Tech Talks Daily

Amid the buzz of the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Eiso Kant, the CTO and Co-Founder of Poolside, to explore how his team is reshaping the future of software development through AI. This conversation was recorded right on the show floor inside a surprisingly sleek podcast booth at the ExCel, where Eiso unpacked what sets Poolside apart in a space many claim to be in but few truly build for. Poolside is not just another AI company. It's one of a handful globally that is actually training foundation models from the ground up. While most firms are chasing general-purpose AI, Poolside has chosen a different path. They focus solely on empowering software developers inside high-consequence environments, such as banking, defense, and major global retailers. These are systems where precision and security matter, and where AI can drive measurable gains in productivity and reliability. What struck me during this discussion is how deliberately Poolside has been built for enterprise use from the start. Their model doesn't just live in the cloud. It is designed to live within the customer's own infrastructure, whether that's in their private AWS environment or even on-prem. This focus on data privacy, security, and customizability is helping Poolside win trust where it counts most. And the partnership with AWS takes this a step further, making it easier for enterprises to deploy Poolside's AI within existing cloud frameworks while meeting strict governance requirements. Eiso explained that Poolside doesn't just throw larger models at problems. Instead, they use reinforcement learning from code execution, training on millions of real codebases and test suites. This approach helps the model go beyond autocomplete and simple bug fixes. It's now stepping into longer, more complex tasks, nudging us closer to a future where AI could serve as a true teammate for software engineers. We also tackled one of the most important discussions in AI today: whether this is a cost-cutting tool or a productivity multiplier. Eiso didn't dodge the nuance. While some may use AI to reduce headcount, Poolside's focus is on enabling companies to build more, ship faster, and innovate with greater speed. That shift is not about replacing people. It's about creating leverage for development teams under pressure to deliver more in less time. If you're a CTO, CIO, or engineering leader, this episode is packed with practical insights. Whether it's understanding the ROI of AI-assisted development, the importance of retaining control of your own models, or how to think about enterprise-grade security in the age of LLMs, there's a lot here to digest. So how should we really be thinking about AI in the enterprise? Is it a partner, a tool, or the beginning of an entirely new workforce paradigm? Tune in to find out.

What if the food you eat could not only affect how you feel today but also determine how many healthy years you'll have in the future? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Jonathan Wolf, the co-founder and CEO of Zoe, to explore how advanced science, AI, and data are reshaping our understanding of nutrition and health. Jonathan shares the remarkable journey of building Zoe from an idea into a leading science and nutrition company that has reached hundreds of thousands of users. From a background in physics and ad tech to pioneering personalized nutrition, Jonathan has led Zoe through significant milestones, including publishing more than 70 peer-reviewed papers and developing tools that empower individuals to understand their microbiomes, track real-time health markers, and make lasting changes to their diet. We also dive into the technology powering Zoe's new free app launch in the US, which aims to help consumers see what's really in their food. Through food photo recognition, AI-driven analysis, and a unique risk scale for processed food, Zoe is offering a tool that could change how people choose what they eat. Jonathan explains why ultra-processed foods are a major public health concern and how empowering individuals with knowledge is the first step toward lasting change. Beyond product features, this conversation also unpacks the tension between rigorous scientific integrity and business growth, the importance of behavior change, and the broader implications for public health. Whether you're interested in the future of AI in healthcare, building a purpose-driven tech company, or simply making smarter food decisions, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what's on your plate. How can personalized nutrition move from science labs into daily life, and what role should tech leaders play in that shift?

