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10 Tech Buzzwords And How To Explain Them To Your Extended Family

Nitish Kulkarni
Naomi Cornman
A/B Testing
A/B testing is a design strategy that tests different versions of an idea or product and compares which is more effective.”Image Credits:Seraphim Art (opens in a new window) / Shutterstock (opens in a new window)
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things is a network of physical objects with internet connectivity that communicate with each other and internet-enabled computers and systems.
“
Down Round
A down round happens when a startup raises a round of venture funding at a valuation lower than it had previously.”
Biowearables
Biowearables are devices that can be worn by consumers to collect data from their bodies.n”
Virtual Reality
A three-dimensional environment that asks a user to suspend belief and accept what they are experiencing as real. Virtual reality often also involves a way to interact with this environment using a special headset and wearable devices.”
PRISM Surveillance
The National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program called PRISM gained notoriety for its indiscriminate collection of internet communications. Drop the name Edward Snowden.
“
The Blockchain
A secure record of digital events distributed amongst computers as data flows from one node to another, creating a virtual ‘paper trail’. Best known for its connection to the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.”
Net Neutrality
The principle that internet providers and governments should not selectively speed up or slow down internet traffic but instead keep the internet equally accessible to all.”Image Credits:Anton Balazh (opens in a new window) / Shutterstock (opens in a new window) (Image has been modified)
Data Mining
Data mining is the practice of sorting through large data sets to identify patterns and establish relationships. Often used to gain deep understanding of users of a product or a service.”Image Credits:igor.stevanovic (opens in a new window) / Shutterstock (opens in a new window)
Machine Learning
Machine learning is a set of techniques used to design and construct algorithms that adapt based on data and make predictions based on it.”
One of the nice things about living in the Bay Area or another technology hub is that everyone speaks the same language – there’s common jargon. As nice as going home and meeting family is, your language is going to need a bit of a readjustment. Here’s a list of some tech buzzwords that you can explain to your family when you’re not quietly moving your grandparents from Internet Explorer to Firefox.

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Nitish Kulkarni
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October 27-29, 2025
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