Join us as we welcome Karen Cohen, VP of Product Management at Apiiro, who shares her expertise on securing enterprise software in the age of AI. Discover how Apiiro helps companies innovate rapidly while maintaining robust risk controls, and hear groundbreaking research findings on how AI is transforming coding practices—improving velocity yet introducing new security challenges. Karen reveals practical advice for leaders, the importance of automated guardrails, and her vision for the future of AI-driven development. Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with real-world strategies for thriving in today's tech landscape!

 Summary

Karen Cohen, VP of Product Management at Apiiro, discussed their application security posture management platform, which helps large enterprises analyze code, cut through noise, and prevent risks with automated guardrails. A recent research report revealed that AI-assisted coding increased velocity by four times but also introduced risks ten times higher, with new types of vulnerabilities like privilege escalation and exposed secrets. Cohen emphasized the need for better inventory, standards, and automated governance. She envisioned future AI agents as platforms with specialized plugins for various security needs, tailored to specific company contexts.

 Key Quotes:

• "Velocity gets about four times faster with AI, but unfortunately, it also introduces ten times the risk."
• "The types of risks that AI introduces are very different—it's not just about syntax errors anymore, but privilege escalation and exposed secrets."
• "You need automated guardrails and governance to safely scale AI innovation in your company."
• "If you don't know what you're securing, you can't protect your crown jewels—inventory is critical."
• "The future of AI in software development lies in specialized plugins: each an expert in its field, fine-tuning results for unique company contexts."

 Takeaways:

• AI dramatically accelerates software development but brings significant new security risks.
• Enterprises struggle to manage the evolving attack surface as AI introduces more complex vulnerabilities.
• Automated detection and governance are necessary to keep up with the scale and pace of AI-generated code.
• Effective AI integration starts with knowing your assets and implementing company-wide security standards.
• The next wave in AI development will see customizable, context-aware agents and plugins driving safer, smarter coding practices.

Links/Resource

Website:  https://apiiro.com/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenzellnercohen/?originalSubdomain=nl  

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

In this episode, host Amanda Razani sits down with Jeremy Ung, Chief Technology Officer of Black Line, to explore how AI is transforming the financial world. Jeremy shares insights from his work leading innovation in finance automation, delving into critical topics like building trustworthy AI, ensuring data quality, and setting solid audit trails to foster confidence in AI-driven systems. Discover practical advice for financial leaders on embracing change, training both humans and AI agents, and setting your organization up for safe and impactful AI adoption in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Summary

Jeremy Ung, CTO of Black Line, discussed the importance of AI in finance and the trust barriers it faces. He emphasized the critical role of data quality, noting that Black Line's Studio 360 product curates and structures data for AI models. Ung highlighted the need for auditability in AI systems, ensuring transparency and reliability. He advised financial leaders to establish clear processes and change management strategies for AI adoption. Ung also stressed the importance of leveraging existing organizational playbooks and investing in training to integrate AI effectively, aiming for a seamless collaboration between humans and AI agents.

Key Quotes:

• "Data is at the heart of all AI models—if you don’t have the right data, AI can’t produce the right answers."
• "One of the things is auditability around AI—being able to explain not just to the user, but to an auditor, how outcomes were reached."
• "Trustworthy AI means actions are recorded, agents have clear permissions and roles, and you can audit it just like another human."
• "Think about onboarding AI agents the same way you’d onboard a new college graduate at your company."
• "The change is happening and it’s exciting and scary at the same time, but the way to control your destiny is by leveraging the data you have."

Takeaways:

• High-quality, centralized data is fundamental to building effective and reliable AI in finance.
• Auditability and transparency are essential for establishing stakeholder trust in AI systems.
• AI agents should operate with the same oversight, roles, and controls as human employees.
• Successful AI adoption requires both structured onboarding for AI and comprehensive change management for staff.
• Clear organizational playbooks and investment in learning ensure safe and substantial value from AI integration.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Introduction & Guest Background
• 0:35 Black Line’s Role in Finance Automation
• 1:02 AI in Finance—Opportunities & Trust Barriers
• 2:04 The Importance of Data Quality for Reliable AI
• 3:39 Developing Safeguards and Auditability in AI
• 5:21 Creating Trustworthy AI with Audit Trails
• 7:23 Advice for Financial Leaders on AI Adoption
• 9:32 Laying a Foundation for Change Management
• 9:39 Key Takeaways & Future of AI in Finance
• 10:27 Closing Remarks & Audience Engagement

Links/Resource

Website:  https://www.blackline.com/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyung/  

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

Join us as we sit down with Eran Ofir, CEO of Imagry, to explore the future of transportation powered by cutting-edge, mapless AI technology. Discover how Eran and his team are transforming autonomous vehicles with generative autonomy, driving real-world change in fleets worldwide, overcoming regulatory hurdles, lowering costs, and paving the way for safer, smarter roads. Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the next era of mobility with insights from a true industry leader!

