Is Your Business Ready for the Edge Computing Revolution?

What's Up with Tech?

Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right

اضافه شده در two سال پیش

محتوای ارائه شده توسط Evan Kirstel. تمام محتوای پادکست شامل قسمت‌ها، گرافیک‌ها و توضیحات پادکست مستقیماً توسط Evan Kirstel یا شریک پلتفرم پادکست آن‌ها آپلود و ارائه می‌شوند. اگر فکر می‌کنید شخصی بدون اجازه شما از اثر دارای حق نسخه‌برداری شما استفاده می‌کند، می‌توانید روندی که در اینجا شرح داده شده است را دنبال کنید.https://fa.player.fm/legal

Squid Game: The Official Podcast

1
Keys and Knives - S3 Ep 1 26:28

11 روز پیش26:28

پخش در آینده

لیست ها

پسندیدن

دوست داشته شد

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to choose between murdering their friends… or dying. Then, Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta from the Jumpers Jump podcast join us to unpack their wild theories for the season. Plus, Phil and Kiera face off in a high-stakes round of “Hot Sweet Potato.” SPOILER ALERT! Make sure you watch Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 before listening on. Play one last time. IG - @SquidGameNetflix X (f.k.a. Twitter) - @SquidGame Check out more from Phil Yu @angryasianman , Kiera Please @kieraplease and the Jumpers Jump podcast Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . Squid Game: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and The Mash-Up Americans.…

حدود یک سال پیش 20:08

MP3•خانه قسمت

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com

At the intersection of edge computing and simplicity sits StorMagic, a company that's redefining what's possible with hyper-converged infrastructure. In this fascinating conversation with Bruce Kornfeld, Chief Product Officer at StoreMagic, we dive deep into the technology transforming how businesses deploy mission-critical applications at the edge.
The traditional data center approach—with its racks of servers, storage arrays, and networking equipment—simply doesn't work for distributed enterprises with hundreds or thousands of small sites. StoreMagic's brilliance lies in its minimalism: achieving high availability with just two servers instead of three, dramatically reducing both capital and operational costs. As Bruce reveals, customers can deploy a fully redundant system for under $10,000, with TCO savings between 30-80% compared to competitors.
What makes StorMagic particularly relevant today is the perfect storm of market conditions. Meanwhile, the AI revolution demands more processing power at the edge, where data is created and real-time decisions matter most. StoreMagic's solutions bridge these needs by combining open-source foundations with proprietary enhancements that make deployment and management remarkably simple—under an hour, according to Bruce.
The company's latest release, SVHCI version 2, introduces VM migration from VMware environments, snapshot capabilities, and Edge Control—a cloud-based management platform that provides unified visibility across distributed sites. StorMagic is expanding its enterprise focus and strategic partnerships, particularly with HPE. With its rock-solid reliability (less than 0.03% of support tickets involve downtime) and laser focus on simplifying edge computing, StoreMagic is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative trend in infrastructure.
Ready to revolutionize your edge infrastructure? Visit storemagic.com to calculate your potential TCO savings and discover how simplified edge computing can transform your business.

Support the show

More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

فصل ها

1. Introduction to StoreMagic and Edge Computing (00:00:00)

2. TCO Benefits of HyperConverged Infrastructure (00:02:02)

3. Open Source Evolution in Infrastructure (00:06:07)

4. SVHCI Version 2 Features and Updates (00:09:17)

5. AI at the Edge Driving Innovation (00:12:47)

6. Future Vision and Leadership Changes (00:16:38)

7. Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks (00:19:19)

446 قسمت

#Tech #Business #Marketing #Evan Kirstel #Telecom #Technology #Mobile #Wireless #Cybersecurity #Entrepreneur #Cloud IT #B2B #IoT #VoIP #CIO

Is Your Business Ready for the Edge Computing Revolution?

What's Up with Tech?

published حدود یک سال پیش

اشتراک گذاری

MP3•خانه قسمت

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com

Support the show

More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

فصل ها

1. Introduction to StoreMagic and Edge Computing (00:00:00)

2. TCO Benefits of HyperConverged Infrastructure (00:02:02)

3. Open Source Evolution in Infrastructure (00:06:07)

4. SVHCI Version 2 Features and Updates (00:09:17)

5. AI at the Edge Driving Innovation (00:12:47)

6. Future Vision and Leadership Changes (00:16:38)

7. Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks (00:19:19)

446 قسمت

#Tech #Business #Marketing #Evan Kirstel #Telecom #Technology #Mobile #Wireless #Cybersecurity #Entrepreneur #Cloud IT #B2B #IoT #VoIP #CIO

Tüm bölümler

What's Up with Tech?

1
What if AI became your most valuable team member? 24:55

11 hours پیش24:55

24:55

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com "AI is an enabler, an augmenter, not a replacement." These words from Navneet Singh, a marketing leader at Palo Alto Networks with nearly a decade of experience, set the tone for our exploration into the transformative relationship between artificial intelligence and marketing. During our conversation, Nav shattered common misconceptions about AI's role in marketing by demonstrating how human creativity and AI efficiency can form a powerful partnership. He shared a compelling example from Palo Alto Networks' recent product launch, where an AI-powered contest among product marketers generated 56 creative entries in a single weekend - compressing what would have been weeks of agency work into just one business day. This force-multiplier effect showcases AI's true potential when guided by human expertise and strategic vision. What makes Nav's perspective particularly valuable is his practical approach to AI adoption. He described how Palo Alto Networks created an "AI-first" culture through leadership summits, expert consultations, and establishing clear guidelines for responsible use. The company developed internal tools like Panda AI for employee assistance while implementing Google Gemini and Flow for marketing content creation - all supported by a balanced system of education and technological guardrails. But perhaps his most powerful insight was a simple question he's instilled in his team: "Every time your hands are on the keyboard, ask yourself why this shouldn't be done by AI." Looking toward the future, Nav envisions marketing shifting from targeting segments to personalizing for individuals at unprecedented scale, with company websites transforming into AI-driven digital storefronts handling the entire customer journey. For those concerned about their marketing careers in an AI world, his message is clear: don't fear replacement - embrace experimentation. The greatest opportunities belong to those who view AI as a collaborative partner rather than a threat. Ready to transform your marketing approach with artificial intelligence? Subscribe now and join us on this journey into marketing's AI-powered future. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Sensors, AI, and Incentives Are Making Our Roads Safer 29:44

