Tech Disruptors

Yasmeen Ahmad, Managing Director of Data Cloud at Google, dives into the revolutionary impact AI agents have on the database market. She discusses how databases are evolving from passive systems to active, reasoning tools that enhance AI capabilities. Ahmad highlights the shift from traditional data management towards multimodal systems. She emphasizes the importance of Google’s infrastructure in optimizing costs and ROI concerns, and shares insights on how various industries are effectively integrating Generative AI technology.

Adil Wali, Chief Product Officer of Klaviyo and former head of product at Meta FinTech, shares his insights on transforming brands' customer engagement. He discusses Klaviyo’s mission to utilize data for targeted marketing across various channels like email and SMS. Wali highlights the role of AI in personalizing e-commerce experiences and how businesses can navigate challenges in a complex digital landscape. He also reveals Klaviyo’s growth strategies and its ambition to deliver a comprehensive CRM platform to enhance customer relationships.

Prakhar Mehrotra, SVP and Global Head of AI at PayPal, discusses how AI is set to revolutionize fintech. He explains 'agentic commerce,' where AI can autonomously shop and make decisions for users. The conversation dives into boosting developer productivity, advanced fraud detection, and the future of personalization in digital commerce. Mehrotra also highlights the importance of trust frameworks and the challenges AI faces in understanding physical tasks, emphasizing the evolving role of technology in enhancing consumer experiences.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Wood, PwC's Global and U.S. commercial technology and innovation officer, shares his extensive experience from AWS, spotlighting how generative AI is revolutionizing professional services. He delves into the emergence of AI agents and their efficiency-boosting capabilities, and how organizations are navigating cloud transitions. Wood also emphasizes the importance of continuous upskilling, arguing that AI won't replace jobs but will enhance workforce abilities and drive growth in the consulting sector.

Steve Hammond, EVP at Salesforce Marketing Cloud, discusses the future of marketing technology and the impact of AI on customer engagement. He highlights the innovation of autonomous, context-aware agents that personalize marketing in real-time. The conversation delves into the integration of data across sales and service, the importance of personalized experiences, and how businesses can thrive during economic cycles by leveraging trust-centric customer data. Hammond also addresses the evolving expectations of consumers in the AI era and the necessity for adaptation.

Jeff McElfresh, the Chief Operating Officer of AT&T, shares insights on the company's aggressive strategy to dominate the US fiber market. He highlights plans to boost fiber availability to over 60 million locations by 2030, amidst a slowing wireless business. McElfresh discusses the competitive landscape of fiber and the importance of spectrum in enhancing network capabilities. He also touches on AT&T's adaptive strategies, including partnerships in satellite technology to improve broadband services and sustain customer satisfaction.

Jan Gilg, SAP's Chief Revenue Officer for the Americas, shares insights on the evolution of cloud computing and AI integration in enterprise operations. He discusses the benefits of using a suite of applications versus best-of-breed systems, emphasizing the need for harmonized data. The conversation covers challenges faced by mid-sized and large enterprises in cloud transitions, showcasing success stories from companies like Accenture. Gilg also highlights the role of orchestration in enhancing business efficiency through automation, particularly in supply chain management.

Lene Oddershede, Chief Scientific Officer for Planetary Science & Technology at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, dives into the transformative power of quantum computing. She reveals how advancements in this field could revolutionize healthcare and biotechnology, addressing challenges like achieving fault tolerance in qubits. The conversation also touches on the competitive global landscape in quantum tech, potential breakthroughs in drug discovery, and the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of this emerging technology.

Mark Mader, the President and CEO of Smartsheet, shares insights on AI’s transformative impact on work management. He discusses the shift from traditional seat-based pricing to more flexible models, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt. Mader highlights the importance of M&A and differentiating specialized AI solutions to avoid commoditization. The conversation also delves into the advantages of becoming privately owned, allowing for strategic long-term investments. Finally, they explore how AI is revolutionizing productivity and decision-making across industries.

In this engaging discussion, Trish Damkroger, Senior VP of High Performance Computing & AI at HP Enterprise, shares her extensive experience from Intel and Lawrence Livermore National Labs. She highlights HPE’s pioneering role in AI infrastructure, focusing on innovative technologies like fanless liquid cooling. Trish delves into the convergence of HPC and AI, the concept of sovereign AI and its relevance to national security, and the advantages of Slingshot technology for data centers. Her insights reveal how HPE is set to revolutionize the future of AI computing.