Summary

Eran Ofir, CEO of Imagry, discussed the company's generative autonomy technology for autonomous vehicles. Imagry's software, Cortex, uses AI for perception, motion planning, and control, avoiding HD maps and relying solely on cameras. The company has been operating autonomous vehicles since 2019 in various countries and recently expanded into autonomous buses, addressing a 20% global shortage of bus drivers. Imagry's technology enables driverless buses at a cost of $70,000 per vehicle, a third of the industry average. The company also plans to deploy 50 Robo shuttles in Riga, Latvia. Regulatory challenges and public acceptance are significant hurdles for widespread adoption.

Key Quotes:

• “We do generative autonomy, which means we do autonomous driving for physical AI—making machines move on the road as humans do.”
• “Our technology is built to act like a human: seeing, understanding, and acting—all powered by AI, with no dependence on HD maps or LiDAR.”
• “Regulation is currently the main factor that is facing the industry; every country has its own framework, and the process is long and rigorous.”
• “Our system responds to events happening on the road in under 100 milliseconds—at least three times faster than even the best human drivers.”
• “It will take a decade until we'll see mass volumes of everyday vehicles with full autonomous capabilities, but we're paving the way today.”

Takeaways:

• Imagry's AI-driven, mapless approach is redefining how autonomous vehicles perceive and navigate real-world environments.
• Generative autonomy allows vehicles to continuously learn and adapt without relying on HD maps or sensor fusion.
• Regulatory and safety standards remain significant challenges for autonomous vehicle deployment across different countries.
• Imagry has become a leader in autonomous bus technology, addressing global driver shortages and expanding into new markets.
• Widespread adoption of fully autonomous vehicles is expected to take at least a decade, with public acceptance and regulation as key factors.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Introduction & Guest Background
• 0:47 Imagry’s Mission & Generative Autonomy Explained
• 2:45 Why Traditional Autonomous Driving Fell Short
• 5:31 AI Inspiration and Human-Like Decision-Making
• 7:35 Advances in Edge Computing Unlocking Progress
• 8:53 Imagry’s Vision-Only, Mapless Approach
• 12:26 Global Deployment & The Autonomous Bus Revolution
• 15:00 Cost, Fleet Integration, and Robo Shuttle Rollout
• 18:18 Regulation & Rigorous Safety Testing
• 22:29 Public Acceptance and Proving Superior Safety
• 25:00 The Decade Ahead for Autonomous Vehicles
• 28:09 Closing Thoughts & Future of Mobility

Links/Resource

Website: https://imagry.co/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eranofir 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

Discover how AI innovation is powering the future! Join host Amanda Razani as she chats with Ferric CEO Noah Sturcken about the breakthrough technology behind miniaturized voltage regulators—tiny chips delivering major energy savings and performance boosts for today’s data centers and AI processors. Learn how Ferric’s cutting-edge solutions are slashing costs, improving sustainability, and driving the next generation of high-performance tech. Don’t miss these insights into the challenges and exciting opportunities at the core of our digital world!

Summary

Noah Sturcken, CEO of Ferric, discussed the company's integrated voltage regulators, which miniaturize power converters 10-50 times smaller than conventional ones. These innovations are crucial for AI processors, which consume more power and require efficient power delivery. Ferric's technology, using ferromagnetic composite materials, enables significant power savings, potentially reducing static power consumption by 10-15% and active power management by up to 40%. This could lead to millions in annual electricity savings for data centers. Sturcken emphasized the importance of integrated voltage regulators in addressing AI's power demands and improving performance and cost efficiency.

Key Quotes:

• "Our company makes integrated voltage regulators—miniaturized power converters placed closer to processors, critical for powering today’s AI."
• "AI processors’ power demands are skyrocketing, making efficient power delivery the main bottleneck for better performance."
• "We’ve developed new ferromagnetic composite materials that let us dramatically shrink power inductors and pack incredible performance into tiny chips."
• "With our products, customers save as much as 10% in static power—translating to tens of millions of dollars in data center electricity savings each year."
• "The intense power needs of AI are best addressed with integrated voltage regulators, bringing cleaner, more efficient power supplies right to the source.”

