In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Seth Siegel, founder and CEO of Audivi, a groundbreaking company revolutionizing the drive-through experience with voice AI technology. From bootstrapping his startup to achieving industry-leading accuracy in less than two seconds, Seth shares the journey of building a second-generation solution that succeeds where others have failed. As a self-described "blue collar kid from Long Island" turned tech entrepreneur, Seth offers candid insights into fundraising challenges, investor relationships, and the importance of domain expertise in the AI revolution.

Seth's practical wisdom on navigating the startup ecosystem while solving real-world problems makes this episode essential listening for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike. The conversation explores how AI is transforming industries beyond just drive-throughs, with Seth warning that white-collar workers need to adapt or risk becoming "the buggy whip makers" of the modern era. Whether you're interested in AI applications, startup funding strategies, or the future of work, this episode delivers valuable perspectives from a seasoned entrepreneur who's focused on "doing things that are incredibly hard and making them look incredibly easy."

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Seth Siegel and Audivi

[02:50] Seth's Background and Career Philosophy

[04:23] Introduction to Audivi and Its Mission

[06:43] Industry Challenges and First-Gen AI Failures

[11:07] The Boston Mom Test and Technical Expertise

[15:22] Domain Expertise in Fast Food AI

[17:43] Navigating the Startup Fundraising Landscape

[21:22] Fundraising Challenges for Seasoned Entrepreneurs

[28:23] AI's Impact on Society and Future of Work

Connect with Seth Siegel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-siegel1

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, host Boaz welcomes Tony Owens, the recently appointed CEO of Amperity, a Seattle tech unicorn revolutionizing how companies leverage customer data in the age of AI. Drawing from over two decades at tech powerhouses Oracle and Salesforce, Tony shares his vision for the intersection of AI and customer data. The conversation explores how the traditional rules-based approach to customer data is being transformed by AI capabilities, enabling brands to create truly personalized experiences that fit into consumers' lives rather than interrupting them.

Description:

[01:30] Introduction to Tony Owens

[03:09] Tony's Journey Through Oracle and Salesforce

[05:18] The Amperity Story and Value Proposition

[07:53] AI's Impact on Customer Data Platforms

[09:38] Personalization and the Evolution of Customer Experience

[16:10 ] Balancing Personalization with Privacy

[18:02] Leadership in the Age of AI and Automation

[21:39] Mentors and Influences in Tony's Career

[25:03] The Future: 'Exciting and Uncertain'

[27:29] Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Connect with Tony Owens

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-alika-owens-a53a794

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this latest episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Roger Connolly (Sitecore CPO) discusses how AI is transforming enterprise marketing with host Boaz Ashkenazy. Drawing from his experience at Victoria's Secret and Sitecore, Roger explains how brands like Nestle use generative AI to enhance marketing while maintaining brand consistency. As a Microsoft partner, Sitecore is developing "Brand Assistant," an AI tool that processes brand guidelines to help marketers create on-brand content and co-creating AI Innovation Lab. Roger shares his vision for the future of content creation, marketers' evolving roles, and how immersive technologies will shape customer experience.

Chapters:

[00:59] Introduction to Roger Connolly

[04:42] Sitecore's Evolution and Microsoft Partnership

[06:38] Delivering Content Across Channels

[07:41] The Nestle Brand Assistant Project

[12:29] Generative AI in Marketing Content

[14:55] Content Volume and Brand Authenticity

[17:15] The Future of Work in Marketing

[19:27] Mentorship in a Remote World

[20:30] Immersive Experiences and 3D Marketing

[24:39]The Future: Seamless and Freeing

Connect with Roger Connolly

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

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

EXCLUSIVE AWS ANNOUNCEMENT: Amazon Q Developer now speaks YOUR language! 🌎

In this special announcement from the Shift AI Podcast, we're breaking the news that AWS has launched multilingual support for Amazon Q Developer. This isn't a full episode—it's a direct, exclusive reveal that we're privileged to share first with our global community.

This breakthrough feature enables developers to build software using their preferred spoken language, removing a significant barrier for non-English speakers in the tech world. Now you can interact with Amazon Q Developer naturally, without the constant mental translation that interrupts your workflow.

Watch this quick announcement to learn how AWS is making AI development tools more inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of what language you speak.

Here are some additional details.

 https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/devops/amazon-q-developer-global-capabilities/

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes back Varun Puri, founder of Yoodli, for a discussion about his journey transforming a consumer-focused public speaking tool into an enterprise powerhouse. Since his last appearance, Varun has pivoted Yoodli into what he calls "the Grammarly for speech," now serving 50 companies through AI-powered communication training and role-playing scenarios.

With candid reflections on the startup rollercoaster—from the challenges of enterprise sales to building a vibrant company culture—Varun shares his vision of "grounded optimism" for the future of AI. This conversation offers valuable insights for founders navigating the enterprise market, teams adapting to hybrid work models, and anyone interested in how AI tools can enhance human communication while maintaining our essential humanity in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Chapters:

[01:00] Introduction and Welcome Back

[02:43] Varun's Background and Yoodli's Mission

[03:43] Evolution from Consumer to Enterprise

[04:57] The Role Play Revolution

[06:59] Enterprise Deployment and Go-to-Market Teams

[08:43] Startup Journey: Challenges and Wins

[16:44] Team Culture and The AI House

[21:01] Hiring Strategy and Growth Plans

[23:22] The Future: Grounded Optimism

[26:49] Seattle's Startup Ecosystem

Connect with Varun Puri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Shri Santhanam, EVP and GM at Experian, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how one of the world's largest data companies is implementing AI at scale. From his early days at Stanford to pioneering Silicon Valley-style innovation in large enterprises, Shri shares insights into Experian's transformation from a traditional credit bureau to a data-backed platform company. The conversation delves into the development of the Experian Assistant, an AI-powered tool revolutionizing how businesses interact with complex financial data, and the critical role of trust in AI adoption. If you're interested in how major financial institutions are navigating the AI revolution while maintaining data privacy and ethical standards, this episode offers invaluable perspectives on the future of trusted AI agents in the workplace.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Trust Challenge in AI

