Episode Title: #81 Tech Talk: Robot Babies, AI Selfies, and Apple Savings
In this episode of Tech Talk, we cover three hot topics that will blow your mind. You’ll discover how a sperm-injecting robot can help couples with infertility, how to create stunning AI-generated profile pictures on TikTok, and how to earn a high-interest rate on your savings with Apple Card.
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What’s going on everyone?! Welcome to the LEO podcast Tech episode, where we explore the world of technology and innovation. I’m your host, Kevin Muñoz, and in these episodes, we dive deep into the latest trends and advancements in the tech industry. From new gadgets and cutting-edge software to the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning, we’ll cover it all. Join us as we share insights, and uncover the stories behind some of the most exciting developments in technology today. So sit back, relax, and get ready for an informative and engaging episode of the LEO podcast.
If you’re listening to this episode on its release day, which is Monday, May first, I’d like to take a moment to invite you to join our Palomitas community at patreon.com/latinamericaneo. Your support not only helps me continue to produce new content but also grants you early access to episodes and exclusive bonus material. Thank you for considering becoming a part of our community.
But enough about that for now, let’s dive into today’s episode. So sit back, relax, and enjoy!
First up, we have a story that sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. The first babies conceived with a sperm-injecting robot have been born. Yes, you heard that right. A sperm-injecting robot. This is a new technique that automates the process of injecting a single sperm into an egg, which is used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The robot claims to be faster, cheaper, and more accurate than human operators. The company says that Overture can reduce the cost of IVF, and increase the success rate. That’s amazing news for couples who struggle with infertility, but also raises some ethical questions about the role of machines in human reproduction. What do you think? Would you trust a robot to make your baby?
I have to say, this story is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. On one hand, I think it’s great that technology can help people who want to have children but can’t do it naturally. On the other hand, I wonder what kind of implications this has for the future of humanity. Will we lose some of the intimacy and connection that comes with making a baby the old-fashioned way? Will we become more dependent on machines for everything? Will we start to design our babies based on our preferences and expectations? And what if something goes wrong with the robot? What if it malfunctions or gets hacked? These are some of the questions that I think we need to consider before we embrace this technology fully.
Next up, we have a study that reveals which countries spend the most time staring at their screens. And no, it’s not the US. According to a survey by Statista, the average American spends about 6 hours and 43 minutes per day on their devices, which is actually below the global average of 7 hours and 14 minutes. The country that tops the list is Brazil, where people spend a whopping 10 hours and 8 minutes per day on their screens. That’s almost half of their waking hours! The second place goes to China, with 9 hours and 18 minutes, followed by Colombia, with 9 hours and 8 minutes. The countries that spend the least time on their screens are Japan, with 4 hours and 25 minutes, France, with 4 hours and 53 minutes, and Germany, with 5 hours and 4 minutes. So what are these people doing on their screens all day? Well, according to the survey, the most popular activities are social media, video streaming, gaming, and online shopping. Sounds familiar? Maybe we should all take a break from our screens once in a while and enjoy some fresh air.
I have to admit, I’m not surprised by these results. I mean, who doesn’t love scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix or playing Candy Crush? But I also think that spending too much time on our screens can have some negative effects on our health and well-being. For example, studies have shown that screen time can disrupt our sleep quality, increase our stress levels, lower our attention span, and even affect our mood and self-esteem. Not to mention that it can also make us miss out on some of the real-life experiences and interactions that make life meaningful and fun. So maybe we should try to balance our screen time with some other activities that enrich our lives, like reading a book or going for a walk or talking to a friend.
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Moving on, we have a story that will make you want to update your TikTok app right now. TikTok is now testing a feature that will allow users to create AI-generated profile pictures. The tool is similar to Prisma Labs’ viral Lensa AI app for creating colorful digital portraits, but is built directly within TikTok. Users can choose from different styles and filters to transform their selfies into artistic images that look like paintings or cartoons. The feature is currently available only to some users in select markets, but TikTok says it will roll out globally soon. The company says that the feature is meant to help users express their creativity and personality on the platform, but also to protect their privacy and identity from online harassment or misuse. Some users have already shared their AI-generated profile pictures on social media, and they look pretty cool. Would you try this feature? Or do you prefer to keep it real?
I think this feature is pretty fun and innovative. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see themselves as a Picasso or a Van Gogh? But I also think that it could have some drawbacks. For one thing, it could make us lose some of our authenticity and uniqueness. If everyone starts using the same AI-generated pictures, how will we tell each other apart? And how will we know if someone is really who they say they are? For another thing, it could also create some unrealistic expectations and comparisons. If we see ourselves as these flawless and beautiful artworks, how will we feel about our real selves? And how will we react when we see others who look better than us? These are some of the issues that I think we need to be aware of before we use this feature.
And finally, we have some good news for Apple fans who want to save some money. Apple Card’s new high-yield Savings account is now available, offering a 4.15 percent APY. That’s one of the highest interest rates in the market right now. To open an account, you need to have an Apple Card credit card and an iPhone with iOS 15 or later. You can deposit money from your Apple Cash balance or link an external bank account. You can also set up recurring deposits or round up your Apple Card purchases to save automatically. There are no fees or minimum balances required for the account, and you can access your money anytime through the Wallet app or Siri. Plus, you get all the benefits of Apple Card, such as daily cash back rewards, privacy protection, and no late fees.
I have to say, this story is very tempting for me. I mean, who doesn’t love earning more money without doing much work? And who doesn’t love Apple products? But I also think that there are some things to consider before opening an account. For one thing, you need to have an Apple Card credit card, which means you need to have a good credit score and be willing to use Apple Pay for most of your transactions. For another thing, you need to be comfortable with storing your money in a digital wallet. And for a third thing, you need to be careful not to overspend on your Apple Card just to earn more cash back or save more money. These are some of the factors that I think we need to weigh before we join this program.
THE END
And that’s all for today on the LEO podcast. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. If you did, please leave us a rating and a review on your favorite podcast app. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes. And as always feel free to send me a voicemail through my website latinamerianeo.org by simply clicking the purple “send voicemail” popup and just start recording your thoughts or any interesting topic that you’d like to see covered and I might just feature it on the next episode!
and for those of you on Patreon, I’ll see you there.
Otherwise, I’ll see you all in next week’s episode!
Sources:
Article 1: Meet the robot babies: How a sperm-injecting machine made history
Article 2: TikTok’s latest experiment: AI-generated profile pics!
Article 3: Apple Card’s sweet deal: How to earn 4.15% interest on your savings