Exploring Humanity's Future with Technology and Digital Companionship

On this episode of Digital Squared, Tom talks with Susan Cummings, CEO of Petaverse Network and Tiny Rebel Games and co-founder of 2K games. Together they discuss the evolution of gaming technology, the utility of AI as a creative enhancement tool rather than a replacement for human ingenuity, and Susan’s unique take on technology's role in our evolving humanity.

On this episode of Digital Squared, Tom talks with Geoff Watson, President and Chief Business Officer at Minerva Project, a company working to revolutionize higher education. Together they discuss how building Minerva University has created a new model that they are now sharing with other open-minded institutions, the challenges and intentionality of systemic change, and the type of learning that technology can’t replace.

On this episode of Digital Squared, Tom talks with Dr. Kip Webb, a lecturer at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and Haas Business School. Dr. Webb has dedicated his career to healthcare reform and innovation. He has worked previously as a management consultant, a Chief Clinical Innovation Officer and is now an advisory board member to many health organizations. Together, they discuss his focus on inequities in rural healthcare, how innovation is improving healthcare delivery for everyone, and how the next generation of doctors are learning a new approach to medicine.

On this episode, Tom talks with Dr. Jonathan Reichental, founder of Human Future. Human Future is a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Together they discuss building smart cities through urban innovation, the importance of creating balance in hybrid learning, and the fourth industrial revolution’s effect on humanity.

On this episode, Tom talks with Dr. Christine Borgman, a Distinguished Research Professor and the Presidential Chair in Information Studies, Emerita at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. Borgman also has over 250 publications surrounding information studies, computer science and communications, including three award-winning books from MIT Press. Together they discuss the evolution of data & technology, the need for today’s students to understand “ground truth”, and the importance of open data & open science. 

On this episode, Tom talks with Tim Kashani, a long-time entrepreneur blending the worlds of technology and the arts. His career has taken many interesting turns - as a Broadway producer, director, investor and co-founder of several companies, including Apples and Oranges Arts and Humani3. Together they discuss his unique career, his bold vision of AI to unite humanity, and why human-first storytelling through technology is an important part of our future.

On this episode, Tom talks with John O’Brien, President and CEO of EDUCAUSE, the international nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education through technology innovation. Together they discuss a need for digital ethics across the curriculum, a renewed focus on what students want and need, and the importance of creating a culture of care in this world of exponential use of technology.

On this episode, Tom talks with Dr. Christopher Longhurst, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Digital Officer at UC San Diego Health. Together they discuss his organization’s use of ChatGPT, pairing physicians with data scientists to collaborate on improving patient care using data, and advancing AI to alleviate challenges facing the healthcare workforce.

On this episode of Digital Squared: From the Archives, Tom revisits his 2020 conversation with Abby Sears, President and CEO of OCHIN, a non-profit organization nationally recognized for their work in health equity and a leader in demonstrating how data and technology can make a big difference in closing the equity gaps. Together they discuss data-driven insights around healthcare inequities, what it’s like being a female CEO of a tech company, and Abby’s take on what we can all do to close the health equity gap in our society.

On this episode, Tom talks with Dean Stoecker, co-founder and executive chairman of Alteryx, a technology company enabling organizations to make faster, more confident, data-driven decisions. Together they discuss Alteryx’s unique approach to data analytics, how creating a social experience for its users accelerates proficiency, and why focusing on company culture has always been a top priority.