An Hour of Innovation with Vit Lyoshin

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Spiros Xanthos, Founder and CEO of Resolve AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of DevOps, observability, and software reliability.Spiros shares how Resolve AI is building autonomous AI agents that act like site reliability engineers, capable of troubleshooting incidents, detecting root causes, and even generating pull requests to fix issues before they escalate. The conversation delves into how AI automation is redefining what it means to be an engineer, the evolving trust relationship between humans and AI, and the technical challenges of creating systems that are smart enough to operate in complex production environments. Spiros also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey as a serial founder, his lessons from building multiple startups, and why Resolve AI is the hardest and most rewarding company he’s ever built.Spiros Xanthos is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and innovator in the observability and AI DevOps space. Before founding Resolve AI, he co-founded Omnition, which was acquired by Splunk, and Log Insight, which was acquired by VMware. He’s also one of the co-creators of OpenTelemetry, the open-source standard for telemetry data that powers modern observability systems. Today, as CEO of Resolve AI, Spiros leads a team that’s pioneering AI-driven reliability engineering, combining deep observability expertise with cutting-edge AI research to build self-healing software systems.Support This Podcast* To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI is moving beyond code generation; it’s now running and maintaining production systems.* The biggest challenge in AI DevOps isn’t data, it’s reasoning across code, logs, and systems.* Trust is earned; AI systems must prove reliability through transparency and evidence.* AI can make safe, reversible changes autonomously, reducing human fatigue and error.* The hardest part of building Resolve AI was teaching AI to reason like an engineer.* Spiros believes AI won’t replace engineers; it will create more of them by automating repetitive work.* The role of engineers will shift from coding to directing and orchestrating AI agents.* Many current DevOps tools were built for humans; the next generation must be agent-first.* Founders should practice radical transparency to build trust and alignment in their teams.* Psychological safety and risk-taking are essential for innovation in AI startups.* Even without a product, talking to users and showing prototypes accelerates validation.* The future of software is self-healing, intelligent, and AI-managed systems.* Every product in the next decade will have an AI-first version or be replaced by one.Timestamps00:00 Introduction: AI and the Future of Software05:08 Resolve AI vs Other AI Tools07:36 Human Oversight in AI Decisions09:12 Building Trust in AI Systems10:53 Challenges in AI Development14:19 Future of Software Engineering with AI16:53 Unsolved Gaps in AI and DevOps18:12 Industry Views on AI Automation19:50 Lessons from Serial Entrepreneurship23:01 Competing for AI Talent23:54 Inside Fast-Moving AI Startups25:52 Customer-Driven AI Product Development27:46 Engaging Users Without a Product29:49 Choosing the Right Startup Idea32:18 Key Lessons for AI Entrepreneurs34:26 Building Strong AI Teams36:11 Funding and Growth in AI Startups37:28 Future of AI in DevOps39:08 Opportunities in the AI Revolution41:51 Final Advice for EntrepreneursConnect with Spiros* Website: https://resolve.ai/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spiros/ * X: https://x.com/spirosx Connect with Vit* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Rob LoCascio, founder of LivePerson and creator of Uare.ai (Formerly Eternos), to explore how artificial intelligence can be used not to replace us, but to remember us.Rob shares the fascinating story behind his company building AI avatars that capture your voice, knowledge, and decision-making patterns to create a deeply personal digital version of you. They discuss the emotional first test case of a terminally ill man who spoke with his AI self, the future of human-centered AI, and what it means to leave a lasting digital legacy. The conversation also dives into Rob’s journey from inventing web chat in 1997 to pioneering conversational AI, his lessons from decades as an entrepreneur, and his vision for ethical, purpose-driven innovation.Rob LoCascio is a visionary tech entrepreneur best known as the founder and former CEO of LivePerson, the company that introduced real-time web chat to the internet. After nearly three decades leading innovation in customer experience and AI, he launched Uare.ai (Formerly Eternos), an AI platform focused on preserving human stories and memories through personalized AI models.Support This Podcast* To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* Rob shares the emotional story of a man who recorded his life story and later spoke to his AI self, proving how technology can preserve human connection.