CXOTalk

Can a digital replica of your heart save your life? In CXOTalk episode 902, Michael Krigsman talks with Dr. Joe Alexander, Director of the Medical and Health Informatics Lab at NTT Research, to explore the revolutionary world of Bio-Digital Twins.Discover how researchers are using mathematical modeling to build "computational replicas" of the human cardiovascular system. Dr. Alexander explains how these digital twins can predict heart failure, automate critical care in the ICU through closed-loop intervention systems, and pave the way for a future where personalized medicine is accessible to everyone.We dive deep into the science of treating the heart as an electrical circuit, the ethics of AI in medicine, and the "moonshot" goal of eliminating cardiovascular disease..🔷 Show notes: https://www.cxotalk.com/episode/cardiac-digital-twins-inside-the-research-lab🔷 Newsletter: www.cxotalk.com/subscribe🔷 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cxotalk🔷 Twitter: twitter.com/cxotalk💡 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:Bio-Digital Twins: How digital replicas of organs allow doctors to test treatments virtually before applying them physically.Closed-Loop Systems: The development of autonomous systems that can regulate heart medication beat-by-beat to minimize oxygen consumption and improve recovery.The Physics of the Heart: How Dr. Alexander uses resistors, capacitors, and diodes to model blood flow and pressure.The Future of MedTech: Moving from acute care (ICU) to managing chronic heart failure with wearable technology.👥 ABOUT THE GUEST: Dr. Joe Alexander is the Director of the Medical and Health Informatics Lab at NTT Research. With a unique background as a chemical engineer and a burn survivor who later attended Johns Hopkins for his MD/PhD, Dr. Alexander is leading "moonshot" research into bio-digital twins to transform cardiovascular care.📍 CHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction: What is a Cardiac Digital Twin? 2:20 - The Aviation Analogy: Predictive Maintenance for the Body 4:54 - The "Electrical Analog" Model: Viewing the Heart as a Circuit 6:42 - Autonomous Closed-Loop Intervention: Automating ICU Care 12:04 - How a Digital Twin is Built (Population vs. Patient Data) 17:09 - Animal Trials & Validating the Technology 22:11 - Ethics & Safety: Can We Trust AI with Life-and-Death Decisions? 29:03 - Causal vs. Black Box AI: Why Physiology Matters 44:58 - The "Bionic" Approach: Interdisciplinary Teams 50:32 - Health Equity & The Quintuple Aims of Healthcare#DigitalTwins #Cardiology #MedTech #AIinHealthcare #NTTResearch #FutureOfMedicine #HeartHealth #CXOTalk

