Tech Talks Daily

Prashant Raizada, a tech entrepreneur and founder of Lumi Network, discusses the essential role of education in preparing the workforce for an AI-driven future. He emphasizes the importance of redefining curriculum and fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government. Prashant shares insights on his journey through startups and how Lumi's 'Quest' program promotes crucial skills for thriving in an AI economy. He argues that AI should be seen as an amplifier of human potential, advocating for urgent educational reforms to meet shifting demands.

Colin Scott, Senior VP at Innventure, challenges the tech-first mindset in innovation. He advocates for a market-first approach, emphasizing the need to solve real-world problems instead of just pursuing flashy technologies. Scott introduces the MATCH framework for evaluating innovations and discusses the 'Tigger Time' strategy, balancing optimism and skepticism within teams to foster creativity. He highlights how prioritizing unmet needs can lead to better long-term solutions, showcasing a thoughtful way to rethink innovation in organizations.

Francesco Brenna, Global Leader of AI Integration Services at IBM Consulting, delves into the transformative power of agentic AI. He emphasizes the shift from passive assistants to intelligent agents capable of executing tasks, which requires rethinking business processes from the ground up. Data readiness remains a crucial challenge, and he introduces 'data products' to anchor AI behavior. The discussion also highlights the role of human-centered design and upskilling in integrating AI effectively while proposing standards like Model Control Protocol for seamless operations.

In this engaging discussion, Sam Richardson, Director of Exec Engagement at Twilio, shares his expertise on revolutionizing customer support through voice AI. He emphasizes that while technology is advancing, the human touch remains crucial for effective problem-solving. Richardson sheds light on customer preferences for transparency regarding AI interactions and the importance of providing an escalation path to human agents. He also discusses how Twilio's tools allow businesses to enhance their systems without starting from scratch, ensuring that no customer feels left behind in the support process.

In this engaging discussion, Ben Edwards, a Principal Research Scientist at BitSight with expertise in cybersecurity data, delves into the unseen vulnerabilities in global supply chains. He highlights the misconception that larger tech providers are inherently safer, revealing how complexity can increase risks. The talk also uncovers the reliance on military-linked companies within UK and US supply chains, posing not only cybersecurity threats but geopolitical ones too. Ben emphasizes the crucial role of smaller vendors that, despite being lesser-known, significantly influence various sectors.

IT support is changing fast, and the old service desk model is starting to feel like a relic from another era. In this episode, I spoke with Samuele Gantner, Chief Product Officer at Nexthink, about what comes next and what companies need to do now to prepare for it. With Nexthink sitting at the forefront of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) technology, Samuele offers a grounded, thoughtful look at what a "ticketless" future might look like. One of the boldest predictions shared is a 90 percent reduction in IT support tickets by 2027. That is not marketing spin. It's a vision rooted in practical shifts toward proactive support, real-time observability, and AI-powered automation. Samuele explains how organizations can move away from reactive models by embracing intelligent agents that solve problems before a ticket is even raised. Instead of asking employees to fix things themselves, IT support is quietly transforming into something far more sophisticated and intuitive. We talked about what drives this change, from millennial and Gen Z expectations to the technological leap enabled by large language models and automation. Samuele breaks down why old attempts at self-service failed and how today's AI agents are finally equipped to handle objective complexity with empathy, scale, and context. He also shares examples that bring this future to life, including a retailer that avoided a costly outage through predictive alerts, a healthcare provider saving millions through experience-driven device refreshes, and an energy firm preventing disaster in a virtual desktop environment. These are not theoretical case studies. They are live proof that DEX is not just buzz. It works. We also explored what skills IT teams need to thrive in this shift. It is not all about tech. Emotional intelligence, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive mindset are just as important. Whether you're a CIO or a support engineer, there is something here that will challenge how you think about IT's role in the business.  

Chris Moore, President of Europe at Veeva Systems, shares insights from his extensive experience in pharmaceuticals and consulting. He discusses the transformative role of agentic AI in pharma while navigating stringent regulations like the EU AI Act. Chris highlights Veeva's innovative cloud platform that seamlessly integrates AI into workflows, enhancing compliance and efficiency. He also emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and collaboration in developing AI solutions, offering a fresh perspective on the industry's evolving landscape.

In this discussion, Shawn Spurko, VP of Information and Cybersecurity at Innovation Federal Credit Union, shares his transformative journey in cybersecurity. He emphasizes redesigning security for a hybrid workforce, highlighting the transition from provincial to federal regulations. Spurko advocates for user-friendly security and zero trust principles, showcasing how modern solutions can streamline operations and enhance compliance. With insights from his experience at Cisco Live, he underscores the importance of balancing security with a seamless user experience in today’s digital age.

In this conversation with Alberto Prado, Unilever's Head of Digital and Partnerships for R&D, listeners explore the company's revolutionary use of AI to enhance everyday products. Alberto reveals how AI drives more than 400 innovations, from personalized skincare to sustainable materials. He discusses the integration of machine learning in microbiome research and highlights the groundbreaking POND’S Microbiome Analyzer for tailored skincare. The discussion also touches on digital testing and the exciting future of AI in product development, showcasing Unilever’s commitment to innovation.

What does it take to build a $100 billion cybersecurity company in today’s cloud-first, AI-infused world? And how do you balance relentless technological change with the practical realities of compliance, risk, and leadership? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Sumedh Thakar, CEO of Qualys, during his visit to the UK for the company’s QSC conference. From starting out as one of Qualys’ first engineers to leading the company through a new era of risk-centric cybersecurity, Sumedh brings a unique blend of technical insight and lived experience. We discuss why compliance remains such a challenge for enterprises, how the conversation is shifting from attack surfaces to risk surfaces, and why many businesses are overwhelmed by security signals but underwhelmed by strategic clarity. Sumedh shares his view on the growing importance of the Risk Operations Center (ROC) and how AI is complicating risk profiles in new and unpredictable ways. He also reflects on the future of cloud security and why the market remains wide open for innovation, even as it becomes more crowded. Beyond the tech, Sumedh opens up about his personal journey from Pune to Silicon Valley, how a threatened farm purchase changed his life, and why leadership is ultimately a game of time, trust, and communication. He leaves us with a powerful book recommendation, Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, which he credits with transforming his leadership style and helping him build stronger relationships across the board. Are we thinking about risk in the right way or simply throwing money at the latest acronyms? And how do you build a meaningful legacy in cybersecurity without losing sight of the human side? Join the conversation and let me know what resonated with you most.