Takeaways

• Ferric’s miniaturized voltage regulators are redefining efficient power delivery for cutting-edge AI processors.
• Managing the rapidly growing power demands of AI is critical to unlocking better performance and lower operational costs.
• Innovative materials enable Ferric to shrink power converter size while boosting performance and energy efficiency.
• Even small improvements in data center power management can save millions and improve environmental sustainability.
• Close industry collaboration is essential to integrate new technologies and realize the full benefits of next-generation computing.

Timestamps

• 0:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome  
• 0:00:20 – Ferric’s Mission & AI Power Challenges  
• 0:03:14 – Miniaturized Chip Innovation  
• 0:04:42 – Impact on Data Centers & Energy Savings  
• 0:06:10 – Key Issues for AI Industry Leaders  
• 0:08:04 – Future Goals & Collaboration  
• 0:09:13 – Sustainability & Regulations  
• 0:10:49 – Key Takeaway & Final Thoughts

Links/Resource

Website: Ferric - https://www.ferric.com/ 

LinkedIn:  Noah Sturcken - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsturcken 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

Join Arthur Firstov, Chief Business Officer at Mercuryo, as he unpacks the evolution of crypto payments, the rapid rise of stablecoins, and the impact of regulatory compliance on the fintech landscape. Gain insight into how Web3 is converging with traditional finance, and learn key lessons from building global payment infrastructure in the ever-changing world of digital assets.

Summary

Arthur Firstov, Chief Business Officer of Mercuryo, discussed the evolution of cryptocurrency payments, highlighting the shift from web 2.0 to web 3.0 and the rise of stablecoins, which grew to nearly $100 billion in 2025. He noted the increasing adoption of stablecoins in e-commerce, citing Shopify's partnership with Solana and Circle. Firstov emphasized the challenges of regulatory compliance and the need for interoperable payment systems. He also predicted that traditional finance will integrate stablecoins, enabling businesses to manage treasuries and earn yield. Mercuryo supports over 11 million users and partners, focusing on agility and compliance.

Key Quotes:

• "Stablecoin payments have nearly reached $100 billion this year, showing just how far crypto utility has come."
•  "The main challenge now is the fragmentation of payment networks and blockchain infrastructure, making seamless user experience critical."
• "Compliance is no longer a barrier, but an innovation advantage, as regulating enables new payment rails and products."
•  "Every FinTech and payment company will soon be a stablecoin company, with traditional institutions adopting digital assets for settlements and treasuries."
• "Now is the perfect moment to join the crypto space—learn the fundamentals, connect with the community, and seize the real-world opportunities emerging every day.”

Takeaways:

• Stablecoins have driven massive growth in global crypto payments, rapidly increasing everyday utility and adoption.
• Regulatory compliance has shifted from a hurdle to a competitive advantage for fintech and crypto companies.
• Seamless integration between Web3 platforms and traditional finance remains a key challenge due to fragmentation and diverse user needs.
• Partnerships, agility, and product innovation are essential for building scalable, interoperable crypto payment infrastructure.
• As the industry matures, professionals and newcomers should embrace education, networking, and adaptability to succeed in the evolving digital asset landscape.

Timestamps:

• 0:00  Introduction & Guest Background  
• 0:20  What Is Mercuryo? Payment Network Explained  
• 1:11  Evolution of Crypto Payments  
• 2:42  Crypto Adoption in E-commerce  
• 3:40  Bridging Web3 and Traditional Finance  
• 5:51  Lessons from Building Global Infrastructure  
• 8:12  Regulatory Compliance & Building Trust  
• 9:58  Insights from Token2049 Singapore  
• 12:25  Is It Too Late to Get Into Crypto?  
• 16:26  The Future of Digital Banking & Stablecoins  
• 19:16  Key Takeaway & Advice for the Audience  
• 20:44  Closing Remarks

Links/Resource

Website: https://mercuryo.io/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-firstov 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/artur.firstov 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

In this episode of Full Tech Ahead, host Amanda Razani speaks with Dr. Jeff Dello Russo, a pioneering ophthalmologist and Chief Medical Director of multiple laser vision centers across the New York tri-state area. With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Dello Russo discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming refractive surgery—making vision correction more precise, efficient, and capable of delivering results beyond what was once thought possible.

