Episode #0044 – AI Barbie, Xbox Layoffs, and Scattered Spider Attacks (Livestream from 07/07/2025)

In this episode, the crew kicks things off with the Gaming Roundtable, where Brent, Matt, and Brandon share what they’ve been playing this week—including The Last of Us, KCD2, Stardew Valley, and more.

Next, we talk toys—smart toys. Mattel is partnering with OpenAI to launch its first AI-powered Barbie. We discuss what this means for AI adoption, implications for kids, and whether privacy and age-appropriateness are being overlooked in the name of innovation.

We then tackle the massive Xbox layoffs, with Microsoft slashing 9,000 jobs just after major acquisitions. We explore the cancelled games (Perfect Dark, Everwild, Project Blackbird), the sustainability of Game Pass, and what this means for Xbox’s future strategy.

Finally, we walk through the latest developments in Scattered Spider’s attack tactics. CrowdStrike reports growing escalation with advanced vishing, MFA bypasses, helpdesk impersonation, and VMware exploitation—targeting airlines and IT providers. It’s a playbook every tech team should understand.

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Hosts/Contributors

  • Brent
  • Matt
  • Brandon
  • Shaun
  • Jordyn

Technical Lead and Audio/Video Design

  • Brent

Sources

AI Barbie Announcement: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/barbie-maker-mattel-teams-up-with-openai-eyes-first-ai-powered-product-this-year-2025-06-12/
Mattel x OpenAI Coverage: https://etedge-insights.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/barbie-maker-mattel-ties-up-with-openai-to-launch-ai-powered-toys/
Xbox Layoff Details: https://www.hipaajournal.com/msps-it-vendors-targeted-scattered-spider/
Scattered Spider Report: https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/crowdstrike-services-observes-scattered-spider-escalate-attacks/
FBI Airline Warning – Scattered Spider: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/fbi-warns-travelers-scattered-spiders-airlines-20415995.php

Tags

#AIBarbie #Mattel #OpenAI #XboxLayoffs #GamePass #ScatteredSpider #Cybersecurity #Podcast #TheDigitalAscent #GamingNews #Infosec #AIinToys #TechPodcast #MSPDefense #CrowdStrike #Barbie2025 #MicrosoftGaming