Unmissables with Ariba Jahan

Most futures work stops at trend decks that never leave the room. RADAR is doing something different. As a digital cooperative, they turn collective imagination into practice—research cycles, rituals, grants, and cultural artifacts people can actually use.I’m joined by Keely Adler (Head of Practice) and Caitlin Keeley (Head of Imagination) to talk about futures you can live in—not just look at. We get into “mundane futures,” why optimism needs rigor, how love and psychological safety show up as design tools, and crossing the “yearning gap” from longing to action.What we exploreWhy “shiny, robotic” futures leave people out—and how to fix itPrototyping futures in public (not behind closed decks)“Mundane futures” as a design test for what’s livableLove and psychological safety as real infrastructureRituals, artifacts, and cooperative ownershipCrossing the yearning gap with small, repeated actionsFollow along00:00 — Introduction to RADAR and its evolution02:19 — Understanding futures & cultural futurism04:25 — The concept of mundane futures06:49 — Community & collective ownership at RADAR09:22 — Digital cooperatives and shared ownership11:58 — Where RADAR meets client/industry work18:52 — The creative ecosystem (participants, partners, artifacts)24:32 — Multiplayer imagination & experimentation in practice31:08 — Embodied futures & love as infrastructure34:38 — Yearning for change & the 2025 mission44:33 — The power of imagination in shaping the future47:20 — Understanding yearning burnout & its impact50:18 — The role of small actions in creating change53:30 — The future of collaboration & AI54:58 — Lessons from multiplayer mode in creative processes57:13 — Fostering psychological safety for innovation01:02:14 — The importance of community & gathering for changeIf this resonated, subscribe, and share with someone who should be in the future you’re building.Takeaways, Signals to Watch & Resources here: https://unmissables.substack.com/p/designing-futures-multiplayer-modeWhere to find Keely Adler & Caitlin Keeley* Keely Adler — Head of Practice (LinkedIn)* Caitlin Keeley — Head of Imagination (LinkedIn | Site)* RADAR — Website | LinktreeWhere to find me* LinkedIn: /aribajahan* Instagram: @ariba.jahan* Newsletter: unmissableswithariba.comEnjoying Unmissables? A quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on Spotify + a review on Apple helps more people find the show. Thank you! Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to design stories people can step into and feel?Aditi Rajagopal is the Head of Experience Design, Immersive at Atlantic Studios, where she creates interactive educational and entertainment experiences for platforms like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest. Her recent project, Cosmos in Focus—a virtual planetarium featured at SXSW, turns James Webb Space Telescope data into an emotional, interactive experience that makes the universe feel close and personal.Her career spans animation, creative strategy, and immersive storytelling roles at Meta across India, Singapore, and the UK. She’s worked with brands like Spotify, Samsung, and Uber, and has been recognized at Cannes, SXSW, and D&AD.In this episode, we talk about designing for presence instead of novelty, choreographing focus in 3D space, and building immersive experiences that balance wonder with access. We explore how behavior, empathy, and inclusivity shape immersive media and what it takes to lower the barriers for more diverse creators to enter the space.If you care about the future of storytelling, education, or interactive design, this conversation will expand your creative lens.What we explore in this episode:Defining immersive media beyond hypeHow Cosmos in Focus turns data into emotionThe “choreography of focus” as a design skillWhy headset access limits storytelling equityDesigning for behavior, empathy, and unexpected usersEntry points for creators using no-code and low-cost toolsBreaking outdated “rules” in VR and XR designShownotes and transcript: https://unmissables.substack.com/p/making-the-invisible-interactiveWhere to find Aditi RajagopalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aditirajagopalWhere to find Ariba JahanLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aribajahanInstagram: @ariba.jahanNewsletter: unmissableswithariba.comFollow along:00:00 – Welcome + Meet Aditi Rajagopal02:49 – Magic and Potential of Spatial Storytelling05:13 – Defining Immersive Experiences07:35 – Designing for Presence10:17 – Creating Emotional Connections12:52 – Inside Cosmos in Focus15:42 – The Choreography of Focus18:15 – Lessons from Collaboration20:36 – The Future of Immersive Storytelling25:43 – The Future of Spatial Computing27:34 – Challenges in Spatial Design33:03 – Diversity in Storytelling34:13 – Barriers for Creators35:15 – Getting Started in Immersive Storytelling38:20 – Responsibility in Storytelling41:17 – Behavioral Shifts in Immersive Experiences43:17 – Breaking the Rules of Immersive Storytelling45:37 – Encouragement for Aspiring Storytellers47:23 – OutroEnjoying Unmissables?Your review helps others discover the show. Please leave a 5-star rating on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!I want to hear from you! Drop in the comments or reach out to me to share what types of topics and questions you want explored on future episodes. Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to build digital health products that center care, clarity, and trust?In this episode, I talk with Ambreen Molitor, a product leader working at the intersection of reproductive health, equity, and digital access. At Planned Parenthood, where she served as National Director of Product Innovation, Ambreen helped launch and redesign award-winning tools like Roo, an AI-powered chatbot for teens, and Spot On, a bilingual birth control and cycle tracker that prioritized user trust before it became a tech talking point. Her work helped Planned Parenthood win Webbys, Effies, and the VIVE Techquity for Health Champion Award, while quietly reshaping how digital care shows up in people’s lives.She strives to support users navigating trauma, surveillance, and stigma with empathy and precision. Now as a Principal PM at Zocdoc, she continues to build with a sharp eye on who health tech serves, and how.We unpack how her team at Planned Parenthood shifted from building in-house to partnering with pre-seed startups, and what that evolution revealed about urgency, alignment, and power. Ambreen also walks us through a revealing experiment: testing LLMs against their own content to evaluate not just accuracy, but tone and trust. The results opened up deeper questions about emotional safety, care at scale, and what readiness actually means when AI enters the room._____What we explore in this episode* What people still get wrong about nonprofit innovation* Why trust shapes product architecture in digital health* How Planned Parenthood designed for tone, clarity, and care* The real gap between LLM output and emotionally safe content* What vetting a startup partner looks like when values are at stake* Why tone isn’t a polish layer, it’s an equity decision* Building through legal gray zones, shifting policy, and urgent timelines* Why impact is a long game, but direction starts now_____Shownotes, takeaways & resources: https://unmissables.substack.com/p/bbfd4292-fc3f-48db-908e-ecd9a8225d89_____Follow Along00:00 – Introduction to show + Guest Introduction01:56 – Meet Ambreen Molitor03:45 – How Planned Parenthood scaled innovation under constraint06:00 – Roo and Spot On: Designing for clarity, care, and context09:00 – Partnering with startups (and protecting values)12:00 – Testing LLMs against real-world content15:00 – Why tone is an equity issue in health tech18:00 – Tech’s role in care: assistant, not provider20:30 – Policy, urgency, and real-time scenario planning23:30 – Closing reflections + unmissable signals_____Mentioned on this episode* Spot On – Planned Parenthood’s bilingual, inclusive birth control & period tracker* Roo – The AI-powered sex education chatbot launched in 2019* Autonomy – Startup helping patients get matched to federal/state/local abortion funding* VIVE Techquity for Health Champion Award – Award recognizing equity-first innovation in healthcare* StereoSet – A benchmark for measuring bias in language models* Frost & Sullivan’s Femtech Market Forecast – Femtech projected to hit $103B by 2030Update: Since recording the episode, 19 states have some form of abortion bans, 12 have total bans._____Where to find Ambreen Molitor* LinkedIn : /ambreenmolitorWhere to find Ariba Jahan* Linkedin: /aribajahan/* Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan* Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswEnjoying Unmissables? Leave a 5-star review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It helps us reach the right listeners.Thanks for tuning in!Would love to hear from you, tell us what this episode made you think about? Is there a health tech app you love using, why? Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

Most companies are stuck toggling between reacting to the moment and chasing the next big thing. Tameka Vasquez helps them pause, zoom out, and build strategy that doesn’t just respond, but reimagines.In this episode, we unpack what futures thinking actually looks like in practice: how to build clarity inside complexity, what makes vision operational (not just aspirational), and why tiny shifts—not big bets—are what shape tomorrow.Tameka Vasquez is a futurist, strategist, educator, and the Founder of The Future Quo, an advisory group helping executive teams design new visions with foresight, creativity, and purpose. Her background spans brand strategy, systems design, and academia—including roles as Head of Marketing at Google’s Sidewalk Labs and teaching at Columbia University._______What we explore in this episode:- Why strategic foresight