The Altered Perception(TAP)

Beyond the Smartphone: The AR/AI Glasses & Smartwatch Revolution W/Austin Mejia(Google)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974728/fan_mail/new] In this episode of 'The Altered Perception Show,' we dive deep into the world of wearables(AR/AI glasses, smartwatches, Plaud Note etc.) and AI with Austin Mejia, Product Manager for Pixel Watch and Wear OS at Google. Austin discusses the evolving landscape of smartwatches, smart glasses, and other wearable technology, offering insights into foundational models, on-device AI, and the future potential of these devices. From the convergence of AI and health tracking to the challenges and innovations in hardware development, this conversation uncovers the fascinating progress and future of wearables. Additionally, Austin shares his own journey and offers valuable advice for those looking to enter the tech industry. 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Meet Austin Mejia: Leading AI for Pixel Watch 03:31 Austin's Journey: From Policy to Hardware 04:32 Building the AI Team at Google 10:40 The Future of Wearables and AI 16:30 Challenges and Innovations in Wearable Tech 28:49 The Role of AI in Enhancing Wearable Usability 34:17 Pixel Watch 4: A Game Changer 37:12 Pioneering Smart Replies on Wearables 37:40 Challenges of On-Device LLMs 39:41 Improving Messaging on Smartwatches 40:44 Gesture and Voice Interaction 42:27 Collaborating with Qualcomm on Hardware 44:38 Foundational Models and Wearables 47:39 Health and Fitness Tracking 53:21 Privacy and On-Device AI 57:54 Future of Wearables and AI 01:14:27 Advice for Aspiring Technologists https://www.instagram.com/the_altered_perception/?next=%2F

The Battle for Agency: People vs. AI? Building Responsible Agents w/ Preyas Joshi (Global Product Leader, Amazon)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974728/fan_mail/new] Who has the real agency—humans or AI? In this episode of The Altered Perception Show, host Gaurav sits down with Preyas Joshi, Global Product Leader at Amazon and 12-year AWS veteran, to dive into the power struggle between people and intelligent machines. Together, they unpack what responsible AI means, how guardrails shape agentic systems, the importance of data grounding, and the evolving role of agent orchestration across industries. From open source debates to future innovations in robotics and wearables, discover practical insights and ethical challenges as Preyas shares strategies for organizations and individuals to adapt, build proprietary technology, and integrate AI responsibly in a fast-changing world—no matter your technical background. 00:00 Introduction 00:11 The Importance of Data and Proprietary Technology 00:33 Human Imperfection and AI Expectations 00:48 The Context-Aware Robot 00:57 Customer Retention Strategies 01:22 Welcome to the Altered Perception Show 01:27 Guest Introduction: Preyas Joshi from Amazon 03:22 Understanding Responsible AI 04:27 The Importance of Grounding in AI 08:13 Open Source vs. Closed Source AI Models 11:19 The Risks and Safety of AI Models 17:04 The Role of Governance in AI 19:06 Introduction to RAG and Agentic AI Systems 25:43 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Productivity 29:26 Learning and Adapting to AI 35:27 Snap Dev: An Example of Agentic AI 43:40 Implementing AI Policies in Different Industries 44:50 The Importance of Organizational Design in AI 45:11 Challenges and Failures in AI Implementation 47:00 Experimentation Mindset in Machine Learning 48:27 Educating Organizations on AI 49:17 AI in Non-Tech Industries 51:18 Data Strategy and Proprietary Data 54:13 Building vs. Buying AI Solutions 55:37 Agent Orchestration Systems 01:07:24 Future of AI: Memory and Embodiment 01:11:18 Responsible AI in Wearables and Robotics 01:19:37 The Philosophical Debate on AGI and ASI 01:24:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://www.instagram.com/the_altered_perception/?next=%2F

Beyond Silicon: How Photonics, Diamond Chips, and New Materials Will Power the AI Revolution, EVs & Space Travel w/ Dr. Pradyumna Gupta

