Thoughts On Tech & Things

Jason Michael Perry
  • 5.0 (11)
  • BUSINESS

Thoughts on Tech & Things helps you make sense of emerging technologies and what it means for work, life, and business. From AI to quantum and the systems shaping our future, Jason explains what's actually happening and why it matters, with rare clarity, curiosity, and a perspective grounded in real-world experience. Jason Michael Perry is a technologist, entrepreneur, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PerryLabs, a technology company operating at the intersection of AI, robotics, quantum computing, and emerging technologies. With over two decades of experience spanning startups, government agencies, and Fortune 50 companies, Jason brings the rare ability to build what others are still trying to explain. Meet Jason Explore PerryLabs

  1. Are You Ready to Pivot or Die?

    4D AGO

    Are You Ready to Pivot or Die?

    Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Gary Shapiro, Executive Chair of the Consumer Technology Association and the man who led CES for more than 35 years, for a conversation about what it really takes to pivot when everything around you is changing. Recorded on site at CTA's headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, this episode traces the arc of pivoting through Gary's career: from the forced pivot of taking CES fully virtual during COVID, to the slow-burn evolution of technologies like AI and robotics on the show floor, to the policy fights shaping what technology actually reaches consumers. Gary shares the framework from his book Pivot or Die — the startup pivot, the forced pivot, the failure pivot, and the success pivot — and explains why even the smartest leaders struggle with change. They dig into AI adoption, the Trump administration's new AI policy framework, autonomous vehicles stalling in Maryland, the intensifying tech race with China, and what 35 years of walking the CES floor teaches you about separating the breakthroughs from the flameouts. The conversation closes with Gary's own pivot — stepping from CEO to Executive Chair — and with the question of whether Kinsey Fabrizio will let him get a ticket to next year's show. Podcast Notes & Links Gary's latest book, laying out his four-type pivot framework, drawn from decades of leading CTA and watching companies rise and fall at CES The trade association representing more than 2,200 consumer technology companies, the owner and producer of CES Waymo's push to bring autonomous ride-hailing to Baltimore stalls as the Maryland legislature ends its session without passing the bill A deeper look at the regulatory gap keeping driverless cars parked in Maryland while Waymo expands to Dallas, Nashville, and other cities CTA's overview of CES 2026, where robotics and physical AI dominated the show floor A humanoid robot named Lightning finished the Beijing half-marathon in 50 minutes, beating the human world record by nearly seven minutes — then crashed into a barricade at the finish line Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producer Shanya Mapson, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    48 min
  2. Why are Maryland's Electric Bills Rising?

    APR 17

    Why are Maryland's Electric Bills Rising?

    Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Jason Stanek, Executive Director of Governmental Services at PJM Interconnection, to unpack why Maryland electricity bills keep climbing — and how the structure of the grid itself is at the center of the problem. Maryland is a net importer — the state produces about 60 percent of the electricity it uses and buys the rest from the regional market. Stanek explains what that actually means: who generates power, who moves it, and who delivers it to your door. He walks through how PJM — the organization that coordinates electricity across 13 states and 65 million people — fits into the system, and why Maryland’s dependence on regional supply has become so expensive as data center demand drives capacity costs sharply higher. The conversation covers the double squeeze on Maryland ratepayers: BGE’s multi-year infrastructure investment plan pushing distribution costs up at the same time that regional generation costs are rising. Stanek also explains the stalled renewable buildout, the fight over the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project transmission line, and what a new deal between Entergy Louisiana and Meta suggests about how states can push data centers to pay their fair share. Plus: what regular Marylanders can actually do about their bills, including BGE’s time-of-use rate program that rewards off-peak energy use. Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: PerryLabs   Invested in AI but is not seeing results? You’re not alone. PerryLabs helps organizations find what’s working and build what’s next. Start with our AI Assessment at PerryLabs.io HoopDee   Got a baby on the way? HoopDee tracks breast milk and formula with our smart Hoops and free app so you always know what’s fresh, what’s next, and what’s expired. Save 20% off using promo code: thoughts. For more information, visit gethoopdee.com. Podcast Notes & Links PJM Interconnection — Who We Are EIA State Energy Profiles — Maryland WYPR — What Would Happen If Maryland Left the Nation's Largest Power Grid? CNS Maryland — As Data Centers Multiply, Maryland's Power Grid Struggles to Keep Up BGE Residential EV Programs & Time-of-Use Rate TechCrunch — $1B DOE Loan to Restart Three Mile Island Anthropic Exposed 512,000 Lines of Its Own Code WTCI AGILE: Energy Discussion with Panelists Including Jason Stanek Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producer Shanya Mapson, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    39 min
  3. Is Your Next Outfit Designed by AI?

