Tech Talks Daily

Welcome to the Daily Tech Podcast! As we approach 2,300 interviews, we have had the privilege of hosting some of the most memorable guests from the tech world and beyond. However, due to limitations on Apple Podcasts, some of these interviews are not easily accessible as they only show the last 2,000 episodes. In this episode, we feature some forgotten clips that deserve to be highlighted. From William Shatner talking about singing Pupl's Common People to Wendy Williams sharing her backstory, we bring you some of the biggest names in the industry. We also spoke with John Sculley, former CEO of Apple, who shared stories about his time with Steve Jobs and how he discovered that Jeff Daniels would play him in a movie. Other notable guests include Guy Kawasaki, who shared stories from his time at Apple, and Marylene Delbourg-Delphis, the Duchess of Silicon Valley, who shared her secrets for startup success and how she tempted Guy away from Apple. Finally, I share a clip of my interview with Gary Vaynerchuck when he predicted Joe Rogan's 100 million dollar deal before it happened. Now I want to hear from you! How long have you been listening, who were your favorite guests, and who would you like to see on the show?

Dr. Jemma Green, co-founder and executive chairman of Powerledger, joins me on the Tech Talks Daily Podcast. We discuss the importance of renewable energy and the role of blockchain technology in encouraging its growth. As renewable energy becomes more prevalent, the current centralized grid system in place can create issues for grid stability, leading to wasted energy and increased costs. Powerledger has developed a blockchain-enabled software that matches the time and place of energy generation to when and where it is required, enabling peer-to-peer trading of excess renewable energy within local energy communities. This system reduces the cost of energy, encourages the growth of renewable energy, and reduces the need for fossil fuel-based energy. Additionally, Powerledger has developed a proprietary blockchain solution that is less energy-intensive and faster than previous blockchain systems. The company has won numerous awards for its work in this space and has implemented projects in 12 countries. Dr. Green's championing of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, coupled with her PhD in electricity market disruption, laid the groundwork for Powerledger's mission to create a more agile energy market. Sponsored VPN Offer https://www.piavpn.com/techtalksdaily

Mathias Golombek and Dr. Leslie Kanthan bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the podcast, as they share their insights on the data science industry and the role of AI in today's fast-paced business environment. They discuss the challenges faced by companies looking to integrate AI into their workflows and how the partnership between Exasol and TurinTech helps businesses overcome these obstacles. Throughout the podcast, Mathias and Leslie delve into the technical aspects of how their solutions work, and how they enable organizations to quickly and easily create high-performing models for data analysis. They also talk about the future of AI and how it will continue to shape and transform the business world. Hopefully, you will walk away from this episode with a better understanding of the importance of data democratization and how companies can leverage the power of AI to drive better decision-making, increased efficiency, and a more agile business. Join Mathias and Leslie as they share their thoughts on the future of AI and data analytics in this engaging episode of Tech Talks Daily.

In the ever-evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, it can take time to keep up with the latest developments, technologies, and protocols. With so much jargon and technical language, it's easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed, even for those well-versed in the space. However, on this episode of Tech Talks Daily, we have an exceptional guest who has a talent for simplifying complex topics and making them accessible to all. Meet Adam Simmons, the Chief Strategy Officer of Radix, a DeFi protocol that aims to lower barriers and bring decentralized finance to the mainstream. In this episode, we dive deep into what sets Radix apart from other DeFi platforms, how to scale blockchain, the future of DeFi, and how crypto can benefit the unbanked in underdeveloped economies. Adam's expertise and patient approach make him the perfect guide to explore the intricacies of DeFi and potential impact on the world. Radix's public ledger and token ($XRD) with a market cap of over $1bn is the only decentralized network that allows for fast building, rewards everyone who contributes to making it better, and scales without friction. During the conversation, Adam discusses the various challenges that DeFi faces in gaining mainstream adoption, such as high fees and slow transaction times. In addition, he highlights the importance of creating a user-friendly and seamless experience for newcomers to the space and predicts that DeFi will have more liquidity than any other single exchange within the next ten years. Adam shares his insights about the future of DeFi and its impact on unbanked and underdeveloped economies. By using crypto and blockchain technology, individuals and businesses in these regions can access financial services that were previously unavailable to them. This could lead to a more inclusive and equitable financial system. Adam Simmons' passion for DeFi, and his ability to communicate its potential impact clearly and concisely make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of finance and technology. Sponsored VPN Offer https://www.piavpn.com/techtalksdaily

