CxOTalk RSS

Enterprise AI: The Leadership Lessons

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Artificial intelligence promises great opportunities for the enterprise but realizing that potential requires strong leadership and a strategic approach. On episode 799 of CXOTalk, we spoke with Sunil Senan, Global Head of Data, Analytics and AI at Infosys, about the leadership lessons around enterprise AI adoption.

While interest in enterprise AI is high, companies still have more questions than answers, especially around how to translate the potential of AI into practical benefits and outcomes.

Among the topics discussed are:

There is heightened enterprise interest in AI but more questions than answers on how to apply it. Companies want help translating AI's potential into business impact.AI adoption differs from past "big bang" software rollouts. It requires continuous, iterative development and learning.AI success depends on envisioning goals, preparing for organizational change, and responsible design. Ethics and compliance can't be an afterthought.AI offers opportunities like accelerated growth, operational efficiencies, and connected ecosystems through data sharing.Realizing AI's benefits takes thoughtful leadership, cultural change, and aligning AI to solve specific business problems vs "AI for AI's sake."

Sunil Senan is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Data, Analytics, and AI at Infosys. In this role, he works closely with Infosys’ strategic clients on their data & analytics led digital transformation initiatives. He is passionate about how data & analytics is creating economic impact in the society and how enterprises and governments can engage in driving this transformation. He has written the “Data economy in Digital times” paper articulating how the new data economy presents a set of new possibilities for enterprises, governments to serve their citizens and consumers. Sunil holds a bachelor of engineering degree with a specialization in computer science and has completed his master’s in business administration (executive-MBA) from prestigious Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Bangalore.

Michael Krigsman is an industry analyst and publisher of CXOTalk. For three decades, he has advised enterprise technology companies on market messaging and positioning strategy. He has written over 1,000 blogs on leadership and digital transformation and created almost 1,000 video interviews with the world’s top business leaders on these topics. His work has been referenced in the media over 1,000 times and in over 50 books. He has presented and moderated panels at numerous industry events around the world.

Harvard Business School Professor: How to Lead Enterprise AI

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

On CXOTalk episode number 803, Harvard Business School professor Iavor Bojinov explains how to make enterprise AI projects successful, given their high rate of failure. Here are key points from the discussion:

Prioritize Projects: Focus on AI initiatives that align with your business goals and are feasible to implement.Leadership and Culture: Make sure your company culture is open to AI, with leaders who grasp both the technical and commercial dimensions.Scalable Systems: Develop an 'AI factory' to streamline and scale AI development.Vendor Flexibility: When working with outside partners, don't lock yourself into one platform. Be ready to switch if necessary.Trust: Ensure that AI systems are transparent, audit for bias, and establish clear lines of accountability for failures.

Bojinov stresses that each stage of an AI project, from conception to ongoing management, needs expertise, adaptability, a receptive culture, and trust. With a well-thought-out strategy, companies can navigate typical challenges and harness AI's full potential.

Our guest co-host for this episode is QuHarrison Terry.

Iavor Bojinov is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration and the Richard Hodgson Fellow at Harvard Business School. He is the co-PI of the AI and Data Science Operations Lab and a faculty affiliate in the Department of Statistics at Harvard University and the Harvard Data Science Initiative. His research and writings center on data science strategy and operations, aiming to understand how companies should overcome the methodological and operational challenges presented by the novel applications of AI. His work has been published in top academic journals such as Annals of Applied Statistics, Biometrika, The Journal of the American Statistical Association, Quantitative Economics, Management Science, and Science, and has been cited in Forbes, The New York Times, The Washingon Post, and Reuters, among other outlets. Before joining Harvard Business School, Professor Bojinov worked as a data scientist leading the causal inference effort within the Applied Research Group at LinkedIn. He holds a Ph.D. and an MA in Statistics from Harvard and an MSci in Mathematics from King’s College London.

QuHarrison Terry is head of growth marketing at Mark Cuban Companies, a Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives.

What Is People Analytics? (with Workday)

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

People analytics is a crucial part of the HR toolset, because it leverages data-driven insights to optimize workforce strategies, enhance employee performance, and improve organizational outcomes.

To explore this topic, Michael Krigsman hosts a CXOTalk discussion with Caroline O'Reilly, GM of Analytics at Workday, and a leading expert in leveraging people data strategically.

Key topics covered:

The challenges of fragmented, siloed people data and the need for AI/ML to surface insights.Understanding the value of people analytics for accelerating decisions and solving complex business questions.Key strategic questions answered by people analytics, from hybrid work models to skills gaps.The types of data used, from surveys to performance metrics and more.How people analytics improves employee experience through listening tools and answering questions.The growing importance of skills data for hiring, mentoring, and reskilling.Practical examples of people analytics use cases at Workday and LeasePlan.Ensuring data security and privacy when leveraging people data.The role of AI and machine learning in automating people analytics.Advice for HR leaders on driving organizational adoption and building a data-centric culture.Best practices for implementing people analytics, from aligning with business strategy to utilizing AI/ML.

Navigating Remote Work: Insider Strategies from Verizon

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this insightful CXOTalk interview, Mark Custodio, Director of Enterprise Sales at Verizon, unpacks the key trends, challenges, and solutions shaping the future of remote and hybrid work.

Drawing from extensive on-the-ground experience, Custodio offers practical guidance on using technology to enable seamless collaboration, connectivity, security, and exceptional employee experiences across distributed teams.

Tune in to hear Custodio's perspectives on:

The latest trends in remote and hybrid work modelsCommon pain points organizations face in supporting distributed teamsSolutions for remote work challenges related to technology, compliance, and securityBest practices for selecting the right tools and technologiesThe employee experience imperative - how to engage and retain top talentEmployee training and awareness around phishing and security risksImplementation and change management best practicesThe future of work - how 5G, fiber, and other advances will shape remote collaboration

Don't miss Custodio's practical insights and guidance, reflecting years of working with Verizon’s largest customers. This interview provides invaluable perspective for any organization navigating the new world of flexible work arrangements.

Mark Custodio is Director of Enterprise Sales at Verizon. Mark has spent his career growing, leading, and transforming dynamic businesses that deliver exceptional results. He has over 20 years of experience developing a broad network of strategic industry relationships, building innovative businesses from the ground up, and leading teams to increase performance and productivity.

Mark is known as a gifted sales leader who motivates and inspires his team members to exceed expectations. He leads several organizations that partner with global enterprise customers to help them ideate, design, and execute their digital transformation journeys. Focused on making the complex simple, Mark and his teams are experts in the latest technologies such as 5G, Multi-Access Edge Computing, Security, Software-Defined Networking, Cloud Enablement, IoT, and innovative, disruptive technologies such as Fixed Wireless Access and Private Networks.

Empowering AI and Customer Experiences Through Digital Transformation

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode of CXOTalk, Mojgan Lefebvre, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Operations Officer for Travelers, a leading insurance company, explains how the company is making big changes to stay current in today's tech-driven world.