* The core idea behind Uare.ai (formerly Eternos): building human-centered AI that keeps our memories, wisdom, and emotions alive.* Rob predicts that experts and professionals will soon have AI versions of themselves sharing their knowledge globally.* Passing down wisdom through personal AI is more powerful than passing down money; it’s a new kind of legacy.* Rob reflects on nearly 30 years as a founder and reminds entrepreneurs that building something meaningful isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:42 From LivePerson to Digital Immortality08:32 How Personal AI Works: Capturing Your Voice, Memory, and Wisdom12:09 The Inspiration: AI for Humanity, Not Replacement15:03 Inside the Human Life Model: The Future of Human-Centered AI19:49 Use Cases: How AI Serves Families and Experts21:45 Ethics, Privacy, and Data Ownership in AI Legacy Systems25:51 Passing Down Wisdom: Generational Knowledge as the New Legacy34:36 Entrepreneurial Lessons from a 30-Year Journey38:19 The Hard Truth About Startups and Resilience40:54 The Future of AI: Building Connection and Community Through TechnologyConnect with Rob* Website: https://www.uare.ai/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlocascio/ * X: https://x.com/roblocascio * Other: https://eternos.life/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Henry O’Connell, CEO and Co-Founder of Canary Speech, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare through the power of the human voice.Henry shares the fascinating story of how a simple conversation in a bagel shop led to the creation of a breakthrough technology that analyzes how we speak, not what we say, to detect early signs of neurological and mental health conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and depression. We discuss how AI voice biomarkers work, how Canary Speech can process 15 million data points per minute, and how this innovation enables early disease detection through non-invasive, real-time speech analysis.Henry also explains how this technology integrates with wearables and clinical tools, allowing doctors to monitor patients through their voice using smartphones, smartwatches, and telemedicine platforms. He reveals how machine learning models can recognize patterns invisible to the human ear, helping medical professionals diagnose faster, more accurately, and with greater empathy.Beyond the technology, Henry shares his vision for the future of medicine, his passion for accessibility in global healthcare, and his lessons from building a company at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and digital health innovation.Henry O’Connell is a healthcare innovator and entrepreneur. As the CEO of Canary Speech, he leads a team pioneering the use of voice biomarkers for early detection of diseases that affect millions worldwide. His work has been published in The Lancet and recognized by global partners including Microsoft, Samsung, and Harvard’s Beth Israel Hospital. Under his leadership, Canary Speech is redefining how AI can listen, understand, and improve human health.Support This Podcast* To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI can now analyze how we speak, not what we say, to detect health conditions.* The human voice contains over 2,500 measurable biomarkers tied to brain and body function.* Canary Speech analyzes 15 million data points per minute from spoken language.* Diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and depression can be detected early through voice.* The central nervous system controls speech, making it a powerful source of diagnostic data.* Voice biomarkers are universal; the same disease patterns appear across languages and cultures.* The technology works through smartphones, telehealth systems, and even Samsung watches.* Canary Speech partners with leading institutions like Harvard, Hackensack Meridian, and The Lancet.* AI enables non-invasive, real-time health monitoring during normal conversations.* The system can even detect stress, fatigue, and aggression, helping prevent hospital incidents.* Voice-based diagnostics may one day redefine patient-doctor interactions.