۴ روز پیش29:44

29:44

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The technology in your pocket—sensors in your everyday smartphone—is quietly revolutionizing road safety in ways most of us never realize. In this eye-opening conversation, MIT professor Hari Balakrishnan shares the remarkable journey of Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) from university research project to global safety leader. What began as a simple idea to use mobile device sensors to measure driving quality has evolved into technology that's prevented over 90,000 crashes and saved 50,000 lives worldwide. Balakrishnan reveals how CMT's DriveWell platform fuses data from phones, windshield-mounted tags, connected vehicles, and dash cams to create a comprehensive picture of driving behavior that's transforming the insurance industry. The implications are profound. For the first time in insurance history, companies can price policies based on how people actually drive rather than demographic assumptions. Young drivers no longer automatically face punishing premiums—they can earn discounts through demonstrably safe driving. This creates a virtuous cycle where better driving leads to lower costs, fewer crashes, and ultimately, lives saved. Perhaps most fascinating is CMT's breakthrough in real-time crash detection—something once deemed impossible using only smartphone sensors. Unlike solutions that focus only on catastrophic accidents, CMT's technology works across all crash severities, providing immediate assistance when needed most. Looking toward the future, Balakrishnan shares his vision of data-driven road infrastructure improvements and the gradual integration of autonomous vehicles. All while maintaining a refreshingly human-centered approach to privacy: "Don't do anything with the data that you wouldn't want done with your own." If you're interested in how technology can create safer roads while giving people more control over their driving costs and safety, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into that future—one that's already arriving on roads worldwide. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI Governance: ModelOp's Approach to Enterprise Trust 21:53

۵ روز پیش21:53

21:53

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Trust remains the central challenge for enterprise AI adoption, as revealed in ModelOp's comprehensive AI Governance benchmark report. CTO Jim Olsen explains why so many generative AI projects remain stuck in development limbo, with 56% taking 16-18 months to reach production. The disconnect stems from AI's non-deterministic nature - unlike traditional software, models can't be fully predicted or verified in the same ways. "One bad recommendation is harder to overcome than a thousand correct ones," Olsen notes, highlighting how organizations struggle to build confidence in systems that sound convincingly authentic even when delivering incorrect information. This challenge becomes particularly acute in regulated industries where the stakes are highest. Financial services companies have developed the most mature governance practices out of necessity, having faced multi-billion dollar fines for improper model management. However, healthcare faces even greater complexity with "life or death" decisions and patchwork regulations across different jurisdictions. In both cases, fragmentation within enterprises compounds governance challenges, with different teams pursuing siloed approaches that prevent organizations from learning collectively. ModelOp addresses these challenges through centralized model lifecycle management that provides visibility, consistency, and automated governance. Their "minimal viable governance" approach enables organizations to start with essential controls and iterate, rather than waiting for perfect solutions. As AI evolves toward autonomous agents with decision-making authority, governance becomes even more critical. Ready to accelerate your AI implementation without compromising on trust or compliance? Discover how leading organizations are cutting deployment times in half while building stronger governance foundations. The key isn't waiting for perfect solutions, but starting the governance journey now before complexity overwhelms your AI initiatives. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
The Internet Has Become Your Enterprise Network, And That Changes Everything 27:09

۶ روز پیش27:09

27:09

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Cloud security is facing a fundamental paradigm shift that most organizations haven't fully recognized. According to Aviatrix CEO Doug Merritt, we're overlooking a staggering 50-80% of our attack surface by failing to properly secure cloud workload communications. The problem stems from three critical changes in how computing works today. First, the internet has essentially become our enterprise network – when your application calls an S3 bucket, that communication happens over the internet, not a controlled private network. Second, the traditional security perimeter hasn't disappeared; it's atomized from a handful of entry points to thousands or even hundreds of thousands of mini-perimeters. Every VPC, Kubernetes cluster, and API endpoint now requires its own security strategy. Third, modern workloads are largely ephemeral rather than long-lived, making them harder to secure with traditional approaches. This security challenge is further complicated by multi-cloud environments, where security policies must consistently follow workloads across cloud boundaries. Meanwhile, the rise of generative AI creates both defensive opportunities and heightened risks, as attackers leverage these same technologies to map enterprise environments and find vulnerabilities with unprecedented speed and effectiveness. As Merritt explains, "Attackers think in graphs" – constructing comprehensive maps of your organization's resources to identify any possible entry point. The solution requires a paradigm shift in how we approach cloud security. Aviatrix advocates for a "cloud native security fabric" built on zero trust principles specifically designed for cloud workloads. This approach focuses on four critical elements: controlling egress to prevent command-and-control communications, implementing east-west macro-segmentation to block lateral movement, applying micro-segmentation for granular control, and ensuring comprehensive encryption to protect data even if network infrastructure is compromised. Ready to rethink your cloud security approach? Discover how zero trust principles can be applied to your cloud workloads to close critical security gaps and protect your most valuable digital assets. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Who Will Build the Builders? Inside Emergence AI's CRAFT Platform 37:00