The discussion covers a wide range of topics that are key to understanding how technology and culture are coming together to reshape the way insurance companies operate. Our guest co-host for this episode is QuHarrison Terry, the Chief Growth Officer for the Mark Cuban Companies

Key points from this episode include:

Digital transformation and customer experience: How Travelers is using new technology to improve how they connect with customersUsing AI and data: The role of artificial intelligence and data analysis in driving innovation at Travelers Talent and culture: The importance of managing change and supporting team members while the company is transformingLooking ahead: A look at the long-term impact of modern technologies on the insurance business, and how Travelers is working to build trust with customers while addressing new challenges

Join us to learn more about how one company is navigating the complex mix of technology, people, and leadership. Whether you're in the business, a technology fan, or just curious about what's next, this episode has something for you.

Mojgan Lefebvre is Executive Vice President and Chief Technology & Operations Officer for Travelers, a company with $32 billion in revenues and the only property casualty insurer on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Prior to Travelers, Lefebvre was CIO for Liberty Mutual’s Global Risk Solutions. She also held a variety of senior business and technology leadership roles across the financial, high-tech and biomedical industries, including strategy consulting firm Bain, technology provider EMC and medical device provider bioMérieux.

An Iranian American who immigrated to the U.S. in 1985, Lefebvre has lived in six countries and speaks three languages. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and her undergraduate degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

QuHarrison Terry is head of growth marketing at Mark Cuban Companies, a Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives.

Responsible AI, Public Policy, and Social Impact: A Conversation from the House of Lords

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

As AI and other emerging technologies race ahead at lightning speed, establishing ethical guardrails has become urgent. In this forward-looking episode of CXOTalk, Lord Tim Clement-Jones of the UK House of Lords offers a thoughtful perspective on navigating this complex landscape.

With an eye toward practical solutions, he discusses how to assess risks and shape regulations to enable innovation. He advocates bringing together diverse voices internationally to find common ground on AI safety standards. Lord Clement-Jones stresses tackling online harms thoughtfully and avoiding regulatory overreach. Throughout the wide-ranging conversation, his level-headed advice provides direction for policymakers and technologists alike. Lord Clement-Jones aims to balance rapid progress with collaborative, proactive efforts to ensure AI and related technologies benefit humanity.

Our guest co-host for this episode is QuHarrison Terry.

Lord Clement-Jones was made CBE for political services in 1988 and a life peer in 1998. He is Liberal Democrat House of Lords spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology; a member of the AI in Weapons Systems Select Committee; former Chair of [the very first] House of Lords Select Committee on AI which sat from 2017-18; Co-Chair and founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI; a founding member of OECD’s Parliamentary Group on AI and a Consultant on AI Policy and Regulation to global law firm, DLA Piper.

QuHarrison Terry is head of growth marketing at Mark Cuban Companies, a Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives.

Mastering AI: Designing and Implementing Effective Data Strategies

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Episode #793 of CXOTalk. This platform brings together industry leaders and experts to discuss emerging technologies and trends. Today’s episode features a conversation on data management and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with esteemed guests, Dr. Inderpal Bhandari and Dr. Anthony Scriffignano.

Dr. Inderpal Bhandari holds the position of Global Chief Data Officer at IBM. In his role, he is instrumental in optimizing data utilization within the organization, focusing on integrating AI technologies to align data strategy with business objectives.

Dr. Anthony Scriffignano, former Chief Data Scientist at Dun & Bradstreet, is currently a Distinguished Fellow at think tank, The Stimson Center. He has an extensive background in AI, with a particular emphasis on data quality, and its critical role in implementing viable AI solutions that are congruent with business requirements.

In this episode, the discussion explores using data in AI initiatives, the importance of data quality, and strategies to ensure that AI initiatives are constructive and aligned with business goals. The conversation also addresses the practical integration of AI in organizational operations, including technological considerations, human resources, and the cultivation of an enabling culture.

Specific topics include:

About Inderpal BhandariAbout Anthony ScriffignanoThe relationship between data and AIImportance of quality data in training AIAligning data strategy with business objectivesHow to align data strategy with business objectivesImportance of “organizational agreement” on AI / strategy alignmentCXO roles must be part of the AI / business alignment discussionFocus on strategy first and technology tools laterComparing business and technological challengesFour elements of AI adoptionPartnership with the business to overcome resistance to organizational changeAlignment challenges business and technology domainsAsk the difficult questions!The role of technologists as change agents in organizational alignmentAI adoption must include a bottom-up organizational change strategy and an empowered team“Massive federation of data and AI capability” in the enterpriseManaging and selecting technology to solve data and AI challengesImpact of the pandemic - hybrid and remote work - on business operationsUnderstanding decision elasticityChallenges in AI-enabled initiativesTrust, privacy, and job displacement impacts of AIOn trust and explainability in AICosts of not implementing governance or data quality in AI projectsDifferences between generative AI and more traditional AI projectsAdvice to business and technology leaders on data and AI

This insightful dialogue offers valuable perspectives for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between data management and Artificial Intelligence in a large-scale corporate environment.

How to Build Customer Loyalty and Retention, with Zoho and Shiji Group

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In the dynamic world of hospitality, creating and maintaining customer relationships is both an art and a science. In this exclusive CXOTalk interview, Michael Krigsman sits down with Sergio Teixeira, director of global operations at the Shiji Group, a company at the forefront of redefining customer experiences in the hospitality industry.

Key themes of this conversation include:

Digital Transformation in Hospitality: Teixeira explains important shifts in the industry, especially post-pandemic, and how technology has become essential to transforming the entire guest experience.Data-Driven Decision Making: The conversation explores how Shiji leverages data and analytics tools like Zoho to anticipate customer needs, understand patterns, and enhance efficiency across various segments of the hospitality industry.Human-Centric Approach: Despite the heavy reliance on technology, Teixeira emphasizes the vital importance of empathy, collaboration, and a human touch in both understanding customers and shaping how the company provides service.

With a global presence and local touch, Shiji provides software solutions across the hospitality industry, from high-end restaurants to golf courses. Technology underlies their commitment to guests and delivering products and services.

Watch this conversation to learn about digital transformation in the hospitality industry, the art of scaling, and the critical role data plays in shaping the guest experience. Whether you're in hospitality or any customer-centric industry, this conversation offers valuable lessons on forging meaningful connections and adapting to change.

Sergio Teixeira is a Global CRM Manager of Shiji Group.

Ecommerce Strategy: AI-Powered Search and Discovery

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In episode 792 of CXOTalk, we explore AI-powered search and discovery in ecommerce with Sean Mullaney, Chief Technology Officer, of Algolia. Mullaney explains how AI and machine learning can improve customer lifetime value by enabling greater personalization in ecommerce. We also discuss vector search technology and the impact on customer experience.

This in-depth discussion presents practical advice from Algolia, the second largest search engine after Google.

Watch this episode to understand how to implement these transformative technologies to improve customer loyalty and ecommerce revenue.