isn’t about prediction and what it’s actually for- How trend-chasing leads to mimicry, not momentum- The cost of working without vision, and how it shows up day-to-day- Why futures thinking belongs in the room, not in the research deck- How to design for possibility when urgency is loud- What LEGO got right—and what your team can learn from it- The power of narrative as an operating system- Why “nonlinear” careers are often the most aligned_______Shownotes and transcript: https://unmissables.substack.com/p/how-futures-thinking-sharpens-strategy_______Mentioned on the episode:The Future Quo: https://www.thefuturequo.comPwC 2024 Global CEO Survey: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ceo-survey/2024/download/27th-ceo-survey.pdfStrategic Foresight 101: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/strategic-foresight-help-companies-survive-thrive/LEGO Scenario Planning: https://www.seriousinsights.net/legos-scenario-planning-asia/_______Where to find Tameka VasquezLinkedIn : /tamekavasquezThe Future Quo: https://www.thefuturequo.comWhere to find Ariba JahanLinkedin: /aribajahan/Substack Newsletter: unmissableswithariba.comInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/ariba.jahan_______Follow along:00:00 – Welcome + Meet Tameka Vasquez02:20 – How Tameka Found Her Way to Futures Work04:30 – What 'Futures Thinking' Means11:20 – Democratizing the Practice of Foresight16:00 – Tameka’s Approach: From Trends to Narrative23:45 – Vision Gaps in a Reactive World24:00 – The LEGO case study: foresight in action31:00 – AI, Urgency, and the Risk of Reactive Thinking40:45 – Making Futures Thinking Practical46:15 – Multiplicity, Reinvention, and Nonlinear Careers49:30 – Unmissable Signals + Closing Reflections_______Your review helps more listeners find us: If you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify. Thank you so much! Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever thought about having a digital twin?In this episode of Up Next in Tech, I sit down with Jessica Berger, SVP of Innovation at Publicis Media. Admirably known for her insight and understanding of cutting-edge technology, Jessica shares her expertise on trends like web3, AI, extended reality, and gaming. In this conversation, we focused on 4 emerging trends that Jessica's team highlighted in their recent trends report called, Future Forward. The report included topics like instant content to commerce, immersive digital ecosystems, AI's impact on identity and social life, and the revolutionary implications of gaming's evolution on brands. The episode also sheds light on Jessica's personal definition of innovation and how she nurtures her curiosity, opening up interesting questions around the adoption of virtual try-on technologies and the possibility of using a digital twin.So if any of these trends interest you, be sure to check out the episode and let me know what you think about virtual try on technologies or any of the trends we mentioned! Also, check out the glossary that breaks down a lot of the new words that come up on this episode. It’s a new thing we’re trying, so let us know if you like it.Follow along:01:39 Jessica’s definition of Innovation 04:00 Nurturing Curiosity and Innovator's Mindset13:58 Personal Use of Generative AI19:27 Identifying Trends and Directions24:49 Ethical Considerations in the Digital Age32:59 The Potential of Virtual Try-Ons35:01 The Role of Blockchain in Authenticity and Equity42:34 Nurturing Mental Health and CuriositySpeaker Bio: Jessica Berger leads innovation and strategy at Publicis Media by harnessing the power of emerging technologies and insights. With an industry reputation for her unwavering enthusiasm and profound understanding of cutting-edge tech, such as web3, AI, and AR/VR, Berger has become a sought-after speaker, judge, and host at industry events. Her expertise lies in deciphering the future of media and brand experiences, enabling her clients to capitalize on the potential of breakthrough innovations.Moreover, her dedication to mentorship and advocacy for diverse voices in organizations like the Adweek Executive Mentorship program and Girls In Tech exemplifies her commitment to empowering the next generation of marketers and thinkers. Prior to joining Publicis, Berger worked at agency powerhouses Weber Shandwick and Publicis’ MSL where she strategized and implemented campaigns and digital innovation efforts for clients in the luxury goods, CPG and tech sectors. Her over a decade-long experience is informed by working for agencies and companies across Germany, Japan, and North America – giving her a unique global edge valued by many clients and industry peers. For the full show notes with transcript, glossary of terms and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/jessica-berger🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify! 💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/🔗 CONNECT WITH JESSICA BERGER LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaberger1/🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswTwitter: http://twitter.com/aribajahanPost a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on instagram, linkedin, or twitter.  