Aaron T
@aaronthomasson.bsky.social
Founder & Editor-in-Chief @uatechjournal.bsky.social | Comms & AR pro in tech 👨🏻💻 | Villanova alum ✌🏻| lapsed academic 📚 | avid hiker 🏔️ | part-time philosopher 🤔 | can be found ambling around Kyiv 🇺🇦 with my camera & mini dachshunds
Pinned
Aaron T
@aaronthomasson.bsky.social
· Jan 7
A few of my favorite recent photos from my winter walks through Kyiv.
Reposted by Aaron T
Haiqu has reached a notable quantum milestone on IBM’s Heron processor, loading 500+ features into 128 qubits and boosting anomaly detection performance. The US–Ukrainian startup was founded by CTO Mykola Maksymenko and CEO Richard Givhan.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/ukrainian-am...
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/ukrainian-am...
Haiqu advances quantum anomaly detection on IBM Heron
The startup encoded more than 500 features on 128 qubits, advancing anomaly detection and strengthening its position as one of Ukraine’s most globally connected deep-tech companies.
www.uatechjournal.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Haiqu has reached a notable quantum milestone on IBM’s Heron processor, loading 500+ features into 128 qubits and boosting anomaly detection performance. The US–Ukrainian startup was founded by CTO Mykola Maksymenko and CEO Richard Givhan.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/ukrainian-am...
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/ukrainian-am...
Reposted by Aaron T
Y Combinator says it’s ready to make exceptions for Ukrainian defense-tech founders accepted into its Winter 2026 batch.
The statement came after Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Kostour noted that founders can’t leave the country under martial law.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/y-combinator...
The statement came after Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Kostour noted that founders can’t leave the country under martial law.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/y-combinator...
Y Combinator Opens Remote Access to Ukraine Defense Startups
The Silicon Valley accelerator will allow Ukrainian founders to join its next batch remotely — a landmark exception granting $500,000 investments and global mentorship to defense-tech innovators unabl...
www.uatechjournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Y Combinator says it’s ready to make exceptions for Ukrainian defense-tech founders accepted into its Winter 2026 batch.
The statement came after Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Kostour noted that founders can’t leave the country under martial law.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/y-combinator...
The statement came after Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Kostour noted that founders can’t leave the country under martial law.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/y-combinator...
Reposted by Aaron T
Oppenheimer Acceleration, a Silicon Valley venture fund led by Oleksandr Soroka and Valeriy Omelchenko, made its first investment: $500K in Ukrainian defense-tech startup Swarmer.
uatechjournal.com/oppenheimer-acceleration-launches-syndicate-with-first-500k-investment-in-ukraines-swarmer
uatechjournal.com/oppenheimer-acceleration-launches-syndicate-with-first-500k-investment-in-ukraines-swarmer
Oppenheimer Acceleration invests $500K in Swarmer
The Silicon Valley-based fund opens a new gateway for defense-tech investors, launching its first syndicate with a $500,000 deal in AI drone startup Swarmer.
uatechjournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Oppenheimer Acceleration, a Silicon Valley venture fund led by Oleksandr Soroka and Valeriy Omelchenko, made its first investment: $500K in Ukrainian defense-tech startup Swarmer.
uatechjournal.com/oppenheimer-acceleration-launches-syndicate-with-first-500k-investment-in-ukraines-swarmer
uatechjournal.com/oppenheimer-acceleration-launches-syndicate-with-first-500k-investment-in-ukraines-swarmer
Reposted by Aaron T
U.S.-Ukrainian startup Vermeer raised $10M Series A led by Draper Associates.
Its GPS-free Visual Positioning System (VPS) keeps drones flying when GPS is jammed — tech now used by U.S. and Ukrainian defense forces.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/american-ukr...
Its GPS-free Visual Positioning System (VPS) keeps drones flying when GPS is jammed — tech now used by U.S. and Ukrainian defense forces.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/american-ukr...
American-Ukrainian Startup Vermeer Raises $10M
The startup will scale its GPS-free visual navigation platform as deployments expand across defense and dual-use applications.
www.uatechjournal.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM
U.S.-Ukrainian startup Vermeer raised $10M Series A led by Draper Associates.
