Modern CTO

Lee Zen, the CTO at Yahoo, shares insights into the company's evolution in the digital landscape after 30 years. He discusses how Yahoo is using AI and cloud technology to enhance user experience and navigate the complexities of the internet. Lee emphasizes the importance of authenticity and transparency in tech leadership, along with innovative AI features like email summaries and fantasy sports tools. He also highlights the mix of modern and legacy systems at Yahoo and the cultural shifts required for successful AI integration.

Zach Kass, former head of go-to-market at OpenAI, played a crucial role in launching ChatGPT, the fastest-growing product of all time. He discusses the importance of user experience in AI adoption and highlights how teenagers have driven consumer interest. Kass emphasizes responsible AI practices, including transparency about machine decision-making and the need for effective legislation against tech-enabled fraud. He also touches on societal thresholds that dictate what technology we should embrace and shares insights from his upcoming book on AI integration.

Varun Badhwar, CEO of Endor Labs and a software security expert, dives into the pressing challenges of securing both open-source and AI-generated code. He highlights how 90% of code is derived from open-source, creating significant risks, and discusses innovative strategies like using call graphs to enhance security. Varun emphasizes the importance of integrating security in coding workflows and addresses the vulnerabilities caused by AI coding agents. Additionally, he shares insights on automating remediations and the need for robust security oversight to protect against malicious code.

In this inspiring conversation, Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta, shares his journey in creating AI-driven 'soul tech' that allows people to converse with their deceased loved ones. He explores ethical concerns, the importance of preserving human stories, and how these digital legacies can provide comfort. Miles also defines the emerging 'Soul Tech' category and discusses the technical aspects of creating a digital elder from just a short voice clip. This innovative platform aims to capture and share memories for future generations.

Robert Duffy, CTO at HealthEdge, shares insights on scaling engineering and operations in the age of AI. He emphasizes the importance of quickly building trust in merged organizations and transforming leadership dynamics through positive intent. Duffy highlights how AI is reshaping traditional scaling strategies, allowing for lower costs in bespoke software development and enabling personalized, on-demand dashboards. He also discusses the significance of cultural fit in mergers and the impact of AI on customer economics.

In this engaging conversation, Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and former Apple evangelist, shares his unique experiences with Steve Jobs, who he describes as both inspiring and terrifying. He humorously recounts their infamous trust exchange and reflects on how his hearing loss shaped his perspective on life. Guy discusses the importance of humor in leadership and his mission-driven approach at Canva. He also touches on personal growth, his late-life surfing adventures, and the lessons outlined in his book, 'Wiser Guy'.

Jeff Buzzelli, Regional SVP at Comcast, shares his journey of transforming Comcast Business from a startup to a $10 billion giant. He discusses the importance of employee engagement and the strategic scaling of services. Buzzelli emphasizes lessons learned from early hiring mistakes and the necessity of cultural fit in building a resilient team. He also reveals insights into disaster preparedness, particularly for hurricane season in Florida, highlighting swift restoration efforts and community support. Plus, he delves into the future of AI in content delivery.

Arnie Katz, the Chief Product & Technology Officer at GoFundMe, shares his insights on leveraging AI to transform fundraising. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology of asking for help and discusses the barriers people face in philanthropy. Arnie highlights how AI-generated enhancements can streamline story creation for fundraisers, and he reflects on his past startup failure as a vital leadership lesson. The conversation touches on fostering a culture that embraces failure to increase innovation velocity.

Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer at NEOGOV, shares her passion for developing AI-powered solutions in the public sector. She discusses how tailored products can meet unique government needs and the role of gamification in training 911 operators through innovative tools like Power Recall. Denise also highlights the importance of using AI to enhance hiring and improve compliance within public safety, ensuring fairness and transparency. Her insights into building a personal advisory board and mentoring future leaders offer valuable guidance for those in tech and beyond.

Robert Parsons, VP of Hardware Portfolio at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, leads the charge in transforming retail technology. He discusses the significance of agility as a survival skill in the rapidly changing retail landscape. Parsons highlights how modular systems are revolutionizing checkout experiences and the importance of data-driven decision-making for tech leaders. He also delves into the intersection of software and hardware, emphasizing the role of AI in enhancing customer experience while maintaining innovation safeguards.