Redefining AI - Artificial Intelligence with Squirro

Welcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform. Today’s episode is not just another conversation—it’s episode eight.In this episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Matthew Theurer, a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and now co-founder and CEO of Hyperspectral.ai. With over 30 years of experience across government and industry—from pioneering work at the NIH to leading the $1.2B acquisition of Virtustream—Matthew is no stranger to building companies that redefine what’s possible.This episode explores:🌈 What hyperspectral imaging actually is—and how it enables machines to “see the unseen”🦠 Why AI powered by physics is detecting foodborne illness, pathogens, and even antimicrobial resistance📡 How multimodal AI (beyond text and vision) is becoming the next critical leap⚖️ The balance between scientific rigor and ethical responsibility in AI design🧭 And what’s still missing in the way we educate future AI leadersWhether you're in tech, health, defense, or just curious about what the next wave of AI truly looks like—this episode is for you. It’s a rare glimpse into a domain where raw sensor data, deep science, and practical AI intersect.👉 If you're not already following Redefining AI, now is the time. Hit subscribe to be the first to hear future spotlight episodes, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations with those shaping the future of artificial intelligence.This isn’t about AI hype—it’s about AI with purpose.🎧 Listen now and redefine what you think is possible.#techpodcast #laurenhawkerzafer #ai #spotify #appleHyperSpectral, the world’s first AI-powered spectral intelligence company with hardware-agnostic solutions for particle detection, has been named a Gold Winner in the 2025 Globee® Awards, taking home the top honor in the Disruptive Startup of the Year category for its breakthrough platform SpecAI™.  “Winning this Globee® reinforces what our investors and partners already know: SpecAI™ is changing the way we detect and respond to threats,” said Matthew Theurer, CEO and co-founder of HyperSpectral. “We’ve built the infrastructure for smarter, faster and more resilient diagnostics.” SpecAI™ is ushering in a new era of spectral intelligence, combining multimodal spectroscopic imaging with composit AI to deliver real-time, lab-accurate analysis of pathogens, materials and contaminants faster than traditional testing. Its hardware-agnostic, AI-driven design allows seamless integration across industries, including, healthcare, food safety and defense.  HyperSpectral is actively collaborating with the Safe Food Alliance, DARPA, Stanford, MIT and Case Western to refine and scale the SpecAI™ platform. Earlier this year, HyperSpectral also received the prestigious SPIE Prism Award for Best Software, further validating SpecAI™ position as a category-defining solution in spectral intelligence.  

Spotlight Episode: Matthew Theurer on Hyperspectral AI, Physics-Driven Intelligence & the Future of Multimodal TechWelcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform. Today’s episode is not just another conversation—it’s the spotlight of episode eight.In this episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Matthew Theurer, a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and now co-founder and CEO of Hyperspectral.ai. With over 30 years of experience across government and industry—from pioneering work at the NIH to leading the $1.2B acquisition of Virtustream—Matthew is no stranger to building companies that redefine what’s possible.This spotlight episode explores:🌈 What hyperspectral imaging actually is—and how it enables machines to “see the unseen”🦠 Why AI powered by physics is detecting foodborne illness, pathogens, and even antimicrobial resistance📡 How multimodal AI (beyond text and vision) is becoming the next critical leap⚖️ The balance between scientific rigor and ethical responsibility in AI design🧭 And what’s still missing in the way we educate future AI leadersWhether you're in tech, health, defense, or just curious about what the next wave of AI truly looks like—this episode is for you. It’s a rare glimpse into a domain where raw sensor data, deep science, and practical AI intersect.👉 If you're not already following Redefining AI, now is the time. Hit subscribe to be the first to hear future spotlight episodes, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations with those shaping the future of artificial intelligence.This isn’t about AI hype—it’s about AI with purpose.🎧 Listen now and redefine what you think is possible.#techpodcast #laurenhawkerzafer #ai #spotify #apple

