With more than 100 patents under his belt, Lanny Smoot has never been afraid to take his imagination to the next level. As a Disney Research Fellow, Smoot is in a position where he has access to a different type of freedom — one that helps him explore different concepts and bring them to life. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, Smoot was inducted into the 2024 National Inventors Hall of Fame. He’s also the first Disney Imagineer to receive the honor and the second in the company, aside from Walt Disney himself. “To be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame means that you’ve made inventions that have changed the world in some sense, right? And it’s a great honor,” he told AFROTECH™ from his Walt Disney office in Los Angeles during an event to unveil the latest Disney Imagineer contributions, including the all-new Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Animatronics.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks) “I didn’t know when the induction...

In the digital age, the term “popcorn brain” has emerged as a metaphor for how our attention shifts from one thing to another, like the popping kernels in a bag of popcorn. Coined by researcher David Levy in 2011 , it explains the overstimulation caused by technology , leading to constant distraction and difficulty in focusing. Popcorn brain describes how our attention rapidly shifts from one thought to another. Similar to our day-to-day lives, the metaphor mirrors the fast-paced environment created by the digital world. Our minds become overwhelmed by the constant influx of information from various sources, resulting in stress and restlessness. What Is The Average Attention Span? According to CNN , Dr. Gloria Mark, a leading expert in informatics at the University of California, Irvine, states that our ability to concentrate is declining. In her book, “ Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness, and Productivity,” Dr. Mark emphasizes decades of research in...

Verizon Communications Inc. met with customer service employees last summer, signaling imminent “restructuring” and “streamlining” measures expected to result in substantial layoffs, as reported by The Verge. With over 6,000 employees present during the call, the impact of these consolidation measures may extend beyond initial estimates. Verizon was slated to reveal details about the restructuring plan last summer, as conveyed in a prerecorded message to employees. However, no public updates have since been released. Workforce Reductions Across Companies The reported layoffs at Verizon align with a broader trend of U.S. companies, including Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc., implementing workforce reductions due to a demand downturn attributed to elevated inflation and rising interest rates. In April, Verizon fell short of its first-quarter revenue and free cash flow estimates, citing wireless subscriber losses as inflation-weary Americans postponed device upgrades, and the...

In the gaming world, there are a lot of upcoming talents who work tirelessly to get eyes on their work. Add into the equation being a designer from a marginalized community, and your chances become even slimmer. In light of this, Xbox has announced a partnership providing a platform for young Black developers.

Davin Jackson has created a hub for the youth to explore technology.

Whoopi Goldberg has made it very clear that she doesn’t want artificial intelligence (AI) continuing her legacy when she’s no longer here.

Community is essential for the overall well-being of Black women, and Health in Her HUE is on a mission to help each one find her tribe.

On April 2, 2002, Ashanti hit the ground running with her debut self-titled studio album. In fact, the project made the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest-selling debut album by a female artist, according to Vibe. It reportedly sold over 500,000 within the first week (Sis has always been legendary). Although it’s been 20 years since the world was introduced to the songstress, dubbed the Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B, she continues to break records and turn heads. This time though, she’s shaking things up in the metaverse, proving that there is an ever-evolving relationship between music and tech. “Technology has been a blessing,” she told AfroTech during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture. “I mean, it’s the gift and the curse, let’s be honest. Everything has pros and cons, but I think using it as a tool to empower and uplift and learn and research are all beautiful things.”