Things. Reasons: The independent show for Australian IT leaders (AI, Tech & IT Leadership)

Show Notes

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Cloud Reset, we're joined by Jim Cook, Manager of Digital Innovation at the University of Sydney, to unpack the uni's groundbreaking journey in building and scaling Cogniti—their in-house AI teaching platform now used by over 70,000 students and expanding across 22 institutions.

Jim shares how Cogniti was born out of the need to create safe, responsible, and equitable AI experiences in education—addressing challenges like authentic assessment in the age of generative AI, and ensuring students from all backgrounds have access to transformative tools.

He dives into:

• The origins of Cogniti and how it was designed with educators and students, for students

• The shift from policing AI use to embracing it as a teaching and learning tool

• How Cogniti enables AI-guided roleplay and Socratic tutoring, and even allows students to build their own agents

• The impact on educators' productivity and how AI helps lighten the teaching load

• Insights into the deep partnership with Microsoft, the commercialisation journey via Azure Marketplace, and managing infrastructure at scale

Jim also offers advice to any organisation wanting to get started with AI: "Just do one thing. Start small, play with it—and the use cases will come."

If you're interested in the future of education, practical AI implementation, or how to scale innovation within a large institution—this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how Sydney Uni is reshaping the future of learning with AI.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

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Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

As generative AI systems mature, the conversation is shifting—from what they can do, to what (and who) they're trained on.

In this episode, Luc Betbeder-Matibet, President of the Australasian eResearch Organisations (AeRO), joins Jono and Naran to unpack the broader implications of AI infrastructure, data quality, and sovereign value.

Forget the hyperscale data centres and shiny AI demos for a moment—this is a conversation about control. Control over data. Control over what models learn. Control over where value flows.

Inside this episode:

• Why "sovereign" needs to mean more than just data residency

• What it would take for Australia to own the full economic value chain of AI

• Why we may not know when AGI is achieved—and why that matters

• Who's paying (and who should be paid) when public data trains private models

• Whether the future of trust in AI comes down to who controls the training loop

Luc doesn't speak in hypotheticals—he's been inside the systems, built national infrastructure, and counted the GPUs. This episode won't tell you how to prompt better—it asks whether your data, your infrastructure, and your business are serving someone else's roadmap.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

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Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

In this special episode of Cloud Reset, we reunite the original architects of Macquarie's Azure journey—Rachel Bondi, Corporate VP SMB Asia at Microsoft, and James Mystakidis, Group Executive of Macquarie Cloud Services—for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build AI-ready organisations and cultures.

Hosted by Jono and Naran, the episode revisits how the partnership got off the ground and explores how those lessons are shaping their approach to AI.

🔍 Inside this episode:

• How repeatable IP, obsession with NPS, and product innovation built customer trust at scale

• Why every successful AI project starts with data (and the case for Fabric + Purview in the mid-market)

• Behind the scenes of Macquarie's new Customer Insights agent platform

• What it takes to drive AI adoption—securely, practically, and culturally

• The rise of "agent managers" and how leadership roles are evolving

• Why Copilot isn't just a tool—it's now table stakes for attracting top talent

Rachel and James don't just talk about what's possible—they're building it. If you're a business or tech leader wrestling with how to start (or scale) your AI journey, this one's for you.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

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Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

MCS Blog for the full transcript

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

After four heavyweight conversations with Australia's tech and business leaders, Jono and Naran take the mics for a final time this season to unpack the real standout moments that stuck with them. This wrap-up episode captures the energy, optimism, and deep practical insight from:

✅ Steven Worrall (Microsoft) ✅ Peter James (Macquarie Technology Group, DroneShield) ✅ Michael Reid (Megaport) ✅ Angela Fox (Dell Technologies)

In this debrief, your hosts revisit the big ideas—from digital tradies and agent farmers, to boardroom AI strategies, geopolitical leapfrogging, and the rise of "mad scientists" inside your own org. They share their Top 3 takeaways on what matters right now for any business navigating AI.

You'll hear:

• Why lived experience with AI trumps theory
• The importance of data readiness and building internal capability
• The emerging leadership roles that will define the AI-powered enterprise

It's unscripted, real talk—and yes, there's a sign now. Tune in for laughs, insights, and what's next for Australian businesses riding the AI wave.

Show Resources:

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Cloud Reset, hosts Naran McClung and Jonathan Staff sit down with Angela Fox, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Dell Technologies Australia & New Zealand, to talk about AI transformation at scale, change leadership, and the mindset shifts organisations need to embrace right now.

Angela shares Dell's journey of prioritising AI projects, why Australia's pace of AI adoption needs to speed up, and how a strong data strategy underpins it all. She offers unique insight into what future-ready organisations look like, the importance of soft skills in an AI world, and how to lead through ambiguity and transformation.

💬 Topics covered:

• How Dell narrowed hundreds of AI ideas down to 8 strategic initiatives
• Why change management is the hidden key to AI success
• What CIOs and CDOs really think about AI readiness
• Future infrastructure needs to support AI at scale
• The skills tomorrow's top talent will need (hint: it's not just tech)

Whether you're a tech leader, business strategist, or curious about how AI is reshaping industries — this is a must-listen conversation.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

In this episode of Cloud Reset, hosts Naran McClung and Jonathan Staff sit down with Michael "Chopper" Reid, CEO of Megaport, to discuss the evolving role of network connectivity in the AI-driven world. They cover Megaport's rapid growth, the shift towards hybrid cloud solutions, and the increasing AWS repatriation trend as businesses seek cost savings and sovereignty over their data.

