The AI in Business Podcast

Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com since 2017, shares his expertise in e-commerce and AI-powered tools for small and medium-sized businesses. He highlights how SMBs face numerous challenges in global sourcing, such as language barriers and compliance issues. Zhang details Alibaba's agentic AI system, Axio, which transforms sourcing from months to mere hours. He emphasizes a strategic approach to AI adoption, enabling organizations of any size to enhance their procurement processes and drive efficiency in their global trade efforts.

Anthony Mikulaschek, Vice President of Commercial Strategy at IQVIA Technologies, brings over 30 years of expertise in clinical trial technology. He discusses the evolution of electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOAs) and their critical role in oncology. Mikulaschek highlights how AI enables real-time patient data capture, easing burdens for both patients and clinicians. He also delves into the importance of cultural and linguistic nuances in global trials and how compliance automation accelerates research, ultimately enhancing patient experiences.

Pavlé Sabic, Senior Director of Generative AI Solutions at Moody's, dives into how agentic AI is transformation financial workflows. He discusses how large enterprises tackle issues like fragmented data and manual inefficiencies through AI automation. Pavlé highlights impressive tools for credit memo automation that cut production time by 60%, and techniques for early risk detection in portfolio monitoring. He emphasizes the strategic edge of proprietary data in finance and the critical need for human oversight in AI implementation.

Yunke Xiang, the Global Head of Data Science for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality at Sanofi, discusses the transformative power of AI in pharmaceutical operations. He highlights how generative AI is improving data access and automating regulatory tasks. Yunke emphasizes the crucial need for human oversight as AI moves from simple tools to more autonomous agents. He also explores the evolving role of management in guiding teams that include both humans and AI, navigating the complexities of this new landscape.

Abhii Parakh, VP and Head of Customer Experience at Prudential Financial, discusses the transformative role of AI in enhancing customer interactions and streamlining processes. He addresses the balance between AI efficiency and human empathy, highlighting the regulatory challenges in the financial sector. The conversation also delves into strategies for successful AI integration, emphasizing the collaboration needed between tech and data teams. Listeners gain insights on how to adopt AI responsibly while improving employee and customer outcomes in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Shane Wiggins, Director of Product at OneTrust, dives into the pressing need for effective governance in AI adoption, especially in financial services. He discusses how traditional models fail to handle unstructured data and the importance of seamless oversight. Wiggins highlights strategies for aligning compliance with innovation, including embracing self-service governance and adapting to regulatory changes. He also shares insights on enhancing transparency to build client trust, stressing that governance done right can accelerate time to market and provide a competitive edge.

Dale Skeen, CTO and Co-founder of Vitria Technology, dives into the transformative power of AI in banking IT operations. He discusses how many banks still rely on outdated reactive systems, risking regulatory and reputational fallout. Skeen explains how AI and knowledge graphs enhance predictive capabilities and automate incident resolutions, ultimately reducing system downtime. He emphasizes building trust in AI applications and shares strategies for financial leaders to evolve towards autonomous, self-healing systems.

Jason Hardy, Chief Technology Officer of AI at Hitachi Vantara, brings decades of expertise in sustainable AI infrastructure. He dives into the critical balance between compute demands and sustainability goals as businesses scale AI initiatives. Hardy discusses common misconceptions about AI implementation and the need for a strategic approach to hybrid cloud solutions. He emphasizes lessons learned from failed AI pilots, stressing the importance of data quality and robust infrastructure for long-term success. Prepare to rethink your AI strategy!

Norma Scagnoli, Chief Learning and Innovation Officer at the Illinois Institute of Technology, shares her expertise in scaling online education. She discusses the challenges of integrating Massive Open Online Courses into traditional programs and emphasizes the importance of social presence in online learning. Scagnoli explores how enterprises can partner with universities and leverage AI for personalized workforce training. She also highlights cultural barriers in education and the need for effective governance to support a diverse student demographic.

Henrique Wakil Moyses, Vice President of Data Science at Crisp, dives into the tangled world of consumer goods data. He discusses how brands can tackle fragmented data to improve decision-making in retail. Overcoming cultural resistance to data-driven strategies is essential. AI's role in providing real-time insights is transformative, optimizing inventory and enhancing customer experiences. Henrique highlights the importance of aligning AI adoption with ROI, showcasing how powerful analytics can streamline operations and cut down waste.