Off the Rails Episode 129: Unauthorized Digital Twin

Recorded January 9, 2026

It’s mid-January, and we kick off the first full show of the year with news from CES nonsense, reviewing what consumer tech trends might actually sneak into higher-ed AV and which ones should stay in Las Vegas forever. That quickly turns into an AI-heavy conversation covering lecture capture anxiety, faculty concerns, digital avatars, and synthetic presenters.

Then we dig into what happens when trust in a manufacturer, platform, or product is broken, whether that trust can ever truly be rebuilt, and how past experiences shape long-term decisions around standards, vendors, and institutional risk.

With conference previews, a preview of NWMET, and the usual mix of practical insight and unnecessary hypotheticals, this episode is a fitting start to the year. If your semester just started and your systems are already acting up, you’re among friends.

News stories discussed:

• https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/07/ai-software-that-can-create-digital-clones-of-employees-unveiled-at-ces-2026

• https://www.engadget.com/wearables/ixis-autofocusing-lenses-multifocal-glasses-ces-2026-212608427.html

• https://smarthairclipper.com/

• https://mypersonas.ai/

Connect with Raul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rburriel/

Alternate show titles:

• Micro lawnmower

• I do enjoy wearing banana hammocks

• Your Subscription Ran Out

• Why are we hiring experts, I just want to replace me!

• Testing in production

• There’s no testing… just production

• I’m always going to assume that something is my fault

• We didn’t think anyone would actually do that

• AI-bolted on features

• There are booths at InfoComm that I walk right past

• Button panel of tomorrow

• It’s all ones and zeros

• MET payday loans

• Find your swimsuits for 2027

We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com 

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