When Cindy Gallop launched MakeLoveNotPorn more than a decade ago, her goal was simple but radical: to separate real-world sex from porn and encourage healthier conversations about intimacy, relationships and consent. Now, she is taking that mission even further with the launch of MakeLoveNotPorn Academy, a global aggregator platform for sex education resources designed for lifelong learning.

MakeLoveNotPorn Academy aims to become a global hub for sex education

The Academy is now live in early-stage beta and aims to become what Gallop describes as “the Google of sex education” — a searchable hub that organizes educational content for parents, teachers, young people and adults.

Why Sex Education Needs Its Own Platform

According to Gallop, one of the biggest problems in sex education today is not the lack of information — it is discoverability.

Search engines often censor or filter sexual health and education content, making it difficult for parents and educators to find reliable, fact-based resources. The result is that many young people end up learning about sex primarily through pornography rather than education.

MakeLoveNotPorn Academy aims to solve this by acting as a human-curated aggregator, where every educator and resource is vetted to ensure that content is:

• Educational
• Fact-based
• Non-judgmental
• Age-appropriate
• Culturally sensitive

The platform allows users to search resources by age group, comfort level and cultural context, creating a structured approach to lifelong sex education.

From MakeLoveNotPorn To MakeLoveNotPorn Academy

This new platform builds on Gallop’s long-running work in the sex tech space. In a previous Tech Trends article, we explored the broader challenges and opportunities in the industry and why investment in sex tech is still often overlooked despite its massive social impact.

That article argued that sex tech is not just about products — it is about education, safety, relationships, consent, and culture. The launch of MakeLoveNotPorn Academy reinforces that argument by positioning sex education as infrastructure, not content.

A Human-Curated Model In An Algorithmic World

One of the most interesting aspects of the Academy is that it deliberately does not rely purely on algorithms.

Instead, the platform uses a 100% human-curation model, where educators and content are reviewed and approved manually. In a digital world dominated by algorithmic recommendation systems, this approach is intentionally different — prioritizing safety, context and educational value over engagement metrics.

The Academy is free to access, and operates on a membership and donation model to support operations and future development.

Sex Education As A Technology Platform

The launch of MakeLoveNotPorn Academy highlights a broader trend within the sex tech industry: the shift from devices and apps toward platforms, education, and digital ecosystems.

Sex tech is increasingly intersecting with:

• EdTech
• Online learning platforms
• Community platforms
• Creator economies
• Digital health
• AI and personalization
• Content aggregation platforms

In that sense, MakeLoveNotPorn Academy is not just a sex education site — it is a knowledge platform, and potentially the first global aggregator dedicated entirely to sex education.

The Future Of Lifelong Sex Education

Sex education has traditionally been treated as something that happens once, in school, often awkwardly and incompletely. MakeLoveNotPorn Academy takes a very different view: sex education should be lifelong.

From early childhood conversations about bodies and boundaries, through teenage years, relationships, consent, communication, pleasure, aging, and long-term relationships — education around intimacy and relationships evolves throughout life.

If Gallop’s vision succeeds, MakeLoveNotPorn Academy could become a central hub for that lifelong learning journey.

And in doing so, it may help reshape not only sex education, but how we think about relationships, communication and intimacy in the digital age.

The post Building the Google of Sex Education appeared first on Tech Trends.

A move away from AI copyright exemptions puts licensing at the center of how creators and developers will coexist.

A Policy U-Turn on AI and Copyright

The UK government has published its latest Copyright and AI report, marking a notable shift in direction on one of the most contested issues in the AI economy.

Earlier proposals that would have allowed AI developers to train models on copyrighted works under an opt-out system have now been dropped. Instead, the government is prioritizing a framework that:

• Supports fair payment for creators

• Enhances transparency in AI training data

• Promotes responsible AI innovation

The decision reflects strong pushback from the UK’s creative industries, which argued that broad copyright exceptions would undermine their ability to control and monetize their work.

Licensing Takes Center Stage

At the heart of the new direction is a growing emphasis on licensing as the primary mechanism for enabling AI development while protecting intellectual property.

Tom West, CEO of Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS), welcomed the shift, highlighting that licensing infrastructure is already in place and actively evolving.

“There is no market failure… a dynamic licensing market for the use of content in AI has developed and continues to grow.”

This signals a broader industry consensus: rather than rewriting copyright law for AI, the focus should be on scaling existing market-based solutions.

A Market Already in Motion

PLS recently launched the first phase of a collective licensing solution specifically designed for AI use cases. Introduced at the London Book Fair, the initiative aims to:

• Provide AI developers with legal access to high-quality content

• Ensure creators are paid fairly

• Maintain control over how content is used

Early feedback suggests strong interest from publishers and industry stakeholders, with adoption already underway.

This reinforces the argument that the market is adapting organically, without the need for disruptive legal exemptions.

Why the Copyright Exception Was Dropped

The government’s earlier proposal—a copyright exception with an opt-out—was widely criticized for several reasons:

Key concerns included:

• Loss of control for creators

• Reduced revenue opportunities

• Increased legal ambiguity

• Disproportionate advantage for large AI firms

Critics argued that such an approach would effectively shift value away from creators and toward AI developers, without adequate safeguards.

