Mint Techcetra

How have tech conversations changed in the past 2 decades? Why are there reservations against reservations? What does it mean for opportunities to be merit-based? How can women fight cybercrime? Why are modesty & invisibility no longer considered virtues if one wants to establish leadership in tech? How can women nurture and maintain their sense of agency over their digital narratives? This International Women's Day, hosts Shouvik, Leslie and Deepti turn to N.S. Nappinai, a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India & the Founder of Cyber Saathi for lessons in gender parity when it comes to tech. Her answer - Gender obsolescence! In other words, she suggests us to do away with the idea of gender completely. Hear this episode till the end to enjoy bonus bloopers because believe us when we say this episode was carved out of bloopers, not the other way around. We hope you enjoy the solicited and unsolicited advice from this bunch of enthusiastic individuals!

What if your AI assistant suddenly started hallucinating while you were on a drive? Could it take you to a dead end or even worse? We dive into this humorous scenario in our latest episode of Techcetra. From there, we delve into the latest from the Mobile World Congress Barcelona, exploring cutting-edge technologies like Lenovo's translucent display laptop, Motorola's bendable smartphone that doubles as a smartwatch, and Huawei AI-driven smartphone that tracks eyeball movements to open apps. We also discuss the exponential growth of 5G smartphone users in India and the global shift towards next-gen connectivity. Did you know that by 2030, India is projected to have 130 million 5G users, while globally, the number is expected to reach a staggering 1.67 billion? But amidst the excitement, we address the elephant in the room: health concerns related to 5G cell towers. Debunk myths and misinformation surrounding non-ionizing radiation, and gain a balanced perspective on the promises and pitfalls of emerging technologies. From socioeconomic impacts to AI safety concerns, we cover it all! So buckle up and join us for a tech ride that's both informative and entertaining. After all, technology is a wild ride, and we're here to guide you through the twists and turns. Tune in to Mint Techcetra for the latest episode in tech.

2023 was undoubtedly a breakthrough year for generative artificial intelligence technology, marking the official integration of AI into households. To delve deeper into the discussion on cyber threats and multiple theft cases, we are joined by Mr. Dhananjay Ganjoo, Managing Director for India & SAARC at F5. Tune in to learn more about how AI is impacting cybersecurity and the emerging risks in this domain.

OpenAI's latest launch that can create realistic and imaginative scenes from text prompts - has taken the world by storm! But will film industry professionals lose their jobs to this technology? Is this the end of the road for filmmakers like Christopher Nolan who still prefer to use physical tools during their shoots to create visual effects? What do Indian film experts and educators like Chaitanya Chinchlikar from the renowned Whistling Woods International have to say about Sora? And will big brands be able to use this AI model freely without worrying about copyright laws? Speaking of which, hosts Shouvik, Leslie and Deepti also discuss the court case where Air Canada lost to Jake Moffat after its chatbot hallucinated fake policies to the customers. From there they segue into the topic of Satoshi Nakamoto, Craig Wright and the mysteries of Bitcoin. Tune in for the juiciest scoop on all things tech this week! And stay ahead of your peers.

In this episode of Mint Techcetra, hosts Shouvik, Leslie and Deepti discuss OTP scams, and the reasons why RBI instructed banks to stop relying on OTPs sent via SMS for authentication. They list out the various alternatives - suggested by cyber security experts - that the banks can adopt instead. Simultaneously, they list out what individual users like us can do to secure our money. On a lighter note, they compare the Meta Quest 3 and the Apple Pro Vision Headsets, their professional applications, and whether or not an amateur tech enthusiast like Deepti would like to buy it. Additionally, they share their mutual ridicule of Mark Zuckerberg for touting himself as a tech reviewer. But, to balance it out, they then discuss how such technologies mature, sighting an example of Rayban's Meta Smart Glasses. Tune in to be a step ahead of your peers when it comes to safeguarding your money during online transactions and to become a bit more tech-smart!

