Future Tech And Foresight

Marc and Nikolay explore the explosive growth of AI compute, the economic implications of rising energy demands, and how new financial models are giving investors access to the backbone of the AI revolution.

About the Episode:

The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence has triggered an unprecedented demand for compute, reshaping global infrastructure and redefining the economics behind technological progress. In this episode, the conversation dives into how the market for GPUs is evolving, why power consumption has become one of the biggest constraints, and how innovation in both hardware and energy will determine the trajectory of future AI systems.

The discussion takes a long-view perspective on what happens when compute becomes a commodity, how hyperscalers are influencing market dynamics, and why specialized chips are emerging as the next frontier. The episode also explores the broader economic impact of AI — from productivity gains to the hypothetical scenario of suddenly losing ChatGPT — offering a grounded yet optimistic lens on the next decade of AI-driven transformation.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the hidden infrastructure powering AI progress, why investor access has been limited until recently, and how new models are democratizing participation in the AI boom.

About the Guest:

Marc and Elizabeth explore why researchers struggle to communicate complex ideas and how improving this skill is vital for securing funding, building public trust, and advancing future health tech like at-home diagnostics and space-derived medicine.

About the Episode:

Why do brilliant researchers often struggle to explain their ideas to the public or to investors? This episode tackles the critical communication gap in science and technology. We explore the perception that simplifying complex topics means "dumbing them down," a mindset that can hinder public trust in everything from vaccines to climate science, and ultimately impact policy and engagement. The discussion highlights how this communication skill is no longer optional—it's essential for securing federal grants, attracting venture capital, and successfully commercializing new technologies.

Beyond communication, the conversation explores the concrete future of personalized healthcare. The discussion highlights the rise of at-home diagnostic tools and their potential to create truly personalized electronic health records that can be securely shared with medical teams. While significant challenges in data privacy and regulation remain, the move toward decentralized clinical trials and wider acceptance of telemedicine is paving the way for a revolutionary shift in how we monitor our health.

Finally, the episode looks to the skies for medical innovation, examining the surprising link between space technology and healthcare. The extreme need for reliable, autonomous medical tools on space missions is driving advancements that could soon benefit rural and underserved communities back on Earth, proving that the benefits of exploration often have profound, grounded applications.

About the Guest:

Elizabeth Chabe is an expert in science marketing, bringing a unique blend of commercial and academic experience to the table. With a career spanning work with research universities, national labs, and technology transfer offices, Elizabeth has been instrumental in forming public-private-academic consortia and guiding university researchers in successfully commercializing their technologies.
Currently, Elizabeth works with larger commercial entities in the life sciences and diagnostics sectors, offering data-driven strategies for navigating complex markets and highly technical product launches. She’s the founder of High Touch Group (HTG), an agency providing
end-to-end marketing services for life sciences, diagnostics, and engineering companies. Elizabeth is also the author of "The Giant's Ladder: The Science Professional's Blueprint for Marketing Success," a comprehensive guide for science professionals looking to market their innovations effectively.

Marc and Galvin Widjaja unpack how AI-powered cameras are reshaping retail, security, and consumer behaviour — while raising new questions about privacy, bias, and digital ethics.

About the Episode:

In this episode, Marc speaks with Galvin Widjaja about the intersection of AI, business strategy, and human behaviour. From his unconventional career path — spanning banking, data analytics, and restaurant management — Galvin offers a grounded perspective on how data-driven insights can transform both operations and customer engagement.

They explore how his company’s camera-based AI systems interpret movement and context to improve safety and retail analytics while preserving privacy and avoiding facial recognition. The discussion touches on the evolution of surveillance technology, “T minus one” behavioural prediction systems, and how AI can act before incidents occur without crossing ethical lines.

Beyond the technology, the conversation dives deep into the moral landscape of AI — from echo chambers and social manipulation to the biases still baked into datasets today. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about the thin line between innovation and intrusion — and what a truly responsible AI future should look like.