How do you teach financial literacy to a generation that's grown up swiping on social media, watching crypto rise and fall, and navigating economic uncertainty before they've even finished university? That's the question Aleksandra Medina set out to answer when she co-founded Frich—a social finance app built with Gen Z in mind. In this episode, I sit down with Aleksandra, the CPO and co-founder of Frich, to explore how she and her team are redefining financial wellness for the next generation. Born out of a small New York apartment and their own shared frustrations with managing money, Frich isn't your typical finance app. It gives users a way to benchmark their spending and saving against their peers, sparking conversations around topics often ignored—like how much support you're getting from your parents, or whether you're overpaying on rent compared to people your age. With over 800,000 users and partnerships with banks, credit unions, and fintechs, Frich has become a trusted tool in a space where many young people feel overlooked. Aleksandra explains how her role as Chief Product Officer puts her at the intersection of tech and impact, designing an app that's as much about psychology and transparency as it is about numbers. We also talk about what it's like raising funds as a first-time founder during a period of economic headwinds, and why Gen Z's financial potential is often underestimated. Throughout our conversation, we explore why open dialogue is key to improving financial well-being and how Frich uses gamified, community-driven insights to make those dialogues easier and more fun. From daily polls to data-driven recommendations, the app flips the script on traditional financial advice, replacing lectures with real-world relevance. Is Gen Z as financially lost as some headlines suggest? Or are they simply lacking the right tools and data to guide their decisions? Frich is betting on the latter. Where are you benchmarking your financial reality? And how might a little more transparency change the way you approach money?

In today's episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Rafael Carazo Salas, a scientist, entrepreneur, and the CEO and founder of CellVoyant. This is a conversation that goes beyond the hype around AI to reveal how machine learning is reshaping the future of healthcare in ways that are both profound and immediate. CellVoyant, a spinout from the University of Bristol, is using AI and advanced imaging technology to solve one of the most persistent challenges in biotech: the cost, time, and complexity involved in developing cell therapies. Rafael explained how his team is applying real-time microscopy and predictive AI to monitor and guide cell behavior. This approach doesn't rely on invasive techniques that destroy the very cells being studied. Instead, it enables a clearer path forward in cell therapy development by understanding how cells behave and adapt over time. We explored several impactful examples, from CAR-T therapies for blood cancers to emerging treatments for Parkinson's disease and type 1 diabetes. Rafael drew comparisons to Google Maps, describing how CellVoyant's platform builds dynamic roadmaps for cell development, allowing scientists to correct course in real time. It's a shift in how we think about drug development, one that has the potential to lower costs and increase access to life-saving treatments. Beyond the science, Rafael shared his insights on the UK's biotech ecosystem, the role of academic spinouts, and why now is a strategic moment for the UK to establish itself as a global leader in AI-powered biotech. As political and economic conditions shift in other parts of the world, he sees a window of opportunity to attract talent, drive innovation, and strengthen commercialisation. So how far can AI go in transforming biotech, and what role will companies like CellVoyant play in making advanced therapies available to all? Tune in to find out.

What happens when marketing, psychology, and emerging tech converge around a single purpose, redefining the relationship between brands and consumers? In today's episode, I'm joined by Jaime Schwarz, a creative force behind Brand Therapy, The TeamFlow Institute, and MRKD.art, whose work is challenging the very foundations of modern brand strategy. From early days in the advertising trenches to pioneering Web3-native branding frameworks, Jaime brings a fresh take on how brands should evolve in a world dominated by AI, XR, and blockchain. We unpack the philosophy behind Brand Therapy — not as a gimmick, but as a framework that positions the brand as a living voice within the organization, mediating between company intent and customer expectation. Jaime explains how the rise of conversational AI and tokenized digital products shifts the entire focus from knowing your customer to understanding your product, not in terms of features, but as vehicles of legacy, collaboration, and value exchange. Throughout the discussion, Jaime breaks down complex ideas into accessible frameworks, such as the shift from consumerism to "conspicuous prosumerism," where ownership is just the beginning of the story. Whether it's a sneaker, a piece of digital art, or an AI-enabled car that remembers your preferences and evolves with you, Jaime shows how technology can enhance brand relationships rather than dilute them. We also dive into the challenges of co-creation in enterprise environments, why marketers need to rethink what product-market fit actually means in the age of real-time AI interaction, and how NFTs, quantum computing, and immersive experiences are not hype but building blocks of a new economic model. Jaime's insights offer not just theory but a call to action for companies to stop waiting for the future and start prototyping it. If you're curious about how the smartest brands are embracing change without losing their core identity, this episode offers a compelling roadmap. And if you're in New York during NYTechWeek, don't miss the launch of MRKD.dj's Infinite Drop Live Album — June 6, only 150 tickets available. https://partiful.com/e/mFEMK9C7GHKoRw73ryVg