Dr. Ilia Kolochenko, an expert in cybersecurity and cyber law, offers some advice on how to deal with the potential risks of the rapid growth in AI projects like ChatGPT. For example, collecting training data from public sources, such as websites and social networks, may raise concerns for content creators who do not want their work used without their permission or compensation. Ilia discusses content owners can protect their intellectual property by updating their terms of service to prohibit the use of their content for AI training. They should consult a lawyer to ensure the clause is enforceable in court. This will shift any disputes from the murky area of intellectual property law to the clearer ground of contract law. Regulators and lawmakers can also promote transparency in AI training data by requiring AI companies to disclose their sources and giving individuals and organizations the right to restrict the use of their IP for AI purposes without consent. Ilia shares why transparency is essential for the responsible development of AI, but more regulation can be counterproductive. Lawmakers must work with AI experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs to find a fair balance.

Jennifer Taylor is the Chief Product Officer at Cloudflare, a company that provides internet security, performance, and reliability to organizations around the world. She oversees the development of cloud-based solutions for companies of all sizes, from nonprofits to a significant portion of the Fortune 1000. Jennifer is a strong advocate for inclusion and allyship in the workplace. She is the founder of Proudflare, Cloudflare's LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group that supports and celebrates diversity both within and outside the company. As a lesbian woman, she emphasizes the importance of embracing individuality and creating a supportive environment for all employees. In addition to her leadership at Cloudflare, Jennifer is passionate about mentorship and the challenges faced by women in the tech industry. She believes that women in tech are responsible for inspiring future generations of leaders and provides tips on how organizations can protect themselves from cyberattacks. This year marks the 8th anniversary of Cloudflare's Project Galileo, a program that provides free cybersecurity services to public interest groups. The project is crucial to Cloudflare, as they believe cybersecurity is essential to supporting human rights. For example, project Galileo supports LGBTQ+ organizations in the UK, ensuring their websites and helplines remain online and protected from cyberattacks. One such organization supported by Project Galileo is Switchboard, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ helplines, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for those in need. Sponsored VPN Offer https://www.piavpn.com/techtalksdaily

Tech Talks Daily is pleased to welcome Philip Belamant, co-founder and CEO of Zilch, to share his insights on the payments technology industry and how Zilch is changing the game. Philip Belamant is a visionary entrepreneur who has spent his career building innovative companies that disrupt established markets. Zilch, which he co-founded and led as CEO, is no exception. However, Zilch stands out from the crowd as a UK-based payments technology company by offering a unique combination of payments and commerce on a single direct-to-consumer platform. What makes Zilch truly special is its business model, unlike anything we've seen before in the payments industry. By building direct relationships with customers and hosting retailers on its platform, Zilch earns commission from the retailers' marketing budgets. This innovative approach means that Zilch can process vast volumes of payments, at attractive margins, without charging customers any interest or fees. This business model has resonated with investors, as evidenced by Zilch's recent Series C funding round. Despite the trend of falling valuations in the fintech space, Zilch has maintained its $2bn valuation and even extended its Series C by securing an additional $50m, bringing the total raised to $160m. Philip Belamant attributes Zilch's success to its focus on the customer and its commitment to building a sustainable business model. "At Zilch, we believe that everyone should have access to financial services that are both affordable and convenient," says Belamant. "We're committed to providing a service accessible to all, regardless of their credit score or financial situation." Zilch's unique business model, combined with its focus on the customer, has set it apart from traditional BNPL providers like Klarna and Affirm. Investors are responding positively to this different approach, and it's clear that Zilch is on track to revolutionize the payments industry.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our planet today. The need to transition to renewable energy sources has never been more pressing, and it requires a new form of climate finance that is efficient, transparent, and accountable. This is where Reneum comes in. Reneum is a global green energy marketplace built on blockchain technology that provides a platform for individuals and organizations to fund climate action and accelerate the energy transition. By using blockchain as a mechanism to drive a new form of climate finance, Reneum solves the industry's transparency, accountability, and traceability issues. With Reneum's full proof-of-provenance, stakeholders can gain increased authenticity and ownership of their actions, giving them the ability to look under the hood and see the impact they are making. Brianna Welsh, CEO and founder of Reneum, is a thought leader on the intersection of sustainability and deep technologies. With an in-depth knowledge of the challenges faced by female founders, Brianna has successfully raised $4.1M in pre-seed funding for Reneum. Prior to Reneum, Brianna led carbon markets for Sindicatum Renewable Energy in APAC and has worked in mergers and acquisitions in New York and London. She is also a partner in several initiatives for a positive crypto future, including Blockchain for Social Impact, Crypto Climate Accord, and Blockchain for Climate Foundation. In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily podcast, Brianna discusses why Web3 is key to curbing the climate crisis, what steps organizations must collectively take to propel the industry, and how to catalyze the energy transition to turn climate frustration into real impact. She believes that blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach climate finance, enabling us to create a positive-sum ecosystem where individuals and organizations can work together to solve the industry's most pressing challenges. I learn how Reneum is providing a solution to the challenges faced by the energy sector, offering a platform for individuals and organizations to fund climate action and drive the energy transition forward. With the support of visionary leaders like Brianna Welsh, the future of climate finance is looking bright, and we can all look forward to a more sustainable future for our planet.

