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

What happens when the CIO responsible for powering AI also has to manage its energy demands? Richard Donaldson, SVP & CIO of Duke Energy, joins Technovation to discuss the unique position utilities now face: supporting exponential growth in data center power needs while simultaneously using AI to optimize grid performance, customer experience, and internal operations. In this episode, Richard and Peter explore: The intersection of AI and national energy infrastructure How one data center can require as much power as a nuclear reactor Strategies for responsible AI rollout and internal enablement Customer journey innovation in a highly regulated industry Why the utility CIO role is now central to digital transformation

Kirk Ball, a seasoned technology executive and the CIO of Worldpay, shares insights into building a high-performing IT organization during a carve-out. He discusses tripling the IT team while navigating a shift from IPO to M&A, emphasizing the importance of transparency and inclusion in tech culture. Kirk highlights the role of AI in enhancing productivity and his strategies for cloud adoption. He also touches on the significance of planning for integration with Global Payments and the potential of quantum computing in the future.

John Chambers, the former CEO of Cisco and now founder of JC2 Ventures, shares insights on why AI is advancing five times faster than the internet. He discusses the urgency for leaders to embrace AI or risk being left behind, noting that 60-70% of Fortune 500 companies could vanish without adaptation. Chambers reveals how La Poste retrained 220,000 workers and emphasizes the importance of M&A in AI strategies. He highlights the U.S.-India innovation corridor and stresses that cybersecurity must evolve with AI to combat emerging threats like deepfakes.

Kathleen Peters, Chief Innovation Officer at Experian, oversees product strategy and innovation in identity verification and fraud detection. In this discussion, she explores Experian's shift from being a data company to a tech innovator. Topics include scaling generative and agentic AI, the new Experian Assistant leveraging natural-language modeling, and cutting-edge behavioral analytics to fight fraud. Kathleen also delves into the complexities of agentic commerce risks and the exciting potential of quantum computing in their Innovation Labs.

Maria Demaree, Lockheed Martin's Senior Vice President and CIO, drives a major digital and cultural transformation within the aerospace giant. She discusses the OneLMX initiative, which unifies 122,000 employees under a mission-focused digital strategy. Maria delves into the integration of AI and quantum computing to enhance national security operations and shares insights on balancing legacy systems with innovation. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and urgency in digital transformation, highlighting the cultural shift towards a common employee experience.

Joe Inzerillo, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Salesforce, shares insights from his extensive background, including his role as former CTO of Disney Streaming Services. He discusses the transformative potential of agentic AI in reshaping work dynamics and enhancing customer engagement. Joe elaborates on the 'Customer Zero' approach for internal learning, advocates for empathy as a key trait in AI leadership, and emphasizes redesigning roles around AI strengths. His perspective offers a forward-looking view on navigating technology in the enterprise landscape.

Dr. Kelly Fletcher, Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of State, leads secure technology initiatives for 100,000 users across the globe. She discusses the vital role of operational excellence and cybersecurity, especially in response to recent hacks. AI tools like StateChat and DocuChat are transforming diplomatic workflows by reducing manual tasks. Kelly also highlights the importance of low-earth orbit satellite communications for connectivity and shares her insights on fostering experimentation and collaboration across agencies.

In this conversation, Marina Levinson, an experienced former CIO and now a venture investor with Benamu Global Ventures, shares her fascinating journey across tech and investment realms. She discusses the importance of building bridges between enterprise executives and startups and emphasizes CIOs' role in innovation. Marina highlights BGV's focus on vertical AI investments and shares valuable lessons learned from companies like AiDASH. Additionally, she offers insights on product-market fit, board leadership advice, and even her passion for winemaking.

Nancy Avila, the Chief Information Officer of Analog Devices, lends her expertise in driving IT and AI strategy within the semiconductor industry. She shares her compelling three-pillar strategy for IT transformation, focusing on operational excellence, process optimization, and innovation. Nancy discusses the shift from traditional machine learning to agentic AI, which enhances engineering productivity and manufacturing anomaly detection. With insights on transparent decision-making and the future of quantum computing and humanoid robotics, her vision for technology is both forward-thinking and inspiring.

1013: Wyndham’s Scott Strickland on AI, loyalty, and how digital innovation is reshaping hospitality. In this episode of Technovation, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Chief Commercial Officer and longtime CIO Scott Strickland joins Peter High to share how Wyndham is redefining hospitality with digital innovation, from its owner-first philosophy and the new Wyndham Gateway loyalty initiative to the creation of a guest engagement platform that powers mobile check-in, digital tipping, and personalized upsells; Strickland also discusses Wyndham’s $350M technology modernization journey, how it prepared the company for AI adoption, the role of data and personalization in shaping future guest experiences, the impact of user-generated content and micro-influencers, and practical leadership lessons for CIOs aiming to expand into broader commercial roles, proving that in hospitality, where there’s a Wyndham, there’s a way.