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Hackl to discuss her journey and inspiration from being a journalist to becoming a futurist and the godmother of the metaverse. We explored what brands should keep in mind when building for Generation Alpha - a group of tech natives who are rewiring the future. Cathy also explained the concept of spatial computing and its applications in various industries and how it may evolve over the next few years. We acknowledged the challenges, the need for ethical considerations in how this tech evolves and the potential of spatial computing in creating more immersive and engaging experiences through more integrations of physical and digital worlds and geopolitics in the metaverse.Throughout our chat, Cathy and I shared personal stories as women and moms in the industry, valuable insights that pave the way for a deeper understanding of the tech landscape, and much more. What questions come up for you? Let us know so we can have a future episode breaking concepts down and answering your questions. Follow along:2:10 - Cathy's Journey from Journalism to Tech3:45 - Importance of Strategic Decision Making and Mindset4:40 - Challenging Gender Norms and Embracing Success9:52 - Understanding Generation Alpha and How to Engage with Them18:19 - Exploring Spatial Computing and its Potential Applications 26:12 - Challenges and Ethical Considerations of Spatial Computing 32:41 - Why You Need to Stay Informed and Adapt to Technological Changes35:36 - Cathy's Reflections and Personal Experiences in the Tech IndustryBio: Cathy Hackl is a leading business executive, tech futurist, and media personality. She’s a leading authority in emerging tech and leads Journey’s Virtual Studio helping companies and governments with gaming, AR, AI, spatial computing and virtual world strategies and strategic foresight. Brands like Nike, Walmart, Louis Vuittion, and Clinique have trusted her to guide them into new virtual spaces. She was recently named one of Ad Age’s Leading Women of 2023 and on the Vogue Business 100 Innovators list. She’s a member of the prestigious Ad Council Board of Directors and the host of an award winning Adweek podcast. She’s popularly known in tech circles as the Godmother of the Metaverse and has been a fixture in the world of immersive technology for almost a decade with many media appearances in CNBC’s Squawk Box, 60 Minutes+, CNN, Good Morning America, GQ, Time, The Economist, Bloomberg, and more.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/cathy-hackl🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify! 💾 DIVE INTO WEB3 What is Web3? Is it still relevant?  If you’ve been wanting to dive in to learn more about Web3, check out this free guide I put together for you: https://www.aribajahan.com/get-web3-guide💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/🔗 CONNECT WITH CATHY HACKLInstagram: www.instagram.com/cathyhacklTwitter/X: www.twitter.com/CathyHacklTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@cathyhacklLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhackl/🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswPost a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on instagram, linkedin, or twitter.  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the chance to speak with my good friend, Chris Denson, who is a marketer, innovation coach, multimedia host, and bestselling author of the book- “10 Essential Rules for Breaking Essential Rules”. Conversations around innovation in the creative, advertising or media side often focuses only on the outputs, so we focused this episode on everything else. We lifted the hood on the mindsets it takes, the internal conversations and day-to-day challenges and so much more.Chris shares insightful stories about how his childhood experiences shaped his curiosity and influenced his current work, and highlighted the  importance of maintaining relentless optimism even when things don’t work. We discuss a variety of topics related to innovation, the realities and challenges of bringing ideas to life, the significant role emotional intelligence plays in the field of innovation and so much more like: 04:26 - Chris’s Origin Story: His shift from comedy to innovation13:08 - The role of curiosity and openness in innovation25:49 – The skill of connecting and collecting dots in innovation30:39 - Emerging Tech Trends in innovation33:19 - The key to balancing optimism and reality35:37 - Dealing with daily struggles and taking mental health breaks39:43 - Understanding self-identity and the power of self-talk44:46 - The role of innovation in personal growth 50:11 - Things to look forward to in the world of tech and innovationBio: Chris Denson is marketer, innovation coach, multimedia host, and