In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Venky Veeraraghavan, Chief Product Officer at DataRobot, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the fascinating evolution from predictive AI to today's agentic workflows. With 20 years of experience at Microsoft working on everything from Azure Machine Learning to the early days of Azure OpenAI, Venky brings a unique perspective on how AI is truly transforming the enterprise landscape.

The conversation delves into the fundamental differences between predictive and generative AI, how agents will orchestrate complex business processes using multiple AI tools, and what the future holds for the agentic workforce. From warehouse management systems that adapt in real-time to supply chain planning agents that combine forecasting with live data, Venky shares insights on how the orchestration layer of multiple AI tools creates genuinely transformative possibilities.

If you're interested in understanding how enterprises are navigating AI adoption with appropriate caution and what it takes to thrive in an AI-driven workplace, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Background

[02:00] Venky's Journey from Microsoft to DataRobot

[05:00] Predictive vs Generative AI Explained

[09:00] The Evolution of DataRobot's Platform

[13:00] Function Calling and Orchestration Layers

[15:00] The Future of Agentic Workflows

[18:00] Agent Workforce Management and UI Challenges

[23:00] The Human Impact of AI Transformation

[28:00] Enterprise Adoption and Brand Risk

[30:00] Two Words for the Future: Exciting and Disruptive

Connect with Venky Veeraraghavan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkyv

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Vik Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder of Foresite Labs and Interim President at Xaira Therapeutics, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is revolutionizing life sciences and healthcare. With a distinguished background spanning physics, structural biology, radiology at Stanford, and pioneering work at Google, Vik brings a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and medicine.

The conversation delves into the stark realities of drug discovery—where 2 million researchers globally struggle against success rates so low that most will be lucky to contribute to one or two successful drugs in their entire careers. Vik explains how AI, particularly David Baker's groundbreaking protein design work, is poised to transform this landscape by enabling drugs for previously "undruggable" targets and moving healthcare from reactive treatment to predictive, personalized medicine.

From genetic tests that could provide actionable insights for 75% of people to AI models that can predict 5-year mortality from a simple chest X-ray, this episode reveals how we're approaching a future where disease prevention replaces disease treatment. If you're interested in understanding how AI will fundamentally reshape healthcare economics and why Vik compares this transformation to the industrial revolution, this episode is essential listening.

Chapters:

[01:48] From Physics to Life Sciences: Vik's Interdisciplinary Journey

[04:13] The Google Years: Early AI Revolution in Science

[06:56] Xaira Therapeutics and David Baker's Protein Design Breakthrough

[09:28] The Optimistic Future of AI in Drug Discovery

[15:17] The Four-Stage Evolution of AI in Medicine

[19:53] Healthcare Cost Crisis and AI Solutions

[23:27] The Promise of Personalized Medicine

[28:39] Foresite Labs: Specializing in Science and Engineering AI

[32:00] Why Healthcare AI is Harder Than Software Engineering

[36:27] Two Words for the Future: Industrial Revolution

Contact Info:

Connect with Vik Bajaj

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvikbajaj/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● X: boazashkenazy

● Email: [email protected]

Shift AI is brought to you by Clause, a legal AI platform, and is syndicated by GeekWire.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Shalini Agarwal, VP of Product at Salesforce overseeing Slack's AI and search capabilities, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is transforming workplace collaboration from the inside out. With 17 years of experience at Google and now leading AI innovation at one of the world's most widely used workplace platforms, Shalini offers unique insights into how billions of weekly messages are being augmented with intelligent agents and contextual AI.

From her journey as a seasoned product manager to spearheading Slack's evolution into an agentic work operating system, Shalini reveals how teams are already using AI search, channel experts, and multiplayer agents to unlock institutional knowledge and streamline productivity. The conversation dives into the future of human-agent collaboration, the importance of contextual AI that works in the flow of work, and how Slack is positioning itself as the perfect platform for the next generation of workplace intelligence.

If you're curious about how AI agents will reshape team productivity and what the future holds for contextual, collaborative AI experiences, this episode provides invaluable insights from someone building the future of work today.

Chapters:

[02:00] Shalini's Background and Product Management Evolution

[04:43] Slack's AI Vision and Work Operating System

[09:17] Real-World AI Integration Examples at Slack

[12:26] The Power of Contextual AI in Workflow

[13:56] Customer Adaptation and AI Journey Patterns

[16:02] Agents vs Assistants: Understanding the Difference

[18:14] Surprising Customer Use Cases and Open Text Box Innovation

[21:22] Multiplayer AI Experiences and Team Collaboration

[25:20] Security, Privacy, and Enterprise Data Protection

[25:49] Multiplayer Native Agents Preview

[27:44] The Future of Work: Agentic and Contextual

Connect with Shalini Agarwal

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/shaliniprofile/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

Shift AI is brought to you by Clause, a legal AI platform, and is syndicated by GeekWire.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Sanjna Parulekar, SVP of Product Marketing at Salesforce, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the reality of enterprise AI adoption beyond the media hype. With her psychology background and eight years at one of the world's leading enterprise software companies, Parulekar offers a grounded perspective on how large organizations are actually implementing AI agents and what the human side of AI transformation really looks like.

