Uncovering the hidden history of women in tech — and spilling the tea on today’s tech world.

Latest Episodes

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Break Room #3 - Nov. 20, 2024

Παιχνίδια πολιτικής στο κόσμο της τεχνολογίας (Greek/Ελληνικά)

Στο τρίτο επεισόδιο του The 20% Breakroom ανακαλύπτουμε τη σχέση της τεχνολογίας με την πολιτική. Ο Elon Musk είναι πλέον υπουργός της Αμερικάνικης κυβέρνησης, ο Peter Thiel έχει το δικό του άνθρωπο δίπλα στο πρόεδρο Trump, η Google πολεμά την Αμερικάνικη κυβέρνηση και στην Κύπρο ακόμα στέλνουμε φαξ στις κυβερνητικές υπηρεσίες.

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S3 - Ep. 5 - Nov. 13, 2024

The Rise and Fall of Silicon Alley's Cyber Rock Stars

In this episode, with the help of Anna, we tell the story of a brief moment in the 1990s when women were at the forefront of the nascent internet and tech scene in New York City, dubbed "Silicon Alley." It follows the journeys of three pioneering women - Stacy Horn, Marisa Bowe, and Jaime Levy - as they built innovative online communities, publications, and agencies. But as the dot-com boom intensified, corporate interests take over, eclipsing these women and transforming the web from a creative, community-driven space into a profit-driven industry. The episode highlights how these early cyber-celebrities were on the verge of defining the culture of the internet, before being pushed aside as the industry became dominated by men. It’s a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in web history when women held center stage.

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S3 - Ep. 4 - Oct. 30, 2024

A conversation with Yulia Tarasova, KidIT Co-Founder

In this episode, I am thrilled to host Yulia Tarasova, co-founder of KidIT Cyprus, a groundbreaking program dedicated to transforming young tech users, aged 5–13, into creators through hands-on, creative education. With a background in the gaming industry, Yulia has brought a unique, family-centered approach to tech education in Cyprus with KidIT’s innovative curriculum. Join us as we discuss the importance of project-based learning, the value of teaching children to become tech creators from a young age, and KidIT’s mission.

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Break Room #2 - Oct. 23, 2024

Θα πεθάνουμε όλοι (Greek/Ελληνικά)

To δεύτερο επεισόδιο του The 20% Brearoom είναι εδώ και το θέμα μας είναι: "Θα πεθάνουμε όλοι!". Ναι, το AI θα μας σκοτώσει όλους αλλά πριν συμβεί αυτό συντονιστείτε για να μάθετε τα νέα μερικών καθημερινών δισεκατομυριούχων όπως ο Mark Zuckerberg που την είδε Ρωμαίος αυτοκράτορας, ο Bill Gates που αναρωτιέται τι μας επιφυλάσει το μέλλον, και ο Elon Musk, ο οποίος θέλει να μας δώσει αυτοοδηγούμενα αυτοκίνητα, αυτόνομα ρομπότ και να μας βοηθήσει να μετακομίσουμε στον Άρη!

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S3 - Ep. 3 - Oct. 17, 2024

ΙΔΕΚ: Καινοτομία και Χρηματοδοτικά Εργαλεία στην Κύπρο (Greek/Ελληνικά)

Στο νέο επεισόδιο του “Breaking the 20%”, φιλοξενούμε τον Δρ. Τριαντάφυλλο Στυλιανόπουλο, Αναπληρωτή Καθηγητή στο Τμήμα Μηχανικών Μηχανολογίας και Κατασκευαστικής, και τον Θεόδωρο Λουκαΐδη, Γενικό Διευθυντή του ΙδΕΚ. Μαζί συζητάμε για την αποστολή και το όραμα του ΙδΕΚ, την εξέλιξη της έρευνας και της καινοτομίας στην Κύπρο, καθώς και τα σημαντικά χρηματοδοτικά προγράμματα που στηρίζουν το ερευνητικό οικοσύστημα της χώρας. Ο Δρ. Στυλιανόπουλος μοιράζεται την πορεία του ως ερευνητής και τη συμβολή του εργαστηρίου του στην ανάπτυξη νέων ταλέντων, ενώ εξετάζουμε τον ρόλο των ERC Advanced Grants και πώς η Κύπρος μπορεί να διακριθεί ακόμη περισσότερο στη διεθνή σκηνή. Τέλος συζητούμε την εκδήλωση “European Researchers’ Night” που πραγματοποιήθηκε το Σεπτέμβρη που μας πέρασε.