By stepping back from this model, the government is acknowledging that innovation and protection are not mutually exclusive.

What Comes Next

While the report provides direction, several key areas remain under development:

Expected next steps:

• Greater transparency requirements around AI training data

• Clear labelling of AI-generated content

• Rules governing digital replicas

• Support mechanisms for smaller creators

• Continued investment in the UK AI sector

These measures aim to create a more balanced ecosystem—one that fosters innovation while maintaining trust and accountability.

A Defining Moment for Creative Industries

This policy shift could have long-term implications far beyond the UK.

If licensing becomes the dominant model globally, it would:

• Strengthen the economic position of creators

• Encourage higher-quality AI training data

• Establish clearer rules of engagement between industries

It also signals that governments are increasingly cautious about introducing sweeping legal changes in response to AI—especially when market solutions are already emerging.

Conclusion

The UK’s revised stance on AI and copyright marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of both industries.

By prioritizing licensing over exemptions, the government is betting on a model that aligns incentives rather than disrupts them.

The challenge now will be execution: ensuring that licensing systems scale effectively, remain accessible, and deliver real value to both creators and AI developers.

If successful, this approach could become a blueprint for balancing innovation with ownership in the age of AI.

The post Rethinking AI Copyright Rules appeared first on Tech Trends.

From response times to emoji use, your texting behavior may be quietly defining your dating success.

The Rise of Text-Based Dating Signals

Texting has become the front line of modern dating. Before a first date—or even a phone call—your messaging style sets the tone.

A new quiz developed by Flirtcam.AI explores how small habits—like how quickly you reply or how you end a conversation—can influence how others perceive you.

As dating increasingly shifts into digital-first interactions, these micro-behaviors matter more than ever.

The Five-Question Texting Quiz

The quiz (provided in the PR materials ) focuses on five core behaviors:

• Response time

• Handling flirty messages

• Ending conversations

• Emoji usage

• Managing fading conversations

Each answer falls into three categories:

• A: Confident, engaged communicator

• B: Balanced, thoughtful responder

• C: Avoidant or inconsistent texter

What Your Results Say About You

Texting Pro (Mostly A’s)

You’re responsive, engaging, and emotionally attuned.

• Conversations feel natural and enjoyable

• You signal interest clearly

• Others rarely feel uncertain about where they stand

This style tends to create stronger early connections and momentum.

Casual Conversationalist (Mostly B’s)

You strike a balance between engagement and independence.

• Thoughtful but not overly reactive

• Reliable without being intense

• Consistent, but not always exciting

This style builds trust over time, even if it lacks immediate spark.

Ghoster Alert (Mostly C’s)

You may unintentionally create confusion or disengagement.

• Delayed or missing responses

• Conversations fade without closure

• Avoidance of difficult or awkward exchanges

While often unintentional, this pattern is one of the biggest frustrations in modern dating.

Why Texting Habits Matter More Than You Think

According to Flirtcam.AI’s dating expert Sam Mann:

“The way you communicate over text shapes how people perceive you long before you meet in person.”

In other words, texting isn’t just communication—it’s impression management.

Small signals like:

• Timing

• Tone

• Consistency

…can determine whether a connection builds—or disappears.

Where AI Companions Enter the Picture

One of the more interesting angles in this release is the role of AI companions in improving communication skills.

AI-powered platforms like Flirtcam.AI allow users to:

• Practice conversations in a low-pressure environment

• Experiment with tone, humor, and timing

• Build confidence without fear of rejection

• Learn how to exit conversations gracefully

This positions AI not just as entertainment—but as a behavioral training tool.

AI as “Dating Rehearsal”

The concept is simple but powerful:

• No judgment

• No stakes

• Unlimited practice

For users who struggle with:

• Overthinking replies

• Avoiding conversations

• Misreading tone

AI companions can act as a safe rehearsal space.

Over time, this can translate into more confident and effective real-world communication.

The Bigger Trend: Emotional Skill-Building via AI

This quiz reflects a broader shift in how AI is being used:

• Not just for productivity

• But for social and emotional development

We’re seeing AI tools increasingly help users:

• Improve communication

• Build confidence

• Navigate complex social dynamics

Dating is simply one of the most relatable use cases.

Conclusion: Your Texting Style Is a Signal—Not a Fixed Trait

The key takeaway isn’t labeling yourself—it’s recognizing patterns.

Your texting habits:

• Can be improved

• Can be practiced

• Can evolve

And increasingly, AI may play a role in helping people become better communicators in a digital-first world.

The post Improving Texting in Dating appeared first on Tech Trends.

Across STEM classrooms, educators are increasingly confronting a challenge that has little to do with students’ ability or motivation: cognitive overload.

Many instructors report that students are not necessarily struggling because concepts are too difficult, but because they are faced with too much dense information delivered too quickly. Traditional teaching formats—long lectures paired with complex textbooks—can make it difficult for students to absorb, revisit, and retain foundational scientific concepts.

As a result, universities are beginning to experiment with new instructional models designed to reduce cognitive load and improve learning outcomes.

The Cognitive Load Challenge in STEM Education

STEM subjects often require students to process large volumes of information while simultaneously developing problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding. When material is presented in rapid succession without opportunities to revisit or visualize complex processes, students can quickly become overwhelmed.