How do you measure the real impact of marketing when every campaign unfolds across multiple channels, mixes digital with physical, and generates more data than most teams can handle? That's exactly what Abby Kearns and the team at Alembic are tackling. As Chief Technology Officer, Abby is helping build a marketing intelligence platform that doesn't stop at high-level trends or guesswork. Instead, it goes deeper to identify what actions actually drive business outcomes. In this episode, Abby joins me to explain how Alembic brings together data science, custom-built neural networks, and lessons from pandemic-era contact tracing to solve one of the longest-standing problems in enterprise marketing. By ingesting data from CRM systems, media buys, social platforms, events, and even foot traffic, Alembic identifies causal relationships between brand activities and revenue. It's an approach that has already earned the trust of companies like Nvidia and Delta Airlines. We also talk about how Alembic uses a combination of deep learning and large language models. While their custom algorithms surface insights and attribute outcomes, the AI layer makes the data digestible for decision-makers. The goal is to help enterprise teams move beyond anecdotal evidence and finally answer the question: what is working, and why? Abby also opens up about the challenges that come with building and scaling a platform at the edge of what's technically possible. From managing massive data pipelines to keeping pace with generative AI innovation, the team at Alembic is pushing forward fast. This episode is packed with insights for business leaders who want to make smarter marketing decisions grounded in real data, not assumptions. Are you confident that your marketing spend is delivering measurable value, or is it time to take a closer look at what the data is really telling you?

What if the solution to screen addiction, online bullying, and tech-driven anxiety lies not in removing devices altogether, but in rethinking how we introduce them? That's the question at the heart of my conversation with Bill Brady, co-founder and CEO of Troomi. In a world where children are spending up to nine hours a day on screens, and where the dangers of unrestricted device access are no longer hypothetical, Troomi offers an intentional and thoughtful path forward. Bill joins me to share why he believes optimism, not fear, should guide the future of kids and technology. A father of five and a longtime student of digital wellness, Bill created Troomi as a developmental tool. It is a smartphone designed to grow with your child. We explore how Troomi's Android-based platform allows parents to build a tech environment that is safe, flexible, and adaptable. From contact safe-listing and real-time content filtering to the complete removal of social media, the phone helps kids communicate, learn, and grow without the overwhelming distractions and risks that dominate conventional devices. This episode also addresses the growing mental health challenges children face, from constant social comparison to online predators. With research showing that most teenagers believe social media negatively affects their well-being, Bill explains why a proactive approach is critical. He offers insights into how parents can strike a balance between digital freedom and protection without isolating their kids from the benefits of modern technology. We also discuss how Troomi is integrating AI to create a safer online experience through real-time content vetting and educational tools. Bill highlights new features on the horizon and shares the company's plans to expand beyond the United States, particularly to markets like the United Kingdom where demand for healthier tech options is growing. How can we equip the next generation with technology that supports their growth rather than hinders it?

Oz Krakowski, Chief Business Development Officer at Deepdub, discusses the revolutionary potential of AI in dubbing and localization. He explains how Deepdub integrates AI with human creativity to ensure authentic storytelling across over 130 languages. The conversation highlights the economic benefits of AI, enabling studios to monetize previously trapped titles and tap into new global markets. Oz also reveals exciting applications like Deepdub Live, transforming real-time events, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining emotional fidelity in content.

Jim Webber, Chief Scientist at Neo4j, shares insights on how graph databases are revolutionizing data analysis. He discusses the ElectionGraph Project, where Neo4j exposed scams disguised as political ads targeting engaged voters. Traditional analytics fell short, but graph technology illuminated the complex relationships behind these frauds. Jim also highlights how businesses are leveraging graph databases to enhance AI decision-making and improve customer service, making them essential for navigating today’s data complexities.

David Michels, a legal researcher from Queen Mary University of London specializing in cloud services, delves into the intricacies of digital sovereignty in the wake of rising demand for sovereign cloud solutions in Europe. He clarifies misconceptions between data residency and sovereignty, revealing vulnerabilities that persist even when data is stored within Europe. Michels discusses regulatory challenges and proposes a new code of conduct aimed at improving compliance with GDPR. His insights provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of data control amidst geopolitical tensions.