OPEN Tech Talks: Technology worth Talking| Emerging Tech |Tools & Tips Kashif Manzoor

Large language models (LLMs) significantly influence creative writers who write books by offering new tools for generating ideas, improving drafts, and overcoming writer's block.
These models can suggest plot ideas, develop character dialogues, or even write entire sections of text, which writers can then refine and integrate into their work. This collaboration can increase productivity and creativity, allowing writers to explore new styles and narratives.
LLMs can understand and generate human-like text based on their training from vast literature and online content. This enables them to assist in creative writing by providing relevant and contextually appropriate text suggestions.

Today, we spoke to an accomplished writer who is a master in his field, and we discussed how LLMs will help or impact the creative writing process. 
Episode # 133
Today’s Guest: Alex Shvartsman, Writer, Anthologist,  and Translator from Brooklyn, NY. He’s the author of Kakistocracy (2023), The Middling Affliction (2022), and Eridani’s Crown (2019) fantasy novels. Over 120 of his short stories have appeared in Analog, Nature, Strange Horizons, and many other venues.
Website: AlexShvartsman Twitter/X: AlexShvartsman Dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and creativity with Alex Shvartsman, a celebrated writer and translator, as he explores the evolving capabilities of AI in literature.
What Listeners Will Learn:
The capabilities of current large language models in writing creative books and how these tools are shaping the literary landscape. The potential future developments in large language models and their ability to produce highly creative works such as novels and poetry. The impact of transformative technologies like AI on society and how they redefine our interaction with creativity and culture. Practical advice on beginning creative writing or general writing, offering insights catering to novice writers and seasoned authors. The interaction between artificial intelligence and creative endeavors explores how AI can collaborate with human creativity in the arts. Resources: AlexShvartsman Session 111 - Writing in the Age of AI: A Deep Dive with a 300-Book Author

In recent years, how we interact with technology has dramatically shifted, largely thanks to the advancements in Generative AI. This leap forward has transformed virtual assistants and voice user interfaces, making our interactions with different brands more accessible, more engaging, and human-like.
Generative AI has empowered virtual assistants to understand and respond in incredibly natural ways. For example, when you ask a virtual assistant powered by Generative AI for cooking advice, it can provide recipes, tips, alternatives for missing ingredients, and follow-up questions to tailor the advice further. This depth of interaction makes using voice user interfaces more like chatting with a knowledgeable friend than issuing commands to a machine.
The revolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) in virtual assistants and voice user interfaces marks a significant milestone in our journey with technology. It's not just about the convenience of hands-free commands anymore; it's about creating a more intuitive, accessible, and personalized experience. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect our digital companions to become even more integrated into our daily lives, making technology a tool and a partner.
Episode # 132
Today’s Guest: Kevin Surace, Chairman & CTO, Appvance AI. Globally recognized futurist, inventor, and innovation leader credited as the pioneer of virtual assistants Website: Kevin Surace Linkedin: Kevin This podcast offers invaluable insights into how AI and technology can bridge educational gaps, challenge traditional learning methods, and pave the way for a future where every student has the tools to succeed.
What Listeners Will Learn:
Why is everyone talking about generative AI, and what new content can it create? What do Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) need to understand about generative AI's capabilities and limitations? What are the main concerns surrounding Generative AI, including content accuracy and ethical use? What are the common areas to focus on when utilizing generative AI to enhance creativity and improve efficiency? How should organizations manage the changes brought about by introducing AI technologies? In what ways can generative AI and huge language models impact customer support? Why are ethical considerations and bias management crucial in AI development? What should be considered to ensure the ethical use of open-source large language models? Resources: Kevin Surace  

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational technology sector is revolutionizing the learning and teaching landscape. As AI continues to advance, its application within education is not just enhancing educational experiences but is fundamentally transforming the industry. 
From personalized learning paths to intelligent tutoring systems, AI in education unlocks unprecedented opportunities for students and educators alike, setting the stage for a future where education is more accessible, efficient, and tailored to individual needs.
In our earlier podcast session 126, we talked to the founders of AI Teacher about how they are using Generative AI for secondary school teachers. 
In today's enlightening episode, we had the privilege of interviewing the founder of Plabook, a revolutionary educational tool designed to transform how we approach oral reading fluency and comprehension in students.
Plabook stands out by leveraging advanced speech recognition technology to listen to students as they read, providing instant, personalized feedback and smart recommendations. 