۷ روز پیش37:00

37:00

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The quiet revolution happening in enterprise AI isn't about flashy robots or sci-fi scenarios—it's about solving a $200 billion problem hiding in plain sight. Outdated, manual data pipelines are costing businesses astronomical amounts and keeping your smartest people stuck doing digital busywork. Emergence AI's CRAFT platform stands at the forefront of this revolution with its "agents creating agents" approach. The concept sounds deceptively simple: AI systems that can dynamically create specialized AI tools to handle specific tasks. But the implications are profound. Data scientists spend up to 90% of their time wrangling data rather than analyzing it. CRAFT flips that equation, cutting analysis time from days to minutes through intelligent automation that requires only natural language commands. What makes this particularly powerful is CARFT's self-improvement capabilities. The platform continuously learns through three dimensions: knowledge acquisition (gaining domain expertise), skill acquisition (optimizing workflows), and agent acquisition (building new capabilities). Like a new employee gaining experience, the system becomes increasingly valuable over time, adapting specifically to your business context. Real-world results already demonstrate the impact. Semiconductor manufacturers using CARFT identify yield issues in minutes instead of days, potentially saving millions weekly. Telecommunications companies report 70% reductions in data governance tasks. An online forum reduced unsafe image postings by 60 million monthly. The platform balances this power with built-in governance features, ensuring human oversight remains for critical decisions while shifting roles toward strategic direction rather than execution. Available now in private preview and launching broadly this summer, CARFT represents a fundamental shift in how enterprises handle data. The question isn't whether AI will transform your business operations—it's whether you'll be among the first to capitalize on this transformation or watch competitors race ahead while you're still stuck with yesterday's manual workflows. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
The Enterprise AI Revolution: From Science Project to Mission Critical 24:48

۷ روز پیش24:48

24:48

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com From cutting-edge experimentation to business-critical infrastructure, the AI landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. Ron from KungFu.ai shares an insider's perspective on this evolution, drawing from his experience dating back to AI research in the 1990s. The conversation reveals the pivotal factors driving AI's enterprise breakthrough: exponentially increased computing power, unprecedented data availability, and the democratizing effect of open-source libraries. These elements have converged to create capabilities early researchers could scarcely imagine, requiring millions of times more resources than initially anticipated. What distinguishes KungFu's approach is their unwavering focus on production-grade AI systems that deliver tangible business value rather than impressive but unreliable demos. Ron shares a striking success story of a financial services client whose AI implementation reduced loan decisioning time from 48 hours to just 9 seconds while simultaneously reducing fraud rates – all without eliminating human jobs but rather redirecting human attention to the complex cases requiring judgment. The discussion tackles the profound challenges enterprises face during implementation. AI systems differ fundamentally from traditional software in their probabilistic nature, making human-like mistakes that can be difficult to predict or debug. Data quality emerges as the critical determinant of success – "garbage in, garbage out" applies more powerfully to AI than to any previous technology. Ethical considerations, especially regarding bias and explainability in regulated environments, demand sophisticated approaches that go far beyond typical software development concerns. Looking ahead, Ron provides a sobering yet optimistic assessment of agentic AI systems, suggesting that failure rates may exceed Gartner's 40% prediction while maintaining that these technologies will ultimately revolutionize business faster than most anticipate. For companies navigating this complex landscape, the talent equation remains daunting – building effective AI systems requires a blend of mathematical expertise, domain knowledge, and hard-won intuition that remains in critically short supply. Ready to transform your business with AI that delivers real results rather than just impressive demos? Connect with Ron at ronallen@kungfuai.com or explore their "Hidden Layers" podcast for deeper technical insights into the future of enterprise AI. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Reimagining Identity Verification in a Digital World 31:07

10 روز پیش31:07

31:07

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com What if you never had to share your social security number or personal details again? What if there was a way to verify your identity and background just once, then reuse that credential securely for life? Trust might be the new digital currency, and Trua is building the exchange. The digital world demands proof of who we are at every turn, but our current verification systems create massive security risks. Each time we provide our personal information for a background check, membership sign-up, or service enrollment, we're creating another vulnerable data honeypot. With data breaches costing companies an average of $4.5 million and affecting millions of consumers, it's clear our approach to identity verification is fundamentally broken. Raj Ananthanpillai Founder & CEO shares his vision for a revolutionary Trust Bureau that gives individuals agency over their personal data while providing high-assurance verification to businesses and organizations. Drawing inspiration from post-9/11 security initiatives and addressing the shortcomings of using Social Security Numbers as universal identifiers, Trua has developed a blockchain-based system that could eliminate 70-80% of data breaches by preventing unnecessary PII proliferation. The implications are enormous. From streamlining pre-employment screening and preventing North Korean infiltration of tech companies to simplifying verification for gig economy workers, Trua's approach puts individuals at the center of the verification process while reducing regulatory burden and security costs for businesses. By tokenizing identity attributes and using zero-knowledge proofs, verification can happen without exposing underlying personal data. Ready to reclaim ownership of your digital identity? Discover how trust is becoming the new digital currency, and why the future of verification might look a lot like having a mobile driver's license in your digital wallet—secure, user-controlled, and universally accepted. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI Meets DNA: Democratizing Precision Health 28:59

11 روز پیش28:59

28:59

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Dr. Kapoor takes us on a fascinating journey from the COVID pandemic's testing challenges to his groundbreaking work at BioAero, where AI meets genomics to revolutionize healthcare delivery. What began as an effort to speed up COVID test results evolved into a mission to solve a critical healthcare bottleneck: the months-long wait for genomic sequencing data that makes personalized medicine nearly impossible to deliver at the point of care. "There's a secret key all of us are born with—a blueprint of our life," Dr. Kapoor explains, describing how our genetic code holds crucial information about disease risks and medication responses that remain largely untapped in current medical practice. The implications are staggering: many patients receive medications that won't work for their genetic makeup, suffering unnecessary side effects while missing potential benefits from treatments better suited to their unique biology. The conversation explores how healthcare is evolving from its traditional reactive model toward "Healthcare 3.0"—where imaging, blood tests, and genomics create a comprehensive picture of a patient's health, enabling truly personalized treatment plans. Dr. Kapoor illustrates this with compelling examples: every seventh person doesn't respond to aspirin after a heart attack, many Asians experience side effects from high-dose statins, and diet recommendations like "Mediterranean diet" may benefit some genetic profiles more than others. With BioAero's technology, doctors can move beyond population-based averages to treatments tailored for individual genetic makeup. Beyond clinical applications, Dr. Kapoor shares his vision for decentralized health data that empowers patients to control their own information, potentially transforming clinical trials by making them more inclusive of diverse populations. Looking ahead, he predicts healthcare increasingly delivered at home, with less reliance on hospitals except for acute care and special procedures. Countries worldwide are already implementing nationwide genomic programs, recognizing that the future of medicine lies in understanding and applying the genetic blueprint we all carry. Want to explore your own genetic makeup? Visit BioAero's website to access a range of testing services, from gut microbiome analysis to whole genome sequencing—all delivered with a commitment to privacy and personalized healthcare that truly works for you. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI, Deep Fakes, and Your Digital Self: Navigating the New Identity Landscape 26:35

