TechFirst with John Koetsier

Is AI really causing mass layoffs or are CEOs just using AI as a convenient excuse?In this episode, John Koetsier talks with longtime tech journalist, columnist, author, and podcaster Mike Elgan about why the “AI is killing jobs” narrative may be overblown. Elgan argues that many companies are engaging in AI washing: blaming layoffs on AI to make cost-cutting look like innovation.The conversation goes deep into the future of work, why every major technology shift creates fear before new opportunities emerge, how AI will change education and human skills, and why humanoid robots may be more hype than practical reality.They also explore Elgan’s concept of the attachment economy: a future where AI products don’t just compete for our attention, but for our emotional bonds.GuestMike ElganTech journalist, columnist, author, and podcasterHost of SuperintelligentAuthor of The Attachment Economy on SubstackSubscribe for more conversations on AI, robots, innovation, and the future of technology:https://techfirst.substack.comChapters:00:00 AI, layoffs, and whether AI is really to blame01:00 Meet Mike Elgan02:00 Why people believe AI will cause mass job loss03:00 AI washing and layoffs as a CEO “fig leaf”05:00 Techno-utopian claims about AI replacing work06:00 Why AI layoffs often don’t pass the logic test08:00 Past tech revolutions and new job creation09:00 Companies that lay off because of AI “lack imagination”11:00 Why new industries can create more jobs13:00 Nobody can predict where AI will lead15:00 Why the speed of AI change feels different16:00 AI, robotics, and fear about the future of work17:00 AI natives and generational change19:00 Why humans treat talking AI like a person20:00 Education when facts are instantly available22:00 Cursive, typing, and speech-to-text24:00 Humanoid robots in the home25:00 Human work, creativity, and future value26:00 Why human connection may become more valuable27:00 Are humanoid robots a dumb idea?29:00 Specialized robots vs. humanoid robots31:00 The attachment economy after the attention economy32:00 AI products designed to create emotional attachment34:00 Relationship AI, robot pets, and illusion35:00 Why chatty AI feels conscious36:00 The human brain, AI illusion, and caution37:00 Closing thoughts with Mike Elgan

Humanoid robots are often pitched as factory workers, warehouse assistants, or home helpers. But what if education becomes their biggest opportunity?In this episode, Faraday Future co-CEO Chris Chen explains why K-12 schools, STEM programs, and university research labs could be among the first large-scale adopters of humanoid robots and robot dogs.Chris shares why Faraday Future believes we’re at the beginning of an “iPhone moment” for robotics, how the company plans to deliver nearly 1,000 robots this year, and why physical AI represents the next major evolution beyond today’s large language models.We also discuss:• Why humanoid robot adoption is accelerating worldwide• The transition from digital AI to physical AI• How robots could help teach coding, STEM, and AI literacy• Security, hospitality, and inspection use cases already being deployed• Why Chris believes robotics could become a much larger market than automobiles• Building a robotics ecosystem powered by data, developers, and AIIf you’re interested in AI, robotics, education, automation, or the future of work, this conversation offers a fascinating look at where the industry is headed next.Guest:Chris ChenCo-CEO, Faraday FutureNasdaq: FFAISubscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of technology:https://techfirst.substack.comChapters:00:00 Introduction: Humanoid Robots in Education00:31 Faraday Future’s Vision for Physical AI Infrastructure01:42 The Goal of 1,000 Robot Deliveries02:22 Why Humanoid Robot Manufacturing Is Accelerating03:37 The Starting Point of the Humanoid Robotics Industry04:14 From Digital AI to Physical AI06:04 Why Schools Are a Key Robotics Market06:52 The Three Factors Driving Robotics Adoption07:15 K-12 Education, STEM Training, and Robotics Institutes08:12 Getting Kids Interested in AI Instead of Games09:04 The Future Demand for Robotics Technicians09:43 Humanoids vs. Robot Dogs in Education09:59 Will Every Student Have an AI Tutor?10:30 Beyond Education: Security, Inspection, and Hospitality11:14 Robot Dogs for Autonomous Security Patrols11:50 The Coming Ecosystem for Robot Maintenance12:06 Will Humanoid Robots Become Bigger Than Cars?12:57 How Robots Could Impact Global GDP13:28 Competing in the Exploding Robotics Industry13:56 Building a Robotics Flywheel Through Data15:01 The Team Behind Faraday Future Robotics15:44 Where Faraday Future Will Be in One Year16:03 Faraday Future, Robotics, EVs, and Web317:00 Closing Thoughts

