The Tech Blog Writer Podcast

How do you keep complex digital experiences running smoothly when every layer, from networks to cloud infrastructure to applications, can break in ways that frustrate customers and burn out IT teams? This question is at the heart of my conversation recorded live at Cisco Live in San Diego with Patrick Lin, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Observability at Splunk, now part of Cisco. In this episode, Patrick explains how observability has evolved far beyond simple monitoring and is becoming the nerve centre for digital resilience in a world where reactive alerts no longer cut it. We unpack how Splunk and Cisco ThousandEyes are now deeply integrated, giving teams a single source of truth that connects application behaviour, infrastructure health, and network performance, even across systems they do not directly control. Patrick also shares what these two-way integrations mean in practice: faster incident resolution, fewer blame games, and far less time wasted chasing false alerts. We explore how AI is enhancing this vision by cutting through the noise to detect real anomalies, correlate related events, and suggest root causes at a speed no human team could match. If your business depends on staying online and your teams are drowning in disconnected data, this conversation offers a glimpse into the next phase of unified observability and assurance. It might even help quiet the flood of alerts that keep IT professionals awake at night. How is your organisation tackling alert fatigue and rising complexity? Listen in and tell me what strategies you have found that actually work.

What happens when education stops being about a rigid curriculum and starts focusing on what genuinely sparks a child's curiosity? This question sits at the heart of my conversation with Amir Nathoo, the founder and CEO of Outschool, a fast-growing online learning platform now trusted by over a million families worldwide. In this episode, Amir shares the personal journey that inspired him to challenge the tired one-size-fits-all approach still dominant in classrooms today. We explore how Outschool's unique mix of small group of live classes, diverse topics, and independent educators is giving children the freedom to pursue what excites them most — whether that's coding through Minecraft, exploring anatomy in the quirkiest ways imaginable, or tackling future-focused skills that schools often ignore. We also examine the broader shifts driving parents to supplement or even replace traditional schooling. From the rise of unschooling and passion-led learning to the potential (and limits) of AI tutors, Amir paints a picture of what more flexible, personalised education could mean for the next generation's readiness for jobs that don't even exist yet. If you've ever questioned whether the current system is enough to prepare your kids for the world they'll inherit, this one's for you. How do you see the balance between human teachers and AI shaping up in education? Join the conversation and let me know your thoughts.

How do you measure success when your AI is learning faster than your own business processes can keep up? That's the question I set out to answer in my conversation with SparkBeyond, a company that has spent the past decade transforming how enterprises harness AI. From crawling GitHub code in a modest garage experiment to driving measurable performance gains for global firms, SparkBeyond has charted a path that mirrors the rapid evolution of AI itself. In this episode, I explored how their focus has shifted from discovering hidden performance drivers in customer data to building agentic AI systems that actively close feedback loops and optimize themselves continuously. SparkBeyond brings the rigor of operational excellence into the world of AI agents, a space still notorious for inefficiencies and inconsistent results. Agentic AI isn't just the next shiny term; it represents a practical step forward from passive prediction to autonomous decision-making. Listening to examples like automated troubleshooting for large consumer electronics companies made it clear that this technology is already reshaping daily operations that once consumed countless human hours. We also dug into the realities behind the hype. While some companies have scaled back their experiments, SparkBeyond stays grounded by tying every agent's performance to the same KPIs a human would carry, providing clear ROI and minimizing guesswork. Sagie Davidovich shared thoughtful insights into why verifiability determines where agents thrive first. Digital tasks, high-frequency work, and software development stand out as the front runners.  It's hard to argue when you see the rise of coding assistants transforming entire workflows at breakneck speed. But the conversation didn't shy away from the challenges either, from handling biases baked into LLMs to the obstacles of applying agents in the physical world. SparkBeyond's upcoming open-source agent optimizer promises to accelerate adoption while keeping the human benchmarks in sight. This episode gave me a front-row seat to the next frontier of AI where systems aren't static but in a constant state of learning and improvement. If your organization still treats AI like a bolt-on experiment, this discussion may push you to rethink how deeply it should be woven into your daily operations. How ready is your business for an AI that never stops optimizing?      

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Jim Douglas, CEO of Instabug, to unpack the hidden world of mobile app development and the hurdles developers face every time you tap an icon on your phone. Mobile apps live in unpredictable conditions, surrounded by millions of device variations and users who are quick to abandon any app that fails to deliver a flawless experience.  Our discussion begins with a deep dive into why mobile apps remain so vulnerable to user churn. Jim shares a striking figure that 56 percent of users will delete an app after a single crash, a statistic that keeps many developers up at night. He explains how Instabug's platform provides a layer of mobile observability powered by AI, which helps catch problems early and offers real insights into how real people interact with apps. Instead of guessing why a user is frustrated, developers gain clear visibility through session replays and in-app surveys that reveal what KPIs alone cannot show. Jim also outlines how Instabug aims to push mobile development into a future where self-healing apps become reality. He describes Smart Resolve, a feature that already helps automate issue resolution, marking a first step toward a world where apps can detect and fix their own bugs. This evolution frees up development teams to invest their energy in innovation rather than repetitive troubleshooting. We look ahead to upcoming changes in the mobile ecosystem, touching on expectations for iOS 19, improvements in power management using AI, and the possibility that voice interfaces will soon play a bigger role in how we interact with our phones. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone building or using mobile apps who wonders why some apps feel polished while others crash and burn. Are self-healing apps closer than we imagine, and how will that reshape the daily work of developers and the experiences we all take for granted? Join us to find out.

How are small businesses influencing the future of financial technology at a scale few can match? In this episode, I sit down with Jameson Troutman, Head of Product for Small Business at Chase for Business. With two decades shaping payment solutions for entrepreneurs, he opens up about how a team inside one of the largest financial institutions stays flexible enough to build smarter tools, quicker payments, and more practical customer insights while serving millions of small business owners across the country. What I found particularly interesting was how Chase for Business keeps innovation moving without disrupting the stability its clients expect. Jameson pulls back the curtain on how phased testing and piloting help fine-tune new products, ensuring they truly solve day-to-day challenges before reaching a national audience. He talks through the fine line between empowering owners with rich data and overwhelming them with information that does little to drive better decisions. We also explore the development of Chase's customer insights platform and how it shifts from static reports to timely, useful signals that guide business owners through cash flow hurdles and growth opportunities. Jameson highlights the real-world use of artificial intelligence, sharing where it lifts weight off small businesses and where human judgment still plays a key role. Another compelling part of our conversation is the candid discussion about fraud prevention and why smarter authentication must protect customers without blocking their vital operations like payroll and supplier payments. Jameson's explanation shows how balancing risk management with speed has become a daily focus for product teams handling payments at scale.    

When did you last pause to consider what it takes to turn daring ideas from a lab into reality?  In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I spend time with Mike Otworth, Executive Chairman of Innventure, whose career reveals what happens when breakthrough technology leaves the safety of research and collides with real-world demands. Mike's view offers an honest look at what changes when you match influential inventions with a team that moves quickly and welcomes a little discomfort. We begin with Mike's unexpected transition from working on Capitol Hill to joining a group of brilliant scientists in Florida. That twist of fate shaped his life's direction and planted the seed for what later became Innventure. He explains how they tackle a problem that many overlook: big companies often create advanced solutions but lack the speed or drive to launch them effectively. His answer was to build an organization that runs on agility, quick learning, and a firm belief that course corrections are normal, not failures. One idea that sticks is what Mike calls "adaptive strategic positioning." In plain English, it means leaders must remain flexible and innovative enough to adjust their direction as soon as reality reveals something new. For founders juggling investors and product timelines, this can feel uncomfortable, yet it remains a necessary task. He also shares why he looks for "athletes" rather than box-ticking hires.  For Mike, mindset beats a perfect CV every time. He seeks individuals who bring determination, resilience, and an appetite for new challenges, regardless of their starting point. We also explore how team culture can't be built with beanbags and table football alone. Real innovation teams keep an eye on the big goal and value shared wins more than individual credit.  Mike also discusses giving every team member a stake in the outcome, ensuring everyone rows in the same direction. He gives a heartfelt nod to Dr. John Scott, a mentor whose sharp mind and honest opinions shaped his knack for spotting which tech has a chance in the market. This episode is more than another story of startup life. It's a clear window into how leadership must evolve as a company grows from a scrappy experiment to a trusted player. Mike's reflections on when to step back and let new leaders steer add a layer of honesty that many founders rarely share. If you enjoy hearing how a few bold decisions can ripple through entire industries, this chat offers plenty to chew on. Expect thoughtful lessons about courage, flexibility, and what it takes to build a company where every person is trusted to run with an idea and find a way forward. For anyone curious about early-stage success beyond the headlines, settle in and hear how Mike and Innventure prove that speed, trust, and the right people still matter most.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Nathan Thomas, Director of Innovation, Ricoh Europe, who oversees innovation across Ricoh Europe. Nathan joined me to unpack new findings from Ricoh's study of thousands of workers and business leaders across Europe.  We discussed why some countries are advancing in terms of workplace productivity while others struggle to keep pace. Spain, for example, stands out for its high productivity, which Nathan attributes to cultural changes and experiments, such as shorter working weeks and a stronger focus on employee well-being.  Meanwhile, the UK and Ireland lag, with many companies still relying on legacy systems and being slow to adopt new work habits. Nathan highlighted that only about a quarter of UK employees feel adequately equipped to work together efficiently, a statistic that raises fundamental questions about how businesses can better support their people. Our conversation turned to the slow progress many companies face in embracing AI and automation. Nathan explained that uncertainty and poor understanding of how these tools work remain huge roadblocks. He emphasized that real results emerge when companies have a plan, not just when they plug in a tool without considering how it integrates with their data and workflows. T This is where Ricoh aims to help by providing a complete workplace platform that goes far beyond what people still assume about Ricoh and its legacy as a print company. Nathan described how Ricoh Spaces brings together workplace management, process automation, sensor technology, and more into one connected experience that helps people work smarter and stay focused. What stood out for me was Nathan's approach to staying informed. He spoke about watching full-length talks online, listening to audiobooks, and reading broadly to keep ideas fresh. His mindset demonstrates how curiosity can inform better decisions, especially in an era of rapidly changing technology.  If you're trying to tackle productivity challenges in your workplace, this episode offers real insights into what holds teams back and what might propel them forward. After hearing from Nathan, I am even more convinced that culture, clear plans, and openness to new ways of working can transform any workplace. How prepared is your company to take that next step?

