Ep. 322: The Tech We Don’t Talk About: Beyond the AI Conversation

AI may own the headlines, but it’s far from the only technology reshaping work. Drawing on emerging tech insights from Gartner, Stanford, and Deloitte, this episode explores the technologies flying under the radar, from robotics and digital twins to quantum, wearables, and biotechnology, and what leaders need to know about their impact on people, teams, and the future of work. In this episode: Emi Baressi, Tom Bradshaw, Nic Krueger, Lee Crowson, Kate Morales, PhD, LindaAnn Rogers    I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events   References:   Aziz, F., Qazi, A. and Li, H. (2026), “Digital twin technology and operations management efficiency in construction: the roles of information transparency, collaboration and digital readiness”, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.  https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-04-2026-0719  Crawford, K., Posada, J., Okueso, Y.E., Higgins, E., Lachin, L. and Hamidi, F. (2026), “Inquiry into accessibility service possibilities for blind and low-vision university students through co-designing a 3D-printed tactile campus map”, Journal of Enabling Technologies, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 73–87. https://doi.org/10.1108/JET-11-2024-0076  Eriksson, K.M., Olsson, A.K. and Carlsson, L. (2024), “Beyond lean production practices and Industry 4.0 technologies toward the human-centric Industry 5.0”, Technological Sustainability, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 286–308. https://doi.org/10.1108/TECHS-11-2023-0049  JLL (n.d.), “JLL taps into the power of neuroscience to shape the future of work”, JLL. https://www.jll.com/en-us/newsroom/jll-taps-into-the-power-of-neuroscience-to-shape-the-future-of-work  Kawala-Sterniuk, A., Browarska, N., Al-Bakri, A., Pelc, M., Zygarlicki, J., Sidikova, M., Martinek, R. and Gorzelanczyk, E.J. (2021), “Summary of over fifty years with brain-computer interfaces—A review”, Brain Sciences, Vol. 11 No. 1, Article 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11010043  Kies, A., De Keyser, A., Jaramillo, S., Li, J., Tang, Y. and Ud Din, I. (2025), “Wired for work: brain-computer interfaces’ impact on frontline employees’ well-being”, Journal of Service Management, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-03-2024-0098  Li, L., Xu, Y., Zhan, Y., Pan, M., Lo, C.K.Y. and Zhou, H. (2026), “The impact of digital twin innovation on firm operational performance: a knowledge-based perspective”, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 46 No. 9, pp. 1454–1476. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-07-2025-0681  Tathavadekar, V.P. and Mahankale, N.R. (2026), “Brain–computer interface integration in corporate learning: bidirectional enhancement frameworks for neurologically-augmented knowledge workers”, Strategic HR Review, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 89–92. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-06-2026-218  Valencia-Arias A, Velasquez Salas S, Cardona-Acevedo S, Rua Hernandez JC, Ramírez-Ramírez DM, Benjumea-Arias ML (2026), "Technology-driven workplace transformation: changes, challenges, and opportunities". Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MSAR-08-2025-0295  Wei, X., Tan, W. and Tian, R. (2026), “The double-edged sword effects of STARA use on employee performance and well-being: a meta-analysis based on job demands-resources (JD-R) model”, Information Technology & People, Vol. 39 No. 5, pp. 2312–2340.  https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2025-0020 Reports  Deloitte  Deloitte. (2025, December 10). Tech trends 2026: As technology innovation and adoption accelerate, five trends reveal how successful organizations are moving from experimentation to impact. Deloitte Insights. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/technology-management/tech-trends.html  Gartner  Stephan, C., Buytendijk, F., Searle, S., Alvarez, G., Li, B., & Chen, O. (2026, July 23). Hype cycle for emerging technologies, 2026. Gartner. https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/8163629  Stanford  Stanford Emerging Technology Review. (2026). The Stanford Emerging Technology Review 2026. Hoover Institution & Stanford School of Engineering, Stanford University. Stanford Emerging Technology Review 2026