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

How can AI, digitization, and data create smarter, healthier, and more sustainable buildings? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Vijay Sankaran, Chief Digital and Information Officer of Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart building technologies. Vijay shares how he’s leading enterprise-wide digital transformation across a $23B company while scaling platforms like OpenBlue to optimize energy, equipment, and workplace performance. He unpacks how traditional machine learning, generative AI, and agentic workflows are converging to deliver predictive insights, autonomous actions, and tailored digital experiences. Vijay also reflects on trends in hybrid work, his journey to board membership at Veralto, and why quantum computing is on his innovation radar. Key topics include: AI-driven optimization of HVAC, energy use, and building health OpenBlue’s role in unifying smart building systems Applying generative and agentic AI to customer and employee experiences Trends in workplace utilization and digital transformation at scale

“Resilience is a mindset.” Chris Isaacson, Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets, joins Technovation host Peter High to discuss how the global exchange operator delivers trusted, 24/7 markets through technology, operational excellence, and a deeply integrated data strategy. A founding employee of BATS Global Markets and former CIO of both BATS and Cboe, Chris reflects on his two-decade journey scaling from startup to enterprise. He shares insights on building fault-tolerant platforms, organizing global teams for growth, and navigating crises like the flash crash and COVID with calm, systems-level thinking. Chris also explores the future of exchange operations, from AI-powered security and timestamping services to data commercialization and agentic software development. Key themes include: Building hyper-resilient, globally consistent trading infrastructure Lessons in leadership from startup growth to post-acquisition scale Cboe’s unified data platform and timestamping innovations The future of exchange technology with GenAI and software agents Cybersecurity as the #1 enterprise risk, and how to lead accordingly

Tony Leng, Managing Partner at H.I. Executive Consulting, discusses how the role of technology leaders is evolving in today’s business landscape. He highlights three emerging archetypes for tech executives, focusing on the importance of self-awareness and adaptation. The conversation dives into the increasing presence of tech-savvy leaders in corporate boardrooms and the impact of AI on C-suite roles. Additionally, the shift from operational excellence to innovation-driven strategies is emphasized, showcasing the need for tech leaders to think like business strategists.

How do you digitally transform a leading beverage distributor across 16 markets? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Glenn Remoreras, Chief Information Officer of Breakthru Beverage Group, a family-owned company with $8.6B in annual revenue and operations across the US and Canada. Glenn shares how he is driving innovation, scaling AI adoption, and modernizing the company’s sales and operational processes. From expanding a $500M+ B2B e-commerce platform to building data architecture that fuels AI innovation, Glenn outlines his strategy for becoming the distributor of choice in a competitive industry. He also reflects on lessons from global leadership roles and offers insights into fostering AI literacy across an organization’s executive ranks. Key topics include: Breakthru’s digital marketplace and AI-powered sales enablement Cloud transformation and enterprise data strategy Building a culture of AI literacy and scalable use cases Innovation operating models and business-led technology partnerships Leadership lessons from working in Asia, Europe, and North America

From Hollywood mogul to venture capital visionary, Jeffrey Katzenberg’s story is one of bold bets, iconic storytelling, and relentless reinvention. In this milestone 1000th episode of Technovation, host Peter High welcomes Katzenberg to reflect on a remarkable career spanning five decades across film, animation, and now AI-driven venture investing. As the founding partner of WndrCo, Katzenberg backs transformative companies like Netomi (conversational AI), Writer (enterprise GenAI), Alembic (causal AI), and Aura (consumer digital safety). But long before that, he shaped global pop culture as President of Paramount Pictures, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Co-Founder of DreamWorks SKG and DreamWorks Animation. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Katzenberg shares: Why the best ideas are risky and why failure is essential to success How DreamWorks was launched just 8 days after being fired from Disney Leadership lessons from icons like Barry Diller and David Geffen The real story behind building Hollywood’s most beloved franchises Why AI is both “prose” and “poetry” and what that means for creativity How WndrCo is scaling category-defining businesses across tech This episode explores 50 years of transformation, from The Lion King to Shrek, from studio boardrooms to Silicon Valley pitch rooms. A must-listen for anyone interested in creativity, leadership, and what it takes to build at scale.