Its GPS-free Visual Positioning System (VPS) keeps drones flying when GPS is jammed — tech now used by U.S. and Ukrainian defense forces.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/american-ukr...
Its GPS-free Visual Positioning System (VPS) keeps drones flying when GPS is jammed — tech now used by U.S. and Ukrainian defense forces.
Full story: www.uatechjournal.com/american-ukr...
I used to receive admiration — and the occasional scorn — for my writing. Now I receive mostly accusations that I used ChatGPT.
We’ve entered a new epoch in human history when the authenticity of nearly all content will be in doubt.
That’s unfortunate.
We’ve entered a new epoch in human history when the authenticity of nearly all content will be in doubt.
That’s unfortunate.
July 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I used to receive admiration — and the occasional scorn — for my writing. Now I receive mostly accusations that I used ChatGPT.
We’ve entered a new epoch in human history when the authenticity of nearly all content will be in doubt.
That’s unfortunate.
We’ve entered a new epoch in human history when the authenticity of nearly all content will be in doubt.
That’s unfortunate.
Brad & Bill provide a good assessment of the current challenges facing the U.S. as it pertains to its strategic economic and technological position in wrt China.
Though they seem to pull punches — indicative of their slight partisan lean & insider associations.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Though they seem to pull punches — indicative of their slight partisan lean & insider associations.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
China, AI Immigration, Rare Earths & Chips, Tariffs, Market Check | BG2 w/ Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Podcast Episode · BG2Pod with Brad Gerstner and Bill Gurley · 06/05/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
June 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Brad & Bill provide a good assessment of the current challenges facing the U.S. as it pertains to its strategic economic and technological position in wrt China.
Though they seem to pull punches — indicative of their slight partisan lean & insider associations.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Though they seem to pull punches — indicative of their slight partisan lean & insider associations.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
If an AI agent is doing the shopping, who is the price really for?
That’s what I kept wondering after reading this latest in the WSJ, where she explores how Walmart and others are preparing for a future of AI-powered shopping agents.
It’s a fascinating shift — and a troubling one for pricing.
That’s what I kept wondering after reading this latest in the WSJ, where she explores how Walmart and others are preparing for a future of AI-powered shopping agents.
It’s a fascinating shift — and a troubling one for pricing.
🇺🇸 Walmart Is Preparing to Welcome Its Next Customer: The AI Shopping Agent www.wsj.com/articles/wal...
Walmart Is Preparing to Welcome Its Next Customer: The AI Shopping Agent
As consumers begin to use AI agents to do their shopping, retailers are trying to figure out how to market to bots in addition to humans.
www.wsj.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
If an AI agent is doing the shopping, who is the price really for?
That’s what I kept wondering after reading this latest in the WSJ, where she explores how Walmart and others are preparing for a future of AI-powered shopping agents.
It’s a fascinating shift — and a troubling one for pricing.
That’s what I kept wondering after reading this latest in the WSJ, where she explores how Walmart and others are preparing for a future of AI-powered shopping agents.
It’s a fascinating shift — and a troubling one for pricing.
Alternate Realities hit home. My dad is also deep in far-right conspiracies. It’s changed how he sees the world, impacts his daily life, & strains his relationships. This podcast captures that experience with honesty & care. Powerful work from @zachmack.bsky.social
www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...
www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...
Alternate Realities: A Strange Bet : Embedded
Episode 1: Reporter Zach Mack thinks his dad has gone all in on conspiracy theories, while his father thinks that Zach is the one being brainwashed. In 2024, after the latest round of circular argumen...
www.npr.org
March 31, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Alternate Realities hit home. My dad is also deep in far-right conspiracies. It’s changed how he sees the world, impacts his daily life, & strains his relationships. This podcast captures that experience with honesty & care. Powerful work from @zachmack.bsky.social
www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...
www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...
From Shakespearean actor to retail pricing expert—my latest #PricingHeroes guest Joshua Pollack shares provocative insights on how aggressive pricing and 'shrinkflation' erode brand equity.
