Nz Tech Podcast

Alex St. John brought the Silicon Valley startup mindset to the small town of Cambridge, New Zealand. Listen in as host Paul Spain walks through Alex’s fascinating backstory, his achievements facilitating a multibillion dollar change in Microsoft’s gaming trajectory with Direct X, through his New Zealand story with Nyriad (sadly, now being liquidated) - and onto the current with PlayCast in this NZ Tech Podcast special episode.Also covered are many aspects of Alex's career which spans over three decades and several continents. This episode shares thought provoking or possibly offensive perspectives - depending on where you stand on aspects of Silicon Valley startup culture.This episode is one of a number of upcoming episodes that delves deeper into the past, present and future of the New Zealand tech community - and should not be missed - whether the listener is a startup founder, an investor, government official or tech person looking to support the growth of New Zealand tech startups.

Host Paul Spain dives into the world of electric charging systems with Peter Allington (Singer Electric). Together they explore the global push for standardized EV charging, the challenges of load management, and the exponential growth of electric vehicles in New Zealand. From electrifying Auckland ferries to the complexities of infrastructure upgrades, this episode provides an insightful look at the future of powering transportation and the technology driving it.

In this News edition, host Paul Spain and guest Peter Allington (Singer Electric) delve into the hot topics of tech regulation, AI innovation, and the future of virtual reality. They discuss new aid for boaters in the Tory Channel, Social Media CEO's senate hearing concerning the well-being of younger users, Neuralink's brain interface chip's first human trial, the release of Apple's Vision Pro VR headset and more.

On this episode Paul Spain is joined by Julie McMahon (Grok Academy) as they discuss the impact of technology and artificial intelligence in education for 2024. They look at digital learning pathways, The role of AI, and the challenges teachers face. Julie also shares insights into the mission of Grok Academy to provide free digital technologies education in Australia and New Zealand, and bring digital technologies education to all.Additional teacher support resource: AI 101 for Teachers | Code.org

In this episode of the NZ Tech Podcast, host Paul Spain and guests Mitchell Pham and AJ Smith (TradeWindow) delve into the latest tech news from New Zealand and around the globe including:Advancements in New Zealand airport security and express pathKiwi Dee Templeton joins OpenAI boardSamsung’s Galaxy S24 series with 7 years of updatesApple overtakes Samsung, as global smartphone sellerGoPro's acquisition of Foresight HelmetsListen to the journey of TradeWindow

In this episode, host Paul Spain is joined by TradeWindow CEO/Founder AJ Smith and CDO Mitchell Pham, as they delve into the world of tech and trade. They discuss the challenges and successes of Trade Window, and explore the process of digitalizing trade, and the resilience required for success in difficult times. Join the conversation as they talk about raising capital, AI integration, and the powerful role of trust in reshaping the flow of global goods.

Host Paul Spain explores the developments in healthcare technology that are helping to prevent blindness in premature babies in India. Featuring interviews with Dr. Anand Vinekar, head of KIDROP, and Narayan V K, Co-Founder of CleaVision, they discuss their collaborative efforts through the innovative use of telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis in addressing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and the impact of this technology on improving access to screenings in remote areas, optimizing limited resources, and preventing blindness in premature babies globally. Learn how this technology has the potential to make a difference in millions of lives.

Join host Paul Spain (Gorilla Technology), David McDonald (BeingAI) and Justin Flitter (NewZealand.AI), for a great discussion on maximising the impact of Artificial Intelligence in New Zealand for 2024. They look at the evolving user experience, the potential for New Zealand to lead in AI innovation, education, and the need for informed decision-making in adopting AI technology.

In this episode Paul Spain is joined by Amit Jain, the head of SAP at Mindsprint, a part of OLAM, and one of the largest global food and agritech companies. They delve into the world of food and Agri-tech and look at the changing landscape of food supply chains and the impact of technology on farming practices, the importance of sustainability, and the role of technology in supporting smaller farmers.

