Science & Technology

AI-driven hiring and the science of compatibility

This season on Build Mode, we’re breaking down what it really takes to build a world-class team and that starts with hiring the right people the first time. This week, we’re joined by Sarah Lucena, founder and CEO of Mapa, a behavioral intelligence platform that uses voice AI to decode human behavior in under 60…

Published

7 months ago

March 3, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

This season on Build Mode, we’re breaking down what it really takes to build a world-class team and that starts with hiring the right people the first time.

This week, we’re joined by Sarah Lucena, founder and CEO of Mapa, a behavioral intelligence platform that uses voice AI to decode human behavior in under 60 seconds. After rebuilding teams over and over again early in her career, Sarah set out to answer the question: why do “great on paper” candidates fail to flourish after their hired?

In this episode, she explains how Mapa analyzes thousands of voice biomarkers, from speech patterns to linguistic signals, to build behavioral profiles and match candidates based on compatibility, not just the on-paper credentials. They help their clients make the right hired the first time, saving crucial time and money.

She breaks down:

• Why most hiring decisions are still a gamble
• Compatibility vs. similarity (and why it matters)
• How voice biomarkers reveal behavioral traits
• How to reduce bias without lowering the bar
• How founders should think about building aligned teams

Whether you’re hiring your first employee or scaling a fast-growing startup, this episode will change the way you think about talent, team dynamics, and what it really means to be a “fit.”

Chapters:

00:00 – Why great hires still fail
00:47 – Meet Sarah Lucena (Founder & CEO, Mapa)
01:39 – What Mapa does: voice → behavioral intelligence
04:22 – Why voice (not video) is the best signal
06:03 – The proprietary dataset & real-life outcomes
12:30 – Mapping companies, not just candidates
14:27 – Compatibility vs. similarity
16:10 – Bias, diversity & better hiring signals
23:53 – Expanding beyond hiring (VCs, finance, insurance)
30:16 – Using Mapa to evaluate investors
33:02 – Building Mapa’s own team
35:49 – Founder advice: patience, compatibility & lawyers
39:16 – Startup Battlefield experience
41:29 – Outro

New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

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2 Comments

@عليموحان-س5ع

March 3, 2026 at 1:46 pm

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@TheNarrowPathGarage

March 3, 2026 at 9:27 pm

❤

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Science & Technology

We could be heroes?

Could a genetic mutation ever cause humanity to develop super powers? Anthropologist Agustín Fuentes joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about human evolution. Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►► Listen to the Uncanny Valley podcast ►► Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►► Follow WIRED: Instagram ►► Twitter ►► Facebook ►►…

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Could a genetic mutation ever cause humanity to develop super powers? Anthropologist Agustín Fuentes joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about human evolution.

Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? ►►
Listen to the Uncanny Valley podcast ►►
Want more WIRED? Get the magazine ►►

Follow WIRED:
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Tik Tok ►►

ABOUT WIRED
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized.

CNET

Valve Steam Frame: Hands On

It’s real and it’s here! CNET’s Scott Stein has been playing with it for the last three weeks, here’s what he has to say about it so far. #valve #steamframe #vr #foveatedrendering #vrheadset #pcgaming Add CNET as a trusted news source Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉 Check out CNET’s Amazon…

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

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CNET

Valve Steam Frame Is Here: How Good Is This VR Headset?

Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far. Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com: Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress Timecode Chapters: 0:00 Valve Steam Frame 0:33 A Portable Steam Deck For Your Face 0:57…

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far.

Read more about the Valve Steam Frame on CNET.com:
Steam Frame, Reviewed: Valve’s Ambitious VR Headset Feels Like an Experiment in Progress

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Valve Steam Frame
0:33 A Portable Steam Deck For Your Face
0:57 Design
1:17 Ergonomic Pack
1:47 A Challenge for Glasses Wearers
2:19 Viewing Experience
3:09 Foveated Streaming
3:41 Standalone Features
4:11 VR and Processor
5:11 Half-Life: Alyx
5:54 Controller Covered in Sensors
6:43 Pass-Through Cameras
7:28 Modular Design
8:00 Linux and Customizability
8:18 Not All Games Will Work
8:50 How Is It As A Steam Deck
10:13 Early Products and Valve
11:00 Expect More Later
11:26 The Future of VR, Headsets and The Steam Frame

Video Credits:
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: Mitch Chang
Thumbnail Designer: Cole Kan