bestselling author. He has spent his career building better companies, launching new ideas, and giving rise to cultural tastemakers through awe-inspired experiences, content, and advisory. Echoing an award-winning career across entertainment, marketing, media and technology industries, Chris has valuable insights, practices, and resources to thrive in an always-evolving cultural and technological landscape. He has done this alongside The United Nations, Fast Company, Omnicom Media Group, MullenLowe, The Emmys, Cannes Lions, The Nyah Project, HubSpot, The Obama Administration, and authored the 2018 #1 bestselling book, "10 Essential Rules for Breaking Essential Rules".For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/chris-denson💾 DIVE INTO WEB3 What is Web3? Is it still relevant?  If you’ve been wanting to dive in to learn more about Web3, check out this free guide I put together for you: https://www.aribajahan.com/get-web3-guide🔗 CONNECT WITH CHRIS DENSON Twitter: www.twitter.com/densonologyLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdenson/Website: www.chrisdenson.co🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswTwitter: http://twitter.com/aribajahan💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Unmissableswithariba.com🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify! Post a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on instagram, linkedin, or twitter.  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

When a machine is super intelligent, can we even reason with it? Can we even tell it what to do? Can we understand it at all? In this episode, I sit down with Naimul Huq, former SVP of Operations at Vayner3 and now CEO of Dr. Studio to dig into these questions about AI, and the tech evolution from the first iteration of social media to where we’re headed next.  With a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years in digital culture, marketing analytics, and consumer insights, he has become a sought-after translator, bridging the realms of brands, blockchain, and the metaverse. In our conversation, Naimul and I delve into our respective immigrant journeys from Bangladesh, his upbringing in the American Midwest, his diverse career in healthcare innovation and political data science, and his strategic insights into exponential technologies like AI, VR, and blockchain. Throughout our discussion, we explored more topics including:00:26 - How it’s like to keep up and stay ahead with emerging technology 01:49 - How his cultural, spiritual, and family tradition influenced his life and career choices 11:15 - What it took to shift from Med School to Web 3 15:18 - His experience with helping traditional businesses (health insurance companies) leverage the use of technology19:43 - How the narrative of big data started to emerge and statisticians started learning computer science23:50 - What Web3 really means and the evolution of the Internet   29:25 - The potential of where we’re going vs. where we are today 34:49 - The possibility of AI being smarter than humans and the risk that comes along with it 43:00 - (Rapid fire questions with Naimul) Why it’s important to build your credit score as early as possible, why you need to set aside time to meditate, and how a 49-inch monitor helps him get his life together 45:00 - What’s next for web3 and what are the possibilities when technology becomes more available for more people?51:00 - Who’s up next for Naimul? This episode was recorded in May 2023.Bio: Naimul Huq, formerly served as the SVP and Head of Operations for Vayner3, an innovation consultancy founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, and now the CEO of Doctor Studios (⁠doctorstudios.co⁠) a digital content studio that helps doctors grow their personal brands, and the EVP of Innovation at /prompt. Naimul was born down the road in Lexington and started his career in Louisville. A TEDx speaker, analyst, and blockchain believer, he specializes in Web3 strategies, NFTs, crypto, data, analytics, AI and digital marketing. He’s an award-winning strategic consultant for Fortune 500 companies, startups, B2B and B2C organizations. He has worked on Federal elections, global non-profits, and the world's most innovative brands. Before all that he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Naimul lives in New York City.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/naimul-huq🔗 CONNECT WITH NAIMAL HUQTwitter: https://twitter.com/naimul🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswTwitter: http://twitter.com/aribajahan 💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify!  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

