Tech Talks Daily
Neil C. Hughes
If every company is now a tech company and digital transformation is a journey rather than a destination, how do you keep up with the relentless pace of technological change?
Every day, Tech Talks Daily brings you insights from the brightest minds in tech, business, and innovation, breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable takeaways.
Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, Tech Talks Daily explores how emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, fintech, quantum computing, Web3, and more are shaping industries and solving real-world challenges in modern businesses.
Through candid conversations with industry leaders, CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, startup founders, and even the occasional celebrity, Tech Talks Daily uncovers the trends driving digital transformation and the strategies behind successful tech adoption. But this isn't just about buzzwords.
We go beyond the hype to demystify the biggest tech trends and determine their real-world impact. From cybersecurity and blockchain to AI sovereignty, robotics, and post-quantum cryptography, we explore the measurable difference these innovations can make.
Whether improving security, enhancing customer experiences, or driving business growth, we also investigate the ROI of cutting-edge tech projects, asking the tough questions about what works, what doesn't, and how businesses can maximize their investments.
Whether you're a business leader, IT professional, or simply curious about technology's role in our lives, you'll find engaging discussions that challenge perspectives, share diverse viewpoints, and spark new ideas.
New episodes are released daily, 365 days a year, breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable takeaways around technology and the future of business.
Every day, Tech Talks Daily brings you insights from the brightest minds in tech, business, and innovation, breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable takeaways.
Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, Tech Talks Daily explores how emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, fintech, quantum computing, Web3, and more are shaping industries and solving real-world challenges in modern businesses.
Through candid conversations with industry leaders, CEOs, Fortune 500 executives, startup founders, and even the occasional celebrity, Tech Talks Daily uncovers the trends driving digital transformation and the strategies behind successful tech adoption. But this isn't just about buzzwords.
We go beyond the hype to demystify the biggest tech trends and determine their real-world impact. From cybersecurity and blockchain to AI sovereignty, robotics, and post-quantum cryptography, we explore the measurable difference these innovations can make.
Whether improving security, enhancing customer experiences, or driving business growth, we also investigate the ROI of cutting-edge tech projects, asking the tough questions about what works, what doesn't, and how businesses can maximize their investments.
Whether you're a business leader, IT professional, or simply curious about technology's role in our lives, you'll find engaging discussions that challenge perspectives, share diverse viewpoints, and spark new ideas.
New episodes are released daily, 365 days a year, breaking down complex ideas into clear, actionable takeaways around technology and the future of business.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2022 • 37min
2126: Deep Instinct - How AI Can Reduce Stress in Cybersecurity Teams.
The job of defending against increasingly advanced threats on a daily and hourly basis is causing more problems than ever with The Great Cybersecurity Resignation plaguing industries across the world. New research reveals that 49% of UK C-Suite leaders have considered quitting the industry due to stress, with the primary issues being an unrelenting threat from ransomware and the expectations to always be on call or available. However, there is greater awareness that AI-enabled tools can effectively combat sophisticated attacks such as ransomware. For example, 79% would rather depend on AI than humans to hunt threats, and 47% agree that "they need greater automation through AI/ML to improve security operations." So, how can AI reduce the burden put on security teams? Justin Vaughan-Brown, VP of Market Insight at Deep Instinct, joins me in a conversation about how AI can be used to reduce the stress experienced by security teams. We discuss why there is so much stress and pressure placed on the C-Suite and the fear felt by those whose decision it is to pay ransom demands. I learn more about how organizations can stop a cycle of stress and prevent themselves from becoming the victims of ransomware attacks in the first place. Finally, Justin explains why AI has the potential to reduce critical productivity challenges like reducing false positives that will allow teams to focus their time and resources on more critical cyber defense issues.
Oct 3, 2022 • 18min
2125: Ericsson - How Telecoms is Aligning Around 5G-Advanced
In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, Olof Liberg from Ericsson joins me in a discussion about how the telecoms industry is aligning around 5G-advanced to support immersive reality, evolving IoT, and sustainability. Olof Liberg is a researcher and program Manager at Ericsson's department for Standards & Technologies. Olof joined Ericsson in 2008 and specialized in designing and standardizing cellular radio access technologies. He is currently leading Ericsson's 3GPP radio access network standardization team. Olof holds a bachelor's degree in Business and Economics and a master's degree in Engineering Physics, both from Uppsala University.
