
The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world.
mehmet@yassiventures.com
Latest episodes

Mar 20, 2025 • 44min
#448 The AI-Driven Consumer: How Businesses Must Adapt with Shahar Boyayan
AI is reshaping consumer behavior like never before, creating both opportunities and challenges for businesses. In this episode, I sit down with Shahar Boyayan, an expert in consumer psychology and AI-driven behavior, to discuss how businesses—especially small businesses and entrepreneurs—must adapt to this shift. We explore hyper-personalization, AI-driven marketing, the ethics of AI in business, and how companies can leverage AI without crossing privacy boundaries.Key Takeaways✅ AI is becoming an extension of consumer behavior – Understanding how consumers interact with AI is crucial for business success.✅ The rise of hyper-personalization – AI can tailor experiences, but businesses must balance personalization with privacy.✅ Small businesses can compete with big players – AI tools are now accessible to startups, leveling the playing field.✅ The ethics of AI in marketing – Businesses need to be aware of AI’s influence and ensure transparency in data usage.✅ Why you need to embrace AI now – Waiting too long to adapt could leave businesses behind.What You’ll Learn in This Episode🔹 How AI is shaping modern consumer behavior🔹 The eight laws of irresistibility in business🔹 The risks and benefits of AI-driven personalization🔹 How small businesses can leverage AI for growth🔹 The future of AI in marketing, e-commerce, and customer engagementAbout the GuestShahar Boyayan is a leading expert in the fascinating intersection of consumer behavior and artificial intelligence. With her finger on the pulse of emerging technologies and their impact on commerce, Shahar offers invaluable insights into the future of consumer trends and business strategies.She is the author of the groundbreaking report, "AI-Driven Consumer Trends and Business Applications: Navigating the Near Future of Commerce and the Eight Laws of Irresistibility." This seminal work has quickly become a go-to resource for businesses looking to harness the power of AI in understanding and influencing consumer behavior.https://proptalkie.com/ai-trendshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shahar/Episode Highlights (with timestamps)⏳ [00:02:00] – Shahar’s journey from Brazil to the U.S. and her passion for consumer behavior⏳ [00:04:00] – Why AI is the biggest shift in consumer behavior in decades⏳ [00:06:30] – The eight laws of irresistibility and why emotional connection matters in business⏳ [00:09:00] – The rise of AI-generated marketing content—how can businesses stay authentic?⏳ [00:12:30] – AI-driven personalization: How much is too much?⏳ [00:18:00] – The role of AI in e-commerce and retail transformation⏳ [00:24:00] – AI’s ability to understand human emotions and predict moods⏳ [00:28:00] – The AI shopping cart: How AI is reshaping online shopping experiences⏳ [00:31:00] – How small businesses can use AI to stay competitive⏳ [00:37:00] – Shahar’s final advice for entrepreneurs on using AI wisely

Mar 18, 2025 • 53min
#447 Islamic Finance Meets Blockchain: Ethical DeFi with Haqq Network’s Alex Malkov & Andrey Kuznetsov
In this episode, I sit down with Alex Malkov and Andrey Kuznetsov, co-founders of Haqq Network, to explore how Islamic finance and blockchain are merging to create ethical DeFi solutions. Haqq Network aims to bring Sharia-compliant financial products into the Web3 space, addressing fairness, transparency, and financial inclusion. We discuss real-world tokenization, the role of AI in DeFi, and how blockchain can revolutionize Islamic finance for 2 billion Muslims worldwide.Key Takeaways✅ Bridging Islamic Finance & Web3 – Why Sharia-compliant finance matters in DeFi✅ Tokenization of Real Assets – Gold, Sukuk, and commodities in the blockchain era✅ Regulatory Landscape – How MENA and Southeast Asia are shaping crypto adoption✅ AI in Blockchain – The role of machine learning in ethical finance and user experience✅ Beyond Meme Coins – Why sustainable, mission-driven crypto mattersWhat You’ll Learn📌 The core principles of Islamic finance and how they apply to DeFi📌 How Haqq Network is pioneering Sharia-compliant blockchain solutions📌 The challenges and opportunities