Could Trader Joe's authentic approach win as consumers revolt against price manipulation?
Link below 👇
Could Trader Joe's authentic approach win as consumers revolt against price manipulation?
Link below 👇
March 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
From Shakespearean actor to retail pricing expert—my latest #PricingHeroes guest Joshua Pollack shares provocative insights on how aggressive pricing and 'shrinkflation' erode brand equity.
Could Trader Joe's authentic approach win as consumers revolt against price manipulation?
Link below 👇
Could Trader Joe's authentic approach win as consumers revolt against price manipulation?
Link below 👇
Just read Joshua Pollack's analysis on tariffs reshaping retail. His blueprint for building resilience through cross-functional coordination is brilliant.
We touch on this in our upcoming Pricing Heroes episode, but his blog gives you the full strategic playbook now. Worth your time! 👇
We touch on this in our upcoming Pricing Heroes episode, but his blog gives you the full strategic playbook now. Worth your time! 👇
March 21, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Just read Joshua Pollack's analysis on tariffs reshaping retail. His blueprint for building resilience through cross-functional coordination is brilliant.
We touch on this in our upcoming Pricing Heroes episode, but his blog gives you the full strategic playbook now. Worth your time! 👇
We touch on this in our upcoming Pricing Heroes episode, but his blog gives you the full strategic playbook now. Worth your time! 👇
I'd love an inbox that uses AI to sort emails based on priority. For example, if an email chain for a project requires a reply by a certain date, or if an event registration or call for speakers relevant to my role, it would take the top-most spot. Perhaps an AI assistant could prompt me with CTAs.
Gmail’s new AI search now sorts emails by relevance instead of chronological order techcrunch.com/2025/...
Gmail's new AI search now sorts emails by relevance instead of chronological order | TechCrunch
Google is rolling out a new Gmail update that is designed to help you find the email you're looking for more quickly. The company announced on Thursday
techcrunch.com
March 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I'd love an inbox that uses AI to sort emails based on priority. For example, if an email chain for a project requires a reply by a certain date, or if an event registration or call for speakers relevant to my role, it would take the top-most spot. Perhaps an AI assistant could prompt me with CTAs.
I just learned of layoffs a week ago at @wsj.com impacting phenomenal journalists. Just a reminder for PR folks and business leaders to be kind to journalists and prioritize bringing value to your relationships.
talkingbiznews.com/media-news/h...
talkingbiznews.com/media-news/h...
Here are the WSJ tech journalists whose jobs were eliminated - Talking Biz News
Here are The Wall Street Journal journalists whose jobs were eliminated on Tuesday: Reporters: Asa Fitch — a reporter covering the semiconductor companies, including Intel, Nvidia and Qualcomm. Prior ...
talkingbiznews.com
March 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I just learned of layoffs a week ago at @wsj.com impacting phenomenal journalists. Just a reminder for PR folks and business leaders to be kind to journalists and prioritize bringing value to your relationships.
talkingbiznews.com/media-news/h...
talkingbiznews.com/media-news/h...
Check out this excellent assessment by Tim J. smith on the impact tariffs will have on pricing throughout the supply chain and how executives might respond.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat...
The Threat of Trump’s Tariffs
Trump initiated tariffs with major U.S.
www.linkedin.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Check out this excellent assessment by Tim J. smith on the impact tariffs will have on pricing throughout the supply chain and how executives might respond.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat...
Check out Gabriela Barkho’s thoughtful analysis of the growing trust gaps in retail pricing. Transparency matters—pricing impacts day-2-day lives. While dynamic pricing is a concern, perhaps AI can help balance fairness, margins, & loyalty if done ethically & communicated well.
Price paranoia has taken over the minds of shoppers—and has become a huge problem for brands and retailers. It's going to be a big theme over the next year: www.modernretail.co/marketing/ho...