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:56 The Birth of Canary Speech07:00 Can AI Hear Illness?14:25 Inside Voice Biomarkers22:21 Detecting Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Decline Through Speech25:07 How AI Voice Technology Works in Real Healthcare Settings26:29 Preventing Aggression and Protecting Care Teams29:56 Giving Doctors a New Diagnostic Superpower31:10 What Doctors Say?32:17 Everyday Applications of Voice AI34:57 Making AI-Driven Healthcare Accessible Worldwide36:11 Data Privacy, Ethics, and Trust in AI Healthcare38:49 Could We Talk to Animals?42:00 Leadership, Failure, and Building with PurposeConnect with Henry* Website: https://canaryspeech.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryjoconnell/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with longevity entrepreneur and author Jon Sabes to explore why healthspan, not just lifespan, is the future we should all be planning for.We dive into Jon’s powerful framework from his book Healthy, Wealthy, Longevity and unpack how your health, wealth, and purpose must work together to prepare for a longer, more vibrant life. Jon explains the real cost of poor health, the impact of living longer on your financial future, the lessons from Blue Zones, and why your older self will either thank you or regret your choices. He also introduces a new financial product that flips the traditional insurance model: one that rewards you for living longer.Jon Sabes is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Longevity Financial Partners, where he’s building innovative tools to help people prepare for longer lifespans. He previously led FOXO Technologies, where he worked on cutting-edge longevity biomarkers and epigenetics. Jon is also the author of Healthy, Wealthy, Longevity, and has spent nearly two decades at the intersection of financial services, molecular health, and aging science.Support This Podcast* Please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* Living longer without a plan can become your biggest financial risk.* Health and wealth are deeply connected; poor health is financially expensive.* Blue Zones offer a real-world model for how to live longer, healthier, and with purpose.* Healthy aging depends on four things: eat wisely, move often, live with purpose, and connect with others.* Your physical environment plays a major role in shaping good habits and reducing temptation.* The worst-case scenario of aging: being alone and broke. Start preparing early to avoid it.* You don’t need to be rich to live a long and healthy life; lifestyle matters more than wealth.* Insurance should evolve to reward longevity.* Jon’s company, LongevityFP, is building innovative financial products for longer lives.* Movement doesn’t have to mean gym workouts; walking and small daily actions count.* Processed food and sugary snacks are the silent killers.* Purpose isn’t one big life mission; it can be small daily goals and routines.* Staying connected socially becomes harder with age and remote work; build intentional relationships.* AI and biotechnology are unlocking new ways to track aging and extend healthspan.* Investing in self-care is no longer optional; it’s your hedge against an uncertain future.* Think of your 90-year-old self and make choices they’d thank you for.Timestamps00:00 Introduction: Why Longevity Is the New Wealth01:06 Inside “Healthy, Wealthy, Longevity”: Jon Sabes’ Breakthrough Book03:51 Ads05:06 How Health, Wealth, and Longevity Intersect, and Why It Matters08:07 Start Early: Planning Now for a Longer, Healthier Life11:38 Longevity Financial Partners: Redefining Financial Security for Longer Lifespans15:44 The Blue Zones Formula: 4 Habits for Healthy Aging22:58 Movement as Medicine: Simple Ways to Stay Active Without a Gym25:38 Nutrition That Extends Healthspan: Small Changes, Big Results29:29 Finding Purpose: The Mental Fitness Behind Longevity32:00 The Power of Connection: Building Strong Social Networks as You Age36:26 AI and Technology for Health and Longevity: What’s Coming Next45:35 Motivation That Lasts: How to Stick to Healthy Habits48:04 Innovations in Longevity Finance: The Future of “Reverse Insurance”51:27 Leaving a Legacy: Agency, Control, and Designing Your Future SelfConnect with Jon* Website: https://longevityfp.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-sabes-14368257/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Nesrine Changuel, former product leader at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft, and author of the Product Delight book.Together, they explore the power of emotional design in product management and why building products people truly love requires more than functionality. The conversation covers how emotional motivators shape user behavior, the story behind Chrome’s inactive tabs feature, and why Nesrine insists on moving beyond B2B vs. B2C to embrace B2H: business to human.She also shares her Delight Framework, a practical method for balancing functionality with emotion, her 50-40-10 roadmap model, and lessons from Spotify’s hack weeks that sparked major