From discussing the courage required to transform workflows to the importance of data strategy foundations, Parulekar shares insights on why some companies are succeeding with AI while others struggle with pilots. She also explores how voice technology fits into enterprise solutions, the evolving role of humans in AI systems, and why the future of work will be both more exciting and more intentional. If you're interested in understanding where enterprise AI adoption actually stands versus the narrative, this conversation provides valuable insights from the trenches.

Chapters:

[00:00:35] Introduction and Background

[00:01:56] Sanjna's Journey from AI Startups to Salesforce

[00:03:52] Enterprise AI Adoption Reality vs. Hype

[00:07:16] How Jobs Are Changing with AI Agents

[00:10:30] The Human Experience in AI Transformation

[00:11:25] Voice Technology in Enterprise Solutions

[00:13:56] Humans in the Loop: When and How

[00:18:08] The Truth About AI Hype Cycles

[00:22:13] Big Enterprise Customer Conversations

[00:26:35] Leadership Changes in the AI Era

[00:29:56] Two Words for the Future of Work

Contact Information:

Connect with Sanjna Parulekar

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjna-parulekar-0248a537/

● Company: Salesforce

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● X: boazashkenazy

● Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Dr. Vanja Josifovski, CEO of Kumo and former CTO of Airbnb and Pinterest, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses unlock value from their structured data. Josifovski shares his journey from building recommendation systems for millions of users to founding Sequoia-backed Kumo, which is tackling one of AI's biggest challenges: turning business data into actionable insights.

From his early days witnessing the evolution of embeddings and vector representations to today's transformer revolution, Josifovski offers a unique perspective on the AI landscape. The conversation delves into why the current AI boom has largely overlooked structured business data, the future of personalized consumer experiences, and how coding tools are democratizing software development. If you're interested in understanding how enterprise data can drive better business decisions and what the future holds for work in an AI-driven world, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone who's been at the forefront of the AI revolution for two decades.

Chapters:

[02:00] Vanja's Background and AI Journey

[04:00] The Evolution of Embeddings and Vectors

[07:00] Silicon Valley's AI Revolution

[09:00] Founding Kumo and the Enterprise Data Problem

[12:00] The Future of Personalization

[15:00] How AI is Changing Software Development

[18:00] The Optimistic Future of Work

[21:00] Societal Changes and Abundance

[25:00] From Big Tech to Startup Life [00:28:00] Two Words for the Future: "Lots of Fun"

Contact Info:

Connect with Vanja Josifovski:

● Website: kumo.ai

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy:

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy is joined by Taylor Black, Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems in Microsoft’s CTO Office. With a background as a B2B SaaS founder and deep tech venture studio leader, Taylor brings a rare blend of startup vision and enterprise expertise to the AI conversation.

Together, they explore the rise of agentic workflows, protocols like MCP, and the shifting interface of software in the age of AI. Taylor also reflects on the philosophical and economic implications of AI’s rapid evolution—from abundant intelligence to human decision-making limits. If you're curious about how Microsoft thinks about AI agents, or what the future of work might actually feel like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Promise of AI and Collective Problem Solving

[00:32] Intro: Meet Taylor Black of Microsoft

[01:54] Inside the CTO’s Office and Innovation Labs

[03:53] From SaaS Founder to Deep Tech Studio Leader

[05:38] Agentic Workflows: Beyond the Hype

[08:46] Ecosystems, Authority, and Agent Infrastructure

[11:12] MCP: The Protocol Standard for AI Agents

[15:24] Microsoft's Vision of Agentic Interfaces

[18:34] Designing for Human Capacity in the AI Age

[23:15] The Hidden Risks and Philosophical Impacts of AI

[27:09] Scarcity vs Abundance: New Frontiers in Work

[29:12] Final Thoughts: A Future of Abundant Intelligence

Connect with Taylor Black

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/blacktaylor/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: @boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Patrick Jarvis, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Acumino, to explore the cutting edge of roboticstechnology. After two decades building one of the world's most advanced AI labs, helping companies like Apple, Samsung, and major automotive manufacturers solve critical data problems, Jarvis saw an opportunity to revolutionize how robotsinteract with the physical world. He reveals how Acumino is achieving unprecedented reliability in robotic manipulation tasks – from threading screws to fine assembly work – by combining advanced AI with revolutionary force-sensing technology.

The conversation delves into the commercial reality of robotics adoption, where anything less than human-level performance simply won't cut it for businesses. Jarvis shares his vision forthe future of work, emphasizing how robots shouldn't replace humans but rather empower them by removing the need for coding and enabling workers to directly train AI systems for their specific needs. From factory floors today to potential home care applications tomorrow, this episode offers fascinating insights into how ultra-reliable robotics will transform industries and reshape our relationship with technology in ways we're just beginning to imagine.

