Check The Tech: AI Expert Brandon Johnson’s Picks For The Latest Back-To-School Tech

On this episode of Check The Tech, AI expert Brandon Johnson shares his picks for the latest back-to-school tech. From everyday tools that just make life easier, to gadgets that inspire even the most tech-savvy, there’s something here for everyone.

Johnson is a Senior AI Solutions Architect at NVIDIA, which develops the technology that powers everything from ChatGPT to movies that we watch. “NVIDIA is everywhere,” he tells Check The Tech host Sara Lovestyle. “Everyday I work with engineers at other companies to help them solve problems.” From developing self-driving cars to enhancing early detection in cancer patients, Johnson’s job is to work alongside engineers to solve these complex problems using NVIDIA’s technology.

With a steady flow of new tech products hitting the market, Johnson curates a list of the ones you need to know. Discover the latest tech on his radar this back-to-school season.

1. Perplexity AI Search Engine: $0-20/month

Perplexity redefines the search engine experience. Instead of producing a list of search results, Perplexity streamlines the process of finding information online. “Once you type in a prompt and you search for something, it synthesizes all that information, condenses it and gives it back to you,” says Johnson. He uses the $20 Pro version, but a free version is available too.

2. NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Developer Kit: $2,000

While the Perplexity search engine is a more user-friendly option, Johnson’s next pick is a bit more in-depth: the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin. “It’s basically what we use to program robots,” he explains. “This is going to be for my nerds, people who like to code and things like that. If you want to get hands-on, this is usually where we recommend starting.”

3. Light Phone: $499

When Johnson wants to unplug, he has a gadget for that. The Light Phone’s minimalist design offers an alternative to app-loaded smartphones. “The only thing you can do is call and text,” he says. “It is very minimalist. Sometimes you want to unplug, so this is the best way for me to personally unplug.” The Light Phone III is available for preorder and will include a new camera feature.

4. Apple AirPods Max Headphones: $300

Johnson’s last pick is a must-have for any college student — a good pair of headphones. The AI specialist loves his AirPods Max headphones for its long battery life, which will definitely come in handy for busy students on the go.