ragTech

Recent episodes

1. Is AI a Bubble? The Promise of AGI vs. Reality from ragTech

   Jul 11, 202634 min

   As three techies who know more about AI than the typical person, we're often asked the question by friends around us if AI is a bubble... and we've hesitated to give a straight answer until now. We break down this topic not from a "should I buy the stock" angle, but from the perspective of people who work in tech and watch this thing unfold from the inside every day.We define what an economic bubble actually is (comparing it to previous bubbles like the housing crisis, dotcom collapse), look at exactly what promise AI companies are selling to get those trillion-dollar valuations, talk about why "artificial intelligence" is a branding choice and not just a descriptor, get into LLMs vs. world models and why leading researchers are already calling LLMs a dead end, and end up somewhere none of us expected — asking whether society is even structured to receive the value AGI would create.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:30 What is a Bubble?5:00 Bubbles in History (Housing Crisis + Dotcom)11:00 Is AI the Next Bubble?14:30 The Promise of AGI18:30 AI is a Branding Decision22:00 Measuring AI's ROI30:00 The Reality Gap40:00 AI and Human Society48:00 The Data Problem (Model Collapse)52:00 Final Thoughts✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

2. Is using AI ethical? | Data Privacy, Creative Rights and Intentional AI | Ep. 51 from ragTech

   Jun 29, 202637 min

   Is AI ethical? That's the question we're exploring in Episode 51 of RAG Tech. Prompted by Natasha's recent talk on responsible AI at the AI Collective, the three of us sat down to have an honest conversation about data privacy, creative rights, and what intentional AI use actually looks like in practice. We cover: • The Ghibli AI controversy: how OpenAI trained on Studio Ghibli's iconic hand-drawn art without consent or compensation, and why that's different from human artistic inspiration • Data privacy by default: your photos, videos, and emails are being used to train AI models unless you explicitly opt out (and yes, Gmail was sued for $400B+ over this) • The environmental cost of AI: did you know generating a single AI image uses roughly as much energy as charging a full iPhone? • Intentional AI: Natasha's framework for asking: what is the actual cost of using AI for this task, and is it worth it? • Why women's skepticism of AI • The call to action: sit in the uncomfortable space between championing AI and understanding its ethical costs ✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

3. Is Coding Relevant in 2026? from ragTech

   Jun 13, 202636 min

   Still wondering if coding is “over” in the age of AI?In this episode of RagTech, Natasha, Saloni, and Victoria unpack one of the biggest questions in tech right now: Is coding still relevant in 2026, or are we moving into something bigger?From real-world hiring shifts to DevOps, prompt engineering, system design, and AI app security, this is an honest conversation about where software work is heading next, and what skills will actually matter in the years ahead.We also share a special milestone with you: RagTech won ✨Best Podcast Award ✨ at the Youth Creator Awards by Scape. Thank you for being part of this journey with us 🙏🙏If you are a student, junior developer, career switcher, founder, or working professional trying to stay relevant in an AI-first world, this episode is for you.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:What do you think will matter more in 2026: coding skill, engineering thinking, or AI fluency?✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdevTimestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction and some good news![00:03:52] Is coding still relevant in 2026?[00:06:42] Understanding DevOps and AI infrastructure[00:12:02] Coding as a basic global requirement[00:19:01] Language agnostic learning and AI tools[00:22:07] New horizons for AI app developers[00:28:13] Risks for non-technical users and production[00:34:41] Closing remarks and future resources

4. Is AI the New Colonialism? The Global South Fights Back ft. Sudhir Tiku from ragTech

   May 31, 202656 min

   75% of the world's population lives in the Global South. Yet, they're locked into the lowest tiers of the AI economy: data labeling, ghost work, and passive consumption. We sit down with Sudhir Tiku, author of "AI in the Global South: Power, Progress, and Policy," to unpack what it actually takes for developing nations to stop being spectators and start shaping their own technological futures. From data colonisation and frugal innovation to ghost workers and the Right to Imagine — this episode asks who AI is really being built for, and what needs to change. 🎙️ Guest: Sudhir Tiku Author — AI in the Global South: Power, Progress, and Policy (World Scientific, Available on Amazon) Founding Member, Alliance for AI and Humanity (Singapore) Member, International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (USA) Founder, MyFund Charity (free education for 10,000 girls) ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 Hook 2:33 Intro 2:41 Introductions 5:05 The Inspiration 7:18 What is Global South? 10:11 Biggest Misconceptions 13:11 Productive Inclusion 15:29 Technological Agency 17:54 Policy & Governance 21:06 Real-World Impact 26:26 Ethics & Philosophy 30:50 Risks of Exclusion 34:58 Why It Still Matters 37:09 Key Takeaways 42:19 Outro ✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ragTechDev - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

5. Are AI Companions a Threat to Intimacy? We Ask this Artist who Created An AI Boyfriend ft. Inch Chua from ragTech

   May 2, 202640 min

   What if you could code your perfect soulmate?Artist and singer-songwriter @thisisinch joins us to discuss her upcoming musical "Myles: Soulmate in a Box" — a story about building an AI companion when dating apps just aren't cutting it anymore.Inch takes us behind the scenes of her decade-long journey from learning Python during COVID to creating a deeply personal exploration of artificial intimacy. We dive into what she discovered about herself in the process, why the "perfect" partner might not be what you actually want, and how dating apps are designed to keep you swiping instead of finding connection.We also get into the uncomfortable questions: How is AI-generated content reshaping our expectations of intimacy? Can circuits truly understand love? And why does tech's masculine energy need more balance?Watch @Thisisinch 's musical 🎭 Myles: Soulmate in a Box May 13–31 at KC Arts Centre (every day except Mondays) Get tickets and use your SG Culture Passes on https://www.srt.com.sg/show/myles/ ! ragTech Hosts: - Natasha Ann, Software Engineer- Victoria Lo, Solutions EngineerCHAPTERS:0:00 Hook2:05 Intro2:14 Introductions2:54 What was Inch's process in creating a musical on AI and intimacy?5:48 Self-discovery: building your perfect soulmate reveals who you are8:32 About Myles: The Perfect Soulmate10:04 Dating apps: designed to keep you swiping, not find love12:56 AI companionship: helpful bridge or relationship replacement?16:28 How AI is reshaping our expectations of intimacy20:04 Physical intimacy and AI-generated content27:28 Is tech too masculine? The case for balance34:10 Outro✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

6. Does AI-Generated Music Have a Soul? We Asked a REAL Artist ft. Inch Chua from ragTech

   Apr 25, 202640 min

   What is art in the age of AI? In this episode of ragTech, we're joined by Inch Chua —singer-songwriter, composer-producer, (and MasterChef finalist) —to explore whether AI-generated music has a soul, if software engineers can be artists, and why human judgment will always matter. We dive deep into the ethics of generative AI, the lack of IP guardrails in the "AI race," and why AI is statistically the definition of mediocrity. Inch also shares insights from her upcoming musical "Myles: Soulmate in a Box," which explores AI and artificial intimacy. Book tickets to "Myles: Soulmate in a Box" showing from 13 - 31 May 2026 at https://www.srt.com.sg/show/myles/! Singaporeans, be sure to use your SG Culture Pass! 🎙️ Hosts: Natasha Lum — Software Engineer Victoria — Solutions Engineer 🎤 Guest: Inch Chua — Singer-songwriter, Composer-producer, Artist KEY TOPICS: - The purpose of art: reflecting society as it is - Why AI is "statistically mediocrity" - Can software engineers be artists? (Spoiler: yes) - AI-generated music vs. human-created art - IP, ethics, and guardrails in the AI race - Vocaloids, Turing tests, and "interjected imperfection" - CloudFlare's lava lamps and true randomness Deep fakes and the future of trust 🔗 CONNECT: Inch's Website: https://www.thisisinch.com/ Inch's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisinch/ Inch's Youtube: @ThisIsInch Myles (musical) 13 - 31 May 2026: https://www.srt.com.sg/show/myles/ ✨Follow ragTech on our socials! - Website: https://ragtechdev.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of tech, creativity, and humanity.#AI #GenerativeAI #AIMusic #ArtificialIntelligence #MusicIndustry #Creativity #TechPodcast #RagTech #InchChua #AIEthics

7. Is your favorite AI app just a wrapper? from ragTech

   Mar 3, 202624 min

   Most AI companies don't actually own their AI. They're calling someone else's model and slapping a UI on top, and that has serious implications for you as a user AND as a founder.In this episode, Saloni, Natasha and Victoria (3 techies) break down:- What AI wrappers actually are (and why you probably use one daily)- How these companies compete on prompts, not technology- The real risks: pricing dependency, zero transparency, and an easily stolen business model- A real story of a company that secretly harvested user data to build their own model- Whether you're building an AI startup, investing in one, or just using AI tools every day, you need to hear this.

