Megan Ewing, director of secondary education at First Maker Space, joins the podcast to discuss the vital role of hands-on learning. Ewing details how schools and libraries use 3D printers, laser cutters and STEM kits to teach students the engineering design process and allow them a safe place to fail. She shares her initial fears of AI replacing jobs, explaining her organization's ultimate decision to embrace a mindset to adapt, move or die.

The conversation covers the integration of AI in education, highlighting the development of custom chatbots and new online courses for teachers. Ewing and Manship also discuss the importance of preserving human connection in classrooms, protecting student privacy and encouraging children to build physical items rather than just consuming digital content

Adam Brown, founder and CEO of Sisyphean Gridworks, joins the show to discuss the massive energy demands of big tech data centers. Brown explains why the electric grid still operates on a 19th-century framework and how utilities can adopt Google's Site Reliability Engineering to prevent power outages. He highlights the push for onsite power generation, including natural gas and solar, to support the AI space race.

The conversation dives into Brown's personal software builds, detailing how he uses Mac minis and Claude to run autonomous crypto trading bots and manage his daily emails. Brown also shares the story of an Indianapolis union electrician who built the EV ChargeRight app using AI without any coding experience. The episode wraps up with Brown's warning about quantum computing and the future of global cybersecurity encryption.

The group details Indiana's deliberate approach to artificial intelligence regulation. They explain why state lawmakers are waiting for federal standards rather than creating a patchwork of local laws and highlight the state's proactive push for K-12 AI education led by Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner.

The conversation also explores the push for massive AI data centers. The guests discuss how the state is working to attract tech infrastructure while protecting residential utility ratepayers and managing water resources. The panel concludes with a debate on preserving human authenticity in an increasingly automated world

In the news segment, Manship explores reports that Anthropic paused its new Mythos model over cybersecurity risks. He also analyzes Apple's strategy to train on-device AI using podcasts, Netflix's shift toward dynamic content and Anthropic's move to restrict third-party tools like OpenClaw.

Day joins the show to discuss the difference between venture capital and venture development. He details how Elevate Ventures has deployed $194 million across 626 companies to help create 9,000 direct jobs with an average salary of $96,000. Day also highlights the massive economic impact of the global Rally innovation conference in Indianapolis.

The conversation shifts to the future of the software industry, with Day advising founders to rebuild applications using modern AI technology. He emphasizes Indiana's opportunity to lead the physical economy through advanced manufacturing and new data centers.

The episode concludes with Day's warning about the destructive effects of social media on children and a preview of next week's interview with Indiana Technology and Innovation Association leaders.

Manship breaks down a landmark Los Angeles court ruling that found Meta and Google liable for a user's mental health issues, comparing the tech industry's current regulatory moment to historic lawsuits against tobacco companies.

The episode explores the push by big tech to treat artificial intelligence as a national industrial project.

Manship highlights insights from Meta executive Dena Powell McCormack, who predicts a global need for 500,000 electricians over the next two years to build AI infrastructure.

He also shares takeaways from Craig Martell, chief technology officer for Lockheed Martin, who defines AI as statistics at scale and explains the concept of an error envelope in national defense.

Manship examines the tension between software builders and distribution gatekeepers, detailing Adobe's approach to intellectual property and Replit's ongoing dispute with Apple.

Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner joins the podcast to break down recent state legislation affecting students. Jenner details a new law requiring parental permission for children under 16 to use major social media apps and a tightened bell-to-bell ban on cell phones during classroom instructional time.

The conversation highlights how Indiana schools are adapting to the technology boom. Jenner explains the integration of AI tutoring tools like Khanmigo, a new data science graduation pathway for high school students and how universities like Purdue are mandating AI competency. Manship concludes by previewing an upcoming trip to Washington for a national AI summit.

Lewis, an adjunct professor at Indiana University, explains how she created a platform called The Cue Collective. She details how the website uses AI to scrape the internet daily for broadcast journalism jobs and internships. The site also features a tailored resume tool to help media students apply for specific open positions.

Cecil shares how prompt-based AI tools saved Hamco Live, his interactive live music calendar for Hamilton County. He explains how replacing a manual website editor with AI-generated software streamlined the submission process, allowing local venues to easily upload their own band schedules.

The group discusses how AI empowers creators to serve local micro-communities without needing a background in coding

The group examines the heavy toll multibillion-dollar AI data centers place on local water and electricity supplies. The guests warn against tech companies using nondisclosure agreements to secure land and resources, advocating instead for transparent, state-level strategies to ensure communities benefit from the AI space race.

Manship and his guests also discuss the water industry's poor infrastructure and a severe workforce shortage, noting that 50% of utility operators are eligible to retire within five years. To combat this loss of expertise, the guests explain how augmented reality and agentic AI models can preserve institutional knowledge and empower small utility teams.

Manship covers Eli Lilly's partnership with Nvidia to build a massive supercomputer in Indianapolis designed for drug discovery. He also breaks down the Pentagon's decision to sever ties with Anthropic over autonomous weapons concerns and sign a new contract with OpenAI.

Additionally, Manship explores a Google patent for AI-generated landing pages and its potential impact on web publishers and e-commerce.

In the second half of the show, Manship details his attempt to build a personal AI assistant using a Mac mini and the open-source agent OpenClaw. He warns listeners about the software's unpredictable behavior, security risks and high token costs. Manship concludes by recommending Anthropic's Claude desktop app for workflow automation and the Replit platform for building custom business applications, sharing how he built a staff scheduling app for his own company in less than 24 hours.

In the news segment, Manship breaks down a lawsuit regarding Instagram age verification, a standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon over AI safeguards and the growing strain data centers place on local energy grids.

Manship is then joined by U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin to discuss her legislative efforts to establish guardrails and protect children online. Houchin outlines four bills she helped author, including the Safe Bots Act and the Reset Act. She explains the need to raise the standard social media access age to 16 and mandate clear warnings for AI chatbots that simulate human relationships or encourage self-harm.

The conversation also covers the global AI space race against China, the push for small modular nuclear reactors at Crane Naval Base to handle massive energy demands and how Silicon Valley CEOs are increasing their presence in Washington.

The episode includes a panel discussion from a TechPoint event at IU Health. Manship interviews Ian Andrews of Eli Lilly, Cameron Mueller of Data 317 and Kate Harrison of Innovate Map. The group debates the need for critical thinking skills in an AI world and explores how the technology affects entry-level talent.

• The Perplexity vs. New York Times lawsuit and why it matters for AI companies and creators
• How copyright law applies (or doesn’t) to AI training and outputs
• What’s real vs. overhyped when it comes to privacy and personal data
• Why many lawyers and professionals hesitate to use AI—and how trust should really be built
• The absence of legal precedent in AI, and what that means for the next few years

If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is breaking the law, how intellectual property will evolve, or how professionals can responsibly use AI without risking their credibility—this conversation is for you. This isn’t hype or fear-mongering. It’s a grounded, expert-led discussion about where AI law stands today—and where it’s likely headed next.