The conversation includes these topics:

Ecommerce and the paradox of choiceImpact of AI and machine learning on ecommerceImproving user experience: How AI personalizes shoppingWhat is vector search?Vector vs. traditional keyword searchUsing personalization to drive higher customer lifetime valueUsing AI-powered search to improve ecommerce customer acquisition and raise customer lifetime valueBest practices for implementing personalization in ecommercePersonalization and the retail buying funnel in ecommercePersonalization and real-time data in ecommerceEthical considerations in hyper-personalizationMeasurement, KPIs, and A/B testing in ecommerce personalizationUnderstanding customer behavior and shopping modes in ecommerceFuture of search and discovery in ecommerceAdvice for ecommerce retailers

Sean Mullaney is the Chief Technology Officer at Algolia. He joined Algolia from Stripe, where he most recently acted as the Chief Information Officer in Europe and led a global engineering organization overseeing the development and operations of 40+ local payment methods across Europe, Asia, and the Americas that processed hundreds of billions of dollars.

Prior to Stripe, Mullaney oversaw the development of AI powered discovery experiences, including search, recommendations, personalization and browse as the VP of Engineering at Zalando, the largest eCommerce fashion retailer in Europe with nearly 50M active customers. Mullaney also spent more than seven years at Google heading various innovation teams, including three years at the Google research labs in Silicon Valley.

In addition to serving as CTO of Algolia, Mullaney serves as a Board Member for Manna Drone Delivery, a Venture Advisory Board Member for Elkstone Ventures, is a member of the Market Advisory Group at the European Central Bank advising on the design of the Digital Euro and an active startup advisor and a Sequoia Scout angel investor. Mullaney earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Cambridge.

Business Transformation: How to Tame the Unknowns?

Tue, 30 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Watch CXOTalk episode 790 for a discussion with Atif Rafiq, the author of 'Decision Sprint,' and former President of MGM Resorts International.

Atif explains how to manage business transformation and innovation in the face of uncertainty. The book emphasizes the importance of "upstream work" - a structured initial phase that addresses unknowns in innovation projects - and outlines a three-step approach comprising Exploration, Alignment, and Decision-making. Rafiq’s methodology distinguishes itself by emphasizing purposefulness and inclusiveness.

The conversation includes these topics:

About Atif Rafiq’s book, Decision SprintUpstream work: Challenges of business transformationReframing approaches to risk managementComplex business problems require inclusive thinkingHow to cultivate “input obsession” to develop robust ideasUse collective intelligence to hack the corporate culture for innovationPractical examples: Amazon and VolvoThe innovation pipeline: Breaking down silos and unifying goals in digital transformationCreate clear and simple goals to align the organizationStart with questions and an open mindFocus on inputs from across the organizationDemonstrate quick wins to gain the confidence of senior leadershipAdvice to Chief Information OfficersAdvice to CEOs on leading the challenge of upstream work

Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald’s, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.

Atif has built a large following as one of today’s top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers.

Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, board member, and CEO advisor.

Accenture and Generative AI: Advice for Business Leaders

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

At the vanguard of technological innovation, this episode of CXOTalk offers an incisive look into the transformative impacts of generative AI.

Host Michael Krigsman engages acclaimed author and thought leader Paul Daugherty, Group Chief Executive of Accenture Technology, in a far-reaching dialogue exploring this breakthrough technology. With decades of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Daugherty provides unique insights into AI's monumental potential alongside prudent recommendations for responsible adoption.

From reimagining workflows to anticipating future capabilities, Daugherty and co-host QuHarrison Terry delve into AI's promise and perils. Expert perspectives for executives seeking to leverage AI's capabilities while safeguarding ethics and values. A must-watch for leaders aiming to remain competitive in the AI-driven economy. Gain an informed vision of the coming AI revolution from one of the foremost minds accelerating it.

The conversation includes these topics:

Overview of generative AIDiagnostic AIPredictive AIGenerative AITiming of generative AI advancementsSurprises in the pace of advancementAdopting Generative AIRecommendations for adoptionImpact of AI on different industriesApplying responsible ai retroactivelyImpact of AI on work and productivityAdvisingCreatingAutomatingProtectingTechnology DevelopmentExplainable AIProgress in ExplainabilityOrganizational maturity for AIAssessing AI maturityAccenture's AI investmentHow to invest in technology ambiguityScience fiction and the futureTimeline for transhumanismPaul Daugherty’s reading listComments on managing a large organizationQuantified self and personal dataConclusion

Paul Daugherty is Accenture's group chief executive – technology & chief technology officer. He leads all aspects of Accenture's technology business. Paul is also responsible for Accenture's technology strategy, driving innovation through R&D in Accenture Labs and leveraging emerging technologies to bring the newest innovations to clients globally. He recently launched Accenture's Cloud First initiative to further scale the company's market-leading cloud business and is responsible for incubating new businesses such as blockchain, extended reality and quantum computing. He founded and oversees Accenture Ventures, which is focused on strategic equity investments and open innovation to accelerate growth. Paul is responsible for managing Accenture's alliances, partnerships and senior-level relationships with leading and emerging technology companies, and he leads Accenture's Global CIO Council and annual CIO and Innovation Forum. He is a member of Accenture's Global Management Committee.

Paul also served as chairman of the board of Avanade, the leading provider of Microsoft technology services, for five years and remains on the board of directors. He serves on the boards of Accenture Global Services Limited, the Computer History Museum and the Computer Science and Engineering program at the University of Michigan. He also sponsors Accenture's partnership with Code.org, which is focused on bringing Computer Science education to students around the world.

QuHarrison Terry is head of growth marketing at Mark Cuban Companies, Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives.

Previously, he led marketing at Redox, focusing on lead acquisition, new user experience, events, and content marketing. QuHarrison has been featured on CNN, Harvard Business Review, WIRED, Forbes and is the co-host of CNBC’s Primetime Series – No Retreat: Business Bootcamp. As a speaker and moderator QuHarrison has presented at CES, TEDx, Techsylvania in Romania, Persol Holdings in Tokyo, SXSW in Austin, TX, and more. QuHarrison is a 4x recipient of Linkedin’s top voices in Technology award.

CXO's Guide to Effective Storytelling in Business

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In Episode #794 of CXOTalk, we explore storytelling in business with Josh Bernoff, a seasoned ghostwriter, industry analyst, and business strategist. Josh explains how stories can drive business success, and how empathy can transform intellectual ideas into emotionally resonant narratives.

This episode presents the challenges technology leaders face in storytelling, the significance of a robust product story, and the universal appeal of visual storytelling. Josh explains how to manage executive bias in data storytelling, crafting stories with data, addressing salespeople's resistance to storytelling, and the foundational role of empathy in effective storytelling.

Topics in this episode include:

The power of stories in business communicationsImpact of stories on business successEmpathy translates intellectual ideas into stories with emotional impactThe challenge of storytelling for technology leaders, like CIOs and CTOsThe power of a strong product storyHow to tell a memorable storyThe power of visual storytelling is universal across culturesHow to handle executive bias in data storytellingHow to tell a story with dataHow to address pushbacks from salespeople on storytellingHow to tell sales storiesRole of empathy in storytelling for salesHow to write an effective story for businessEffective stories require details to become realHow to write an effective customer case study in businessHow to manage marketing departments that do poor storytellingCreate interesting storytelling, without rehashing old, tired storiesHow to create a narrative story arc in business writingWhat CIOs should know about effective storytelling for information technologyWhat are the best AI tools for B2B writingEmpathy is the foundation of effect storytelling

Josh Bernoff has been a professional writer since 1982. He has coauthored three books on business strategy, including Groundswell, which was a bestseller. And he is passionate about clear, brief, fascinating communication.