innovations like Discover Weekly. The discussion also touches on UX design, innovation culture, and the future of humanizing AI in product development.Nesrine Changuel is a seasoned product leader, speaker, and innovation coach. She has shaped global products at companies like Google, Spotify, and Microsoft, where she worked on Chrome, Meet, Skype, and Spotify’s user experiences. Nesrine is the creator of the Delight Framework, helping teams bring emotional connection into product design, and she is the author of Product Delight, a book that makes emotional design actionable for product managers, designers, and innovators worldwide.Support This Podcast* To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* An emotional connection is just as important as functionality in product design.* Users remember how a product makes them feel, not just what it does.* Motivational segmentation goes deeper than demographics or behaviors by focusing on why users engage.* Spotify users aren’t just there for music; they seek inspiration, connection, and productivity.* Product management is not B2B or B2C, it’s B2H: business to human.* The Delight Framework helps teams systematically design for emotional connection.* Roadmaps should balance features using the 50-40-10 model (functional, deep delight, and surface delight).* Hack weeks at Spotify produced major features like Discover Weekly and AI DJ.* Emotionally connected users stay longer, buy more, and refer more than satisfied users.* Delight can be measured with metrics like NPS, CSAT, and Google’s HaTS survey.* Emotional design applies even in “unsexy” industries like GitHub and Jira.* Humanizing AI requires culture and leadership that embrace it, not block it.* The best products remind users that real humans are behind the experience.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:00 Why Emotional Design Matters03:43 What Is Emotional Connection in Products?05:10 Ads06:26 Chrome Tabs Story: Reducing Stress Through UX Design10:43 Emotional Motivators: The Real Reason Users Choose Products13:31 B2B vs B2C vs B2H (Business to Human)15:27 The Delight Framework: 4 Steps to Build Emotional Products20:24 How to Identify and Implement Emotional Motivators21:54 Measuring Emotional Connection: Metrics That Matter25:37 Balancing Functionality vs Emotion in Roadmaps (50-40-10 Rule)29:16 Emotional Design in “Unsexy” Industries (GitHub, Jira, Atlassian)32:40 From PhD Scientist to Product Leader36:20 How Innovation Happens at Spotify and Google (Hack Weeks)39:41 The Role of AI in Humanizing Products45:21 Humanizing Products: Making Users Feel Real Humans Behind the Tech49:02 Product Delight Book: Making Emotional Design ActionableConnect with Nesrine* Website: https://nesrine-changuel.com/product-delight-book/* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesrinechanguel/ * Substuck: https://substack.com/@nesrinechanguel Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Eric Müller, an engineering leader and security expert at Work & Co, to explore how AI is reshaping software development and why tools like GitHub Copilot and other AI code assistants must be treated like junior developers: fast, eager, and potentially dangerous without proper oversight.We dive into the emerging trend of “vibe coding”, the practice of relying heavily on AI to generate code without fully understanding or validating it. Eric unpacks the hidden risks this creates, including hallucinated libraries, security vulnerabilities, and long-term maintainability challenges. He shares actionable insights on how developers and leaders can use AI responsibly, how to grow junior talent in an AI-assisted world, and what engineering managers should be doing to prevent burnout and maintain team health. We also discuss what makes a good manager, the role of psychological safety, and how to lead with trust in high-performing teams.Eric Müller is an experienced engineering leader and cybersecurity expert. He currently leads product engineering and digital security efforts at Work & Co. Over his 20+ year career, Eric has held leadership roles at companies like Presence, Razorfish, and Edelman, helping teams build secure, high-quality digital products. He is known for his thoughtful approach to engineering culture, developer experience, and security-first product development.Support This PodcastTo support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI tools act like junior devs, fast but risky without oversight* Vibe coding skips thinking and leads to bad code* AI can hallucinate libraries, opening security holes* Always review, test, and secure AI-generated code* Great for prototyping, not solving new problems* Junior devs are still essential, don’t stop hiring them* Managers should remove blockers, not