in tokenizing real-world assets📌 Why AI is a game-changer for user-friendly DeFi adoption📌 The future of ethical investing in blockchainAbout the Guests🔹 Alex Malkov – Alex Malkov combines over a decade of legal experience with a focus on Web3 projects. He has worked with major blockchain and fintech firms like AAVE and Bequant, ensuring legal compliance and innovative approaches in the space. His leadership at HAQQ focuses on building an ethics-first blockchain platform that addresses real-world challenges, particularly in emerging markets. His areas of expertise include DeFi, crypto adoption in South East Asia, Real World Tokenization, Rise of Islamic Fintech, Blockchain solutions.https://www.linkedin.com/in/probono42/🔹 Andrey Kuznetsov –Andrey is a serial entrepreneur and engineer focused on fintech, cybersecurity, and network communication solutions. He has led teams that have built payment services, corporate messengers, blockchain staking services, and financial analysis software.Andrey is a serial entrepreneur and engineer focused on fintech, cybersecurity, and network communication solutions. He has led teams that have built payment services, corporate messengers, blockchain staking services, and financial analysis software. His areas of expertise include real world tokenization, crypto adoption in GCC and SEA regions, and a tech side of blockchain. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brainsmith/https://haqq.networkEpisode Highlights⏳ [00:00] – Welcome & Introduction to Haqq Network⏳ [02:00] – Alex & Andrey’s backgrounds and roles at Haqq⏳ [05:00] – The inspiration behind Haqq Network & Islamic Coin⏳ [08:00] – How Sharia principles apply to blockchain finance⏳ [12:00] – Tokenizing real assets: Gold, commodities, and beyond⏳ [18:00] – Regulatory insights: MENA vs. Southeast Asia adoption⏳ [26:00] – AI’s impact on blockchain & DeFi accessibility⏳ [35:00] – The future of ethical crypto & sustainable DeFi⏳ [45:00] – Final thoughts: Advice for entrepreneurs in Web3

Mar 13, 2025 • 42min
#446 Are Human-Led Interactions Dead? Nadav Boaz on AI’s Disruptive Future
In this episode, I sit down with Nadav Boaz, a seasoned entrepreneur and AI-driven product builder, to explore how AI is reshaping business, product development, and sales. Nadav shares his insights on launching AI-powered startups, the evolving landscape of human-to-AI interactions, and why competitive advantages are shifting away from technology itself.We also dive into thought-provoking questions like: • Will AI replace human-led sales and customer interactions? • What gives startups a competitive edge when AI levels the playing field? • How is AI changing the speed and dynamics of launching new products? • What’s the future of B2B SaaS in a world where businesses can build their own tools?If you’re an entrepreneur, tech leader, or curious about the future of AI-driven businesses, this episode is for you!🎯 Key Takeaways✅ AI is an amplifier—launching products is easier, but differentiation is harder.✅ Competitive advantage now comes from market capture rather than just technology.✅ AI-powered sales and customer interactions are already replacing human-led processes.✅ Startups should validate markets before building, as launching is now faster than ever.✅ B2B SaaS could face disruption as companies build their own AI-powered internal tools.✅ Future success depends on speed, adaptability, and customer acquisition strategies.🎙 About the Guest: Nadav BoazNadav is an AI and tech thought leader, ranked as LinkedIn’s Top AI Voice, with extensive experience in Al Transforming Industries, Philosophy in Tech, Remote Teams & Hiring, Automation & Efficiency, Innovation & Leadership, Tech & Dating, Digital Psychology, Growth Hacking and Human EngineeringHe’s passionate about AI, humanity’s future, and the philosophical implications of tech and would bring valuable insights to your audience. 🔗 Connect with Nadav Boaz • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedx/ • Website: https://voiceDrop.ai | https://www.prymatica.com/📌 Episode Highlights & Timestamps⏳ 00:00 – Intro & Welcome Nadav Boaz⏳ 01:30 – Nadav’s journey: From failures to AI-powered success⏳ 04:00 – How AI is changing product development and competition⏳ 07:00 – The future of startup differentiation: Is tech still a competitive advantage?⏳ 10:30 – The rise of AI-powered sales and marketing: Is human-led interaction dead?⏳ 14:00 – AI selling to AI: The future of automation in business⏳ 19:30 – The importance of market validation before product development⏳ 24:00 – How AI is used in cold email marketing and voice automation⏳ 32:00 – The future of B2B SaaS: Will big companies replace SaaS with internal AI?⏳ 38:00 – Entrepreneurial mindset: How to stay ahead in the AI revolution⏳ 40:00 – Final thoughts & where to connect with Nadav

