The AI/XR Podcast June 20th, 2025 ft. Scott Stein, contributing editor at CNET.

In this episode of The AI/XR Podcast , the hosts are joined by Scott Stein, contributing editor at CNET, to discuss the evolution of XR devices and the implications of spatial computing. In the news, Disney and Universal sued Midjourney, which has just released an AI image-to-video model to its subscribers. Google's Veo 3 excels at simulating AI vlogs, so the socials have been flooded with Star Troopers, Bigfoot, and Jesus meme videos. Guest Scott Stein reflects on his experience reviewing emerging tech for the past fifteen years, starting with computers and smartphones, which led to his coverage of XR. He emphasizes the challenges of evaluating early-stage products that promise future utility but may not yet deliver on their potential. The conversation explores the tension between immersive hardware aspirations and real-world practicality and the critical role of AI in resolving this tension. Throughout the episode, Stein expresses cautious optimism, acknowledging that while the path to mainstream adoption remains unclear, the intersection of AI and XR is undeniably reshaping computing’s next chapter. Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar! Don't forget to like, share, and follow for more! Follow us on all socials @TheAIXRPodcast https://linktr.ee/thisweekinxr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .