Imagine a future where the emerging tech radically transforms human dating experiences.

On this episode of TechMagic, tech futurist Cathy Hackl explores first hand the future of love and dating in the age of AI and humanoid robots. Cathy’s experiment with AI matchmaking shows its impact and limitations on human connections. The hosts discuss the importance of preserving human interactions and communications using the AI tech.

Come for Tech, Stay for Magic!

Cathy Hackl Bio

Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She’s one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming.

Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, and more.

Cathy Hackl on LinkedIn

Spatial Dynamics on LinkedIn

Lee Kebler Bio

Lee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.

Lee Kebler on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights:

• Cathy Interviews Two Humanoid Robots - Cathy speaks with two humanoid robots on love and connection, gaining insights into how AI is responding to questions all about love

• The Impact of AI in Modern Dating - Cathy shares an insightful perspective about the need for human connection over dating a humanoid robot. She highlights the reality of the dating space which is to find warmth, connection and presence which isn’t provided by AI.

• The AI Dating Models - Cathy discusses one of her experiments with AI matchmaking which was to bring two people together at a TED event she attended and find out if they are a match, she finds out that the couple who were a match met a day prior and had experienced a connection. This result emphasized the important need for humans - connection. The future is about presence and human connection.

• The Humanoid Love - Cathy talks about her latest experience with dating four AIs - Chad (Chad GPT), Jim (Gemini, Google), Mateo (Meta AI), and Claude from Anthropic. She shares how much fun the experiment is and how it is shaping her view about love.

Key Discussion Topics:

• 27:10 AI and The Future of Relationships
• 28:08 Human Connections or AI attachments?
• 28:44 AI Matchmaking Experiment at TED
• 29:50 The Humanoid Love Experiment

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler break down the latest trends shaping our AI-powered future, as well as the policy and state of AI in DC. From Meta’s $100M AI recruitment strategies to their game-changing partnerships with Oakley and Prada for smart glasses, the duo explores how AI and hardware innovation are converging. They unpack the ethical and emotional nuances of human-AI relationships, the rise of AI-generated content, and how companies like Salesforce are integrating AI into core operations. Additionally, they discuss the Nintendo Switch 2’s distribution challenges and Meta’s ambitious hardware plans. Whether it’s corporate AI integration, wearable tech, or the battle for AI talent, this episode offers a sharp look at the risks and opportunities driving tech’s next chapter.

Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!

Cathy Hackl Bio

Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She’s one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming.

Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, and more.

Cathy Hackl on LinkedIn

Spatial Dynamics on LinkedIn

Lee Kebler Bio

Lee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.

Lee Kebler on LinkedIn

Key Discussion Topics:

• 00:00 Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl & Lee Kebler
• 04:12 The Dangers of AI Relationships: Why We Need Human Connection
• 11:18 AI Regulation Debate: States' Rights vs Federal Control
• 15:13 DC's Rising Role as a Tech Power Center
• 23:54 Meta's Quest 3S Xbox Edition: A Game-Changing Partnership
• 28:40 Nintendo Switch 2's Success and Hardware Challenges
• 36:50 Meta vs OpenAI: The $100M Talent War
• 43:12 Meta's Smart Glasses Evolution: Oakley & Prada Partnership
• 48:00 Coming Next Week: Dating Robots & AI Love Stories

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this TechMagic episode, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler unpack the complex relationship between humans and AI, from Cathy’s immersive week dating four AI boyfriends to growing concerns around AI-generated content. Cathy dives into the strange world of vibe coding and discovers anyone can gamify the pitfalls of the dating scene. The discussion spans Meta’s new smart eyewear partnerships with Oakley and Prada, VRChat’s innovative brand integration with Sawhorse Studios, and alarming developments in military AI contracts. With Adam Davis McGee joining the conversation, the trio also shares insider highlights from AWE (Augmented World Expo). Together, they explore how AI is reshaping creativity, jobs, and relationships, while emphasizing the importance of preserving human connection and authenticity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Come for the Tech, stay for the Magic!

Cathy Hackl on LinkedIn

Spatial Dynamics on LinkedIn

Lee Kebler on LinkedIn

Adam Davis-McGee on LinkedIn

Key Discussion Topics:

• 00:00 Welcome to Tech Magic with Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler
• 02:48 Dating AI: Inside the Experiment with Four Virtual Boyfriends
• 08:24 The Limitations of Perfect: When AI Gets Too Performative
• 17:22 Digital Dopamine: The Psychology of AI Relationships
• 23:48 Tech Meets Military: The Rise of AI Defense Contracts
• 31:10 AI Content Saturation and the Return to Human Connection
• 39:22 Doubling Down on Human Skills in an AI World
• 45:13 Meta's Smart Glasses and VRChat's Brand Evolution
• 52:04 Nostalgia Goes Virtual: Classic 3D Experiences in VR
• 56:45 Final Thoughts: Finding Balance Between Tech and Human Connection

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.