Podcasts

Today, I am joined by Monish Darda, the CTO and Co-founder of Icertis, in a riveting discussion about the intersection of technology and sustainability. As businesses grapple with the complexities of environmental responsibility, Monish brings his rich experience in using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to the forefront, discussing how these technologies are revolutionizing supply chain management and contract intelligence.

The conversation begins with an exploration of how AI is being used to quantify and mitigate the environmental impact of supply chain partners. This topic is particularly relevant in light of the recent EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directives and the UK’s Sustainable Disclosure Requirements, reshaping the landscape of corporate responsibility. Monish offers insights into how AI ensuresensures compliance with these new regulations and helps companies navigate this changing terrain.

We discuss the transformative role of machine learning in analyzing millions of contracts. This technology ensures that businesses and their suppliers uphold their environmental commitments. Monish shares how Icertis leads this charge, helping companies align with sustainability requirements and manage contractual obligations.

A critical part of their discussion centers on the role of AI in combating greenwashing and promoting genuine sustainability practices. They explore the evolving role of AI in environmental sustainability and the importance of regulation in this domain, highlighting how AI can address complex sustainability challenges.

The conversation also touches on the practical applications and challenges in this field. Monish shares insights from his work at Icertis, discussing the hurdles organizations face in reducing their climate footprint and how technology can offer solutions. He emphasizes the importance of viewing regulatory changes not as obstacles but as opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Adding a personal touch to the discussion, Monish shares his experiences transforming businesses through technology. He recounts a humorous anecdote from a sales presentation with a German car company, providing a glimpse into the lighter side of the tech world.

This episode is a deep dive into how AI and ML are not just shaping the future of business but also steering it toward greater environmental responsibility. Our conversation is a blend of technical insights, regulatory perspectives, and real-world experiences, making it a must-listen for anyone keen on understanding the role of technology in fostering sustainable business practices.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I had the privilege of speaking with Kohji Nagata, the head of game design at Parallel, a Canadian gaming studio at the forefront of integrating AI and blockchain technologies. Our conversation offered a deep dive into Parallel’s innovative projects, mainly focusing on how these technologies revolutionize the gaming industry.

Kohji introduced us to Colony, a unique project epitomizing Parallel’s innovative approach. He described Colony as a blend between a Tamagotchi and a Large Language Model, where players interact with an AI avatar that acts autonomously based on its memories and biography. This groundbreaking concept in gaming allows for a dynamic and unpredictable gameplay experience, setting Parallel apart from other studios.

We discussed the Parallel Trading Card Game (TCG), a prime example of web3 and NFT integration in gaming. Kohji shared insights into the game’s development process, highlighting the use of AI tools in coding and workflow enhancement. He also shed light on the involvement of industry veterans from Riot, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, Wizards of the Coast, and Epic Games, adding a layer of expertise to the project.

Much of our conversation revolved around Parallel’s community-first approach to game and tech development. Kohji and I explored how this strategy has shaped their projects and bolstered audience engagement, a crucial element in the success of modern gaming ventures.

Looking ahead, Kohji shared his predictions for the future of blockchain and web3 in gaming. He envisioned a landscape where these technologies become more simplified and seamlessly integrated into gaming experiences, drawing a parallel to email’s evolution and widespread adoption.

Kohji also offered valuable advice to aspiring tech entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of taking action and solving problems along the way rather than getting bogged down in details.

An intriguing aspect of our discussion was Kohji’s recounting of how Parallel gained unexpected support from Chad Hurley, co-founder of YouTube. This serendipitous connection through a cold message on Twitter led to Chad’s involvement as a co-founder, significantly contributing to the success and legitimacy of Parallel.

In this Tech Talks Daily Podcast episode, I had the opportunity to engage in a fascinating conversation with Thorbjørn Fink, COO of Pleo, a trailblazing company in the fintech sector. Our discussion offered an in-depth look at how Pleo transforms how businesses handle spending through innovative solutions that streamline financial processes and empower employees.

Thorbjørn began by sharing his journey in finance and what led him to join Pleo. His insights provided a unique perspective on the company’s mission and operations, setting the stage for an enlightening discussion about what distinguishes Pleo in the competitive fintech landscape.

Much of our conversation revolved around Pleo’s challenges while scaling across different markets. Thorbjørn highlighted the hurdles in attracting and retaining talent and the critical importance of investing in infrastructure and regulatory compliance to facilitate rapid expansion. This part of our dialogue offered listeners a rare glimpse into the complexities of scaling a fintech company internationally.

We then shifted our focus to the role of tools and automation in enhancing organizational efficiency and improving the working lives of employees. Thorbjørn emphasized the need for companies to identify areas where manual tasks bog down employees. He shared how Pleo’s solutions, such as intelligent company cards and automated expense reports, are designed to alleviate these burdens, thereby unlocking business value through automation.

Another critical topic we delved into was the importance of automating processes in finance departments. Thorbjørn and I discussed how automation minimizes human errors and allows finance teams to focus on more strategic, value-added tasks. He stressed the necessity of building a scalable foundation in finance departments and being open to adopting new tools to future-proof these critical business units.

Throughout our conversation, Thorbjørn provided insights into Pleo’s unique features, including its ability to catch receipts on the go, automatically categorize expenses, and offer full compatibility with Apple Pay and Google Pay. He also touched upon Pleo’s innovative Pocket feature, which enables instant out-of-pocket spend reimbursement, illustrating how Pleo captures wall-to-wall spending across businesses.

As we wrapped up, Thorbjørn shared where listeners can find more information about Pleo and its offerings, inviting them to explore how Pleo’s solutions can revolutionize their business spending and financial management.

In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I had the opportunity to converse with Artem Kroupenev, VP of Strategy at Augury. Our discussion offered a deep dive into the transformative role of AI co-pilots in the manufacturing sector and how they are poised to redefine the industry in the coming years.

Artem started our conversation by outlining his role at Augury, a company at the intersection of manufacturing and cutting-edge technology. He detailed how Augury’s innovative machine health and process health solutions leverage AI to predict machine failures and optimize production processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in the manufacturing industry.

Our discussion focused heavily on the application of AI in manufacturing, particularly in the context of machine health and optimization. Artem and I explored how AI co-pilots are not just futuristic concepts but current realities transforming factory floors. These AI systems create safer work environments, boost efficiency, and improve product quality, marking a significant leap in manufacturing operations.

We delved into the challenges and benefits of integrating AI co-pilots into manufacturing workflows. The conversation highlighted the importance of building trust, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and effectively measuring the impact of AI adoption. Artem emphasized that AI in manufacturing empowers workers and augments their capabilities rather than replacing human expertise.

Our dialogue then shifted to the broader implications of embracing AI in the manufacturing industry. We discussed the concept of hybrid intelligence, where human expertise synergizes with AI to make informed decisions and improve processes. This approach is not just about enhancing operational efficiency; it’s about driving innovation and sustainability in manufacturing.

In a particularly engaging segment, Artem, Kiah, and I discussed the importance of staying abreast of industry trends, the value of self-education, and the critical role of learning in adapting to technological advancements. We also touched upon the impactful work Augury is doing in solving complex problems in the manufacturing industry, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

As the conversation wrapped up, Artem shared insights on where listeners can find more information about Augury and their groundbreaking work. He pointed to their online presence as a resource for those interested in learning more about AI’s role in manufacturing and the future of industrial operations.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the future of manufacturing, the role of AI in transforming industries, and the innovative strides companies like Augury are making. Join us as we explore these fascinating topics with Artem Kroupenev, a thought leader in AI and manufacturing.