For 20 years at Forrester Research, he wrote and edited reports on the future of technology. He learned to do kickass analysis of business strategy, then taught others to do so. In his last five years there, as Senior Vice President, Idea Development, he identified, developed, and promoted Forrester’s most powerful and influential ideas. He gave hundreds of speeches around the world, got quoted in every news source you can name, and gave strategy advice to countless clients from the world’s largest companies and tech vendors. Josh Bernoff also created Technographics, the segmentation that launched Forrester’s highly successful consumer survey business.

At Forrester he edited two books by other analysts: Outside In: The Power of Putting Customers at the Center of Your Business (New Harvest/HMH, 2012) by Harley Manning and Kerry Bodine and Digital Disruption: Unleashing the Next Wave of Innovation (Amazon Publishing, 2013) by James McQuivey.

Before Forrester Josh Bernoff spent 14 years in technology startups writing everything from product definitions to online tutorials to press releases. He studied mathematics in the Ph.D. program at MIT and was a National Science Foundation fellow.

How to Manage Security for Operational Technology (OT), with Palo Alto Networks

Fri, 12 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this informative episode of CXOTalk, Anand Oswal of Palo Alto Networks explains how to manage security for operational technology (OT). He discusses security related to interconnected devices, critical infrastructure, manufacturing, medical environments and more.

Oswal provides a clear overview of the challenges involved in securing OT systems, emphasizing the importance of visibility, segmentation, machine learning, and simplifying operations with legacy architectures.

This episode offers valuable insights and practical guidance for professionals seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of OT security. From examining the broad attack surface and key challenges to discussing best practices for deployment, this conversation provides a wealth of knowledge to help you effectively secure OT systems.

The conversation includes these topics:

About operational technology (OT) and securityOperational technology presents a broad attack surfaceKey challenges in OT securityEnsuring visibilitySegmentation and zero trustMachine learningSimplify operations, especially with legacy architecturesConsequences of OT security breachesProduct strategy for OT securityBest practices for deploying OT securityGetting started with OT security

Anand Oswal serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager at cyber security leader Palo Alto Networks where he leads the company’s Firewall as a Platform efforts. He holds more than 60 U.S. patents and earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the College of Engineering, Pune, India and a master’s degree in computer networking from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

CIO Strategy: How IT can Create Great Customer Experiences

Mon, 15 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

On CXOTalk episode 789, we explore the impact of CIO strategy and its transformative impact on customer experiences. Listen to this thought-provoking conversation with Michael Ruttledge, the Chief Information Officer of Citizens Financial Group, as we discuss how IT can help create exceptional customer journeys, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth.

The topics for this episode include:

Understanding the CIO role in enhancing customer experienceBridging the gap between IT systems and customer valueUsing technology to meet customer expectationsCreating seamless customer experience with innovative technologyDigital transformation and customer experience are strongly connectedFive pillars of next-generation technology strategy at CitizensAgile transformation: shifting from monolithic to incremental software developmentAligning the culture of IT and business to support customer experience objectivesModernizing legacy systems with a platform approachAligning business and technology investmentsThe impact of business and information technology transformation on customer experiencePrioritizing investments in customer experienceThe role of IT in digital transformation projectsCloud strategy: Responsiveness to customers, agility, and efficiency

Michael Ruttledge is the Chief Information Officer and Head of Technology Services for Citizens Financial Group. He oversees all aspects of the bank’s technology environment, from customer- and client-facing applications to the people, processes and infrastructure supporting Citizens’ day-to-day business operations. He spearheaded our Next Generation Technology transformation to modernize the bank and deliver personalized, digital solutions for customers and delivered a major up-skilling initiative and strong culture of learning through immersive Engineering and Architecture Academies, digital credentialing and building of critical skills for the future such as AI, Blockchain, Modern API’s and Cloud. Before joining Citizens in 2019, he previously held the position of Chief Information Officer of American Express Co.

Quantitative Marketing: Data-Driven Strategies and Challenges

Mon, 08 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

On CXOTalk episode 787, we explore quantitative marketing strategy with Professor Oded Netzer of the Columbia University business school and Amy Jaick, the institution's Chief Marketing Officer.

The conversation covers leveraging data and analytics, the power of personalization, ROI evaluation, the role of A/B testing, and the emergence of quantitative intuition in decision-making:

What is quantitative marketing?Importance of data and analytics in understanding customersThe power of personalization in marketingEvaluating return on investment (ROI) in marketingThe role of A/B testing in quantitative marketingData collection in marketing: Insights and challengesWorking with structured and unstructured data in marketingAdvice to marketers on approaching data strategicallyPrivacy concerns in data-driven marketingWhat is quantitative intuition?Incorporating quantitative intuition into business decision-makingThe role of artificial intelligence in marketing: insights and limitationsHow to combine quantitative marketing techniques and intuition for effective decision-making

Professor Oded Netzer's expertise centers on one of the major business challenges of the data-rich environment: developing quantitative methods that leverage data to gain a deeper understanding of customer behavior and guide firms' decisions. He focuses primarily on building statistical and econometric models to measure consumer preferences and understand how customer choices change over time, and across contexts. Most notably, he has developed a framework for managing firms' customer bases through dynamic segmentation. More recently, his research focuses on leveraging text-mining techniques for business applications.

Amy Jaick is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Columbia Business School. She works across functions and channels to create integrated programs that bring CBS’s mission, vision, and values to life. Prior to joining CBS, Amy built and led the first-ever corporate digital marketing and communications team at ViacomCBS and helped launch Goodman Media’s digital business. Jaick has also held the role of Director of Digital Marketing at Estimize, where she implemented acquisition, engagement, and retention campaigns across mediums. Before Estimize, she oversaw marketing for The Economist's events business in North and South America, after first serving as The Economist's Communications Manager for the region. Jaick initially began her career at Goodman Media designing media relations programs for marquee clients.

VMware COO: Lessons on Driving Transformation at Scale

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Discover valuable insights on managing large-scale transformation in this CXOTalk episode featuring Mike Hayes, Chief Operating Officer of VMware. In this conversation, Mike explains how the software giant is navigating change and transformation and pivoting towards a SaaS future. He reveals how VMware is breaking down silos, redesigning processes, and aligning goals to create a unified organization capable of thriving in the multi-cloud era.

The conversation includes these topics:

About VMware’s transformationNavigating large-scale transformation with clear goalsBalancing individual and team incentives for transformation successCulture and incentives: “Don't give people tasks; give them goals.”About VMware's internal and external change initiativesHarmonizing business models with product-led growth strategiesRedesigning processes and breaking down silos across the organizationHow to measure and evaluate transformation progressBusiness agility: What is it and why it is importantPractical advice on creating business agilityHow to measure and evaluate business agilityAdvice for business leaders on driving large-scale organizational changeThe importance of situational awareness

Mike Hayes is VMware’s Chief Operating Officer, where he is responsible for worldwide business operations and acceleration of the Company’s SaaS transition. Mike leads with a passion for driving agility, excellence and meaning in service of customers’ missions. Before VMware, Hayes served as Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Operations for Cognizant Technologies where he ran a $2B P&L for global financial services. Mike also served as a Chief of Staff to the CEO and COO roles at Bridgewater Associates, an investment management firm.