Educational researchers describe this as cognitive load—the amount of mental effort required to process new information.

When cognitive load becomes too high, students may struggle to:

• retain key concepts

• connect theoretical ideas to practical applications

• prepare effectively for laboratory work

• participate actively in discussions

For many universities, the challenge has become finding ways to deliver complex information more clearly without sacrificing academic depth.

Flipped Classrooms and Visual Learning

One approach gaining traction across higher education is the flipped classroom model. In this format, students review core instructional materials before class, allowing in-person time to focus on discussion, problem-solving, and deeper conceptual exploration.

Visual learning tools are increasingly playing a role in this shift.

Platforms such as JoVE provide structured video explanations of scientific concepts that students can revisit outside the classroom. The idea is to make complex processes easier to understand through step-by-step visual demonstrations, rather than relying solely on written descriptions.

Supporters of this approach argue that visual explanations can help students grasp abstract scientific ideas more quickly and arrive in class better prepared.

Faculty Feedback on Visual Teaching Tools

A recent faculty review of JoVE Core Chemistry involved 22 instructors from U.S. institutions, including universities such as Cornell University and University of Florida.

According to the review:

• 86% of faculty rated the scientific clarity of the material 4 or 5 out of 5

• 82% highlighted visual representation as a key strength

• 77% said the material was more useful than traditional learning resources

• 59% planned to use the videos for pre-class or pre-lab preparation

• 100% expected improved student engagement and confidence

Faculty involved in the evaluation noted that visual explanations can help students understand abstract chemical processes more quickly, particularly when preparing for laboratory work or reviewing complex topics outside of lecture time.

A Broader Shift in Higher Education

The growing interest in visual learning tools reflects a broader shift in how universities are thinking about teaching efficiency and student engagement.

Rather than relying exclusively on lectures and textbooks, many institutions are experimenting with blended teaching methods that combine:

• visual explanations

• pre-class preparation

• interactive classroom discussion

• applied problem-solving

For educators, the goal is not to simplify science but to present it in ways that reduce unnecessary cognitive friction, allowing students to focus on understanding concepts rather than struggling with how information is delivered.

As universities continue to explore new teaching models, reducing cognitive overload may become a central consideration in the design of future STEM education.

The post Rethinking STEM Teaching to Reduce Student Cognitive Overload appeared first on Tech Trends.

SXSW draws a crowd from all over the world. There are many countries that make an effort to have a known presence at SXSW. They may send a delegation of government officials, a gaggle of musicians to perform or even set up elaborate pop-up events to draw attention to their country’s innovation and accomplishment.

This manifests in things like “Australia House” the multi-day popup on Rainy street that combines sessions on Australian technology and culture with live music. Another popular one is the UK house at SXSW, home of the British Music Embassy as well as panels, sessions and networking events. Even Tulsa, Oklahoma joined the game with a multi-day popup to bring awareness to the existence of creativity and culture in Tulsa.

2022 was going to be Ukraine’s first year at SXSW. However, recent events have altered those plans. Some representatives from Ukraine at the SXSW Creative Industries Exhibition still managed to make it to SXSW and have made a meaningful impact at SXSW this year.

Diana Rakus, Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine

I spoke with Diana Rakus, from the “Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine,” at their official booth. Even getting to SXSW 2022 required some unusual efforts by the Ukrainians. Rakus explained that  “The sky is closed in Ukraine, so we had to get to at least Poland. But we decided to choose Germany. So, I drove the car to Germany and then from Germany, I had a flight.” Apparently, her way back home will have similar difficulties. She plans to fly “from here to somewhere in Europe and then from Europe…back to Ukraine.”

She believes the efforts are “worth it.” Rakus says that “during these four days we’ve already met hundreds of people” who are interested in either doing business with Ukraine or finding “ways to support Ukraine.”  She sees this as “a great chance for us to present ourselves and also to encourage people to be involved in the process and to support Ukrainians.”

From her perspective, “Ukraine is standing not only for our country but for the democracy of the whole world.”  She gives her summary of a recent UN court decision: “the invasion of Russia into Ukraine is illegal and they said that Russia should immediately leave our country.”

Plans to bring Ukraine to SXSW were actually started last fall. Rakus says that they had chosen “six Ukrainian startups who had to be presented here, but unfortunately they couldn’t leave the country due to all the things here.”  She herself was “the only one from the ministry who was able to come “

The original goal was to work with the “whole of Europe.”  Ruckus describes aspirations for Ukraine to become the Information and Technology Hub for “at least, Europe and hopefully even the world.” They came here to find ways to make “Ukraine attractive for foreign companies and foreign investors” and show them the opportunities available in Ukraine.  She cites “low taxes” and “comfortable conditions for hiring people” as some of the potential draws of Ukraine.

She explains that despite everything that has happened “we decided not to lose this chance.” It had been planned “far ahead of the beginning of the war.” So they came here “to come and talk to as many people as we can, just to be heard and to show that we already have a lot of things to be proud of.”

She talks about recent progress made by the “Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine,” “the main body responsible for policymaking.” This year, they have been focusing on “four spheres of improvement.”

The first sphere is to “digitize all government services.” They have web applications for people to access some government documents such as ID cards or vaccination certificates. They also have other online services that allow people to get what they need without having to go to authorities in person.