About the Guest:

Galvin Widjaja is the founder and CEO of Lauretta AI, a privacy-first computer vision company that helps organizations understand human behavior in physical spaces without relying on identity or biometrics. Under his leadership, Lauretta has become a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, TSA, U.S. Air Force, and major airport and defense agencies across Asia and North America. Galvin’s unconventional journey into AI began not in a lab, but behind the counter of a quick-service restaurant he once ran for his father in Singapore. After early career stints in consulting, banking, and tech, a pivotal decision to reconnect with his estranged father led him to manage three migrant-serving restaurants. There, he learned that systems are only as good as the people they serve. That insight shaped his approach to AI — one built not just on precision and scale, but on empathy, equity, and lived experience.
Born in Singapore and raised partly in Indonesia, Galvin grew up in entrepreneurial households that saw both massive growth and total collapse. Those early lessons in volatility, resilience, and human complexity now inform his mission to build AI that doesn’t just react — it understands. His work focuses on helping organizations move from static surveillance to dynamic understanding, and from reactive alerts to proactive decision-making — all while respecting the humanity of the people being observed.

Marc and Fareed explore how autonomous robotics are reshaping industries — from policing and surveillance to manufacturing and mobility — and what this reveals about the next wave of AI-driven innovation.

About the Episode:

This episode uncovers how AI and robotics are converging to redefine the limits of automation. Fareed Al Hassawi shares his remarkable journey from building digital-twin systems in Dubai to developing autonomous police patrol vehicles capable of operating safely and intelligently in complex environments.

The conversation highlights the real-world challenges behind autonomy — funding, regulation, public acceptance — and the technical breakthroughs that make large-scale deployment possible. They dive into topics like NVIDIA’s role in the robotics ecosystem, on-premise security vs cloud risks, and how intelligent CCTV can enhance safety while respecting privacy.

More broadly, Marc and Fareed discuss how cities like Dubai serve as global testbeds for innovation and what it will take for autonomous ground vehicles and drones to coexist seamlessly. It’s a forward-looking discussion that blends engineering, ethics, and entrepreneurship — and shows how robotics could soon become as foundational as the internet itself.

About the Guest:

Fareed Aljawhari has been a pivotal figure in the technology sector since assuming the role of CEO at Micropolis Robotics in 2014. His leadership has propelled Micropolis, blending cutting-edge engineering prowess with strategic operational excellence to drive innovation in autonomous systems. Under Fareed’s stewardship, the executive team has focused on achieving sustainable growth and expanding global market presence.

During his tenure, Micropolis achieved a significant milestone with its Initial Public Offering and subsequent listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker MCRP.

Fareed Aljawhari earned his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Architecture from Ajman University between 1998 and 2003, followed by a Masters in Design and Visual Communications from Wilmington University in 2004.

Marc and Nemo explore how smart mobility, emotionally responsive vehicles, and integrated urban transport systems are reshaping the future of cities and accessibility.

About the Episode:

In this episode, we dive into the evolution of smart mobility — from experimental vehicles to scalable, city-ready systems. Nemo shares how his journey from community member to director at Local Motors helped shape projects like the Ollie and informed a new vision for urban transportation focused on accessibility, safety, and efficiency.

The conversation highlights how mobility can become a utility, much like Wi-Fi or running water, unlocking greater freedom and opportunity for individuals and communities. Nemo explains how companies like Mosey are blending technology, community design, and regulatory collaboration to make smart mobility practical and affordable.

We also explore the rise of emotionally responsive vehicles and how human-centred design is transforming how people interact with technology in public spaces. From ADA compliance to V2X frameworks, this episode paints a forward-looking picture of how smart transit will expand accessibility, economic opportunity, and civic engagement.

About the Guest:

Nemo is a mobility innovator and former director at Local Motors, where he led projects that combined community-driven design with cutting-edge vehicle technology. He played a central role in developing the Ollie autonomous shuttle and in guiding the company’s pivot toward last-mile mobility solutions. Following Local Motors’ acquisition by Mosey, Nemo has focused on building integrated ecosystems that connect vehicles, software, and city infrastructure. Through his work, Nemo continues to advance the vision of accessible, sustainable, and human-centred smart transportation.