How do you turn a 150-year-old industrial giant into an agile, AI-first organization?=======Please support our sponsor Emeritus:Explore executive education programs from Emeritus, in collaboration with top universities: https://cxotalk.partner.emeritus.org/=======For Hexion CEO Michael Lefenfeld, the answer isn't just about technology, but about culture, safety, and rethinking value. In episode 901 of CXOTalk, Lefenfeld details his strategy for integrating AI across every level of a billion-dollar manufacturing enterprise, from the R&D lab to the factory floor.Michael Krigsman and Michael Lefenfeld discuss the practical realities of moving beyond "pilot purgatory." They dive into how to manage workforce anxiety (the "carrot vs. stick" approach), leverage Private Equity for long-term innovation, and maintain strict safety guardrails while moving fast.If you are a leader navigating the complexities of digital transformation, this interview offers a concrete roadmap for driving growth without sacrificing your company's heritage.📋 DISCUSSION TOPICS:-- The AI-First Culture: Why Hexion incentivizes AI adoption rather than forcing it.-- Workforce Strategy: How to upskill employees and ensure AI is a "partner," not a "job taker."-- Operational Excellence: Using AI to achieve the "Golden Batch"—reducing waste and energy usage.-- The Private Equity Advantage: How ownership structure impacts long-term tech investment.-- Strategic Partnerships: Using data to deepen customer intimacy and escape the commodity trap.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 🏭 Introduction to Hexion and Its Role in Everyday Life01:28 🤖 Hexion's Integration of AI Across Operations03:34 🚀 AI as a Tool for Growth and Empowerment at Hexion13:47 🤖 Leadership Philosophy and AI Integration at Hexion16:44 🛡️ AI's Role in Safety and Decision-Making20:25 ⚙️ AI-Driven Efficiency and Learning in Manufacturing26:54 💉 Personal Experience with Diabetes and Continuous Glucose Monitoring28:30 🤖 AI's Role in Customer Service and Business Operations32:53 🌍 AI Learning, Ecosystem Collaboration, and Organizational Growth38:32 🤖 Using AI to Enhance Manufacturing and Investment Decisions40:04 🏢 Hexion's AI-First Strategy and Customer-Centric Approach46:32 💼 Private Equity's Role in AI Investment and Long-Term Growth50:20 🧪 Optimizing Products with Data and Batch Chemistry51:44 🤖 AI's Impact on Business Models and Lessons Learned53:30 🚀 Advice for AI Implementation and Closing Remarks🎯 FEATURED GUESTMichael Lefenfeld is the CEO of Hexion Inc. and a serial entrepreneur with a passion for revitalizing legacy industries.-- He holds 100+ patents and was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.-- Michael specializes in bridging the gap between deep science (chemistry/physics) and practical business strategy (AI/profitability).-- Previously served as CEO of Cyanco and SiGNa Chemistry.📚 RESOURCES🔷 Show notes:https://www.cxotalk.com/episode/ai-first-rewiring-a-150-year-old-industrial-manufacturer🔷 Newsletter: www.cxotalk.com/subscribe🔷 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cxotalk🔷 Twitter: twitter.com/cxotalk Subscribe to CXOTalk newsletter: https://www.cxotalk.com/newsletter🎙️ ABOUT CXOTALKCXOTalk features unfiltered conversations with C-suite executives from major companies about AI, digital transformation, and business strategy. Hosted by Michael Krigsman. Episode 901 | Recorded November 21, 2025

Sangeet Paul Choudary, an advisor to over 40 Fortune 500 CEOs and author of *Reshuffle*, discusses the transformative power of AI beyond mere automation. He argues that AI should be viewed as coordination infrastructure that reimagines business models. The shipping container analogy illustrates AI's impact on industrial assumptions. Sangeet emphasizes the importance of strategic foresight in navigating the evolving job landscape and warns against outdated automation narratives. Companies must rethink capabilities and focus on long-term systemic redesign to remain relevant.

In this compelling discussion, Lord Tim Clement-Jones, a UK legislator focused on AI risks, and Lord Chris Holmes, a digital asset expert, explore the implications of Big Tech's AI oligopoly. They highlight how concentration mirrors 19th-century monopolies, press for human-centered tech, and discuss the risks of vendor lock-in. The duo emphasizes the need for regulation to foster innovation, the importance of media literacy to combat misinformation, and the urgent necessity for lifelong learning as we navigate AI's impacts on society.

Tim Crawford, a CIO strategic advisor and industry analyst, shares insights on how AI is reshaping the CIO landscape. He discusses the critical need for CIOs to break free from AI pilot purgatory and align projects with tangible business outcomes. Tim highlights the importance of innovation over mere efficiency and offers strategies for measuring ROI accurately. He stresses the necessity of cross-functional relationships and governance to ensure AI initiatives are successful and warns against automating flawed processes.

Will Grannis, the Chief Technology Officer at Google Cloud, dives into the future of AI, focusing on Google's vision for agentic AI. He discusses how regulated industries can leverage documented workflows for quicker AI adoption. Grannis highlights the importance of integrating multimodal AI into customer support, showcasing its potential to transform problem-solving. He emphasizes the need for continuous improvement, the role of human oversight in critical tasks, and the value of using domain-specific data to gain a competitive edge.

Join Dr. David Bray, a tech policy expert at the Stimson Center, and Dr. Anthony Scriffignano, a data science leader, as they dive into the hidden threats of bad data and poisoned datasets in AI. They discuss the Five Ms framework for identifying AI failures and why organizations often rush into AI adoption without proper vetting. Learn about the risks of generative AI, the importance of critical thinking and ethical oversight, and how to recognize malicious data campaigns that can undermine your AI systems.

AI luminary and former Group CEO of Technology at Accenture, author Paul Daugherty, offers a hard-hitting take on enterprise AI and consumer-grade artificial intelligence on CXOTalk episode 895.He examines what's working, where companies stall with their AI transformation, and what new technology trends leaders should monitor. Peer into the future of AI and see the importance of responsible AI development.🔷 Show notes and resources: https://www.cxotalk.com/episode/ai-reality-check-what-works-and-whats-new🔷 Newsletter: www.cxotalk.com/subscribe🔷 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cxotalk🔷 Twitter: twitter.com/cxotalk#AITransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessStrategy #ResponsibleAI #Innovation #EnterpriseAI #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AIStrategy #ExecutiveLeadership #cxotalk00:00 🌟 Paul Daugherty's Career and Current Roles01:52 🤖 AI Reality Check: Hype vs. Reality05:51 📈 Generative AI's Impact on Work and Organizations07:11 🌱 Challenges and Early Adoption of AI in Organizations08:46 🔄 Invasiveness and Organizational Transformation with AI13:40 📊 AI Applications and Measuring Business Value18:14 🎯 Focusing on Impactful Use Cases in AI19:48 🤖 AI Deployment Challenges and Talent Transformation24:23 🚀 Prerequisites and Challenges in AI Adoption25:56 🤔 Defining Failure in AI Projects29:43 💼 AI's Role in Private Equity and Investment Analysis33:55 🚀 Future Trends Beyond AI and AGI35:07 🤖 AI's Impact on Data Management and EMR Systems36:56 📊 AI's Influence on Jobs and Responsible AI Practices40:15 🌟 Future Technologies and Personal Reflections

Branding expert Laura Ries, author of "Strategic Enemy," dives into how major brands like Salesforce and Chick-fil-A use strategic enemies to sharpen their identities. She explains the power of visual hammers for unforgettable branding and warns against line extensions that can dilute established names. With insights on personal branding for executives and the importance of clarity over product features, Laura emphasizes that perception drives success. Tune in for tactics that help brands stand out in cluttered markets!

In cybersecurity, identity has become the primary attack vector. We explore identity in CXOTalk 892, with the CEO of RSA Security, Rohit Ghai, who explains how stolen credentials, social engineering, and AI-enabled impersonation break defenses. And what boards, CISOs, and executives must do now.What you’ll learn:-- Why credential theft remains the #1 initial access vector and what “phishing resistant” MFA actually requires-- How attackers bypass MFA via help desk social engineering and voice impersonation, and how to stop it-- Managing identity across the joiner–mover–leaver lifecycle to close high-risk gaps-- The “assume breach” mindset: zero trust, least privilege, and blast radius reduction-- The CISO’s evolving mandate: business vs. technology, board communication, and risk quantification-- AI in cyber: sword, shield, and attack surface, and the changing economics of attack vs. defense-- Ransomware beyond backups: data theft, response playbooks, and legal/PR readinessWho should watch:Board members, CEOs, CISOs, CIOs, and security leaders who seek clear actions to improve resilience without slowing the business.🔷 Show notes and resources: https://www.cxotalk.com/episode/rsa-security-ceo-ai-identity-board-level-cybersecurity🔷 Newsletter: www.cxotalk.com/subscribe🔷 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cxotalk🔷 Twitter: twitter.com/cxotalk#Cybersecurity #IdentitySecurity #MFA #ZeroTrust #CISO #BoardGovernance #AI #Ransomware #RiskManagement #CXOTalk00:00 🔐 Understanding Identity in Cybersecurity03:51 ⚠️ How Identity is Breached10:46 🛡️ Improving Identity Security13:03 🔒 Social Engineering and MFA Vulnerabilities16:02 🛡️ Protecting Personal Information and Identity19:43 👩‍💼 The Evolving Role of CISOs in Cybersecurity26:38 🔒 The Role of Regulation in Improving Data Privacy and Cybersecurity28:51 🌐 Reframing Cybersecurity as Cyber Resilience35:11 🛡️ Practical Recommendations for Combating Phishing and Social Engineering38:00 🤖 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity41:59 💰 Economics of AI in Cybersecurity44:25 🏢 Board-Level Cybersecurity Strategy49:08 🛡️ Understanding Ransomware and Response Framework50:56 🔒 RSA Security's Focus Areas for Cybersecurity52:47 📢 Closing Remarks and Call to Action