What if airports had self-driving mobility pods that could safely navigate through crowds, just like something out of The Jetsons? Or the Pixar movie Wall-E?In this episode, John Koetsier sits down with Matthew Anderson, CEO of A&K Robotics, to explore the future of autonomous mobility. A&K Robotics is building AI-powered self-driving pods designed to help people navigate airports independently without relying on wheelchairs or staff assistance.But the real breakthrough isn’t just autonomy. It’s crowd navigation. Matthew explains why navigating dense, unpredictable crowds is one of the hardest problems in robotics, and how A&K’s “crowd-centric AI” could become foundational technology for airports, stadiums, smart cities, conferences, and even humanoid robots in the future.They also discuss:* Why airports are the perfect proving ground for robotics* The AI and sensor stack powering autonomous mobility* Directional sound systems inspired by The Sphere in Las Vegas* Scaling robotics startups from prototype to deployment* Raising an $8M Series A round* The personal story that inspired Matthew to build the company* Why the future of robotics depends on moving safely through human environmentsGuest:Matthew Anderson — CEO, A&K RoboticsCompany: A&K RoboticsIf you enjoy conversations about AI, robotics, startups, and the future of technology, subscribe for more interviews with founders and innovators shaping what’s next.Subscribe here:https://techfirst.substack.com00:00 – Intro00:30 – Meet A&K Robotics and the Vision for Autonomous Airport Mobility01:20 – Why Crowd Navigation AI Is the Hardest Problem in Robotics02:40 – Navigating Dense Airport Crowds and Passenger Flow04:05 – Directional Sound and Designing a Better Airport Experience05:50 – Building an “iPhone Experience” for Mobility Robots06:30 – Sensors, LIDAR, and Operating Without GPS07:20 – Fleet Management and Autonomous Operations in Airports08:00 – Mapping Airports and Optimizing Routes Through Crowds09:00 – Scaling the Business and Solving Systems Integration10:00 – Charging, Docking Stations, and the Future Airport Network10:45 – Raising an $8 Million Series A Round11:20 – Customers: Vancouver International Airport and Aena12:10 – Building a Polished Robotics Platform on Seed Funding12:50 – Matthew Anderson’s Background in Robotics and Drones14:00 – The Bigger Vision: Crowd Navigation for All Robots14:40 – The Personal Story Behind the Company Mission15:40 – Licensing Opportunities and the $5 Billion Airport Mobility Market16:45 – Hiring, Scaling the Team, and Expanding Production18:00 – Growing Up Hacking Robots and the AC/DC Story19:10 – Why Building Robots Is Fun — and Why Accounting Wasn’t20:40 – Final Thoughts and the Future of Autonomous Mobility

Is AI in education a disaster ... or inevitable. We can easily see that AI is already changing education ... but is it making kids smarter, or just more dependent?In this episode of TechFirst, John Koetsier talks with Navin Gurnani, CEO of Code Ninjas, about how kids can learn to build with AI instead of simply asking ChatGPT for answers.They discuss why coding still matters in the age of vibe coding, how AI can actually strengthen creativity and critical thinking, and the foundational skills kids need to thrive in a future shaped by artificial intelligence.Navin explains how Code Ninjas teaches children as young as 8 to understand AI “behind the curtain,” develop grit and resilience, and gain the confidence to create games, apps, and even entrepreneurial projects powered by AI.The conversation also dives into:* Why passive AI use puts kids at a disadvantage* The mindset future-ready kids need* AI literacy for parents and children* How coding builds confidence and problem-solving skills* Why adaptability may become the most important human skill* The difference between using AI and leading with AIIf you’re a parent, educator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode is packed with practical insights about preparing kids for an AI-driven world.GuestNavin Gurnani — CEO, Code NinjasSponsorThis episode is sponsored by Apprentice — the first AI agent built for agentic manufacturing.Chapters0:00 Intro: Is AI destroying education?1:00 Teaching kids to build with AI, not depend on it2:00 AI, coding, games, and decision-making3:00 Why understanding AI builds confidence4:00 Passive AI users vs. AI creators5:00 What kids learn at Code Ninjas6:00 Grit, resilience, and problem-solving8:00 Belt system and early wins9:00 Building confidence through teaching others10:00 AI literacy by age level11:00 Teaching kids to use AI responsibly12:00 Coding in the age of vibe coding14:00 AI-assisted entrepreneurship for kids15:00 Building future-ready mindsets16:00 What a future-ready kid looks like17:00 Adaptability and spotting AI mistakes18:00 One thing parents should do now

What if the next big wave of AI isn’t about robots doing your chores but about robots that understand you?In this episode, we sit down with Colin Angle, co-founder of iRobot and the creator of the Roomba, to explore his bold new venture: Familiar Machines and Magic. After putting over 50 million robots into homes, Angle is now betting on something radically different: a quadruped AI companion designed not for work, but for connection.This isn’t a humanoid. It’s not a vacuum. It’s something entirely new.Powered by on-device multimodal AI, this “familiar” can follow you around your home, learn your routines, encourage healthier habits, and even develop a kind of relationship with you, all while keeping your data private.We dive into:* Why the humanoid robot race might be overhyped* The massive untapped “emotional AI” market* How this robot learns, adapts, and interacts like a pet* Privacy-first AI design (no cloud streaming)* Why form factor matters more than you think* The future of robots in everyday lifeColin also shares why now is the perfect moment for physical AI—and how advances in reinforcement learning and edge computing are making this possible.If you thought AI robots were just about automation, this conversation will change your perspective.⸻👤 GuestColin AngleCo-founder, iRobotFounder, Familiar Machines and Magic⸻Sponsor: this episode is sponsored by Apprentice.AI-native manufacturing is here. Apprentice offers the first AI Agent built from the ground up for agentic manufacturing. Connects to all your systems, monitors everything, automates all your processes … but keeps a human in the loop. Check it out at apprentice.io.⸻Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Colin Angle & Familiar Machines1:05 What is a “Familiar” Robot?2:00 Emotional AI vs Humanoid Robotics3:00 Coming Out of Stealth4:00 The $2.5 Trillion Opportunity in Emotional AI5:00 Combining iRobot, Boston Dynamics, and Disney6:00 Why Robot Form Factor Matters7:00 First Look: Familiar in Action8:00 Companionship vs Utility in Home Robots9:30 Pricing Strategy: Like Owning a Pet11:00 Managing Expectations in Robotics12:30 Privacy, Security, and On-Device AI14:00 How Familiar Communicates Without Speech15:30 Sensors, AI Stack, and Personality Modeling17:00 Learning Behavior Like a Pet18:30 Why Not a Dog? The “Abstract Bear” Design20:00 Platform Vision and Future Capabilities21:30 Elder Care and Real-World Applications22:30 Reinforcement Learning Breakthroughs23:30 Launch Timeline and Closing Thoughts