What’s the art of the possible when you blend technologies like AI, augmented reality (AR), and blockchain with play? Turns out, ownable digital companions that you can talk to and interact with, called OnlyBots. It's a new era of Tamagotchis, y’all.🤖In this episode I sit down with Alex Herrity, who is a cofounder of Anima, a gaming and interactive technology company and has spent his career building consumer products that people use every day, including Fortnite, the Epic Games Store, HBO’s streaming apps, and his last startup Ultravisual that was acquired in 2014 by Flipboard. We touched on a wide range of topics such as:  0:10 - Balancing time between personal life, being a parent and being a co-founder 1:04 - How Alex went from working for a theme park to building digital consumer products 3:40 - How his hobby interest in emerging technology became an exciting career journey  5:19 - Finding the joy in creating technology that users love, admire, and use every day  7:03 - How his ability to dive into unknowns were nurtured by his parents and the role having privilege played in his entrepreneurial journey 11:47 - OnlyBots, Anima, the future of companionship, and the possibility of building a healthy and fun relationship with a digital companion 22:36 - Their vision of enabling a way for people to create based on their imagination and the generation of builders on Roblox and Fortnite 25:30 - Ethical considerations that we need to take into account  29:42 - His favorite examples of AR 33:40 - How AI is impacting the way we teach in schools and the repercussions when AI or AR disconnects you from reality?  39:36 - The importance of redefining engagement metrics as new technologies emergeAlex believes we need to thoughtfully shape how our physical and digital environments keep blending, instead of letting it evolve unchecked and keeping innovation grounded on bringing people together. He also sees a major role for emerging creators in building this future. What are your thoughts on Alex's perspective on digital companions? How do you see our physical-digital worlds evolving in the next 5-10 years? Bio: Alex Herrity (he/him) is cofounder of Anima, a gaming and interactive technology company. He has spent his career building consumer products that people use every day, including Fortnite, the Epic Games Store, HBO’s streaming apps, and his last startup Ultravisual that was acquired in 2014 by Flipboard.Alex founded Anima with his long-time collaborator Neil Voss, with a mission to use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality to make previously impossible games and toys. Their current flagship game is Onlybots, AI-powered companions that live with and talk to you. Onlybots is in beta and releasing widely early next year.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/alex-herrity-anima🔗 CONNECT WITH ALEX HERRITYTwitter: https://twitter.com/alexherritySite: https://anima.supply/🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswTwitter: http://twitter.com/aribajahan 💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  https://upnextwithariba.substack.com/🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify! 📱 LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION You can also send me a DM on instagram @ariba.jahan or email podcast@aribajahan.com. Post a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on instagram, linkedin, or twitter. CREDITS:Podcast art by Emma Johnston.Podcast edited by The Sunshine Collective.Site by RR Digital Media. Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Kat Zhou, a senior product designer who created the toolkit that helps teams forecast the ethical consequences of their products. She also just finished her Master's degree exploring AI Ethics and Society at Cambridge University. She talks about her origin story and the immigrant mindsets that were passed on to her from her parents and how she soon realized that education should be way more than just how to make money after graduation. In this episode, Kat provides thoughtful perspectives on AI and building tech responsibly through our discussion on:(05:30) Her career pivot from pre-law to design(08:37) Her growing up as a first-generation daughter of Chinese immigrants (14:21) Kat’s hot takes on generative AI and the policies and regulations she hopes to have in place to protect people’s privacy and security (19:36) The perpetual deceptive and manipulative design patterns in our digital experiences and her work founding the Design Ethically project(37:34) Overlooked human labor behind "automated" systems to unintended harm (41:24) The importance of interrogating the work we do and reflecting on what makes our jobs fulfilling and meaningful. Kat Zhou Bio:Kat (she/her) is the creator of the project, which started out as a framework for applying ethics to the design process and has now grown into a toolkit of speculative activities that help teams forecast the consequences of their products. Through her work with , she has spoken at events hosted by the European Parliament (2022) and the US Federal Trade Commission (2021), as well as an assortment of tech conferences. Kat has been quoted in the BBC, WIRED, Fast Company, Protocol, and Tech Policy Press.Outside of , Kat has worked as a designer in the industry for years and is currently also pursuing a Masters degree in AI Ethics and Society at the University of Cambridge, with the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence. She lives in Stockholm with her adopted husky, where you can find them running around. 🔗 CONNECT WITH KAT ZHOUTwitter: https://twitter.com/katherinemzhouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofzhou/Site: www.katherinemzhou.com🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOsw  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