Michael also shares his vision for the future of leadership, where AI agents could become an integral part of the workforce, shifting the way companies operate. He gives invaluable advice to young professionals on how to future-proof their careers in networking and technology.

Other key topics include: 🔹 The acceleration of AI-driven startups, with companies reaching $100M ARR in record time 🔹 What lessons we should take from the past to make the right bets for tomorrow 🔹 The importance of network connectivity as the 'oxygen' of modern infrastructure 🔹 Australia's geopolitical positioning in AI and the role of sustainable power in the tech race

It's a fast-paced, thought-provoking conversation packed with insights for CIOs, CFOs, and IT leaders navigating the future of cloud and AI.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

In this episode of Cloud Reset, Jono and Naran catch up with Peter James—Chairman of Macquarie Technology Group, MYOB, and DroneShield—to talk about the AI decisions CIOs need to nail today to stay ahead by 2030. Peter's been deep in the tech game for decades, and he gives a straight-up Board-level take on what really matters when it comes to AI, leadership, and staying competitive.

Here's what you'll get from this episode:

• Why waiting for a perfect AI plan is a waste of time—start experimenting now
• How to find and back the "mad scientists" in your team who can drive real change
• Why owning and understanding your data is non-negotiable
• What Boards are actually expecting from CIOs when it comes to AI adoption
• How AI will flatten hierarchies and shake up traditional leadership models

Peter also drops one of our favourite lines: Don't chase where AI is today—go where the puck is going. If you're a tech leader who wants to make the right calls now and stay ahead of the curve, you'll want to tune in.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

Fast forward to 2030—your organisation has fully embraced AI, gaining a competitive edge, streamlined processes, and maximised productivity. But how did you get there? The Cloud Reset podcast kicks off 2025 with a bang! In this new series, hosts Naran McClung and Jono Staff welcome Steven Worrall, Managing Director of Microsoft Australia & New Zealand, to unpack the future of AI adoption in Australia.

Together, they explore: 🚀 AI in 2030 – What will businesses look like in five years, and how do we get there? ⚡ Australia's AI Race – Are we keeping up, or falling behind global competition? 🔍 AI Adoption Challenges – Risk profiles, data governance, and the skills gap. 🏗️ Digital Infrastructure & Skills – The role of government, industry collaboration, and the rise of "digital tradies." 🔮 Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) – When will it arrive, and how will it reshape industries?

🎧 Tune in now to learn how proactive, technology-driven leadership decisions in Australia can turn AI challenges into transformational opportunities.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

Read The Full Episode Transcript Here

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

In this final episode of Cloud Reset for 2024, Jono and Naran are joined by Enrico Conte, CISO of IMB Bank, to unpack the challenges of managing cybersecurity in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Fresh off the plane from Microsoft Ignite, Naran shares key insights on Microsoft's roadmap, the explosion of generative AI, and the critical role of data governance as organisations prepare for the future.

Key topics include:

• How banks approach cybersecurity to balance innovation, risk, and data protection.

• The rise of data governance as a critical foundation for AI adoption and business resilience.

• Microsoft's push towards AI and Copilot solutions, and what it means for customers and partners.

• Real-world examples of managing risk in a dynamic threat landscape.

• The importance of agility and adaptability in long-term security strategies.

• Why trust, skills, and AI readiness are the key pillars for successful technology investments.

As Jono and Naran reflect on the year, they highlight recurring themes from their guests, including cost optimisation, managing risk, and the growing role of AI in IT and security strategies. With plenty of exciting plans for 2025, including insights from CEOs and more deep dives into AI, Cloud Reset will return in February to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities in cloud and IT.

Follow Jono Staff on LinkedIn

Follow Naran McClung on LinkedIn

Cloud Reset's YouTube Channel

For the full epsiode transcript visit our blog

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or corrections.

And don't forget to rate/review!

In this episode of Cloud Reset, Jono and Naran are joined by Warwick Boulter, co-founder and CEO of Collaboro, an Australian SaaS company leading the way in digital asset management. Warwick shares his journey from TV production to building a rapidly scaling tech company focused on enabling brands to reclaim control of their content, ensuring it's ready for the future of marketing.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• How Collaboro is navigating rapid growth and acquisition in a sluggish market.

• The importance of data sovereignty for Australian businesses and how it influences customer decisions.

• Collaboro's bold move to embrace cloud repatriation to optimise costs, increase data control, and enable AI use cases.

• The rise of hybrid and containerised environments to improve scalability and portability for SaaS platforms.

• Insights on preparing IT strategies to handle acquisitions and the unknowns of new data types.

• Practical advice for business leaders on spotting red flags in partnerships and attracting top talent through innovative approaches like Employee Share Options Plans (ESOPs).

This episode is packed with real-world examples and actionable insights for Australian SaaS businesses, IT leaders, and anyone navigating the evolving digital and cloud landscape.