This episode covers food tech, gaming, and data, although not necessarily all combined. With the human population projected to hit 10 billion by 2050, it's clear we'll have problems feeding everyone. So how can food tech help, and when even fast food restaurants are offering plant based alternatives, how is this shifting how we consume food. The podcast also looks at Fortnite - the gaming phenomenon that's also a smart marketing play, and discusses the implications of privacy and data...

Fred Schebesta is an Australian entrepreneur, award-winning marketer, and media commentator. His company, Finder.com, is the world’s foremost comparison website. On this episode of Smart Dust, Fred reflects on the incredible but challenging path to success. He explains how Finder.com overcame 5 Google penalties, and how he is no longer the business’ ‘ghost’.    Fred also delves into the world of cryptocurrencies and explains his latest business venture, HiveEx - a cryptocurrency brokerage

Paul X McCarthy is a technology consultant, speaker and author. Paul is the founder of Online Gravity, a global digital consulting firm, and co-founder of League of Scholars. We discuss one of Paul’s greatest passions: the Australian startup sphere, as he explains his particular interest in the next generation of computational linguistics and conversational AI. Paul talks about his book Online Gravity & provides insight into why he believes tech has rewritten the laws of economics.

Amy Webb is a quantitative futurist, author and professor at the Stern School of Business at New York University. Webb is also the founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute, an organisation globally recognised for their annual Tech Trends Report. Amy explains the importance of strategic forecasting and provides insight into the 4 characteristics generally shared by tech trends. We also discuss Amy’s claim that privacy is dead, the emergence of biometric camouflage and how China utilises...

We’re talking to two robotics leaders from opposite ends of the globe... Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro, the director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University, Japan. Dr. Ishiguro has dedicated his life’s work to create a robot that will be indistinguishable from that of a human. We also talk to Gabriel Skantze, chief scientist and co-founder of Furhat Robotics. The Stockholm-based technology start-up has led the world is pioneering our interactions with AI by putting a face to...

In this episode we talk to Wally Brill from Google who is a global expert in conversation design. Australia per capita is one of the fastest growing smart speaker markets in the world and this means our relationship with computing is changing. Talking is the new typing and this has profound implications for business and marketing. Wally is a leader in his field and shares insights and best practice for designing conversations with AI.

We’re talking to one of China’s most influential executives, Bessie Lee. Lee is Founder of Withinlink, a China-based startup incubator focused on MarTech. Lee was CEO of WPP China and at SXSW was one of the few speakers who got an ‘encore’ performance. We discuss how the Chinese Government has created a national ‘AI movement’, the rise of TikTok, how western companies can target the Chinese market and the normality of the ‘big brother’ government and its effect on data privacy.

We’re talking design and data with Microsoft Garage’s Envisoneer and Design Lead, Mike Pell. Pell has just released his second book called ‘The Age of Smart Information’ that envisions how AI and XR will change the nature of information. We discuss everything from ditching the over-complicated HCD process, forgoing the word ‘user’, to how information will evolve from pixels on a page to a new way to learn and be inspired by data. The Age of Smart Information: https://theageofsmartinfo

This episode on Smart Dust, we’re delving in the brain of Heather Berlin; cognitive neuroscientist, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and also television host across a myriad of science programs on BBC, History Channel and Netflix. We explore the world of neuroscience, from how AI and neural-implants will influence our evolution, to the impact of technology. We debunk the myths of the left brain/right brain theory, explore how we dream and learn the science behind the creative ‘flow’.

This month we talk about the technological advancement pinned to change the world – autonomous vehicles. With Director Alex Horwitz and Executive Producer Eddie Alterman from the first documentary on self-driving cars, Autonomy (produced by Malcolm Gladwell), we explore the big questions. From how humans relate and react to advancements in technology, to the name ‘Autonomy’; is it us who are autonomous or the vehicle itself? For more information on Autonomy: https://www.autonomydoc.com/

This month we’re going live from Austin, Texas with a special South by South West feature! SXSW is a worldwide celebration of what happens when creative ideas and technology merge; and with 75,000 people in attendance and 5,000 speakers from just the interactive section alone, it’s big. So, we’ve condensed 10-days into 6 top trends. From the new buzzwords of Techlash and XR to creating empathy in a world of tech (we even talk to one of the most advanced robots) - it’s all happening on Smart Du

When we talk about innovation we often immediately turn to the US and the UK – overlooking the second largest economy in the world. So, this week we discuss the hottest topics in China’s technology industry - and as the world’s leader in AI, there is a lot happening. Namely, China’s new social credit system putting a score on its citizens – is it constructive, or just plain scary? We also examine 3 exciting Chinese start-ups and have a look at how China is putting the fun back in social media.

This month we go deep inside CES Las Vegas – the home of ground-breaking and often wacky innovations in the consumer electronics space. We have a look at the latest tech trends that dominated, like bendable screens and voice EVERYTHING. As emerging startups are unveiled, we discuss which may actually go the distance, and ponder a big question – will AR glasses really destroy the future of our beloved smartphones?

This month we’re exploring curious world of biohacking, from the 10,000 people in the world who currently have a chip implanted to the Lovetron 9000, which, well you’ll have to listen to find out. We delve into the start-ups currently disrupting Australia, everything from mattresses to a Conor McGregor endorsed teeth whitening. And what does the future of transport look like? Is it going to look like The Jetsons more every day with Uber Elevate, or is it all down to the humble bicycle?

As usual, no shortage of important things to discuss in the world of tech and innovation:  5G is set to take effect, doubling our download speed and saving our battery life. But what does this mean for automotive, healthcare and of course, the NBN? But with faster speeds comes more content consumption and never have we had so much content choice. Have we reached peak content? And finally, what is happening with Elon Musk? And could the conspiracy theory that he is an alien be true?

The race to be the leader in Quantum Computing is in full-force – something that has been described as the 'space race' of our time. This month on Smart Dust, we explore what is Quantum computing? Who is winning the race? What problems will it solve? And could there be a Lex Luthor effect?  Preparing cybersecurity for a quantum world | https://ibm.co/2QzaSn4 The Future Fueled by Data |  http://bit.ly/2E2O4uv How Quantum Computing Will Change Our World | http://bit.ly/2Qv5b9M

In this episode of Smart Dust, we question the future of social media as more than $119 billion is wiped off Facebook’s market value in just one day, the deep dark web of 16-year-old ransom hackers and three innovative projects that will shape our future and create more inclusive cities. 

All these movies about robots taking over the planet, might not be as far-fetched as they seem. A technological revolution is on its way, and we’re expecting it to disrupt 55% of jobs in the next 20 years. Is your job safe from the inevitable AI takeover? Will this insurgence create the opportunity that over 40% of unhappy workers need to find a new job, new career? Is Quantum computing the answer to finding our inner creative and push us to ditch the menial tasks that drive us crazy. Or...

In this episode, we talk: - eSports, the global gaming competition projected to be worth $3 billion and an Olympic medal event. Forget golf, get those thumbs working! - MIT found a way to read your thoughts, Orwell was ahead of his time with Thoughtcrime and if that’s not creepy enough, we discuss if Google’s new voice assistant means the demise of voice biometrics. - We lift the lid on the world’s smart cities. From South Korea’s $40 billion white elephant city to the Alphabet’s Sidewalk...

GDPR On 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation becomes effective, including its penalty of up to 4% of global revenue for non-compliance. We talk about how users of personal information will access it under increasingly stricter regimes. We look at Barbara Streisand’s quest to be forgotten. It looks like “memories light the corners” of Barbara’s mind but she would prefer us to forget where her Malibu home is located. Traditional Retailers We discuss Nick’s recent visit to...

At the Smart Dust podcast, we don’t drone on – we talk about them! In this episode, we chat about drones that deliver use cases beyond just pizza delivery, autonomous vehicles, how cryptocurrencies are changing business, and China’s use of facial recognition technology to stop jaywalkers in their tracks.