Another sphere they are working on is increasing broadband and “guaranteeing that all essential infrastructure is covered with broadband. The third sphere is raising literacy rates for Ukrainian citizens, in part, to help with their ability to access these new online services. The fourth sphere is continuing to develop the IT industry.

Hannah Zenn, Co-Director of Startup Grind Kyiv

The neighboring booth at the convention hall was originally designed to showcase the six Ukrainian startups, eager to show themselves to the world of SXSW. The area is eerily empty and contains a number of unoccupied tables and a large map covered in pictures of people who planned to be here.

I spoke with Hannah Zenn, Co-Director of Startup Grind Kyiv, about Ukrainian companies at SXSW and the experience of a Ukrainian in the spring of 2022.

She explains that they had come “to showcase different types of products.” They had everything from sustainable toothbrushes and sustainable fashion brands to lighting apps for concerts and “apps to match tech specialists with companies.” These companies have had to “adapt” in order to “actually keep up their work.”

How did they adapt? Zenn says “they mostly relocated to safer places” like “the western part of Ukraine.” She describes the area as “also bombed” but “kind of okay,” in that it isn’t entirely safe, but there is enough “calm time” to allow people “to focus on their work.” This area has internet access and allows for a “connection with all the teams we planned to have here.” This connection allows them to continue “checking out whether everyone’s okay.

She says that the Digital Ministry of Transformation had done a lot to help support this mission to share Ukrainian startups.  She mentions that the “Ukrainian community here in Texas” was helpful as well. Zenn describes herself as “lucky and very happy” to be able to come here and speak up for those that could not attend.

She also says that: “We’re getting used to what’s happening. It’s not something you expect in this century. You just wake one day and… your city is bombed, buildings next to you are bombed… It’s just, you can’t imagine that.”

She explains that Ukraine has been getting a lot of support from people here at SXSW. People are creating different initiatives or finding other ways to support. This includes things like “creating messages about what’s really happening.” She describes the situation in Ukraine as “terror, happening in my homeland” and expresses frustration with people who doubt the situation she is experiencing.

Zenn states that she is personally from “one of the cities that is super heavily bombed.” But that there are people who doubt that “civilian houses are bombed,” despite there being “six hundred civilian houses.. buildings… not even just, like, small homes, but buildings that are already ruined.”

However, she believes that “Ukrainians are united as never before” and “all people are doing something, helping each other.” Because of this she believes that “Ukraine will just be stronger after this.”

And that strength is already being shown in how “companies are adapting to this new reality.” She emphasizes the importance of getting clients and investments and retaining partnerships that are already built, because this affects the lives of people. She explains that these people have “something to create” and “they have responsibility and they actually try to help their teams and employees and partners who are in Ukraine.”

Zenn sees this “engagement” in work as one of the things that actually helps people stay strong enough “to go through this.”  This work offers the chance to “do something” and “separate your emotions” while focusing on “this practical side” of things.

Zenn positively summarizes her experiences here at South by Southwest, saying that “we met so many people that are really, really supportive and that’s incredible, that gives a lot of energy.” She lauds the persistence of Ukrainians, stating her assurance that “we will rebuild everything.”

She also says that “I’m sure Ukraine will be back at South By next year…we’ve just discussed it, next year we can be here with all the teams.”

The startups that would have been at SXSW 2022 are:

• Framiore – clothes combines tailoring traditions from around the world
• effa – 100% recyclable and renewable paper travel amenities
• FlashBeats – strobe light music player
• Deep3dstudio – photogrammetry studio that provides 3D scanning and post-production services for different industries
• Proof-of-Love – metaverse of fashion based on blockchain
• SPOKK – simple accident insurance for pets

More info here https://techukraine.org/2022/01/21/techukraine-news-six-ukrainian-startups-selected-to-present-ukraine-at-sxsw-2022

The post Ukraine’s First SXSW appeared first on Tech Trends.

Atmosphere TV wants to bring people together to watch things and share experiences at the “Unauthorized” Banksy Exhibit at SXSW 2022. I sat down with Blake Sabatinelli · Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere to talk about what they do and what brought them here.

Sabatinelli says that “it started with our two co-founders sitting at a bar, looking up at TV screens in this bar.” The TVs were muted and playing ESPN and Judge Judy. The co-founders, John Resig and Leo Resig thought “there had to be something better.” They made it a goal to “produce content for people’s eyes instead of ears.”

The co-founders considered the reality that  “people spend 70% of their day outside of the home.” However, television is designed for home consumption. So they made it their goal to produce content that would make people “look up from their phones.”

They source content from a variety of places. Sabatinelli describes them as “curators of the internet” who “find the best from the internet” and bring it to venues where people gather. They get their content from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok as well as more traditional TV channels.

Their goal is to “elevate” the communal experience of TV in public spaces. Sabatinelli describes Atmosphere TV as “kind of a nexus of new creators and the older formats like TV bringing them together.”

But why is there Banksy art here? Sabatinelli explains that the “co-founders are huge fans of his artwork.” They have been collecting Banksy art for almost ten years. Sabatinelli says that they “wanted to make sure they were sharing their artwork with the world.” Since Austin is their “backyard” they specifically wanted to give back to this area.

