
What Next?
"What Next?" explores the evolving landscape of business, leadership, advertising, and the future of work. Hosted by Rishad Tobaccowala, the podcast dives into how globalization, technology, and demographic shifts reshape how we create, consume, and communicate. Rishad Tobaccowala engages with CEOs, creative leaders, and visionaries to discuss innovative strategies, technology’s impact on media, and leadership challenges in the future of work. Hear unique insights from academics, futurists, and media innovators on navigating today’s business world.
Latest episodes

Nov 2, 2024 • 46min
The Autonomy of Micro Media
Brian Morrissey, founder of Rebooting and former president of Digiday Media, dives into the evolution of sustainable media. He discusses the shift from mass media to micro media, emphasizing individual creativity and niche expertise. Morrissey highlights how AI will complement human talent rather than replace it, and explains the rise of independent work post-pandemic, advocating for a new perspective on entrepreneurship. He also underscores the importance of personal branding and adaptability in today's changing job landscape.

Oct 26, 2024 • 35min
AI and the New Age of Reason
Itamar Friedman, CEO of Qodo on the evolution of AI in software development, and the changing philosophy of AI. The former director of Machine Vision, which was bought out by Alibaba, established Codium AI before ChatGPT, predicts a future in which increasingly AI will think like humans, and argues that System 2 Thinking could even improve human reasoning. He gives us an insight into many of the tools that his own company is creating, and explains that jobs for developers will grow rather than fall victim to AI. The need for coders and software engineers, he says, will increase, but their jobs will expand and operate at a higher level.
#Business #Leadership #AI #SoftwareEngineer

Oct 19, 2024 • 38min
A Fraction of The Workplace
James Vanreusel, founder and CEO of Vanreusel Ventures, brings over 25 years of finance experience to the conversation. He dives into the benefits of fractional staffing, exploring the roles of interim CFOs and international contractors. James also shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing the workplace, pushing leaders toward continuous learning. He discusses integrating for-profit approaches into nonprofits for better sustainability and emphasizes the importance of blending talent with technology for effective business solutions.

Oct 12, 2024 • 41min
The Species of AI
Greg Kahn, CEO of GK Digital Ventures, and Shiv Singh, the author of Marketing with AI for dummies and Chief Marketing Officer at C3 AI on the transformative impact of AI and to its potential to revolutionize the industry. They argue that AI is a technological shift as life-changing as the internet and mobile phones, sparking existential questions about the future of work itself such as who and what to trust. But they stress the importance of companies to be pragmatically enthusiastic, to embrace openness to change, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives in navigating the AI landscape, enabling technology to give birth to more job opportunities than ever before.
#AI #Business #advertising #media #FutureofWork

Oct 5, 2024 • 37min
How AI + Psychometrics is Transforming the Future of Work
Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence, shares insights on how AI transforms HR tech with innovative psychometric tools. Companies like Accenture use his software for quick assessments enhancing collaboration and training. He discusses how customization in communication boosts team dynamics and counters skepticism about AI's role in HR. Juan emphasizes the value of human intuition amidst AI's rise and explores new job roles that enrich human work. The conversation highlights the balance between technology and genuine human connection in today’s workplaces.

Sep 21, 2024 • 41min
The Changing of the Guard in Media
Brian Wieser, a principal and CFA at Madison and Wall, shares insights from his extensive background in media and advertising. He discusses the decline of traditional media planning as brands shift towards platform-centric approaches. Wieser highlights the growing importance of talent and trust in an age dominated by performance metrics and AI. He also addresses the challenges traditional media companies face in adapting to a digital landscape and the delicate balance between immediate results and long-term brand integrity.

Sep 7, 2024 • 33min
The Apprentice
Nichola Hay, MBE, Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Policy at BPP, the United Kingdom's largest apprenticeship training provider, discusses the evolution of apprenticeships in the UK. After 20 years of helping British businesses attract new talent and upskill employees across their organizations, Nichola is at the forefront of thought leadership and guidance on the challenges and opportunities in the UK's apprenticeship market, for which she was recognized in the Queen's New Year’s Honours List of 2021.
She argues that we need to review the examples of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, countries leading the way in vocational early talent programmes for young people. She also looks at England showcasing apprenticeship programmes for all ages and levels, which retrain the existing workforce while increasing diversity in these transitional times of digitization, AI, aging populations and declining populations.
#Apprentice #Business #UK #Upskill #Academic

Aug 24, 2024 • 38min
AI and Cyber Security: The Cat and Mouse Game of the 21st Century
Bobi Gilburd, Chief Innovation Officer at Team8, a leading Venture-Creation and Venture-Capital firm in Tel Aviv, on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the unique ecosystem of Israeli tech innovation. After 27 years’ experience in the IDF's elite cyber intelligence unit leading its research and cloud divisions, Bobi won the Israel Defence Prize for his cyber security contributions. He believes that AI is both a tool and a target in cybersecurity, that we're moving into a world today where technology is going to become the key differentiator in business. And it may even replace human creativity and innovation.
#Business #Advertising #AI #cybersecurity

Aug 17, 2024 • 49min
The Asia Effect
Ken Mandel, regional Managing Director of Grab Ads and brand insights at Grab on the huge potential of digital advertising in Asia. After building XM Asia Pacific into a top digital consultancy, establishing Yahoo's advertising products in Asia and launching Buddy Media in the region which was then acquired by Salesforce, he believes that the future is Asian. He argues that the rise of the super app, the cashless society and the massive growth of the digital economy there shows that the rest of the world needs to urgently understand the Asian market
#DigitalAdveritising #Advertising #Media #Digital

6 snips
Aug 3, 2024 • 42min
The Origin Story in the Age of AI
Scott Monty, an executive coach known for his values-based leadership, dives into the intersection of human qualities and AI. He discusses the importance of character traits like generosity and empathy in leadership, especially in an tech-driven world. Monty shares his unconventional journey from aspiring pediatrician to a social media strategist, emphasizing adaptive leadership. He highlights how personal storytelling fosters emotional connections, advocating for authentic leadership that complements AI's capabilities while preserving our humanity.