Summary

Dr. Dello Russo shares how his practice has integrated a groundbreaking AI-powered LASIK system that combines laser precision with intelligent computation. Using ray tracing and virtual eye modeling, the system captures tens of thousands of light measurements to create a digital clone of each patient’s eye. It then runs thousands of simulated treatments on this digital twin to determine the optimal correction—resulting in 100% of patients in clinical trials achieving 20/20 vision or better, with many reaching 20/15 or even 20/10 visual acuity. This innovation eliminates much of the guesswork and patient subjectivity found in traditional eye exams, allowing for consistent, reproducible, and highly customized results.

Looking ahead, Dr. Dello Russo foresees AI expanding beyond LASIK into cataract surgery and other ocular procedures, benefiting patients of all ages. He explains that AI-driven diagnostics and predictive modeling will soon help surgeons identify the perfect intraocular lenses and refine post-surgery outcomes. As computing power increases, he envisions an era where AI supports lifelong eye health—from youthful vision correction to age-related treatments—helping people see better and longer than ever before.

Key Quotes:

• “It’s kind of like creating a virtual clone of the eye—and testing thousands of treatments to find the perfect one.”
• “In clinical trials, 100% of patients reached 20/20 vision, and many went beyond—to 20/15 or even 20/10.”
• “AI removes the guesswork. It’s not about replacing doctors—it’s about enhancing precision and confidence.”

Takeaways

• AI-powered LASIK creates a digital twin of the eye to personalize and perfect vision correction.
• Every patient in the latest study achieved 20/20 vision or better.
• The technology minimizes subjectivity from traditional “better one, better two” testing.
• AI integration in cataract surgery is expanding precision care for older patients.
• Enhanced diagnostic modeling may extend the longevity of results.

Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction — Amanda Razani welcomes Dr. Jeff Dello Russo
• [00:25] Jeff’s background and decades of innovation in refractive surgery
• [01:48] How AI and ray tracing create a virtual model of the eye
• [03:30] Achieving 100% 20/20 vision and beyond through AI-driven optimization
• [06:30] Comparing pre-AI LASIK to today’s precision and consistency
• [08:39] Reducing subjectivity and enhancing efficiency in diagnostics
• [10:01] Availability and rollout of AI-powered LASIK systems
• [11:30] How AI is transforming cataract surgery and the broader field of ophthalmology
• [14:37] Can AI improve long-term results and visual permanence?
• [16:00] Final takeaway: AI as a partner in lifelong eye health

Links/Resource

Website: Dello Russo Laser Vision - https://www.dellorusso.com/ 

LinkedIn:  Jeffrey D. - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-d-379b3394/ 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

Discover the hidden threat undermining successful AI adoption in enterprises: risk silos. In this episode, privacy and AI governance expert Cassandra Maldini joins Amanda Razani to reveal how fragmented risk management exposes businesses to compliance failures, wasted resources, and missed innovation. Learn why breaking down silos with cross-functional teamwork is essential for effective AI governance and long-term enterprise success. Tune in for actionable strategies and leadership insights to future-proof your organization in the fast-evolving world of AI.

Summary

Cassandra Maldini, Vice President of Privacy and AI Governance at Security.AI, discusses the fragmentation and risk silos in AI governance across different departments. She emphasizes the need for cross-functional collaboration among CEOs, CISOs, CPOs, and other executives to address these issues. Maldini highlights the inefficiencies and redundancies caused by silos, such as redundant meetings and tools. She argues that new regulations like the EU AI Act and California's act necessitate cross-functional efforts to achieve compliance and reduce risk. Maldini advocates for leadership to drive this collaboration and improve AI governance efficiency.

Key Quotes:

• “AI governance means different things to different teams.”
• “The biggest risk is not uniting all the pieces.”
• “Silos waste money and resources.”
• “Collaboration gets products to market faster.”
• “Regulations require cross-functional efforts.”
• “Get the right people in the room—it’s a team project.”

Takeaways

• AI governance is fragmented across departments, creating risk silos.
• Cross-functional collaboration is crucial to overcome siloed thinking.
• Silos cause redundancy, waste resources, and slow innovation.
• Strong leadership from the top is needed to unite risk teams.
• New regulations demand integrated, cross-team compliance.
• Bringing all key stakeholders together is the key first step for effective AI governance.

Timestamps

• [0:00:02] Introduction. Amanda welcomes Cassandra Maldini and introduces the podcast and guest.
• [0:00:28] Cassandra’s background. Intersection of law, compliance, and AI governance explained.
• [0:02:03] Main topic. Introduction to AI risk silos and fragmentation across departments.
• [0:02:28] Defining AI governance. Different teams have different definitions and approaches, leading to silos.
• [0:06:17] Solutions. Emphasis on courageous leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• [0:09:54] Business challenges. Silos waste resources and create redundant efforts in compliance.
• [0:13:41] Regulatory impact. New laws require integrated teamwork and evolving executive roles.
• [0:16:55] Key takeaway. Get all stakeholders involved early and treat AI governance as a collaborative group effort.
• [0:17:49] Conclusion. Thanks to the guest and call to action for listeners.

Links/Resource

Website: Cassandra Maldini - https://securiti.ai/author/cassandra-maldini/ 

LinkedIn:  Cassandra Maldini - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-maldini/ 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

AI is redefining warehouse operations by merging robotics, data, and intelligent automation. In this episode of Full Tech Ahead, host Amanda Razani talks with Andrei Danescu, CEO of Dexory, about how autonomous robots are revolutionizing logistics. Danescu explains how real-time data capture and AI-powered digital twins are transforming supply chain visibility and driving measurable ROI.

Summary

Andrei Danescu, CEO of Dexory, shares how his company is using the world’s tallest autonomous robots to digitize warehouses and optimize logistics operations. Dexory’s platform integrates robotics, data intelligence, and AI to provide continuous visibility into warehouse environments, replacing assumptions and manual checks with real-time insights. Danescu explains that the technology allows companies to transition from sparse, outdated data to a continuous stream of operational information—driving accuracy, efficiency, and smarter decision-making.

He highlights how Dexory’s robots can digitize a million square feet in under a day, giving customers a near-instant snapshot of every pallet, rack, and product location. This shift enables faster optimization, reduced errors, and major cost savings. In one deployment, a client saved over £200,000 within the first four weeks. Danescu also discusses how AI helps users not just collect data but act on it—automating analysis and suggesting improvements. Looking ahead, he sees a future of symbiotic collaboration between humans and intelligent systems, where technology amplifies human capabilities rather than replaces them.

Key Quotes:

• “Transitioning operations from sparse data to continuous visibility is a game changer.”
• “You can digitize a million square feet in less than a day—something unheard of in the industry.”
• “AI becomes truly powerful when it not only analyzes data but helps optimize decisions.”
• “The future is about collaboration—humans and machines working smarter together.”
• “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be alive; we’re on the verge of major breakthroughs.”

Takeaways

• Autonomous robots and AI enable real-time visibility into warehouse operations.
• Digitization turns assumptions into actionable insights that improve efficiency.
• AI can guide decision-making by suggesting optimizations automatically.
• Warehouse operations see rapid ROI, often within weeks of deployment.
• Technology is shifting logistics toward a data-driven, human-machine collaboration.
• The pace of innovation is accelerating—embracing it is key to staying competitive.

Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction — Amanda Razani welcomes Andrei Danescu of Dexory
• [00:23] Andrei’s technical background and Dexory’s mission in logistics intelligence
• [01:07] How autonomous robots create digital twins of warehouses
• [01:55] The challenge of building AI for industry versus consumer data
• [03:21] Real-world use cases and the impact of data-driven operations
• [05:00] Continuous visibility as the foundation for smarter decision-making
• [07:11] Measuring ROI and customer results, including a £200K savings
• [08:54] The future of intelligent automation and accelerated adoption
• [10:42] How AI and robotics enhance, not replace, human work
• [11:13] Final takeaway: embracing rapid technological change

Links/Resource

Website: Dexory - https://www.dexory.com/ 

LinkedIn: Andrei Danescu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darthvader1/ 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

As digital transformation accelerates and hybrid environments scale, enterprise networks face unprecedented demand. In this episode, Andrew Wertkin, Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCat, joins Amanda Razani to break down how network architectures must evolve to support rapid change, rising data volumes, and increasing cybersecurity threats. He explains why observability is now foundational, how SD-WAN and edge computing are shifting performance expectations, and why automation and self-healing networks will define the next era of operations. Listeners will gain insights into modernizing infrastructure, strengthening security, and preparing for AI-driven demands.