As I speak to Sabatinelli, loud group yells erupt at various intervals, in response to things happening on the TV screens. Apparently, they have succeeded in bringing people together to share content.  Sabatinelli summarizes the feeling of SXSW 2022 when he says “It’s great to have people back out in the world, sharing something together.”

The post Atmosphere TV and Unauthorized Banksy Art at SXSW appeared first on Tech Trends.

By Laura Kobylecky

Interview with Kim Macharia, Executive Director of the Space Prize Foundation

Space is always a popular topic at SXSW. There is a bright future for space travel and the commercial industries that connect to it. All kinds of inventions and innovations are emerging within this sector.

Kim Macharia wants to ensure that this growing field includes a diverse group of voices. She serves as Executive Director of the Space Prize Foundation. This nonprofit organization is “focused on promoting STEM education and increasing the representation of women in aerospace careers.”

Macharia explains that she “had a really unconventional entryway into the world of space.” She had a screenwriting fellowship in college. She bought “a NASA space camp jacket” at a thrift store and it inspired her to write “a musical comedy about two women competing for a free trip to space.” Her two main characters were immigrants and, while researching the script, she found out “just how difficult it can be for women, people of color, people from non-space faring nations” to enter the space industry.

After that, she dedicated her senior thesis, as a philosophy student, to “writing about democratizing space.” Macharia had originally planned to do non-profit work in entertainment. But, while volunteering at a space conference, she tells the story of a chance encounter:

“I met my first boss while I was holding a door open at the conference. We had a coffee meeting the next day and three weeks later… I moved to New York for an internship position he had created just for me and I’ve been working on projects centered around democratizing and diversifying the industry ever since.”

Her non-traditional background informs some of her current vision. She explains that “at Space Price, we really prioritize, not just the word ‘STEM’ [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics]  but ‘STEAM’ [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics].”

Macharia believes that:

“There’s so much power in utilizing the arts to affect the development of all the innovations we’re seeing in all kinds of technological fields, not just space. The arts add this beautiful layer that allows us to, I think, take a more humanistic approach to how we create technology that’s going to revolutionize the way we function as humans.”

She says that now is “the most exciting time ever to be doing anything in space.” With the cost of launch coming down, “due to advances made by companies, mostly SpaceX, but companies like SpaceX,” people are “given the opportunity to engage in space in a way that they never could before.” This particular time is crucial because “there’s room for us to innovate in ways you can’t do in other more established sectors.”

Macharia states that “out of the 600 or so people who have ever flown to space, just 12% are women” and that “it’s going to take quite some time to really shift those numbers.” If we want to shift these numbers “we have to get girls excited about it right now and that is going to take some creativity because girls can’t really see themselves fully in the industry right?”

Many of the biggest names in the “billionaire space race, are all men, white men at that. And what little girl can, you know, look to Elon, or look to Bezos and really envision a path for themselves in it?”

Macharia wants to change that, with the Space Prize Foundation. They are launching a “global contest that opens in June of this year.” They will be sending two girls to space. To apply, the girls must be ages 15 to 18. They can be “from anywhere in the world.”

The contest will include:

Four rounds:

1. General form with short answers
2. Essays
3. Creative submissions
4. Interviews

There are additional benefits as well: “All 30 finalists will go on a Zero-G flight together and then all 30 finalists will get a year of mentorship from a leading figure in the aerospace industry.” Macharia describes this as part of a goal to build “that pipeline” to get girls “excited about all the possibilities that are there. the Space Prize Foundation wants to “connect them directly with women, who have paved the way, who have broken the glass ceiling ahead of them.”

And they want to do more than just help these young women. the Space Prize Foundation is also dedicated to “promoting universal space literacy.”  They believe the general public is “not really aware enough of all the amazing contributions that space has offered to society in a variety of industries” They are developing a curriculum that will be “accessible to teachers and students.” This curriculum, which launches in June, will help teach about the “new space economy” and space science, as well as design thinking.

Macharia explains that the broader curriculum is based on a desire to “build people who will not just work in the industry, we want to build future leaders to innovate and refine the industry.” Because, although the Space Prize Foundation wants to get “girls excited about space,” they also see the value in inspiring more general learning. Even if they end up “switching to other industries” then “at least we know that we gave them a chance to think about something so big, so impossible, that it made them feel like they could accomplish just about anything in the world.”

We may all look forward to a bright and inclusive future in the world of space innovation.

Kim Macharia spoke at the SXSW Session:

Hidden No More: Black Women In Space

https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/events/PP120555

The post Space for Everyone: Diversity in Commercial Space Ventures appeared first on Tech Trends.

As such, if you are starting a new company, or you have an existing brick and mortar store, now is the time to take action and go digital. Here is a guide to setting up an eCommerce business smoothly and with minimal stress.

Get in touch with a web designer

The success of your eCommerce business is hinged on the attractiveness and functionality of your eCommerce website. Therefore, it pays to utilize the services of a professional web designer as opposed to building the site yourself using a free website building tool.

A web designer will help to ensure that online shoppers enjoy an optimized user experience through easy navigation and stunning imagery. As a result, the chances of these shoppers making a conversion will be greatly increased.

