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What if the future of work means being present without actually “being” there?
In this episode, Kate O’Neill and Cortney Harding dig into how AI, spatial computing, and XR are quietly reshaping both our work and our very definition of human value, beyond the headlines and hype.
Topics covered:
The transformative power of spatial computing and XR beyond the AI buzz
How enterprises are quietly adopting XR for training and productivity
“Metaverse” vs. “Metaphysical”: the next evolution of immersive tech
Redefining human strengths and “non-machine premiums” in the AI era
How AI and XR can foster inclusion and overcome workplace bias
Practical pilots for leaders: headset days, policies, and workflow innovations
Why employee and consumer satisfaction metrics matter more than ever
Predictions for seamless, reality-blending experiences in the next five years
Connect with: Cortney Harding
📋 Episode Chapters
00:00:05 – Welcome to The Tech Humanist Show
00:00:17 – Premium human strengths in an AI-driven workplace
00:00:28 – Cortney Harding on underestimating XR’s impact
00:01:32 – What’s quietly evolving in XR beyond AI hype?
00:02:01 – XR in the mainstream and the interconnected tech ecosystem
00:04:05 – The underreported impact of XR in enterprise and education
00:05:32 – From “metaverse” to “metaphysical”: reframing the future
00:09:00 – Extended reality, AI, and rethinking collaboration
00:11:25 – Developing non-machine premiums to stay ahead of AI
00:13:47 – Four “E”s where humans have the edge: Emotion, Enhancement, Experience, Ego
00:18:10 – Meeting people where they are: designing human-centered spatial experiences
00:21:01 – Frictionless experiences, seamless recommendations, and what’s next
00:22:24 – When AR/VR is actually worth it (and when a website is plenty)
00:24:31 – Aligning AI with organizational and human goals
00:26:11 – Creating a permission structure for meaningful AI use at work
00:31:11 – The shift from hours worked to task-based value
00:36:45 – One pilot for the future: “Headset day” at work
00:39:18 – Inclusion, avatars, and telling the tech story differently
00:40:29 – Lightning round: best, worst, and most promising XR use cases
00:42:53 – Five-year forecast: immersive experiences as everyday reality
00:43:51 – Where to find “The Spatial Race” and final thoughts