13 روز پیش26:35

26:35

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Every chip in every device around you has at least one identity associated with it. Machine identities now outnumber human ones online. AI can replicate your face and voice with frightening accuracy. Welcome to the brave new world of identity security. Jeff Reich, Executive Director of the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA), brings over 45 years of security experience to this fascinating discussion about why identity has become ground zero in today's cybersecurity battles. The perimeter has shifted dramatically — from physical computer rooms to worldwide networks, and now to every connected device. With this expansion, traditional approaches to security have become dangerously inadequate. Through vendor-neutral research and collaboration, IDSA is addressing critical gaps in our identity security practices. Their findings are sobering: 98% of organizations experienced identity-related security incidents. While most organizations have implemented basic protections like strong passwords, sophisticated threats like ransomware, identity theft, and deepfakes continue to evolve faster than our defenses. Reich offers practical wisdom for security leaders navigating this landscape. He distinguishes between mere compliance and actual security, noting that "every major credit card breach occurred at organizations that were PCI compliant until the moment the breach occurred." For overwhelmed CISOs, he suggests focusing on communicating in executive language rather than technical terms, and accepting that sometimes the role functions as "Chief Scapegoat Officer" — concentrating on doing what's right rather than just protecting one's position. As technology advances faster than our ability to adapt to it, non-human identities and AI-driven threats will dominate security concerns in the coming months. Organizations must look beyond checkbox compliance toward substantive, thoughtful approaches to identity security that can withstand the complex threats of tomorrow's digital landscape. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Retail Revolution: Navigating Tariffs and Trends 24:38

14 روز پیش24:38

24:38

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI-Powered Observability Is Changing How We Manage Enterprise Storage Forever 25:48

14 روز پیش25:48

25:48

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Unified visibility has transformed from a luxury into a business-critical imperative for enterprises navigating today's complex IT landscape. In this revealing conversation with Sunitha Rao, who leads Hitachi Vantara's hybrid cloud business unit, we explore why this shift has occurred and how their newly launched VSP360 platform delivers game-changing capabilities. The driving forces behind unified visibility's rise are compelling - AI's acceleration, evolving regulatory landscapes across regions, and the pressing need for financial agility as we approach 2025. Organizations struggling with fragmented visibility across hybrid environments can no longer afford the inefficiencies of siloed approaches. As Sunitha explains, "You really have the AI that's allowing you to have data insights that are explainable, that allow you to give a cross-domain visibility across the board." VSP360's visibility-driven architecture represents a fundamental rethinking of enterprise storage management. Rather than bolting on capabilities, Hitachi has built a unified control plane that provides intelligent insights through what Sunitha calls a "single pane of smart glass." The platform leverages AI-powered observability to deliver real-time performance telemetry, predictive analytics, and automated recommendations that help organizations optimize their entire storage fleet - whether on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. Perhaps most impressive is how VSP360 addresses the ever-present challenge of shadow IT and cloud sprawl. Through comprehensive visibility and AI-driven recommendations, organizations gain the ability to detect idle resources, misaligned storage tiers, and potential cost optimizations. One beta customer reported freeing up 60% of their IT team's efforts by leveraging these capabilities - allowing valuable technical talent to focus on high-value strategic initiatives rather than routine management tasks. For CIOs embarking on this journey toward unified visibility, Sunita offers practical advice: start by acknowledging fragmentation as both a technical and business requirement, conduct a comprehensive asset assessment, and seek platforms that provide unified control with built-in governance. As she notes, "Your visibility is basically building efficiency, and efficiency is basically building you to transform the way you manage your data environments." Curious about how unified visibility could transform your organization's approach to data management? Explore how Hitachi's visibility-driven architecture might help you gain control of your diverse IT landscape while preparing for the AI-driven future. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Digital Giants: Inside TELUS Digital's Global CX Transformation 20:53

15 روز پیش20:53

20:53

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

What's Up with Tech?

1
Why your organization needs a stronger approach to identity security right now. 26:35

15 روز پیش26:35

26:35

What's Up with Tech?

1
What happens when AI meets the arcane world of enterprise networking? 20:31

17 روز پیش20:31

20:31

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Telecom procurement has remained stubbornly rooted in spreadsheets, emails, and manual workflows – even as enterprises spend millions on critical network infrastructure. But what happens when modern AI technology meets this arcane industry? Dennis Thankachan founder and CEO of Lightyear, takes us on a fascinating journey from hedge fund investing to building what he calls "the telecom operating system for the enterprise." After becoming obsessed with the telecom sector's untapped potential, Dennis discovered large companies were managing tens or hundreds of millions in annual telecom spend with painfully outdated tools and processes. This revelation sparked the creation of Lightyear – a platform that digitizes and automates the entire telecom lifecycle. The conversation explores how Lightyear's proprietary dataset, built from thousands of telecom RFPs, provides unprecedented visibility into market trends like bandwidth price inflation and the FCC-mandated replacement of traditional copper phone lines. We discuss the profound impact of AI on enterprise networking needs and management approaches, with Dennis revealing how Lightyear helps customers save over 20% on costs and 70% on time spent managing telecom services. What makes this discussion particularly valuable is the rare window it provides into an industry that touches everything yet remains mysterious to most. Whether you're managing enterprise infrastructure, interested in AI's practical business applications, or simply curious about how the digital backbone of commerce is evolving, you'll come away with fresh insights into telecom's hidden complexities and emerging solutions. Check out Lightyear's State of Connectivity 2025 report on their website to learn more about the trends shaping enterprise networking. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Why Your AI Initiatives Are Stuck at the Starting Line 19:58

