#112, CISO at the AA, Darren Desmond: Covert Ops to Cyber Security
“I had a team of me…and that was it!” Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Darren Desmond, CISO at the AA, to discuss how AI will change the Cyber Security arms race, why it’s a strange time for CISOs, and how he was the most un-military recruit his training Sergeant had ever seen… Time stamps:What makes effective leadership in tech? (2:32) Starting from scratch: "I had a team of me... and that was it!" (4:20) Lessons from the Army and Atomic Weapons Establishment (6:20) The Betfair culture shock: "Decisions made on the hoof" (15:20) The key cybersecurity threat: Why ransomware remains a top concern (16:50) How asset management strengthens cybersecurity (18:10) CISO advice: Why asset management is critical for security (22:17) The CyberSec arms race: How AI will change the game (24:58) Why security is a team effort, not a standalone activity (26:00) Ransomware evolution: "The risk of AI-driven attacks" (36:45) AI in cybersecurity: The future, risks, and opportunities (40:20) Career advice: "Pick a goal and work towards it" (45:06)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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#111, President, Global Head of Consulting @ Hexaware, Arun “Rak” Ramchandran: ''Disrupting Ourselves with GenAI''
Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Arun “Rak” Ramchandran, President and Global Head of Consulting and GenAI at Hexaware, on the day they launched a multi-Billion Dollar IPO in India. They discuss the Indian economic boom of the ‘90s, and why Gen AI is different to previous tech revolutions. Time stamps: Hexaware’s Big Day: The IPO Launch (2:25)US vs. India: Where to List the IPO? (3:57)Leadership Philosophy: “Do It for Fun” (6:15)Rak’s Early Career Journey: Meandering, Horizontal and Vertical (7:51)The Indian Economic Boom (10:51)From Infosys to Virtusa: Regrets and Learnings (13:12)Leadership Lessons from Infosys Founder, N.R. Narayana Murthy (15:54)Why Rak Chose Hexaware (19:56)How Gen AI Differs from Previous Tech Revolutions (24:04)AI’s Ability to Consider Alternatives Humans Can’t (28:50)Will AI Displace White-Collar Workers? (31:10)Gen AI’s Impact on the SaaS Industry (33:47) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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#110, CEO @ Ping Identity, Andre Durand: “Happiness Equals Reality, Minus Expectations”
Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Andre Durand, Founder and CEO of Ping Identity, to discuss how early-stage entrepreneurs form a blood pact with their colleagues, what it’s like to found a company in an industry that doesn’t exist, the million dollar deep-fake risk, and why life is like a hockey stick… Time stamps:Lessons from Andre’s First Two Exits (8:18) The True Goal of an Entrepreneur (10:00) Balancing Work and Life in a Startup (11:42) Day One at Ping: The Journey Begins (15:58) The Evolution of Identity & Access Management (IAM) (23:29) The Future Without Passwords? (27:11) The Rise of New Biometrics (28:51) Fundraising Tips for Entrepreneurs (32:25) How AI & Deepfakes Challenge IAM Security (35:19) AI, Fear & Excitement: “Intelligence Defines the Hierarchy” (38:26) Advice to 21-Year-Old Andre (40:49) Book recommendation: “Good & Great by Choice”: Jim Collins https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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AI Series 2.0 #5: CTO for AI @ HPE, Matt Armstrong-Barnes: Embracing the Evolution of AI
This fifth instalment of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0 concludes a quintet of insightful conversations about the tech innovation that’s having a huge impact on the world as we know it.Matt Armstrong-Barnes, CTO for AI at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, joins Gareth and Kerensa for the final conversation of the series; this episode may be last but it’s certainly not least.With a career spanning over 25 years, Matt has led game-changing transformation programmes across the public and private sector, he’s a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Chartered Engineer, and a passionate champion of open-source tools that make AI accessible for all.Now as the CTO for AI at HPE, Matt’s role as a tech leader is marked by helping blue chip organisations navigate AI adoption.Featuring stellar insight into what businesses need to prioritise for successful AI adoption, the surprising environmental cost of an AI query to the perils of 'AI washing,' and even how to explain AI to a six-year-old—this episode is the perfect conclusion to the AI Series 2.0!Time stampsWhat excites Matt most about AI? (02:26)Matt’s favourite GenAI tools (03:50)The journey to CTO (06:07)The difference between Computer Science and IT (13:27)Why use cases for GenAI are problematic (15:34)How to ensure your data is AI-ready (22:07)Where are businesses failing most with AI strategy? (25:39)The industries most likely to be impacted by AI (37:47)Matt’s biggest AI fears (47:53)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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AI Series 2.0 #4: A Masterclass in AI: Dr. Djamila Amimer, AI thought leader and Founder @ Mind Senses Global
*Brought to you by bedigital*This week’s guest joins us for the penultimate instalment of TTLP’s AI Series to give a masterclass in how businesses can get the most out of AI. Dr Djamila Amimer, esteemed AI thought leader and founder of Mind Senses Global, joins Gareth and Kerensa and offers incredible insight into her path to becoming an AI expert.Joining the Oil and Gas industry at the start of her career with a passion to drive change in environmental resource, Djamila’s tech journey is marked by a desire to optimise both technological development and societal impact. Using “AI for good” is a key component to her work in Mind Senses Global and her overall stance on AI usage in business.Believing that “AI is more than a technology—it’s a way of thinking,” Djamila offers invaluable insights into how technology leaders can ethically harness AI to boost productivity and efficiency. This episode is an expert guide into AI and a perfect overview into some of the key points explored on this series so far. Time stamps· What excites Djamila most about the future of AI (02:27)· Why Djamila joined the oil and gas industry (06:23)· What is AI? (13:51)· Corporate lessons that were key for entrepreneurship (19:12)· What are AI hallucinations? (25:36)· Importance of human influence in AI (31:37)· Being more environmentally efficient with AI (36:00)· Battling bias with AI (42:12)· The key to AI consultations (48:41)· Combatting job displacement within AI (54:34)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
The Tech Leaders Podcast brings you candid conversations with established technology leaders, at some of the world's most incredible organisations. From the challenges of sustainable growth, through to continuous innovation and everything in-between. These are the behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes of inspirational leaders at the forefront of the digital revolution.