Oct 2, 2022 • 23min
2124: SAP - How Technology is Improving Public Sector Agility
From social services to the NHS, most public sector organizations have been feeling the strain of funding cuts, staff shortages, and a lack of end-to-end digital transformation over the past few years. Now, with record numbers leaving to work elsewhere and services increasingly squeezed by inflation, public sector organizations are facing their biggest challenges. Satpal Biant, Head of Public Sector, UK & Ireland at SAP joins me on the Tech Talks Daily Podcast in a conversation about how technology is the key to modernizing the management of staff working on the frontline. We explore how it could play a key role in halting this mass exodus from the public sector in the months and years ahead. We also discuss how technology can streamline the administration, management, and operation of staff working on the frontline. We discuss the importance of facilitating greater communication between managers and employees and how this can lead to an improved understanding of staff wellbeing and morale. But also how HR software, including sentiment analysis and automation, can play a key role in tracking and understanding employee sentiment.
Oct 1, 2022 • 31min
2123: How This Dutch Entrepreneur Built a $1M Consultancy Company
In this podcast, I pride myself on sharing stories from all over the world and have interviewed guests from more than 75 countries. Today, I am going to take you on a trip to the Netherlands to speak with Jasper van Horssen who will share his startup story. In less than two years, he bootstrapped Dxfferent; a Dutch Top Ranked IT Consultancy company, to more than $1M. We also discuss how Autotask PSA is one of the top project management systems in the world and how it helps manage employees, clients, projects, tasks etc in an easy way. Jasper also shares how he helps businesses with the best practices to implement Autotask PSA in a business.
Oct 1, 2022 • 30min
2122: AFEX and the Technology Transforming Lives in Africa
AFEX is building the physical and technology-enabled infrastructure for the continent's commodity sector to provide access to markets and unlock capital for smallholder farmers, processors, and export operations. Its technology-enabled solutions provide traceability and transparency that ensures shared prosperity between soft commodity producers, processors, and investors. Akintunde Akinyink shares how AFEX is aiming to help the continent feed itself by boosting food security and making food production more efficient, closely aligning its company goals with the UN SDGs, in particular no poverty, ending hunger, gender equality, decent work, and economic growth, and responsible consumption I learn more about how AFEX has created the largest network of warehouses in Nigeria and Kenya with 130 warehouses, securitizing physical commodities through its electronic warehouse receipts, which can be traded on the exchange through its proprietary electronic trading platform.
Sep 30, 2022 • 34min
2121: Exploring The Laws of Creativity With Baronfig Founder Joey Cofone
Creative thinking—humankind's unique ability to combine unrelated and abstract ideas—has been utilized in countless ways since the dawn of humanity. Every day, people in creative and non-creative fields take advantage of creative thinking to reach all kinds of goals, personally and professionally. Joey Cofone, founder of Baronfig and author of The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius, joins me on the Tech Talks Daily podcast to share the inspiring tech startup story behind Baronfig. We all began our lives creative, and many let go of it as they got older. But how can you reawaken your creative side? Together we dispel the myth that only a select few people are creative. In his book, Joey defines creativity, how it works, and how you can harness it in your everyday life. He demystifies the creative process by uncovering the thinking and science behind it. We explore the 39 laws that contain illuminating concepts and powerful instruction. Each law is illustrated with inspiring, enlightening, and surprising stories of iconic creators across history—including Albert Einstein, Serena Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Houdini, Grace Hopper, Bruce Lee, and many more by simply breaking down how they wielded creativity to reach incredible heights.
Sep 29, 2022 • 31min
2120: 4 Years On, How has GDPR Affected Data Hygiene Practices?
