The AI Forecast: Data and AI in the Cloud Era

In highly regulated industries like healthcare and energy, a lot is at stake if an AI system “fails” – therefore leading to a higher risk of unintended consequences that could mean life or death. These high-risk environments can teach us a lot about responsible AI, practical guardrails, and best practices overall.  One of those lessons? Make AI “boring”. To dive into what that means for highly regulated industries and beyond, we’re joined by Cal Al-Dhubaib. Cal is the Head of AI and Data Science at Further and founder of Pandata (which was acquired by Further in 2024). Cal is on a mission to make “boring” AI a mainstream trend. In this episode, Cal discusses the critical aspects of AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of decision-making endpoints and explainable AI. Cal frames governance as an enabler of innovation: “Cars can go faster with breaks.” Stay in touch with Cal: Cal on LinkedIn   +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast, sponsored by Cloudera, to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

Data is more complex than ever before, and the big data market is growing rapidly with advancements in digital technology such as AI and cloud computing. But with this growth also comes opportunity.  The business leaders who can make sense of their data – and transform it into value – will be the winners in today’s data economy. To discuss this, we’re joined by Jan-Willem Middleburg.  Jan-Willem is the managing director of Cybiant and the host of the Big Data Talks podcast. Jan and host Paul Muller discuss the evolution of big data, the importance of data strategy, and the challenges organizations face in becoming data-driven. They explore the need for frameworks in data management, the significance of data governance, and the role of self-assessment in improving data practices. The conversation also touches on the future of big data and AI, emphasizing the necessity of articulating a clear data strategy to drive effective decision-making. Stay in touch with Jan-Willem: Jan-Willem on LinkedIn Big Data Talks Podcast +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast, sponsored by Cloudera, to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

There’s no question that AI is revolutionizing industries, but now, technology and policy experts worldwide are tackling how to ensure that the technology is used safely.  This episode of The AI Forecast welcomes Patrick E. Murphy to discuss a two-fold conversation on AI in America. Patrick is the CEO and founder of Togal.AI, the founder of CodeComply.Ai, and a former U.S. Congressman representing Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.  The first part of Patrick’s episode touches on Patrick’s lifelong involvement in his family’s construction business based in Florida, which led to his “aha moment” of where AI can disrupt construction. His years in the private sector and his time as a U.S. Congressman and member of President Biden’s export council honed Patrick’s perspective on the role of regulation in AI. Patrick shares why a public-private partnership in the U.S. can support safe AI development without hindering American businesses, advice for American citizens concerned about AI, and why he remains optimistic about the future of the technology. Stay in touch with Patrick E. Murphy on LinkedIn.   +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

Today’s digital environment is noisier than ever. For brands to stand out, they need to be hyper-relevant to their customers. That’s where the power of data comes in.  In this episode of The AI Forecast, we’re joined by marketing expert Zontee Hou. Not only does Zontee have 20 years of experience in the marketing industry, she’s also the author of Data-Driven Personalization, the founder of Media Volery, the managing director of consultancy Convince & Convert, and the host of the Data-Driven Decisions podcast. To put it lightly, she is pretty busy!  Zontee and our host Paul Muller dive into the challenges and opportunities in data-driven marketing - starting with the gap in data collection among marketers, the balance between precision marketing and consumer privacy, and the current state of AI in marketing. Zontee also highlights the necessity of building proprietary data to maintain a competitive edge in the market. Stay in touch with Zontee: Zontee Hou on LinkedIn Convince & Convert Data-Driven Decisions Podcast +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

The emergence of AI has undeniably changed the business landscape, with leaders across the globe racing to implement the technology for fear of falling behind their peers. But to orchestrate a successful digital transformation and harness the full power of AI, businesses must prioritize cognitive neuroscience and human behavior alongside the technological advancements of AI. Kamales Lardi is our latest guest on The AI Forecast. Kamales is the CEO of Lardi & Partner Consulting, a consulting firm that helps companies drive digital transformation initiatives, from strategy to execution. She’s also the author of the best-selling book, The Human Side of Digital Transformation. Kamales explains how technology is only as good as the people using it and how organizations can turn to cognitive neuroscience to better understand how to nudge their people successfully towards technology - like AI.  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

As AI continues to advance, the ethical use of the tool has been widely (and hotly) debated. Often described as a double-edged sword, AI offers both transformative potential while also raising significant ethical questions. When and how should AI be used? Who is accountable if something goes wrong? Will AI actually take over the world? On this episode of The AI Forecast, Olivia Gambelin, AI ethicist and author of Responsible AI: Implement an Ethical Approach in Your Organization, engages us in a transparent and candid conversation on the practical application of ethics to technological and AI innovation. Despite a 24/7 news cycle, she reminds us that there are many nuanced layers to implementing AI across businesses and industries. Like most tools, the question isn’t whether or not businesses should implement AI, but how they can do so ethically. +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

On this episode of The AI Forecast, Mike Walsh talks us through what he calls the fifth and latest industrial revolution – and that’s AI. Mike is a futurist and expert in disruptive technologies. He’s a best-selling author, host of the Between Worlds podcast, and CEO of Tomorrow – a global consultancy helping organizations adapt to the challenges of the digital age. With this fifth industrial revolution as the backdrop, Mike explores the rise of digital labor with AI agents and how the technology will transform business and the customer experience, what AI regulation looks like from a global lens, and what kind of leader will succeed with AI. +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.

After going legally blind at 21, Chad Foster’s life flipped on its head. He had to re-learn how to be an active participant in society, starting with finishing his university degree. His life-altering experience at 21 had changed the course of Chad’s life, teaching him to crave the uncomfortable experiences because that’s where growth lies. After a successful career as a business executive, and after becoming the first blind executive to graduate Harvard Business School, Chad is now a best-selling author of Blind Ambition, a memoir based on his life. In addition to writing about his experience, Chad also inspires audiences to turn adversity into an advantage as a prominent keynote speaker. Chad joins The AI Podcast to discuss his journey and how data became his superpower.  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.  

2025 is set to be a year of growth and change, particularly in the AI space. Over the last couple of years, AI has evolved from a niche technology to a driving force behind business strategies, innovation, and efficiency in almost every industry. Its impact is felt far and wide. It is not only shaping how we search for information, but how we digest and react to the world around us.  As a podcast that dives into this very technology, we’ve polled guests each episode for their take on where AI is headed in 2025. As experts in various parts of the field, they had a lot to say. In this special edition of The AI Forecast, we’ll hear from friends of the show Jonas Christensen, Jordan Morrow, Simon Asplen-Taylor, and Olivia Gambelin.   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes.  

Businesses must be prepared to transform their data architecture to keep up with the pace of the industry as long-standing ideas about operational efficiency and the customer experience have changed too. That’s especially true in the travel industry, an industry that generates and consumes tremendous amounts of data: think booking your flight, finding the best price of your hotel stay, etc.  To talk about data architecture as it relates to the never-ending quest for operational efficiencies in data systems, we’re joined by Imtiaz Ali, the Head of Big Data Delivery of Travelport. Imtiaz touches on the scenarios best suited for on-prem vs. cloud, the use of Apache Nifi and Apache Kafka, and the fight against latency without sacrificing speed.  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.