18 روز پیش19:58

19:58

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Data without context is just noise. Despite billions invested in data infrastructure, most Fortune 1000 companies struggle to extract meaningful value from their investments. Why? They've built complex, fragmented ecosystems focused on tools rather than outcomes. Srujan Akula, founder of The Modern Data Company, shares how his frustration with this industry-wide problem led to a revolutionary approach. After witnessing global enterprises repeatedly fail to achieve ROI from massive data investments, he and co-founder Animesh Kumar developed an operating system for data that converges the entire management stack into a simplified, business-centric ecosystem. What makes their approach unique is how they flip traditional data management on its head. Instead of starting with source systems and figuring out what to do later, they begin with business intent and work backward. This right-to-left paradigm dramatically improves efficiency and accelerates time-to-value. One $30 billion distribution company transformed their customer marketing capabilities in just six weeks after spending years and $70-80 million without success. The timing couldn't be more critical as organizations rush toward AI adoption. Akula reveals that 75-80% of enterprises are "stuck at the starting line" with AI initiatives because their data lacks the context and business meaning AI requires to be effective. By positioning their operating system as the "brain" that provides this context, The Modern Data Company helps businesses move beyond experiments to embedding AI into decision-making processes. Perhaps most refreshing is their business approach - founded on humility, empathy, accountability, and transparency, they measure success by time-to-ROI and charge based on value created rather than seats or data volume. As Akula looks toward a future where agent technologies will transform enterprise efficiency, The Modern Data Company continues expanding with federal partnerships and an upcoming SaaS offering that promises to be "an AWS for data." Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Beyond Insurance: The Hidden Path to Affordable Healthcare 22:27

19 روز پیش22:27

22:27

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

What's Up with Tech?

1
Marketing Essentials for Small Business Growth 28:26

19 روز پیش28:26

28:26

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The marketing landscape is constantly evolving, but what actually works for small businesses with limited time and resources? Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, reveals the surprising truth: despite all the technological advancements, success still comes down to building authentic relationships. Drawing from Constant Contact's extensive research with thousands of SMBs, Dave shares eye-opening statistics: 56% of small business owners have less than an hour daily for marketing, 73% feel uncertain about their strategy, and over half regularly procrastinate on marketing tasks. These challenges create a perfect storm where business owners know marketing matters but struggle to implement effective approaches. What's truly fascinating is the generational shift happening right now. Gen Z and millennials are actively seeking out small businesses at nearly twice the rate of baby boomers. They're deliberately choosing to support companies that align with their values and create authentic experiences. This presents an incredible opportunity for SMBs willing to showcase what makes them unique. While social media remains important, Dave cautions against over-reliance on these "rented" platforms where algorithms can change overnight. Instead, he advocates building assets you actually own—particularly your email list, which he describes as "pure gold" for small businesses. Unlike social followers that can disappear with algorithm changes, your email list represents a tangible business asset that adds significant value. The conversation takes an exciting turn when discussing AI's potential for time-strapped business owners. Dave highlights Constant Contact's AI-powered campaign builder that can create comprehensive multi-channel marketing strategies based on simple prompts about your business goals. These technologies don't replace human connections but rather free up owners to focus on creating the personal experiences that increasingly differentiate them in today's marketplace. Looking for practical marketing guidance that cuts through the noise? This conversation delivers actionable insights on building customer relationships, leveraging automation effectively, and finding the right balance between technology and human connection for your small business. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
When AI Meets Identity Protection: The Full Story of Loti's Internet Takedown Service 20:23

19 روز پیش20:23

20:23

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Imagine having a delete button for the internet. That's exactly what Loti offers—a groundbreaking service that literally downloads the entire web and runs sophisticated face and voice recognition across billions of pieces of content to find and remove unwanted digital traces. Luke Arrigoni, Loti's founder, shares how the service evolved from combating non-consensual intimate imagery into a comprehensive digital protection platform now backed by major entertainment agencies and venture capital. What sets Loti apart is their extraordinary technical approach—they can identify as little as 15% of a face or voice, making them uniquely effective at finding content that's deliberately hidden or manipulated. The company processes takedown requests within 24 hours, dramatically faster than traditional DMCA requests that can take weeks. Corporate executives have become major users of the platform as deepfake threats proliferate. Scammers create convincing impersonations of C-suite leaders to sell fake access to companies or release fraudulent financial information. Meanwhile, celebrities and public figures use Loti in surprisingly strategic ways. Rather than removing everything, most clients establish specific rules about what should remain online versus what should be taken down, understanding that their digital presence forms an important part of their public identity. The conversation explores fascinating ethical dimensions of digital protection. Loti operates as a "strategy engine, not a morality engine," allowing clients to set their own boundaries. While they support child protection organizations and partner with major social platforms to streamline takedowns, they deliberately avoid providing "surveillance as a service" to law enforcement, recognizing the complex ethical questions such arrangements would raise. Ready to protect your digital self? Visit Loti's website to explore their services, including a free option providing five takedowns monthly for individual users who need protection without the hefty price tag. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI Test Engineers: The Future of QA 22:08

21 روز پیش22:08

22:08

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Testing has become the hidden bottleneck in software development. While companies invest heavily in AI-powered coding tools to accelerate development, quality assurance can't keep pace—until now. Tal Barmeir, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of BlinqIO, reveals how his company's AI test engineer is fundamentally changing the testing landscape. This isn't just another automation tool; it's an intelligent system that autonomously creates, executes, and maintains test code by understanding the business logic behind requirements. When a user interface changes, the AI doesn't break—it adapts, just as a human would. The most revolutionary aspect? Solving the seemingly impossible challenge of comprehensive testing coverage. Traditional testing requires enormous resources to cover multiple browsers, devices, screen sizes, and languages. Blinq's AI test engineer handles all variations from a single test requirement, effectively "speaking" 50+ languages and navigating different UI layouts with human-like intelligence. Contrary to replacement fears, this technology transforms rather than eliminates human roles. Testers evolve from frantically coding automation scripts to managing and auditing AI-generated work. Organizations finally have a path to achieve 100% testing coverage—something most have given up on due to resource constraints. Getting started takes minutes, using familiar test recording workflows enhanced with AI capabilities. The system creates business-logic descriptions rather than mechanical UI interaction scripts, enabling intelligent adaptation as applications evolve. Ready to eliminate your testing bottleneck? Discover how an AI test engineer could transform your quality assurance while accelerating your entire software development lifecycle. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Building The Future: AMD's Software Strategy for the AI Revolution 22:51