Mar 11, 2025 • 43min
#445 AI vs. Cyber Threats: Alec Crawford on Governance, Risks, and the Future of Security
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Alec Crawford, an AI and cybersecurity expert with decades of experience in financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank. Alec is now leading AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, focusing on AI Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Cybersecurity (AI GRCC).We dive into:🔹 How AI is reshaping cybersecurity—both defensively and offensively🔹 The biggest vulnerabilities companies face in the AI era🔹 Why traditional security approaches aren’t enough anymore🔹 How businesses can balance AI adoption with compliance and governance🔹 The rise of AI-powered cyber threats, including phishing, data breaches, and zero-day exploits🔹 The role of AI agents in securing enterprises🔹 Why regulators are behind and what businesses must do to stay compliantThis episode is packed with actionable insights for CISOs, CTOs, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to navigate the fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape.🎙️ About Alec CrawfordAlec Crawford founded and leads Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., which accelerates Gen AI adoption through a platform ensuring AI safety, security, and compliance. The company achieving the top rank for both Gen AI cybersecurity and regulatory compliance from Waters Technology in 2024. Alec, an AI, investing and risk management expert, shares insights through various media and has a rich history of leadership roles, including at Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, where he managed global investment risks. His background spans prominent positions in financial services since 1988, including at Ziff Brothers Investments, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Alec holds a Computer Science degree from Harvard, where he specialized in artificial intelligence.https://linkedin.com/in/aleccrawfordhttps://aicrisk.com/🎯 Key Takeaways✅ AI is both the biggest opportunity and the biggest threat in cybersecurity✅ AI-driven cyberattacks—such as hyper-realistic phishing, deepfake fraud, and rapid zero-day exploits—are evolving faster than defenses✅ Many companies are adopting AI without a clear security strategy, leading to data leaks and compliance risks✅ Traditional cybersecurity models aren’t keeping up, and CISOs must embrace AI-driven defense mechanisms✅ Organizations should focus on AI governance early to avoid massive compliance fines from GDPR, the EU AI Act, and emerging U.S. state regulations✅ AI agents will automate threat detection and compliance monitoring, but adoption must be done securely🎧 What You’ll Learn🔹 How AI helps hackers launch more sophisticated cyberattacks🔹 Why regulatory compliance for AI is still a gray area and what businesses need to do now🔹 The future of AI in security—from AI-powered monitoring to real-time attack mitigation🔹 What AI GRCC (Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Cybersecurity) means for organizations🔹 Why cybersecurity needs to shift from reactive to proactive strategies⏳ Episode Chapters (Timestamps for YouTube & Spotify)00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Alec Crawford02:00 - Alec’s Background: From Harvard Neural Networks to AI Security05:30 - The Acceleration of AI & Cybersecurity Threats08:45 - The Role of AI in Phishing & Data Breaches12:15 - How Businesses Can Secure AI Adoption Without Breaking Compliance15:30 - The Biggest Security Gaps in Enterprises Today18:40 - AI in Governance & Regulatory Compliance22:00 - Why Cybersecurity Teams Are Facing Alert Fatigue26:15 - The Future of AI Agents in Cybersecurity30:00 - AI-Powered Threat Detection & Ransomware Prevention35:30 - The Next Evolution of AI in Security40:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Alec

