Data Download: Happy Tech Holidays!
Data Download: Happy Tech Holidays! And… Is Web3 Excitement Irrational Exuberance? View this email in your browser
Happy Tech Holidays!
Although technology is often blamed for fueling polarization, there certainly optimism as well. We’re happy to report that online communities are building universal digital inclusion. And entrepreneurs, forever optimists, are building 15 emerging technologies are on a mission to change the world for the better.
2022 will be about making meaningful, enduring, systemic changes. But are leaders ready? With businesses increasingly relying on data-driven decisions, it certainly feels like many are finally embracing why measuring the value of data matters. Elsewhere, Apple’s new iPhone privacy feature is like an X-ray for apps that promises to deliver users a privacy report highlighting all the sensors, data, and domains Apple’s apps are accessing and contacting.
2021 was a year awash in buzzwords. The Metaverse, NFT’s, the Block Chain, it’s hard to keep it all clear in this fast moving world we live in. On thing is certain the allure an of web3 has us paying attention. We also need to exercise caution with news that scientists are worried after discovering that neural networks can hide malware. But after listening to how techies are getting AI to think and learn like humans, the singularity seems more relevant.
So, onward! Please share what you are excited about and maybe a few things to consider as we prepare 2022. As always, you can reach out to Steve@NYCMedialab.org
Steve@NYCMediaLab.org
Steve Rosenbaum
Executive Director
The NYC Media Lab
Must-Read
Neural Networks Can Hide Malware, and Scientists Are Worried
Deep learning is already ingrained in the critical applications we rely on daily. But maybe it’s time to re-think how we can better protect users against an onslaught of emerging threats. This article explores the feasibility of a so-called EvilModel capable of hiding malware in convolutional neural networks.
TNW/ 5 min read
The Irrational Exuberance of Web3
It was impossible to avoid the hype around the tech trends that dominated our newsfeeds in 2021. Few people dared to question why blockchain became web3 or why AR and VR morphed into the metaverse. Instead, we simply enjoyed the ride. But if we take a peek behind the curtain, there are multiple challenges around scaling these technologies to mass adoption.
Not all web3 solutions are decentralized as they initially seemed to be, and there are even more questions around security and accessibility needed to win over mainstream markets. But the irrational exuberance of web3 will continue to be impossible to ignore as we prepare for life in 2022.
Tech Crunch/ 4 min read
Tech + Media
How Digital Communities Can Build Universal Digital Inclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of digital connectivity for everything from work-from-home to education and telemedicine. As a result, organizations have been challanged to explore new ways to collaborate to develop affordable and accessible digital solutions for health, finance, and education and finally close the gap on the global digital divide. Could this finally be the moment where universal digital inclusion becomes a reality?
WEF/ 3 min read
Apple’s Great New iPhone Privacy Feature Is Like an X-Ray for Apps
How many apps do you have on your smartphone? And do you know how much access they have to your personal information? If you plan to take a more serious approach to digital privacy, check the new iPhone privacy feature. iPhone users can quickly obtain an App Privacy Report that details which apps have access to your data and sensors — and which third-party domains they’re contacting behind the scenes.
Fast Company/ 5 min read
Why Measuring the Value of Data Really Matters
Data is either the most valuable asset in your organization or your biggest liability, depending on your viewpoint. But other areas of disagreement can be found when attempting to agree on how to quantify the value of data. For example, suppose the definition of value was transformed beyond revenue to include positive socioeconomic impacts in society. In that case, businesses could be faced with opportunities around the collective social, commercial, and environmental benefits that will come with it. Maybe it’s time to reexamine our relationship with data.
WEF/ 4 min read
What We’re Watching
15 Emerging Technologies that Will Change the World
Every self-proclaimed futurist and technologist has been gazing into a virtual crystal ball, hoping to predict the tech trends that we will be talking about in 2022. If you are a visual learner with twenty minutes to spare, you cannot fail to be impressed by these 15 emerging technologies that could change the world. But, will today’s science fiction become tomorrow’s science fact? That is a question for another day.
Top Fives YouTube/ 21 min watch
What We’re Listening To
Getting AI To Think And Learn Like Humans
Daniel Kahneman, Nobel prize-winning psychologist, and economist recently joined Yann LeCun, Chief AI scientist at Meta (Facebook) on the Big Technology Podcast. In this fascinating conversation, they discuss how machines and humans learn, whether there are parallels, and what each field can learn from each other.
Apple Podcasts/ 67 min listen
Virtual Events & Jobs
The NYC Media Lab (that’s us!) is looking for an Associate Director of Marketing!
We’re hiring to lead our Marketing efforts. The role will develop and implement NYC Media lab’s marketing, events and social media effort that targets specific audiences and stakeholders increasing brand awareness and membership. Think this job sounds perfect for you? Send resume and cover letter to: jobs@nycmedialab.org
Design Thinking For Product Development
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Have you ever wondered how design thinking is core to customer-centricity? Or want to learn how to incorporate design thinking in product development? Rahul Dua, Senior Product Manager at Amazon, shares his insights and experiences in customer research, strategy, execution, growth, & monetization of digital Products.
Building B2B vs. B2C Products
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Are you curious about the differences between B2B & B2C Product Management? Although enterprise product management has different challenges and rewards than consumer products, many find that consumer products are more exciting. But working on an enterprise product can be highly fascinating too.
Learn the differences in a discussion with Aisha Ishak, Senior Product Manager, leading the strategy, development, & launch of innovative & customer-centric products at Spotify.
ML Models To Drive Engagement In eCommerce
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
As a Product Manager, it’s your responsibility to deliver products and features that delight customers while also moving the company closer to its top-line metrics. But how do you know whether the individual features you ship in each sprint or each quarter are successful? Tuhin Verma, a Senior Product Manager at eBay, discusses how machine learning is increasingly playing a part in driving engagement and conversion in the booming eCommerce environment.
Developing A Product Vision
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Ishtiaqe Noor is a Senior Product Manager who is working at Amazon with the consumer electronics team, building technologies, inventing products, & providing services that change lives. In this discussion, he reveals product ideation and iteration best practices. He will also discuss how to go from a problem statement to a product vision and how to develop a robust product roadmap.
A Deeper Look
2022 Will Be About Making Meaningful, Enduring, Systemic Changes. Are Leaders Ready?
If 2020 was a year of corporate awakening, 2021 was arguably about putting stakes in the ground. The global head of DEI at Thumbtack predicts that 2022 will be about making meaningful, enduring, systemic changes. But the big question is if buisness leaders are ready to adapt to shifting hybrid work models and take the lead with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.
Fast Company / 3 min read
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