micromanage* Burnout signals: too much pressure, no time off* Watch team health via Slack activity and standups* Best leaders listen, trust, and protect their teamsTimestamps00:00 Introduction to AI, Developers & Software Innovation03:36 Ads04:50 How AI Coding Tools Are Changing Software Development13:19 AI Limitations, Hallucinations & Common Misconceptions17:00 Security Risks of AI-Generated Code & Maintenance Challenges22:58 Why We Still Need Junior Developers in the Age of AI28:02 What Makes a Great Engineering Manager in Modern Teams31:48 Building Accountability & Psychological Safety in Dev Teams36:25 Preventing Burnout & Promoting Work-Life Balance in Tech41:30 How to Measure Team Health, Performance & Productivity44:36 Transitioning to Engineering Leadership: Listening & Trust46:42 The Future of AI in Secure & Scalable Software DevelopmentConnect with Eric* Website: https://work.co/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmullersf/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Galvin Widjaja, founder and CEO of Lauretta.io, to explore how AI in the real world is moving beyond counting people to actually predicting human behavior.They discuss how computer vision AI is reshaping malls, airports, and casinos, why context is everything when it comes to intent detection, and how balancing privacy and ethics is critical for the future of AI surveillance.Galvin shares how Lauretta.io’s technology can detect suspicious behavior, from identifying someone planting a bomb without ever witnessing the act, to uncovering hidden demand in shopping malls, to supporting casino security systems that resemble something straight out of Ocean’s Eleven. He also explains why Loretta.io is designed to “forget who you are” by default, and why that ethical choice matters as predictive AI expands into the physical world.Galvin is the founder and CEO of Lauretta.io, an AI company that focuses on understanding human experiences in physical spaces through computer vision and non-biometric tracking. His background spans finance, consulting, and data optimization, which led him to spot early opportunities in AI surveillance and intent-based analytics. With a deep focus on AI ethics and privacy, Galvin is helping shape how predictive AI will be adopted in industries from retail to security. He also shares his advice for AI founders, thin vs thick AI, and why most AI startups will fail if they don’t choose wisely.Support This PodcastTo support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI in the real world is shifting from counting people to predicting human intent.* Context matters: the same action means different things in different places.* The AI technology can infer behavior, like spotting someone planting a bomb, even if the act isn’t seen.* Retail use cases: understanding shopping behavior, hidden demand, and improving mall analytics.* Security use cases: airports, public spaces, and casinos with thousands of surveillance cameras.* AI acts as an assistant to human security guards, extending their attention span.* Lauretta.io is built to forget identities by design, prioritizing privacy and ethics.* Consent is key: identity is only linked when explicitly given or under legal security boundaries.* Embodied AI is coming, think robot dogs in homes that track movement and behavior.* Future AI will make intent detection more precise, but it raises ethical questions about preventive security.* Galvin stresses the importance of responsible AI design to avoid privacy abuses.* Galvin introduces the Thin vs Thick AI concepts: startups built on single models vs layered systems.* Most AI startups will fail if they rely too heavily on one public model.* Successful AI companies must focus on fundamental technology and long-term differentiation.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:04 Galvin’s Journey into AI06:52 Ads08:06 AI in the Real World: Understanding Human Experience14:23 Lauretta.io Technology: Computer Vision & Non-Biometric Tracking18:06 Context Matters: How AI Predicts Human Intent22:53 AI for Retail vs Security: Business Insights & Threat Detection27:32 Casino Surveillance: The Ocean’s Eleven of AI33:11 Robot Dogs, Embodied AI & The Future of Surveillance39:06 Ethics and Privacy: Why Lauretta.io Forgets Who You Are43:25 The Future of Predictive AI & Security48:00 Advice for AI Founders & InnovatorsConnect with Galvin* Website: https://lauretta.io/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galvinw/ * X: https://x.com/galvinw Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Ben Carle, CEO of FullStack Labs, to explore the real-world impact of AI in software development.Ben is a PhD-trained computer scientist, engineering leader, and the driving force behind FullStack Labs, a software