How do you know when something is a trend or just hype? What trends should we even pay attention to right now? In this episode I sit down with Webby Award-winning writer Matt Klein, a digital anthropologist and quantitative futurist with a decade of experience in trend forecasting, communications and marketing to dig into these questions. We also go into how he recognized a gap in rigorous cultural analysis and began authoring articles on cultural observations, eventually writing for Forbes and starting his own newsletter. In our conversation we cover:(01:58) Matt's unconventional background spanning psychology, film, media, and advertising(23:11) Meta trends analysis and identifying commonalities(29:32) Concern about decline of public spaces and rise of loneliness(32:00) Perspective on virtual worlds and the metaverse(38:10) Information overload and determining what's real online(45:12) Evaluating trends based on adoption momentum rather than hype(42:47) We need more porn: patience, openness, receptiveness, and nuanceThroughout the discussion, Matt emphasized the need for trend analysts to incorporate diverse perspectives and data sources, highlighting the responsibility forecasters have in shaping potential desired futures. He leaves us a strong reminder that the future of culture is us, you and me, the everyday people, not some authority figures.Matt Klein Bio: As a digital anthropologist and quantitative futurist with a decade of experience in trend forecasting, communications and marketing, Klein advises brands, the United Nations, investors, startups, journalists and non-profits on emerging social shifts and authors strategies for preferred futures.A Webby Award-winning writer for his publication, ZINE, Klein’s insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, VICE and Forbes, where he served as a media critic covering the psychosocial implications of life online. Klein is also a speaker at SXSW, agencies, and universities including Yale and NYU, advancing cultural analysis with data and AI.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/matt-klein-decoding-culture🔗 CONNECT WITH MATT KLEINLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kleinkleinklein/ZINE Newsletter: https://zine.kleinkleinklein.com/Site: https://kleinkleinklein.com/🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswPost a screenshot and what you loved and tag me on instagram @ariba.jahan. Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

What are Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how do they work? What exactly does it mean to market “direct-to-community”?  In this episode, I sat down with Simon Yi, co-founder of the marketing DAO, Myosin.xyz, where he digs into all of this, how he saw the power of DAOs during his time at ConsenSys and what inspired him to start a service agency that is a collectively-owned DAO. Simon and I also talked about: (01:26) Simon's career pivot from finance to growth marketing to web3(07:32) DAOs and how they have always existed since he could remember as a Korean American growing up in NY(18:29) The shift from direct to consumer to “direct to community” marketing(22:00) Web3 enabling people to own their own data and be rewarded for it unlike web2(28:42) His mindset on being a serial quitter allowed him to become an entrepreneur(37:39) Service DAOs and the future of work Simon Yi Bio:Simon is a co-founder and head of growth at Myosin.xyz, a marketing DAO and product studio building the web3 user acquisition suite. He sharpened his skill for 12+ years as a growth expert at VaynerMedia, R/GA, Wunderman and other global agencies. He has led growth at startups that have been acquired for a combined $625 million, and most recently was the growth director for Tachyon.xyz, a Consensys Mesh accelerator.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/simonyi-daos🔗 CONNECT WITH SIMON YITwitter: https://twitter.com/da0uchLinkedin Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/w3g-web3-growth-7080647765915000832/Myosin.xyz: https://linktr.ee/myosinxyz🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify!  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

