drastically. By prioritizing agile pilot projects over massive, rigid structural overhauls, businesses can now rapidly implement AI solutions to automate tedious workflows, accelerate development cycles, and unlock a 360-degree view of their operations without breaking the bank. However, successful integration goes far beyond simply buying the latest software, it requires a fundamental commitment to data governance and accountability. Understanding what data exists, who owns it, and how it is organized is the critical first step before any meaningful automation can occur. As the workforce evolves alongside these powerful tools, leaders must look past the hype and fear to make informed, strategic decisions. By establishing a solid data foundation today, companies can ensure they are not just reacting to technological trends, but actively architecting their competitive future. About the Guest Ilan Man, Founder and CEO of Paradox Machines, started his career in statistics and actuarial work before diving into the world of AI. Today, he watches companies rush to adopt artificial intelligence, only to hit a wall when their ambitions outpace their actual execution. He points out a simple but hard truth: most businesses aren't struggling with an AI problem, they are dealing with a massive data problem. To fix this, he helps mid-market organizations clean up their messy infrastructure so they can build a genuine competitive advantage. Because he actively builds these modern data solutions, Ilan knows exactly why some AI projects succeed while others completely flop. He pushes leaders to stop chasing the latest automation hype and instead focus on setting up rock-solid data platforms for the long haul. It's about building the right foundation today so companies aren't caught off guard tomorrow. Through his work at Paradox Machines, Ilan continues to show executives how to actively prepare for the next decade of technology instead of just reacting to it. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanman/   Website: https://www.paradoxmachines.com/ Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    Turning Messy Data Into AI Gold (With Ilan Man of Paradox Machines.) - Ep #242
  4. Aug 4

    Securing AI in the Enterprise (With Mazy Dar of Here.io) - Ep #241

    Marc and Mazy explore the hidden dangers of "shadow AI" in regulated environments and how a dedicated enterprise AI browser can solve the massive productivity drain of app fragmentation. About the Episode As organizations rush to adopt artificial intelligence, a critical bottleneck has emerged: the very tools we use to access the internet were never designed for mission-critical AI applications. While large enterprises are actively rolling out solutions like Microsoft Copilot, many are encountering significant challenges with security, compliance, and widespread "shadow AI," where employees bypass authorized systems to use consumer-grade tools. This disjointed approach is not only creating massive data leak vulnerabilities but also contributing to severe productivity losses through extreme tab overload and app fragmentation, with users switching between hundreds of tabs daily. The solution lies in reimagining the enterprise workspace itself. By transitioning to a dedicated AI browser, organizations can bring authorized artificial intelligence directly into a unified environment. This allows the AI to securely see user context and take appropriate actions across multiple applications without violating compliance protocols or getting locked into a single vendor ecosystem. The conversation dives deep into the realities of implementing these powerful technologies in highly regulated industries like finance and national security. Listeners will gain crucial insights into how rethinking the primary control plane for work will seamlessly integrate AI into existing workflows, ultimately bridging the gap between current ROI disappointments and the true potential of automated enterprise productivity. About the Guest Mazy Dar is the CEO of HERE.io and a technology veteran whose experience dates back to the dot-com boom, where he first recognized the limitations of standard web browsers for mission-critical applications. He is currently focused on building an enterprise AI browser specifically designed to address the complex challenges of AI integration in highly regulated environments. Through his work, Mazy continues to explore how rethinking the web browser can safely and effectively bring AI into the modern enterprise without compromising compliance. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mazydar/     Website: https://www.here.io/ Timestamps:  00:01:13 - Episode Commences  00:03:24 - Tech Evolution and AI Challenges  00:06:32 - Current AI Implementation Challenges  00:10:34 - AI ROI Challenges Discussion  00:15:18 - AI Productivity in Engineering Teams  00:20:55 - AI Human Collaboration in Enterprise  00:25:26 - Enterprise AI Browser Development   00:28:51 - Enterprise Browser Productivity Challenges  00:34:04 - AI Integration in Workplace Productivity    00:49:48 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    Securing AI in the Enterprise (With Mazy Dar of Here.io) - Ep #241
  5. Jul 29