consultancy known for building AI-powered tools for enterprises that want scalable, modern applications.Together, they unpack whether AI can truly replace engineers, how agentic AI is being used (and misunderstood), and what “code testing with AI” looks like in practice. Ben shares behind-the-scenes insights from FullStack’s internal AI systems, including a tool that now grades 80% of developer interviews, and how enterprise clients are adopting AI responsibly by starting with better data, stronger architecture, and measurable ROI.Ben also shares practical lessons from the frontlines: how AI is transforming developer workflows, why junior engineers can't just "vibe code" with AI, and what engineering leaders need to know before integrating large language models into production environments.With nearly a decade of experience scaling FullStack Labs, Ben brings a rare blend of technical depth and business clarity. His approach to AI adoption is grounded, ethical, and results-driven, making this episode a must-listen for engineers, product leaders, and founders navigating the future of software development.Support This PodcastTo support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI helps senior devs, not replaces them.* Agentic AI = smarter automation, not magic bots.* AI testing is harder, so non-deterministic outcomes need new QA methods.* FullStack's AI grades 80% of developer interviews.* Enterprise clients focus on data readiness, not flashy tools.* Proof-of-concept first: no ROI, no build.* AI audits live phone calls for compliance more accurately than humans.* Companies forget to capture training data from human workflows.* AI is improving UX in complex spaces like healthcare.* Vibe coding doesn’t work at enterprise scale.* Trust in AI is growing, but slowly in large orgs.Timestamps00:00 Introduction04:12 Ads05:27 Navigating AI in Enterprise Solutions06:38 Why Aren’t Enterprise Companies Jumping into AI09:51 What Expertise Enterprises Lack12:26 Quality Assurance in AI Applications15:14 Internal AI Tools and Processes18:08 How to Hire Developers20:29 AI in Developer Assessment and Certification21:42 AI is Changing Developers' Behavior26:25 AI's Role in Software Design and Architecture28:49 Use Cases and the Future of AI in Development33:32 The Integration of AI in Software Development41:12 Identifying Suitable Use Cases for AI50:01 Navigating Challenges in AI Adoption54:32 Preparing for the Future of AI58:24 Agentic AIConnect with Ben* Website: https://www.fullstack.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencarle/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Brian Perks, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Five by Five.Brian is a seasoned data strategist and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the data industry. The conversation explores how data co-ops are disrupting the traditional broker model, why “no one’s data is as good as everyone’s data,” and how real-world usage is the most effective way to validate information. The discussion also covers identity verification, fraud prevention, privacy trade-offs, and the role of AI in analyzing data, identifying patterns, and enabling precise targeting. Other highlights include insights into the future of publishing in the AI era, the balance between personalization and privacy, and why efficiency in data activation benefits both businesses and consumers.Brian Perks has held leadership roles at ZoomInfo, Bombora, and Pipl, where he specialized in data acquisition, licensing, and identity solutions. Today, as co-founder of Five by Five, he is pioneering a cooperative model that democratizes access to high-quality, continuously validated data. His entrepreneurial journey reflects a vision for disrupting outdated systems, building trust in digital ecosystems, and empowering companies of all sizes to innovate with reliable data. Widely regarded as a thought leader, Brian continues to shape conversations around data strategy, privacy, and the evolving role of AI in business.Support This PodcastTo support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* How 5x5 Data was born out of necessity, turning an informal data exchange into a full cooperative model.* The surprising truth: “No one’s data is as good as everyone’s data.”* How billions of daily validation signals (emails, phone numbers, IPs) create a more accurate “identity graph.”* The most reliable way to validate data is to consume it in real-world use cases.* A live email address is worth more than your Social Security number on the dark web.* The trade-off between privacy and personalization, and why 70% of people actually prefer targeted ads.* Why efficiency in targeting matters: the best data isn’t a big list - it’s knowing who will actually buy.