Join host Paul Spain and Maxwell Wessel (SAP) as they discuss the future of learning and development in the tech industry. They delve into the evolving nature of technology and how it impacts learning, and the potential of AI in guiding personalized learning experiences. This episode offers valuable perspectives on the ever-changing landscape of learning and development in the tech industry.

Paul Spain recently sat down with guests Janine Grainger and Jamil Geor (Easy Crypto) to look at the crypto market in 2023 and what's on the horizon. They discuss the expanding use cases for digital assets, and the challenges and regulations in the crypto space. Plus Easy Crypto's new Wallet and it's security and recovery features as well as the launch of New Zealand's stablecoin NZDD.

Listen in as host Paul Spain and Regan Murphy (Snowflake) discuss the latest news in tech, including cyber-attacks on Nissan in Aust/NZ, delays at Auckland Airport, EU’s new AI regulations, Google’s cheeky Gemini AI video, and transparent wood. Plus a look at the latest developments from Snowflake.

Join Paul Spain with guests Craig Meek and David Blair (BestSeat360) as they discuss the exhilaration that BestSeat360 brings to sporting events, most recently the Melbourne Cup. They also look at tech news from the week including :Zenno Astronautics launches into spaceSpark and Bluecurrent celebrate 1m IoT connectionsChatGPT one year onBride's mind-bending iPhone photo

Join host Paul Spain and Pete Morgan (dairy farmer and consultant), as they explore the innovative ways that technology is helping the NZ dairy sector to improve efficiency, decision-making, and sustainability. From IoT devices and optimisation techniques to wearable technology for cows, Pete shares his insights and experiences in implementing these advancements on the farm. For more on NZ Agritech listen to: Ep648 Halter's Agritech Innovations with CEO Craig Piggott

Paul Spain is joined by Jordan Browne, Program Director and Ivan Khmel, Program Coordinator, as they discuss Media Design School's mission to produce industry-ready graduates and the growth of the gaming industry in New Zealand. They also discuss the recent departure of CEO Sam Altman for Open AI and the potential implications for the organization, plus:-New Governments promise for Tech companies- Should we be taxing streaming services?- Israel biometric data control during war time- YouTube testing new AI made music

Join Paul Spain and tech journalist Bill Bennett as they delve into tech news from around the world including the Christchurch Call Summit, Aussie Ports vs Cybercriminals, Opus outage, Fortnight release hits highest internet peak in NZ, Actors to receive protection from AI, Epic vs Google, EU's call for Meta child protection measures, Apple's iPhone Pro max, Tesla Model Y + moreClick the link to buy a Tesla and get up to $400 off and 90 days of Enhanced Autopilot https://ts.la/paul20354

Join Paul Spain and Stephen Phillips (Snyk) as they discuss the latest from OpenAI and it's potential impact, One NZ to boost 5G network, Facial recognition AI effectiveness, Microsoft Copilot launches, Air BnB use AI to block potential party bookings, Amazon's new drones, California DMV suspend Cruise’s robotaxi permit, and more.

On this special episode Paul Spain chats with the brilliant minds behind some exciting startups that featured at the New Zealand Aerospace Summit and the Christchurch Innovation Expo. Get insights from Michael Pervan of Aerosearch Ltd, Vanessa O'Brien and Karim Sabet of OrbViz, and Taylor Mauriohooho and Isaac Henderson of Droneshows as they share their innovative journey and vision for the future.

Join host Paul Spain and Sam Daish (Blackpearl Group) as they dive into the latest tech news and developments including, Spark acquisition of Adroit, Amazon's $1B Microsoft 365 deal, Internet services from space, Intel's 14th generation processors, Amazon and Microsoft team up with Indian authorities to crackdown on fake tech support operators, Starlink's battle with competitors, the disruption of the Ragnar Locker ransomware operation, plus a look into the Blackpearl Group and the success of Pearl Diver.

Join Paul Spain and Brett Roberts as they discuss the New Zealand Election 2023, concerns about AI in policing, Hamas-Israel conflict impact on cyberattacks and social media's role in countering misinformation, Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard, Google's safeguards for AI customers, and Singapore's passport-free initiative. plus a look at SaaStr Annual 2023 and more.