In today’s episode we talk with Kenneth Wong, Senior Editor at DigitalEngineering24/7, about how AI is making a stronger impact on the design and engineering world now than it did even just 3 years ago. It started with generative design, and now we are seeing AI seep into nearly every aspect of engineering - everything from simulation to digital twins in the metaverse. Listen in and let us know how you think AI will transform the engineering world.

Beyond 3D

How AI is Impacting Engineering, Design and Simulation

In this special episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, host David Berlind embarks on another unboxing adventure featuring a factory-dropped polo shirt from Lacoste's NFT-based customer engagement and loyalty program (better known as UNDW3 or "Underwater"). David explains how he found his way to buying a UNDW3 NFT with Ether (a.k.a. ETH, the protocol token of Ethereum) and then, in an act of "token gating," was able to use that card to gain access to exclusive benefits and customer experiences that are only available to UNDW3 NFT holders. 

Throughout 2023, David earned points in the program by going on UNDW3 missions, similar to how they completed certain journeys in Starbucks' Odyssey NFT program. But those points had nothing to do with his right to access the factory drop. Whereas members in the Odyssey program were gifted certain physical items based on points earned (be sure to watch David's unboxing of the care package he got from Starbucks), his status as a UNDW3 NFT holder only earned him the right to purchase UNDW3-branded polo shirts, sweat pants, and hoodies. David picked the least expensive of the three to purchase with his own money: the polo shirt for $125.

Come along as David rips open the box from Lacoste, discovers what's inside, and figures out how Lacoste married the physical item to a digital, augmented reality experience using the Snapchat platform.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/analysis/unboxing-first-phygital-drop-associated-lacostes-undw3-nft-customer-engagement-program

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?Frsjfr6geBw

Unboxing The First Phygital Drop Associated With Lacoste's UNDW3 NFT Customer Engagement Program

In this episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind unboxes a care package from the Starbucks' Odyssey NFT-based customer loyalty and engagement program. Clad in his "My Mom Thinks I Work at Bitcoin" t-shirt (thanks Alchemy!), David first explains how the Odyssey program worked throughout 2023 (he was an active participant) and how he worked his way into a special tier of accumulated points that earned him access to the physical items in the box. 

One by one, he picks through the contents of the box, which include a Starbucks Odyssey-branded MiiR mug, a Starbucks Odyssey hoodie, a coffee passport guidebook (sort of like a wine taster's diary, but for coffee drinkers), a sticker pack featuring images of some of the NFT stamps that he earned throughout 2023, and a canvas tote bag adorned with the Starbucks Odyssey logo.

While Starbucks isn't tying these particular physical items to the NFTs themselves like other global brand enterprise programs have, David discusses Starbucks' chosen blend of the physical and digital realms (often referred to as a "phygital" strategy in blockchain circles). Starbucks came closest to this marriage when it issued large MiiR tumblers to the holders of its Siren NFT (Starbucks uses the word "Stamp" instead of "NFT"). A siren is a special type of mermaid that Starbucks has chosen as the centerpiece of its iconic logo, and each MiiR mug that the coffee house issued to Siren NFT holders bore images of the sirens on their NFTs. 

David offers insights into the Starbucks Odyssey program's mechanics throughout the unboxing, including accumulating points through various activities and tier-based benefits selection. David also notes the personal data implications of participating in such programs, noting the additional personal information, such as shipping addresses, that Starbucks could not have otherwise gathered were it not for how the Odyssey program works.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/analysis/holy-unboxing-batman-starbucks-odyssey-nft-project-wraps-2023-gifts-program-participants

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?OBStfIiLuRQ

Holy Unboxing Batman! Starbucks' Odyssey NFT Project Wraps 2023 With Gifts for Program Participants

During the NFT.NYC 2024 Conference in New York, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews one of the speakers at the event: Marc Baumann, founder of FiftyOne Ventures and Dematerialzd.xyz. Baumann is well-known for his opinionated analyses regarding the NFT-based customer loyalty and engagement programs operated by some of the world's biggest brands.  The discussion delves into the evolution of NFT use cases, which famously (or infamously, depending on your point of view) began with collectible digital images. Baumann responds to David's questions with a walk down memory lane, examining the past and current NFT landscapes, and eventually ends with some predictions about some of the more nuanced use cases, focusing on tangible business outcomes.

Baumann identifies four key verticals where NFTs are making waves in business applications. The first, tokenization and phygitals, involves the 1:1 marriage of physical items with their digital counterparts on-chain, often facilitated by near-field communication (NFC) chips. According to Baumann, this results in myriad possibilities for post-purchase activations and direct consumer engagement, such as unlocking rewards or exclusive experiences tied to the possession of specific products. Baumann talks about how physical items become proxies for their digital counterparts and vice versa, paving the way towards the idea of token-gating, a fusion of the physical and digital realms where either "twin" grants the holder exclusive, "velvet rope" style access to real or virtual world (a.k.a. "metaverse") customer journeys. 