This innovative platform assesses reading abilities and delves deep into understanding each student's unique strengths and weaknesses through diagnostic reports. These reports are powerful tools for teachers and parents, offering insights to support and enhance the learning journey. Throughout our discussion, we explored Plabook's inception, development, and impact on the educational landscape, uncovering the vision and challenges behind integrating AI into education.
Episode # 131
Today’s Guest: Dr. Phil Hickman, Founder / CEO PlaBook Website: PlaBookEducation Linkedin: Dr. Phil This podcast offers invaluable insights into how AI and technology can bridge educational gaps, challenge traditional learning methods, and pave the way for a future where every student has the tools to succeed.
What Listeners Will Learn:
In today’s podcast, you’ll gain insights into several key areas:
Exploring Use of Speech Recognition for Feedback: Discover the role of advanced speech recognition in providing real-time, tailored feedback to students. Understanding the Impact of Plabook on English Reading Comprehension: Gain insights into how Plabook is transforming the approach to teaching and assessing reading fluency. The Journey from Pilot to Validation: Learn about initial testing phases and the validation of its innovative concept. Adapting to Diverse Dialects and Languages: Find out how accommodates the linguistic diversity of its users. The Educational Sector’s Response to AI Innovations: Delve into how new technologies like Plabook are being received and adopted in educational settings. Anticipating Future Educational Innovations: Get a glimpse of potential advancements and changes in the education sector influenced by AI technology. Resources: Website: PlaBookEducation Linkedin: Dr. Phil Meet AI Teacher: The Future of AI in Education Unveiled with Dr Pauldy Otermans and Dev Aditya  

In our connected world, keeping our online spaces secure is a top priority for everyone - businesses, startups, and individuals alike. Today's episode is all about making cybersecurity simple and accessible. We'll cover how to start protecting yourself and your organization, address the need for more skilled professionals, and examine how new technologies make security brighter. Suppose you've ever wondered about the best ways to stay safe online. In that case, this conversation is for you about what it takes to build a career in cybersecurity or how innovation is shaping the future of protection. Let's dive in together and learn how to keep our digital lives safe and sound.
Before inviting the guest speaker, I will also discuss my experience attending WebSummit Qatar and some of the latest news from the Leap 2024 event in Saudi Arabia.
We all now must be aware that the consequences of neglecting cybersecurity can be dire, from personal data breaches to large-scale attacks on corporations and governments. I know we hate to keep long-digit passwords, but there is so much happening in the security world that we all need to be extra conscious and take serious steps.
Episode # 130
Today's Guest: Nick Lorizio, Founder, AstuteTechnologists Website: AstuteTechnologists Linkedin: NickLorizio The insights into cybersecurity include learning how to bolster security within your organizations and personal digital spaces.
What Listeners Will Learn:
In today's podcast, you'll gain insights into several key areas:
Understanding Security Necessities: Learn why individuals and organizations must prioritize cybersecurity, recognizing the unique challenges each faces and the critical importance of investment in this area for protecting data and ensuring operational continuity.
Innovation in Security: Learn about the inspiration behind developing a security product, identifying market needs, and how innovative technologies like AI are integrated into cybersecurity solutions to enhance protection and efficiency. Guidance for Startups: Discover tailored advice for startups or those early in product development on embedding cybersecurity measures from the outset, ensuring a secure foundation as they scale.
Personal Security Strategies: Gain strategies and best practices that individuals can adopt to safeguard themselves in the digital world.
Addressing Talent Shortage: Explore the current landscape of cybersecurity talent shortage, understand its impact on the industry, and learn about ways to mitigate this issue through education, training, and community engagement.
Career Growth in Cybersecurity: Receive suggestions for individuals looking to start or advance their careers in cybersecurity, including educational paths, skill development, and networking strategies.
Foundational Insights: Hear firsthand about the biggest mistakes to avoid as a founder and the key traits to look for when building a team, providing a deeper understanding of the leadership and decision-making process in the cybersecurity sector.
Resources: Website: AstuteTechnologists Linkedin: NickLorizio Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit Groq