    The Open-Source AI Revolution (With Eugene Cheah of Featherless AI) - Ep #240

    Marc and Eugene explore how the rapid evolution of open-source AI models is creating highly specialized, cost-effective alternatives to closed-source systems for enterprise businesses. About the Episode As artificial intelligence integrates deeper into the enterprise ecosystem, a massive shift is occurring away from centralized, closed-source models toward accessible open-source alternatives. While proprietary systems have historically dominated the market, the performance gap is shrinking rapidly. Open-source solutions now offer drop-in replacements that are up to five times more cost-effective, allowing businesses to run highly specialized AI without relying on massive, expensive infrastructure. This transition is crucial because it fundamentally changes how organizations deploy AI. Instead of relying on a single, generalized model with built-in biases, businesses can now leverage platforms hosting tens of thousands of unique models, essentially acting as an operating system for AI workloads. From language-specific adaptations for global markets to hyper-specialized models for robotics, coding, and construction safety, these accessible tools eliminate the need for extensive developer expertise or complex GPU clusters. The conversation unpacks the strategic advantages of moving from expensive, generalized AI to affordable, tailored models. Listeners will discover how to leverage these decentralized tools to enhance productivity, maintain data control, and build custom solutions that will drive competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. About the Guest Eugene Cheah is the CEO of Featherless AI, a company operating the world's largest AI model platform, currently hosting over 30,000 models with plans to scale into the millions. His journey into artificial intelligence began unexpectedly through a university hackathon project called GPU.js, which inadvertently became the backbone for running AI in web browsers for nearly six years. Today, his work focuses on simplifying AI deployment by offering serverless inference services that remove the complex technical barriers of running advanced models. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-cheah-a47791126/      Website: https://featherless.ai/ Timestamps:  00:01:03 - Episode Commences  00:03:07 - Eugene's AI Journey and Models   00:08:45 - Open-Source AI Models Discussion   00:18:29 - AI Model Deployment Trends   00:24:22 - Federalist AI Platform Expansion   00:26:46 - Efficient AI Model Fine-Tuning   00:30:15 - AI Model Customization Timeline   00:34:08 - Commercial vs Open-Source API Prices   00:36:34 - Open Source AI Model Adaptations    00:49:48 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    The Open-Source AI Revolution (With Eugene Cheah of Featherless AI) - Ep #240
  6. Jul 21

    The AI Factory Revolution (With Renan Devillieres of OSS Ventures) - Ep 239

    Marc and Renan explore how AI and software are completely rewiring global manufacturing, replacing outdated processes with automated systems that radically increase factory efficiency and profitability. About the Episode      For the last two decades, global manufacturing relied heavily on offshoring and manual labor to cut costs, but a new era of industrialization is taking over. Today, the most successful facilities are treating physical products like technology products. Instead of hiring more floor workers, cutting-edge factories are leveraging sensors, intelligent software, and artificial intelligence to monitor operations in real-time, bringing unprecedented efficiency and massive profit margins to a traditionally slow-moving sector. As geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions force a massive wave of reshoring, the race to build smarter, sovereign manufacturing capabilities is accelerating. Currently, only a small fraction of factories utilize AI to achieve industry-leading margins, but that number is expected to explode over the next decade. From generative design that optimizes material cutting to venture-backed platforms streamlining product development, automation is transforming everything from the factory floor to back-office planning.Looking forward, this software-first approach to industrialization isn't just about building faster—it's about fundamentally reshaping global economies and preparing for the next frontier. As factories become highly connected tech ecosystems, navigating cybersecurity risks and hybrid engineering will be essential. Ultimately, the transition to intelligent manufacturing lays the groundwork for sci-fi-level innovations, opening the door for future endeavors like space manufacturing and asteroid mining. About the Guest      Renan Devillieres is a former mathematics and computer science PhD student turned industrial innovator, operator, and investor. After starting his career at McKinsey & Company and gaining hands-on experience in complex factory operations, he recognized a massive gap between legacy manufacturing and modern software capabilities. Today, he is the Founder and CEO of OSS Ventures, a specialized venture builder that launches and scales tech companies designed to automate and optimize factory operations worldwide. His portfolio of startups currently serves thousands of factories, driving a new standard for industrial efficiency. Through his work, Renan continues to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, helping legacy industries evolve into highly profitable, software-driven powerhouses. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renan-devillieres/     Website: https://www.oss.ventures/ Timestamps: 00:00:55 - Episode Commences 00:03:02 - Manufacturing Evolution and Reshoring Trends  00:08:30 - Manufacturing Evolution and Technology Integration  00:12:41 - Software-Enabled Manufacturing Processes  00:15:27 - Hybrid Engineering Skills in Manufacturing  00:18:22 - Manufacturing Venture Building Business Model  00:22:15 - Manufacturing Automation Process Streamlining  00:24:39 - AI-Driven Manufacturing Design Recommendations  00:26:30 - AI Adoption in Manufacturing  00:30:29 - Global Manufacturing Transformation Opportunities  00:33:20 - Space Manufacturing and Technology Trends  00:35:07 - Asteroid Mining Future Discussion   00:38:21 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    The AI Factory Revolution (With Renan Devillieres of OSS Ventures) - Ep 239
  7. Jul 14

    The Rise of Smart Glasses and Hyper-Reality (With Cortney Harding of Friends With Holograms) - Ep #238