Mar 6, 2025 • 53min
#444 From MIT to IPOs: John Cousins on Mastering Money, Startups, AI, and the Future of Learning
In this episode, I sit down with John Cousins, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and educator, to discuss financial literacy, startup success, AI’s impact on learning, and the future of solopreneurship. With experience spanning MIT, IPOs, hedge funds, and AI-driven education, John shares powerful insights on navigating the world of business, investment, and entrepreneurship.🔹 Key Takeaways from This Episode✔️ The Power of Financial Literacy – Why schools fail to teach financial basics and how to take control of your money.✔️ Startup Success – The traits that define successful entrepreneurs and why execution matters more than ideas.✔️ Angel Investing & Hedge Funds – What John looks for in founders and how to evaluate great investments.✔️ AI & Business Education – How AI is transforming the way we learn, create, and run businesses.✔️ The Future of Solopreneurship – Why AI-powered one-person businesses are the future.✔️ Building a Learning Habit – The secret behind writing 63 books and educating 30,000+ students.✔️ Actionable Advice – How to take control of your finances, career, and entrepreneurial journey.🔹 About John CousinsJohn Cousins is an investor, tech founder, and bestselling author of Corporate Finance A$AP and over 60 other books. John is the founder of MBA ASAP, which provides training to individuals, over 30,000 students in 165 countries, and corporations including Adidas, Apple, General Mills, Kaiser Permanente, Lyft, PayPal, Pinterest, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.John has taught MBA students at universities worldwide. Currently General Partner at Tetraktys Global, a quantitative hedge fund, he is an early investor in many successful tech companies and crypto protocols.https://www.mba-asap.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncousinsiii/🔹 Episode Highlights & Timestamps⏳ [00:01] – John’s Background: From MIT and electronic music to entrepreneurship⏳ [00:06] – Taking Companies Public: John’s experience with IPOs and running a hedge fund⏳ [00:12] – The Financial Literacy Gap: Why schools don’t teach finance & how to learn it yourself⏳ [00:17] – 30,000+ Students Across 167 Countries: How MBA ASAP is making business knowledge accessible⏳ [00:22] – AI in Learning & Business: John’s AI-driven negotiation course and multi-language digital learning⏳ [00:28] – Investment Strategies & Startup Traits: What investors look for in founders & businesses⏳ [00:36] – Solopreneurship & AI Tools: How AI is enabling individuals to run entire companies⏳ [00:42] – The Future of Work: AI agents, automation, and the rise of one-person empires⏳ [00:48] – John’s Writing Process: How he has published 63 books and distilled complex ideas

Mar 4, 2025 • 41min
#443 AI in Healthcare: Dr. Robert Toth on Medical Imaging, Robot Surgeons, and Predictive Medicine
AI is transforming healthcare at an unprecedented pace, from medical imaging advancements to the potential of robotic-assisted surgeries and predictive medicine. In this episode, Dr. Robert Toth, Founder of Thetat Tech AI, joins us to discuss how AI is revolutionizing radiology, diagnostics, and patient care, the ethical and regulatory challenges ahead, and what the future holds for AI-driven healthcare solutions.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ How AI is revolutionizing medical imaging – from X-rays and MRIs to 3D imaging and segmentation✅ The role of AI in surgery – why fully autonomous robotic surgeons are still far away✅ The impact of AI on healthcare workflows – improving documentation, diagnostics, and patient care✅ Regulatory challenges – how FDA approvals and data privacy laws shape AI adoption✅ Predictive medicine – how AI can forecast disease risks based on genetic and lifestyle data✅ The future of patient data ownership – shifting from hospital control to consumer-driven models🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why AI in medical imaging is one of the most exciting areas of innovation • How robot-assisted surgeries are evolving • The challenges