    APR 3

    Is Your Next Outfit Designed by AI?

    Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Janey Park, founder of The Digital Runway and global marketing strategist, to explore how AI is reshaping the fashion industry — from the design studio to your shopping cart. In this episode, they dig into fashion's long history of failed tech experiments (remember Google's touch-sensitive Levi's jacket?), the Vogue controversy over AI-generated models, virtual try-on tools that create a digital version of you from a selfie, and whether AI can actually have good taste. Janey brings more than 20 years of experience at brands like LVMH, Elizabeth Arden, and Nordstrom, and breaks down what's hype, what's real, and what every consumer should be paying attention to. Sponsors PerryLabs Invested in AI but not seeing results? You're not alone. PerryLabs helps organizations find what's working and build what's next. Start with our AI Assessment at PerryLabs.io World Trade Center Institute The growth path shouldn't stop at the border. WTCI provides the connections, knowledge, and global network Maryland's most ambitious leaders need to scale. Start your global journey at wtci.org Podcast Notes & Links The Digital Runway Newsletter — Janey Park AI Models in Vogue: Your Favorite Model May Not Be Real — CNN AI Has Officially Entered the Fashion Week Conversation — Vogue Fashion AI Expo Debuts During Paris Fashion Week 2026 — Fashion Week Online CFDA and OpenAI Launch Innovation Hub — WWD AI's Big Shopping Breakthrough — Business of Fashion Google's AI Try-On Feature Now Works With Just a Selfie — TechCrunch AI Is Shaking Up Fashion's Workforce — Business of Fashion / McKinsey State of Fashion 2026 Meta Sued Over Smart Glasses Privacy Concerns — TechCrunch Think Twice Before Buying or Using Meta's Ray-Bans — EFF Google + Levi's Project Jacquard — Levi Strauss & Co. Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producers Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shania Mapson, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    37 min
  4. What Is OpenClaw, Really?

    MAR 19

    What Is OpenClaw, Really?

    Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Marcus Penny, VP of Technology and Digital Services at Bruce Bolt and founder of boutique AI consulting firm Techabo, to dig into one of the most talked-about — and least understood — tools in tech right now: OpenClaw. In this episode, they unpack what OpenClaw actually is, why it feels so different from anything we’ve seen before, and what it really means when an AI can wake up on its own schedule, manage a team of other AIs, and take actions on your behalf — whether you’re watching or not. Marcus brings a practitioner’s eye: real workflows, real failures, and a clear-eyed take on where the hype ends and the genuine opportunity begins. Podcast Notes & Links OpenClaw OpenClaw Security Fears Lead Meta, Other AI Firms to Restrict Its Use – Ars Technica After All the Hype, Some AI Experts Don’t Think OpenClaw Is All That Exciting – TechCrunch Apple Mac Mini Is Having a Moment Thanks to the OpenClaw Craze – Business Insider Personal Computer – Perplexity OpenAI Hires OpenClaw Creator Peter Steinberger – Fortune What Is Moltbook, the Viral Social Media Platform for AI Agents? – Mashable Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producers Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shania Mapson, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    29 min
  5. What does a Chief AI Officer do?

    MAR 5

    What does a Chief AI Officer do?

    What does a Chief AI Officer do? Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Andy Quick, former Chief AI Officer at Entergy, to explore what it actually means to lead AI inside a Fortune 500 company. In this episode, they unpack what a Chief AI Officer actually does inside a Fortune 500 company. Andy shares what it takes to align AI with business outcomes in a regulated utility, how to plan when models evolve faster than enterprise cycles, and why process maturity matters. Podcast Notes & Links Chief AI Officers Made Enterprise Inroads in 2024 – CIO Dive / Altrata Frequent Use of AI in the Workplace Continued to Rise in Q4 – Gallup The GenAI Divide: State of AI in Business 2025 – MIT Project NANDA / Fortune Project Vend: Phase Two – Anthropic Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, producers Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shania Mapso, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    41 min
  6. WTCI Agile Presents: Can You Trust What You See Anymore?

    FEB 18

    WTCI Agile Presents: Can You Trust What You See Anymore?