When was the last time you truly paused to consider how far artificial intelligence has come and where it's heading next? On today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I dive into this fast-moving frontier with Mo Cherif, Vice President of Generative AI and Innovation at Sitecore. This conversation explores what 2025 holds for agentic AI and why this technology is poised to completely reshape the marketing landscape. Agentic AI isn't just an iteration of automation; it's a rethinking of how AI can operate independently, plan, reason, and collaborate with humans to create experiences that are more tailored and impactful than ever before. In our chat, Mo shares how Sitecore, in collaboration with Microsoft, has launched the Martech industry's first AI Innovation Lab, an ambitious initiative designed to give marketers a real-world playground to prototype and validate AI-driven solutions without the fear of wasted time or sunk cost. As Mo explains, so many marketing teams are eager to embrace AI but hesitate when it comes to proving ROI and finding the right entry point. The Lab strips away that uncertainty by pairing businesses with experts and offering a safe, agile space to experiment and co-create. We unpack how agentic AI is transforming traditional customer journeys into instant, hyper-personalized interactions. Picture a world where a single conversation with a chatbot handles discovery, decision-making, and purchase, all while retaining every piece of context for a seamless experience. Mo explains why context and governance are critical pillars that organisations need to master to harness this new era of AI without compromising brand integrity. Mo also paints a picture of the future where AI co-pilots are not an add-on but an integral part of daily workflows, taking the tedious tasks off human plates and freeing teams to focus on innovation, storytelling, and strategy. It's a future where businesses don't just talk about digital transformation, they live it, powered by AI that works alongside humans, not in their place. If you've been wondering how to start your own journey with agentic AI, this conversation offers practical insights and a glimpse into Sitecore's vision of brand-aware, goal-driven AI. How ready is your organisation to rethink its content operations and customer engagement for this new reality? Tune in and ask yourself, are you prepared to lead in the age of agentic AI?

Recorded amidst the buzz of the IT Press Tour in Palo Alto, this episode explores the evolving world of data intelligence through a candid conversation with

How can organizations protect their most valuable asset, data, while harnessing its true potential through AI-driven insights? These are the questions I set out to answer on the recent IT Press Tour in Silicon Valley. In my latest conversation at the Santa Clara offices of Cohesity, I sat down with Sanjay Poonen, President and CEO, to discuss how this company has positioned itself at the heart of the AI era with a modern data cloud built for speed, security, and intelligence. From my early days interviewing Cohesity's technical minds to now hearing directly from Sanjay about the company's transformation, it is clear that Cohesity's mission to shield, manage, and unlock data value is gaining momentum like never before. This episode takes you deep into the company's evolution. We explore how Cohesity started by reinventing traditional backup and recovery, then scaled through bold leadership, culminating in its significant acquisition of the NetBackup business from Veritas. Sanjay walks me through how this move instantly propelled Cohesity to market leadership in data security and cyber resilience, serving over 13,000 organizations worldwide across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, government, and retail. We also examine how Cohesity is using AI not only to help clients recover from cyber threats but to mine vast troves of live and backup data for powerful, real-time business insights. Sanjay explains the partnership with NVIDIA and how Cohesity's patented retrieval augmented generation capabilities are setting new benchmarks for generative AI applications within backup environments. For businesses grappling with data sovereignty and the increasing return to on-premises solutions, Sanjay shares how Cohesity's innovations balance local compliance requirements while leveraging cloud agility. What resonated most with me was Sanjay's candid perspective on leadership during rapid growth and mergers, from uniting thousands of employees under a shared culture to maintaining a relentless customer-first mindset. If you have ever wondered how a company can become a real force in both AI and cybersecurity, this conversation is filled with insights, real-world examples, and a clear vision for how Cohesity plans to shape the next generation of data management. Are you ready to rethink how your organization secures and activates its data in an AI-driven future? Tune in and discover what lies ahead on this data-powered journey. Listener Notes Here is a link to the 5-minute video that Sanjay referenced in our conversation.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrKdyaWpIG4    

Have you ever paused to think about how the humble login has quietly become one of the most vulnerable points in cybersecurity? In this episode, I spoke with Matt Caulfield, Vice President of Identity Products at Cisco, to understand why identity is now the prime target for attackers and how Duo is evolving to meet that threat head-on. Matt explained how Duo, once known primarily for multi-factor authentication, is now stepping forward as a complete identity access management solution. He broke down why so many traditional tools built for productivity alone are no longer fit for today's threat landscape, where attackers use everything from simple phishing to advanced AI-driven social engineering to gain a foothold through identity misuse. We explored Duo's shift toward security as the default. Matt described how features like passwordless logins and proximity verification combine user convenience with stronger defences, making it easier for people to stay protected without feeling burdened by endless prompts and complex checks. He also shared how the identity routing engine helps organisations untangle years of layered identity systems, giving security teams a unified front door to safeguard every user, app and device. Finally, Matt offered a glimpse into the future, where the rise of AI agents will multiply the number of digital identities tenfold, raising fresh questions about how to verify, control and trust these new virtual coworkers. It is a conversation that puts identity right at the heart of modern security and shows why getting this right could be the biggest step we take in stopping breaches before they even begin. Where do you see identity playing the biggest role in your security plans? Join the discussion and share your thoughts with me.

Have you ever wondered what happens when cutting-edge network technology meets the rugged frontlines of wildlife conservation? In this episode, I sat down with Sophie Maxwell, the driving force behind the Connected Conservation Foundation, to understand how digital infrastructure and real-time data are changing the odds for endangered species and local communities across more than a dozen countries. Sophie walked me through the journey from a desperate battle to protect rhinos in South Africa's Sabi Sand Nature Reserve to a global blueprint now safeguarding elephants, gorillas, and countless other species in landscapes as remote as Namibia and Papua New Guinea. She explained how early experiments with network connectivity, sensors and satellite imagery grew into robust systems that give conservation teams live visibility across vast, rugged reserves — the same technology helping rangers detect poachers before they strike, monitor ecosystem health, and manage human-wildlife conflict more intelligently. This conversation shed light not only on the hardware and software powering this revolution but also on how it uplifts the people living closest to these protected places. Sophie shared how Cisco's Networking Academy is training a new generation of protected area technicians, offering communities meaningful careers that keep vital technology running and wildlife safe. It's a story that flips the usual narrative of technology replacing people and shows instead how it can amplify human impact where it's needed most. Looking ahead, we discussed how advancements in AI and satellite imaging could unlock an even sharper understanding of changing landscapes, climate impacts, and species migration patterns, driving better conservation decisions at scale. For Sophie, what surprises her most isn't just the power of each new tool, but the way combining them turns data into actionable insight, trust and resilience for ecosystems and local people alike. If you've ever doubted that networks and sensors could help save a rhino or an elephant, or questioned whether technology can truly serve nature rather than exploit it, this episode will make you think again. What role do you see for digital innovation in addressing our planet's most urgent environmental challenges? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