Prior to joining the private sector, Hayes spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs, where his last role was Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO. He served in the Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan conflicts, including ten months as the Commander of a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan. Hayes was selected as a White House Fellow, served as Director, of Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council, and was the Deputy Commander for Special Operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. His military decorations include the Bronze Star for valor in combat in Iraq, a Bronze Star for Afghanistan, and the Defense Superior Service Medal from the White House.Hayes authored the bestseller “Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning," and donates all profits to pay off mortgages for Gold Star families (fallen service members). He holds a Master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a Bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross College. He is on the boards of Immuta, a data governance company, and the National Medal of Honor Museum. Hayes is also a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Aligning IT and HR for Employee Experience Success

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In episode 791 of CXOTalk, we explore the intersection of Information Technology (IT) and Human Resources (HR) with John Hill, the Senior Vice President for Digital and Information Technology at Suncor Energy.

John explains how HR and IT can work together to create a positive work environment, provide employees with opportunities for growth and development, and use technology to improve communication and collaboration. He also discusses challenges these departments face in driving employee engagement, and strategies that he's used to overcome the issues.

Here are key points in the discussion:

The intersection of IT with corporate culture and employee engagementExploring the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and Human Resources (HR)Upskilling teams and the workforce in a remote work environmentTouchpoints and planning in the CIO / CHRO relationshipHow IT simplifies technology to improve employee experience and engagementEmbedding the employee experience mandate within ITManaging a disconnected workforce using technologyEvaluating success with metrics and measurementWorkday's role in helping Suncor achieve employee engagement goalsImpact of data strategies on employee experience transformationThe role of mobile, AI, and ML in employee experience transformationAdvice to business and technology leaders on IT / HR collaborationWhat is a simplified employee experience?

John Hill is the Vice President of Digital and Information Technology for Suncor Energy. John joined the company in March 2020, bringing over 30 years of experience in information and communications technology, and deep expertise in leading significant digital transformations. Prior to joining Suncor, John served as the Chief Information Officer at Rogers Communications. He has also held executive information technology roles at Enbridge, Capgemini and SaskTel. John is a Professional Engineer and graduate of the University of Saskatchewan.

Disruptive Automotive Transformation: A CEO Conversation

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In Episode #801 of CXOTalk, we host Swamy Kotagiri, CEO of Magna International, a behemoth in the automotive manufacturing sector with $40 billion in revenue and 174,000 employees. The conversation sheds light on the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive industry.

This 45-minute dialogue explores the core of technology-driven disruption in the automotive space, including:

The New Frontier of Mobility: The industry is evolving to meet shifts in consumer preferences and regulatory mandates. Electrification is emerging as more than just a compliance requirement.Strategic Balancing in Innovation: Kotagiri discusses Magna's approach to staying relevant through technological advancements, focusing particularly on the transition from traditional to electric drive systems.The Integral Role of Data: How Magna utilizes data for both product and process innovation. The conversation highlights the potential for new business models and efficiencies enabled by AI and machine learning.

Tune in for a comprehensive look at the ongoing transformations in automotive technology, making this episode a must-watch for executives and professionals invested in the future of mobility.

Swamy Kotagiri is the Chief Executive Officer of Magna International and is Management’s sole representative on the Board. With over 30 years of industry experience, including 21 years with Magna, he brings extensive knowledge and understanding of the automotive industry, as well as the company’s culture, operations, key personnel, customers, suppliers and the complex drivers of its success. He previously served as Magna International Inc.’s President (2020) and Chief Technology Officer (2014 2019). Other Magna roles have included: President of Magna Electronics (2016 2018); President of Magna Power and Vision (2018 2020); President of Magna Powertrain Inc. (2017 2019); and various engineering leadership positions at Cosma International (2000 2013).

Prior to joining Cosma International, Mr. Kotagiri was a Structural Engineer at General Motors. Mr. Kotagiri has been featured in Business Insider’s 100 People Transforming Business and was named by Automotive News as a 2021 all star in the category CEO, Global supplier. He is currently a member of the Business Council of Canada and the MIT Presidential CEO Advisory Board.

Data and Analytics at Goldman Sachs

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode of CXOTalk, we host Neema Raphael, the Chief Data Officer at investment bank Goldman Sachs, who explores the importance of data strategy in the financial services industry.

Raphael explains Goldman Sachs' three-pronged approach to managing data: through platform development, content curation, and governance and quality control. The conversation includes a discussion on the challenges and opportunities that come with handling complex, real-time data in a high-stakes environment such as financial services. He also highlights the firm's commitment to open-source platforms, notably its platform called "Legend," as a tool to promote data interoperability throughout the industry. During the conversation, Raphael offers advice on developing a successful data strategy and discusses the role of cloud technology in modern data management.

The conversation includes these topics:

Why data is important in financial servicesGoldman Sachs’ approach to managing dataChallenges and opportunities of managing real-time data at scaleManaging data complexity and the role of technology infrastructureWhy Goldman Sachs open-sourced its data platformHow Goldman Sachs assigns financial value to dataEnsuring data quality at scaleImportance of infrastructure, automation, and platform in managing dataImplementing data policies and governanceAbout Goldman Sachs’ data teamPromoting data interoperability through open-source platformsThe challenge of building an open-source communityBalancing data governance and innovation: insights from the financial industryAdvice from Goldman Sachs on building a successful data strategyThe role of cloud computing in data strategy and its impact on business outcomes

Neema Raphael is Chief Data Officer and Head of Data Engineering at Goldman Sachs. Previously, Neema was head of Research and Development Engineering, responsible for determining the firm's strategy for emerging technology such as digital assets and artificial intelligence. Prior to that, he led various engineering teams in Core Engineering and was a member of the Core Strats team within the Securities Division that built SecDb. Neema joined the firm in 2003 as an analyst in the Technology Division and was named managing director in 2013.

Data and Analytics Strategy with Head of Data and Analytics at Google Cloud

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Watch this important CXOTalk episode for a discussion on data and analytics strategy with expert guest Bruno Aziza, Head of Data and Analytics at Google Cloud.

Bruno shares insights on the convergence of data and workloads, data products, building trust through governance, and activating real-time data for success in the era of digital transformation.

Here is more detail on the topics discussed in this episode:

Convergence of data and workloadsImportance of governance to build trust in dataActivation and real-time dataWhat are data productsPractical examples of data productsInfrastructure requirements for data products vs. traditional dashboardsRoles and team structure in data science“Data scientists are lonely”Data science in small organizationsData products and digital transformationTeam collaboration in data scienceHow to build a great data cultureData quality creates trust and confidence in the dataSteps to build a data and analytics strategy

Bruno Aziza is the Head of Data and Analytics at Google Cloud. He has helped companies of all sizes: startups, mid-size, and large public companies. He helped launch Alpine Data Labs (bought by Tibco), AppStream (bought by Symantec), SiSense (bought Periscope Data) & AtScale. He was at Business Objects when they went IPO (after acquiring Acta & Crystal Reports, & before SAP bought them for $7B). He was at Microsoft when they turned the Data & Analytics business into a $1B giant.