From Tesla to Tekion: How Jay Vijayan Is Transforming the Automotive Experience In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Jay Vijayan, Founder & CEO of Tekion and former CIO of Tesla, about revolutionizing the dealer-to-consumer automotive experience through a cloud-first, AI-powered SaaS platform. Jay shares how his time at Oracle, VMware, and Tesla inspired the vision for Tekion, now valued at over $4 billion and serving major OEMs and dealer groups across the U.S. Jay explains Tekion’s three-cloud architecture—Retail Cloud, Enterprise Cloud, and Partner Cloud—and how it’s streamlining operations, enabling e-commerce, and connecting a vast automotive ecosystem. He also unpacks Tekion’s innovative use of AI agents to enhance after-sales service, deliver transparency, and empower both dealers and consumers. Key topics include: How Tekion modernizes the fragmented automotive retail experience The impact of AI co-pilots on vehicle service and customer trust Lessons from Tesla and Elon Musk that shape Tekion’s product philosophy Jay’s advice for CIOs aspiring to become CEOs

Join Hasmukh Ranjan, CIO of AMD, as he unveils a four-stage AI adoption model focusing on data-driven strategies. Chris Davis moderates a lively discussion on how to extract value from AI investments. Dham Pathervellai, CTO of Ingram Micro, shares insights on transforming partner integrations with GenAI. The conversation also touches on rethinking productivity, leveraging lean teams, and enhancing operational efficiency to stay competitive in the evolving tech landscape. Get ready for a playbook on turning AI potential into real-world impact!

Marina Bellini, President of Global Services and Digital Technologies at Mars, discusses the company's innovative integration of AI and digital services across its vast portfolio, including pet care and food. She shares insights from her first six months, emphasizing the balance between scalability and customization. Topics include Mars’ strategic AI platform MAX, the adoption of agile product models, and how the family-owned culture drives sustainable innovation. Marina also highlights GenAI applications enhancing pet health and marketing, showcasing Mars' commitment to long-term, responsible growth.

How are digital leaders driving real business impact with GenAI and agents? In this Technovation episode, we feature a panel from our most recent Metis Strategy Summit where Metis Strategy’s Steven Norton speaks with three top executives who are driving innovation through generative AI and agents: Motti Finkelstein, CIO of Intel; Shri Santhanam, EVP & Chief AI Officer at Experian; and Jaime Montemayor, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at General Mills. Together, they explore what it takes to move from pilots to production at scale, how to build trust in AI agents, and the organizational shifts required to maximize GenAI’s potential. With insights spanning financial services, semiconductors, and consumer packaged goods, this conversation dives into strategic frameworks, technical foundations, and real-world use cases. Key topics include: Experian’s EVA: A financial agent handling personal credit data at scale Intel’s 2,500+ AI use cases tracked through finance-validated buckets MillsChat at General Mills: Securing and scaling enterprise AI tools AI training compressing certification time from 12 months to weeks Future of AI agents as full digital coworkers across B2B and B2C

“The genie is out of the bottle” In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, co-CEOs of Forum3 and co-authors of AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand. Adam is a former co-CEO of J.Crew and Starbucks Chief Digital Officer, while Andy is a longtime entrepreneur, VC, and former advisor to Satya Nadella at Microsoft. Together, they’re helping executives and brands navigate the unprecedented opportunities and risks of generative AI. They discuss lessons from their book, including their conversations with thought leaders like Sam Altman and Bill Gates, the imperative of becoming an AI-first company, and why future-proofing requires both agility and principled leadership. Adam and Andy also share practical advice on building an “AI council,” experimenting at all levels, and keeping pace with a technology that’s reshaping work, society, and competition. Key insights from this episode: Why AGI could arrive within 3 – 5 years and what it means for your business How to build an AI-first culture, starting with leadership Lessons from Moderna’s AI adoption playbook The importance of balancing innovation, security, and ethics How generative AI can act as a “co-founder” and personal productivity multiplier