On this quirky episode of Mint Techcetra hosts - Shouvik, Leslie, and Deepti - invite an innocent Gen Z, Shruti Pal to discuss with us her thoughts on romantic AI companions. Take a break from whatever you're doing and hop onto this rollercoaster of a conversation where they discuss every possible aspect of what it would be like to have an AI Boyfriend or Girlfriend. Whether or not, these guys would like a romantic relationship with a chatbot or a robot? How movies like Her, Prometheus, and AI Love You, have inspired the reality of such situations? What is driving people towards AI companionships? What would be the defining characteristics of human-AI relationships? How will such bots be developed or - in human lingo - mature? Will marriage and relationship counselors lose their jobs? How can users who come from the vulnerable segments of the society be protected? For such kind of relationships to work, what kind of accountability app developers, AI company owners, and users might have to take? Would we lose the art of conversation as we know it? And what kind of Tech-driven gifts would each of these speakers recommend this Valentine's Day? Tune in to find out! Note: We have used introversion and social anxiety interchangeably in this conversation as we weren't using them strictly in the context of psychological terms. The former is a personality style characterized by a preference for the inner world of the mind over the outer world of interacting with others. The latter is the fear or concern of being judged, evaluated, or rejected by others in social situations.

In this freewheeling episode of Techcetra, hosts - Shouvik, Leslie and Deepti - discuss recent research from the University of Milano on how smartphone usage adversely affects young children when it comes to linguistic abilities. To correct such issues developed over a while, they then speak of Elon Musk-owned Neuralink and its 1st human trial. Amongst the pros, the hosts state how this invasive brain-computer interface might go a step ahead and be able to help people like Stephen Hawking. Finally, having discussed how Gen Z perceives information differently and having agreed upon how new technologies have always had the power to rewire our brains, they shift our attention to the newly released economic review by the Indian Finance Ministry. They marvel at how the Indian government is unique in stating the advantages and disadvantages of AI on employment. While Shouvik underlines how AI will contribute to 30% of India's 5 trillion economy goal, he also quotes the IMF study which suggests that 40% of the global economy is exposed to AI. At the same time, Leslie reminds us that about 90% of India works in the unorganized sector which might remain unaffected for the time being when it comes to job losses. Here, Deepti quotes Mr. Umakant Soni, Chairman of AI Foundry from a recent AI Rising episode. She highlights how data and desperation will be the 2 deciding factors for India's economic standing in the years to come. Tune in to gain an insight into your present so you can have agency over your future. And if you enjoyed listening to this episode then tune in to the recent AI Rising episode here: https://ai-rising-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/india-is-the-supermarket-of-problems-building-ai-ecosystem-on-data-desperation

Excessive exposure to screens and other environmental factors may impact our eyesight, making myopia more common. As per the WHO, the prevalence of myopia is expected to reach 3.3 billion across the world by 2030. That’s huge! To understand more about Myopia, the factors driving this, and the preventive measures, today we have Dr. Mahipal Sachdev, Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight. Tune in for more.

Is the new Rabbit R1 truly the future of smartphone devices? What is an AI phone in the context of Samsung S24 Ultra? How does Gen AI impact smartphones? What are some of user privacy and security concerns? Can phone makers charge more for AI phones? How will AI built-in devices change the consumer electronics market? And what did Indian mobile operating systems designers, like Karthik Ayyar of BharOS, said about the new AI models built-in on consumer devices and privacy issues at the India Science Fest 2024? These are some of the hot topics hosts, Shouvik, Leslie & Deepti discuss in this episode. Tune in to find out how can AI smartphones make your life more convenient and what are some of the trade offs you might have the option to make.

For 130 years, Philips has been an essential part of our lives. Its main focus has been on improving consumer lives. It does so, not just through its resolve to be growth-oriented but also by investing heavily in the right kind of innovation, relevant to its consumers. Stepping into the New Year, the consumer goods giant - Versuni, unveiled a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Gujarat, India, promising over 1000 new jobs and a wave of cutting-edge products. To talk about the company's global and local - or rather Glocal approach - Mr. Henk S. de Jong, the Global CEO of Versuni joins host Deepti Ahuja in this episode of Mint Techcetra. From dynamic e-commerce strategies to the integration of AI wizardry into your favorite home appliances, tune in as they discuss Versuni's legacy, digital transformation, and its plans for expansion in the bustling Indian market. Find out what makes the fascinating landscape of consumer goods innovation tick!