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974728/fan_mail/new] We've been told the future is all about code and algorithms, but what if the biggest breakthroughs in AI, electric vehicles, and space travel are actually waiting on a physical revolution? What if the next great bottleneck isn't compute, but the very materials we use to build our world? This week on The Altered Perception Show, we're joined by Dr. Pradyumna Gupta, a PhD in material science and founder of Infinite Lab—the "Uber of material testing." Dr. Gupta delivers a masterclass on why the next generation of technology will be defined by materials science. He argues that the current silicon-based world is hitting a hard physical limit, and the race is on to find the "wonder materials" that will unlock our future. In this episode, you will discover: *Why silicon alone can’t sustain the next wave of AI *How diamond, graphene, and 2D materials could change chips forever *The role of photonics in unlocking faster, more energy-efficient AI models *Why gallium nitride and silicon carbide are already reshaping EVs and power electronics *How material science could enable safer, longer space missions *The intersection of cutting-edge science, AI infrastructure, and human exploration 00:00 Introduction 00:28 The Role of Material Science in Innovation 01:28 Welcome to the Altered Perception Show 01:38 Meet Dr. Gupta 02:15 The Importance of Material Science in AI 05:17 Infinite Lab: The Uber of Material Testing 09:06 Challenges and Innovations in Material Testing 19:46 The Future of Space and Aerospace Materials 27:35 Betting on the Next Decade's Key Materials 34:03 Exploring Carbon and Silicon in AI Chips 34:26 The Heat Dissipation Challenge in AI Hardware 35:51 Diamond as a Thermal Conductor 37:33 Future Materials for AI and Technological Systems 38:57 Photonics: The Future of Computing 44:55 The Role of Material Science in Various Industries 46:17 The Future of Batteries and Energy Storage 50:14 Hydrogen as a Fuel Source 52:34 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles 56:56 The Importance of Material Science in AI and Beyond https://www.instagram.com/the_altered_perception/?next=%2F

Near-Death to Tarot Wisdom: Unlocking Intuition, Finding Your True Path & the Science of the Occult W/ Patricia Scibek (Oracle)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974728/fan_mail/new] Step into a world where intuition meets everyday decision-making ✨. With 17 years of experience in tarot, our guest Patricia Scibek shares how this ancient practice isn’t about predicting the future, but about helping people find clarity, confidence, and direction in their lives. From breaking the myths of “fortune telling” to showing how tarot acts as a mirror to your inner self, this conversation explores how you can use intuition as a practical tool for career, relationships, and personal growth 🌿. In this episode, you’ll discover: * 🌌 How a near-death experience reshaped her view of the universe and led to tarot as a calling * 🔮 Why tarot is a tool for channeling clarity, not just cards or “fortune telling” * 🧠 How intuition is a skill anyone can develop and strengthen * 📜 The deeper history of tarot and its roots in divination across cultures * 💞 Insights into connecting emotions, purpose, and relationships through tarot readings * ⏳ Why life’s pivotal choices in the next few years can shape your long-term path * 🌳 The role of family, ancestry, and epigenetics in intuition and divination.  ✨ Tune in and unlock the wisdom within — your next chapter might just begin here. Cheers! https://www.instagram.com/the_altered_perception/?next=%2F

What Do VCs Really Want & Why Do Most Startups Fail?: A Playbook on Grit, Customer Obsession & Building Lean W/ Pablo Casilimus (Onesixone ventures)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974728/fan_mail/new] What’s the real difference between a startup that gets funded and one that fades away? Is it the idea? The timing? The tech? Or something else entirely? This week on The Altered Perception Show, we pull back the curtain and get the unfiltered truth. We're joined by Pablo Castro, Managing Partner at OneSixOne Ventures, who shares the investor's side of the story—a perspective built from funding 28 companies and witnessing countless pitches. Pablo reveals that what VCs really want isn't a perfect product or a flawless pitch deck; it's a specific set of traits and a radically different approach to building. This episode is your official playbook. We break down the actionable strategies and mindset shifts that separate the top 1% of founders from the rest. Inside the Playbook, you will learn: * Customer Obsession: The #1 rule you must follow from Day One (Hint: Stop building for your customers and start building with them). * Founder Grit: Why resilience is non-negotiable, and the hard truth about the startup journey that no one tells you. * Building Lean: The counterintuitive reason a scrappy, resourceful team is more impressive to investors than a well-funded one. * The 30-Minute MVP: How legendary companies like DoorDash started with almost nothing, and how you can apply their launch strategy today. If you’re ready to stop guessing what investors want and start building a company they can't ignore, this episode is your essential guide. https://www.instagram.com/the_altered_perception/?next=%2F