The hype is fading, and that's a good thing.

The Tech Aunties recap AI Infrastructure Field Day 4, where vendors like Forward Networks, Hammerspace, Solidigm, and Xsight Labs proved that enterprise AI is finally getting practical. Less "what if," more "here's how it runs in production."

Gina and Marian break down the standout presentations, why governance is the word you can't escape, and why you shouldn't have to rip out your entire infrastructure to join the AI era.

Plus: a passionate defense of Fort Worth, South by Southwest plans, and The Traitors finale.Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! You can find us here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechAuntiesPodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tech-aunties-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techauntiespodcast/

LINKS:

• AI Infrastructure Field Day 4: https://techfieldday.com/event/aiifd4
• Forward Networks: https://www.forwardnetworks.com
• Cisco: http://www.cisco.com
• Fabrix.ai: https://fabrix.ai
• Xsight: https://xsightlabs.com
• Solidigm: https://www.solidigm.com
• Hammerspace: http://hammerspace.com
• Futurum Group: https://futurumgroup.com
• The Traitors US: https://thetraitorsus.com

In this episode...

00:00 Cold Open and Re-Record

00:35 Ice Storm and Panther City

01:25 What AI Field Day Covered

02:30 Favorite Demos Forward and Storage

03:38 Xsight Labs and Space Networks

05:13 Governance Tangent and Back

06:48 Aha Moments Cisco and Ethernet

09:15 Infrastructure Careers and AI Pods

10:49 Big Takeaways Governance and Momentum

15:19 SXSW Plans and Military Tech

19:02 Traitors Talk and Wrap Up

Who owns AI’s foundations — and who pays when governance lags? Don Sullivan of The Don Sullivan Show joins the Tech Aunties to unpack AI infrastructure power dynamics, medical and materials‑science breakthroughs driven by analytics, why customer service chatbots are an “abject failure,” and the data‑quality trust gap.

Plus: Don’s personal health story and why nanoparticle tech gives him hope.

We had technical issues with this episode, so there's no video this episode. Sorry about that y'all!

Let's Chat!

Tell us what you think: who should control AI infrastructure, and what should governance look like when systems operate at machine speed?Make sure to follow us on ⁠Instagram ⁠and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. We love to chat! Who do y'all want us to talk to next?

S4E2DonSullivan - Chapter List with Descriptions

1. Introduction - 0:10Marian introduces the episode's focus on AI infrastructure, exploring who controls it, who benefits from it, and whether it can be governed responsibly. Guest Don Sullivan joins to share his Silicon Valley expertise.

2. AI Infrastructure & Governance - 0:35The conversation dives into fundamental questions about AI governance and control. Don discusses the aspirational potential for AI to benefit everyone versus dystopian futures, highlighting the contrast between failed customer service implementations and powerful analytics applications.

3. Medical AI Applications - 2:59An in-depth discussion of AI's transformative impact on medicine, including advanced diagnostic capabilities analyzing trillions of images per second, nanoparticle technology, and the promising developments showcased at NVIDIA's GTC conference. The panel examines both the benefits and concerns around medical AI training and bias.

4. Customer Service Challenges - 7:11The group explores the "object failure" of AI in customer service, from frustrating chatbot experiences to the value of human interaction. Don shares his United Airlines 1K example, illustrating why companies need to reconsider replacing human service with automated systems.

5. Material Science & Analytics - 9:32Don explains how AI analytics are revolutionizing material science, battery technology, and geophysics. The discussion covers why focusing on analytics rather than employee replacement represents AI's true potential, and how quarterly revenue pressures drive poor implementation decisions.

6. Data Quality & Trust - 18:10

A critical examination of AI reliability, with the panel discussing how consumer AI tools are wrong up to 60% of the time yet are trusted implicitly. They explore the dangers of anthropomorphizing AI and the need for human oversight, skepticism, and validation.

7. Don's Health Journey - 25:21

Don opens up about his arachnoid web spinal condition and the hope that future nanoparticle technology could offer an alternative to invasive surgery. The conversation touches on resilience, adapting to physical limitations, and maintaining an active life despite health challenges.

#AIinfrastructure #AIgovernance #trustworthyAI #healthcareanalytics #radiologyAI #customerservicechatbots #dataquality #AIreliability #humanoversight

Tech Aunties: Reflecting on 2025 and Predictions for 2026

Season 4, Episode 1

The Tech Aunties are back! Marian and Gina discuss their experiences in 2025, including challenges in the job market and governance issues in tech.

