The AI in Business Podcast

Rob DeSantis, CEO and co-founder of Arkestro with a rich background in procurement technology, shares insights on AI's transformative power in procurement. He discusses the disconnect between finance and procurement goals, emphasizing the need for collaboration to adopt AI effectively. Rob reveals how AI simplifies complex data, yielding 20-30% savings, and fosters transparency, improving supplier relationships. He also highlights the importance of C-level leadership in overcoming risk-averse cultures to scale AI adoption successfully.

Benjamin Ninio, Principal in Strategy at Deloitte, shares his expertise in AI-driven scientific discovery. He discusses how language serves as a unifying framework across various R&D sectors like pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Ninio highlights the innovative role of large language models in reducing the need for heavy computation, facilitating the discovery of new insights. He also addresses the challenges of AI predictions, emphasizing the importance of validation and data quality while projecting an exciting future for AI in research.

Steve Taczala, VP of Service Operations at Impact Networking, shares insights on reducing ticket noise in managed service provider (MSP) operations. With a wealth of experience in IT workflows, he discusses the detrimental effects of non-actionable alerts and quantifies ticket noise impact. Taczala emphasizes the importance of staging platform migrations and aligning capabilities before implementing AI. He also highlights essential metrics to prove AI's value and reassures that AI can enhance, rather than replace, jobs in the tech sector.

Sunitha Rao, SVP and General Manager for Hybrid Cloud Business at Hitachi Vantara, shares her expertise in modernizing data infrastructure for AI. She discusses the challenges of explosive data growth and emphasizes the importance of data quality over sheer volume. Sunitha explains how to prevent model degradation through effective monitoring and service-level objectives, while also advocating for energy-efficient data management. She provides actionable insights for aligning IT investments with sustainability goals, helping enterprises scale their AI initiatives responsibly.

Padma Hari, Chief Digital Officer at Nestlé Purina, has over 20 years of experience in digital strategy. In this discussion, she shares insights on how COVID transformed consumer goods demand and the essential shift toward synchronized planning. Padma emphasizes redesigning processes before technology implementation and the need to harmonize goals across functions to reduce operational friction. She advocates for the use of agentic AI as a force multiplier, enabling better decision support by synthesizing diverse data sources. Practical takeaways for leaders are also highlighted.

Kevin Ahlstrom, Associate General Counsel in Patents at Meta, shares his insights on leveraging AI for patent strategy. He discusses how AI can streamline mundane review tasks and optimize legal workflows, significantly reducing time spent on portfolio analysis. Ahlstrom highlights innovative tools that prioritize patents in minutes rather than days. He emphasizes the importance of AI responsibility and encourages lawyers to adapt their skill sets towards strategic roles as AI transforms legal support.

Naveen Kumar, Director of Financial Crimes at Walmart, discusses the transformative power of AI in retail. He reveals how video and sensor analytics are pivotal for real-time fraud detection and operational safety. By integrating diverse data sources, businesses can enhance compliance and boost employee protection. Kumar also highlights the innovative use of visual data in connecting point-of-sale activities with surveillance to prevent loss. His insights on cross-functional collaboration emphasize breaking down silos to foster more effective risk management.

Shandon Quinn, Vice President of Patent Intelligence at Clarivate, shares insights on the transformative role of AI in patent strategy. He discusses how AI-driven workflows enhance decision-making and streamline patent reviews, reducing timelines from weeks to mere minutes. Shandon explains the shift towards predictive analytics and benchmarking for improved portfolio management, turning IP teams into revenue drivers instead of cost centers. Key takeaways include the importance of integrating IP into strategic leadership and the decision-making process for adopting AI tools.

Faithe Toomy is the Director of Voice of the Customer and Insights at Insulet, a leader in wearable diabetes care technology. She explores how AI enhances call center operations while ensuring compliance and customer trust. Faithe shares insights on training agents to navigate AI's complexities, emphasizing conversational analytics for better outcomes. She also discusses the importance of maintaining human connections amid technological changes and offers practical tips for fostering agent confidence and engagement.

Stuart Russell, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at UC Berkeley and AI safety advocate, dives into the pressing risks of AGI development. He highlights the urgency of creating responsible governance to prevent catastrophic outcomes. Russell discusses the corporate race towards AGI and its dangers, the potential for self-improvement of AI, and the importance of safety regulations. He also explores the necessity of international cooperation and the role of public awareness in shaping policy. His perspectives emphasize both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for humanity.