Bruno specializes in high-growth SaaS, enterprise software, everything data, analytics, data science and artificial intelligence. He educated in the US, France, the UK & Germany. Bruno has written 2 books on Data Analytics and Enterprise Performance Management. His allegiance is to the Analytics Community worldwide.

Generative AI: From IBM Watson to ChatGPT

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Explore the fascinating evolution of Generative AI from IBM Watson to OpenAI's amazing ChatGPT. Join this exclusive CXOTalk episode as we delve into the groundbreaking advancements and applications in AI and natural language processing. Our guest is Sol Rashidi, who returns to CXOTalk by popular demand.

The conversation includes these topics:

Understanding the Chief Analytics Officer roleEvolution of AI: From IBM Watson to todayUnique aspects of ChatGPT and direct-to-consumer AIMarketing drives broader acceptance of AITechnology capabilities driving AI adoptionRelationship between generative AI and data scienceBest practices for implementing AI within organizationsImportance of AI ethicsBroad social acceptance of generative AI and algorithmsHow to build a value case for generative AIThe optimal implementation process for generative AIWhat are the skills required for a Chief Data Officer or Chief Analytics OfficerWhat is the state of gender-inclusive AI todayHow do we create ethical boundaries for AIIssues on AI explainability and transparencyImpact of AI on job security

Sol Rashidi currently holds 7 patents, with 21 filed in the Data & Analytics space and is a keynote speaker at several technology conferences speaking on various topics such as Machine Learning, Data & Analytics, and Emerging Operating Models for organizations taking on transformations in the D&A space. Prior to joining Estee Lauder as their Chief Analytics Officer, Sol was the Chief Data & Analytics Officer for Merck, EVP and Chief Data Officer for Sony Music, and Chief Data & Cognitive officer for Royal Caribbean.

Goal oriented and a team player, Sol believes in uncomplicating the complicated and cultivating environments that are innovative, driven, and collaborative. Sol has a unique ability in bridging the gap between Business and IT, her deep understanding of multiple functional disciplines (i.e. change management, enterprise data, application architecture, process re-engineering, sales, etc.) enables her to drive change by articulating the need for change in organizations that otherwise wouldn’t evolve. Sol played NCAA Water Polo and Rugby for Cal on the Women’s National Rugby Team for several years, and completed the Ironman.

Future of Drug Discovery: Generative AI in Pharma and Medicine

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode of CXOTalk, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, the founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.

Insilico Medicine uses artificial intelligence to enhance drug discovery. By combining generative adversarial networks (GANs), reinforcement learning, and other AI techniques, Insilico streamlines the design, synthesis, and testing of new molecules. Their approach has garnered attention, raising $400 million in funding so far.

Dr. Zhavoronkov shares insights into Insilico's goals, such as the accelerated development and testing of small molecules targeting specific diseases. We also explore how their software impacts pharmaceutical R&D by enabling researchers to investigate new targets, design molecules with certain properties, and potentially predict the outcomes of clinical trials.

Join us as we discuss the evolving landscape of pharmaceuticals and how generative AI can help discover new treatments for chronic diseases and promote a healthier future.

The conversation covers these topics:

Early generative AI experiments & adversarial networks Generative AI in molecular drug design Insilico Medicine's funding journey & challenges Advancements: AI techniques & reinforcement learning Unique challenges in AI-based drug discovery Traditional drug development vs. Insilico Medicine's approach AI in drug development can increase success probability Early partnerships with large pharma and lessons learned Generative AI and public data Reinforcing generative AI with real experiments AI in medical writing IP risks and generative AI

Alex Zhavoronkov, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, a leader in next-generation artificial intelligence technologies for drug discovery and biomarker development. He is also the founder of Deep Longevity, Inc, a spin-off of Insilico Medicine developing a broad range of artificial intelligence-based biomarkers of aging and longevity servicing healthcare providers and life insurance industry. In 2020, Deep Longevity was acquired by Endurance Longevity (HK: 0575). Beginning in 2015, he invented critical technologies in the field of generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning (RL) for the generation of novel molecular structures with the desired properties and generation of synthetic biological and patient data. He also pioneered applications of deep learning technologies for the prediction of human biological age using multiple data types, and transferred learning from aging into disease, target identification, and signaling pathway modeling. Under his leadership, Insilico has raised over $400 million in multiple rounds from expert investors, opened R&D centers in six countries or regions, and partnered with multiple pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic institutions, nominated 11 preclinical candidates, and has generated positive topline Phase 1 data in human clinical trials with an AI-discovered novel target and AI-designed novel molecule for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA and is nearing Phase 2 clinical trials. Insilico also recently announced that its generative AI-designed drug for COVID-19 and related variants was approved for clinical trials.

Prior to founding Insilico, he worked in senior roles at ATI Technologies (a GPU company acquired by AMD in 2006), NeuroGNeuroinformatics, and the Biogerontology Research Foundation. Since 2012, he has published over 150 peer-reviewed research papers, and 2 books including "The Ageless Generation: How Biomedical Advances Will Transform the Global Economy" (Macmillan, 2013). He serves on the advisory or editorial boards of Trends in Molecular Medicine, Aging Research Reviews, Aging, Frontiers in Genetics, and founded and co-chairs the Annual Aging Research and Drug Discovery conference, the world's largest event on aging in the pharmaceutical industry. He is an adjunct professor of artificial intelligence at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.

AI and Cybersecurity: A CTO Perspective

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Join CXOTalk host Michael Krigsman as he interviews Michal Pechoucek, CTO of Gen and AI researcher, on the impact of AI on cybersecurity.

In this insightful discussion, the two participants explore the evolving relationship between AI and cybersecurity. The conversation covers a range of topics, from AI and machine learning (ML) tools in cyber defense and penetration testing to A/B testing in cyber attacks. The conversation also covers the challenges of AI and cybersecurity research and the maturity of AI-powered tools in the field. The conversation culminates in valuable advice for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs), as well as thoughts on the future of AI in cybersecurity, including the potential for cognitive attacks and the spread of misinformation.

The conversation includes these topics:

Early applications of AI and deep learning in cybersecurity Consumer cybersecurity and AI-enabled defenses Evolving cybersecurity threats and cognitive attacks AI and deep learning: Defending against automated attacks Signature-based AI and deep learning to scale malware detection The challenge of building AI for diverse cybersecurity threats Importance of AI explainability in cybersecurity AI-enabled cognitive attacks, identity theft, and the future of cybersecurity AI to detect phishing attacks: Large language models and classification Importance of AI in Cybersecurity for Boards of Directors Bridging the gap between cybersecurity experts and boards Personal data protection: Tips for better cybersecurity hygiene Algorithm manipulation and privacy concerns; Algorithm manipulation and privacy AI and ML tools in cyber defense and penetration testing A/B testing in cyber attacks AI recommendations on data collection Challenges in AI and cybersecurity research Advice for Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) and Chief Information Officers (CIO) Future of AI in cybersecurity: cognitive attacks and misinformation

Michal Pechoucek leads the core technology, innovation and R&D teams driving security engines as well as Gen's technology vision for human centered digital safety and beyond. He is also responsible for the company’s scientific research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. He previously served as CTO of Avast.

