Today in Tech

Host Keith Shaw talks with Marci Maddox, vice president of research and content for IDC’s Tech Buyer Digital Platform, about the ways in which artificial intelligence is shaking up the IT sourcing and procurement process for large companies. With agentic AI on the way and concerns around trust, accuracy and risk, how will AI be able to prove itself as a way to improve the procurement process?

Host Keith Shaw talks with Dustin York, an adjunct professor at the University of Florida who teaches a graduate-level class called “The science of going viral”. With social media becoming more of an entertainment media, many of the rules have changed around what content becomes a hit versus a flop. The two also discuss why so many companies fail at social media branding or whether they are trying too hard on their social channels.

Host Keith Shaw talks with Mika Yamamoto, chief customer and marketing officer at Freshworks, about their latest survey of 4,000 knowledge workers. The survey said not only are workers embracing AI in their jobs, they’re demanding more from their employers and getting promotions because of the technology.Employees want more AI—and leaders are listeninghttps://www.freshworks.com/theworks/performance/freshworks-global-ai-workplace-report-2024/Two AI developer strategies: Hire engineers or let AI do the workhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/3836092/two-ai-developer-strategies-hire-engineers-or-let-ai-do-the-work.html

Host Keith Shaw talks with Ken Mingis from Computerworld and Macworld’s Michael Simon about Apple’s latest battles with the U.K. and Europe over protecting users’ data from governments and side-loading applications on the iPhone. The Apple crew also discusses what we can expect from Apple in 2025, whether the company will be creating a follow-up product to the Vision Pro, and whether the company has moved on from the Steve Jobs legacy on the eve of what would have been his 70th birthday.

Within the financial services spaces, many companies are fast-moving when it comes to technology innovation, but in general the banking space has been slower moving and more conservative, due to regulations and concerns about data privacy. Will this likely continue as companies explore generative AI and agentic AI technologies? Olly Downs, Chief Technology & AI Officer at Curinos, joins the show to discuss where banks, credit-card companies and other financial services firms will deploy AI agents.

Gou Rao, co-founder of NeuBird, discusses the rise of 'digital employees' designed to work alongside humans, addressing the growing talent shortage in tech. He explains how these advanced AI entities can automate mundane tasks while enhancing human creativity. The conversation delves into hiring practices for digital employees, trust-building, and transparency in human-digital interactions. Rao also highlights the importance of personality in communications and the need for realistic expectations as this new workforce emerges.

Debo Dutta, Chief AI Officer at Nutanix and an expert in AI trends, shares insights on the disruptive innovations shaping the future of technology. He dives into the implications of the Chinese startup DeepSeek and its advanced reasoning models. Dutta emphasizes how businesses must adapt to emerging AI trends to ensure seamless integration. He discusses the importance of agility, data privacy, and collaboration in enterprise AI strategies, urging companies to act swiftly and establish strong infrastructures for successful AI adoption.

Gregg Rouse, President of Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), shares insights on the future of sensor technology. He discusses how breakthroughs in AI and networking are unlocking new use cases for traditional sensors. Notably, millimeter wave technology is now crucial for monitoring the elderly at home, such as fall detection. The conversation also highlights innovations in automotive sensor applications and the potential of edge AI in enhancing real-time data processing across various industries, including healthcare and smart devices.

Aneesh Raman, Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn, dives into the transformative impact of AI on the future of work. He explores how traditional employment is evolving into a skills-oriented landscape. Raman emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptability across careers. He also discusses the rising relevance of humanities and philosophy in a tech-driven job market. The conversation advocates for a pro-human mindset, highlighting the importance of interpersonal skills as AI reshapes industries.

Is agentic AI technology the next phase of generative artificial intelligence, or are there some other AI technologies on the horizon? What is being overhyped versus actual projects that will have business impact? Michael Cohen, global chief data & analytics officer at Plus Company, joins the show to discuss the evolutionary nature of generative AI, and where the world is heading next.