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🎙️  Ruchir Puri (Part 1): From Prompt Engineering to Agentic AI Guest: Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist at IBM Research
📍 Website: ibm.com/watsonx
🎧 Host: Al Martin, Worldwide VP, Technical Sales, IBM
📨 Want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

👤 About the Guest
Dr. Ruchir Puri is IBM Fellow, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, and one of IBM’s most prolific inventors. With over 70 patents and a lead architect behind IBM’s AI breakthroughs including Watson and watsonx, Ruchir is a globally respected authority on AI, chip design, and scalable compute. He’s led groundbreaking work from Deep Blue to Agentic AI and is shaping how AI will drive the next era of enterprise transformation.

🧠 What’s Inside This Episode This episode is a masterclass in where AI is headed. Ruchir takes us on a journey from the fading relevance of prompt engineering to the rise of agentic AI systems that think, plan, execute, and reflect. You’ll hear his candid views on inference at scale, memory in systems, and why 2025 is the year of agents.

⏱️ Chapters & Timing

• 01:22 – Hints for the IBM THINK Conference
  Sneak peek into what’s coming at THINK — and what not to miss.
• 04:09 – What Drives Ruchir
  From childhood curiosity to global impact. How does a mind like his stay inspired?
• 10:00 – Where Are We Now: Feedback Systems
  Why the “training is done” mindset is outdated and how feedback loops change the game.
• 12:21 – Prompt Engineering Gone!
  Hot take alert! Ruchir declares the death of prompt engineering — and what replaces it.
• 13:39 – Inference Scaling
  How scaling inference (not just training) is the next AI frontier.
• 16:26 – Systems with Memory
  Why “forgetting” systems are failing us — and how memory transforms intelligence.
• 17:56 – Agentic AI: Think, Plan, Act, Execute, Observe, Reflect
  A full walkthrough of what makes AI “agentic” and where we’re headed next.
• 21:02 – Future of Work and MCP (Multi-Contextual Personas)
  AI in the workplace isn’t about job replacement — it’s about augmentation.
• 23:45 – 2025: The Year of Agents
  Why this year will be the breakout moment for agents in enterprise AI.
• 23:58 – The Open Ecosystem
  Open-source meets enterprise grade. Ruchir breaks it down.
• 26:38 – Agentic AI Leader
  Final thoughts on leadership in AI and how to stay ahead.

💬 Quotes to Remember

🔥 Why You Should Listen If you want a front-row seat to the future of AI — especially in enterprise environments — this is it. Ruchir combines deep tech insights with strategic vision, all while keeping it practical and human.

📩 Subscribe & Stay Ahead Follow us on your favorite platform and never miss an episode that helps you lead with tech — simply.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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Part 2 of 2

We’re back with Part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy and Organizational Design at INSEAD.

In this episode, we explore the next frontier: how intelligent algorithms don’t just support organizations—they shape them. From AI ethics and algorithmic bureaucracy to the future of human-AI teams, universal income, and debunking myths, Phanish offers a provocative look at how organizations can—and should—adopt AI in a human-centric way.

⏱️ Chapters

• 00:12 – Algorithmic Bureaucracy
• 01:23 – AI Ethics
• 04:24 – Blockchain
• 07:51 – AI as Team vs. Individual Agents
• 11:59 – New Skills
• 15:12 – Predictions & Universal Income
• 17:20 – Adopting AI in a Human-Centric Way
• 19:02 – AI Myths

🔗 Connect with Phanish Puranam

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phanishpuranam
• Website: insead.edu/faculty/phanish-puranam

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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Part 1 of 2

How do we make organizations not just run — but run intelligently?

In this episode of Making Data Simple, we welcome Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy and Organizational Design at INSEAD, to explore the intersection of AI, organizational science, and intelligent design. From tools and teammates to blockchain and the metaverse, Phanish walks us through the evolving relationship between humans, algorithms, and the systems we build.

