Tech Talks Daily

Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, dives into how Estonia, with its innovative spirit, is reshaping the landscape of cyber defense and space technology. He discusses the profound impact of the 2007 cyberattack on Estonia's cyber resilience. The conversation also covers Estonia's unique reserve army model that promotes collaboration between military and industry, lessons from the war in Ukraine that inform defense strategies, and the balance between national sovereignty and international cooperation. Kalev envisions a future where AI and autonomous systems redefine security.

Join Puneet Mehta, the visionary Founder and CEO of Netomi, as he explores the future of customer experience powered by AI. With a focus on agent-centric models, Puneet reveals how AI can enhance human roles instead of replacing them. He discusses innovative modes like Autopilot and Co-Pilot, enabling agents to optimize interactions. Discover how Netomi achieves rapid deployments without overhauling existing systems, and learn about the balance between speed, trust, and governance in AI implementation.

Sagar Goel, Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, leads global initiatives on digital workforce development. He discusses the surprising stall in frontline AI usage and argues that it’s not about technology but rather a need for cultural shifts and deeper training. Leaders fear job loss more than employees due to greater awareness of disruption. Additionally, Sagar highlights that countries in the Global South are advancing rapidly in AI, driven by youthful populations and necessity. He emphasizes effective reskilling strategies and the importance of aligning skills with business strategies for impactful AI adoption.

What if your cybersecurity strategy could become your biggest sales advantage? In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Hersom, Founder and CEO of Eden Data, to explore how startups can transform compliance from a box-ticking exercise into a true growth engine. Taylor's journey is remarkable: a former Deloitte executive who quit his job the week before the world shut down, launched Eden Data on Upwork with just $16, and went on to build one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity advisory firms, now recently acquired by Riveron. His story blends grit, reinvention, and a deep understanding of how trust has become the real currency of modern business. We talk about how to safeguard customer data in an AI-first world and why shadow AI has become the new shadow IT problem for many companies. Taylor explains why cybersecurity can no longer sit in the IT department alone, sharing examples of how marketing and customer experience leaders are now leveraging security as a differentiator to win contracts and customer loyalty. He also opens up about the human side of cyber risk, why most breaches stem from simple mistakes, and how gamifying awareness training can be more effective than annual compliance videos no one remembers. As AI rapidly reshapes the digital landscape, Taylor shares his perspective on what future global standards for AI security could look like and how leaders can bake compliance and security into their products from day one. His view is clear: the next generation of successful startups will treat cybersecurity as both a foundation and a brand promise. How ready are you to make trust part of your growth strategy? And how will your business adapt as cybersecurity becomes not just a requirement, but a competitive edge? Share your thoughts after listening.

Richard Lowry, founder of Springboard IQ and a former tech sales pro, shares insights on revitalizing startups' go-to-market strategies. He discusses common pitfalls founders face, like mis-hiring for sales and outdated advice. Richard introduces a unique seven-day sprint model, using crowdsourced input from active operators to quickly create effective strategies. He emphasizes the importance of human-led interactions over automated outreach and offers a glimpse into the future of authentic connection in a digital world.

Tom Dunlop, CEO and co-founder of Summize, is a former Great Britain badminton athlete turned legal tech innovator. He discusses the concept of 'high agency' in legal leadership, emphasizing the importance of ownership and action. Discover how Summize integrates contract management seamlessly into tools like Teams and Slack, transforming traditional legal workflows. Dunlop shares insights on brand building in a conservative industry, and how his journey from sport to law has shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and company culture.

Join Richard Savoie, co-founder of Adiona and a former engineer in medical devices, as he dives into the future of logistics. He discusses how AI-driven FlexOps is transforming urban delivery by optimizing existing fleet routes and reducing emissions. Richard emphasizes a humanistic approach to AI, empowering workers rather than replacing them. He shares insights on how major brands like Australia Post utilize digital twins for EV fleet conversions and scenario modeling to meet sustainability goals. Discover the potential of AI and robotics in reshaping logistics!

In this engaging discussion, Andy Sen, CTO of AppDirect and a seasoned expert in cloud subscription and e-commerce, shares his innovative strategy for AI adoption. He advocates for a bottom-up approach, where employees are empowered to experiment within a secure digital playground. Andy highlights how this grassroots method has significantly boosted productivity and innovation. He also discusses the importance of leadership fostering a culture of curiosity and support, while balancing experimentation with necessary governance.

Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa, discusses their groundbreaking AI tool, Lauren, which simplifies buying and selling online businesses. Instead of spending months on M&A, users can now find tailored opportunities with just a few clicks for only $1.99. He explains how Lauren indexes over five million digital businesses weekly and enhances access to data-driven deals for everyday entrepreneurs. Blake also highlights Flippa's collaboration with SeedLegals to assist UK founders in fundraising through the Delaware Flip, fostering a more connected global marketplace.

What happens when the ancient magic of theatre meets the disruptive energy of artificial intelligence? In this episode of The Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sit down with Emmy-nominated producer and 440 Media founder Jeffery Keilholtz to unpack how AI is reshaping entertainment, licensing, and the very soul of live performance. From his time leading Broadway Licensing Global, home to thousands of acclaimed titles including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Jeffery brings a rare blend of creative and commercial insight to one of the most transformative moments in entertainment history. Our conversation explores how live entertainment faces twin challenges of visibility and scarcity in a digital age. As Jeffery explains, the rise of ChatGPT has changed how people search, discover, and decide what to see, forcing a shift from SEO to AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization. Yet even as AI floods the world with abundance, theatre's scarcity, that irreplaceable "live, local, urgent" energy, is becoming more precious than ever. Together we examine how AI can simultaneously empower and endanger creative industries, from copyright battles worth billions to the promise of smarter audience engagement and new paths to discover hidden works. Jeffery also shares his framework for balancing technology and artistry, urging creators to stay nimble like a blade of grass. He argues that surviving this era of AI-driven disruption requires humility, flexibility, and a renewed belief in human connection. It's a powerful reminder that the heartbeat of theatre, and perhaps of creativity itself, still belongs to people gathered together in the same room, sharing something that can never be replicated by a machine. How do you see AI reshaping the arts and entertainment world? Is it an existential threat to creativity or the tool that will help artists reach new heights? I'd love to hear your thoughts.