AI is booming, VR is evolving, and AR is exploding into the real world—but most of it still feels underwhelming.

On this week’s episode of TechMagic, host Lee Kebler welcomes Andrew Schwartz while host Cathy Hackl is away. Andrew is the Director of Metaverse Engineering at Nike, and together, they unpack the realities behind today’s AI hype cycle, revealing why generative AI can feel both astonishing and underwhelming. They explore brand risks in AI-driven content, the fight against AI slop in music distribution, and the long road to mainstream VR and AR adoption. Andrew and Lee also break down Pokémon GO’s execution-first success and the rise of identity-based tech, from digital product passports to personalized, location-aware experiences, offering a clear-eyed look at what truly comes next in immersive technology.

Come for the tech and stay for the magic!

Andrew Schwartz Bio

Andrew Schwartz is a technology strategist and the Director of Metaverse Engineering at Nike, where he pioneered emerging technology integration within the Technology Innovation Office. Having coined the title "godmother of the metaverse" for industry luminary Cathy Hackl, Andrew brings deep expertise in blockchain identity, XR/AR/VR technologies, and spatial computing.

Andrew Schwartz on LinkedIn

Key Discussion Topics:

• [00:00] Intro
• [00:00] Welcome to Tech Magic with Andrew Schwartz
• [00:01] How "Godmother of the Metaverse" Became Cathy Hackl's Defining Title
• [00:03] Nike's Metaverse Engineering and Emerging Technologies
• [00:06] Technology First vs. Outcome First: The Real AI Hype Cycle Challenge
• [00:13] Why Coca-Cola's 70,000-Prompt AI Christmas Ad Reveals a Deeper Problem
• [00:16] Imperfection as Strategy: When Flaws Build Brand Trust
• [00:21] The AI Music Crisis: How Spotify and CD Baby Protect Indie Artists
• [00:27] Copyright, Authenticity, and the Future of AI-Generated Content
• [00:31] VR Headsets Are Impressive—But Where's the Killer App?
• [00:34] Apple Vision Pro: Great Technology, Missing Experience
• [00:36] Why Beat Saber Succeeded Where Other VR Games Failed
• [00:38] Content Over Hardware: Lessons from iPhone, iPod, and Atari
• [00:40] Pokemon Go Wasn't About AR—It Was About the Brand
• [00:42] Super Nintendo World Shows How to Make Technology Invisible
• [00:44] The Future of Identity: Digital Product Passports and NFC Activation
• [00:47] Music Recommendation: SAULT, Neo-Soul, and the Mystery of AI
• [00:49] Key Takeaways: Where Tech Magic Actually Happens

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