In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler, unpack the realities behind today’s AI headlines. They explore OpenAI’s shift toward advertising, the growing human bottleneck in data center expansion, and why the AI conversation is moving beyond productivity toward physical and human-centred systems. The discussion dives into the surprising earning power of skilled trades, how XR is transforming workforce training, and why the metaverse was never just about VR headsets. From VRChat to The Sims, Cathy and Lee reveal where the spatial web is quietly taking shape, and what it all means for the future of work and technology.

Come for the tech and stay for the magic!

Cathy Hackl Bio

Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized tech & gaming executive, futurist, and speaker focused on spatial computing, virtual worlds, augmented reality, AI, strategic foresight, and gaming platforms strategy. She’s one of the top tech voices on LinkedIn and is the CEO of Spatial Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions company, including gaming.

Cathy has worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE and has advised companies like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique on their emerging tech and gaming journeys. She has spoken at Harvard Business School, MIT, SXSW, Comic-Con, WEF Annual Meeting in Davos 2023, CES, MWC, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion, and more.

Cathy Hackl on LinkedIn

Spatial Dynamics on LinkedIn

Lee Kebler Bio

Lee has been at the forefront of blending technology and entertainment since 2003, creating advanced studios for icons like Will.i.am and producing music for Britney Spears and Big & Rich. Pioneering in VR since 2016, he has managed enterprise data at Nike, led VR broadcasting for Intel at the Japan 2020 Olympics, and driven large-scale marketing campaigns for Walmart, Levi’s, and Nasdaq. A TEDx speaker on enterprise VR, Lee is currently authoring a book on generative AI and delving into splinternet theory and data privacy as new tech laws unfold across the US.

Lee Kebler on LinkedIn

Key Discussion Topics:

00:00 Intro
00:33 The Shift in AI Conversation: From Productivity to Humanity
05:15 OpenAI's Financial Crisis and the Ad-Supported ChatGPT Problem
11:31 Can AI Intentionally Give Wrong Answers to Keep You Engaged?
13:46 The Unexpected HVAC and Trades Shortage Fueling AI Infrastructure
16:34 How XR Technology Transfers Expert Knowledge to New Tradespeople
20:21 Meta's Metaverse Layoffs: Why Spatial Computing Is Still the Future
25:33 VRChat Breaks Records While Gaming Embraces Living Worlds
26:28 Luxury Brands Return to Gaming with Coach and The Sims
28:08 Bethesda Revamps Fallout 76 After TV Show Success
32:31 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts

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AI Ads, Data Center Labor, Skilled Trades, XR Training, and Spatial Web with Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler