The Tech Blog Writer Podcast 4t33v

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 s 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 signified protection in physical conflict zones, marking medical and humanitarian organizations as safe from attack. Now, as warfare increasingly extends into cyberspace, the ICRC is working on a digital version of this emblem to offer the same legal protections for online infrastructure. We explore how cyberattacks on hospitals and aid organizations during armed conflict are becoming more common, and why the Digital Emblem is needed now more 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 grows, this emblem could play a key role in protecting lives and ensuring that humanitarian operations continue. We also delve into the challenges of implementing this system without making organizations more vulnerable, and why the 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 ed 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 ed 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 , 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 s 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 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 , 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 ed 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 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 , 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 s from StorX, a decentralized cloud storage network designed with privacy, security, and 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 ’s private phrase, 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 able? Let’s find out.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, Neil is ed 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 -friendly tools that allow non-technical s 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?

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 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?

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 t 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 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.  

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 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 s 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 s 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 s 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 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 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 deg 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 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 . 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 , 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 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 . 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 s, 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 Kumar Bennet, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Business Process Services at Hexaware Technologies. As the enterprise world braces for rapid AI-driven change, Bennet ed 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 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 ing 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?