[01:00] Introduction to Shri Santhanam

[02:39] Career Journey and Silicon Valley Innovation

[04:08] Experian's AI Evolution

[06:43] Experian's Business Transformation

[10:44] The Experian Assistant

[20:01] Internal AI Implementation

[23:48] Technical Infrastructure and Model Selection

[28:36] The Future: Trusted Agents

Connect with Shri Santhanam

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

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of AI-powered visual effects and digital humans with Matthias Wittmann, a leading VFX expert from Digital Domain. From his groundbreaking work on films like Benjamin Button to pioneering autonomous virtual humans, Matthias shares unique insights into how AI is transforming Hollywood and beyond. Learn about the challenges and innovations in creating lifelike digital characters, the future of AI in entertainment, and the unexpected applications of virtual humans in education and companionship. If you're interested in the intersection of AI, visual effects, and the future of digital entertainment, this episode offers an insider's perspective from one of the industry's most innovative studios.

Chapters:

[00:25] Welcome and Introduction to Matthias Wittmann

[01:55] Journey to Digital Domain: Early Career and Animation

[05:13] Digital Domain's Legacy in Visual Effects

[06:48] AI and Machine Learning in Facial Capture Systems

[08:31] The Birth of Autonomous Virtual Humans

[15:56] Applications and Future of Digital Humans

[25:37] AI Tools in Visual Effects Production

[29:23] Text-to-Video Technology and Industry Impact

[30:44] Mentors and Career Influences

[33:22] The Future: "Exciting Variations"

Connect with Matthias Wittmann

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

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Kieran Snyder, co-founder of Textio, joins Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the evolving landscape of AI in workplace communications. From her early days combining linguistics and engineering to pioneering bias detection in HR technology, Snyder shares unique insights into the responsible development of AI technologies. The conversation delves into the challenges of bias in large language models, the future of enterprise AI adoption, and observations about how different generations approach AI tools. Drawing from her experience early pre-ChatGPT development and her recent survey of students' AI usage, Snyder offers a thoughtful perspective on the intersection of AI and human labor. Whether you're interested in the future of workplace communication, the challenges of bias in AI, or how the next generation will reshape our relationship with technology, this episode provides valuable insights from someone who has been at the forefront of AI innovation for over a decade.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Current State of AI Adoption

[02:04] Origins and Background: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

[06:52] The Evolution of Textio: From Word Processing to HR Tech

[09:36] Generative AI and Early Industry Insights

[14:26] Addressing Bias in AI Systems

[17:41] The AI Rush: Challenges in Enterprise Adoption

[22:12] The Next Generation's Perspective on AI

[26:17] AI Policy and Regulation

[28:50] Mentorship and the Future of Work

[34:33] Looking Ahead: The Actively Emerging Future

Connect with Kieran Snyder

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-snyder/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Sara Vaezy, Chief Transformation Officer at Providence, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the transformative impact of AI in Healthcare. From Providence's groundbreaking response to the COVID-19 pandemic to their innovative implementation of AI solutions, Vaezy shares insights into how one of America's leading healthcare systems is revolutionizing patient care and clinical workflows. Learn how Providence is tackling healthcare's biggest challenges through AI-powered solutions, from reducing clinician workload to improving patient access and communication. If you're interested in the future of healthcare technology, responsible AI implementation in clinical settings, or the evolution of patient care in the digital age, this episode offers invaluable insights from the frontlines of healthcare innovation.

Chapters:

[00:00] Early Beginnings: From Music to Healthcare

[04:37] The Journey to Providence Healthcare

[07:17] Digital Health Acceleration During COVID-19

[13:20] AI Implementation Strategy and Resource Allocation

[16:11] Innovation in Patient Message Management

[22:06] Navigating Privacy and Technical Challenges

[26:50] Strategic Partnerships in Healthcare Innovation

[28:47] The Power of Mentorship and Professional Growth

[32:18] Future of AI in Healthcare

[35:50] Democratizing Healthcare and Work

Connect with Sara Vaezy

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

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Praerit Garg, President of Product and Innovation at Smartsheet, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is revolutionizing enterprise work management. From his journey through Microsoft and AWS to leading innovation at Smartsheet, Garg shares insights into how generative AI is transforming how organizations handle complex workflows and make data-driven decisions. Learn how Smartsheet is using AI to simplify formula creation, automate data analysis, and empower business users to work more efficiently. If you're interested in how AI is reshaping enterprise productivity and the future of work, you won't want to miss this conversation about building trust in AI systems and creating more delightful work experiences.

Chapters:

02:09 Journey to Seattle: From India to Microsoft

03:39 The Evolution to Smartsheet Leadership

05:20 The Gift of Generative AI

07:53 Transforming Business User Experience

09:38 Customer Success and Security

16:00 Navigating Non-Deterministic Systems

18:38 Real-World AI Applications

23:50 Leadership Philosophy and Human Alignment

25:56 The Church of Company Culture

31:12 The Future is Super Bright

Connect with Praerit Garg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/praerit-garg/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

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

X: boazashkenazy

Email: [email protected]