Talking wireless at Cisco Live brings you face to face with what tomorrow's connectivity looks like, and my recent chat with Matt McPherson, Enterprise Wireless CTO at Cisco, and Jerome Henry, standards guru and author, did precisely that. When two people this deep in the trenches start describing how our networks cope with thousands of devices at concerts, hospitals, or homes brimming with smart gadgets, it hits you how invisible yet vital great wireless is. Matt walked me through how Cisco's approach has evolved over the years, from the early days when the solution to every problem was to throw more bandwidth at it to now, where Wi-Fi 7 serves as a smarter, more reliable safety net. His stories about the transition from Wi-Fi 5 and 6 to what we have now made it clear that what happens above our heads is anything but simple, yet the result for us should feel seamless. Jerome gave this technical backdrop a human touch by explaining the decisions that went into the new standard. His book, Wi-Fi 7 In Depth, pulls back the curtain on what drives choices in protocols and frequency use. We discussed why multilink operation, which people often hear about, is just one piece of a puzzle that addresses real-time performance and lower waiting times, even in areas where radio waves become unstable quickly. One part that stood out was Matt describing what happens when a venue like Cisco Live fills up with people. Walls go up, exhibitors build stands, and thousands of bodies, each mostly water, flood the space. That messes with signals, but Wi-Fi 7's new scheduling tools help keep things running smoothly despite the chaos. We could not ignore the current buzzword either. AI is being folded into the wireless playbook more deeply than most realize. Cisco has been using AI quietly to manage channels and power levels for years, but now, these tools can learn and adjust without requiring an engineer to intervene. For businesses juggling a flood of devices and constant pressure to operate leanly, this is more than helpful; it is becoming a standard practice. Then there is Cisco Spaces. Jerome and Matt explained how this feature helps companies understand how their offices are utilized. Knowing exactly where an access point is located is more than trivia; it grounds everything from location tracking to indoor maps. Add in new chips that can measure tiny distances with great precision, and you get navigation tools that know exactly where your phone is yet respect your privacy by keeping control of the user. Throughout, one message was repeated: wireless is getting smarter, so humans do not need to babysit it. AI handles routine decisions. Security layers keep new traffic safe. Automation reduces the time spent hunting for issues or second-guessing configurations. Whether it is robots moving in a warehouse, nurses paging each other without drops, or a teenager streaming games while someone else hops on a video call, the backbone is ready to keep up. Before we wrapped up, I asked both guests what excites them most. Jerome wants the day to come when connectivity works without fuss or expert intervention. Matt added that Cisco's goal is to ensure companies can support a growing array of devices without needing a vast team of specialists monitoring every light and graph. If you want to see how this new chapter unfolds, watch the sessions from Cisco Live, pick up Wi-Fi 7 In Depth for a real peek behind the scenes, and maybe keep an eye out for Jerome's next book. I have my copy ready for the flight home, and after this conversation, I know we will have plenty more to talk about next year.  

What does it take to future-proof the modern workplace? In this episode, I speak with Thomas Rowley, Chief Technologist for Networking and Connectivity at Softcat, about the real-world challenges of managing a high-density office and how the company turned to Cisco to create a more intelligent, responsive environment. As more employees returned to the office, Softcat began to notice a hidden problem. Rising CO2 levels were affecting the comfort and productivity of their teams. Rather than treat it as a facilities issue, they tackled it head-on with technology. Working with Cisco, they rolled out a combination of access points, collaboration tools, and Meraki sensors that transformed their workspace into a data-informed, adaptive environment. But this story isn't just about devices. It's about inspiration too. A visit to Cisco's Experience Center opened Softcat's eyes to what was possible, not just in terms of hardware, but in how unified tech strategies can drive better decisions. That visit ultimately sparked the idea for their own internal innovation space, showcasing how operational excellence can become a cultural value, not just a technical outcome. Thomas also shares insight into the evolving role of connectivity in hybrid work, how Softcat supports over 1,500 salespeople with scalable IT solutions, and why the partnership with Cisco continues to shape their global ambitions. From sustainability to scalability, this episode offers a practical look at how two leading tech firms collaborate to solve problems that many businesses are only just beginning to understand. If your office still treats infrastructure as an afterthought, this conversation might change your mind. Are your workplace systems ready to handle both people and performance?      

As AI continues to dominate the conversation at Cisco Live, the infrastructure needed to support this transformation often gets overshadowed. That's why I was eager to visit the Panduit booth and explore the physical backbone enabling the shift from cloud to on-prem. I sat down with several Panduit experts including Renee Lang, Mason Khan, Vince, and Mike to understand how their high-density power, fiber, and sustainability solutions are equipping organizations for the AI-powered future. This episode goes beyond surface-level hype to focus on real-world preparation. Renee opened our discussion by highlighting the shift in customer questions this year. AI may be driving the vision, but enterprises are still asking how to take that first step. From gradual upgrades to strategic power planning, the conversation is about progress, not perfection. We looked at how Panduit is helping customers implement solutions today that will still support their goals tomorrow. Mason shared how Panduit's high-density power units are evolving to meet the surging demands of AI servers, with advanced features like cybersecurity compliance and automatic orientation. Vince then walked me through the game-changing concept of fault-managed power. With the ability to deliver significant power safely over long distances using standard pathways, this technology could reshape how we power devices in smart campuses, data centers, and industrial spaces. Finally, Mike brought it all together by showing how fiber infrastructure ties these innovations into a cohesive strategy. His insights into structured cabling and reflective polishing offered practical takeaways for engineers trying to stay ahead of the AI curve. This episode captures the customer conversations, unexpected use cases, and future-facing solutions that make events like Cisco Live so valuable. What steps are you taking now to prepare your infrastructure for the next wave of transformation?

Walking the show floor at Cisco Live, it's impossible to ignore the rising volume of conversations around network resilience. But what does resilience actually look like in today's distributed, AI-driven enterprise environment? To explore this, I sat down with Patrick Quirk, President and GM of Opengear, right at their booth near the center of the event. In our conversation, Patrick explained how Opengear has become a platform focused on proactive infrastructure management. As AI workloads expand into both data centers and edge environments, network reliability is now a critical part of business operations. Patrick shared how their approach with the phrase "First Day. Worst Day. Every Day." helps ensure continuity even in the most challenging conditions. What stood out during this discussion was Opengear's impact in practical situations. From supporting major retailers during service disruptions to helping organizations recover quickly from incidents similar to the CrowdStrike event, they deliver more than basic monitoring. We also discussed Lighthouse, their fleet management platform, and how it enables zero-touch provisioning at scale. This concept clearly resonated with many attendees at the event. Patrick also talked about findings from a Cisco report that estimated global losses from network outages reached 160 billion dollars last year. He explained how attitudes are shifting at the leadership level. Network resilience is no longer treated as a secondary concern. Risk mitigation, compliance, and consistent service delivery are now at the core of business conversations. Whether you're managing thousands of switches or preparing your infrastructure for the growing demands of AI, this episode provides insights that apply directly to today's connected world. How are you preparing your network to stay up and running when it matters most?

Earlier this year, I spoke with Dennis Woodside, CEO of Freshworks, about why speed and ROI matter more than ever in AI adoption. Today, we continue that conversation—this time from the IT frontline. In this episode, I'm joined by Ashwin Ballal, CIO of Freshworks and a 30-year tech industry veteran with a track record of driving transformation across global enterprises. From his days leading intelligence and data strategy at KLA to his role as CIO at Medallia, Ashwin knows what it takes to modernize without overcomplicating. We explore: The real impact AI is having inside IT teams and where the hype still outweighs reality Why simplifying IT environments is becoming a strategic priority for CIOs How AI is being used to augment, not replace, human capability The pressure to deliver measurable outcomes with fewer resources—and what leaders are doing about it Ashwin also shares a candid view on upskilling, internal adoption, and how CIOs can keep innovation moving forward while managing complexity and cost. This conversation is released in time for Freshworks' ‘Refresh' event and ties into broader industry trends around operational efficiency, human-centered AI, and IT's changing role in business strategy. If you're a CIO, tech leader, or just trying to cut through the noise around AI in the enterprise, this one's worth your time.

Customer service has undergone significant changes in just a few years. We've moved from clunky chatbots with limited menus to sophisticated AI agents that understand, respond, and solve problems in real-time. But we're now standing on the edge of something even bigger. In today's episode, I spoke with Matthias Goehler, EMEA CTO at Zendesk, about what the next wave of AI-powered customer experience looks like and how businesses can prepare for it. According to Matthias, up to 80 percent of customer interactions can now be automated with modern AI tools. This is not the frustrating automation many remember. We're talking about orchestrated systems where multiple AI agents work together.  One agent might interpret a customer's request, another retrieves information, while others take care of backend integrations. The goal is not to deflect but to resolve quickly, clearly, and with the consistency that customers expect. This shift is also reshaping internal support. Zendesk's Employee Experience Suite brings the same AI capabilities used for customer service into HR and IT workflows. Employees now have access to fast, intelligent support that mirrors the consumer-grade service they're used to in their personal lives. Crucially, we explored what this means in a European context. With strict privacy regulations, Zendesk has developed tools that enable businesses to see precisely how AI decisions are made. Matthias explained how AI reasoning controls ensure transparency, maintain trust, and allow for complete visibility into what the AI is doing and why. We also looked ahead. What happens when AI agents not only support us but begin to represent us? What if a customer reaches out, not through a human, but through their virtual assistant? That future may not be far off. Is your organization ready for this shift in how service is delivered and experienced?

Most of the noise around AI focuses on developers, creatives, and knowledge workers. But what about everyone else? The nurses, store associates, logistics teams, and warehouse staff make up nearly 80 percent of the global workforce. In today's conversation, I sat down with Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer at Zebra Technologies, to talk about AI that meets people where they work. Not in a document editor or code repository but on the shop floor, in hospital corridors, and inside fulfillment centers. Tom shared how Zebra's strategy, built on research, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, is helping to bring practical, purpose-built AI to frontline industries. From generative assistants to machine vision systems, Zebra is developing tools that support real-world tasks without replacing the people doing them. Whether it's improving shelf visibility in retail, enabling rapid quality control in manufacturing, or automating picking assistance through wearable cameras, the focus is on helping workers complete their tasks more efficiently, accurately, and with greater satisfaction. One of the standout topics was Zebra Companion, the company's AI-powered assistant for frontline teams. With four dedicated agents covering knowledge, sales, merchandising, and device support, it is a tool designed for immediacy, speed, and seamless integration with the daily workflow.  Tom explained how Zebra is utilizing feedback from pilot programs to enhance the experience and why a human-centered approach to automation is crucial for reducing attrition and boosting morale. We also examined how AI and machine vision are driving measurable improvements in logistics and manufacturing. Recent acquisitions have strengthened Zebra's capabilities in 3D vision and high-speed industrial scanning. Looking ahead, we discussed omniscient store concepts, collaborative robotics, and the increasing value of real-time operational data. While much of the AI conversation stays focused on the office, Zebra is showing what happens when intelligence meets physical work. This episode is a reminder that AI is not just about prompts and pixels. It is also about boxes, shelves, scanners, and real people doing real jobs. How is your business planning to bring AI to the teams that keep everything moving?

