Tech Girl Energy: The Weekly Debrief

EP23: AI Characters in Video Games, Nylon helping Lithium Batteries and Hinge Health App

Episode Summary

On this week's episode of Tech Girl Energy: The Weekly Debrief, as Numi & Harriet bring you this week's most captivating Tech stories! From Sony's groundbreaking AI-powered PlayStation characters revolutionising open-world gaming to an unexpected twist in battery development using nylon, this episode is packed with intriguing insights. Plus, discover how Hinge Health is transforming physical therapy with its innovative digital approach.

Episode Notes

TECH GIRL ENERGY: The Weekly Debrief

Episode 23 - AI Characters in Video Games, Nylon helping Lithium Batteries and Hinge Health App

Harriet Taylor and Numi Gildert dive into their favourite tech headlines of the week;

Key Topics Discussed:

Sony Tests AI-Powered PlayStation Characters

• Sony is experimenting with game characters that can converse like chatbots.
• Discussion on how this could transform open-world games by eliminating scripted dialogue trees.
• The implications for voice actors if their voices are used indefinitely by AI.

Nylon-Enhanced Lithium Batteries

• Researchers have discovered that nylon can improve lithium batteries' stability and lifespan.
• Potential applications include electric vehicles and other sustainable energy solutions.
• The irony of using flammable nylon to reduce fire risks in batteries is noted.

Hinge Health Goes Public

• Introduction to Hinge Health, a digital physical therapy startup aiming for an IPO next year.
• How it offers home-based musculoskeletal injury recovery through innovative tech tools.
• Speculation about its potential impact on healthcare accessibility in places like the UK.

Hosts’ Insights:

• Gaming Addiction Confessions: Harriet shares her experiences with immersive RPGs like "The Witcher" while pondering the future of interactive gameplay with AI-driven NPCs.
• Battery Innovations: Both hosts express curiosity about how such technological advancements might reshape industries reliant on stable power sources.
• Healthcare Digitisation: They discuss whether apps like Hinge Health could alleviate pressure from traditional physiotherapy services or serve as supplementary tools.

LINKS

AI-powered Playstation characters: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-playstation-characters-sony-ps5-chatgpt-b2712813.html

Nylon in lithium batteries: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/11/nylon_additive_lithium_battery/  

Hinge Health app: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/07/hinge-health-to-go-public-as-soon-as-april-source-says.html