We dive into real-world use cases, research-backed insights, and surprising pitfalls — plus a contrarian take on why bad ideas might be the key to better innovation.

⏱️ Chapters

• 01:50 – Meet Phanish Puranam
• 03:36 – Organizational Design
• 08:39 – Where is Org Design Today
• 12:41 – A Research Example
• 15:59 – Technologies as Tools & Teammates
• 17:54 – A Real Use Case Example
• 20:30 – The Metaverse, Eliminate Bad Ideas Fast
• 21:28 – Pitfalls
• 23:30 – Use Case Deep Dive
• 30:06 – The Power Structure

🔗 Connect with Phanish Puranam

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phanishpuranam
• INSEAD Profile: insead.edu/faculty/phanish-puranam

#OrganizationalDesign #ArtificialIntelligence #PhanishPuranam #FutureOfWork #AIinBusiness #AlgorithmicOrganizations #Leadership #INSEAD #MakingDataSimple #AIandWork #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #OrgDesign

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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✨ Updated April 1, 2025

What do Tickle Me Elmo, bourbon, and Taylor Swift tickets have in common? Scarcity. And in the world of marketing, it's one of the most powerful forces you can harness.

This week, we’re throwing it back to one of our most insightful interviews — a conversation with Dr. Mindy Weinstein, Founder and CEO of Market MindShift, marketing professor at Grand Canyon University, Columbia Business School, and Wharton, and author of The Power of Scarcity.

We dig into:

• The psychology behind scarcity and why it drives us to act now
• The four types of scarcity (you’ll want to write these down!)
• How top brands — and yes, bourbon sellers — use scarcity to spark action
• Why "reaching humans" in digital marketing is more nuanced than ever
• How you can ethically and effectively use scarcity to boost business results

📚 About the Book:
 In The Power of Scarcity, Dr. Weinstein combines her background in marketing and psychology to break down how scarcity messaging influences decision-making — and how you can leverage it to drive revenue, deepen loyalty, and create urgency without manipulation. With research, real-world examples, and interviews from brands like McDonald’s and 1-800-Flowers, it’s a must-read for anyone looking to up their marketing game.

📌 Timestamps:
01:41 Meet "Marketer" Mindy Weinstein
04:42 Technology in Marketing
07:50 One of the top women in digital marketing
09:12 The Power of Scarcity
19:16 The Four Types of Scarcity
20:41 Bourbon Scarcity
21:47 Businesses Leveraging Scarcity

🧠 Connect with Dr. Weinstein:
 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mindydweinstein
📘 Book: persuasioninbusiness.com
🌐 Website: marketmindshift.com

🎧 Originally aired: Season 7, Episode 5

Want to be featured on Making Data Simple? Drop us a note at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next! Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales at IBM — where we explore cutting-edge tech, business innovation, and the human side of leadership... all while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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🎙️ From Host to Hot Seat!
This week on Making Data Simple, Al Martin flips the mic and becomes the guest as Ian Smith, co-founder of Lighthouse Technology, steps in to host a fast-paced, thought-provoking episode of the Baseline Podcast.

It’s a casual convo with some serious zingers—think startup energy, AI honesty, automation truths, and even a little NFL shoutout. You won’t want to miss this one!

🕒 Episode Highlights
00:52 – How Making Data Simple got started
06:11 – IBM as a Startup?!
08:38 – Why IBM, really
11:49 – Competing with “Real-time” AI
23:20 – How to get clients to truly embrace automation
32:12 – The test AI flunked… but still got a B 🤖
33:06 – GO CHIEFS! 🏈
37:54 – The real IBM use case
47:06 – “Nothing went wrong” (famous last words?)

🔗 Connect with Ian: linkedin.com/in/ian-smith-a803701
🌐 Learn more: baselinepodcast.com

💡 Want to be featured on Making Data Simple?
Pitch us your story at [email protected]—we’re always on the lookout for brilliant minds in tech, data, leadership, and innovation.

🎧 Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM. LinkedIn. Executive Producer, Katherine Mayne LinkedIn.
We talk trending tech, bold ideas, and big leadership—all with a focus on keeping it simple and fun. 

#MakingDataSimple #BaselinePodcast #TechLeadership #AIConversations #StartupTalk #AutomationInnovation #IBMTech #DataDriven #PodcastGuest #BusinessInnovation #LighthouseTechnology #AlMartin #IanSmith #GoChiefs

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

🚀 What’s the secret to building a world-class influencer marketing program? Ryan Debenham, CEO of GRIN, joins Making Data Simple to break down the future of creator-driven marketing, AI’s role in the space, and how GRIN is reshaping brand-influencer partnerships.

💡 From Red Bull’s marketing playbook to a key conversation about the “Secret Sauce”, Ryan shares the insights, technology, and mindset needed to scale a creator-powered brand in today’s digital economy.

🔹 Key Topics:
✅ What makes a great influencer?
✅ How GRIN is redefining the industry
✅ AI’s impact on marketing
✅ The future of remote companies

⌛️Minute Markers

02:11 Meet Ryan Debenham
07:54 Running a Startup
08:46 Modeled after Red Bull
12:01 GRIN
15:44 Influencer Marketing
17:52 Who are the Influencers
18:45 Secret Sauce
22:51 The Technology
24:51 The 2-Min GRIN Pitch
31:16 AI in Marketing
34:32 GRIN's Future
36:06 A Remote Company
38:35 In Closing

📢 Listen now!

🎧 Guest: Ryan Debenham | LinkedIn | Website
🌍 Host: Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM | LinkedIn

📩 Want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected]

🔗 Hashtags:
#MakingDataSimple #InfluencerMarketing #CreatorEconomy #AIinMarketing #BrandGrowth #MarketingTech #Leadership #GRIN #RyanDebenham

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

Innovating on Wall Street: Kristen McGarry on Data, AI, and Technical Sales

🎧 Tune in for an insider’s look at the technical strategies shaping the future of finance.

Kristen McGarry, Principal Account Technical Lead for IBM’s Financial Services Market, returns to Making Data Simple to dive deeper into the intersection of technology and Wall Street. Based in NYC, Kristen works with the world’s largest financial institutions to drive innovation, accelerate time to value, and implement cutting-edge solutions across software, hardware, and services.

In this episode, we break down the realities of technical sales, the evolving role of data science in finance, and what Wall Street is getting right (or wrong) about AI. Kristen also shares key insights on the challenges of working with financial giants and predictions for the future of tech in banking.

⏱ Episode Highlights:
📍 02:57 – An Intro to Kristen McGarry
📍 04:36 – Why IBM?
📍 09:25 – The Attraction of Data Science
📍 11:51 – A Day in the Life of an Account Technical Leader
📍 13:30 – Technical Sales versus Sales
📍 15:05 – Continuing to Innovate
📍 19:09 – Dealing with Wall Street
📍 20:17 – The Methodology
📍 22:23 – The How of Technical Sales
📍 23:05 – Continuous Learning
📍 28:03 – Management System
📍 30:34 – Wall Street Learnings
📍 32:20 – Biggest Challenge
📍 33:08 – The Data Challenge
📍 34:22 – Best Data Science Use Cases in Finance
📍 36:14 – What Do Clients Miss on AI?
📍 38:09 – Predictions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-mcgarry/

Website: https://www.ibm.com/

#MakingDataSimple #DataScience #AIinFinance #TechSales #WallStreet #IBM #Innovation #FinancialServices #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #AI

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

🚀 The Coaching Discussion Reprise with Katie McLuckie and a special guest!

In this episode, we dive into the value of coaching—what it takes to find the right coach, the ups and downs of the journey, and what to watch out for. If you're considering a business coach, this one's for you!