The last time Philipp Pointner joined me on the podcast, AI was just a whisper on the horizon. We discussed the foundational role of digital identity in establishing trust between individuals and platforms. But fast forward to 2025, and the conversation has shifted dramatically. We're no longer just discussing verification for compliance. We're reckoning with synthetic identities, deepfake armies, and the growing push for reusable digital credentials. In today's episode, Philipp returns to unpack how much has changed since 2022. As Chief of Digital Identity at Jumio, he's right at the intersection of where AI meets trust. Fraud has evolved from lone hackers into coordinated operations that run on an industrial scale. ID fraud is no longer a matter of bad actors copying documents. Its entire networks generate tens of thousands of AI-manipulated identities with the click of a button. So, how are businesses adapting? Philipp breaks down the layered approach required for modern identity verification, touching on risk signals across various channels, including documents, devices, faces, emails, and more. He also points to an encouraging trend: cross-industry collaboration. Companies, regulators, and tech vendors are no longer working in silos. They are coordinating efforts to counter this new breed of threats. But this isn't just about fraud. We explore how identity solutions are now a key part of improving onboarding, boosting customer satisfaction, and even reducing operational costs. With significant regulatory shifts underway in Europe, the UK, and the US, from mobile driver's licenses to national digital identity schemes, businesses can't afford to fall behind. Philipp also tackles the AI paradox. The same technology that enables deepfakes is now critical for combating them. Jumio is using AI to detect fakes, verify liveness, and stay one step ahead of fraudsters. Biometrics, meanwhile, are becoming mainstream, not just in airports but as part of everyday onboarding and authentication. If you're thinking about what identity means for your business in 2025 and beyond, this episode offers a practical, timely look at what's here now and what's coming next. Whether you care about compliance, conversion rates, or protecting your users, it all starts with knowing who you're dealing with. And increasingly, that requires more than just asking for a photo ID. What role will your organization play in the future of digital trust?

Enterprise security has always been a moving target, but with the surge of AI adoption, it's entering a whole new era of complexity. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Bradon Rogers, Chief Customer Officer at Island, who brings over 25 years of cybersecurity experience to a conversation that cuts through the noise on AI, data protection, and the evolving role of the browser. Bradon warns that AI isn't just creating new opportunities. It's also generating what he calls a derivative data nightmare. Large language models are now producing massive volumes of unstructured outputs that differ in formatting but carry the same meaning. These subtle variations are already overwhelming traditional data loss prevention tools, and the challenge is only growing. Yet Bradon doesn't stop at the warning. He believes AI might also be the solution. We discuss why businesses need to move beyond old data-centric approaches and start designing application-centric frameworks that mirror how people work. In a world where banning AI is no longer realistic, organizations need practical ways to guide users toward safe, sanctioned tools. Bradon explains how enterprise browsers can serve as that safe space, combining usability with security and offering a familiar interface that doesn't get in the way of productivity. He also addresses the new breed of shadow IT emerging from embedded AI features in everyday apps, as well as the importance of understanding how third-party providers utilize your data behind the scenes. For anyone still thinking of AI adoption as a checkbox exercise, Bradon makes it clear this is a complex governance challenge that demands a new mindset. From call center automation to real-time coaching workflows, the conversation explores how AI can enhance precision, minimize false positives, and support teams without overwhelming them. We wrap up with a powerful music recommendation that perfectly reflects the winding road many tech leaders now find themselves navigating.

What happens when machine identities outnumber human ones by a hundred to one? That's not a future scenario. It's already happening. In this episode, I'm joined by David Higgins, Senior Director at CyberArk, for a deep conversation about identity security in an environment increasingly shaped by AI agents, autonomous systems, and blurred digital boundaries. David brings clarity to the growing risks tied to machine credentials and explains why so many organisations are still struggling with password reuse, unsecured personal devices, and outdated security awareness efforts. We explore the rise of deepfake scams, AI-powered impersonation, and the worrying trend of attackers bypassing savvy users by targeting helpdesks and support channels instead. What stood out is how David reframes the conversation around human behaviour and responsibility. Rather than blaming users as the weakest link, he argues that identity security needs to be rooted in context, culture, and proactive design. From adaptive authentication to just-in-time access models, there are smarter ways forward that balance security and user experience without turning employees into roadblocks. And we go even further. We talk about the next phase of risk, where AI agents aren't just tools but semi-autonomous actors capable of learning and adapting. What happens when one of these agents goes off-script? What safeguards are in place if they begin to behave in ways their developers didn't anticipate? This episode is not about hype. It's a practical look at what identity-first security really means in a machine-dominated environment. So let's hear it: do you think your business is ready for this shift? Or are we still relying too much on assumptions that no longer hold up? Let me know what you think after listening.

In today's episode, I sit down with John Adam, Chief Revenue Officer at Aimprosoft, for a direct conversation on what it really takes to implement AI inside a business. With AI hype dominating headlines, many companies are either rushing in without a clear plan or standing still out of fear of making the wrong move. John brings a grounded perspective, shaped by years of helping mid-sized firms and enterprise teams move beyond buzzwords and into real, measurable outcomes. We explore how Aimprosoft guides clients to focus on AI projects that are low in complexity but high in impact. These early wins are often the key to building internal buy-in and unlocking wider adoption across departments. John shares why modular implementation strategies are becoming more popular, especially for companies that want to avoid getting locked into any one vendor or platform. Our conversation goes beyond the technical. We discuss where AI tools actually deliver value and where they fall short. John highlights that AI performs well in rules-based, repetitive environments but still struggles with nuance, edge cases, and anything that requires emotional intelligence. He also outlines the importance of ethics, especially in regulated industries, and offers a pragmatic approach to mitigating bias, protecting data, and maintaining brand voice. With examples drawn from Aimprosoft's client work, including success stories involving scalable platform rebuilds and cost-saving test automation, this episode offers a clear-eyed view of how AI is being used today. John emphasizes that the right starting point is a good data strategy, supported by simple pilot projects that prove value early. If you're a leader trying to separate substance from noise in AI conversations, this episode offers an honest look at what works, what doesn't, and how to move forward without overcommitting. What's the smartest first step your team can take with AI right now? Let's find out.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sat down with Ashley Stevenson, VP of Product and Solution Marketing at DigiCert, to explore the shifting landscape of digital trust. We are living in a time where certificate-related outages still disrupt critical systems, identity management is becoming more complex, and the arrival of quantum computing is no longer a distant concern. Ashley brought clarity to these issues with a practical look at how DigiCert is helping organizations manage trust at scale. Our conversation began with the foundational role DNS and PKI play in digital infrastructure. While most users never think about them, every secure connection begins with DNS resolving a domain and PKI establishing trust. DigiCert has combined these layers in a single platform, DigiCert1, designed to automate and simplify how trust is managed across networks, users, and connected devices. We explored the increasing importance of certificate lifecycle management. With certificate lifespans moving from 398 days to just 47 by 2029, and domain validations required every 10 days, automation is no longer a convenience. It is a necessity. DigiCert1 addresses this through centralized inventory, policy enforcement, proactive notifications, and full automation from issuance to installation. Ashley also shared insights on the convergence of PKI and identity and access management. From IoT to human users, digital identities are multiplying and evolving. PKI is playing a larger role in enabling passwordless authentication and supporting verifiable credentials, especially as organizations move toward privacy-enhancing and standards-based models. Looking ahead, we discussed quantum readiness and crypto agility. DigiCert is already helping customers evaluate which systems are most vulnerable and preparing them to adopt quantum-safe algorithms when needed. Whether the concern is policy change, an unexpected breach, or emerging tech, the ability to adapt quickly is key. How do you build a strategy for trust that adapts to this pace of change? This episode offers an inside look at how DigiCert is answering that question.

When I sat down with Leon Butler, the newly appointed CEO of IBM UK and Ireland, it felt like a timely check-in with one of the most influential forces in enterprise technology. Having taken on the role in January 2025 after leading IBM's global data and AI division, Leon brings both technical depth and a clear strategic lens to what lies ahead. Our conversation couldn't have been better timed, following the IBM Think conference and the company's latest wave of announcements around agentic AI, enterprise models, and quantum computing. Leon offered an inside look at how IBM is responding to real-world business challenges with purpose-built, domain-specific AI tools. While the industry often gravitates toward large, generic models, IBM has chosen a different route, focusing on smaller, more efficient models that deliver measurable business outcomes. Their Granite model family and WatsonX orchestrate platform are helping companies streamline complex workflows, boost productivity, and integrate AI into operations without adding more layers of complexity. We also explored how AI agents are evolving from basic chat interfaces into tools that can coordinate multi-step processes across HR, procurement, and customer service. Leon shared concrete examples from inside IBM, including how their own HR systems are now 94 percent automated through AI agents. The company has also achieved over $2 billion in productivity gains through AI and automation internally, a figure that sets a strong precedent for its clients. Our conversation also touched on IBM's quantum roadmap, with expectations that their systems will surpass today's most powerful supercomputers by 2033 and reach error-free capability by 2029. Alongside this, IBM is pushing forward with a global commitment to close the AI skills gap, aiming to equip 2 million people with AI skills by 2026. How does a company of IBM's scale remain agile while reshaping industries with AI and quantum computing? This conversation offers a glimpse into the strategy, leadership, and technology shaping that future.