25 روز پیش22:51

22:51

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The AI revolution demands a new approach to computing infrastructure, and AMD is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation through an ambitious software strategy that empowers developers and enterprises alike. In this illuminating conversation, Anush Elangovan—who joined AMD through the acquisition of his company NordI—shares how AMD is fundamentally rethinking its approach to software development. Rather than treating software as merely an enabler for hardware, AMD now views its software layer as a product with a 10-year lifecycle that transcends hardware generations. This philosophical shift is enabling developers to build with confidence on AMD platforms like ROCm, knowing their investments will be supported long-term. Perhaps most striking is AMD's embrace of open source development. The company has moved to a model where both internal and external developers work from the same source code, allowing customers to modify core components just as AMD engineers can. This democratization has already yielded impressive results, with community contributors enhancing Windows support for ROCm faster than AMD might have accomplished internally. For enterprise customers, AMD is launching a Developer Cloud that offers free credits to try AMD GPUs with a seamless path from development to production. Energy efficiency—increasingly critical as AI compute demands grow—represents another AMD advantage. Their innovative chiplet design for Instinct platforms provides granular control over power utilization, with features like CPX mode that can partition compute units and disable interconnects when not needed. Looking ahead, AMD anticipates inference workloads will dominate AI compute demands, and is designing both hardware and software to excel in this environment. Explore these innovations and more at AMD's Advancing AI event on June 12th, featuring new hardware announcements, RocM 7, and the Developer Cloud launch. Connect with AMD's AI team on X @AIatAMD to join the conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Beyond AV: Building the Intelligent Workplace Ecosystem 11:42

26 روز پیش11:42

11:42

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Artificial intelligence isn't just changing how we work—it's fundamentally transforming the workplace itself. In this eye-opening conversation direct from InfoComm, Ryan from Unified Communications takes us inside booth 3817 to explore their groundbreaking approach to creating truly intelligent workspaces. What makes their vision unique is how they're moving beyond traditional AV integration to develop specialized AI agents addressing real business challenges. Their Company Pulse Agent conducts conversational interviews with employees through Teams, gathering and summarizing valuable feedback for leadership. Their Customer Advocate Agent monitors email communications to detect potential issues before they escalate, while their Teams Room Support Agent provides comprehensive help for meeting technology, grounded in Microsoft documentation and manufacturer specifications. The most captivating demonstration happens inside their "Whisper Suite," where Ryan showcases how AI integration with hardware platforms creates almost magical workplace experiences. Imagine walking into a meeting room and simply asking how to use it—no manual needed. Or picture a room that automatically adjusts settings when the furniture arrangement changes from boardroom to classroom setup. These aren't futuristic concepts but practical applications UC delivers today. Beyond the technology itself, Ryan emphasizes the importance of having a holistic partner for implementing AI workplace solutions. Their GlobalView AV portal provides complete visibility from project proposal through ongoing room management, while their e-procurement solutions help manage device standards across global organizations. For organizations feeling overwhelmed by rapid technological change, UC offers both strategy sessions and a learning platform integrated with Microsoft Graph to help teams stay current. Ready to transform your workplace with intelligent technology that works for you, not the other way around? Visit UC at InfoComm booth 3817 or book a strategy session through the link below to begin your journey toward a truly AI-powered workplace ecosystem. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
How AI is Making Every Seller Your Best Seller 21:44

27 روز پیش21:44

21:44

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com What would your sales team look like if every rep could sell like your top performer? That's the transformative promise of AI in sales, and it's happening right now. Arjun Pillai, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Docket, an AI platform transforming B2B sales, reveals how his third venture in sales technology is fundamentally changing how companies approach go-to-market strategies. The problem? A staggering 90% of sales knowledge exists either in people's heads or buried in unstructured data like call recordings and chat conversations. This creates endless inefficiencies, slows down new hires, and leaves revenue on the table. Docket's solution is brilliant in its simplicity: create a comprehensive "sales knowledge lake" that captures both structured and unstructured data, filters out the noise, and learns specifically from top performers. On this foundation, they've built two game-changing AI agents. Their AI seller autonomously engages website visitors with human-like conversations, while their AI sales engineer – the true breakthrough – provides real-time support during sales calls, helping representatives instantly answer technical questions or handle objections exactly as the company's best salespeople would. The results speak volumes: customers report 12% higher win rates, 10% shorter sales cycles, and 15% faster onboarding for new reps. With over 15 months of enterprise deployment and 55,000+ questions answered, Docket has proven these systems can work at scale without the hallucination problems that plague many AI implementations. Through confidence scoring, reference links, and customizable guardrails, they've built the trust necessary for widespread adoption. Perhaps most fascinating is Arjun's perspective on the future. While fully autonomous AI sellers will increasingly handle simpler, high-volume transactions, human representatives will remain essential for complex enterprise sales. The companies that thrive won't be those that replace humans, but rather those that strategically augment their capabilities – enabling every seller to perform like their very best. Want to see how AI could transform your sales organization? Discover what's possible when you unlock the hidden knowledge in your go-to-market teams. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Transforming Workplaces: The Convergence of AI, AV, and Modern Collaboration 17:25

28 روز پیش17:25

17:25

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

What's Up with Tech?