They share their plans for 2026, such as creating a zine on AI and prioritizing community engagement. They delve into the complexities and misconceptions around AI, emphasizing the need for governance and the significant impact of AI on jobs and business processes.

They close with their predictions for 2026, including the rise of community as a trusted source of information and the importance of proving trust in AI.

Do you want to chat with the Tech Aunties? You can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. We'd love to talk with you!

00:00 Welcome Back: Tech Aunties 2026

01:20 Reflecting on 2025: Challenges and Triumphs

03:10 AI in 2026: Plans and Predictions

05:26 AI Misconceptions and Realities

14:45 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Governance

19:40 Tech Aunties' AI Project

20:58 Setting Up AI Infrastructure

21:41 Security Concerns in AI Deployment

22:47 Legacy Systems and AI Integration

24:48 Trust and Governance in AI

27:42 Predictions for AI in 2026

28:27 AI in Community and Trust

32:38 AI Boyfriends and Ethical Concerns

33:32 New Year Resolutions and Community Support

37:12 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tech-aunties-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techauntiespodcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechAuntiesPodcast

We're back!

In this episode of the Tech Aunties podcast, co-host Gina Rosenthal brings you exclusive insights from the VMware Explore 2024 conference. We dive into VMware's dramatic transformation following its recent acquisition, exploring the impact on its community, evolving company culture, and shifting customer dynamics. Discover how VMware has transitioned from a vibrant, dynamic environment to a quieter atmosphere — and what this means for employee morale, customer loyalty, and future events and conferences.We also examine the broader impact on VMware's competitive position in the tech industry, revealing key takeaways for other companies facing similar challenges. We also discuss VMware's leadership strategies for navigating this transition, strategy, and balancing legacy values with innovation.Join us for a deep dive into the highlights from VMware Explore 2024, featuring insights from key stakeholders, and learn how VMware is forging a path forward in this new era. Take advantage of this must-listen episode for anyone interested in tech industry shifts, corporate culture, and leadership during times of change!

HyjLxuLpOHhBuGaV9fdI

This episode of the Tech Aunties Podcast was recorded at the SHARE conference in Kansas City. SHARE is the oldest enterprise user group in the world, and it allowed Gina and Marian a chance to dive into the world of mainframes. Marian realized there is hope for the mainframe because mainframes are a big part of modern infrastructure. The Aunties talked about the need to teach younger techies how to program in Assemble and COBOL—yeah, that programming language created by Grace Hopper.

They even toss around a marketing idea featuring none other than Megan Thee Stallion as the face of COBOL, thanks to the hilarious connection between her tunes and the COBOL requirement of ending statements with a period. What better way to attract young people to the world of mainframes?

The conversation takes a turn to highlight the upcoming SHARE conference in Washington, D.C., which is celebrating its 70th anniversary as a user group in the Enterprise space. Mainframes are a fantastic opportunity for anyone, especially those impacted by layoffs, to explore the mainframe field and tap into a treasure trove of educational resources offered by SHARE.

And hey, don’t forget! The hosts really want to connect with you on social media for all the latest content and updates. Tune in, and let’s keep the conversation going!

In this episode of Tech Aunties, we sit down with the remarkable Andrea Kalmans, a pioneering investor and entrepreneur based in Austin. Andrea takes us on a journey from her corporate past to her present as an influential 'auntie' investor, sharing candid insights on navigating the male-dominated VC landscape. She delves into the rapid evolution of AI technology, making a compelling case for its transformative power akin to the personal computer and internet revolutions. Andrea's current investment interests are at the forefront of innovation, focusing on enterprise security, social impact, and space manufacturing. Join us as she discusses the importance of keeping Austin affordable for essential workers and her inspiring future goals of impactful investing through public-private partnerships. Andrea's story is a testament to the power of authenticity and determination in the investment world.

In this episode of the Tech Aunties podcast, join us for an insightful discussion with Jamie Dean, founder of MarketDean LLC, as we explore the transformative power of AI in modern marketing.

Discover how to harness AI's potential to streamline your strategies, personalize customer experiences, and drive growth, all while upholding ethical standards and maintaining genuine human connections. We'll delve into navigating ethical considerations, maximizing AI's effectiveness, and preserving the human touch in your campaigns.

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting, tune in to learn how to create impactful, ethical, and empathetic campaigns that resonate with your audience and drive meaningful results. Hit play now and start shaping the future of your marketing today!

o Jaime Dean LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieldean/

o Market Dean LI Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketdeanllc/

o Website: http://www.marketdean.biz