8. Why Hiring a CTO Is Harder Than You Think from ragTech

   Feb 6, 202626 min

   Everyone says “just hire a CTO.”In reality, that advice hides one of the hardest hiring problems in startups.In this episode, we talk about why finding a good CTO is so difficult, not because there aren’t enough engineers, but because the CTO market is a red ocean. Too many mismatched expectations, unclear roles, and founders hiring for titles instead of outcomes.We break downwhat founders usually get wrong when hiring a CTOwhy great CTOs are rare and often invisiblethe difference between a senior engineer and an actual CTOand how this single hire can quietly make or break a startupIf you’re a founder, early employee, or tech leader thinking about the CTO role, this episode will help you see the problem more clearly before making a costly mistake.

9. AI Burnout in Coding and Writing from ragTech

   Jan 22, 202634 min

   As half of this episode's audio was cut off, we had to salvage the audio recorded directly from our phones instead of our usual audio recording devices. For that, we used an AI tool, hence the second half of this episode might sound robotic. But hey, at least we saved it! It was eithe r a crash out or a burn out so we chose the latter haha✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

10. Non-Techies are better at creating Tech Startups?? from ragTech

    Jan 9, 202626 min

    Why aren't enough technical people creatng startups? In this episode, 3 techies present some reasons why that is so. We discuss opportunity cost for techies being higher, due to Dunning Kruger effect, fear of not knowing enough before starting soemthing, engineers being risk-averse among others. Let us know your thoughts! Some tips for techies who are still not able to start their company: 1. You will be able to learn as you go - marketing, accounting, business 2. Validate the problem statement then find a solution that fits what the users want 3. Gather/hire people who actually know more than you on the said topic 4. Networking is key here (cannot emphasise enough) 5. Carving your personal brand - People buy products from individuals not the company per se 6. Surround yourself with motivated, ambitious people! (talking about our hosts - always hanging out and ideating! 😎) We launched a new techie card game: https://ragtechdev.com/techie-taboo

11. What in the 🌍 WORLD is a Geospatial Data Engineer? from ragTech

    Dec 16, 202521 min

    Space data, spatial databases, Google Earth... What in the WORLD is happening? Come find out what a geospatial data engineer does in this episode wiht our guest speaker, Aishwarya!

12. Solutions Engineer Demystified! A job AI cant replace! from ragTech

    Nov 28, 202522 min

    What does a solutions engineer really do — and can AI actually replace that?In this episode of RagTech, we kick off our new series “AI Isn’t Taking My Job” with our very own co-host and solutions engineer Victoria, who gets candid about what she does, collaborates, and even uses AI tools like Copilot and vibe coding to make her work faster (but not replaceable).We also put her on the spot with a live client project — using our prototype tech card game to simulate how solutions engineers think, plan, and build apps. 💻🔥🎯 What you’ll learn:What a solutions engineer actually does in a dayHow AI tools empower developers (not replace them)Why communication, experience, and intuition still matter in techSneak peek of our upcoming System Design Card Game 👀🎧 Listen in for honest, funny, and surprisingly relatable tech talk.💬 Drop a comment: Do you think AI could replace your job? ✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

13. Taking the Buzz out of Buzzwords: AI Edition from ragTech

    Nov 14, 202519 min

    In this pilot episode of Taking the Buzz out of Buzzwords, we sit down with our guests for a fun and enlightening round of Techie Taboo. The challenge? Explain complex tech terms without using the “taboo” words everyone usually defaults to. First word: Agent — from what it does to the different types of protocols, we break down the buzz and uncover what it really means, all while having a laugh along the way.

14. What If System Design Was a Game? A Software Engineer Explains Her Job Through Play from ragTech

    Oct 30, 202520 min

    System design made fun — we hand our cohost Saloni, a software engineer, a deck of cards and ask her to explain how apps are actually built.