* How better targeting can reduce marketing waste and even lower product costs for consumers.* The hidden risk for publishers: AI tools are reducing their traffic by up to 90%, similar to Napster’s effect on music.* Why publishers may need a new licensing model as AI “answer engines” replace traditional search.* The limits of AI: it can accelerate data processing, but it can’t synthesize personal identifiers like emails or phone numbers.* Controlling data through brokerage stifles innovation - democratizing access enables it.* Data has no intrinsic value - it only matters in how you activate it.Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:29 Ads03:45 The 5x5 Concept and Data Utilization06:17 Understanding the Work Co-op Model08:26 Joining the 5x5 Community11:26 Diverse Use Cases Beyond Marketing13:58 Ensuring Data Integrity and Privacy15:51 Navigating Privacy Concerns18:12 The Trade-offs of Privacy and Personalization21:59 Efficiency in Marketing and Sales27:37 The Impact of AI on Product Development29:37 Challenges in AI and Data Licensing33:12 Source of Hallucinations and Mistakes in AI38:00 Utilizing Data for Targeting Audiences42:47 Social Media45:38 Application will Do More49:37 Entrepreneurial Insights and Advice55:33 Advice from BrianConnect with Brian* Website: https://5x5data.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangperks/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Rowan Stone, CEO of Sapien, to explore how human knowledge powers the next generation of artificial intelligence. Together, they dive into the importance of high-quality data, the challenge of bias in AI, the role of blockchain payments in rewarding contributors, and the future balance between human input and machine learning.Rowan shares his journey from energy executive to crypto entrepreneur, building early DeFi protocols, co-creating Coinbase’s Layer 2, and eventually launching Sapien, a decentralized data platform that connects enterprises with a global network of contributors. He explains why data is the true bottleneck in AI, how Sapien incentivizes contributors from everyday people to doctors and engineers, and why human oversight remains essential even as AI becomes more advanced.Rowan Stone is a seasoned entrepreneur whose career spans energy, crypto, and AI. He co-founded multiple ventures in the blockchain space, including projects acquired by Coinbase, where he spent three years leading initiatives around stablecoins, tokenization, and Layer 2 solutions. Today, as CEO of Sapien, he focuses on sourcing and structuring human data for specialized AI models used in fields like autonomous vehicles, robotics, and healthcare. His mission is to democratize access to AI’s growth by enabling people everywhere to monetize their knowledge while ensuring enterprises get the high-quality data they need.Support This PodcastTo support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/Takeaways* AI is only as smart as the quality of data it’s fed.* The true bottleneck in AI is data, not algorithms or compute.* Everyone’s knowledge, from experts to everyday people, has value for training AI.* Global diversity in data contributors is key to reducing bias in AI.* Politically correct outputs can still be factually wrong, as seen in the Viking ship AI fail.* AI can enhance doctors’ diagnostic power while creating new income opportunities.* Self-driving cars still struggle because training is highly city-specific.* Incentive systems like staking and slashing help ensure high-quality data for AI.* Stablecoin payments enable instant, global compensation for AI contributors.* Human input will always be needed to handle real-world randomness and context.Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:14 From Energy to Crypto: A Personal Journey05:56 Understanding Sapien: The Decentralized Data Foundry10:33 Quality of AI Data: What Does It Mean?12:17 Contributors and Their Role in Data Annotation14:13 Scaling Contributor Networks and Quality Control20:47 Addressing Bias in AI Data25:31 Expert Contributors: Recruitment and Qualification Process29:28 AI as a Diagnostic Tool for Healthcare32:03 Challenges in Autonomous Vehicle Development35:01 The Intersection of Crypto and AI39:32 The Future of Human Expertise in AI43:39 The Role of Creativity in AI48:15 Getting Started with AI Model TrainingConnect with Rowan* Website: https://earn.sapien.io/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-stone/ * X: https://x.com/rowanrk6 * Other: https://www.sapien.io/ Connect with Vit* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ * X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin Vit’s Projects* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/ * AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/