Summary

Andrew Wertkin, Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCat, discusses how enterprise networks are being reshaped by cloud adoption, digital transformation, and rapid innovation. He explains the shift from slow, planned change windows to continuous, DevOps-style network updates that require flexibility, delegated control, and strong guardrails. Wertkin emphasizes the importance of observability for understanding the impact of frequent changes and preventing outages. He highlights challenges created by siloed tools, rising data demands, AI-driven threats, and the need for updated quality-of-service strategies. Looking ahead, he predicts a move toward automated, self-healing networks that can scale, remediate issues, and adapt automatically to business needs.

Key Quotes:

• “Rapid innovation breaks what normal looked like.”
• “If you can’t understand the impact of change, you’re going to create an outage.”
• “The pipes are being filled up—bandwidth can’t be taken for granted anymore.”
• “Networks will become self healing and able to scale without human intervention.”
• “Don’t change something if you can’t see it.”

Takeaways

• Enterprise networks must evolve to support continuous, rapid change.
• Observability is essential for managing risk, performance, and the impact of modifications.
• AI introduces both new threats and new tools for defense.
• SD-WAN and edge computing improve availability but create new bandwidth and QoS challenges.
• The future points to automated, self-healing networks with less manual intervention.
• Security and networking teams must shift from blockers to business enablers.

Timestamps

• 00:02 – Introduction & Guest Bio
• 01:03 – Evolution of Network Architecture
• 04:18 – Observability & Network Management
• 07:47 – Network Security & AI
• 11:53 – SD-WAN, Edge Computing & Performance
• 15:01 – The Future of Network Operations
• 17:06 – Key Takeaway & Closing

Links/Resource

Website: BlueCat - https://securiti.ai/author/cassandra-maldini/ 

LinkedIn:  Andrew Wertkin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/awertkin/ 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/

In this dynamic episode, Qlik CTO Sam Pierson reveals how smart, data-driven decisions and a rock-solid data strategy pave the way for AI success. He explains the rise of agentic AI and what it means for your business, and shares how to set clear goals, measure ROI, and sidestep common tech missteps. Pierson also shares essential tips on leveraging the low-code and AI-assisted development boom, plus the career skills you need to thrive in tomorrow’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Summary

Sam Pierson brings his perspective as Qlik’s CTO to the table, diving into the transformative journey businesses face when they harness AI alongside a strategic approach to data. He shares the practical realities of how companies are adopting task-focused AI agents, why well-maintained data is critical for real results, and the ways Qlik is empowering organizations to blend flexibility with robust analytics across their tech ecosystem. The conversation spotlights overcoming past challenges in data management, setting clear goals for ROI, and navigating the surge in AI-assisted and low-code development. Throughout, Sam underscores that genuine innovation starts with clarity and experimentation, always anchored by a solid data strategy at the foundation.

Key Quotes:

• "The real breakthrough with AI comes when your agents can safely leverage your company’s own proprietary data."
• "Unlike the past, adopting modern AI systems is easier than ever because you can access powerful models simply through an API."
• "Every successful technology project needs to begin with clear metrics to guide what you want to achieve and how you’ll measure it."
• "AI-assisted development tools now make it possible to rapidly turn ideas into real products, changing the pace of innovation."
• "While AI is transforming everything, the success of these initiatives always comes back to building from a strong data foundation."

Takeaways

• Ensuring your proprietary data is well-structured is the foundation of successful AI initiatives.
• Modern AI solutions are easier to implement than ever before, thanks to accessible APIs and cloud platforms.
• Setting clear, measurable goals and metrics is essential for tracking the success and return on investment of new technologies.
• Companies should embrace both established vendors and innovative development tools to remain adaptable and competitive.
• Experimentation, piloting projects, and developing a deliberate data strategy are critical for technologists aiming to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 – Introduction and Guest Background
• 00:01:17 – The Shift Toward Task-Specific AI Agents
• 00:03:20 – Data as the Key to AI Success
• 00:05:10 – Overcoming Historical Technology Hurdles
• 00:06:02 – Qlik’s Approach to Data Solutions
• 00:07:58 – Measuring ROI and Setting Metrics
• 00:09:43 – The Rise of Vibe Coded Applications
• 00:12:21 – Gaps and Opportunities in Tech Careers
• 00:13:45 – Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks

Links/Resource

Website: Qlick - https://www.qlik.com/us 

LinkedIn:  Sam Pierson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelpierson/ 

Podcast: Full Tech Ahead — Hosted by Amanda Razani

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/