Before joining Avast, Mr. Pechoucek spent over twenty years as a professor at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague, during which he founded the Artificial Intelligence Center in 2001. Mr. Pechoucek has authored more than 400 high impact publications and contributed numerous innovative AI applications to research in computer science.

While pursuing his academic career, Mr. Pechoucek co-founded several technology start-ups including cybersecurity firm Cognitive Security (acquired by CISCO in 2013), AgentFly Technologies, which specializes in controlling autonomous aircraft traffic, and Blindspot Solutions, which develops AI for industrial applications (acquired by Adastra Group in 2017). He directed the R&D Center for AI and Computer Security at CISCO Systems and worked as a strategist in the CISCO Security CTO office. He is also a venture partner with Evolution Equity Partners, a VC firm specialized in cybersecurity. Michal Pechoucek co-founded the prg.ai initiative aiming to transform Prague into a world-class AI super hub. He sits on the board of several AI startups and as an early investor supports Czech AI ecosystem.

Michal graduated from University of Edinburgh and gained his PhD in Artificial Intelligence at CTU in Prague. He also worked as a visiting professor at the University of Southern California, University of Edinburgh, State University of New York at Binghamton and University of Calgary.

He sits on the boards of several education oriented non-for-profits, is a long-time sponsor of People in Need Foundation and Memory of Nation and sits on the board of Denik N, Czech daily newspaper.

Data Wins! Inside the NFL's Analytics Strategy

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Join CXOTalk host Michael Krigsman for a live conversation with Paul Ballew, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at the NFL. Discover how the NFL leverages data and analytics to gain a competitive edge on and off the field. Learn about the key metrics the league tracks, how the data informs player evaluations and team strategy, and how the NFL is using technology to enhance the fan experience. Our guest co-host for this episode is QuHarrison Terry, Head of Growth Marketing at Mark Cuban Companies.

The conversation covers these topics:

NFL data goals: improve fan experience, league operations, and team performance How the NFL uses data and analytics to personalize fan engagement and customer experience Privacy and consent: addressing customer concerns in data usage Governance and the democratization of data in the NFL Four pillars of the NFL’s data and analytics strategy Managing and leveraging data from the Super Bowl How the NFL uses data to understand how fans consume content The partner ecosystem for data and analytics technology in the NFL Decision-making based on data vs. intuition How the NFL manages change and disruption in the professional sports industry How the NFL uses data and analytics to improve team performance Generative AI and machine learning in the NFL How the NFL organizes data at scale Key data lessons: Repeatability, scalability, and governance Collecting data from the Super Bowl halftime show Future of data, analytics, and converged content in the NFL

Paul Ballew currently serves as the National Football League’s Chief Data & Analytics Officer. Based in New York, Paul directs the League’s extensive data and analytics operations across the Game, Fans and Engagement. This mission is centered on ensuring that the NFL’s data assets and advanced analytic capabilities are leveraged to improve on-field football, overall fan experience and commercial outcomes for the League, clubs and partners. In advancing the Game, Paul and team support Football Operations’ critical workstreams and Player Health & Safety’s major initiatives, where the power of analytics is critically important to the future of the game. Paul and team are also leading the key initiatives on deepening fan engagement through enhanced fan modeling, predictive analytics, and the personalization of content and experiences.

Throughout his career Paul has built and led transformational data and analytic organizations across leading companies and industries. Previously he served as Chief Data and Analytics Officer for the Loblaw LTD the largest retailer, pharmaceutical provider and real estate investment trust in Canada. He was responsible for establishing the company’s data and analytics functions, data management operations, data science activities, and the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Center of Excellence. Prior to Loblaw, Paul’s decades of experience in the field includes leading the formation of the data and analytics organizations at Ford Motor Company, Nationwide Financial, Dun and Bradstreet and General Motors. Paul’s experience in the data and analytics field is centered on turning insights into action through close collaboration with business partners with the goal of improving customer relationships and driving operational excellence.

QuHarrison Terry is Head of Growth Marketing at Mark Cuban Companies, a Dallas, Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives.

Why AI Projects Fail (and How to Succeed)

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Join us on CXOTalk episode 778 as we delve into the complexities of AI failure with our guest, Iavor Bojinov, Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School, and QuHarrison Terry, Head of Growth Marketing at Mark Cuban Companies. In this episode, we explore the various types of AI failures that can occur, the causes behind them, and how they differ from traditional technology and IT projects.

Our experts also address the implications of these differences and distinguish between technology failures and human errors that can cause AI failures. In the second segment, we discuss solutions to address AI failure, including practical advice on how to avoid it in the first place. We also touch on the crucial ethical and privacy considerations associated with AI.

This is a must-watch episode for business leaders building an AI group within their organization. Our guests offer valuable insights into AI governance, which can help prevent failures and maximize opportunities.

The conversation includes these topics:

Understanding AI operations and ai project failures Differences between AI projects and traditional technology or IT projects: AI is probabilistic Five steps of an AI project Step 1: Project Selection - Choosing the Right Project Step 2: Development - Building the Prototype Step 3: Evaluation - Testing on Real People Step 4: Deployment and Scaling - Going from Pilot to Full Launch Step 5: Management - Monitoring and Preventing Failures The shift from rule-based expert systems to probabilistic AI Implementing AI in small businesses AI pilot projects should have direct implications on revenue Categories of AI failure Successful projects integrate AI into processes and business operations Data sets are a key difference between traditional IT projects and AI projects Digital Transformation vs. AI Ethical considerations of AI Principles of privacy by design Addressing bias in decision-making based on data Governance and regulation of AI Advice to business and technology leaders on preventing AI failures

Professor Bojinov is also the co-creator of the first-year required MBA course “Data Science for Managers” and has previously taught the “Competing in the Age of AI” and “Technology and Operations Management” courses. Before joining Harvard Business School, Professor Bojinov worked as a data scientist leading the causal inference effort within the Applied Research Group at LinkedIn. He holds a Ph.D. and an MA in Statistics from Harvard and an MSci in Mathematics from King’s College London.

Generative AI in the Enterprise (with EY's Chief Technology Officer)

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In this episode of CXOTalk, the Chief Technology Officer of EY, who is Nicola Marini Bianzino, explains why generative AI is an arms race. We explore the defining characteristics of ChatGPT and similar tools, and the ethical and legal responsibilities of generative AI. Discover how generative AI will impact the future of work in the enterprise and the importance of ethical AI guidelines for technology developers.

The conversation includes these topics:

Generative AI is an arms race Impact of generative AI on the enterprise Defining characteristics of ChatGPT Ethical and legal responsibilities of generative AI AI governance in the enterprise What jobs may generative AI make redundant? What is the impact of generative AI on knowledge management? How will generative AI change the future of work in the enterprise? Legal implications of generative AI “Why do tools such as Google Bard or ChatGPT hallucinate?” Challenges to enterprise adoption of AI tools Advice to business leaders on adopting AI in the enterprise Importance of ethical AI guidelines for technology developers in the enterprise Comparison of ChatGPT to low code, no code software tools

Nicola Morini Bianzino is EY's Global Chief Technology Officer, focused on bringing technology products to EY clients and positioning technology at the heart of the organization. With a 20-year track record of driving technology strategy innovation, he advises global clients on technology investment and their innovation agendas, providing industrialized technology products to meet their most pressing business needs.

