OPEN Tech Talks: AI worth Talking| Artificial Intelligence |Tools & Tips

In the evolving financial sector landscape, harnessing First-Party Data and leveraging AI for a competitive edge has become more than just a trend; it's a necessity, without any doubt. Every successful institution today stands on a bedrock of data-driven decisions and how quickly they are getting these decisions done is vital, how they are enabling the executives to make informed decisions.

All lies with how organizations can truly unlock the potential of their data that is their in different silos. How do first-party data, artificial intelligence, and personalized banking experiences tie into the bigger picture?

I recently got to speak with Rich Edwards, CEO of Mindspan Systems, to demystify these concepts. His insights, shaped by early experiences with platforms like IBM Watson and rooted in a deep understanding of data strategy, shine a spotlight on the path forward for financial institutions.

• Website: Mindspan
• Twitter/X: Rich Edwards

What You'll Learn in This Podcast:

• Understanding Data's Role: Learn how the underlying data layer is the backbone for all development in the financial world.
• Maximizing First-Party Data: Why an organization's first-party data is its primary asset and how to derive unparalleled value from it.
• Unstructured Data – The Hidden Goldmine: Every organization possesses vast reserves of unstructured data. How tapping into these overlooked resources can get them ahead of others
• The Essence of Personalization: In an age where customer-centric approaches reign supreme, discover the strategies to know your customers better and wrap personalized experiences around them.
• Data-Driven Strategies and Technologies: Gain insights into how financial institutions can differentiate themselves in a regulated industry by harnessing data.
• Scouting the Right Talent: How do institutions ensure they have the right talent as IT development accelerates? What are the key traits in candidates and why is in-depth knowledge crucial in this era of short, impactful projects.

• Mindspan Systems

In today's fast-paced digital age, bonding moments come in various forms - playing a new video game or watching the latest viral video. Yet, Sam Keller and his 12-year-old son, Kaz Keller, have taken this bonding to an entirely new level. They're navigating the rough waters of artificial intelligence, particularly with OpenAI's ChatGPT. But what's more fascinating is how this tech journey reshapes Kaz's young world, from bolstering his leadership skills to conquering the age-old fear of public speaking.

Every parent can relate this journey to their kids and how such activities can be treated as extracurricular activities that enable kids to learn in this high-paced world.

When we think of artificial intelligence or ChatGPT, we often picture seasoned tech enthusiasts or professionals behind keyboards. Rarely do we envision a vibrant 12-year-old eager to absorb and share this knowledge.

This Story, however, is that rare gem. A seasoned tech enthusiast has turned their shared interest into an enriching experience beyond the screen. It's about preparing for a tech-forward future while mastering life skills that stand the test of time. Their journey is a testament that technology, blended with passion and mentorship, can become a powerful tool for holistic growth.

1. The Power of Bonding Over Tech: Discover the heartwarming tale of a father and son using ChatGPT as a medium of connection and growth.
2. Mastering ChatGPT: Delve into the intricacies of this large language model and understand its potential from both an adult's and a child's perspective.
3. Leadership Skills Through AI: Uncover how diving deep into tech can enhance essential life skills, even in young learners.
4. Overcoming Public Speaking: Learn about Kaz's journey from hesitance to confidence, all thanks to his immersion in the world of AI
5. The Future of Young Tech Enthusiasts: Gain insights into how early exposure to technologies like ChatGPT can shape a child's future.

Joseph is a CTO helping startups and other organizations design, develop, and launch innovative products and solutions.

• Is there any impact on kids' education with such activities?
• What are the risks of using ChatGPT by kids, and what can they benefit from it?
• How is it helping to learn leadership and public speaking skills?
• How can such activities help kids in the future get admission to higher education?

• Website: Gen AI Academy
• Youtube: Kaz Keller

• Gen AI Academy
• Open AI - ChatGPT

The big question is, How do CTOs, CIOs, IT Managers, and IT Directors choose the right technology software, applications, and tools for their organizations?

Navigating the ever-evolving world of technology can be daunting, especially when someone is at the helm of a company's IT decisions. The landscape is riddled with established technology solutions, from packaged applications (ERPs) to SaaS, PaaS & IaaS vendors to Emerging technologies, each promising to be the game-changer and now with the Artificial Intelligence hype at the peak. Being at the C-level is about more than just knowing tech stuff. It's about making sure that tech helps the business do well, and irrespective of the technology or who the vendor is providing, so many moving pieces need to be put in place.

Today we have a guest who is Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and he will take us on an exciting trip of starting with a simple idea, something you jot down quickly, and then you turn it into something tangible - Smart helmets. It must. be challenging as some people might doubt you, especially when they hear stories of other businesses that tried and didn't succeed.

Joseph is a CTO who is helping startups and other organizations design, develop, and launch innovative products and solutions.

• You will hear the story of the world's first smart helmet that was developed from idea to mass production.
• How do you decide or select technology for the business?
• How to fail fast can help to refine your idea to invest more time and money into it
• What are the qualities you are looking into the candidates, especially in the technology space?
• When is the right time to add AI to your startup idea?
• How can we learn quickly from mistakes without wasting time and money?

• Website: Azar Consulting
• Linkedin: Joseph Azar

• Azar Consulting
• Forcite Helmets

Writing in the Age of AI has become crucial and a skill that requires a mindset to be grasped. Writing a book is a long-standing item on my to-do list, and today, I have got an exceptional expert on the show to learn from him about writing books and how to write books with the support of Artificial Intelligence.

I have been writing blogs for the last 12 years; I wrote my first blog in the year 2011, and interesting to see it was on 16th August 2021.

Without any doubt, writing a book offers a unique platform to share knowledge, experiences, and expertise.

It establishes one as an authority in a particular domain and allows one to reach and impact a larger audience.

For technical experts, writing books becomes even more crucial. It's an avenue to translate complex technical jargon into consumable content.

In doing so, they bridge the gap between technological advancements and make it understandable for the wider community; it's become like demystifying and democratizing knowledge.

However, writing a book is no mean feat. It demands time, patience, and a high level of commitment, which I am also struggling to overcome over the years.

Here's where Artificial Intelligence comes into play.

1. Research: AI-driven tools can sift through vast amounts of data, summarizing and pulling out key insights that can be valuable for a writer.
2. Editing: AI-powered grammar and style checkers ensure the content is coherent, error-free, and engages the reader.
3. Content Enhancement: Through predictive text and content suggestions, AI can aid in refining the narrative, making it more compelling.
4. Market Analysis: AI can analyze current market trends to suggest topics or themes that resonate with readers.
5. Personalization: AI tools can help tailor content, ensuring it addresses the specific needs and preferences of the target audience.

Today, in our Podcast, we're privileged to have a guest who embodies the confluence of traditional book-writing and modern AI tools. Having authored over 300 books, he not only understands the nuances of the writing process but has also harnessed the capabilities of AI to amplify his online business. His journey offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to venture into writing, especially in the technical domain.

Jonathan is an expert at using Artificial Intelligence tools to accelerate your online business.

• How AI tools are shifting from optional to mandatory for every business.
• You can use AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to save work hours.
• What is the objective of writing books? Different categories give you the context of why to write a book.
• How you should structure your book and add the story, follow the formula of 3 things to write in the book.
• How you need to market your books, the secret to getting reviews on Amazon.

• Website: ServeNoMaster
• Twitter/X: Jonathan Green

• ServeNoMaster
• Book: ChatGPT Profits
• Link: https://www.otechtalks.tv/writing-in-the-age-of-ai-a-deep-dive-with-a-300-book-author/

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• Leave a comment in the section below on this post
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• Share this on Twitter and Facebook; if you enjoyed this episode, we are learning new technologies together.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the term "AI Frontier" is more than just a buzzword; it represents the uncharted territories of innovation and possibilities that AI promises. As organizations worldwide stand on the cusp of integrating AI into their core operations, the quest for knowledge on navigating this frontier becomes paramount not only for the organizations but for an individual how to navigate and start taking action to learn and grow.

