Tech entrepreneur Ryan Groom shares his journey from early tech experiments in the 1980s to building cybersecurity companies, ethical hacking adventures, and launching new ventures like Kognitiv Spark (AI-enhanced remote support) and Rivur (live streaming and privacy chat app). He reflects on his grandfather's WWII legacy, the dark side of the internet from his work on child exploitation tools, the evolution of AI and its societal impacts, outdoor adventures in New Brunswick, and the balance between technology, humanity, and business. Ryan also discusses cybersecurity risks, social media's divisive effects, and the importance of real-world connections over digital ones. This conversation blends personal stories, tech insights, and philosophical musings on modern life.

[01:00:00:00 - 01:05:36:00] Introduction and Catching Up: Ryan discusses his current projects, including AI integration at Cognitive Spark, the Legacy of Courage documentary about his grandfather's WWII experiences, and starting River with his family to teach his kids about business.

[01:05:36:00 - 01:10:02:04] Early Tech Career: Ryan recounts his start with computers in grade school with a Timex Sinclair, hacking school networks in the 1980s, and early jobs setting up systems for his dad's business and working as a school board tech.

[01:10:02:04 - 01:18:35:16] Cybersecurity Beginnings: Stories from Cyber Secure, becoming Microsoft's first gold partner in security in Canada, speaking at conferences, and collaborating on child exploitation tracking tools with law enforcement, including Bill Gates' involvement.

[01:18:35:16 - 01:25:43:16] Ethical Hacking Adventures: Ryan shares penetration testing tales, including hacking industrial systems, physical infiltrations like sneaking into a chief security officer’s office, and discovering vulnerabilities in companies and governments.

[01:25:43:16 - 01:37:47:14] AI and Technology's Future: Discussions on AI's potential dangers vs. benefits, its impact on humanity, creativity, and society, drawing parallels to splitting the atom and concerns about losing human essence.

[01:37:47:14 - 02:33:33:01] Social Media and Human Connection: Reflections on losing humanity through tech addiction, the importance of face-to-face interactions, social media's divisiveness, and comparisons to 1970s issues seen in All in the Family.

[02:33:33:01 - 02:36:47:04] Outdoor Adventures and New Brunswick: Tales from ATV trips, exploring Grand Manan Island, and advocating for balanced resource management to preserve New Brunswick’s natural beauty for tourism.

[02:36:47:04 - 02:45:31:22] River Ventures: Details on River's live streaming for university sports, rebuilding the platform with his son, and the upcoming River Chat app for disposable phone numbers and encrypted messaging.

[02:45:31:22 - 03:00:09:17] Privacy, Security, and Modern Life: Concerns about encryption, government access, digital diets, and how technology affects brain chemistry, including the benefits of green spaces and risks of "zoochosis" in urban routines.

[03:00:09:17 - 03:16:07:21] Wrapping Up: Final thoughts on politics, media echo chambers, timeless human conflicts, and a call for more real-world adventures with plans to continue ATVing and content creation.

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