Tech Talks Daily

Robin Smith, Chief Technology Officer at TravelPerk, discusses the intersection of AI and empathy in business travel. He highlights how TravelPerk’s approach combines automation with human connection, especially when travel disruptions occur. Robin delves into the challenges large enterprises face in tech adoption and how nimble teams are redefining innovation. He also emphasizes the complexities of global travel management, invoking a reminder that while AI is on the rise, the human touch remains essential.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Aaron Goldman, CMO of MediaOcean and a veteran in ad tech, shares insights about AI transforming the advertising landscape. He explores how tools like ChatGPT evolve from novelty to essential platforms for ad monetization. Topics include the potential of embedded marketing, AI's role in content personalization, and the balance between automation and creative strategies. Aaron raises critical questions about trust in AI-driven ads and its implications for the future of consumer relationships.

Join Kate O’Neill, the "Tech Humanist" and founder of KO Insights, as she discusses the importance of aligning technology with human values. She emphasizes the need for organizations to define their purpose clearly before adopting AI. Kate introduces the concept of ethical acceleration and the significance of human oversight in tech deployments. With real-world examples from companies like Apple and Duolingo, she argues for a shift from traditional efficiency metrics to more meaningful measures of success, reminding us that asking "should we?" is vital in the age of AI.

Join Ed Nabrotzky, CEO of Dot AI, a pioneer in asset tracking technology, as he shares insights on how AI, RFID, and cloud platforms are revolutionizing supply chain visibility. He discusses the shift from passive reporting to active intelligence, crucial for navigating today's logistics challenges. Ed reveals Dot AI's recent $175 million deal and upcoming innovations, while emphasizing the need for continuous learning and resilience in tech. His visionary approach promises to reshape enterprise strategies and enhance operational efficiency across industries.

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.