Technology Words

The Technology landscape is constantly evolving and to many, it might be hard to keep up. How many people actually know what Generative AI is? Or what Deepfake is or what the Metaverse is? How many of you know what Enshittification is? 

These are just four of the terms that feature in the “The Start Up Lexicon” authored by Ken Valledy and Eamonn Carey, speakers on the world of start-ups, innovation, and collaboration

With simple definitions of the most frequently used words, alongside stories that give more context and colour, the Startup Lexicon is an incredible primer for anyone interested in one of the biggest and fastest growing sectors in the business world.

Below are some of the definitions of these terms mentioned and more will be added in the second book coming out later this year.

Generative AI – A form of AI that can create new and original items or data based on training datasets. Examples of generative AI include image generators such as Dall-E and Midjourney, which allow users to enter a text prompt that then creates a corresponding image or images. Similarly, ChatGPT is a form of generative AI, as its conversations are new and original but have their origins in the dataset created by OpenAI over time.

Deepfake – A synthetic piece of media (audio, images, video, or text) that uses machine learning and AI to replicate or replace a person’s likeness, voice, or writing. The term is typically associated with negative uses of this technology, such as creating audio to replicate someone’s voice or a video of someone’s likeness to spread misinformation. However, there are more positive uses of the technology as well, as it’s regularly used in the film and TV industries to replicate an actor’s voice from the past or to digitally de-age an actor.

Metaverse (aka Spacial Computing) – A term that was first coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 sci-fi classic Snow Crash. In the book, the metaverse is a virtual world accessed via virtual reality (VR) headsets. The more modern definition maintains that but also adds in the concept of augmented (AR) and mixed reality. Proponents of the metaverse see a future in which the internet evolves into a 3D world accessible via VR headsets, AR goggles, and other devices that allow users to access a fully virtual world or a mixed-reality view of the real world. Games such as Second Life were early examples of metaverse concepts, but perhaps the most popular depiction came in Ernest Cline’s 2011 science fiction book Ready Player One and the 2018 movie directed by Steven Spielberg. 

Enshittification – This term was coined by the author and activist Cory Doctorow. Voted the 2023 word of the year by the American Dialect Society, it was described by its creator in a recent Financial Times piece as ‘a three-stage process: first, platforms are good to their users. Then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers. Finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value for themselves. Then, there is a fourth stage: they die.’

SPEAKING 

Together, Ken and Eamonn bridge the worlds of corporates, startups, innovation, and inspiration – having worked with some of the biggest brands in the world – including AB InBev, Barclays, Amazon, Google, O2, American Express, P&G, Mercedes, GSK and many others.

Their speaking topics include –

Ten words that will shape your future. 

In this thought-provoking talk, we will delve into the fundamental tech words that are pivotal in comprehending the intricate landscape of the future. As we hurtle towards a world driven by technological advancements, it becomes increasingly crucial to grasp the language that underpins these transformative innovations. From artificial intelligence to blockchain, quantum computing to virtual reality, the future is being shaped by an array of cutting-edge technologies that demand our attention. During this enlightening session, we will demystify these complex concepts, breaking them down into accessible language that empowers individuals to navigate the future with confidence. By understanding these tech words, we gain a valuable lens through which we can interpret the transformative changes unfolding around us, enabling us to make informed decisions, embrace new opportunities, and actively participate in shaping the world of tomorrow. Sessions can be tailored for specific industries or requirements – from finance to CPG and beyond.

When Startups meet Corporates

Ken and Eamonn have seen the good, the bad, and the very ugly when it comes to collaboration between innovative startups and scaleups with large corporates. In this engaging talk, filled with practical examples, tips, and pitfalls, they will talk about how founders and executives can prepare themselves to work together in a more coherent and cohesive way – with a real focus on tactical tips and suggested timelines to help both sides realise their goals. Attendees will come away with a new appreciation for how to think about these types of partnerships, whether they should even think about them at all, and crucially – how to think about KPIs, the quirks on both the startup and corporate side of things, and how to start with the end in mind to ensure a successful outcome

For more information about Ken and Eamonn please visit their webpage or contact us at 020 8854 7247 or email matthew@scampspeakers.co.uk