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The AI Revolution in 2025 Explained | Nurtekin Savas (PayPal)
In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Nurtekin Savas, VP and Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI at PayPal. Nurtekin shares how PayPal balances innovation with responsibility as it scales global credit products powered by data and AI.
From structuring modern analytics platforms to influencing stakeholders and fostering experimentation in regulated environments, Nurtekin offers actionable insights for data leaders navigating fintech complexity. He also reflects on the value of storytelling, leadership trust, and aligning infrastructure with business goals at scale.
Connect with us:• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Nurtekin Savas, PayPal’s Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI
04:52 – What Nurtekin’s team owns across data, platforms, and credit
09:45 – The connective tissue between data, infrastructure, and product
14:38 – From AOL to PayPal: a 20+ year fintech journey
19:31 – Why compliance and experimentation must coexist
24:24 – Building the muscle for responsible innovation
29:17 – Creating space to learn and fail in a high-stakes environment
34:10 – Platform architecture: building what’s needed vs. shiny objects
39:03 – Gaining buy-in from senior leadership on infrastructure investments
43:56 – The importance of storytelling in analytics and AI
48:49 – Decision rights, influence, and organizational trust
53:42 – Growing talent: what makes a great data leader
58:35 – Lessons from past roles: Visa, Amazon, Capital One, Fidelity
63:28 – Building systems that scale responsibly across borders
68:21 – Trends Nurtekin is watching in AI and credit innovation
73:14 – Final thoughts on leadership, curiosity, and execution
78:07 – Wrap-up and closing insights
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By The Data Storytellers Podcast
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In this episode of The Data Storytellers Podcast, we speak with Nurtekin Savas, VP and Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI at PayPal. Nurtekin shares how PayPal balances innovation with responsibility as it scales global credit products powered by data and AI.
From structuring modern analytics platforms to influencing stakeholders and fostering experimentation in regulated environments, Nurtekin offers actionable insights for data leaders navigating fintech complexity. He also reflects on the value of storytelling, leadership trust, and aligning infrastructure with business goals at scale.
Connect with us:• Website: https://thedatastorytellers.com/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-data-storytellers• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-storytellers-podcast/id1493766476• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2N0vZtHZHgod4Tll2LX2xa• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9e56lhYUfORiOHMiLlPmA
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Nurtekin Savas, PayPal’s Head of Global Credit Infrastructure, Data & AI
04:52 – What Nurtekin’s team owns across data, platforms, and credit
09:45 – The connective tissue between data, infrastructure, and product
14:38 – From AOL to PayPal: a 20+ year fintech journey
19:31 – Why compliance and experimentation must coexist
24:24 – Building the muscle for responsible innovation
29:17 – Creating space to learn and fail in a high-stakes environment
34:10 – Platform architecture: building what’s needed vs. shiny objects
39:03 – Gaining buy-in from senior leadership on infrastructure investments
43:56 – The importance of storytelling in analytics and AI
48:49 – Decision rights, influence, and organizational trust
53:42 – Growing talent: what makes a great data leader
58:35 – Lessons from past roles: Visa, Amazon, Capital One, Fidelity
63:28 – Building systems that scale responsibly across borders
68:21 – Trends Nurtekin is watching in AI and credit innovation
73:14 – Final thoughts on leadership, curiosity, and execution
78:07 – Wrap-up and closing insights