Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Brett Craig, Executive Vice President and CIO at Target, shares his insights on retail technology transformation. He discusses Target's decade-long experience with AI and how generative AI is reshaping customer interactions. Brett details his journey through various roles at Target, emphasizing a culture of innovation through initiatives like hackathons and demo days. He highlights the shift from perfectionism to progress in project management, fostering collaboration and continuous learning as essential elements in driving retail innovation.

Leo Bodden, the Chief Digital and Technology Officer at New York-Presbyterian, shares his extensive experience in healthcare technology. He emphasizes that successful AI adoption relies on aligning people and processes first. Bodden discusses the balance between centralized and decentralized IT management, the transformative journey of integrating AI in healthcare, and the impact of consumer-grade medical devices on access to care. He also reflects on influential readings that shaped his leadership philosophy, urging continuous learning and innovation.

Rajeev Ronanki, CEO of Lyric and former leader at Deloitte and Elevance Health, focuses on AI's transformative role in healthcare. He discusses how AI enhances payment accuracy and streamlines transactions, addressing outdated systems’ challenges. Rajeev shares insights on the importance of consumer-friendly solutions and the potential of emerging technologies like cloud and quantum computing to improve patient experiences. His vision for the future hints at a more efficient and personalized healthcare landscape where technology drives innovation.

Andrei Brasoveanu, a Partner at Accel and expert in tech and cybersecurity investments, shares his insights on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. He discusses how emerging technologies present both challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of resilience among founders. Andrei reflects on his journey from Romania to influencing global investments and highlights Accel’s focus on developer tools and data security. The conversation also delves into the evolving role of CISOs, blending technical expertise with collaboration skills.

David Burns, the Chief Information Officer at GE Aerospace, shares his journey of innovation and leadership within the company. He discusses the challenges of independence from General Electric, focusing on decentralized IT and the transformative role of AI and augmented reality. David emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and talent development, especially during crises like COVID-19. He also highlights how augmented reality enhances maintenance efficiency and fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration in driving technological advancements.

John Winsor, an Executive in Residence at Harvard Business School and CEO of Open Assembly, shares his insights on transforming talent strategies in a digital age. He discusses the evolution of open talent models and the integration of freelancers within corporate structures. John emphasizes the power of open innovation contests, revealing how they solve complex challenges and enhance collaboration. The conversation dives into the impact of AI on work models, urging organizations to adapt through curiosity and resilience to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Mike Clifton, Co-CEO at Alorica, discusses leveraging tech for business growth. Talks about AI and digital transformation for better customer experiences. Explains Alorica's Co-CEO model and startup investments in innovative tech like noise cancellation.

Sesh Tirumala, CIO of Western Digital, shares insights on cybersecurity, handling cyber incidents, improving engineering excellence, and future tech trends like generative AI. Emphasizes culture in IT, unified approach to cybersecurity, and importance of operational efficiency.

890: During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Postal Service (USPS) had to rapidly set up infrastructure to ship subsidized test kits, scaling their operations within three weeks. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Pritha Mehra, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of USPS, about this incredible story and the resulting digital transformation. With 34 years at USPS, including more than three and a half as CIO, Pritha discusses the immense technological infrastructure she oversees, including 32,000 network locations and over 930 applications. She highlights USPS’s modernization efforts to stay competitive, their significant role during the pandemic, and initiatives to enhance employee experience and efficiency. Pritha also delves into the implementation of digital twins for tracking packages, the importance of data, AI, and machine learning, and fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation within her team.

889: Venture capital has driven technological advancement from hardware companies like Cisco to software giants like Google. But what does the future hold? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High talks with Saul Klein, co-founder and managing partner of Phoenix Court, about his insights on a more balanced future for tech VC. They discuss Saul’s innovative approach, which includes managing four distinct funds—LocalGlobe, Latitude, Solr, and Basecamp—to strategically support potential unicorns. With experience as a partner at Index Ventures and a non-executive director at the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Saul shares insights on the European and Israeli tech ecosystems, the historical and social context of innovation, and the need to demystify venture capital. Additionally, he analyzes the impact of Brexit on innovation, regulation, and trade agreements, and delves into the social impact initiatives of Phoenix Court and his perspectives on the future of tech investment.