of AI adoption in healthcare, from regulatory hurdles to physician resistance • How AI-driven predictive analytics could revolutionize preventative medicine • What the future holds for wearables, medical IoT (M-IoT), and patient data control🎙️ About Our Guest – Dr. Robert TothDr. Robert Toth holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on medical imaging AI. As the Founder of Thetatech AI, he has spent the last 11 years developing custom AI healthcare solutions, working with universities and medical device companies to push the boundaries of AI applications in healthcare.https://thetatech.aihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/robtoth/🎥 Episode Highlights (Timestamps)⏳ [00:02:00] – Why Dr. Robert Toth chose biomedical engineering and AI⏳ [00:05:00] – AI’s biggest impact today: automating paperwork, transcriptions, and medical summaries⏳ [00:09:00] – Why fully autonomous robot surgeons are still far off⏳ [00:12:00] – Breakthroughs in medical imaging AI and 3D models for diagnostics⏳ [00:17:00] – How AI helps in medical research and drug discovery⏳ [00:22:00] – The regulatory hurdles slowing AI adoption in healthcare⏳ [00:27:00] – Future trends: VR in surgery, medical IoT, and predictive health analytics⏳ [00:32:00] – How startups and entrepreneurs can break into the health AI space⏳ [00:37:00] – What the future of AI-powered hospitals will look like

Feb 27, 2025 • 43min
#442 From Davos to DeFi: Agne Linge on Blockchain, AI, and the Future of Money
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the future of finance with Agne Linge, Head of Growth at WeFi. Fresh from Davos, Agne shares insights into the latest trends in DeFi, AI-powered fintech, and the evolving global economy. We explore how blockchain and AI are reshaping banking, why traditional financial institutions are falling behind, and how decentralized finance is unlocking economic freedom worldwide.🎯 Key Takeaways✅ Why DeFi & AI are disrupting traditional banking models✅ How blockchain enables financial freedom & inclusion✅ The role of AI in fraud detection, KYC, and wealth management✅ The impact of US crypto policies and Trump’s stance on blockchain✅ The latest insights from Davos on finance, trade wars, and digital assets📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode🔸 What makes DeFi superior to traditional banking?🔸 How AI is being used in neobanks for security, automation, and compliance🔸 How global regulations—including in the UAE—are shaping Web3 and crypto adoption🔸 Will blockchain disrupt central banking and government spending transparency?🔸 How financial institutions are preparing for the AI-powered banking future🔹 About Agne LingeAgne Linge serves as a head of growth and board member of WeFi, with a robust background in the crypto, DeFi, and fintech sectors. She brings over eight years of experience in the crypto industry, complemented by more than ten years in consulting, where she has honed her skills in advisory services, strategic planning, and business development.Her expertise spans blockchain technologies, including Layer 1s and Layer 2s, as well as centralized and decentralized exchanges and DeFi protocols.With a solid foundation in traditional finance, Agne’s hands-on experience in crypto and DeFi positions her as a knowledgeable voice in the field. She is an active participant in the crypto community, with a vast network that fosters collaboration and innovation. A sought-after speaker, Agne regularly presents at major global conferences, including Devcon, ETH Denver, and ETH Barcelona. Her previous roles as a director at Binance and head of communications at DeGate further highlight her influential presence in the evolving landscape of digital finance.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnelinge/WeFi Website: https://www.wefi.co/🎙 Episode Highlights & Timestamps⏳ [00:01:00] – Agne Linge’s background in finance & crypto⏳ [00:04:30] – The vision of WeFi: AI & blockchain in neobanking⏳ [00:10:00] – Why crypto, AI, and blockchain are more than just buzzwords⏳ [00:15:30] – Understanding DAOs: How decentralized governance works⏳ [00:21:00] – Trump, Elon Musk & blockchain: The impact of US policies on DeFi⏳ [00:27:45] – The role of AI in fraud detection, compliance, and risk management⏳ [00:32:00] – The future of finance: How AI & DeFi will shape the global economy⏳ [00:37:00] – Crypto regulation in the UAE & MENA: Why Dubai is the global Web3 hub⏳ [00:40:30] – Final thoughts & Agne’s advice for embracing financial innovation