Professor Giana M Eckhardt from King's Business School and Willard Ahdritz from Kobalt join me on Tech Talks Daily. Today's topic is how Kobalt leverages technology, to provide music publishing services and promote social responsibility within the music industry. Kobalt's innovative technology has set them apart from other companies, enabling them to process royalty payments almost instantly and providing unparalleled fairness and transparency in the industry. This is in stark contrast to other tech companies accused of exploiting artists, such as Spotify and YouTube, who pay only a small amount per play. However, Kobalt's commitment to using technology for good has paid off, as other major players are now forced to follow suit in response to the demands of their clients. Despite this, competitors will struggle to match Kobalt's level of trust and authenticity, as evidenced by the growing number of big names moving their catalogs to Kobalt, including Lorde and Paul McCartney. I learn how Kobalt has successfully leveraged technology to build a brand centered around purpose-led branding, appealing to both artists and consumers who value transparency and fairness. We discuss how this has led to strong loyalty for both artists and consumers, solidifying Kobalt's position as a leader in the music publishing industry. Sponsored VPN Offer https://www.piavpn.com/techtalksdaily

In the fast-paced world of technology, the demand for talented developers and tech professionals has never been higher. With a massive shortage of tech talent in the market, companies are facing the challenge of attracting and retaining top tech professionals. However, Ilya Brotzky, founder and CEO of VanHack, has found a solution to this problem. VanHack is a fast-growing tech recruitment platform that helps over 1000 companies hire the best tech talent quickly. With a network of over 350,000 developers from 120 countries, VanHack has the largest diverse workforce of tech professionals. This platform also provides a team of 80+ employees in 13 countries, generating mid-seven figures in annual revenues. Born in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, raised in Vancouver, Canada, and with a degree in business administration from Cornell University in the US, Ilya's journey to creating VanHack began in Rio de Janeiro. While working as a management trainee with Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A., he met software engineers who wanted to relocate to Canada but lacked English skills. This inspired him to start VanHack in 2015, providing English resumés and interview skills to help them get hired by companies seeking hard-to-find tech talent. Ilya has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Time, and has helped raise over $100,000 for various charities in Africa and South America. In this podcast, we talk to Ilya about the current shortage of tech talent, the changes happening in the workspace and recruitment industry, and how remote hiring can help companies build a more diverse workplace. The current shortage of software developers and other tech talents is a problem faced by many companies. Ilya explains that this shortage is due to the rapid growth of technology, leading to an increased demand for tech professionals. Companies are struggling to find the right talent to meet their needs, and VanHack provides a solution to this problem. The workspace and recruitment industry are undergoing massive changes, and Ilya highlights the importance of these changes in the tech industry. With remote working becoming increasingly popular, companies have the opportunity to build a more diverse workplace, attracting top tech professionals from around the world. Finally, Ilya talks about how remote hiring can help tech companies build a more diverse workplace. Remote working provides companies with access to a larger pool of talent, enabling them to find the best candidate for the job, regardless of location. This also helps to break down geographical barriers, leading to a more inclusive and diverse workplace. I learn how VanHack is helping companies to overcome the challenge of attracting and retaining top tech talent, providing a solution to the current shortage of software developers and other tech professionals. With the changes happening in the workspace and recruitment industry, remote hiring is the key to building a more diverse workplace and finding the best tech talent from around the world.