The CAIO Connect Podcast (Chief AI Officer Connect Podcast)

From shaping post-9/11 homeland security policy to leading cybersecurity strategy at Mastercard, Kiersten Todt has been at the center of how nations and companies defend themselves.

In this episode, she unpacks how Mastercard uses AI to assess transaction risk in milliseconds, why identity-based fraud is now the biggest threat, and how the role of the CISO is evolving. A sharp look at cybersecurity in a world of AI, geopolitics, and constant risk.

Recorded live at eMerge Americas, this episode of CAIO Connect brings together two leading voices shaping the future of AI, cybersecurity, and quantum risk: Steve Suarez and Rebecca Kramer.

From the urgent need for CAIO–CISO alignment to the hidden risks of agentic AI, they unpack what organizations must do now to stay secure in a world where technology is outpacing policy. The conversation dives into shadow AI, human-in-the-loop systems, sovereign AI strategies, and the looming reality of Q Day — where a single quantum breach could trigger trillions in cascading losses.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s a practical blueprint for leaders navigating AI at scale.

Recorded live at eMerge Americas, this episode of CAIO Connect features Taylor Stockton on the frontlines of AI, policy, and workforce transformation.

From making AI literacy accessible to millions — even via simple text messages — to building real-time visibility into how jobs and skills are shifting, Taylor breaks down how the U.S. Department of Labor is preparing the workforce for an AI-driven economy.

This conversation cuts through the noise: the real challenge isn’t job loss — it’s the speed of change.

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri speaks with Vijay Vijayasankar, Global Agentic AI Officer at Genpact, about what it takes to deploy agentic AI that delivers real, outcome-based results.

Drawing on 25 years of experience across SAP, MongoDB, and IBM Consulting, Vijay breaks down the shift from experimentation to production — from process intelligence and zero-trust systems to the risks of agent sprawl.

If you want to understand where enterprise AI is actually headed — beyond the buzzwords — this conversation is a must-listen.

What if the most innovative AI work isn’t happening in Silicon Valley—but at City Hall?

In this episode, Sanjay Puri speaks with Denver’s Chief AI and Information Officer, Suma Nallapati, on building real-world AI—from a 72-language resident assistant to responsible procurement with bias checks built in.

A sharp look at ROI, governance, and why great AI doesn’t wait for perfect data.

In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, host Sanjay Puri speaks with David B. Cross, CISO at Atlassian, about what it truly means to build and govern AI-native enterprises.

A US Navy veteran, cryptography patent holder, and investor in cutting-edge AI security startups, David brings a rare perspective from the frontlines of AI innovation and cybersecurity. From Atlassian’s Rovo platform auto-remediating AI-generated code to rethinking AI agents as governed identities, this conversation explores the real shift from experimentation to transformation.

Tune in for insights on AI governance, security as a service function, and what separates companies that are truly mastering AI from those just getting started.

In this episode of CAIO Connect, Sanjay Puri speaks with Richard Wiedenbeck, Chief AI Officer at Avatar Solutions and CIO Hall of Fame inductee.

From leading global enterprises to becoming one of the first CAIOs in corporate America, Richard shares a contrarian take: AI leadership isn’t about technology — it’s about driving real business value.

They explore agentic transformation, AI ROI, data myths, and why most organizations are still not ready for what’s coming.

What separates companies experimenting with AI from those truly transforming with it? 🎙️ In this episode of the CAIO Connect Podcast, Bret Greenstein joins Sanjay Puri to unpack the real playbook for enterprise AI. Drawing on leadership roles at IBM, Cognizant, PwC, and now West Monroe, Bret explains why AI success is less about technology and more about re-engineering how businesses work. From agentic AI and governance to measuring outcomes that actually matter, this conversation cuts through the hype to reveal what it really takes to build an AI-driven organization. 🚀🤖

At the India AI Impact Summit, *Alexi Thomas, Partner at EY*, joins us to discuss how enterprises can move beyond AI experimentation to real business impact.

From leadership and governance to scaling responsible AI, the conversation explores why many AI initiatives stall — and what it takes for organizations to turn AI into meaningful transformation.

In this special International Women’s Day episode of *CAIO Connect, Sanjay Puri speaks with **Jena Zangs, Chief Data & AI Officer at the University of St. Thomas*, the first person to hold this role in Minnesota higher education. Jena shares her unconventional journey from planning alumni events to leading university-wide AI strategy, and discusses how universities are building practical AI systems—from in-house chatbots to agentic AI—while navigating governance, vendor ecosystems, and the future of work in higher education.