Feb 25, 2025 • 44min
#441 From Struggles to Success: How Founders Can Optimize Tech Teams with Vygandas Pliasas
Struggling to scale your tech team? Not sure when to move beyond an agency and build in-house? In this episode, we dive deep into engineering team optimization, startup scaling challenges, and the future of AI in development with Vygandas Pliasas—a Fractional CTO and expert in engineering management.🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ When startups should transition from an agency to an in-house team✅ The common traps founders fall into when working with external dev teams✅ The step-by-step process for fixing tech bottlenecks and improving team efficiency✅ How to scale remote engineering teams without chaos✅ AI’s impact on development and how to integrate it into your tech strategy✅ The biggest mistakes startups make when hiring developers✅ The red flags that indicate it’s time for a change in your tech team🎯 Key Takeaways:📌 Miscommunication with agencies can slow progress—here’s how to fix it📌 The right moment to build an in-house team and hire a Fractional CTO📌 Scaling tech teams requires balancing technical leadership & business goals📌 AI helps but doesn’t replace human decision-making—how to use it effectivelyAbout Vygandas:Vygandad is a seasoned Fractional CTO and software development executive with over 18 years of experience. He specializes in scaling startups, building dedicated remote teams, and driving technical innovation. With expertise in SaaS, e-commerce, and compliance-driven industries, he helps businesses align their technology with strategic goals, ensuring impactful, sustainable growth. From mentoring engineering leaders to streamlining operations, he empowers teams to deliver excellence while cutting costs and boosting performance.https://www.cortip.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/vygandas/⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome & intro to Vygandas Pliasas02:30 - Why founders struggle with agency-based development05:15 - How to know when to bring development in-house08:40 - The challenges of scaling remote engineering teams12:10 - Hiring & firing: How fast is too fast, how late is too late?18:45 - AI in development: What works, what doesn’t30:10 - The biggest startup tech mistakes and how to avoid them38:45 - Final thoughts & where to find Vygandas online

Feb 20, 2025 • 55min
#440 How AI is Fixing Late Payments: Fabio Fleitas on Automating Cash Collections
“Reducing the amount of time to receive cash unlocks working capital and fuels business growth. AI is transforming this process like never before.” – Fabio FleitasIn this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the world of fintech and AI-driven financial operations with Fabio Fleitas, Co-Founder and CTO of Tesorio. Tesorio is revolutionizing cash flow automation, helping businesses collect payments faster and optimize financial operations with AI.We discuss: • The biggest pain points finance teams face in accounts receivable and cash collections • How Tesorio uses AI to automate collections, predict payments, and improve cash flow • The impact of AI and automation on financial operations • The challenges of integrating fintech solutions with banking systems • How startups and enterprises can leverage AI to streamline financial workflows🚀 Key Takeaways✅ AI is revolutionizing cash collections by automating invoices, follow-ups, and reconciliation✅ Tesorio helps reduce payment delays by analyzing financial data and predicting when invoices will be paid✅ Businesses lose millions in bad debt write-offs—AI-driven automation can significantly cut these losses✅ Even enterprise finance teams remain understaffed, making automation essential for scalability✅ The rise of AI agents and operators is making financial workflows more efficient than ever🎯 What You’ll Learn🔹 Why late payments are a major financial bottleneck for businesses🔹 How AI-powered tools like Tesorio improve cash flow predictability🔹 The importance of automating financial workflows to scale without