1
Data-Driven CX: Balancing Technology and Humanity in Customer Care 33:30

30 روز پیش33:30

33:30

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The world of customer experience has evolved dramatically in recent years, and few understand this transformation better than Joel Sylvester of Five Star Call Centers. In this fascinating conversation, Joel takes us through the reinvention of customer care, showing how today's most successful organizations are blending cutting-edge technology with authentic human connection. Having pioneered work-from-home call center programs back in 1999 and helped establish some of the first offshore operations in the Philippines, Joel brings a uniquely informed perspective on how AI, data intelligence, and digital agents are reshaping what's possible in customer service. The discussion reveals how AI has revolutionized every aspect of customer experience – from recruitment and training to real-time agent assistance and quality monitoring. Joel explains why the term "chatbot" is obsolete, preferring "digital agent" to describe the sophisticated AI tools now handling after-hours inquiries, seasonal spikes, and routine questions. These digital team members free human agents to focus on complex, emotionally-charged interactions where their empathy and judgment add irreplaceable value. Perhaps most compelling is Joel's insight into data's critical role in driving exceptional customer experiences. "If you don't trust your data, now's the time to start putting things into place to trust your data," he advises, emphasizing that clean, structured information forms the foundation for everything from AI performance to business decision-making. Organizations that harness their interaction data can now identify consumer preferences, predict needs, and even develop new products based on customer conversations. For companies just beginning their CX transformation journey, Joel offers practical guidance: audit your data systems, establish clear AI usage policies (including strong "always" and "never" guidelines), and start with low-risk, high-return applications. His enthusiasm for the possibilities is infectious, particularly when describing how these technologies are transforming healthcare customer service – helping sick patients and concerned family members get the answers and care they desperately need. Ready to discover how the right blend of technology and humanity can transform your customer experience? This episode delivers actionable insights for service leaders looking to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Orchestrating AI: Martin Taylor on Transforming Customer Experience 33:01

۴ weeks پیش33:01

33:01

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Martin Taylor takes us on a fascinating journey through the rapidly evolving landscape where artificial intelligence meets customer experience. As the co-founder of Content Guru, he's spent decades watching this space transform from simple call centers to sophisticated, AI-enhanced engagement platforms that serve millions of interactions across financial services, government agencies, and healthcare systems worldwide. The conversation reveals how COVID-19 created a watershed moment for customer experience technology. When face-to-face interactions ceased, organizations were forced to elevate their digital engagement strategies, creating competitive differentiation through superior experiences rather than just products or prices. Today's leading organizations are embracing what Taylor calls "omni-channel, omni-data, omni-automation" approaches that meet customers wherever they prefer to engage. What makes Content Guru's approach unique is their philosophy of AI orchestration. Rather than building proprietary AI models, they scan the horizon for the best specialized engines—whether large language models, small language models, vision systems, or translation tools—and integrate them through an enterprise-grade platform that ensures security, reliability and accessibility. This lets their customers deploy cutting-edge technology without becoming AI scientists themselves. Perhaps most compelling is Taylor's vision for the human-AI partnership. He describes a future where human agents sit "atop a pyramid" of automation layers, freed from mundane tasks like data entry and transcription to focus entirely on meaningful customer conversations. The technology doesn't replace humans—it elevates them, providing real-time support, suggestions, and even performance feedback that helps agents continuously improve. The results speak for themselves: financial services organizations slashing handle times by 50%, government agencies diverting hundreds of thousands of inquiries to AI-powered chatbots while improving both citizen satisfaction and employee experience. Whether you're leading a customer experience transformation, exploring AI implementation, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping human interactions, this conversation offers invaluable insights from someone who's been pioneering this space for decades. Listen now to understand how your organization can harness these same principles to create exceptional experiences that drive loyalty, efficiency and competitive advantage. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI Assistants in Law: How Lex Machina's Protege is Transforming Legal Strategy 21:10

۵ weeks پیش21:10

21:10

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com The legal profession stands at a transformative moment as artificial intelligence reshapes how attorneys work, strategize, and win cases. In this illuminating conversation with Carla Rydholm General Manager at Lex Machina, we explore how legal analytics and AI are fundamentally changing litigation practice while preserving the irreplaceable human elements that define quality legal representation. Carla shares the fascinating evolution of Lex Machina from a public interest project between a law school and computer science department to a pioneering legal analytics company now owned by LexisNexis. Their mission revolves around "data-empowered lawyering" – transforming the overwhelming volume of legal information into structured, accessible insights that attorneys can use to make better strategic decisions. We dive deep into Lex Machina's AI assistant "Protege," which allows lawyers to ask natural language questions about litigation timelines, judge tendencies, and strategic options. Rather than replacing legal expertise, Protege amplifies it by creating space for attorneys to think deeply and strategically about their cases. As one knowledge management director revealed, having instant access to data like a judge's unusually high reversal rate can prompt nuanced client discussions that ultimately lead to winning strategies. What emerges is a vision of legal practice where AI tools become as standard as word processors, helping attorneys manage information overload while focusing on the judgment, client relationships, and ethical considerations that cannot be automated. Despite the technological evolution, the future of law remains fundamentally human – enhanced rather than replaced by artificial intelligence. Ready to explore how AI is transforming one of our oldest professions? Listen now to understand the sea change happening in legal technology and what it means for the future of justice, representation, and advocacy in our increasingly complex world. Then share your thoughts on how AI might reshape other tradition-bound professions! Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
The Future of Customer Experience: TELUS Digital's Journey from Telecom to Global Technology Leader 20:53

۵ weeks پیش20:53

20:53

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com What happens when you combine cutting-edge AI with a deeply human approach to customer care? TELUS Digital provides the answer, demonstrating how a 20-year journey has transformed a Canadian telecom offshoot into a global digital powerhouse operating across 32 countries with 78,000 employees. Monty Hamilton, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at TELUS Digital, takes us behind the scenes of their innovative approach to digital transformation. Rather than simply putting "humans in the loop," TELUS embraces what they call "humanity in the loop" – making people the foundation of everything they do. This philosophy has allowed them to leverage their diverse global footprint to create personalized customer experiences that blend technological innovation with human insight. The conversation explores how TELUS Digital is revolutionizing customer care through AI-powered solutions including real-time translation, voice accent neutralization, and their groundbreaking Fuel IX platform. This technology enables personalized agent training that reduces onboarding time by 25% while building team member confidence and improving service quality. We also discover how their TELUS Days of Giving program builds schools in Guatemala, restores orphanages in El Salvador, and revitalizes industrial sites in India – often inviting clients to participate alongside team members. For businesses at any stage of their digital transformation journey, Hamilton offers an encouraging message: "There's never been a better time to start." With today's accessible technology tools and affordable computing power, organizations don't need massive budgets to achieve meaningful transformation. The key is listening to customers, embracing new technologies thoughtfully, and maintaining a foundation of human values throughout the process. Ready to transform your customer experience? Discover how balancing cutting-edge technology with deeply human values can create exceptional results for your organization. The TELUS Digital story shows that when humanity leads and technology follows, extraordinary things happen. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Securing Your Entire Data Estate: From SaaS Apps to AI Infrastructure 12:25

