AI Rising Podcast

In this episode, we unpack the evolving landscape of generative AI — from the delay of GPT-5 and the release of OpenAI’s O3 and O4 Mini models to the explosive rise of Chinese innovations like DeepSeek and Mistral. We dig into why calling GPT-5 the 'holy grail' of AI is a flawed narrative, and how the global AI race is being reshaped by open-weight models, MoE (Mixture of Experts) architectures, and aggressive Chinese strategies.We also explore the growing buzz around 'white coding' — where non-programmers use AI to generate code — and the infrastructure shocks that follow. Why are API bills skyrocketing? What happens when blindly deployed AI code meets real-world production? From misleading claims to misunderstood models, we break it all down.Tune in as we question hype, bust myths, and offer a grounded take on where AI is really headed.

In this episode, Leslie and Jayanth discuss how industries have evolved over the past few years, drawing parallels between shifts in tourism, remote work, and coworking spaces with the impending transformation AI will bring. They highlight how AI's impact will be more widespread, affecting almost every industry and job role.They also delve into a BCG survey on Gen Z’s adoption of generative AI, which revealed a surprising insight: despite being digital natives, Gen Z professionals are not proficient users of Gen AI in workplaces. While 80% of Indian developers recognize its productivity benefits, only 39% use it proficiently, and just 31% of Gen Z developers are proficient adopters. The discussion underscores the role of training in improving AI adoption, as proficiency jumps from 16% to 48% with five or more targeted training sessions.Tun in to know more

In this episode, hosts Jayanth and Leslie sit down with Mr. Vijay Balakrishnan, Executive Vice President - Chief Digital & Information Officer at Godrej Enterprises Group, to explore how AI and digital transformation are reshaping manufacturing, supply chain, and customer experience.From cloud-first strategies and AI-powered supply chains to intelligent call center automation, Mr. Balakrishnan shares insights on how Godrej is leveraging Gen AI, IoT, and digital twin technology to drive efficiency, enhance decision-making, and improve customer satisfaction.Tune in to understand how AI is moving beyond the hype and transforming businesses—one process at a time.

As businesses move beyond experimentation, AI agents and LLMs (Large Language Models) are driving a new era of enterprise automation. This discussion, featuring Raghav Aggarwal, Co-Founder of Fluid AI, explores how AI is evolving from knowledge-based assistance to intelligent action, transforming workflows across industries.We delve into the integration of internal enterprise data with powerful AI models like OpenAI, enabling predictive analytics, strategic decision-making, and smart automation. The conversation also breaks down the three layers of AI adoption—fully autonomous processes, human-AI collaboration, and human-led tasks—showing how enterprises are defining their automation strategies.With 2025 marking a shift from pilots to full-scale AI deployment, Raghav Aggarwal shares insights on key challenges like security, governance, and workforce adaptation. How are CXOs balancing AI’s potential with risk management? What industries are leading in AI-driven transformation? And how do agent-based AI systems bring businesses closer to true efficiency?Join us as we uncover how enterprises are leveraging AI for smarter research, seamless automation, and groundbreaking innovations.

In this episode of AI Rising, hosts Jayanth and Leslie dive deep into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, exploring India’s role in shaping the future of AI. They discuss the India AI Mission and why it urgently needs a strong leader—just like Aadhaar had Nandan Nilekani and UPI had its own champions. Can India templatize its AI strategy for the Global South, just as it did with UPI?The conversation also shifts to the debate between large language models (LLMs) vs. small language models (SLMs)—is India better off innovating with SLMs rather than competing in the costly LLM race? With compute limitations and a unique linguistic landscape, could smaller, more efficient models be India’s AI breakthrough?Jayanth and Lesli also unpack the latest Sam Altman vs. Elon Musk drama—how the valuation of OpenAI and Musk’s sharp retorts are shaping the future of AI power struggles. Meanwhile, China is making a strong comeback in computer vision, with innovations like ByteDance’s “Only Human” model and Landing AI’s agentic object detection leading the charge.With AI innovation shifting across continents, who will lead the next big breakthrough? Tune in to AI Rising for expert insights and thought-provoking discussions on the future of AI.

In this episode of AI Rising, hosts Jayanth and Leslie talk about Investors trying to assess companies like Nvidia, OpenAI, or Facebook’s LLaMA are struggling to model just how much these technologies will be used, or to what extent they themselves will be disrupted. The uncertainty is immense, and it’s clear that many AI models are still lurking in the shadows. The recent developments, like DeepSeek’s release, have stunned the world, marking a significant shift in the AI landscape. Some concerns have been raised because it has come out of China, but it’s also important to recognize the innovation China brings—look at its infrastructure, BYD, and how much of the world’s telecom networks rely on Huawei and ZTE. This is not another TikTok scenario. DeepSeek has an MIT license, which is a US-based institution, and they’ve already factored in concerns around local data hosting, ensuring compliance with sovereign data policies.

In this thought-provoking episode of AI Rising, hosts Jayanth and Leslie navigate the fast-moving currents of artificial intelligence.They begin with China’s latest AI breakthrough—a cutting-edge open-source reasoning model poised to challenge OpenAI’s dominance. What does this mean for the global AI landscape, and how might it redefine innovation in the field? The discussion then shifted to the Stargate Plan, a staggering $500 billion initiative under Trump’s vision for American AI supremacy. Will this bold move give the U.S. an unshakable edge in the AI arms race, or does it risk being another moonshot with uncertain outcomes? The host also explore the intersection of tradition and technology, uncovering how Mahakumbh 2025 is leveraging AI to transform one of the world’s largest religious gatherings into a seamless, tech-enabled experience.

Welcome to the brand new season of AI Rising. Join hosts Leslie Damonte and Jayantan Kolla as they explore how AI is reshaping our world in 2025. In this episode, we kick off the new year with a closer look at the innovations unveiled at CES, like NVIDIA’s groundbreaking robotics and AI-powered personal devices. We’ll dive into how AI is blending with human creativity, transforming industries like healthcare, workforce management, and even personal tech.

In this episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie and Jayant sit down with Jaspreet Bindra, founder of AI and Beyond, to explore the evolving AI landscape. They discuss breakthroughs like AlphaFold, the rise of localized AI models, and the ethical challenges surrounding Generative AI (GenAI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Jaspreet shares insights on enterprise adoption of GenAI, the patience required for its growth, and the emerging agentic frameworks reshaping the industry. The conversation highlights data privacy, humanistic ethics, and AI’s parallels to human creativity, including its "hallucinations." Tune in to discover how AI is transforming industries, driving innovation, and balancing progress with responsibility.

In this episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla dive deep into the rapidly evolving AI landscape. We explore OpenAI's latest funding milestone—raising over $6 billion at a staggering $150 billion valuation—and the controversies surrounding its transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure. We also discuss the exciting announcements from OpenAI, Meta, and Google regarding AI assistants with advanced voice modes and their implications for the future of human-computer interaction. Shifting gears, we analyze Ask Capital's report predicting India's digital economy to surpass $1 trillion by 2028, driven by innovations like UPI and government initiatives. Lastly, we examine the significance of India's announcement of four thematic hubs for quantum computing and its intersection with AI technologies. What role will quantum computing play in shaping AI's next frontier? Tune in to hear our take on these groundbreaking developments.