After the fourth GDPR anniversary, what's changed since its inception? And what is the best way forwards for companies to navigate the complexity? These are just a few topics that I explore with Dave Horton from Odaseva. We discuss the API challenges of backing up SaaS data, data subject access requests, and right of access. We also talk about how residency-as-a-service helps organizations navigate complex and evolving Data residency laws, e.g., PIPL in China. Finally, we discuss ransomcloud – what it is, attackers' techniques, which organizations are most at risk, and how preparation is key for organizations to protect themselves.
Sep 28, 2022 • 21min
2119: Endel Ushers in a New Generation of Ambient music Using AI
Have you heard James Blake's album version of Wind Down done in collaboration with sound and wellness company, Endel? Inspired by the science of sound and sleep, Wind Down is a prelude to bedtime, helping listeners shift gradually from the activity of day to the calm of night. It uses the same AI technology and sounds found in the adaptive experience, available exclusively in Endel apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Apple TV, and Amazon Alexa. It's no secret that more and more people are turning towards ambient music as an effective tool to help improve relaxation, focus, movement and sleep. What is interesting about the Wind Down album in particular is that it is the first ambient music album constructed via AI to be released by a Universal label. Blake's musical artistry blends seamlessly with Endel's patented AI technology. This method of composition has the ability to give ambient music an enhanced functional edge that is actually backed by neuroscience. This prompts a bigger question: Has AI technology ushered in a new era of ambient music that can more effectively serve specific wellness and mental health purposes? Oleg Stavitsky, CEO & Co-Founder at Endeljoins me in exploring the answer to this question as we discuss the growing intersection of science, technology, sound, and wellness. If you are interested in trying Endel for free for 1 month, Oleg kindly shares the following link that unlocks a free 1-month subscription, no card is needed. https://code.endel.io/?code=dailytech
Sep 27, 2022 • 30min
2118: Honeywell Discuss New Carbon and Energy Management Software
In recent years, thousands of companies have voluntarily pledged to meet sustainability targets, but many of them likely lack the knowledge and the tools to properly measure progress and how to optimise their carbon and energy footprints. Honeywell is working to help solve this problem with its new Carbon & Energy Management, a carbon energy management software, that enables building owners to track and optimise energy performance against carbon reduction goals, down to a device or asset level. Companies face increasing pressure today – from stakeholders as well as regulatory agencies – to curb energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions and create more sustainable, healthier facilities. There's an urgent reason for this: commercial buildings currently account for almost a third of global energy consumption and 37% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. While 28% of those emissions are related to building operations – or the energy used to heat, cool and power the building – many building owners likely don't have device or asset level insight into energy consumption or carbon impact. Through using the Honeywell Forge enterprise performance management software solution's artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, Carbon & Energy Management autonomously identifies and implements energy conservation measures to help drive efficiency, resiliency and accountability throughout a real estate portfolio. It continuously investigates, analyses, and optimises building performance, down to an asset-specific level, measuring critical sustainability KPIs including carbon emissions. Manish Sharma, VP & general manager of sustainable building technologies at Honeywell, joins me on Tech Talks Daily to discuss this topic in more detail.
Sep 26, 2022 • 23min
2117: DocuSign - Ronan Copeland, Group VP & General Manager EMEA
With the hyper digitalisation of business, electronic signatures have become a necessity. Contracts are a crucial element of every business; when overlooked, they can be detrimental, especially when renewal season comes around. And, as we feel the fallout of Brexit, businesses need to ensure their service agreements, employment contracts, etc., are all up to scratch, or it could mean lost revenue and costly legal penalties. Ronan Copeland, Group Vice President & General Manager EMEA at DocuSign, joins me on Tech Talks Daily to discuss the present and future of digital identities. In addition, we explore how AI can be implemented to improve and augment workflows, freeing employees to focus on creative or strategic priorities. We also discuss how paper contracts are not only outdated but dangerous and the value of AI and automation in the context of contract lifecycle management. But how implementing CLM and AI-driven tools could make a business more agile and impact a business's bottom line As we look to the future, we talk about how many people now see automation and the integration of ML and AI into our daily working lives as the next frontier of the future of work. I learn how these technologies will reshape the way we work and how leaders are overcoming the fear factor when integrating AI in the workplace.