Welcome to today's episode of "Open Tech Talks," where we delve deep into the digital economy's convergence of technology, business, and creativity. Our focus today centers on the transformative wave of Web3 technologies, with a special spotlight on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and how they revolutionize customer engagement and loyalty programs across industries.
The advent of Web3 has ushered in a new era of digital interaction characterized by decentralized networks, blockchain technology, and a strong emphasis on digital ownership and assets. NFTs have emerged as a groundbreaking concept, offering verifiable ownership of unique digital items through blockchain technology. In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting the President of SHOPX, a leading platform at the forefront of integrating NFTs into the retail and e-commerce sectors to create unparalleled customer experiences.
Episode # 129
Today’s Guest: Eric Mchugh, President at SHOPX Labs and Chief Growth Officer at Dataing Website: ShopX Linkedin: EricMchugh We'll explore SHOPX's journey within the rapidly evolving landscape of Web3 and e-commerce, understanding how the platform leverages NFTs to empower brands and consumers.
What Listeners Will Learn:
In today’s podcast, you’ll gain insights into several key areas:
An understanding of how NFTs and Web3 technologies create new customer engagement and loyalty paradigms. Insights into the practical applications and benefits of integrating NFTs into e-commerce and retail strategies. Strategies for navigating the challenges of adopting Web3 technologies in traditional business models. Inspiration from successful case studies of brands leveraging SHOPX to enhance customer experience and drive growth. Resources: Website: ShopX Linkedin: EricMchugh

In today's digital era, we are bombarded with overwhelming information on our screens daily. This flood of data creates a significant problem: filtering through the massive content to find what truly matters and what should be avoided. We must identify information that captures our interest, enhances our understanding, and enriches our lives rather than just being controlled by the algorithms' contents.
To tackle this challenge, we must develop strategies and tools that help us efficiently access high-quality, relevant content amidst the constant buzz. It requires a discerning eye to differentiate valuable content from the trivial, ensuring that what we consume contributes positively to our knowledge, well-being, and satisfaction. It is quite a challenging task, and even before making it into a task, there needs to be awareness that, yes, this is the challenge that we as humans are getting content from the algorithms to support the interest of these platforms.
In addition, promoting digital literacy plays a crucial role in this context. Educating internet users on effectively searching for, evaluating, and engaging with digital content can empower them to make informed decisions about what they read, watch, and listen to online. This knowledge is invaluable in an age where the quality of information can significantly impact our perceptions, decisions, and actions.
Ultimately, our goal is to transform the challenge of information overload into an opportunity for growth, learning, and enrichment. By leveraging advanced technologies, fostering critical skills, and promoting high standards of content quality, we can create a digital environment where abundant information becomes an asset rather than a hindrance.
Episode # 128
Today's Guest: Alex Fink, Chief Executive Officer, OtherWeb Website: OtherWeb Linkedin: Alex Fink From the insightful conversation with the CEO of OtherWeb, listeners will have the opportunity to explore several key questions that illuminate the process of creating a more enriching digital content landscape:
What Listeners Will Learn:
What are the 'secret recipes' behind OtherWeb's successful use of AI in personalizing user content over the last two years?
How does one tackle labeling, particularly in categorizing content by neutrality, tone, and identifying offensive language or hate speech?
What are the critical characteristics of hiring data scientists and AI engineers to drive innovation and ethical AI development?
Why is it essential for individuals to be as selective with the information they consume digitally as they are with the food they consume?
Resources: OtherWeb