Illuminator

Why can you find hundreds of reviews for a $15 phone case but almost none for enterprise software costing hundreds of thousands? Hosts Josh Carlton and Joe Miller explore the quiet revolution happening in B2B purchasing with Amanda Johnson Hyland (Spotlight) and Victoria Blackwell (G2). Discover how 3+ million user reviews are democratizing business intelligence, revealing market gaps traditional analysts miss, and why peer feedback now rivals expensive analyst reports. Learn from real case studies showing how review data exposed critical product issues, identified untapped market segments, and guided strategic decisions. The future of B2B buying looks surprisingly consumer-like.

Resources

• Spotlight Blog: "Three Powerful Ways G2 User Data Shapes Smarter Market Strategies"
• Victoria's Latest: "G2’s ‘AI Marketing Mind’ Report: How to Scale Your Marketing with AI"
• Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn

In a world overflowing with AI hype, how do you cut through the noise and truly leverage Generative AI for your business? And what if you already tried implementing GenAI but it didn't yield the ROI you were looking for? On this episode of ILLUMINATOR, Joe sat down with Ian Jacobs, VP and Lead Analyst at Opus Research, to explore the essentials of getting started—or restarting—your GenAI journey. Ian shares actionable insights on differentiating high-value AI opportunities from flashy distractions, reveals low-hanging fruits like automated coding and enhanced customer interactions, and emphasizes the crucial balance between innovation and practicality. We also talked AI agents, environmental impact of GenAI, and how these technologies will change the future of work in the enterprise. Tune in to discover how to experiment effectively, identify high-ROI use cases, and why sometimes Gen AI can be like "using a blowtorch to light birthday candles."

Learn more about Ian's work by connecting with him on LinkedIn, or by visiting Opus Research online.

To stay on top of all the latest Industry Analyst research on Generative AI and Agentic AI, visit www.spotlightar.com today to learn how we can transform your strategy with the power of insights-driven, always-on intelligence.

Thanks for listening!

Sure, AI is everywhere... But how much of the hype translates into real value for industrial operations? In this episode of ILLUMINATOR, Josh sat down with Malavika Tohani and Joe Lamming of Verdantix to explore the evolving role of AI, digital twins, and IoT in manufacturing and industrial settings. They discuss how AI has been embedded in industrial workflows for years, powering predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and process optimization. The conversation also examines digital twins—whether they’re truly bridging the gap between IT and OT or still in the early stages of adoption. Last but not least, Mal and Joe dig into the challenges companies face when implementing AI, from data trust issues to the complexity of integration.

This episode offers a grounded, research-backed look at AI in industrial transformation, cutting through the noise to explore what’s working today and what’s still on the horizon. For industrial leaders, technology strategists, and AI enthusiasts, listen in to connect the dots between innovation and real-world application.

References

• Heavy Asset Industries Increase Spend On Third-Party Consultants For GenAI Projects
• AI And Data Management: Revolutionizing Industrial Transformation In 2025
• Seeq’s $50M Series D Suggests Continued Investor Confidence In GenAI For Industrial Analytics
• Five GenAI-Enabled Low-Code Industrial Analytics Use Cases Firms Can Get Started With Today
• Assai Acquires Viewport.ai As Race For AI-Driven Engineering Document Management Intensifies

Verdantix Research (available through Vantage platform, free for practitioners):

• Green Quadrant: Industrial Data Management Solutions 2025
• Market Insight: 10 Predictions For Applied AI Technologies In 2025
• Market Insight: Practical High-Value Industrial Use Cases For Generative AI In 2024
• Strategic Focus: Low-Code Industrial Analytics Enabled By Generative AI

In this episode of ILLUMINATOR, Joe and Josh dive into analyst predictions for 2025, joined by our very special guest—Sarah Gish, Senior Director of Research & Intelligence at Spotlight! We explore what analysts are saying about the rise of agentic AI and how these autonomous digital agents could reshape commerce, enterprise operations, and consumer behavior. Sarah brings her expertise in analyzing market trends to break down key predictions from major firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC. From AI guardian agents to the future of brand loyalty, this episode offers valuable insights into how emerging technologies could transform business and society in the coming years.

References

• Gartner's 2025 Strategic Technology Trends
• Forrester 2025 Predictions
• IDC Unveils 2025 FutureScapes: Worldwide IT Industry Predictions
• Anti-Predictions 2025: What Won’t Happen In The Year Ahead
• Disrupting Business as Usual: AI’s CoPilot, Concierge, and Super Agent

In this special year-end episode of ILLUMINATOR, we’re joined by the legendary John “Rocky” Rockhold, VP of Research & Intelligence at Spotlight. Rocky shares exclusive findings from Spotlight’s 2024 Analyst Survey, revealing what truly matters to industry analysts today and what vendors can do to make their relationships with analysts more impactful.

Discover three key themes reshaping Analyst Relations in 2024: the power of relationships over influence, the critical role of customer sentiment in analyst research, and the transformative impact of generative AI on the analyst landscape. We also highlight Spotlight's annual AR Summit event, offering ILLUMINATOR listeners an exclusive discount. Whether you're an AR professional or curious about the intersection of technology and strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking perspectives.

Notes

• Download the Spotlight AR Summit 2024 Infographic to see a more in-depth visual breakdown of our findings from this year's analyst survey
• Discount code: Use the code "ARSUMMIT10" at checkout for 10% off your ticket price for AR Summit 2025!

Is the cloud really as limitless as it seems? In this episode of ILLUMINATOR, we sit down with Dave McCarthy, Research VP at IDC, to uncover the hidden layers of cloud computing that most of us take for granted. From the breakneck pace of cloud modernization to the complex dance between AI demands and skyrocketing resource costs, we explore the decisions shaping the future of our digital infrastructure. Are cloud providers becoming too powerful? And how are companies balancing innovation with cost control through strategies like FinOps? Tune in as we dive deep into the evolving cloud landscape and what’s at stake for businesses everywhere.

References and Links

1. Check out Dave's research on IDC
2. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn

In this episode of ILLUMINATOR, Joe sat down with Jordan McKee, Research Director at 451 Research, to explore the hidden complexity of Payments. Together, they reveal the intricate processes behind every card swipe or online purchase you make, unraveling the web of technologies and key players that make payments seamless. Jordan also sheds light on how payments are evolving into a strategic differentiator for businesses, covering topics like false declines, fraud prevention, artificial intelligence, embedded payments, and the importance of modernizing payment infrastructure. Tune in for insights on optimizing payments and the future of financial technology!

Resources and References

• 2023 Trustpair Survey that found 96% of businesses were targeted by at least one fraud attempt
• FTC 2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book stats showing $10B lost to fraud in 2023 
• EU study on PDS2 results
• Summary resource explaining the payments landscape
• Jordan’s LinkedIn
• Jordan’s Forbes contributions
• Jordan’s research page

Thanks for listening!

In today's episode of ILLUMINATOR, Josh sits down with Chase Cunningham (VP of Security Market Research at G2) to delve into the escalating crisis of data breaches. Josh, Joe, and Chase explore why data breaches are becoming more frequent, the evolving tactics of cyber attackers, and the limitations of current cybersecurity measures. Chase shares his insights on the importance of adopting a Zero Trust strategy, the pitfalls of relying on compliance over security, and practical steps CISOs can take to protect their organizations.

Plus, Josh and Joe review some basic need-to-know information and details of the highest profile breaches of the year, including 23andMe, MOVEit, the CrowdStrike incident, the 2023 Microsoft attacks, the AT&T breaches, and more. Don’t miss this crucial conversation on safeguarding your digital life from one of the original masterminds behind Zero Trust.

About today's special guest:

Dr. Chase Cunningham, better known online as “Dr. Zero Trust,” is a retired Navy Chief Cryptologist with over 20 years of experience in Cyber Forensic and Analytic Operations. Chase has worked in some of the most operationally demanding work centers in the world, including the NSA, CIA, FBI, and other government agencies. He is currently the Vice President of Security Market Research at G2, and hosts his own show, the DrZeroTrust podcast.

Notes & References

• “The Continued Threat To Personal Data: Key Factors Behind the 2023 Increase” by Dr. Stuart Madnick of MIT (study commissioned by Apple)
• Chase's article: "Why data breaches have been normalized and 6 things CISOs can do to prevent them"
• Chase’s newest book on leadership, How NOT to lead
• Chase on LinkedIn

Glossary of Terms

• Red/Blue/Purple Team: Red teams are offensive security professionals that test an organization’s security by mimicking the tools and techniques used by real-world attackers. The red team attempts to bypass the blue team’s defenses while avoiding detection. Blue teams are internal IT security teams that defend an organization from attackers, including red teamers, and are constantly working to improve their organization’s cybersecurity. Purple teams combine these tools and techniques to simulate both offensive and defensive methods.
• Zero Day: A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw in software, hardware, or firmware that is unknown to the vendor and can be exploited before a patch is available. The term "zero-day" refers to the time the vendor has to prepare a patch after the vulnerability is discovered.
• Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI): an identity management model that enables organizations to create fraud-proof Verifiable Credentials and instantly verify the authenticity of those credential. It gives individuals full ownership and control of their digital identities without relying on a central authority.

In this episode of ILLUMINATOR, we delve into the environmental and social impacts of Generative AI starting with the workforce of the future. Join co-hosts Josh and Joe as they explore how impact sourcing can help mitigate AI's looming energy crisis. Featuring a compelling interview with Rita Soni, a principal analyst at Everest Group, we discover why tech companies are hiring and training people from disadvantaged communities and why this strategy will be crucial in the coming years as the demand for AI continues to grow.

References

• Everest Group sustainability portal
• Everest Group Clinton Global Initiative Pledge
• Everest Group Generative AI research portal
• Nature article referencing Sam Altman’s quote
• Video: Sam Altman on AI at the World Economic Forum Summit 2024
• MIT on the Climate and Sustainability Implications of Generative AI
• Gartner Survey reveals that Gen AI is the most deployed AI solution

Step into the mysterious realm of tech predictions with ILLUMINATOR's Joe Miller and Josh Carlton. Can industry experts truly predict the future? This riveting episode pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of annual tech predictions, featuring exclusive interviews with Sharyn Leaver, Chief Research Officer at Forrester, and Michael Rennet, Director of Analyst Relations at Dell Technologies. Discover the methods behind crafting predictions that shape entire industries, and learn how tech giants harness these visions to navigate an ever-shifting landscape. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, industry professional, or simply curious about the future of technology, this episode offers valuable insights into how predictions influence innovation and decision-making in the tech world.

References

1. Gartner's Top Strategic Predictions for 2024 and Beyond
2. Forrester Predictions 2024: Exploration Generates Progress
3. IDC's Top 10 Worldwide IT Industry 2024 Predictions: Mastering AI Everywhere