Take pictures of your products

Once the design of your website is complete, you will need to populate it with images of the products that you are selling. It is recommended to hire an expert photographer to take photographs of your merchandise to allow for uniformity. Further to this, online shoppers who are exposed to professional-looking images will subconsciously develop a better sense of trust in the brand in question and will be more likely to purchase what they see.

Invest in a vehicle fleet

It is possible to make use of the services of a third-party courier in order to deliver your customers’ orders to their door. However, doing so can often come with a host of potential problems due to poor communication or poorly maintained vehicles.

Therefore, several eCommerce business owners opt to invest in a company vehicle fleet of their own and deliver customer orders in-house. If you opt to go this route, it is vital that you keep track of vehicle maintenance requirements, registrations, route planning, and fuel efficiency. Consider investing in a fleet management software solution if you are battling to handle these tasks manually.

Set up safe, secure payments

Guaranteeing online shopping safety is an absolute non-negotiable for eCommerce websites. Without this guarantee in place, very few of your potential customers will be willing to convert. Take your time researching the various payment gateway options available to you and ensure that the one you choose easily integrates with your website for smooth, safe, and error-free payments.

Track important business metrics

You need to be actively tracking important metrics in order to maximize the success of your eCommerce business and make profitable changes thereof. Essential metrics to monitor include your sales conversion rate, average order value, the number of website hits received shopping cart abandonment rate, and the overall cost of customer acquisition.

There has never been a better time to embrace the world of eCommerce. Go for it – and good luck.

The post Setting Up an e-Commerce Business A Guide appeared first on Tech Trends.

Suppose you are a manufacturer, and your customer encounters a problem with your product. The product could be an appliance, a laptop computer, or a more complex piece of equipment like a generator. Your customer might attempt to troubleshoot the problem with online manuals or YouTube videos, or they might call the customer service helpline. Worst case scenario a technician must be dispatched to their home or place of business.

When using online manuals and YouTube videos, the customer is constantly attempting to convert abstract text, graphics or a video into actionable behaviors to fix the problem
Share on X

From a neuroscience of learning and performance perspective, all of these approaches are slow, error-prone, frustrating, and reduce customer confidence and satisfaction.

When using online manuals and YouTube videos, the customer is constantly attempting to convert abstract text, graphics or a video into actionable behaviors to fix the problem. The customer must constantly switch attention back and forth from the manual or video to the product while storing information in working memory. This process is challenging and places a heavy load on the cognitive and representational systems in the brain. From a cognitive perspective, the working memory, executive attention, and attention switching load is high. From a representational perspective, one must convert abstract information into an accurate mental representation. If lucky, the customer can fix the problem, but in many cases, they cannot.

The situation is no better on the phone with customer service. The customer struggles to find the words to describe the problem as they do not have the appropriate terminology available to communicate effectively. The customer service representative also struggles to translate the customer’s description into a meaningful dialogue to guide troubleshooting. Both the customer and the customer service representative feel like that are speaking different languages and communication is difficult. This is again a problem with cognitive and representational processing in the brain. Translating the problems and the solutions into words places a heavy load on working memory, attention, and mental representation processes. Both participants wish that the customer service representative could “see” the problem and “experience” the problem in real-time.

AR tools have great potential in troubleshooting and field service
Share on X

Dispatching a technician takes time and costs money. The technician must also have the requisite training to troubleshoot and fix the equipment. Technicians differ in their experience and skill level and a novice technician may need to revisit the manual, call an expert for advice, or even ask that a more experienced technician visit the site. This costs the vendor time and money, and every second that the product is “down” represents an inconvenience, a potential loss in revenue and decreased customer confidence and satisfaction in the product.

Now imagine an Augmented Reality (AR) solution to this problem.

AR Alternative to Manuals and Videos

Suppose the customer does not wade through online manuals or videos with the need for constant attention shifts but instead focuses their phone or tablet camera on the device where step-by-step instructions are provided for how to troubleshoot the problem. Built-in algorithms instruct the customer on what to do using text, arrows, highlighting or other tools. Critically, these are all being presented overlaid on the customers’ view of the product. The problem will be fixed quickly, accurately and the customer will be up and running, and satisfied with the service.

AR Alternative to Calling a Help Line

Suppose the customer does not want to fix the problem themselves but rather wants guidance. Instead of struggling with the communication problems inherent in a phone conversation suppose the customer focuses their phone or tablet camera on the device so that a customer service representative can see the product. Using AR software that includes text, arrows, highlighting or other tools, the representative can walk the customer through the troubleshooting process. The AR assets mitigate problems with communication fixing the problem quickly, accurately and leaving the customer satisfied.

AR Field Service

With the retirement of expertise in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, many field service technicians do not have the experience to solve all problems. With AR, when the field technician runs into trouble and needs guidance from an expert, they can use their phone, tablet, or wearable device to provide a first-person view for a more experienced remote field technician. This reduces the need for all technicians to have broad-based expertise.