Our guest today has ventured into this frontier and laid down markers, guiding others through his profound insights and groundbreaking work. As we dive deeper into today's discussion, you will be privy to a firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs at the forefront of AI development. From understanding the nuances of AI integration to decoding its vast potential across sectors, our thought leader will shed light on the intricacies that organizations grapple with. How do businesses discern hype from genuine AI opportunities? What does it take to transform an AI concept into a tangible asset? These questions, and many more, will be unraveled as we journey through the AI frontier together, guided by the insights of a true industry pioneer.

A global thought leader who has been in AI for 15 years and has 4 patents in AI, he has served clients like Microsoft, IBM, Pearson Education, and more, producing $500 million in value for them.

• What is the biggest problem in business, and how to identify them and then look into AI to solve it?
• What is the readiness of AI for an organization, and how you can identify it
• Is AI going to take over our jobs?

• Website: TetraNoodle
• Twitter/X: Manuj Aggarwal

• TetraNoodle

Storytelling is crucial for both individuals and businesses worldwide. Regardless of your position, storytelling is fundamental to everything you do. In this session, we have the opportunity to learn from a true master in the field of storytelling. He is currently teaching media and has dedicated his entire career to producing media for television.

Storytelling has become an essential skill for professionals in the technology industry, whatever role you are playing, from CIOs, CTOs, Product managers, and Solution engineers to DBAs, Developers, and tech consultants. As technology continues to shape our world, the ability to communicate effectively through storytelling is becoming increasingly important and a cornerstone for success.

Few examples:

For CIOs/CTOs/IT Managers, storytelling can help align teams and stakeholders around a shared vision for their organization's future and how technology will support this vision to become a reality. Senior leaders need to create a compelling narrative around technology initiatives, and they can inspire and motivate their teams to achieve goals and drive innovation.

Product managers can use storytelling to build empathy with their users and create products that truly resonate with their needs. By understanding the user's journey and crafting a narrative around their pain points and aspirations, product managers can create products that solve real problems and deliver value to their users.

Tech Consultants can benefit from storytelling by using it to build trust and credibility with their customers. By sharing stories of successful projects and outcomes, consultants can showcase their expertise and build a rapport with their clients, ultimately leading to more successful engagements.

Storytelling has become a vital skill for professionals in the technology industry, enabling them to communicate effectively, build empathy, inspire innovation, and drive success, and today we will learn from the master of storytelling.

Lee Schneider is a novelist, podcaster, and the founder of Red Cup Agency. He teaches media at USC. He has produced podcasts for Nike, Glassdoor, Boston Consulting Group Digital Ventures, and HP. He also had different roles in production for DatelineNBC, CourtTV, History Channel, and TLC.

• How to gather your scattered information by reading books and journals so that it can become a second brain for you.
• How to get the correct information from different sources, you will learn the techniques and what should be followed.
• How to write better stories, how to tell better stories.
• A new way of having podcast production, where an actor is taking to bots, an immersive audio experience.

• Website: FutureX.Studio
• Book: Surrender

• Surrender
• Obsidian
• Readwise

Understanding AI for business and how to develop AI strategy for your organization is vital for everyone. Navigating the complex world of AI for business can be a daunting task, and with so much hype, it is now a daunting task for everyone.

However, understanding the Artificial Intelligence potential and integrating it into your organization's strategy can unlock new opportunities for growth and efficiency. In this podcast, you will get some of the very simplified areas for you to help you how to develop an AI strategy for your business.

Before anything else, it's crucial to have a solid understanding of what AI is, its capabilities, and how it can be utilized in various industry contexts. AI isn't just a buzzword—it's a tool that can automate tasks, provide insights, and even help you make more informed business decisions. Then you need to focus on what you aim to achieve with AI. Whether it's improving customer service, increasing efficiency, or gaining a competitive edge, having clear objectives will guide your AI strategy rather than just going to adopt AI for the sake of AI.

Kavita has a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, with a specialization in NLP, Search Technologies, and Machine Learning, and she also wrote a book 'The business case for AI'.