When I last spoke with Tony Jamous in November 2020, we were navigating the early days of a remote-first world. The shift was sudden and widespread, but what followed was even more transformative. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I reconnect with Tony to explore how the world of work has changed and how Oyster has grown from an ambitious startup into a B Corp-certified unicorn focused on enabling global employment at scale. Tony is the CEO and founder of Oyster, a company built on the belief that where you live should never limit where you work. We discussed the journey from pandemic-driven remote work to today's distributed models, the growing need for location-independent hiring, and how AI is now being embedded into every layer of global workforce management. Oyster is helping businesses hire across 180 countries with just a few clicks, solving compliance, payroll, and benefits challenges without the traditional roadblocks. During our conversation, Tony broke down what it means to build a mission-driven company and why measuring impact matters. More than 40 percent of employees hired through Oyster now come from emerging markets. That shift is not just a statistic. It reflects real people gaining access to economic opportunities they were previously excluded from. Stories like Christina in the Philippines, who now works from home and spends more time with her children, highlight the human impact of Oyster's platform. We also talked about Oyster's recent Series D funding round and how the company is shifting from high-growth to sustainable profitability. AI is a big part of that evolution. From internal operations to customer support, automation is being used to reduce friction and let people focus on work that matters. For Tony, leadership now means focusing on vision and values while letting AI handle repetitive tasks. What does the future look like when the world becomes one talent pool? This episode offers a grounded, forward-looking take on what happens when mission, technology, and global opportunity intersect.

What if the biggest delay in healthcare wasn't a lack of doctors but a broken phone system? In today's episode, I catch up with Zain Qayyum, the founder of Medsender, who left his path to medical school after witnessing firsthand how slow and outdated healthcare administration really is. His response wasn't to complain. It was to build a solution. Zain shares how Medsender uses voice AI, not to replace human interaction, but to support it. The company's AI agent, Myra, now handles everything from referrals and scheduling to patient queries around the clock. The goal is simple: let staff focus on care while AI deals with the paperwork and the phone queues. We talk about the real challenges of designing AI for healthcare, where privacy is non-negotiable and errors carry serious consequences. Zain explains how Myra is built from the ground up to work with fragmented healthcare systems while strictly respecting HIPAA compliance. Every integration is intentional. Every safeguard is baked in. He also offers a look at the measurable impact this technology is already having. Referral times have dropped from days to seconds. Scheduling rates have improved. Phone calls are answered without fail. And patients are no longer left on hold or in limbo. More importantly, Zain paints a compelling vision of what healthcare could look like in five years. Imagine AI agents not just answering patient calls but also speaking to other systems on their behalf. Imagine a future where getting care feels as seamless as booking a taxi or ordering dinner. Is this the future patients have been waiting for? Or does the human side of care still risk being lost? Listen in and tell us what you think. Can AI help healthcare find its voice again?

What happens when customer journeys fall apart behind the scenes, even as AI promises to tie them together? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Jochem van der Veer, CEO and Co-Founder of TheyDo. Fresh off a $30 million Series B round, Jochem joins me to unpack what's really happening inside enterprise organisations that are trying to personalise experiences at scale. He's not speaking in theory. TheyDo is already helping companies like Ford, Atlassian, Cisco, and Home Depot shift how they approach customer experience. But instead of chasing the latest automation trend, Jochem urges something far more grounded: a return to clarity. His team's journey-centric model is designed to bring strategic alignment across departments that are often flying blind, each chasing their own targets without shared context. We talk about the growing gap between data collection and meaningful insight. While leaders are promised efficiency from AI, many find themselves with more dashboards and fewer answers. In fact, 28 percent say AI is actually worsening the problem by adding to the noise. That's the paradox. Jochem shares how journey management can break through these barriers and get teams back on track by focusing on what customers are trying to achieve rather than just what departments are measuring. You'll hear why so many personalisation efforts are falling flat, despite all the data, and how a few structural shifts could change that. Jochem also reflects on what the hidden costs of a disconnected experience look like and how businesses can spot trouble before it becomes visible in churn or lost revenue. This episode is for anyone frustrated by the growing complexity of customer experience. If you're stuck between data overload and underwhelming results, you'll find plenty of perspective here. And if you've ever wondered whether AI is helping or just making your job harder, this conversation might help you reframe the question. To learn more about TheyDo, visit theydo.com or connect with Jochem on LinkedIn.

Cloud cost is no longer just a finance team issue. It is now a business-wide concern, and treating it as a budgeting exercise is holding companies back. In this episode, I'm joined by John Purcell, Chief Product Officer at DoiT, to unpack how organisations can rethink cloud financial management through a risk-first lens. With the FinOps X conference just around the corner, John also gives us a preview of the themes likely to dominate the agenda this year, from Kubernetes complexity to the role of AI in governance. DoiT is not just another optimisation tool. Their Cloud Intelligence platform helps companies align performance, reliability, and security with financial strategy. John explains how cost spikes are not just common, they are almost guaranteed. He shares a real example of a ninety-thousand dollar AWS bill caused by a minor configuration error and what could have prevented it. We talk about the shift from reactive cost reviews to proactive financial defence. Think of it like cybersecurity but applied to your cloud budget. That mindset change is something FinOps teams need to embrace quickly. It is not just about watching what is spent, but understanding intent and outcomes across the business. John also introduces the concept of the FinOps fabric, a combination of technology, processes, and culture that helps teams align on goals and mitigate risks. And while AI and automation are transforming how teams interact with cloud platforms, they are still responsible for driving most cloud spend today. We dig into what needs to change before AI can truly become an optimisation asset rather than another cost driver. Whether you're gearing up for FinOps X or trying to get a better grip on cloud cost management, this episode offers practical insight into the tools, strategies, and cultural shifts that can help your team stay ahead. To learn more, visit doit.com or connect with the team at booth G10 if you are attending the FinOps X event in San Diego.

What does it mean to own something in a world where everything is digital? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, to unpack the growing importance of digital ownership in the age of AI, blockchains, and digital identity. With more than 6 million devices sold and 20 percent of the world's crypto secured, Ledger has become a trusted name in both consumer and enterprise digital asset security. But this conversation goes far beyond crypto wallets. Ian explains why self-custody matters, how Ledger devices actually work, and what separates them from traditional custodial models. "Giving people the ability to securely own their own digital private property is fundamentally what we're all about," Ian says, breaking down a complex topic in a way that's both clear and urgent. We also talk about the convergence of AI and blockchain, the risks of relying on cloud-based security, and why digital proof and provenance are becoming essential in our online lives. Whether you're just starting out or already immersed in Web3, this is a conversation that connects the dots between identity, security, and personal empowerment. What does responsible digital freedom look like? And are you ready to take ownership? I'd love to hear what you think. Get in touch and let me know what digital ownership means to you today.  