    Episode: WTCI Agile Presents Episode Title: WTCI Agile Presents: Can You Trust What You See Anymore? Host Jason Michael Perry brings a special live episode from the World Trade Center Institute Agile Global Innovation Series , hosted in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School . Joined by panelists Tina Williams-Koroma , Yolanda Reid , and Joel M. Benge , with an introduction from Eddie Resende , Jason explores how cybersecurity is evolving in a world where AI can fake voices, faces, writing styles — even entire digital identities. The conversation moves beyond traditional hacking and into something more foundational: what happens when reality itself becomes manipulatable? From deepfake fraud to AI agents running autonomous businesses, this episode unpacks how trust is becoming the most important — and most fragile — infrastructure we have. Podcast Notes & Links Real or AI-generated: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/30/nx-s1-5610951/fake-ai-videos-slop-quiz Molty – AI-driven social personas and automation experiments: https://www.molty.me/ Moltbook – AI-powered social network concept: https://www.moltbook.com/ Project Vend 1 – Anthropic research on autonomous AI running a small business: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-1 Project Vend 2 – Follow-up research on AI autonomy and economic impact: https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-2 Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Special thanks to the World Trade Center Institute and the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School for hosting this event. Thanks to the team at WYPR, producers Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shanya Mapso, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    1 hr
  7. Is Solving Disability the Real Test of Emerging Technology?

    FEB 11

    Is Solving Disability the Real Test of Emerging Technology?

    Episode 9: Is Solving Disability the Real Test of Emerging Technology? Episode 9: Is Solving Disability the Real Test of Emerging Technology? Show: Thoughts on Tech & Things Host: Jason Michael Perry Guest: Rebecca Rosenberg, Founder & CEO of Rebokeh Show Description Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Rebecca Rosenberg, Founder & CEO of Rebokeh, to explore how technology is reshaping what it means to see — and what accessibility can teach us about innovation. From everyday tools like glasses to emerging vision and mobility technologies, they unpack how design that meets people where they are can expand independence, dignity, and opportunity. Jason and Rebecca dig into the business and human sides of accessibility: why companies overlook a trillion-dollar market, how designing for difference can spark better products, and where frontiers like AI vision and neural implants might take us next. They also ask the big question — when technology doesn’t just restore ability but changes perception, what does that mean for being human? Podcast Notes & Links Core sources referenced in the episode Accessibility at CES – CESRebecca Rosenberg Speaker Profile – CESGlobal Economics of Disability 2024 – Return on Disability GroupBrain Implant Restores Partial Vision – BBC NewsMoltbook and AI Social Agents – The Guardian Additional links mentioned NAQI LogixWaymo as a blind person (Reddit thread)Moltbook (site)Moltbook (Wikipedia) Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the newsletterFeedback / questions / guest suggestions Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producers Sam Bermas-Dawes and Shania Mapson, and PerryLabs’ Head of Operations and Marketing, Myrna Martinez.

    28 min
  8. How Is AI Rewriting the Job Market?

    JAN 28

    How Is AI Rewriting the Job Market?

    Host Jason Michael Perry sits down with Chris Frew, founder and CEO of BioBuzz and CEO of Workforce Genetics, to explore how AI is reshaping the job market — not just by changing what work looks like, but how people get hired in the first place. In this episode, they dig into what Jason calls an “AI arms race” in hiring, where job seekers and employers are both using automation at scale. From AI-powered résumé tools and applicant tracking systems to first-round interviews conducted by bots, Chris breaks down how recruiters are navigating record application volumes — and what candidates can do to stand out when every résumé suddenly looks perfect. Podcast Notes & Links How AI Is Impacting Job Growth – JPMorgan AI, Jobs, and the Résumé Wars – Thoughts on Tech & Things Newsletter Teal Resume Builder – AI-Powered Job Application Tool LazyApply – Automated AI Job Application Tool Subscribe & Contact Subscribe to the Thoughts on Tech & Things newsletter: jasonmperry.com/newsletter Send feedback, questions, or guest suggestions: jasonmperry.com/contact Credits Thanks to the team at WYPR, our producer Sam Bermas-Dawes, and Myrna Martinez, Head of Operations and Marketing at PerryLabs.

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Thoughts on Tech & Things helps you make sense of emerging technologies and what it means for work, life, and business. From AI to quantum and the systems shaping our future, Jason explains what's actually happening and why it matters, with rare clarity, curiosity, and a perspective grounded in real-world experience. Jason Michael Perry is a technologist, entrepreneur, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PerryLabs, a technology company operating at the intersection of AI, robotics, quantum computing, and emerging technologies. With over two decades of experience spanning startups, government agencies, and Fortune 50 companies, Jason brings the rare ability to build what others are still trying to explain. Meet Jason Explore PerryLabs

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Michael Perry
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 WYPR Baltimore
  • Show Website
    Thoughts On Tech & Things

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