🎧 Episode Breakdown:
⏱️ 01:33 – Meet Katie McLuckie
⏱️ 04:11 – Transitioning from Urban Planning
⏱️ 07:02 – Finding a Coach
⏱️ 13:34 – A Silly Coaching Example 🤔
⏱️ 21:10 – The Coaching Folder 📂
⏱️ 23:33 – The Show After the Show 🎭
⏱️ 27:05 – Corporate vs. Individual Coaching
⏱️ 29:17 – Red Flags 🚩
⏱️ 30:50 – The Echo Chamber 🔄

🔗 Connect with Katie: linkedin.com/in/katiemcluckie

🎙️ Want to be a guest on Making Data Simple?
📩 Email us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

🔥 Hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership—all while keeping it simple & fun.

Al's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-martin-ku 

Katherine the "Special Guest"  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemayne

#MakingDataSimple #Podcast #Coaching #BusinessCoaching #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Innovation #CorporateCoaching #CoachingJourney #TechAndLeadership

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Send us a text

In this special replay episode of Making Data Simple, Al Martin sits down with Matt Cowell, CEO of QuantHub, to dive deep into data literacy, upskilling, and solving learning challenges. Matt shares his expertise on defining data fluency, the best ways to learn, and how organizations can close the data skill gap. From client use cases to leadership insights, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for businesses and individuals navigating the data-driven world.

Show Notes & Chapter Markers:

⏳ 2:25 – From SVP of Products to Data Learning Business
📊 3:48 – Defining Data Literacy
🎓 5:50 – Teaching the Products
🚧 7:36 – What’s Out of Scope?
🏢 12:50 – Client Use Case
💡 18:07 – Solving Learning Problems
📖 21:14 – What Does a Learning Plan Look Like?
🔍 25:08 – Defining Micro
🧠 30:20 – Best Ways to Learn
📈 33:14 – Measuring Success
💰 34:47 – Venture Capital Funding
🌟 36:10 – Fundamental Leadership Belief
🔑 38:24 – The Most Valuable Leadership Skill

🔗 Connect & Resources:

• QuantHub
• Matt Cowell on LinkedIn
• Books Mentioned: Monetizing Innovation, Ultra Learning
• Connect with the Team:
  • 🎤 Host: Al Martin
  • 🎬 Producers: Kate Mayne

📩 Want to be a guest?

Reach out to [email protected] and tell us why you should be next!

📢 Hashtags:

#MakingDataSimple #DataLiteracy #Upskilling #AI #BigData #TechPodcast #Leadership #LearnData #QuantHub

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

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The master of Artificial Intelligence: Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research, an IBM Fellow, and Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology.  AI questions you were afraid to ask, from hallucinations to watsonx. #makingdatasimple #watsonx

Welcome to the enlightening world of AI with Ruchir Puri, the Master of Artificial Intelligence and esteemed guest on our podcast. Join us as we embark on a captivating journey, delving deep into the realms of AI that you've always been curious about but hesitant to ask. From hallucinations to WatsonX, we leave no stone unturned in our quest for knowledge. Ruchir Puri, Chief Scientist of IBM Research and IBM Fellow, as well as Vice-President of IBM Corporate Technology, shares his expertise and insights, unraveling the complexities and potential of AI. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of AI's capabilities and its impact on our lives. Prepare to have your questions answered and be amazed by the wonders of AI.

• 02:17 Meet Ruchir Puri the "Maker"
• 09:24 A day in the life 14:22 The AI hype 24:21 Why now?
• 27:36 The AI triangle
• 35:57 Why IBM 40:58 Deciding factors
• 43:57 Is bigger better?
• 47:59 Hallucinations 
• 49:53 watsonx
• 52:33 Who are you betting on?
• 54:23 First steps

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruchir-puri-b117021a

Website: https://www.ibm.com/watsonx

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next.  The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun. 

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.

Want to be featured as a guest on Making Data Simple? Reach out to us at [email protected] and tell us why you should be next. The Making Data Simple Podcast is hosted by Al Martin, WW VP Technical Sales, IBM, where we explore trending technologies, business innovation, and leadership ... while keeping it simple & fun.