Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Join Craig Stephenson, Jamey Cummings, and Scott Robbin, top executive recruiters with vast experience in tech leadership, as they discuss the evolving role of the CIO. They dive into the convergence of technology and enterprise strategy, exploring how modern tech leaders must blend engineering skills with business acumen. The panel highlights the rise of Chief AI Officers and the importance of transparency in CIO–CISO relationships. They emphasize the need for strong bench strength and the critical role of soft skills in shaping the future of technology leadership.

Daniel Docter, Managing Director at Dell Technologies Capital, dives into the critical role of data in enterprise AI. He argues that unstructured, context-free data is the biggest barrier to AI success, not the technology itself. The conversation explores how startups like Redis are tackling these data challenges. Daniel also discusses the evolving landscape of corporate venture capital and how Dell supports its portfolio companies with a hands-on approach. He highlights the importance of fixing the data layer for enterprises to thrive in the next five years.

Dr. Michael Pfeffer, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Stanford Health Care, discusses the evolution of healthcare technology. He explains why 'digitized' is not the same as 'digital' and shares insights into Stanford's innovative ChatEHR project and the FIRM framework for responsible AI. Pfeffer highlights the importance of AI in enhancing clinical value while emphasizing that it cannot replace the human connection in medicine. He also envisions AI streamlining healthcare processes and driving precision health through advanced data integration.

Join industry titans Paul Ballew, Chief Data & Analytics Officer of the NFL, Lakshman Nathan, EVP & CIO at Paramount, and Mark Sherwood, EVP & CIO at Wolters Kluwer, as they discuss the pivotal role of AI in various sectors. They reveal the NFL's innovative fan engagement strategies and how Paramount's cultural challenges impact tech alignment. Discover how AI is driving a $2 billion transformation at Paramount and learn about the vital partnership between finance and tech for AI value realization. Insights on responsible AI governance and the balance of centralization versus distributed innovation make this a must-listen!

Mayor Matt Mahan of San José, a former startup CEO, talks about revolutionizing city governance with a data-driven approach. He shares how applying performance management from tech can enhance accountability and measure city objectives. Mahan highlights his focus on key issues like homelessness and public safety, and discusses innovative uses of AI, such as real-time translation for accessibility and pothole detection through camera data. He emphasizes investing in workforce readiness and civic partnerships to drive change in urban management.

In this engaging conversation, Luke Gebb, the Executive Vice President of Global Innovation at American Express, shares insights on driving digital innovation within a legacy company. He discusses Amex Digital Labs' stage-gate process for piloting and scaling emerging technologies like generative AI and blockchain. Luke elaborates on the successful launch of peer-to-peer payments and the intriguing Passport system using NFTs for travel. He also explores the importance of cross-functional collaboration and how customer-centric tools are reshaping user experiences.

Liam Donohue, Co-founder and Managing Partner at 406 Ventures, delves into the essential role of value-based care in healthcare reform. He argues that fee-for-service models hinder innovation and explains how AI, if misapplied, could exacerbate existing issues. Liam shares insights on the potential of AI for proactive patient care and rethinking elder care through WellBeHealth's value-based model. He emphasizes the need for founders who understand the problems they aim to solve and draws parallels between the current AI boom and previous market trends.

Simon Johnson, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and MIT Sloan professor, dives into the parallels between AI advancements and the Industrial Revolution's pitfalls. He argues that while automation can enhance efficiency, it often neglects job creation, fueling inequality. Johnson warns that lessons from history highlight the importance of inclusive institutions. He critiques current educational funding cuts, calls for better collaboration between universities and communities, and emphasizes the need for innovation that benefits all, not just a few.

Atilla Tinic, the Chief Information Officer of Qualcomm, discusses transforming AI from pilots to scalable platforms. He emphasizes the importance of unified data governance for AI success and how Qualcomm is creating an internal AI marketplace for developers. Tinic also highlights the rise of AI agents, the cybersecurity challenges posed by these technologies, and how AI can enhance security measures. He shares insights on advanced computing, robotics, and the future of 6G, all while maintaining a focus on collaboration and interoperability within the tech ecosystem.

What does it actually take to move AI from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Leigh-Ann Russell, Chief Information Officer and Global Head of Engineering at Bank of New York (BNY), about how one of the world’s most systemically important financial institutions is operationalizing AI at scale. Leigh-Ann shares how BNY trained 99% of its 50,000-person workforce on AI, moved beyond pilots into deep enablement, and empowered employees across technical and non-technical roles to build AI agents that drive real productivity gains. Key topics discussed include: Training nearly the entire workforce to become AI-literate Moving from AI pilots to enterprise-wide enablement Empowering employees to build and deploy AI agents Reducing cognitive load while improving speed and resilience Leading AI adoption through hands-on executive behavior