In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Lee Kebler and Adam Davis McGee unpack the rapid shifts transforming AI, hardware, and creative industries. Cathy is away this week and will be back in the new year. Lee and Adam explore how RAM manufacturers are pivoting away from consumer electronics toward AI, and how this will spike gaming and device prices in 2026, why Meta’s mixed-reality delays open the door for Google’s surprising partnership with Warby Parker, and how Google may be quietly edging ahead in the AI race. In the second half, Lee speaks with Ryan McMahan, who breaks down the legal and ethical storm surrounding AI-generated music. Together, they examine copyright grey zones, artist rights, and why AI is becoming more of an accelerant for creativity than a replacement for human artistry.

Come for the tech and stay for the magic!

Key Discussion Topics:

01:40: RAM Shortage Will Devastate Consumer Electronics Pricing in 2026
06:12: Meta's Mixed Reality Delay & the Battle Between Google and Meta
11:29: Why Google Will Win the AI Race Over OpenAI
23:52: AI Music Generation and the Copyright Crisis on Spotify
33:28: Meet Ryan McMahan: Artist Manager Fighting for Creator Rights
35:34: Blanco Brown's Story: From Platinum to Fighting AI
38:50: The First Major Artist Covers an AI-Generated Song
40:45: Understanding Covers vs. Derivatives in Copyright Law
45:51: AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Job Replacement
50:32: The Fast Fashion Problem in Modern Music Production
57:31: Independent Artists Need Representation at Policy Tables
01:01:45: Creative Industry Workers Share AI Concerns and Opportunities
01:04:17: Meta's Consent Prompt: Is Algorithmic Boost Tied to AI Training Permission?
01:05:59: Key Takeaways: AI, Copyright, and the Future of Creative Work

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