• How to identify use cases where AI can help the organization and the steps to follow to build the AI strategy.
• Why it is important to look at your current processes, technologies, and data infrastructure. Are they AI-ready? This assessment will help you understand where you stand and what needs to be done to integrate AI into your operations.
• If you are new to AI and how will you start using it in the organization?

• Website: Opinosis Analytics
• Blog: Kavita Ganesan, PhD
• Book: The Business Case for AI

• The Business Case for AI

Wondering if your business is ready for the AI revolution and if you are already aligned with AI strategy? You are not going to join the race of AI/ML just for the sake of AI/ML. These are the common questions that come to nowadays in everyone's mind that I need to get on the bus of AI/ML and my organization or the business should not be left behind. Whereas some fundamentals need to be looked into before embarking on this journey, and in this open talk with the guest, we tried to find out some of the questions and answers which can help you.

We need to start with the basics. First, ask yourself if your business goals are driven by data. Do you have a robust data infrastructure? Can you readily access and analyze relevant and high-quality data? Are you able to act on the insights this data provides? If you nodded along, you're already on the path to becoming AI-ready!

Now, let's talk about aligning AI and data analytics with your business goals. Maybe you want to drive up sales, streamline operations, or deliver a better customer experience. Your roadmap is data analytics - it will guide you on the best route to reach your destination. Always remember, AI isn't a magic wand but a handy tool in your toolbox. Used wisely, it can power up your business journey.

Frank will share his journey of moving from working full-time at Dell to starting his consulting firm, focusing on helping customers get results from the data. He addresses the most common misconceptions about AI and data analytics and how you handle them.

• How to create a foundation for getting long-term value rather than just focusing on adopting AI/ML
• Why is it important to focus on the objective of solving the problem and then pursue to have AI/ML implementation
• How to drive use cases for ChatGPT
• If you are new to AI and how will you start learning

• Website: Catalytics Consulting
• Linkedin: FrankMendoza

• ChatGPT

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• Leave a comment in the section below on this post
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In today's rapidly evolving corporate landscape, continual learning and upskilling have become crucial for career advancement. Various educational options are available to professionals, each offering unique benefits, from corporate organizations to opting for MOOCs or having formal degree programs. The debate between colleagues and friends often refers to two main paths: a formal degree versus hands-on experience. In this Podcast, I will cover higher degrees during a professional career and how I decided to go for it.

Finally, after a break of six months due to my university dissertation, I am back to writing blogs and podcasts.

• What is happening in the corporate world concerning degree programs while working?
• Why is upskilling essential?
• What are the options available? Or how usually it is being considered.

Choosing Your Path:

The decision to pursue higher education can be complex, with common considerations such as MBA programs versus technical degrees. This dilemma often feels like a roller coaster ride, requiring much thought and time, and the same thing I was going through while contemplating this.

My journey toward earning an MSc in AI started in late 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. While working on several emerging technologies initiatives with many customers, I explored online courses on platforms like edx.org, coursera.org, and LinkedIn learning.

While these courses provided valuable information, I wanted to get deeper into the basics and build upon them. It depends on your personality and, historically, how you take up any new topic or subject to develop your knowledge of it.

After numerous discussions with friends, colleagues, and former managers, it became clear that my aspirations needed to align with what I was targeting or aiming for. I had to spend considerable time deciding whether to pursue an MBA or a tech-focused degree. I concluded that I envisioned a two-step progression: first, to follow the latest technical degree, which equips me with the latest tech, and then to supplement it with management courses.

The Decision to Pursue AI:

Given my involvement in numerous emerging tech projects, my interest naturally gravitated toward data science and AI degree programs. The question then became, where to enroll? Back in 2020, there were fewer options than there are today.

After extensive research, I decided not to go to US universities due to time zone differences and targeted UK universities. While the selection of universities was essential, and the considerations included the fee structure, overall university ranking, job placement record, course structure, and location.