۵ weeks پیش12:25

12:25

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Universal data protection has never been more critical as organizations spread their digital footprint across hundreds of SaaS applications and cloud environments. In this compelling conversation, Andy Fernandez, Senior Director of Product Marketing at HYCU, pulls back the curtain on the company's groundbreaking integration with Dell Power Protect Data Domain, recently announced at Dell Technologies World. As the fastest-growing data protection as a service provider globally, Haiku now empowers Dell customers to shield their entire data estate through 86 specialized integrations. The partnership comes at a pivotal moment when organizations face unprecedented challenges in securing critical information. Beyond the obvious Microsoft 365 environments, Andy reveals the "crown jewels" hiding in plain sight – GitHub repositories containing intellectual property, Box folders housing sensitive research, and emerging AI vector databases that remain dangerously exposed in most enterprises. The conversation explores why data governance has suddenly become a central focus at major tech conferences, driven by dual pressures of geopolitical data residency requirements and the growing threat of supply chain attacks. Andy dismantles the false choice between compliance and innovation, sharing real-world examples from financial services and healthcare customers who successfully balance protection with progress. With 60% of corporate data now residing in cloud environments and the average mid-sized organization using over 200 SaaS applications, the discussion provides timely guidance for organizations navigating complex decisions around VMware transitions and AI implementation. Whether you're rethinking your approach to data protection or building resilience into your cloud strategy, this episode delivers actionable insights for securing your organization's most valuable digital assets. Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
AI's Telecom Revolution 31:52

۵ weeks پیش31:52

31:52

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Telecom operators worldwide are facing a profitability crisis. After investing billions in 5G infrastructure with minimal revenue gains to show for it, the industry finds itself at a critical juncture where transformation is no longer optional but existential. Michele from Optiva brings over three decades of telecom software experience to illuminate how AI is becoming the industry's lifeline. The conversation quickly establishes why this moment is different from previous technology waves. While neural networks have existed for decades, today's convergence of massive data availability, computing power, and industry necessity creates the perfect conditions for AI adoption. For telecom companies specifically, AI offers a two-pronged solution to their financial squeeze: revenue enhancement through hyper-personalization and cost reduction through autonomous operations. What makes this transformation particularly fascinating is the concept of the "segment of one" – moving beyond traditional customer segmentation to truly individualized service offerings. As Michele explains, the data to make this possible already exists within telecom billing systems, capturing user behaviors, preferences, and patterns. When AI is applied to this rich dataset, it can create personalized offerings tailored to each customer at the right time, dramatically increasing conversion rates. Perhaps most compelling is the practical impact already being realized. Vodafone's implementation of AI agents now handles 70% of customer interactions without human involvement, simultaneously reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, dynamic pricing initiatives are helping operators maximize infrastructure utilization through real-time rate adjustments based on network conditions and customer needs. The challenges remain significant. Telcos' conservative approach to change stems from legitimate reliability concerns – as Michele notes, "95% accuracy is not good enough for the network" when service disruptions impact millions. Yet the financial pressures force a reconsideration of this cautious stance, with AI adoption becoming gradually more autonomous as systems prove their reliability. Ready to discover how your organization can leverage AI to transform customer relationships while dramatically cutting operational costs? The telecommunications revolution is just beginning – and its lessons apply across industries facing similar disruption. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

What's Up with Tech?

1
Tariffs, Tech, and Transformations: A Retail Reality Check 24:38

۵ weeks پیش24:38

24:38

Interested in being a guest? Email us at admin@evankirstel.com Retail is in an age of perpetual reinvention. From navigating online strategies in the early 2000s to mobile adoption in the mid-2000s and now grappling with tariffs and supply chain disruptions, retailers must continuously evolve to survive and thrive. According to Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retail Tech Media Nexus, the fundamental truth remains constant amid this change: "You are selling an emotion, the emotion of that thing." Dominick brings a unique perspective to retail, having transitioned from mainstream media to mentoring over 200 e-commerce startups before creating his current venture connecting tech companies, retailers, and media partners. His insights reveal a fascinating dichotomy in today's retail landscape. While giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Apple leverage their vast resources to create seamless digital experiences, nimble small businesses find success through authentic personal connections – like the retailer who phoned every customer to thank them, inadvertently creating a viral marketing strategy that cost nothing but time. The conversation explores how retailers are adapting to economic challenges, particularly the impact of tariffs on supply chains. For some small businesses with tight margins, these disruptions represent an existential threat: "I do not have the margin. I cannot cover these tariffs in any way. Period, I'm dead." Yet others find ways to innovate through efficiency, implementing solutions like virtual shopping experiences that reduce costs while enhancing customer convenience. As digital transformation continues reshaping retail, Dominick cautions against getting caught in technology hype cycles without clear implementation strategies. Many retailers collect vast amounts of data without effectively analyzing it, while others struggle to balance personalization with authenticity. "We personalize to the point of almost numbness," he notes, suggesting that consumers increasingly value genuine connections over algorithmic recommendations. Connect with Dominick on LinkedIn, where he maintains over 30,000 professional connections, to learn more about navigating retail's ever-changing landscape and to discover how businesses of all sizes can build meaningful customer relationships in an increasingly digital world. PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Support the show More at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel…

به Player FM خوش آمدید!

Player FM در سراسر وب را برای یافتن پادکست های با کیفیت اسکن می کند تا همین الان لذت ببرید. این بهترین برنامه ی پادکست است که در اندروید، آیفون و وب کار می کند. ثبت نام کنید تا اشتراک های شما در بین دستگاه های مختلف همگام سازی شود.