AR provides experiences for human users, but it is critical that the content and temporal aspects of the presentation are optimized for human consumption
Share on X

AR tools have great potential in troubleshooting and field service. If your organization is interested in integrating AR tools into your troubleshooting and field service then a few considerations are in order. First, and foremost, AR provides experiences for human users, but it is critical that the content and temporal aspects of the presentation are optimized for human consumption. Augmented information can reduce the cognitive load, but can also overload the user with unnecessary information. Look for vendors who address these issues specifically and can present data to support the effectiveness of their offering. Second, if you are considering a do-it-yourself AR authoring tools be careful of the risk of cognitive overload. Good experimental testing and modification to optimize your tool is in order. Your goal is to provide users with “what” they want, “where” they need it, and “when” they need it.

Tech Trends offers a broad range of Digital Consultancy services to guide companies, individuals and brands in effectively leveraging existing and emerging technologies in their business strategy.

Todd Maddox is Science, Sports and Training Correspondent at Tech Trends, and the CEO of Cognitive Design and Statistical Consulting. Follow him on Twitter @wtoddmaddox

The post Report: Troubleshooting with XR appeared first on Tech Trends.

Children around the world spend hours every day in private or public institutions of education. They learn how to read, write and perform mathematical operations. They hone these skills and expand their knowledge base to topics like history, science, culture, and the arts. Educating the next generation is a primary responsibility of society that educators take seriously.

In this report, I explore the ways in which immersive learning technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), can be used to enhance the educational mission. I examine the neuroscience foundation of these technologies and discuss the time course of brain development. I show that unlike traditional methods of educating that focus almost exclusively on cognitive learning systems in the brain, immersive technologies are advantageous because they broadly engage multiple learning and performance systems in the brain in synchrony. This is important when discussing education in children because the cognitive learning system in the brain does not fully develop until an individual is in their early 20s. Thus, we are placing a large burden on young learners when educational tools target the cognitive system exclusively.

Educating the next generation is a primary responsibility of society that educators take seriously
Share on X

One of the primary tools of education is the textbook. Textbooks allow an enormous amount of information to be presented in a compact, easy-to-use form. The idea is to read and study the information, and to ultimately store that information in long-term memory. Information processing is achieved by the cognitive skills learning system in the brain (see figure below). This system processes and stores knowledge and facts using working memory and attention. Critically, these are limited resources and form a bottleneck that slows learning with more information coming in and available to the learner (the green arrows) than can be processed (the red arrow). This system encompasses the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobes.

Although cognitive processing may seem like a straightforward proposition that is easy to achieve, the neuroscience of learning suggests otherwise. Suppose the young student is learning about human anatomy from a textbook. The human body is a 3-dimensional structure that functions as a dynamic system, so the ultimate goal is to facilitate the formation of a 3D dynamic mental representation of the human body in the learner’s brain that perfectly mimics the actual form. To achieve this by studying a textbook, the young student must convert a series of 2D static, usually abstract images (such as text) into a 3D dynamic mental representation in the brain that accurately reflects the human form.

Although cognitive processing may seem like a straightforward proposition that is easy to achieve, the neuroscience of learning suggests otherwise
Share on X

Attempting to construct a 3D dynamic representation of the human body from a series of 2D static, abstract images requires a huge amount of cognitive effort. First, the student has to hold a mental representation of a series of 2D static images in short-term (working) memory. Second, the student has to hold these 2D static mental representations in working memory and combine them on the fly to construct an accurate 3D static representation. Finally, the student has to infer and impart the dynamic nature of the human form onto this 3D static representation. Each of these steps requires an enormous amount of cognitive capacity (in the form of working memory), and an enormous amount of cognitive energy (in the form of executive attention). Any time working memory load and executive attentional demands are taxed, the student is more likely to make an error and generate an inferior mental representation.

This is challenging for adults but is even more challenging for children whose cognitive skills learning system is not fully developed. Thus, we are putting children in a learning environment where they must rely on an under-developed brain system to acquire knowledge.

This is an insightful quote from Einstein that neatly sums up what we know about the neuroscience of learning, and provides the foundation for the potential of immersive learning technologies. The human brain is comprised of at least four distinct learning systems (see figure below). As Einstein so eloquently stated, experience is at the heart of learning. The experiential learning system has evolved to represent the sensory aspects of an experience, whether visual, auditory, tactile or olfactory. Every experience is unique, adds rich context to the learning and is immersive. The critical brain regions associated with experiential learning are the occipital lobes (sight), temporal lobes (sound), and parietal lobes (touch/smell).

We are putting children in a learning environment where they must rely on an under-developed brain system to acquire knowledge
Share on X

Information is best learned and retained when it is accompanied by rich experience
Share on X

The cognitive learning system was described above. Cognitive processing of information is the “everything else” aspect of learning that Einstein alluded to. This is not to say that information is not important, it is. Rather information is best learned and retained when it is accompanied by rich experience.

The behavioral system in the brain has evolved to learn motor skills. These include drawing, building, and social interaction, to name a few. This system builds “muscle memory”. The detailed processing characteristics of this system are beyond the scope of this report but suffice it to say that the critical brain structure for behavioral learning is the striatum, and processing in the striatum is optimized when behavior is interactive and is followed in real-time (literally within milliseconds) by corrective feedback. This system links rich experiential contexts (represented by the experiential learning system) and emotions with the appropriate behavioral responses.