The Online Learning Experience:

The pandemic has exponentially increased the demand for online courses and degrees. As an online student of an AI MSc program, I've been introduced to a new learning methodology that differs from traditional face-to-face instruction.

The primary challenge of online learning is maintaining self-discipline. With it, staying on track with the courses and completing them is challenging. Furthermore, studying in-depth and grasping the material beyond just checking off completion boxes is essential and needs to be paramount in the study approach.

Balancing Professional and Personal Life:

It's complicated, and the journey of juggling a professional career, pursuing a higher degree, and maintaining a personal life was no less than walking a tightrope. The constant switch between work, studies, and family responsibilities was often overwhelming, and there were countless moments when I felt like dropping out of the university program.

Despite the challenges, what kept me going was the unwavering support of my wife. Despite the up and downs, She often reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place and now need to keep an eye on it rather than focusing on something else.

In this ride, I've learned that pursuing a higher degree while working full-time and managing family responsibilities is incredibly challenging. However, with the right support system and a clear vision of the end goal, it is indeed possible.

And learning, growth, and career advancement reward the trip worthwhile.

• Why go for the formal university route
• Why upskilling is important
• How did I start it, and what were the considerations that can help you decide for yourself?

• University of Bath
• Edx.org https://www.edx.org
• Coursera.org https://www.coursera.org
• Linkedin Learning https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
• MOOC.org

To share your thoughts:

• Leave a comment in the section below on this post
• Do you want to suggest any new topic I should cover in future Podcast
• Join us in the Mastermind tribe
• Share this on Twitter and Facebook; if you enjoyed this episode and we are learning new technologies together.

To help out this initiative:

• Leave a candid review for the OTechTalks Podcast on iTunes! Your ratings and reviews will help the session on iTunes.
• Subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes to get the subsequent sessions

The journey started from the cloud to arriving on the multi-cloud. Nowadays, every IT department in an organization is heading towards the multi-cloud era. Let's first get our heads clear,

• What is multi-cloud?
• What is a hybrid cloud?

As we are hearing, these two terms are sometimes interchangeable.

So multi-cloud is where an organization uses the cloud services from two or more cloud providers, such as the Oracle Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

A hybrid cloud is where the organization uses on-premises services, or "private cloud," and a few from any of the cloud providers – public clouds, such as the Oracle Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Distributed cloud: organizations want to have their own decision and choice for the cloud resources that they want to have. It could be multiple public clouds, or even an Oracle cloud@customer, an AWS outpost, etc. The point is that services will be like a public cloud and managed, and governed by the public cloud vendor.

Now the first question that comes to mind is, why multi-cloud? A few areas to think of…

• Vendor lock-in (in other words -multiple cloud vendors lock in)
• Data center availability – this is also linked to the compliance requirement that you need to have an in-country data center
• Utilize the best services from the cloud vendor, who specializes in certain services.
• Low latency requirements for certain applications and that vendor doesn't have a data center in that region.
• Price optimization
• By accident, they opted for multi-cloud (within organizations, the different departments opted for different cloud vendors).
• Resilience (I need to have a backup site with other cloud providers)

The multi-cloud strategy brings several benefits to organizations, however, implementing a multi-cloud also brings challenges, few to mention:

• Compatibility
• Increased complexity
• Security
• Interconnection between different cloud providers
• The learning curve for the IT teams (to learn about different cloud providers)
• Cost estimation and reporting.
• Cloud management
• Multi-cloud architecture

• Fundamentals of multi-cloud
• What are the benefits, and challenges of multi-cloud?
• the common patterns of deployments
• what are the common cloud management platforms
• what are the common cloud networking providers

• Cloud Management Platform Gartner magic quadrant 2020
• Multi-Cloud Networking Software (MCNS)
• Interconnection between Oracle Cloud and Azure
• 99 – Cloud Adoption Framework
• 97 – What are the leading cloud migration challenges?
• 95- Cloud Security with CIS Benchmarks
• 94- How to develop a cloud migration strategy?
• 93- Cloud Migration Workload Assessment
• 91- Workload Migration to Cloud – Getting Started