How inflation and dynamic pricing are fueling concerns of 'price paranoia'
Some shoppers have developed price paranoia as they have struggled to make sense of price hikes in recent years.
www.modernretail.co
January 16, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Check out Gabriela Barkho’s thoughtful analysis of the growing trust gaps in retail pricing. Transparency matters—pricing impacts day-2-day lives. While dynamic pricing is a concern, perhaps AI can help balance fairness, margins, & loyalty if done ethically & communicated well.
If you send unsolicited emails like the one I just received below, you don’t deserve to ever land a new client. This is dishonest and unprofessional. No matter what product or service you are selling, I would never do business with you.
January 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you send unsolicited emails like the one I just received below, you don’t deserve to ever land a new client. This is dishonest and unprofessional. No matter what product or service you are selling, I would never do business with you.
This seems like a policy that could put employees at risk. It’s challenging enough for baristas to handle difficult customers. How are they expected to enforce a “buy something or leave” policy? Will the purchase of a $3 cup of coffee really improve the atmosphere?
Exclusive: Starbucks is reversing a policy that had allowed open access to its cafes, in a push to improve store environments
Exclusive | Hanging Out at Starbucks? You Now Need to Order Something
The coffee giant is reversing a policy that had allowed open access to its cafes, in a push to improve store environments.
www.wsj.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
This seems like a policy that could put employees at risk. It’s challenging enough for baristas to handle difficult customers. How are they expected to enforce a “buy something or leave” policy? Will the purchase of a $3 cup of coffee really improve the atmosphere?
While I have reservations about the direction of AI—especially around content creation, I’m hopeful for the applications that will make my role in corporate comms easier. Generating professional-quality leadership videos in a matter of minutes would be invaluable.
Synthesia snaps up $180M at a $2.1B valuation for its B2B AI video platform
Synthesia snaps up $180M at a $2.1B valuation for its B2B AI video platform
As the world continues to work through how to handle the explosion of deepfake content online, it seems that not all AI-created videos are stirring controversy. Synthesia, a London startup building products around highly realistic AI avatar technology,…
tcrn.ch
January 15, 2025 at 8:26 AM
While I have reservations about the direction of AI—especially around content creation, I’m hopeful for the applications that will make my role in corporate comms easier. Generating professional-quality leadership videos in a matter of minutes would be invaluable.
I hope more journalists, analysts and thought leaders make their way to @bsky.app. It’s so much more refreshing on this platform. Reminds me of the early days of Twitter when I could follow and interact with people I would otherwise not have access to.
January 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I hope more journalists, analysts and thought leaders make their way to @bsky.app. It’s so much more refreshing on this platform. Reminds me of the early days of Twitter when I could follow and interact with people I would otherwise not have access to.
Since moving to Europe, I've noticed just how easy it is to eliminate single-use plastic bags. It's standard practice at this point. You want a bag? You pay for it. I'm surprised U.S. retailers act as though it's an impossible task. It's been 7 years, Kroger... Is Parkinson's Law to blame?
Seven years ago, Kroger said it would eliminate single-use plastic bags by 2025. It's looking like it's not even close to hitting that goal: www.modernretail.co/operations/d...
Despite an earlier pledge, Kroger has yet to eliminate single-use plastic bags
In 2018, Kroger announced it would eliminate single-use plastic bags from its stores by 2025. It doesn't seem close to hitting that goal.
www.modernretail.co
January 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Since moving to Europe, I've noticed just how easy it is to eliminate single-use plastic bags. It's standard practice at this point. You want a bag? You pay for it. I'm surprised U.S. retailers act as though it's an impossible task. It's been 7 years, Kroger... Is Parkinson's Law to blame?
Excellent article by Belle Lin.
I see denial of AI readiness for taking on enterprise tasks. But #AgenticAI has been a popular topic #NRF2025. The question isn't if but when. We're in a hype cycle, but AI agents are coming, & we'll have to reconcile what that means.
www.wsj.com/articles/how...
I see denial of AI readiness for taking on enterprise tasks. But #AgenticAI has been a popular topic #NRF2025. The question isn't if but when. We're in a hype cycle, but AI agents are coming, & we'll have to reconcile what that means.
www.wsj.com/articles/how...