The emotional learning system provides the engagement and motivation to learning but also represents stress and anxiety when they are present. Emotional learning is also central to the development of interpersonal skills. More than anything, it is the emotional learning system in the brain that helps build an interpersonal understanding, awareness, and sensitivity. The critical brain regions are the amygdala and other limbic structures. The detailed processing characteristics of this system are less well understood than the cognitive and behavioral skills learning systems, but emotional learning, when combined with context-rich experiences, builds rich repertoires of interpersonal understanding and behavior, and an ability to the right thing in every situation.

Emotional learning is also central to the development of interpersonal skills. More than anything, it is the emotional learning system in the brain that helps build an interpersonal understanding, awareness, and sensitivity
Share on X

Immersive learning approaches to education (such as VR and AR) are powerful because they broadly engage experiential, cognitive, behavioral and emotional learning centers in the brain in synchrony. Experiential, behavioral, and to a lesser degree, emotional learning systems develop quickly in children, whereas the cognitive system is much slower to develop. Thus, with immersive learning technologies you not only “spread the wealth” broadly across learning systems in the brain, but you also “spread the burden” of learning so that the learner does not have to rely on the cognitive system exclusively.

Imagine learning about famous military battles, the riots in Tiananmen Square, or the history of the Ottoman empire through immersive VR experiences where you are a participant. You can see these historical events from the perspectives of leaders, average individuals, children, adults and the victims. Names and dates can be directly linked to specific virtual experiences. Imagine learning a language through immersive virtual interaction. You can interact with others speaking the new language with native language translation. You can point to objects and the name can be presented as text and spoken. You can be presented with different dialects and slight variation in accent. Imagine learning about the lifecycle of the butterfly or the frog from its perspective. Finally, imagine how much easier chemistry might be if you could walk inside molecules and manipulation chemical bonds while observing their effects.

In all of these cases, the child is immersed in the learning scenario and is learning through experience. They are an active participant in the process to be learned and are watching history, biology, language and chemistry unfold before their eyes. Experiential, cognitive, behavioral and emotional learning centers in their brain are active and long-term memory traces are being created.

The ways in which immersive technology can supplement traditional learning topics are many, and the advantages for children, whose cognitive skills learning system is not fully developed, are clear
Share on X

The ways in which immersive technology can supplement traditional learning topics are many, and the advantages for children, whose cognitive skills learning system is not fully developed, are clear. That said, the advantages for other aspects of education and child development, such as social development might be even more important. One of the real challenges that children face is how to deal with complex emotional situations and social interaction. The rise of bullying and the effects of peer pressure are two examples. Although parents and educators do their best to discuss bullying and peer pressure with children, almost all of these “discussions” center around presenting cognitive information and rationale when experience would be superior.

Imagine allowing children to don a VR headset and get a chance to experience bullying from a third-person perspective with all of the sights, sounds and emotions present. They can experience different strategies that children might use like simply walking away as compared with escalating the situation. In extreme cases, children who bully, but don’t seem to understand the ramifications for other children, can experience bullying first-hand and can be presented with scenarios where a bully uses coping strategies to overcome the urge to bully. Although not guaranteed to succeed, and always under the supervision of a professional, these experience-based approaches allow children to learn through experience, and with all of the emotions that are present in real-world situations. This broad-based learning approach is likely to be more successful than simply lecturing children on the wrongs of bullying.

Imagine allowing children to don a VR headset and get a chance to experience bullying from a third-person perspective with all of the sights, sounds and emotions present
Share on X

Peer pressure is another excellent example. There is fascinating psychological literature on the effects of peer pressure on adolescents’ decision making. In brief, many adolescents behave very responsibly when in isolation, such as following curfews, avoiding underage drinking, or driving responsibly. However, when peers are present risky behavior tends to rise. Many have attributed this to the slow development of the prefrontal cortex and the cognitive learning system in the brain. When peer pressure is absent, adolescents can make good decisions despite the slow development of the prefrontal cortex, but when peer pressure is present, cognitive processing is reduced and bad decisions are made.

One way to address this is to put adolescents into virtual scenarios where peer pressure is either present or absent. Adolescents can be presented with different levels of peer pressure in order to learn how to cope. Adolescents can make decisions and the outcome of those decisions can be experienced. This approach provides the adolescent with rich experience to learn from so that they can learn to overcome the urge for risky behavior under peer pressure. It does this by broadly engaging experiential, emotional, cognitive and behavioral learning centers within a safe virtual environment, instead of relying exclusively on lecturing that is predominately cognitive.

This approach provides the adolescent with rich experience to learn from so that they can learn to overcome the urge for risky behavior under peer pressure
Share on X

To be 100% clear, my goal in writing this report is to explore ways in which immersive learning technologies can be incorporated into the K-12 educational system. The prefrontal cortex, that is the seat of cognitive learning, is not fully developed until one is in their 20s. Thus, learning technologies that engage other learning systems should be considered. It is NOT my goal to criticize the educational system. As a former educator myself, I have the utmost respect for educators and value their service to the next generation. My goal is to suggest that we explore learning technologies that can complement traditional approaches, and may be especially effective in certain domains.

Todd Maddox is Science, Sports and Training Correspondent at Tech Trends, and the CEO of Cognitive Design and Statistical Consulting. Follow him on Twitter @wtoddmaddox

The post Report: Immersive Learning – A Neuroscience Perspective appeared first on Tech Trends.