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024 Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher.For over 20 years, behavioral scientist ⁠Dr. Ja-Naé Duane⁠ dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain. Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae is helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale.Over the years, her work has caught the attention of The Associated Press, NPR, The Boston Globe, and BusinessWeek. Ja-Nae holds degrees from Brown University, I.E. Business School, Northeastern University, Carnegie University, Bentley University, and Boston University. Ja-Nae is a member of the Loomis Council at the Stimson Center, collaborator with the National Institute of Health, and holds appointments at Brown University and MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research. ⁠Steven Fisher⁠ is a visionary futurist, innovation leader, and design strategist with over 30 years of experience driving transformational change. Passionate about reimagining business models, he leverages cutting-edge advancements—especially Generative AI—to empower organizations across industries to navigate complexity and seize future opportunities. As a leader in foresight and innovation, Steven has consistently spearheaded high-impact initiatives at renowned organizations. At McKinsey & Company, he co-founded the Futures Practice, integrating strategic foresight and speculative design to help businesses anticipate and adapt to an uncertain future. At FTI Consulting, he led the adoption of Generative AI for business model transformation, pioneering new AI-driven solutions that delivered measurable impact across industries.Beyond corporate leadership, Steven is the Managing Partner of Revolution Factory, a global innovation firm that fosters cutting-edge solutions through AI, strategic foresight, and design thinking. He also serves as Chief Futurist at the Human Frontier Institute (HFI), where he explores emerging trends, conducts research on future-oriented challenges, and mentors leaders in strategic foresight.A prolific thought leader and author, Steven co-authored the best-selling The Startup Equation (McGraw Hill, 2016) and is currently developing two new books—SuperShifts (2025) and Designing the Future (2026)—which delve into the future of business, technology, and human adaptation. He shares his insights through keynotes, industry publications, and his podcasts—the Think Forward Show and Off World Podcast—which explore the intersection of innovation, AI, and humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.Committed to democratizing futures thinking, Steven believes that understanding human history and patterns of change is essential to building resilient, future-ready organizations. His expertise in Generative AI, strategic foresight, and design-led innovation enables him to help organizations anticipate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence.Follow and subscribe to Redefining AI to join us in the full episode!#ai #redefiningai #spotify #techpodcast

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024 Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher.For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain. Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae is helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale.Over the years, her work has caught the attention of The Associated Press, NPR, The Boston Globe, and BusinessWeek. Ja-Nae holds degrees from Brown University, I.E. Business School, Northeastern University, Carnegie University, Bentley University, and Boston University. Ja-Nae is a member of the Loomis Council at the Stimson Center, collaborator with the National Institute of Health, and holds appointments at Brown University and MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research. Steven Fisher is a visionary futurist, innovation leader, and design strategist with over 30 years of experience driving transformational change. Passionate about reimagining business models, he leverages cutting-edge advancements—especially Generative AI—to empower organizations across industries to navigate complexity and seize future opportunities. As a leader in foresight and innovation, Steven has consistently spearheaded high-impact initiatives at renowned organizations. At McKinsey & Company, he co-founded the Futures Practice, integrating strategic foresight and speculative design to help businesses anticipate and adapt to an uncertain future. At FTI Consulting, he led the adoption of Generative AI for business model transformation, pioneering new AI-driven solutions that delivered measurable impact across industries.Beyond corporate leadership, Steven is the Managing Partner of Revolution Factory, a global innovation firm that fosters cutting-edge solutions through AI, strategic foresight, and design thinking. He also serves as Chief Futurist at the Human Frontier Institute (HFI), where he explores emerging trends, conducts research on future-oriented challenges, and mentors leaders in strategic foresight.A prolific thought leader and author, Steven co-authored the best-selling The Startup Equation (McGraw Hill, 2016) and is currently developing two new books—SuperShifts (2025) and Designing the Future (2026)—which delve into the future of business, technology, and human adaptation. He shares his insights through keynotes, industry publications, and his podcasts—the Think Forward Show and Off World Podcast—which explore the intersection of innovation, AI, and humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.Committed to democratizing futures thinking, Steven believes that understanding human history and patterns of change is essential to building resilient, future-ready organizations. His expertise in Generative AI, strategic foresight, and design-led innovation enables him to help organizations anticipate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence.Follow and subscribe to Redefining AI to join us in the full episode!#ai #redefiningai #spotify #techpodcast

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Jenny Fielding: investor, founder, operator, professor, and author of Venture Everywhere.With a career that spans over 300 startup investments, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech disruptors like Alloy, Particle Health, and Pair Eyewear, Jenny offers rare insights into the future of AI startups, founder-first investing, and the changing landscape of early-stage tech innovation.Together, they explore:What separates AI hype from real-world investable opportunitiesHow to build ethical, responsible AI startupsThe rise of founder-market fit in the age of GenAI toolsNavigating trust, regulation, and scale in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and educationHow Gen Z entrepreneurs are rethinking AI and purposeWhat it truly takes to build a scalable and meaningful AI companyJenny also shares lessons from Columbia and Cornell Tech, her thoughts on democratizing entrepreneurship globally, and why her book Venture Everywhere is a call to action for responsible innovation.Whether you're a tech founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of AI entrepreneurship, this conversation offers clarity, candor, and bold ideas for building what matters.🎧 Tune in now and explore how AI, venture capital, and human-centric design are redefining the next wave of innovation.#AI #Startup #TechPodcast #GenerativeAI #VentureCapital #EarlyStageStartups #FounderStories #EthicalAI #JennyFielding #Squirro #RedefiningAI #VentureEverywhere #Fintech #Healthtech #Edtech #Entrepreneurship #HumanCentricAI