Baumann also leans into loyalty and rewards, community and commerce, and data insights as the other three key verticals. Baumann emphasizes the need for brands to move beyond the allure of NFTs as standalone collectibles and instead focus on solving real business problems, creating value for consumers, and generating measurable ROI. 

Baumann and David spend a fair amount of time discussing the history of the recently scuttled Starbucks Odyssey NFT program as a bit of a stain on the NFT landscape. This leaves open the question of how, if a big brand like Starbucks can't make NFTs work, what enterprise can? This brings the discussion full circle back to the challenges associated with collectibility (one of the main features of the Odyssey program).

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/dematerialzd-researcher-marc-baumann-discusses-post-starbucks-business-value-nfts-nftnyc

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV2ZBY7vuOk

Dematerialzd Researcher Marc Baumann Discusses the Post Starbucks Business Value of NFTs at NFT.NYC

In deze aflevering van Something Spatial schuift Jolie van Hummel, engineer bij Esri Nederland, aan als nieuwe co-host. Samen met Niels gaat zij in gesprek met Joost van der Hammen van wateradvies en IT-bureau Nelen & Schuurmans over dynamische digital twins. Joost houdt zich binnen deze organisatie onder andere bezig met overstromingsrisico's en coördineert daarnaast het business development team aan de kant van de softwareinstrumenten.

Something Spatial - De dynamische digital twin bij watermanagement

In deze aflevering van Something Spatial gaan hosts Jolie van Hummel en Niels van der Vaart in gesprek met Hedi van Dijk van Tygron. Tygron ontwikkelt oplossingen waarmee opdrachtgevers - gemeenten, provincies, waterschappen, projectontwikkelaars, ingenieurs- en adviesbureaus en het hoger onderwijs - heel snel inzicht krijgen in de effecten van (verschillende varianten van) beleid.

Something Spatial - Dynamische digital twin: herkenbaar en transparant

Leverage data, analytics, & automation for Intelligent Asset Management. Improve productivity, reduce costs, & enhance control. Discover Web Synergies' solutions.

Exploring the Realm of Intelligent Asset Management Solutions

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, Jay Cadman, SVP at IQGeo, joins host Brad Hine to discuss how geospatial intelligence and AI are transforming broadband operations. Jay shares insights from his 30+ year career in telecom, highlighting the importance of accurate data, digital twins, and connecting field and office teams. Learn how IQGeo helps network operators—from major carriers to small ISPs—improve efficiency, reduce errors, and future-proof their infrastructure.

Episode 428: AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of Broadband Operations with Jay Cadman

Today we welcome Dr. Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of LandScan, a pioneering company revolutionizing site characterization and analysis for agriculture and forestry. With over 20 years of experience developing, protecting, and commercializing innovative technologies for soil and vegetation mapping, Dr. Rooney is leading LandScan to transform how farmers, foresters, and land managers optimize their operations. LandScan’s cutting-edge solutions integrate remote sensing, spatial information analysis, and machine learning to deliver accurate, timely, and actionable insights, empowering growers to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability. 

Dr. Rooney and his dedicated team are driven by a mission to improve global agriculture and forestry through intelligent, data-driven approaches. From his early work in soil physics to creating digital twin technology for high-value crops like almonds, vineyards, and avocados, Dr. Rooney shares his journey and vision for a smarter, more sustainable future. Tune in to explore how LandScan is redefining soil surveys and helping farmers worldwide make informed decisions. Visit LandScan.ai to learn more about their transformative services.

You can learn more about LandScan here: https://landscan.ai/

And, if you’re as excited as we are about the future of agriculture, check out our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. There’s a lot of great things happening and always something to learn. 


AgEmerge Podcast 165 with Dan Rooney of LandScan

What happens when you build an AI version of yourself? In this episode, I interview… me. Meet my AI twin—trained on decades of research—to explore the future of personal AI—and find out how to use it yourself!

Everything you ever wanted to know about AI

The world's leading source of information for enterprises and businesses looking to use blockchain as an application platform for digital transformation, business innovation, customer engagement, and industry disruption.

Soil health, regenerative practices, and emerging technology — The AgEmerge Podcast. Join our host, Monte Bottens, as he engages with guests from diverse agriculture interests to discuss experiences, practices and scalable applications for any operation. Tune in to new episodes every other Tuesday to regenerate your ideas, soil, crops, livestock and livelihood.





ag-emerge
ag emerge

Welcome to the Broadband Bunch, a podcast about broadband and how it impacts all of us.  Join us to learn about the state of the industry and the latest innovations and trends. Connect with the thought leaders, pioneers and policymakers helping to shape your future through broadband.

The Broadband Bunch is sponsored by:
ETI Software:  www.etisoftware.com
VETRO: www.vetrofibermap.com

New tracks tagged #DigitalTwin