The Augmented Horizon

The next industrial revolution will happen within our bodies. Are you ready? Advancements in Extended Reality (AR, VR, Mixed Reality), Robotics, Quantum Computing, and HCI are redefining our reality. We keep you one step ahead of everyone else.

Would You Like Fries With That AI Prompt?

This week’s stories are a wild ride through the future of work, where robots aren’t just taking over the factory floor—they’re washing the dishes, cleaning the sink, and maybe coming for your job next. If you've been hoping manual labor might dodge the AI bullet, think again. We’ve got everything from Boston Dynamics' warehouse-bot Atlas (no more parkour, it’s strictly on the clock now) to AI-powered virtual influencers stirring up ethical concerns on social media.

So, who’s safe in this new digital frontier? Turns out… maybe no one. Robots are learning to problem-solve without help, filling in for electricians, and adding a whole new meaning to the phrase “hands-free household.” Add in AI glam-bots taking over the runway, and it’s official—robots are coming for jobs you didn’t even know they wanted! If you're curious (or slightly terrified), dive in below for the latest scoop.

WORTH THINKING ABOUT:
The Growing Threat of AI and Robotics on Employment: Why No Job is Truly Safe

I’ve written about AI’s threat to white-collar roles and the surprising pace at which automation is taking over. But the game has changed, and now no one’s role may be truly secure. What was once a conversation about AI disrupting desk jobs has expanded into a wide-reaching challenge as robotics join the ranks of the automated workforce. Industries that previously seemed immune—like construction, manufacturing, and even household chores—are now embracing these technologies as rising labor costs, inflation, and a lack of skilled workers drive employers to seek reliable, low-hassle solutions.

Companies are deploying large language models (LLMs) to support home robots, enabling them to recover from errors independently, no human hand needed (TechCrunch). It’s not just high-skilled manual jobs that are at risk—robots are now being trained for the nitty-gritty of cleaning sinks (New Atlas) and even aiding in households’ day-to-day (MIT Sloan). Denmark, for example, has turned to automation to address its electrician shortage, with robots stepping in to manage essential labor roles (The Robot Report).

For many industries, this isn't a gentle shift; it’s an aggressive takeover. Robots filling traditionally low-skilled jobs have implications far beyond the unemployment line—they could reshape voting patterns and disrupt local economies (Knowledge@Wharton). Across the board, automation is redefining what work looks like and who gets to do it. In a world where robots take on more roles and economic tensions heighten, the workforce as we know it might soon be unrecognizable.

WORTH READING:
What I Was Reading This Week

Virtual Reality Mortality—Can You Die More Than Once in the Metaverse?
A fascinating, if slightly spooky, look at whether avatars in virtual worlds face a “second death.” Experts ponder: Can a digital soul experience déjà vu in the afterlife? And if VR avatars die twice, does that mean double the existential dread?

Introducing Water-Powered Humanoid Clones—Just Add H2O!
This humanoid torso—yes, torso only—runs on water, giving new meaning to the term “fluid motion.” It’s part engineering marvel, part creepy mannequin, and might soon be the ultimate wet workout buddy. Who’s ready for a splash?

The Top AR Glasses to Bring Your Digital Life into Focus
From immersive video games to finding your way around town, these AR glasses make you look futuristic and slightly suspicious. Catch the rundown on AR’s latest upgrades, with features that’ll keep you tuned into your augmented surroundings—just don’t walk into walls.

Electric Atlas: Boston Dynamics’ Robotic Worker Bee
Boston Dynamics’ new electric-powered Atlas robot skips parkour to try out a day job! This bot hauls, stacks, and delivers with a surprising lack of flair. For anyone fearing the robot uprising—good news, they might be too busy doing warehouse chores!

Artificial Superintelligence: The Invention that Could Be Our Last
Brace yourself: experts are calling superintelligent AI humanity's final act. Predictions warn that ASI could make every choice for us, from breakfast to bank takeovers. Read on if you’ve ever wondered if robots should also handle existential crises.

Spring to Life! The Robotic Torso You Didn’t Know You Needed
Just a torso, but full of surprises—this robot pops to life without arms or legs and seems to be gearing up for Halloween a bit late. It’s oddly mesmerizing, a little terrifying, and begs the question: what’s next, disembodied robot heads?

AI Glam-Bots: The New Faces of Fashion
Step aside, human models! AI glam-bots are storming the catwalk, stealing the spotlight from their human counterparts. With flawless features and unlimited wardrobe choices, these bots are pushing fashion into the uncanny valley—think of them as the “perfect” influencer...without the attitude.

WORTH A WATCH

AI Influencers and Their Ethical Dilemma
In a world where AI influencers are the latest trend, ethical questions arise about influence, identity, and authenticity. Are these virtual icons just here for your clicks, or are they rewiring our trust in tech and social media? Tune in to see if we’re witnessing the dawn of robot-run marketing or just a phase in digital celebrity culture.

GPT-5 Is Slowing Down? OpenAI’s Next Big Update Raises Eyebrows
Rumor has it that GPT-5 might be the tortoise in the AI race, with news suggesting OpenAI’s latest model—codenamed “Orion”—could be trading speed for depth. The video delves into whether this slowdown could mean smarter, more thoughtful responses, or if it’s just a sign that AI has hit some new limitations. Will Orion dazzle with its brainpower, or leave users feeling like they're watching AI on dial-up?

Interesting Jobs in Tech

Coming soon! I am working with companies and recruiters in the space to add jobs. Do you have any? Please send me the details, and I will include them soon!

I’ve already started to get some submissions and leads for roles, although not all are in the extended tech space. If you want to reach out, please do so at the link above (I'm still setting up the process).

Product:

• Chief Product Officer

Engineering:

• Principal Engineer

• 2 different “Founding Engineer” roles

• Senior Backend Engineer

• Senior Fullstack Engineer

Are there any issues or corrections? Just let us know.
Portions of this email were assisted by artificial intelligence.