    Marc and Cortney explore the evolution of AR and VR technology, discussing how all-day smart glasses and immersive training are shaping our physical reality despite recent industry shifts toward AI.  About the Episode          While artificial intelligence has captured the world's funding and attention, the immersive technology sector has been quietly revolutionizing how we interact with the physical world. From all-day wearable smart glasses to high-stakes workplace training, the focus is shifting away from clunky headsets and toward a seamless digital layer that enhances our daily reality. Emerging use cases like real-time translation, accessible heads-up directions, and soft-skills development are proving that spatial computing is far from dead—it is simply maturing. As we look toward the future, the integration of AI and spatial data promises to unlock the "industrial metaverse," paving the way for physical AI models that can transform everything from robotics to urban planning. However, this level of constant connectivity brings significant challenges regarding data privacy and user consent. If we are not careful about how we design contextual notifications and manage facial recognition, we risk falling into an intrusive "hyper-reality" that distracts rather than empowers. Ultimately, the overhyped promises of completely replacing human workers are beginning to fade, making room for more practical, human-centric applications. By prioritizing comfortable form factors and sensible design principles, the next generation of wearable tech aims to augment human capabilities, keeping us grounded in the real world while giving us the tools to navigate it better.  About the Guest           Cortney Harding is a seasoned immersive technology expert and strategist who transitioned from music journalism at Billboard to the cutting edge of spatial computing. After discovering her passion for virtual reality in 2016, she has spent years shaping the AR and VR landscape by developing impactful workplace training and immersive experiences. She actively navigates the convergence of spatial data and AI, advocating for ethical design principles that prevent intrusive technology. Through her work, Cortney continues to push the boundaries of how immersive technology can safely and effectively enhance our physical world. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneyharding/       Website: https://www.friendswithholograms.com/ Timestamps:00:01:18 - Episode Commences00:04:02 - Courtney's AR/VR Industry Journey00:07:10 - Metaverse and VR Technology Challenges00:09:44 - VR Glasses Evolution Discussion00:14:54 - Glasses-Based App Ecosystem Growth00:19:35 - Smart Glasses Interaction Methods00:22:26 - VR Training Program Development00:28:10 - VR and AR Applications Discussion00:32:28 - Smart Glasses and Urban Planning00:45:41 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    The Rise of Smart Glasses and Hyper-Reality (With Cortney Harding of Friends With Holograms) - Ep #238
  8. Jul 7

    Diagnosing Disease in Minutes With AI (With Loren Larsen of Videra Health) - Ep #237

    Marc and Loren explore how AI is transforming behavioral health and medical diagnoses, discussing its potential to reduce diagnosis times from years to just minutes while combating clinician burnout. About the Episode         Many critical medical conditions, such as tardive dyskinesia and postpartum depression, often go undiagnosed for years due to the constraints of the traditional 15-minute clinical visit. AI-powered video assessments are now stepping in to bridge this gap, observing and diagnosing nuanced patient behaviors in just minutes. By leveraging advanced inference and specialized AI models outside of standard doctor visits, the medical industry can radically accelerate the time it takes for patients to receive the correct care and treatment. While the healthcare industry is notoriously slow to adopt new technology, the overwhelming burden of administrative work is forcing a change. With nearly half of behavioral health clinicians now utilizing AI note-takers, the technology is rapidly evolving from simple transcription into interactive clinical companions. These systems integrate complex medical histories, diagnostic codes, and billing, allowing providers to escape their paperwork and spend more time focusing on actual human connection and patient care. Ultimately, the future of medicine isn't about replacing doctors—it's about empowering them with systems that prevent misdiagnoses and personalize treatments. As continuous "healthcare companions" become a reality, we face profound questions about the psychological impacts of relying on artificial intelligence for medical support, and whether the massive benefits of instant health insights outweigh the risks of tech dependency. About the Guest         Loren Larsen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Videra Health, a pioneering AI-driven mental health assessment platform. Previously, he spent nearly a decade as the CTO of HireVue, where he developed advanced AI-powered video interview systems. Recognizing the massive potential for video and AI to transform patient care, he transitioned to the medical industry to focus on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He now works to democratize access to quality behavioral healthcare by building tools that amplify clinician capabilities and accelerate early disease detection. Through his work, Loren continues to explore how AI can serve as a powerful healthcare companion to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the ongoing crisis of provider burnout. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-larsen/      Website: https://viderahealth.com/ Timestamps: 00:01:08 - Episode Commences 00:03:02 - AI in Healthcare Applications  00:06:07 - AI Patient Assessment Tool Overview  00:09:23 - AI Diagnosis for Undetected Conditions  00:12:14 - AI in Medical Diagnosis  00:15:52 - AI in Medical Diagnosis Discussions  00:18:21 - Healthcare Efficiency and AI Integration  00:21:04 - Healthcare Technology Adoption Trends 00:24:29 - AI in Healthcare Integration  00:28:32 - Healthcare Data Sharing Challenges  00:31:31 - AI in Healthcare Applications   00:45:41 - Episode Concludes Additional Notes:For more check out the website: ⁠⁠https://futuretechandforesight.com/⁠⁠ Or connect with me on –Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod⁠⁠Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/

    Diagnosing Disease in Minutes With AI (With Loren Larsen of Videra Health) - Ep #237

About

Emerging and future technologies and the trends that they are linked to will be covered on this podcast. From the more obvious tech like: AI, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, and The Metaverse. To less well known disruptors like: Brain-Machine Interfaces, CBDC’s, Internet of Bodies, Smart Dust, Animal Human Chimeras, 4D Printing, Under The Skin Surveillance, Bio Computers and much more. A vision of what the future may hold will be painted to alleviate some of our collective Future Shock so we can make better decisions for tomorrow. Website: https://futuretechandforesight.com/