In today's episode, I sit down with Ryan Kuhlenbeck, CEO and co-founder of Pico MES, to explore a persistent and costly challenge in manufacturing. While many OEMs have embraced cutting-edge technology, their suppliers often remain disconnected from the digital conversation. This gap isn't just inconvenient, it creates delays, quality issues, and serious communication problems on the factory floor. Ryan brings two decades of experience across GM, Tesla, and a range of hands-on manufacturing roles, and shares how that journey inspired the launch of Pico MES. During our conversation, Ryan walks through how Pico MES was born out of necessity rather than opportunity. After years of building and managing software systems within factories, he became frustrated by the lack of flexible, scalable tools for smaller suppliers. His vision? A modern MES system that can be deployed in weeks, not years, and one that supports rather than hinders the work being done at the operator level. We unpack how disconnected systems across the supply chain often lead to errors and miscommunication. Ryan explains why shortages are often just the symptom, not the real issue. The real problem is the inability to access or share the right information in time. With a fully connected infrastructure, businesses can address problems long before they snowball into production halts. Ryan also shares examples from the factory floor, like how a hip-activated switch became a surprise productivity win and how smaller suppliers often drive some of the smartest innovations. For OEMs, there are valuable lessons to learn by observing these smaller, more agile teams. Whether you're part of a multinational manufacturing company or a small factory operation, this episode provides a grounded, real-world look at what it takes to modernize without breaking what already works. How can we build a smarter, more connected supply chain? Let's find out.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Samit D'Cunha, a legal advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about the innovative Digital Emblem Project. For over 160 years, the Red Cross emblem has symbolized protection in conflict zones, designating medical and humanitarian organizations as safe from attack. Now, as warfare increasingly extends into cyberspace, the ICRC is developing a digital version of this emblem to provide the same legal protections for online infrastructure. We examine the increasing frequency of cyberattacks on hospitals and aid organizations during armed conflict, and why the Digital Emblem is more crucial now than ever. Samit explains the technical side of the project, including the use of cryptographic certificates and DNS systems to ensure global, decentralized protection. He also discusses the importance of legal recognition and trust-building across governments, tech companies, and humanitarian sectors. As the digital battleground expands, this emblem could play a crucial role in safeguarding lives and ensuring that humanitarian operations continue uninterrupted. We also explore the challenges of implementing this system without increasing organizations' vulnerability, and why support from over 100 tech companies and states is crucial for its success. If you're interested in the intersection of cybersecurity, law, and humanitarian efforts, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I am joined by Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20, to explore the key trends shaping finance's future. As Money20/20 Europe celebrates its 10th anniversary, Scarlett provides a detailed preview of what we can expect from this year's event, bringing together over 8000 senior industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of fintech, regulation, and technology. Money20/20 Europe is not just a conference. It is a critical platform for addressing the big questions about where money, tech, and regulation are headed. Scarlett highlights the growing collaboration between traditional banks and fintech companies, calling it the "golden era" of partnerships. This shift drives innovation, and we discuss how these partnerships are evolving to enable more personalized, efficient financial services for businesses and consumers alike. A significant focus of our conversation is the rise of stablecoins, which are transforming cross-border payments in ways similar to how the internet changed the telecom industry. We talk about the regulatory challenges that need to be addressed to fully harness their potential and ensure their adoption on a global scale.  Scarlett also shares insights into how AI revolutionizes financial services, enabling more intelligent, automated solutions while raising important questions about trust, data privacy, and security. We also discuss the impact of the UK's post-Brexit regulatory flexibility, with Scarlett explaining how this presents a unique opportunity for the UK to lead in fintech innovation. However, she points out that policy execution must keep pace with technological advancements. Tune in for a conversation about the future of fintech and a timely preview of Money20/20 Europe, where innovation and regulatory discussions will define the next wave of financial services.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Glen Shok, VP of Product Marketing at Panzura, for a detailed look into how the company is rethinking hybrid cloud storage with the release of CloudFS 8.5 Adapt. CloudFS 8.5 isn't just another update. Built in direct response to customer feedback, it introduces powerful new features like Instant Node and Regional Store that redefine performance, availability, and business continuity. Instant Node allows failed systems to be replaced or migrated in under five minutes.  Regional Store brings high-speed data access closer to end users around the world while reducing latency and cloud egress costs. As Glen explains, the latest release meets the growing demand for flexibility in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, rising cloud costs, and evolving IT infrastructure. Panzura is helping organizations maintain uptime, protect data, and adapt quickly, whether moving away from VMware or modernizing a global IT footprint. CloudFS 8.5 Adapt enables this without forcing customers to compromise on control, performance, or security. We also explore how Panzura's vision for autonomic data infrastructure is becoming a reality. With every CloudFS node sharing full configuration metadata, new nodes can spin up almost instantly. AI plays a central role here too. Through Panzura Data Services, AI tracks behavioral anomalies to detect early signs of data exfiltration, ransomware, or internal threats. This provides not just alerts, but the ability to interdict and isolate risky behavior in real time. Looking ahead, Glen shares how Panzura is preparing to support AI workloads directly where unstructured data lives. Instead of migrating terabytes to external platforms, organizations can train language models in place, reducing cost and complexity. With features like enhanced RBAC, native Entra ID support, and a virtual data lake model on the horizon, Panzura is clearly positioning itself at the intersection of enterprise storage and AI innovation. If you work in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, or AI deployment, this episode offers practical insights into the challenges IT teams face today and the technologies that are solving them.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Chase Garbarino, Co-Founder and CEO of HQO, a company reimagining the way commercial real estate connects with its occupants. From digital keycards to IoT-enabled spaces, HQO is building the operating system for real estate, already active across 250 million square feet in 24 countries. We explore how commercial real estate, once known for its slow adoption of technology, is finally undergoing rapid transformation. Chase shares the story behind HQO's creation, the drive to modernize the built environment, and why he believes cities are humanity's greatest product. He outlines how hybrid work, flexible leases, and higher user expectations have pushed property owners to rethink what a workplace should offer. But this isn't just a tech story. It's about connection. Chase reveals how HQO is helping create meaningful experiences through digital tools that serve every type of building user, not just those paying the rent. From commute integration to smart access, amenity bookings to workplace engagement, HQO's platform is designed to be both invisible and impactful. We also learn about the Quantum City Initiative, a new effort from HQO and MIT to help existing cities leap forward with shared learnings, digital infrastructure, and civic innovation. It is not about tearing cities down and starting from scratch. It is about helping them adapt, thrive, and compete in a connected world. Chase closes by sharing one of his favorite stories: how a shoe company, a beer company, and a 3D printing firm all found community inside an HQO-powered building. These companies collaborated, socialized, and created something no one could have planned, all because the tech enabled real people to meet. If you are curious about how smart buildings are becoming more human or how data and design can shape a more connected future, this conversation will spark new ideas.

What happens when AI reshapes intellectual property, and decentralized storage rewrites data sovereignty? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, we explore that intersection with a deep dive into the work of StorX Network, a platform rethinking cloud storage from the ground up. Our guest joins from StorX, a decentralized cloud storage network designed with privacy, security, and user empowerment at its core. At a time when data privacy is eroding and centralized providers are struggling to keep pace with evolving threats, StorX offers a radically different approach. Their system encrypts data using the user's private passphrase, fragments it into smaller pieces, then distributes multiple copies across a global network of autonomous nodes. The result? A storage solution that is trustless, censorship resistant, and economically more efficient, often cutting costs by up to 90 percent compared to traditional providers. We discuss how StorX is positioning itself in a world increasingly concerned about surveillance, ransomware, and digital control. Much like AI is forcing conversations around copyright and ownership, decentralized storage is surfacing urgent questions around who controls data and how it's accessed. This episode is not just about technology, it's about the philosophical shift in how we think about trust, control, and freedom in digital spaces. We unpack why decentralized architecture matters, how privacy-preserving systems can scale, and where innovation is heading next. If you're building applications or storing sensitive data, this is a conversation worth tuning in for. Because as digital life becomes more complex, where and how we store our information will define what kind of internet we want to live in. Want to hear more stories at the intersection of privacy, decentralization, and innovation? Subscribe and stay tuned.

What happens when the world's most powerful AI systems are measured by the same yardstick? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I spoke with David Kanter, Founder and Executive Director of MLCommons, the organization behind MLPerf, the industry's most recognized benchmark for AI performance. As AI continues to outpace Moore's Law, businesses and governments alike are asking the same question: how do we know what “good” AI performance really looks like? That's exactly the challenge MLCommons set out to address. David shares the story of how a simple suggestion at a Stanford meeting led him from analyst to the architect of a global benchmarking initiative. He explains how MLPerf benchmarks are helping enterprises and policymakers make informed decisions about AI systems, and why transparency, neutrality, and open collaboration are central to the mission. We explore what's really driving AI's explosive growth. It's not just about chips. Smarter software, algorithmic breakthroughs, and increasingly scalable system designs are all contributing to performance improvements far beyond what Moore's Law predicted. But AI's rapid progress comes with a cost. Power consumption is quickly becoming one of the biggest challenges in the industry. David explains how MLCommons is helping address this with MLPerf Power and why infrastructure innovations like low-precision computation, advanced cooling, and even proximity to power generation are gaining traction. We also talk about the decision by some major vendors not to participate in MLPerf. David offers perspective on what that means for buyers and why benchmark transparency should be part of any enterprise AI procurement conversation. Beyond the data center, MLCommons is now benchmarking AI performance on consumer hardware through MLPerf Client and is working on domain-specific efforts such as MLPerf Automotive. As AI shows up in smartphones, vehicles, and smart devices, the need for clear, fair, and relevant performance measurement is only growing. So how do we measure AI that is everywhere? What should buyers demand from vendors? And how can the industry ensure that AI systems are fast, efficient, and accountable? Let's find out.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, Neil is joined by Jose Soto, VP of Engineering at Converge Marketing, to discuss how data democratization transforms performance marketing. Jose highlights a common bottleneck in marketing where engineering teams act as the data gatekeepers, often slowing down marketing efforts. He explains how empowering marketers with self-service access to data through intuitive platforms speeds up decision-making and drives measurable growth for brands. Jose talks about how Converge has broken down data silos by creating clean data pipelines and user-friendly tools that allow non-technical users to interact with data confidently. Instead of relying on engineers, marketing teams now have the freedom to access data, build reports, and analyze trends in real-time. This shift has led to improved agility, better collaboration, and faster campaign optimizations. The conversation also explores the impact of AI and machine learning on marketing. Jose discusses how these technologies are helping marketers make more precise, data-driven decisions by enabling predictive analytics, optimizing creative messaging, and even automating campaign management. As AI continues to evolve, marketing teams can make more informed decisions with greater accuracy. For businesses aiming to stay ahead in the ever-changing marketing landscape, this episode offers valuable insights on empowering teams, streamlining operations, and leveraging data to foster growth. Listen in to discover how Converge is breaking down data barriers and preparing for the future of AI-powered marketing.

What happens when software development meets AI assistance, and anyone with an idea suddenly has the power to build it?  In this episode, I sat down with Ryan Frankel, President and CTO of Digital Brands and the mind behind HostingAdvice.com, to explore the rise of “vibeware” and how AI is shifting the development landscape. Ryan has a fascinating journey that began with BASIC programming on an Apple IIc and led through military-grade signal processing to leading a portfolio of digital properties. At the center of our conversation is Vibeware. AI-assisted development tools that are starting to lower the barriers for would-be creators. But unlike the hype you often hear, Ryan doesn't sugarcoat the limitations. While AI can generate impressive snippets of production-ready code, we're nowhere near a future where it can build and maintain scalable applications on its own. Context, debugging, infrastructure, and data architecture still require human oversight, and developers who understand these elements are more valuable than ever. Ryan also explained how these tools are beginning to change how companies approach building versus buying software. AI-assisted development is giving teams more confidence to build custom internal solutions rather than defaulting to SaaS platforms. That trend could open the door for smaller businesses to create the kinds of tailored tools that were once only realistic for large enterprises. Perhaps the most insightful part of our chat was Ryan's analogy comparing AI-assisted coding to home cooking. Just as meal kits allow anyone to prepare a decent dinner, vibeware makes it easier for non-experts to build software. But when quality, scale, and performance matter, people still turn to professionals. Developers fluent in both fundamentals and AI tools will be the ones setting the bar. We also touch on the future of engineering roles, the evolving skillsets needed, and how this new era mirrors the web development explosion of the early 2000s. So where is the balance between automation and expertise? What role will junior developers play in a world where AI writes 30 to 90 percent of the code? And is the developer job market on the verge of a dip or about to expand in new directions?

On this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Gene Hoffman, CEO of Chia Network, to explore a bold new vision for digital assets, investing, and regulatory-compliant blockchain innovation.  While much of the blockchain space has struggled with regulatory clarity, Chia has taken a different path, working closely with the SEC and other regulators to ensure long-term viability for the network and its applications. With a groundbreaking joint venture called Permuto, Chia is pushing that vision even further. Permuto is set to tokenize equity investments directly on Chia's independent layer-1 blockchain. The first application? Microsoft stock.  However, rather than simply offering a digital replica of a share, the platform will divide each into separate dividend and growth certificates. This new level of granularity can reshape the way institutions and individuals think about risk, returns, and liquidity. It's particularly relevant for low-risk investors and retirees looking to isolate stable dividend income without exposure to market volatility tied to growth stocks. Gene explains how this innovation could signal the next evolution of ETFs, offering flexible investment structures powered by blockchain. He also shares why Chia's commitment to open-source technology and green consensus mechanisms has allowed it to attract serious institutional interest without compromising principles. We also discuss Gene's participation in the SEC's upcoming Crypto Task Force Roundtable, where industry leaders will explore the convergence of traditional and decentralized finance. With deep ties to the crypto community and regulatory institutions, Gene offers a rare perspective on how to scale new financial tools in today's regulatory environment responsibly. Can blockchain finally deliver on its promise of transforming capital markets in a transparent, compliant, and useful way to everyday investors? Let's find out.  

When cybersecurity companies are racing to outpace evolving threats, innovation often starts in an unexpected place: revenue operations. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with John Queally, Senior Director of Revenue Operations at Clari, to explore why RevOps has become a vital engine behind the performance and resilience of cybersecurity leaders. John brings a unique perspective from his journey through banking, analytics, and enterprise tech. What stands out is how rapidly the RevOps function has matured from a back-office support role to a central, strategic force. Especially in the cybersecurity space, where innovation requires ongoing investment and risk is measured in seconds, the pressure to run efficient, scalable revenue processes has never been greater. We delve into why clean, trusted data is the backbone of any AI strategy and how 67% of revenue leaders still don't trust the data they're using. It's a staggering insight, and one that underscores the urgent need for cross-functional alignment. John explains how RevOps can serve as the connective tissue across sales, marketing, customer success, and finance, moving companies from a place where they're debating the accuracy of dashboards to making real decisions in real time. He also shares a behind-the-scenes look at Clari's work with cybersecurity firms like Okta, where implementing balanced pipeline strategies and streamlining task prioritization has unlocked measurable improvements. We discuss the rise of AI, but John doesn't just repeat industry headlines. He calls out the "unsexy" truth that real AI advantage requires the hard work of data cleanup first and those who do it will pull ahead. From operational transparency to building trust within revenue teams, this episode challenges assumptions about how data, AI, and RevOps intersect. And for anyone in cybersecurity or enterprise tech wondering how to scale effectively while preparing for what's next, this conversation offers a grounded and insightful starting point. Is your company still debating data? Or are you ready to turn trusted insights into action?

In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sat down with Bulent Cinarkaya, General Manager of Field Service Management at ServiceNow, to explore how AI is transforming the frontlines of field service. Often overlooked in the broader tech conversation, the technicians working outside the office are now seeing real, tangible improvements to their daily workflows thanks to advancements in intelligent automation. Bulent brings a wealth of knowledge from working closely with global organizations that rely on ServiceNow to improve how they plan, dispatch, and support field teams. We talked about how agentic and generative AI are no longer theoretical tools; they are actively used to predict what technicians will need before arriving, automate access to resources, and reduce inefficiencies in task planning. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was how ServiceNow is using AI to improve productivity and enhance the human experience. From easing the onboarding of new technicians to capturing decades of experience from retiring experts, AI is helping teams bridge a generational gap in expertise. Technicians can now rely on intelligent systems to surface the correct information at the right moment, whether through summarizing technical documents or guiding them through complex tasks. We also discussed the operational impact, with examples from customers like Bell Canada, Coursera, and British Telecom, who are seeing measurable improvements in scheduling accuracy and time to resolution. Bulent stressed the importance of unified data models, integrated platforms, and strong change management as organizations look to scale AI to ensure adoption and success. This episode is a wake-up call for anyone still on the fence about AI in field service. AI is not only improving technician efficiency, but it's also helping companies retain talent, meet rising customer expectations, and ultimately future-proof their operations. So, how ready is your organization to move beyond proof of concept and turn AI into a field-ready advantage?          

What does it take to turn a moment of frustration into a global mission to tackle waste? At the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, to explore how a single idea born on a snowy Swiss street evolved into a powerful tech platform reshaping how communities think about consumption, sharing, and sustainability. Tessa shared her personal journey, from growing up on a farm where food waste was unthinkable to climbing the corporate ladder before walking away to co-found Olio. That decision came after she was told to throw away perfectly good food while moving house, a moment that sparked an idea and a deeper calling. What followed was years of research, a grassroots WhatsApp experiment, and ultimately, the creation of an app that now connects millions of users worldwide. In our conversation, we explored how Olio uses technology to drive real-world change. Tessa explained how AWS has been a foundational partner since day one, helping Olio scale sustainably without compromising its values. She also gave an inside look at how AI is integrated thoughtfully across their operations, from assisting users in listing items faster to detecting potentially unsafe or inappropriate listings before they go live. What stood out is how intentional Tessa and her team have been in making AI serve the mission, not distract from it. Whether it's reducing friction within communities or using automation to offset operational challenges, every tech choice is aligned with their goal: to build a waste-free world. We also discussed how AI is helping them break the traditional link between headcount and impact, paving the way toward profitability while staying people-focused. As Olio aims to reach a billion users by 2030, this episode is a reminder of what happens when purpose and technology meet. Tessa's story offers a compelling blueprint for founders, technologists, and anyone looking to use digital tools to solve human problems. How can a simple act of sharing create ripple effects across the world, and what role will technology play in scaling that vision responsibly?

Holography has long lived in the shadow of science fiction, but what happens when it's finally real  and ready for the consumer market? In this episode recorded at Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Darran Milne, co-founder and CEO of VividQ to unpack what sets true holography apart from the gimmicks. With a background in quantum physics and years of technical leadership, Darran cuts through the noise around immersive display technologies and explains how VividQ is building real holographic experiences — not tricks of the eye, but accurate 3D projections that replicate how we naturally see the world. Darran walks us through the technology powering their recent demo with Call of Duty, showing that VividQ's tech isn't just theoretical. It runs on today's hardware and can convert existing 3D content into holograms without access to the original source code. That changes the game for entertainment, but it's only the beginning. We explore where else this could lead: head-up displays in cars that genuinely blend digital directions into the driver's view, medical devices that eliminate the need for separate testing rooms, and even the idea of holography replacing traditional screens entirely. Darran doesn't just speculate on the future — he outlines a practical, layered rollout strategy, identifying the industries where the technology can scale first. This isn't about chasing hype. It's about thoughtful engineering and commercial execution. If your business touches gaming, automotive, spatial computing, or XR, this conversation shows why holography may be closer than you think — and how VividQ plans to put it in front of you. Could your next screen be light itself?

What if companies could tap into powerful behavioral AI without compromising user privacy or crossing legal lines? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Frank Portman, CTO of Yobi, to explore how his team is building foundation models grounded in real user behavior, backed by ethically sourced and consented data. Frank shares how Yobi is taking a distinct approach. They're not building large language models or racing to dominate generative AI headlines. Instead, they're focused on data integrity, transparency, and security from day one. With a strategic partnership with Microsoft Azure, Yobi delivers models that run directly within a customer's environment. That means privacy is preserved, data stays protected, and companies still benefit from intelligent, adaptive systems. We unpack how Yobi avoids risky use cases like financial underwriting and healthcare, how their models are trained to avoid demographic bias, and why they actively reward systems for being bad at guessing personal traits. This isn't just about compliance. It's about designing products that work better because they're built responsibly. Frank also opens up about Yobi's internal culture, his belief in first-principles thinking, and how empowering engineers to "place bets" drives innovation. He offers insight into what the AI industry must learn quickly from recent missteps, including data misuse and growing public skepticism. If you're exploring AI solutions and wondering how to build or buy systems that scale without cutting ethical corners, this conversation delivers clarity, honesty, and direction. Are you ready to rethink what responsible AI should look like inside your company?

When we talk about the future of technology, it is easy to focus on the tools, trends, and innovations that dominate headlines. But behind every breakthrough is a human story, and behind every system are individuals navigating an industry that has not always welcomed them equally. That is why I sat down with Sue Harnett, founder and CEO of Rewriting the Code, to learn more about the real work being done to support and elevate women in technology. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation that brings clarity to an often-overlooked challenge and offers insight into what real change looks like. Rewriting the Code is more than a community. It is a global network of over 35,000 women who are united by shared goals and driven by the ambition to create a more inclusive tech industry. Sue shared the origin of the organization, born from her own experiences of feeling out of place in elite academic environments, and how that shaped her commitment to building a culture where young women could grow, thrive, and most importantly, feel like they belong. Today, RTC is impacting lives across the globe with programs that span mentorship, career development, technical education, and real-world support. What stood out was the way RTC moves beyond symbolic gestures and instead provides practical pathways. We explored the launch of targeted initiatives like Rewrite AI and Rewrite Cybersecurity, which aim to prepare women for high-demand areas in the industry. We also discussed the Black Wings program, built specifically for Black women in tech, who represent just two percent of the industry workforce. Through focused community-building and peer support, these programs help dismantle systemic barriers that often go unaddressed. In a time where many companies are retreating from public conversations about diversity due to political pressure, Sue's work feels more relevant than ever. She spoke candidly about the fear she's seeing in boardrooms, the erosion of public DEI commitments, and the quiet but continued support from leaders who still believe in building inclusive workplaces. Her message to companies was simple: inclusion must be intentional, visible, and connected to the lived experience of the people it is meant to support. What this episode reveals is not only the importance of creating opportunities, but also the power of belief. The belief that women belong in every corner of the tech world, and that with the right community, mentorship, and visibility, they can redefine what leadership looks like. So how is your organization showing up for underrepresented talent in tech, and what will it take to turn good intentions into lasting impact?

When we talk about the future of IT services, the conversation often revolves around the potential of AI and automation. But what does that really mean when applied at scale, across legacy infrastructure, evolving customer expectations, and real-world operational challenges?  In today's episode, I sat down with Manish Tandon, CEO of Zensar Technologies, to explore that very question. What emerged was a refreshingly pragmatic take on a space often overwhelmed by buzzwords. Manish leads a global organisation that's helping some of the UK's biggest businesses not just integrate AI, but rethink the foundation of their IT strategies. We discussed how Zensar is combining automation with a philosophy they call “experience-led everything,” a human-centric approach that puts users, not systems, at the centre of transformation. Through this lens, he explained how seemingly simple shifts like applying AI to reduce technical debt or drive internal engagement can lead to significant performance gains and improved outcomes across entire organisations. What I found particularly powerful was how Manish challenges the language around AI. He sees today's wave of generative and agentic AI as an evolution of long-standing automation principles, not a reinvention. That mindset is helping clients cut through the noise and focus on impact, such as faster delivery cycles, measurable productivity boosts, and tools that empower rather than replace human potential. We also touched on the ethical implications of AI, the nuances of implementation across different geographies, and the value of responsible AI governance at the application level, not just in principle. If your business is looking to adopt AI in a way that scales sensibly while delivering lasting value, this episode offers insights you won't want to miss. So how are you preparing to balance automation with empathy in your IT strategy, and are you building for systems or for people?

What happens when automation grows and learns to think, reason, and adapt? That is precisely what I explored in today's episode with Bennet Kumar, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Business Process Services at Hexaware Technologies. As the enterprise world braces for rapid AI-driven change, Bennet joined me to unpack how agentic AI quietly transforms customer experience from the ground up. Bennet explains how agentic AI is fundamentally different from earlier forms of automation. We go beyond the buzzwords to explore how these intelligent systems retain business context, plan and execute tasks with autonomy, and collaborate with other agents to deliver meaningful outcomes. This isn't just a new toolset for organizations focused on ROI, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. It is a new way of working. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centered around AI-powered voice translation. Bennet clearly shows what happens when language ceases to be a barrier. Service agents are no longer required to be fluent in dozens of languages. Instead, they can focus on empathy, listening, and resolution while AI handles translation in real time. We also explore how these technologies reduce stress on customer service staff, giving them more meaningful roles and the tools to thrive. Of course, no digital transformation is complete without understanding the people behind it. Bennet shares thoughtful insights on change management, addressing customer trust and employee concerns. We discuss how AI can empower rather than replace, and why organizations must be intentional about communication, leadership development, and cultural shift. From multilingual support to hyper-personalized customer journeys, and AI assistants to back-end process orchestration, agentic AI is no longer a future concept. It is already here. But are enterprises prepared for a world where customers and AI agents interact seamlessly, at scale, daily? What does the rise of intelligent agents mean for your business?

What happens when access to advanced AI models is no longer the real differentiator, and the true advantage lies in how businesses leverage their own data? At the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Rahul Pathak, Vice President of Data and AI Go-to-Market at AWS, to unpack this question and explore how organisations are moving beyond experimentation and into large-scale generative AI adoption. Recorded live on the show floor, this conversation explores how AWS is supporting customers at every layer of their AI journey. From custom silicon innovations like Trainium and Inferentia to scalable services like Bedrock, Q Developer, and SageMaker, AWS is giving businesses the infrastructure, tools, and flexibility to innovate with confidence. Rahul shared how leading organisations such as BT Group, SAP, and Lonely Planet are already applying these tools to reduce costs, speed up development cycles, and deliver tailored experiences that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. A key theme that emerged in our discussion is that data, not just models, is the true foundation of effective AI. Rahul explained why unifying data across silos is critical and how AWS is helping companies create more intelligent applications by connecting what they uniquely know about their business to powerful AI capabilities. We also addressed the operational realities of AI deployment. From moving proof-of-concept projects into production to meeting the growing demand for responsible AI, the challenges are shifting. Organisations are now focused on trust, security, transparency, and measurable value. If you're leading digital transformation and wondering how to scale AI solutions that deliver on business outcomes, this episode provides practical insight from someone at the center of the industry. How will your business stand out in a world where every company has access to AI models, but only a few know how to apply them with purpose?

In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Christian Reilly, Field CTO for EMEA at Cloudflare, the Connectivity Cloud company, to examine the latest findings from their cybersecurity research and what they reveal about how prepared different industries really are. While sectors like IT, gaming, and financial services have seen a higher volume of cyberattacks, they also report greater readiness and resilience. In contrast, industries like education and healthcare, although less frequently targeted, remain far less prepared to defend against growing threats. This gap raises important questions about how organizations approach security depending on their legacy systems, revenue models, and digital maturity. Christian brings years of frontline experience to the discussion and shares actionable insights into how companies can build cybersecurity strategies that not only protect but also improve performance. From the shift toward zero trust architecture to the critical role of board-level engagement, we explore how forward-thinking organizations are rethinking the role of cybersecurity in modern digital operations. He explains why simplicity often beats complexity, and how reducing friction for end users is key to long-term resilience. We also look ahead to some of the key trends shaping the future of security. Christian dives into the challenges posed by emerging technologies such as quantum computing, AI, and the explosion of data generated by IoT and smart infrastructure. He stresses the importance of preparing now for scenarios like Harvest Now, Decrypt Later, and why organizations need to begin thinking seriously about post-quantum cryptography. On the human side, Christian outlines what effective training looks like today and how to shift employee culture from compliance to awareness. If you're wondering how to stay one step ahead of evolving threats, this conversation offers a wealth of insight from the heart of the Connectivity Cloud. How is your organization preparing for what's coming next?

In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I reconnect with Abnormal AI's CIO, Mike Britton, to explore one of the most pressing topics in the tech world—AI regulation and cybersecurity.  Speaking from his base near Dallas, Mike brings a pragmatic perspective shaped by decades of experience at the intersection of enterprise technology and security. As the debate around artificial intelligence evolves, we examine the growing divide between the United States and Europe on regulatory approaches and what business leaders can learn from each side. While Europe takes a more cohesive, application-based approach, the US remains fragmented, relying on state-by-state policies and sector-specific laws. Mike unpacks why this patchwork complicates global alignment and what an effective risk-based, standardized framework might look like. He argues that regulation must focus on how AI is applied, not just its scale, especially as the technology becomes embedded in everything from healthcare to email automation. We also touch on the unintended consequences of overregulation, including the risk of pushing innovation into regions with fewer safeguards. As Abnormal Security works with some of the world's largest brands, Mike offers a frontline view into how threat actors are already leveraging AI to outpace traditional defenses. His insights reinforce the need for transparency, human oversight, and "kill switches" to ensure AI remains a tool for good, not a liability. From real-world examples to strategic recommendations, Mike outlines what CIOs and CISOs need to know now. His advice is clear, grounded, and actionable, whether embracing regulatory sandboxes, staying alert to geopolitical nuances in AI models, or maintaining continuous learning in a fast-moving space. So, how do we keep innovation ethical and secure in a world where AI is moving faster than ever? And what steps should technology leaders take to avoid falling behind or losing control of the tools meant to drive progress?