15. Can AI Really Build Apps For You? Our Honest Take on Vibe Coding from ragTech

    Oct 16, 202518 min

    This episode’s all about Vibe Coding — yep, that new trend where AI helps you build apps just by describing them. Sounds wild, right?We chat about:💭 What vibe coding actually is (spoiler: not a Gen Z thing!)🍗 The app Saloni built that turns menu descriptions into food images⚙️ How AI tools like Windsurf plan, debug, and even ask for your permission before touching your code🚨 Why it’s amazing for prototypes — but not quite ready for full enterprise apps🤖 The importance of prompt engineering (and Saloni’s genius trick to get AI to write your prompts for you)Basically — vibe coding feels like pair programming with an overly polite senior dev. 😂✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

16. Why Your Next Promotion Might Be Your Biggest Mistake | Peter’s Principle from ragTech

    Sep 30, 202515 min

    Did you know that today (sept 30) is International Podcast day? Nope, we didn't either but when we found out, we had to publish today! 😊Thanks for supporting ragTech so far! If you're new here, hi! We hope you enjoy our conversations!✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

17. More Than a Software Engineer: Building Your Personal Brand + GitHub Star & Dev Portfolio Ideas from ragTech

    Sep 17, 202520 min

    In this episode, we explore what it means to build a personal brand as a software engineer. We chat about how Victoria became a GitHub Star, discuss the importance of GitHub in your tech portfolio, tips on picking the right domain name, and walk through a custom Linktree-style feature on Natasha's dev personal site. For multi-passionate techies struggling to define themselves — this one's for you.We post biweekly on our podcast that shows honest tech conversations from real people in the industry✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdevTimestamps00:00 Introduction00:22 The Struggles of Identifying as a Divergent Inquisitive01:41 Is Being an Explorer an Identity Within Itself?04:23 How to Find Your Personal Brand05:33 What Others Think About You - Abstract it One Level Higher08:20 Your Identity is a Constant Iteration, Not a Static Object09:28 Demo of Linktree-like Feature on a Webfolio10:30 Further Thoughts on Making Portfolio Codebase Modular and Opensource11:29 The Importance of GitHub for Techies as a Portfolio13:20 Search for a Domain Name Before Naming Projects14:24 How Victoria Became a GitHub Star17:23 Summary of Natasha's App Review Series19:50 Conclusion

18. She Built Her Own Blog Without a CMS (For Free!) | SEO Optimization and Blogging Tips from ragTech

    Sep 12, 202511 min

    We post biweekly on our podcast that shows honest tech conversations from real people in the industry✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdevTimestamps0:00 Introduction00:16 Demo of a Blog Written in Markdown w/o a CMS01:30 Explaining SEO and Tags02:49 Pros of Using CMS: In-built SEO03:43 Using Redirect Links from Website to External Blog04:55 Cons of External Blog: Redirecting Traffic Away from Website05:36 Deciding Where You Want Traffic Towards: Blog or Website?07:17 Exploring Victoria Lo's, a Technical Writer's, Blog + Website08:48 Exploring Saloni's Medium Page for Tech Blogging10:13 Realization that all 3 of Us Drew 2D Avatars for our Blogs11:12 Conclusion

19. More Than a To-Do List: Why Your Dev Portfolio Should Reflect You | App Reviews with ragTech from ragTech

    Aug 18, 202522 min

    🎮 In this video, three techies dive into a creative and unconventional portfolio — a Harvest Moon-inspired pixel game that breaks away from the typical to-do list projects. They discuss why personal identity matters in tech portfolios, how side projects can showcase true passion and learning, and why it’s time to move beyond the standard "professional" templates. Whether you're a developer building your first portfolio or looking to revamp your online presence, this conversation will inspire you to tell your own story through your work.✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev

20. Career Growth is not Linear | Letting go of labels | Work is not your life | Ep. 33 from ragTech

    Aug 1, 202517 min

    Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the realities of career growth in the tech industry! Our hosts share their personal journeys, the unexpected twists and turns they've faced, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make your next big move, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the ups and downs of your own career path. ✨ What you'll hear in this episode: Real stories of non-linear career progress How to handle setbacks and pivot points Tips for staying motivated and resilient Advice for women and underrepresented groups in tech Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest conversations about tech careers! CareerGrowth #WomenInTech #TechPodcast #NonLinearCareers #CareerAdvice Listen now and remember: your journey is uniquely yours! ✨Follow us on our socials! - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev - Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev