Shift AI Podcast

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Vik Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder of Foresite Labs and Interim President at Xaira Therapeutics, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is revolutionizing life sciences and healthcare. With a distinguished background spanning physics, structural biology, radiology at Stanford, and pioneering work at Google, Vik brings a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and medicine.The conversation delves into the stark realities of drug discovery—where 2 million researchers globally struggle against success rates so low that most will be lucky to contribute to one or two successful drugs in their entire careers. Vik explains how AI, particularly David Baker's groundbreaking protein design work, is poised to transform this landscape by enabling drugs for previously "undruggable" targets and moving healthcare from reactive treatment to predictive, personalized medicine.From genetic tests that could provide actionable insights for 75% of people to AI models that can predict 5-year mortality from a simple chest X-ray, this episode reveals how we're approaching a future where disease prevention replaces disease treatment. If you're interested in understanding how AI will fundamentally reshape healthcare economics and why Vik compares this transformation to the industrial revolution, this episode is essential listening.Chapters: [01:48] From Physics to Life Sciences: Vik's Interdisciplinary Journey [04:13] The Google Years: Early AI Revolution in Science [06:56] Xaira Therapeutics and David Baker's Protein Design Breakthrough [09:28] The Optimistic Future of AI in Drug Discovery [15:17] The Four-Stage Evolution of AI in Medicine [19:53] Healthcare Cost Crisis and AI Solutions [23:27] The Promise of Personalized Medicine [28:39] Foresite Labs: Specializing in Science and Engineering AI [32:00] Why Healthcare AI is Harder Than Software Engineering [36:27] Two Words for the Future: Industrial RevolutionContact Info:Connect with Vik Bajaj● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvikbajaj/ Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy● X: boazashkenazy● Email: info@shiftai.fm

Shalini Agarwal, VP of Product at Salesforce, brings over 17 years of experience from Google to the podcast. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing workplace collaboration, detailing Slack's vision for integrating intelligent agents directly into workflows. Shalini highlights practical examples of AI in action, like team summaries and channel experts, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining context in communication. She also shares surprising customer uses of AI and teases future innovations that will enhance team productivity through agentic and contextual experiences.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Sanjna Parulekar, SVP of Product Marketing at Salesforce, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the reality of enterprise AI adoption beyond the media hype. With her psychology background and eight years at one of the world's leading enterprise software companies, Parulekar offers a grounded perspective on how large organizations are actually implementing AI agents and what the human side of AI transformation really looks like.From discussing the courage required to transform workflows to the importance of data strategy foundations, Parulekar shares insights on why some companies are succeeding with AI while others struggle with pilots. She also explores how voice technology fits into enterprise solutions, the evolving role of humans in AI systems, and why the future of work will be both more exciting and more intentional. If you're interested in understanding where enterprise AI adoption actually stands versus the narrative, this conversation provides valuable insights from the trenches.Chapters:[00:00:35] Introduction and Background [00:01:56] Sanjna's Journey from AI Startups to Salesforce[00:03:52] Enterprise AI Adoption Reality vs. Hype [00:07:16] How Jobs Are Changing with AI Agents [00:10:30] The Human Experience in AI Transformation [00:11:25] Voice Technology in Enterprise Solutions [00:13:56] Humans in the Loop: When and How [00:18:08] The Truth About AI Hype Cycles [00:22:13] Big Enterprise Customer Conversations [00:26:35] Leadership Changes in the AI Era [00:29:56] Two Words for the Future of WorkContact Information:Connect with Sanjna Parulekar● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjna-parulekar-0248a537/● Company: SalesforceConnect with Boaz Ashkenazy● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy● X: boazashkenazy● Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Dr. Vanja Josifovski, CEO of Kumo and former CTO of Airbnb and Pinterest, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses unlock value from their structured data. Josifovski shares his journey from building recommendation systems for millions of users to founding Sequoia-backed Kumo, which is tackling one of AI's biggest challenges: turning business data into actionable insights.From his early days witnessing the evolution of embeddings and vector representations to today's transformer revolution, Josifovski offers a unique perspective on the AI landscape. The conversation delves into why the current AI boom has largely overlooked structured business data, the future of personalized consumer experiences, and how coding tools are democratizing software development. If you're interested in understanding how enterprise data can drive better business decisions and what the future holds for work in an AI-driven world, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone who's been at the forefront of the AI revolution for two decades.Chapters:[02:00] Vanja's Background and AI Journey [04:00] The Evolution of Embeddings and Vectors [07:00] Silicon Valley's AI Revolution [09:00] Founding Kumo and the Enterprise Data Problem [12:00] The Future of Personalization [15:00] How AI is Changing Software Development [18:00] The Optimistic Future of Work [21:00] Societal Changes and Abundance [25:00] From Big Tech to Startup Life [00:28:00] Two Words for the Future: "Lots of Fun"Contact Info:Connect with Vanja Josifovski:● Website: kumo.aiConnect with Boaz Ashkenazy:● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy● Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy is joined by Taylor Black, Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems in Microsoft’s CTO Office. With a background as a B2B SaaS founder and deep tech venture studio leader, Taylor brings a rare blend of startup vision and enterprise expertise to the AI conversation.Together, they explore the rise of agentic workflows, protocols like MCP, and the shifting interface of software in the age of AI. Taylor also reflects on the philosophical and economic implications of AI’s rapid evolution—from abundant intelligence to human decision-making limits. If you're curious about how Microsoft thinks about AI agents, or what the future of work might actually feel like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Chapters:[00:00] The Promise of AI and Collective Problem Solving[00:32] Intro: Meet Taylor Black of Microsoft[01:54] Inside the CTO’s Office and Innovation Labs[03:53] From SaaS Founder to Deep Tech Studio Leader[05:38] Agentic Workflows: Beyond the Hype[08:46] Ecosystems, Authority, and Agent Infrastructure[11:12] MCP: The Protocol Standard for AI Agents[15:24] Microsoft's Vision of Agentic Interfaces[18:34] Designing for Human Capacity in the AI Age[23:15] The Hidden Risks and Philosophical Impacts of AI[27:09] Scarcity vs Abundance: New Frontiers in Work[29:12] Final Thoughts: A Future of Abundant IntelligenceConnect with Taylor BlackLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/blacktaylor/Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazyX: @boazashkenazyEmail: info@shiftai.fmThe Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel.

In this engaging discussion, Patrick Jarvis, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Acumino, shares his extensive experience in AI and robotics. He unveils groundbreaking advancements in robotic reliability and dexterity for tasks like fine assembly. Jarvis emphasizes how robots can empower humans by simplifying AI training processes. The conversation explores the future of robots in both industrial and home settings, highlighting their potential to improve productivity and quality of life. Tune in for insights on the evolving relationship between technology and work!

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Prem Kumar, CEO of Humanly and GeekWire Award winner for CEO of the Year. With his unique background as both a buyer of HR solutions at Microsoft and a startup leader at TINYpulse, Prem shares how his company is revolutionizing the hiring process through AI-powered solutions that create more human-centered experiences.Prem dives into the challenges facing today's job seekers and recruiters, revealing how Humanly's technology enables meaningful two-way conversations for every candidate within 24 hours of application. The discussion explores how AI can reduce bias in hiring, improve standardization in interviews, and ultimately create better matches between candidates and companies. Whether you're interested in the future of recruiting or navigating today's job market, Prem's "human first" approach to AI offers valuable insights on how technology can enhance rather than replace meaningful human connections.Chapters:[00:00] The Philosophy of Human-Centered AI[01:39] Professional Journey: Microsoft to Startup Leadership[04:22] Addressing Recruitment Inefficiencies[06:35] Humanly's Approach to Streamlining Candidate Experience[08:42] Combating Algorithmic Bias in Hiring Processes[11:29] Strategic Job Application Techniques for Modern Candidates[13:13] Next-Generation Recruitment: Personalized Job Matching[16:10] Building Trust Through Transparent AI Implementation[20:49] The Evolution of Workforce Management[25:19] Influential Mentors and Iterative Culture Development[26:43] Prioritizing Human Outcomes in AI DevelopmentConnect with Prem KumarLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/premskumar/ Website: https://www.humanly.ioEmail: prem@humanly.io Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy X:https://x.com/boazashkenazyEmail: shift@augmentedailabs.comThe Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel  Follow, Listen, and SubscribeSpotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Brian Buchwald, who leads AI strategy and product development at Edelman, the world's largest communications firm. With his impressive background spanning investment banking, ad tech, digital media, and entrepreneurship, Buchwald offers a unique perspective on how AI is transforming both internal operations and client services at global scale.Discover how Edelman is implementing AI across its 7,000-employee organization and for its prestigious client roster. Buchwald shares fascinating insights on the balance between automation and human expertise, the evolution of trust in the AI era, and how communications professionals are quantifying their impact. Whether you're interested in AI implementation at enterprise scale or the future of knowledge work, this episode reveals how "curated automation" is redefining an entire industry while keeping the human element at its core.Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Brian Buchwald and Edelman[03:09] Brian's Career Journey from Ad Tech to Communications[05:35] Four Lenses of AI Implementation at Edelman[06:59] Trust Quantification and Research Transformation[10:17] Trust and AI: The Public Perception[13:01] Three-Tiered Approach to Client Transformation[17:55] Measuring Business Value in Communications[21:48] The Human-Machine Partnership in Creative Work[24:11] Mentors and Strategic Influences[29:11] The Future of Work: Curated AutomationConnect with Brian BuchwaldLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-buchwald-0447591/ Email: brian.buchwald@edelman.com Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy X:https://x.com/boazashkenazyEmail: shift@augmentedailabs.comThe Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel  Follow, Listen, and SubscribeSpotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Rohan D'Souza, co-founder of Avante, who is tackling one of America's most complex challenges: the $1.7 trillion employer-sponsored healthcare system. With his unique background as a former competitive swimmer from India and extensive experience in healthcare technology, Rohan brings a fresh perspective to an industry plagued by opacity and inefficiency.Rohan shares how Avante is leveraging AI to democratize healthcare information, making complex insurance plans understandable for employees while helping employers control costs that are rising 8-14% annually. From his early days working with electronic medical records during the 2008 financial crisis to building a nine-person team that supports hundreds of conversations with AI-powered solutions, Rohan illustrates how productivity and creativity converge in the future of work. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, AI implementation in regulated industries, and the entrepreneurial journey of building solutions for massive, entrenched systems.Chapters: [01:57] From India to America - The Swimming Journey[03:57] Early Career in Healthcare Technology During the Financial Crisis[05:14] Introducing Avante - The $1.7 Trillion Opportunity[09:10] The Employee Experience Problem[14:05] AI Agents and Personalized Healthcare Recommendations[18:25] Privacy Challenges in Healthcare AI[23:35] Building the Founders Club and Early Customers[28:07] The Future of Work - Productivity and CreativityConnect with Rohan D’SouzaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohanpdsouza/Website: https://avante.ai/ Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy X:https://x.com/boazashkenazyEmail: shift@augmentedailabs.comThe Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel  Follow, Listen, and SubscribeSpotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Kunal Chopra, CEO and Founder of Certivo, to explore how AI agents are evolving from assistants to true team members. Kunal shares insights from his experience as a former leader at Microsoft and Amazon, and his current venture tackling product compliance challenges for manufacturers. Through Certivo's AI agent compliance managers can automate tedious regulatory tasks while maintaining strategic control of the process.The conversation delves into the distinction between AI assistants and agents, examining the collaborative dance between humans and AI that defines today's implementations. Kunal offers a compelling vision of future workplaces where teams consist of both humans and AI agents working in tandem, while sharing candid advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders adapting to this new reality. If you're interested in how AI is reshaping teams and transforming manufacturing industries, this insightful discussion provides a window into what's coming next.Chapters:[02:19] Kunal's Background at Tech Giants and as CEO[05:34] The Pioneer Square Labs Incubation Process[10:06] Certivo's Origin and the Product Compliance Challenge[12:35] How AI Agent Cora Solves Regulatory Compliance Problems[16:59] The Evolution from Assistants to Agents[21:20] The Human-AI Dance: Autonomy vs. Collaboration[24:01] Manager Reactions and Changing Workforce Skills[29:17] The Role of Mentors in Entrepreneurial Success[31:33] Advice for First-Time Founders[34:29] The Future of Work: "Agent" and "Team"Connect with Kunal ChopraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalchopra28/ Connect with Boaz AshkenazyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy X:https://x.com/boazashkenazyEmail: shift@augmentedailabs.com