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Break Room #1 - Oct. 9, 2024

Break Room #1 (Greek/Ελληνικά)

Καλωσορίσατε στη νέα ενότητα του Breaking the 20%! Σε αυτή την ενότητα, μαζί με τον Μιχάλη, θα συζητάμε τα τελευταία νέα από τον κόσμο της τεχνολογίας και των startups, αλλά με έναν διαφορετικό τρόπο. Αντί να εξυμνούμε τα πάντα, θα κουτσομπολεύουμε, θα σχολιάζουμε καυστικά τους tech δισεκατομμυριούχους και, γενικά, θα κάνουμε trash talk τις αγαπημένες μας tech υπηρεσίες και προϊόντα. Ετοιμαστείτε για μια πιο ανεπίσημη και διασκεδαστική ματιά στην τεχνολογία!

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S3 - Ep. 2 - Oct. 2, 2024

A Conversation with Tanya Romanyukha on the Women in STEM Cyprus Forum

In this episode of Breaking the 20%, we sit down with Tanya to discuss the inspiring Women in STEM Cyprus Forum. The first Women in STEM Cyprus Forum is a landmark event dedicated to empowering and advocating for women in STEM fields. We explore how this event is driving change in the tech industry and STEM industry in general by fostering a supportive community for women and showcasing their contributions to science and technology. Tune in to learn about the challenges women face in tech and how initiatives like this are empowering the next generation of female innovators.

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S3 - Ep. 01 - Sept. 25, 2024

Bye Bye Bye, Lenna

We’re back for another season! In this episode, we explore the story behind Playboy’s most popular issue, which sold 7.16 million copies, and how it’s connected to every digital photo. With the help of the producer of the show, Andreas Phylactou, we get into how the tech industry dehumanizes women like Lenna, Jennifer, and JLo (all featured in this story) and the impact this has on the current representation of women in the tech industry.

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S2 - Ep. 27 - July 14, 2024

Alexa, tell me about the Siri-ously fascinating history of AI

For the last episode of season 2 I am joined by Maria Terzi co-founder and CEO of AI and cybersecurity firm Malloc and we travel back in time to meet ELIZA, the great-grandmother of all chatbots. Then we follow the fascinating path that has led to today's sophisticated AI. Join us for a lighthearted look at the history of Artificial Intelligence, as we explore the milestones, mishaps, and downright funny moments that have shaped the development of artificial intelligence.

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Blog & News

Oct. 18, 2024

Lillian Schwartz, pioneer artist and animator, passed away on October 12, 2024

Lillian Schwartz, a pioneering digital artist and animator, passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 97 in New York City. She was renowned for her groundbreaking work in computer-generated art and animation, especially during her time at AT&T’s Bell Labs in the late 1960s and 1970s. Schwartz created some of the earliest experimental computer-animated films, such as Pixillation and UFOs. Her work revolutionized the use of computers in art and earned her numerous accolades throughout her career.

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Oct. 8, 2024

Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day: A Legacy of Vision and Possibility

On this Ada Lovelace Day, we honor not only the world’s first computer programmer but also a woman who imagined the impossible. Her pioneering work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine made her the world’s first computer programmer, long before the modern computer existed. But she was so much more than just a mathematician. She foresaw a future where machines could do more than calculate — they could even create music. Her story is a reminder that the future of tech can and must also belong to women. 

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Oct. 5, 2024

Remembering Steve Jobs: A Legacy of Innovation and Controversy

As we mark the anniversary of Steve Jobs’ passing, on October 5th 2011, it’s essential to reflect not just on his monumental contributions to technology but also on his often challenging interpersonal relationships. Our episode “Self-Made Billionaires” explores his complicated rivalry with Bill Gates. Additionally, in “The Mother of All Demos,” I visited Historicon to tell how Jobs drew inspiration for the GUI from Xerox PARC, further showcasing the blend of innovation and ethical complexity that defined his career.

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Oct. 2, 2024

On October 2nd, 1955 ENIAC was retired

The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers, was officially retired on October 2nd, 1955, after nearly a decade of service since its completion in 1945. By then, its creators, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, had left to start their own company, and the women who programmed it had moved on to other projects. Nevertheless, ENIAC paved the way for modern computing, leaving an enduring legacy in the field.

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