An early AI pioneer, he wrote a thesis on the application of neural networks to business in 1997. Nicola is a high-profile global media commentator and contributes to MIT Sloan Management Review, Forbes and HBR. A thought leader on AI, machine learning, innovation and big data, he is passionate about extracting value from technology investment. He holds a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Economics from the University of Florence.

Cybersecurity Lessons from Expedia Group's Chief Security Officer

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

As businesses increasingly rely on technology, cybersecurity has become a top priority for organizations worldwide. On CXOTalk episode 777, we speak with Kurt John, the Chief Security Officer of Expedia Group, who discussed managing and leading cybersecurity in 2023. From building a decision support structure to explaining the value of security to boards of directors, this interview takes a deep dive into the life of a modern Chief Security Officer.

We are joined by guest co-host, QuHarrison Terry, the Chief Growth Officer at Mark Cuban Companies.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of cybersecurity and hear from a seasoned leader in the field.

Here are the topics covered in this discussion:

On Expedia Group and Kurt John's role On complexity in the security landscape On technical threats to consider On security for travelers, partners, and employees On security in the Expedia Group brands and ecosystem On building a decision support structure for security On defining boundaries of the security ecosystem On security and privacy as market differentiators On threat intelligence and business outcomes On preventing fraud in e-commerce with the security value chain On information sharing to prevent fraud On explaining the value of security to boards of directors On investments in security and cost savings On companies adopting GDPR as a standard On the imperfect nature of security systems On the importance of security post-mortems On advice for new CISOs On the role of AI in security On the impact of security and trust in the travel industry

Kurt John is Global Chief Security Officer at the Expedia Group, where he overseas governance and execution of cybersecurity, physical security and privacy. He is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council where he helps to think through the most relevant Cybersecurity challenges at the intersection of geopolitics, business and security facing the United States and its allies. This includes making recommendations for policy makers to help bolster the security of our way of life. Kurt holds multiple board positions in private and public organizations including Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority – the Commonwealth’s initiative to drive innovation of the tech economy.

QuHarrison Terry is a growth marketer at Mark Cuban Companies, a Dallas, Texas venture capital firm, where he advises and assists portfolio companies with their marketing strategies and objectives. Previously, he led marketing at Redox, focusing on lead acquisition, new user experience, events, and content marketing. QuHarrison has been featured on CNN, Harvard Business Review, WIRED, Forbes and is the co-host of CNBC’s Primetime Series – No Retreat: Business Bootcamp. As a speaker and moderator QuHarrison has presented at CES, TEDx, Techsylvania in Romania, Persol Holdings in Tokyo, SXSW in Austin, TX, and more. QuHarrison is a 4x recipient of Linkedin’s top voices in Technology award.

The Cloud Ecosystem: A Guide for CIOs

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0500

As a CIO, understanding the cloud ecosystem is essential for leveraging cloud computing for digital transformation, agility, and innovation.

To understand why the ecosystem is so important for any move to the cloud, we spoke with the head of Strategic Ecosystem & Industry Solutions at VMware, Zia Yusuf.

During the conversation, Zia explains the cloud ecosystem, why it's a challenging issue for many CIOs, and offers advice for migration planning and investing in the cloud.

The discussion covers these topics:

What is the cloud ecosystem? How does the cloud ecosystem drive customer success? What are the roles and responsibilities of cloud ecosystem participants? How is customer success different in the cloud from on-premises? What are the business impacts of multicloud and hybrid cloud solutions? How important is the ecosystem to cloud migration? What is the role of ecosystem in innovation and cloud adoption? Advice to CIOs on migration from on-premises to cloud? How should CIOs plan and architect their cloud computing ecosystem? What are the best metrics to use for evaluating a cloud migration strategy?

Zia Yusuf joined VMware in 2021 as VMware’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Ecosystem and Industry Solutions, responsible for building joint horizontal and industry-centric solutions with our ecosystem and alliances across Dell, global cloud providers (hyperscalers), global system integrators, and global ISVs.

Prior to VMware, Zia was a Senior Partner & Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG)—serving as a core member of the firm’s Technology Advantage, and Technology, Media & Telecommunications practices. Before BCG, Zia was CEO of a leading IoT startup called Streetline, and an executive vice president at SAP where he served as head of the global ecosystem and partner group.

Zia holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College, a Master of Science in International Affairs from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Cybersecurity Strategy and AI in 2023

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In this exclusive interview, NVIDIA's Chief Security Officer, David Reber, discusses the complexity of the company's product line and its impact on security. He explains why NVIDIA’s complex hardware and software product line demands a diverse portfolio of security solutions. Reber highlights the role of AI and machine learning in security and data protection, and explains how AI changes cybersecurity.

Reber presents an ecosystem view of security, where knowledge and trust play a crucial role in protecting against breaches.

The conversation also sheds light on the interlinked relationship between data protection and protecting against breaches, the importance of monitoring the data supply chain, and customer experience in security. Reber concludes by stressing the importance of innovation and how security teams should focus on enabling innovation instead of stopping it.

The conversation includes these topics:

How does NVIDIA's product line make security complex? How does NVIDIA manage security risk? What is the impact of AI and machine learning on security and data protection? What is NVIDIA’s security ecosystem and why is it important? Why are technology, education and training all essential to maintain cybersecurity? How does AI make security a data problem? “How do you protect distributed data sets?” “It's AI until you trust it. Then it's automation.” How do you balance security and protection against employee productivity? What does customer experience mean in security? What is the role of AI governance in security programs? How does NVIDIA integrate security into product development? How do we handle negative consequences of autonomous algorithmic systems? Why do security breaches happen so often? Advice to business leaders on AI and security?

David Reber serves as the chief security officer and head of product security at NVIDIA. Before NVIDIA, Reber served over a decade as a senior staff officer in the US Intelligence Community. He held the position of senior director of security for Nutanix Frame and Government Cloud Services. His background spans enterprise secure cloud service architecture, advanced cyber operations, offensive security research, global enterprise security, secure mobile tactical communications and insider threat. Reber holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences and Technology from the Pennsylvania State University.

AI Tools for the Creator Economy

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:00:00 -0500

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way creators and entrepreneurs build and monetize their businesses. From content creation to e-commerce, AI tools are making it easier and faster for creators to produce high-quality content and build a following.

Our guest is AI expert Riley Brown, who has quickly established himself as a leading voice in the creator economy. Riley has used his deep understanding of AI tools to grow his TikTok channel at an unprecedented rate. Riley will share his expertise on the latest developments and best practices for using AI tools to create text, audio, and video.

The conversation includes these topics:

Rise in popularity of ai tools for content creation AI tools improve digital communications The creator economy and its impact on social media Differences between AI tools and traditional creator tools AI-powered content creation is the future of empowering creators AI tools can help employees create their own personal brand Employer objections to employees building strong personal brands Creating AI-generated avatars for storytelling using various tools How to use ChatGPT for best results TikTok AI influencer describes future plans