The runway is going virtual, empowering new creators and breaking industry boundaries through community-driven digital fashion. In this episode, I chat with Nirmala Shome, the Head of Marketing and Growth at a digital fashion house, The Fabricant, to break down what that means, how they’re trying to build a new fashion industry where everybody participates and profits while leveraging blockchain and augmented reality, how creativity is transcending beyond physical apparel, and the role of fashion in gaming. With over 15 years of experience across digital agencies, e-commerce platforms, and immersive startups, Nirmala has honed her expertise as a digital producer, community builder, and storytelling marketer for emerging technologies, having worked in advertising and digital production in both Melbourne and New York.Learn why major luxury brands are now investing in digital-only clothing and products tailored for virtual worlds and metaverse environments. Gain strategic insights on co-creation, authenticity, and digital ownership from a leader guiding a fashion startup through rapid technological shifts.We dive into:2:00 Nirmala's Career Journey and Transition into Digital Fashion05:00 Exploring the Potential of Digital Technology in Fashion09:00: The Shift from Traditional Marketing to Digital Marketing12:08 The Journey from Australia to New York and Europe and their different work environments 16:08: The Impact of Digital Technology on Fashion Industry20:04: The Role of Community in Web 3.023:06: The Influence of Different Work Cultures on Career27:02: The Evolution and Future of Digital Fashion30:40: The Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Fashion33:50: The Role of Gaming in the Future of Digital Fashion38:00: The Impact of Digital Fashion on Consumer Behavior41:50: The Intersection of Fashion, Culture, and Community44:08: The Role of Blockchain in Digital Fashion48:00: The Ethical Considerations in Digital Fashion50:08: The Transition from Community to Marketing and Growth54:50: The Future of Metaverse and Digital FashionBio:Nirmala Shome joined The Fabricant in 2020 and has worked across product and production. She is now heading up the Marketing and Growth pillar to focus on The Fabricant's mission to grow and nurture the new digital-only fashion ecosystem. She started off in advertising and digital production, working across Melbourne and New York, and is now based in Amsterdam.For the full show notes with transcript and resources, visit https://www.aribajahan.com/upnextintech/nirmala-shome💾 DIVE INTO WEB3 If you’ve been wanting to dive in to learn more about Web3, check out this free guide I put together for you: https://www.aribajahan.com/get-web3-guide🔗 CONNECT WITH NIRMALA SHOMETwitter: https://twitter.com/nirmala_shomeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirmalashome/Newsletter: https://ok.substack.com/🔗 CONNECT WITH ARIBA JAHANInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/aribajahanLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aribajahan/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC61NDFgqsM02-wtE1PrZOswTwitter: http://twitter.com/aribajahan 💻SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTERGet exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and valuable resources delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe here:  unmissableswithariba.com🙏 LEAVE A REVIEWIf you enjoyed listening to this episode, then please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and a 5-star rating on Spotify!  Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe

What if you could go behind the scenes to see how the future of technology is being built, used, and shaped today? I’m Ariba Jahan, a product and innovation leader by day, and a web3 and AI experimenter by night. Named one of the top 100 women in emerging tech globally, I’m excited to pull back the curtain on the brilliant people and innovations shaping our world on my podcast, Up Next In Tech.What you can expect: Thoughtful conversations with product experts, creative visionaries, scientists and industry pioneers A dive into topics like generative AI, blockchain, augmented reality, wearables, culture, preferred futures and more. Discussions that cut through the hype and get into the realities, inspiring potential, risks, driving progress responsibly, and how these technologies are changing the way we live, play and interact. Collectively envisioning the empowering future we can build when innovation and technology reflect our shared values. An insider’s view of navigating careers that never existed beforeThe future we’re building together starts now, with the questions we ask, the problems we solve, how we elevate lived experiences, build responsibly and how we turn imagination into reality.Whether you want tactics for your own journey or just inspiration from those leading the way, join us and let's envision the future we want to build together.Subscribe to the newsletter and don't miss an episode! https://upnextwitharibajahan.substack.com/Credits: Podcast art by Emma Johnston.Podcast edited by The Sunshine Collective. Site by RR Digital Media. Get full access to Unmissables with Ariba Jahan at unmissables.substack.com/subscribe