increasing headcount🔹 How neobanks and fintech innovations are changing the financial landscape🔹 Insights into how AI is being used in fintech beyond generative models🎙️ About Fabio FleitasFabio Fleitas is the Co-Founder & CTO of Tesorio, a fintech platform transforming how businesses manage cash flow. He started the company while studying at the University of Pennsylvania and later went through Y Combinator in 2015. Over the past decade, he has led Tesorio’s evolution from a startup to a key player in AI-powered financial automation.https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiofleitas/https://www.tesorio.com/⏳ Episode Highlights (Timestamps)📌 [00:02:00] – What is Tesorio? The problem it solves for finance teams📌 [00:04:30] – Fabio’s startup journey: from university to Y Combinator📌 [00:06:50] – The pain points in finance and why late payments are a major issue📌 [00:10:00] – How Tesorio automates cash collections and integrates with financial systems📌 [00:14:30] – Addressing objections: Why companies still need specialized fintech tools📌 [00:18:00] – AI-powered automation: How businesses can reduce cash flow risks📌 [00:21:00] – Banking and fintech evolution: What’s changed in the last decade📌 [00:28:00] – AI’s growing role in predicting payments and automating financial decisions📌 [00:33:00] – The future of AI in fintech and Fabio’s take on rapid AI advancements📌 [00:45:00] – How AI agents can now fully automate invoice submissions📌 [00:50:00] – Advice for fintech entrepreneurs: How to build impactful AI solutions

Feb 18, 2025 • 53min
#439 The Future of Digital Marketing: Merag Shahzad on AI, Strategy, and Growth
In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of digital marketing with Merag Shahzad, a digital marketing expert and strategist. Merag shares insights on AI’s role in marketing, how brands can balance automation with authenticity, and the future trends shaping digital engagement.We explore the must-have tools for marketers, discuss the overuse vs. underuse of AI, and break down how businesses—especially startups—can leverage marketing as a growth powerhouse.🔥 Key Takeaways✔️ AI’s Biggest Impact on Digital Marketing – How AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper AI, and Synthesia are revolutionizing content creation.✔️ Too Much AI vs. Not Enough – Where businesses are going wrong in AI adoption and how to strike the right balance.✔️ Must-Have AI Tools for Marketers – Essential AI-driven tools for content creation, search optimization, and audience engagement.✔️ The Role of Personal Branding – Why founders and executives should invest in building their personal brands online.✔️ Influencer Marketing & B2B Trends – How Gen Z and the creator economy are shaping brand storytelling across platforms.✔️ Platform-Specific Strategies – Understanding the unique culture and algorithm of platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.✔️ Marketing as a Growth Engine – Why startups should prioritize marketing from day one to scale effectively.🎧 What You’ll Learn🔹 How to integrate AI into your marketing strategy without losing authenticity🔹 The difference between AI-powered efficiency and over-reliance on automation🔹 Why storytelling and emotional connection are key to marketing success🔹 How businesses can tailor their marketing for different digital platforms🔹 Why consistency is the secret weapon in content marketing👤 About Merag ShahzadMerag Shahzad is a seasoned digital marketing expert specializing in AI-driven branding and content strategies. His agency helps businesses optimize their marketing strategies by leveraging AI tools while maintaining authenticity and engagement.https://www.linkedin.com/in/immerag/https://instagram.com/immerag/https://www.tiktok.com/@immerag📌 Episode Highlights⏳ [00:01:00] – Introduction & Guest Background⏳ [00:04:00] – The Evolution of AI in Digital Marketing⏳ [00:10:00] – Must-Have AI Tools for Businesses & Creators⏳ [00:16:00] – The Balance Between AI and Human Touch⏳ [00:24:00] – The Power of Storytelling in Marketing Strategy⏳ [00:30:00] – The Rise of Influencer Marketing & B2B Branding⏳ [00:40:00] – Best Practices for Digital Marketing in 2025⏳ [00:49:00] – How to Choose the Right Social Media Platform
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