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

How can AI be designed from the customer back and not the model forward? Hari Gopalkrishnan, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Bank of America, joins Peter High to share how one of the world’s largest financial institutions grounds its AI strategy in user behavior. From developing Erica to enabling employees with tools like Ask Merrill, Hari explains why every AI solution must begin with real customer or employee friction. Key topics include: The evolution of Erica from NLP to large language models How to avoid the trap of “shiny object” AI Bank of America’s 3-tier AI architecture: productivity, personas, and platforms Why dismantling old workflows is the prerequisite to automation Training 200,000+ employees in AI through “The Academy”

Doug Schmitt, President of Dell Technologies Services and CIO of Dell, dives into the impressive transformation of 800 AI initiatives into four scalable platforms that drive efficiency across coding, service, supply chain, and sales. He emphasizes viewing AI as both a tech and business model disruptor. Doug also discusses Dell's 'customer zero' strategy for rapid testing, agentic AI's potential to streamline operations, and the importance of a company-wide structure for implementing successful AI experiments. The future looks bright with innovations in physical AI and robotics!

What does it take to play the long game in innovation? Venture capitalist Brad Feld has spent four decades answering that question as a founder, mentor, and early-stage investor in companies like Fitbit, MakerBot, and Techstars. In this episode, Feld unpacks the enduring impact of mentorship, the logic behind his “Give First” philosophy, and how startups and enterprises alike can benefit from ecosystem thinking. Key insights include: How a childhood visit to Frito-Lay inspired a tech career What separates peer mentorship from transactional networking The origin and strategic power of Techstars’ “Give First” mantra How Feld invests in category creation (wearables, 3D printing, cloud) Why innovation requires emotional resilience and long-term relationships

Beaumont Vance, SVP of Data and AI at Paychex, discusses transforming payroll data into invaluable economic insights that benefit businesses and the U.S. economy. He highlights how Paychex monetizes data responsibly and emphasizes the importance of statistical precision over surveys. Vance shares his experience in building an AI-ready data infrastructure and the potential of AI agents in revolutionizing knowledge management. He also explores the future of AI with augmented reality interfaces, making technology more seamless and actionable.

Saul Van Beurden, the CEO of Consumer, Small, and Business Banking at Wells Fargo, previously held CIO roles at JPMorgan Chase. He explores how his tech leadership experience prepared him for his current role, emphasizing the importance of translating technology into enterprise-wide strategy. Topics include leveraging AI for operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences post-pandemic, and implementing neurodiversity hiring, which boosts productivity while fostering an inclusive workplace. Saul also shares insights on continuous learning and future tech innovations.

Anil Bhatt, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Norfolk Southern, discusses the freight rail giant's innovative approach to AI and data strategy. He emphasizes a disciplined, ROI-driven methodology for deploying AI, ensuring it delivers real value in operations. Anil outlines the company's '3 As' framework for effective data governance and explores how AI enhances safety and resilience. He also shares insights on integrating transportation networks for seamless logistics and reflects on the exciting trends reshaping the industry.

Ramon Richards, Chief Technology Officer at T. Rowe Price, drives innovation in AI while managing risks. He discusses strategies for scaling AI responsibly, including the creation of AI Labs and launching "ChatTRP" for organization-wide access. Ramon emphasizes the importance of data readiness and cloud architecture for generative AI. He also highlights the need for upskilling talent in AI literacy and change management, and explores future trends like agentic AI, all while ensuring a culture of trust and productivity in AI implementations.

How can venture investors consistently identify the next breakout market? Barry Eggers, Founding Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, reveals the firm’s thesis-driven approach to venture capital of using early “learning investments” to test conviction, then scaling fast into emerging markets before the crowd arrives. In this episode, Barry shares insights from Lightspeed’s foundational bets in enterprise tech, Snap’s billion-dollar rise, and how the firm built multi-company portfolios around early themes like flash storage and analytics. Key highlights include: Lightspeed’s strategy for placing early bets to gain market insight The story behind the firm’s $500K Snap investment and $1B+ return Why EQ matters more than technical depth in founder partnerships How globalization and secondaries have reshaped venture economics What it takes to defend against competition in the AI era

What if your innovation team operated more like a venture fund than a lab? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Andres Vazquez, Chief Digital Intelligence Officer of América Móvil, about how he leads open innovation at scale, evaluating thousands of companies a year to drive customer value, operational efficiency, and revenue. Key topics explored include: How Andrés acts as a “VC without capital” inside a $46B telecom Why América Móvil avoids trendy tech experiments without clear ROI Three strategic filters for external innovation: revenue, efficiency, and CX The company’s infrastructure advantage in the AI age Lessons from building a telco empire alongside Carlos Slim

Is your infrastructure ready to flex? In this episode of Technovation, Manish Kumar, EVP of Digital Energy at Schneider Electric, explains how buildings can become interactive energy assets with the help of AI, real-time data, and distributed energy systems. He shares the strategy behind Schneider’s Energy Command Center model, which reduced energy use by 25 GWh across 23 buildings, and outlines how AI can be deployed both locally and enterprise-wide to drive sustainability and efficiency. Key highlights from this conversation: Why net-zero infrastructure is already feasible today How buildings can interface directly with the grid The role of AI in building comfort, performance, and resiliency Examples of command centers transforming energy operations Public-private collaboration opportunities through transparency