How Are Companies Using AI Agents? Here’s a Look at Five Early Users of the Bots
Artificial intelligence agents have emerged as one of the most exciting aspects of generative AI for business because they take chatbots to the next level, performing complex tasks without help from h...
www.wsj.com
January 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Excellent article by Belle Lin.
I see denial of AI readiness for taking on enterprise tasks. But #AgenticAI has been a popular topic #NRF2025. The question isn't if but when. We're in a hype cycle, but AI agents are coming, & we'll have to reconcile what that means.
www.wsj.com/articles/how...
I see denial of AI readiness for taking on enterprise tasks. But #AgenticAI has been a popular topic #NRF2025. The question isn't if but when. We're in a hype cycle, but AI agents are coming, & we'll have to reconcile what that means.
www.wsj.com/articles/how...
The AR landscape is shifting rapidly, as seen with Forrester’s recent cuts. Now more than ever, businesses need skilled AR pros to navigate these changes. AR isn’t an afterthought—it’s a strategic necessity. Carter Lusher’s insights break it down 👇🏻
Breaking: Forrester Announces 6% Workforce Reduction - What It Means for You
This move has significant implications for:
* Tech vendors & AR teams
* Enterprise clients & tech buyers
* Other analyst firms & industry watchers
My analysis: lusheradvisory.substack.com/p/forresters...
#ARchat
This move has significant implications for:
* Tech vendors & AR teams
* Enterprise clients & tech buyers
* Other analyst firms & industry watchers
My analysis: lusheradvisory.substack.com/p/forresters...
#ARchat
Forrester's 6% Layoff: Strategic Necessity or Wall Street Theater?
Breaking: Forrester Announces 6% Workforce Reduction - What It Means for You
lusheradvisory.substack.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The AR landscape is shifting rapidly, as seen with Forrester’s recent cuts. Now more than ever, businesses need skilled AR pros to navigate these changes. AR isn’t an afterthought—it’s a strategic necessity. Carter Lusher’s insights break it down 👇🏻
What's with the current trend of flagging em dashes as evidence of AI generated content?
I've been using them since university—my thesis will corroborate. The em dash is one of the most dynamic and versatile punctuation marks—only the exclamation point conveys more emotion!
I've been using them since university—my thesis will corroborate. The em dash is one of the most dynamic and versatile punctuation marks—only the exclamation point conveys more emotion!
January 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
What's with the current trend of flagging em dashes as evidence of AI generated content?
I've been using them since university—my thesis will corroborate. The em dash is one of the most dynamic and versatile punctuation marks—only the exclamation point conveys more emotion!
I've been using them since university—my thesis will corroborate. The em dash is one of the most dynamic and versatile punctuation marks—only the exclamation point conveys more emotion!
January 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Given the high cost to retailers operating D2C e-commerce models and the desire of customers to have more premium in-person shopping experiences, it’s hard to predict what these shop closures mean for the industry as a whole. Are these omens or opportunities?
www.axios.com/2025/01/09/m...
www.axios.com/2025/01/09/m...
More Macy's stores to close in 2025. See the list of closing locations.
Macy's liquidation sales at closing stores are expected to start in January, the retailer told Axios.
www.axios.com
January 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Given the high cost to retailers operating D2C e-commerce models and the desire of customers to have more premium in-person shopping experiences, it’s hard to predict what these shop closures mean for the industry as a whole. Are these omens or opportunities?
www.axios.com/2025/01/09/m...
www.axios.com/2025/01/09/m...
Is there a social media platform that prohibits AI, bots, and engagement farming content?
Anyone want to build a premium social media platform focused on facilitating high-quality content and meaningful interactions that facilitate community building?
Anyone want to build a premium social media platform focused on facilitating high-quality content and meaningful interactions that facilitate community building?
January 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Is there a social media platform that prohibits AI, bots, and engagement farming content?
Anyone want to build a premium social media platform focused on facilitating high-quality content and meaningful interactions that facilitate community building?
Anyone want to build a premium social media platform focused on facilitating high-quality content and meaningful interactions that facilitate community building?