Chapters:

[01:41] Patrick's Journey into Robotics

[06:04] Visualizing Fine-Tuned Robotic Touch

[08:05] What Made These Advances Possible

[10:13] The Ultra-High Reliability Threshold

[12:01] Factory Floor Use Cases

[16:07] Future Vision: Robots in the Home

[23:26] Current Stage and Business Progress

[24:39] Finding the Right Team and Contacts

[27:18] AI's Impact on Jobs and Collaboration
Connect with Patrick JarvisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jarvis-a16473aWebsite: https://acumino.ai/

Email: [email protected]
Other Resources Mentioned:

Minas Liarokapis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minasliarokapis

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]
The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and SubscribeSpotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Prem Kumar, CEO of Humanly and GeekWire Award winner for CEO of the Year. With his unique background as both a buyer of HR solutions at Microsoft and a startup leader at TINYpulse, Prem shares how his company is revolutionizing the hiring process through AI-powered solutions that create more human-centered experiences.

Prem dives into the challenges facing today's job seekers and recruiters, revealing how Humanly's technology enables meaningful two-way conversations for every candidate within 24 hours of application. The discussion explores how AI can reduce bias in hiring, improve standardization in interviews, and ultimately create better matches between candidates and companies. Whether you're interested in the future of recruiting or navigating today's job market, Prem's "human first" approach to AI offers valuable insights on how technology can enhance rather than replace meaningful human connections.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Philosophy of Human-Centered AI

[01:39] Professional Journey: Microsoft to Startup Leadership

[04:22] Addressing Recruitment Inefficiencies

[06:35] Humanly's Approach to Streamlining Candidate Experience

[08:42] Combating Algorithmic Bias in Hiring Processes

[11:29] Strategic Job Application Techniques for Modern Candidates

[13:13] Next-Generation Recruitment: Personalized Job Matching

[16:10] Building Trust Through Transparent AI Implementation

[20:49] The Evolution of Workforce Management

[25:19] Influential Mentors and Iterative Culture Development

[26:43] Prioritizing Human Outcomes in AI Development

Connect with Prem Kumar

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

Website: https://www.humanly.io

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Brian Buchwald, who leads AI strategy and product development at Edelman, the world's largest communications firm. With his impressive background spanning investment banking, ad tech, digital media, and entrepreneurship, Buchwald offers a unique perspective on how AI is transforming both internal operations and client services at global scale.

Discover how Edelman is implementing AI across its 7,000-employee organization and for its prestigious client roster. Buchwald shares fascinating insights on the balance between automation and human expertise, the evolution of trust in the AI era, and how communications professionals are quantifying their impact. Whether you're interested in AI implementation at enterprise scale or the future of knowledge work, this episode reveals how "curated automation" is redefining an entire industry while keeping the human element at its core.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Brian Buchwald and Edelman

[03:09] Brian's Career Journey from Ad Tech to Communications

[05:35] Four Lenses of AI Implementation at Edelman

[06:59] Trust Quantification and Research Transformation

[10:17] Trust and AI: The Public Perception

[13:01] Three-Tiered Approach to Client Transformation

[17:55] Measuring Business Value in Communications

[21:48] The Human-Machine Partnership in Creative Work

[24:11] Mentors and Strategic Influences

[29:11] The Future of Work: Curated Automation

Connect with Brian Buchwald

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-buchwald-0447591/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Rohan D'Souza, co-founder of Avante, who is tackling one of America's most complex challenges: the $1.7 trillion employer-sponsored healthcare system. With his unique background as a former competitive swimmer from India and extensive experience in healthcare technology, Rohan brings a fresh perspective to an industry plagued by opacity and inefficiency.

Rohan shares how Avante is leveraging AI to democratize healthcare information, making complex insurance plans understandable for employees while helping employers control costs that are rising 8-14% annually. From his early days working with electronic medical records during the 2008 financial crisis to building a nine-person team that supports hundreds of conversations with AI-powered solutions, Rohan illustrates how productivity and creativity converge in the future of work. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, AI implementation in regulated industries, and the entrepreneurial journey of building solutions for massive, entrenched systems.

Chapters:

[01:57] From India to America - The Swimming Journey

[03:57] Early Career in Healthcare Technology During the Financial Crisis

[05:14] Introducing Avante - The $1.7 Trillion Opportunity

[09:10] The Employee Experience Problem

[14:05] AI Agents and Personalized Healthcare Recommendations

[18:25] Privacy Challenges in Healthcare AI

[23:35] Building the Founders Club and Early Customers

[28:07] The Future of Work - Productivity and Creativity

Connect with Rohan D’Souza

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

Website: https://avante.ai/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube