How do you lead innovation responsibly in an AI-powered world?

In this episode, Rodrigo Senra, VP of Engineering for Data & AI at Loadsmart, joins Seth Narayanan to share lessons from 30 years in tech — from building Brazil’s Python movement to pioneering AI in logistics.

They discuss how AI is transforming freight automation, the real risks behind the hype, and why ethics and curiosity may be the ultimate competitive edge.

🎧 Perfect for CTOs, data leaders, and innovators building AI-driven products that actually make a difference.

What happens when AI stops being a feature and becomes the foundation of commerce itself? In this episode of The Innovators Playbook Podcast, host Seth Narayanan speaks with Ankush Goyal, CPTO of Fabric. From scaling Orbitz to building an AI-native CRM at RelateIQ and Salesforce, and transforming post-purchase platforms at Narvar, Ankush reveals why legacy rule-based systems are no longer enough. He argues that bolt-on AI is a dead end, that product and technology leadership must converge, and that engineers who fail to evolve beyond coding will be left behind.

What happens when AI stops being a feature and becomes the foundation of commerce itself? In this episode of The Innovators Playbook Podcast, host Seth Narayanan speaks with Ankush Goel, CPTO of Fabric. From scaling Orbitz to building an AI-native CRM at RelateIQ and Salesforce, and transforming post-purchase platforms at Narvar, Ankush reveals why legacy rule-based systems are no longer enough. He argues that bolt-on AI is a dead end, that product and technology leadership must converge, and that engineers who fail to evolve beyond coding will be left behind.

What does it take to turn a personal challenge into a groundbreaking company? In this episode of The Innovators Playbook Podcast, host Seth Narayanan speaks with Akshita Iyer, Founder & CEO of Ome Kitchen. From her neuroscience background to building a connected device featured on Shark Tank, Akshita shares the behind-the-scenes reality of scaling hardware, navigating supply chain chaos, and pushing through doubt with grit and vision. Whether you’re an innovator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of smart living, this conversation will inspire and inform

Lesley Jordan, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clinicom, joins Seth Narayanan to share how AI is transforming the landscape of mental and behavioral healthcare. From adaptive assessments and longitudinal patient tracking to LLM-generated SOAP notes and robust HIPAA/CFR compliance—this episode uncovers the building blocks of a tech-first healthcare platform.

Key discussion points:

• The difference between augmented and artificial intelligence in healthcare
• How Clinicom uses IBM Watson for clinical narrative generation
• Secure patient data handling and global compliance strategies
• Balancing product vs. tech leadership in a startup environment
• Using AI for population health insights and future innovation

If you're building in healthtech or curious about how AI can support clinicians and patients, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Innovators Playbook, host Seth Narayanan sits down with Chris Mallinson, Director of Software Engineering at Nanotronics, to explore the high-stakes world where robotics, AI, and precision manufacturing converge.

Chris shares how his teams build cutting-edge inspection tools for the semiconductor industry, the challenges of integrating hardware and software, and why one small mistake can cost up to $30,000.

You’ll hear about:

• The shift from monolithic systems to modular, scalable software
• How AI is used (and avoided) in robotics to balance innovation and risk
• Why hardware constraints still slow down automation
• Where the next breakthroughs in semiconductor inspection may come from
• Advice for students and engineers looking to break into robotics

Whether you’re in tech, manufacturing, or just curious about the future of automation, this conversation offers rare insight into one of the most advanced engineering fields today.

Patrick Hill, CTO of Mott Corporation, joins The Innovators Playbook to reveal how precision filtration powers the most demanding industries on Earth — from aerospace to semiconductors to AI data centers.

In this episode, Patrick unpacks:

• Why AI hardware depends on next-gen cooling and ultra-pure filtration
• How additive manufacturing enables performance traditional methods can’t
• What nuclear power means for the future of data infrastructure

The bold leadership question he asks his team: “How many AI coworkers can you have?”

If you work in AI, hardware, sustainability, or engineering innovation—this episode is a must-listen.

Francis Govers has spent decades pushing the frontier of robotics, from building machines for NASA to designing autonomous helicopters at Airbus. But in today’s AI-hyped world, he’s refreshingly honest about what works... and what doesn’t.

In this episode, Francis shares why generative AI still can’t match professional standards for complex tasks, how swarm behavior inspires drone coordination, and why imagination in robotics may lie in “latent space.” He also shares a personal story about building a toy-cleaning robot for his grandkids, and what it taught him about real-world autonomy.

Perfect for anyone building or leading in AI, robotics, or engineering innovation.

Is your credentialing system future-ready, or just outdated paperwork dressed in tech?

CTO Rebecca Sutter of ASE joins The Innovator’s Playbook to share how she’s building real AI use cases inside a 50-year-old nonprofit. From adaptive testing and blockchain credentials to AI-driven QA, this is the inside story of how to align people, platforms, and purpose.

In this episode:

• Why AI isn’t replacing tests—it’s reshaping how we measure skill
• The challenge of cleaning up "technical debt meets politics"
• The surprising truth about women in early software
• How to build trust in tech with psychological safety

A must-listen for anyone rethinking learning, leadership, or legacy systems

How does someone go from playing rock shows to reinventing disinfection?

In this episode, Parker Sipes,CTO and President of Annihilare, shares his unconventional journey from music to chemistry to entrepreneurship. Seth Narayanan sits down with Parker to unpack how his team is using electrochemistry, IOT, and software to reimagine how safe, scalable disinfectants are produced and delivered.

Inside:

• The science behind hypochlorous acid and its industrial impact
• Why innovation isn’t about being flashy, it’s about reducing friction
• The reality of leading teams in a legacy industry
• Why AI should enhance, not replace, your thinking
• A pragmatic view on patents, product-market fit, and real-world execution

Whether you're an aspiring founder, an innovator in an overlooked industry, or just a curious mind, this one’s packed with insights.