For years, the Consumer Electronics Show has been the one-stop shop for all things cool when it comes to gadgets. But has it lost its luster? Why aren't people, the media, and tech experts talking about it as much as they used to? Join hosts, Shouvik, Leslie and Deepti, as they talk about the top technologies and gadgets at CES this year. Listen to them meander and interrupt each other as they discuss the industrial metaverse, specifically - Digital Twins, Software-developed Automation, Data and AI. Tune into this lively chat as they decode hypercars, translucent screens, music technology, hologram technology, robots like Ballie, e-waste, sustainability and the beauty industry's longstanding relationship with science and tech. Hear them argue the importance of consumer education in Technology. Packed with personal anecdotes, sci-fi references, hearty laughter and buffoonery this episode is made for you.

In this exclusive episode of Mint Techcetra, we have Dr. Prashanth Subramaniam, Head of Medical Affairs at Abbott Diabetes Care for South Asia, Korea, and Taiwan, along with Dr. Abhijit Bhograj, a Consultant Endocrinologist at A-Health Wellness. Together they will delve into the growing diabetes challenge and share some valuable insights on effective management care. Join our host, Deepti Ahuja to know how this digital revolution is helping people with diabetes. Tune in for more.

In October, Rick Osterloh, Google’s hardware chief, made a surprise appearance at the Google for India event. The crux of his visit—going forward, Google’s Pixel phones will be made in India. The announcement came as a bit of a surprise—Pixel phones aren’t exactly the highest selling smartphones in the world. Why, then, is the internet services giant bringing its manufacturing efforts here? Join Mint’s Shouvik Das as he decodes this rather surprising decision from Google.

Jaspreet Bindra has for long donned a corporate cap. Now, as a consultant, Bindra — who goes as the tech ‘whisperer’ — dons a surprisingly evocative persona. I key takeaway from this rather intriguing conversation comes from Bindra’s rather interesting take on the modern definition of work — and inevitably, the role of AI in all of our lives. Mint’s Shouvik Das joins Bindra in a prolific conversation on being a student at the end of career, on generative AI’s greater purpose, and if he thinks that AI will one day kill us all.

In today's dynamic digital era, the need for rapid innovation is beyond doubt. On the special episode of Mint Techectra, we are joined by Varun Gowsami, Head of Product Management at Newgen Software Technologies Ltd. to discuss the new trends and technologies that are shaping the fintech industry. Dive into the heart of the Fintech revolution with Newgen's Low Code Platform, NewgenONE, and Gen AI. Tune in for more!

Earlier this month, Apple sent out a notification to select users, telling them that they could be subject to state-sponsored cyber attacks. The Centre was quick to respond to it, calling them “vague”, even as opposition voices grew. Apple, by itself, has since warned that such notifications aren’t conclusive—but concerns of cyber espionage can’t be taken lightly. What, really, is the conflict? Join Mint’s Shouvik Das as we break down the issue.

Jaya Jagadish is at the helm of one of the world’s most recognisable chip companies in India — AMD. With an increasing focus on chip design and development in India, companies like AMD are expanding their India presence even further. But, it’s not all corporate austerity for Jagadish, who remains an engineer at heart. Join Mint’s Shouvik Das in conversation with Jagadish in a freewheeling chat, on Techcetra.

Welcome to this special episode of Mint Techcetra. Today, we are in conversation with Sandip Patel, the Managing Director for IBM India and South Asia, to discuss the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives, work, and interactions. Our host, Deepti Ahuja, will engage in an enlightening conversation with the guest, exploring how AI is revolutionizing the way organizations function, innovate, and deliver value. Towards the end of our discussion, we will delve into IBM's watsonX platform and explore the practices that IBM employs to ensure the fair and unbiased deployment of AI technologies. Tune in for more!!

Muralikrishnan B, the president of Xiaomi India, still wears a good old chronograph. But, that’s not because he doesn’t believe in smartwatches — in fact, he believes that there’s plenty of room for innovation in this product category, which in turn can differentiate the design. That holds true for smartphones too, says Murali, as he’s commonly addressed by his peers. Join him for a conversation with Mint’s Shouvik Das, where he elaborates on driving innovation through business use cases, and how technology is ubiquitous across all user categories.

They’ve built a virtual replica of a human heart for research using virtual twin technology, and they’ve also built factories, electric vehicles and more. At Dassault Systemés 3DEXPERIENCE Forum, we got to hear from some of the company’s customers, along with Bernard Charles, the CEO of Dassault Systemés, Florence Verzelen, Executive Vice President of Industry, Marketing & Sustainability, and Morgan Zimmerman, CEO of Netvibes at Dassault Systemés, who explained how the technology will help us reveal the invisible. Tune in for more!!