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Jenny Fielding: investor, founder, operator, professor, and author of Venture Everywhere.With a career that spans over 300 startup investments, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech disruptors like Alloy, Particle Health, and Pair Eyewear, Jenny offers rare insights into the future of AI startups, founder-first investing, and the changing landscape of early-stage tech innovation.Together, we explore:What separates AI hype from real-world investable opportunitiesHow to build ethical, responsible AI startupsThe rise of founder-market fit in the age of GenAI toolsNavigating trust, regulation, and scale in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and educationHow Gen Z entrepreneurs are rethinking AI and purposeWhat it truly takes to build a scalable and meaningful AI companyJenny also shares lessons from Columbia and Cornell Tech, her thoughts on democratizing entrepreneurship globally, and why her book Venture Everywhere is a call to action for responsible innovation.Whether you're a tech founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of AI entrepreneurship, this conversation offers clarity, candor, and bold ideas for building what matters.🎧 Tune in now and explore how AI, venture capital, and human-centric design are redefining the next wave of innovation.#AI #Startup #TechPodcast #GenerativeAI #VentureCapital #EarlyStageStartups #FounderStories #EthicalAI #JennyFielding #Squirro #RedefiningAI #VentureEverywhere #Fintech #Healthtech #Edtech #Entrepreneurship #HumanCentricAI

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Serena Huang—renowned Chief Data Officer, Fortune 100 AI consultant, and author of The Inclusion Equation. Together, they explore how data and AI are transforming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and employee wellbeing across industries.Dr. Huang shares groundbreaking insights on how to use AI to quantify inclusion, foster psychological safety, and drive measurable ROI in DEI initiatives. From ethical data use to mental health innovation, this conversation tackles the powerful intersection of human values and machine intelligence.🎧 Tune in to discover:How AI can advance rather than threaten DEIStrategies to promote inclusive workplace cultures with dataWhy human skills like empathy and creativity are rising in valueThe future of work through the lens of employee wellbeing and AI ethicsWhether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or AI enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of ethical AI and people-first innovation.#AIforGood #InclusionEquation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWellbeing #DEI #GenerativeAI #TechForGood #RedefiningAI #WorkplaceWellbeing #AIethics

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Serena Huang—renowned Chief Data Officer, Fortune 100 AI consultant, and author of The Inclusion Equation. Together, they explore how data and AI are transforming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and employee wellbeing across industries.Dr. Huang shares groundbreaking insights on how to use AI to quantify inclusion, foster psychological safety, and drive measurable ROI in DEI initiatives. From ethical data use to mental health innovation, this conversation tackles the powerful intersection of human values and machine intelligence.🎧 Tune in to discover:How AI can advance rather than threaten DEIStrategies to promote inclusive workplace cultures with dataWhy human skills like empathy and creativity are rising in valueThe future of work through the lens of employee wellbeing and AI ethicsWhether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or AI enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of ethical AI and people-first innovation.#AIforGood #InclusionEquation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWellbeing #DEI #GenerativeAI #TechForGood #RedefiningAI #WorkplaceWellbeing #AIethics

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying season four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.Episode Four, dives deep into a conversation around: the transformative force of AI and if it can elevate human creativity and leadership rather than replace it?Host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Faisal Hoque—entrepreneur, best-selling author, and globally recognized thought leader. His upcoming book, Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI, explores how AI can drive innovation, ethical leadership, and sustainable business growth.In the upcoming episode, you will learn about:- The OPEN framework for unlocking AI’s full potential- The CARE framework for mitigating AI risks- 7 critical thinking skills every business leader needs in an AI-powered world- How AI enhances creativity and fuels innovation- The future of ethical AI leadership📢 If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or AI enthusiast looking to stay ahead in the AI revolution, episode four is a must-listen!🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #Innovation #Podcast #Entrepreneurship

After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.Spotlight Four, dives deep into a conversation around: the transformative force of AI and if it can elevate human creativity and leadership rather than replace it?Host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Faisal Hoque—entrepreneur, best-selling author, and globally recognized thought leader. His upcoming book, Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI, explores how AI can drive innovation, ethical leadership, and sustainable business growth.In the upcoming episode, you will learn about:- The OPEN framework for unlocking AI’s full potential- The CARE framework for mitigating AI risks- 7 critical thinking skills every business leader needs in an AI-powered world- How AI enhances creativity and fuels innovation- The future of ethical AI leadership📢 If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or AI enthusiast looking to stay ahead in the AI revolution, episode four is a must-listen!🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #Innovation #Podcast #Entrepreneurship