Business Technology Perspectives

Business Technology Perspectives is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network that explores how digital innovation is influencing business strategy across industries. Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, creator of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, the series features conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of enterprise technology. Each episode takes a closer look at how organisations are aligning technology with business outcomes. From AI and cloud to data strategy and digital skills, we speak with those navigating complex decisions that drive transformation. These are honest, grounded discussions about what's working, what isn't, and what business leaders are learning as they adopt and adapt new technologies. Whether you're steering strategy, leading innovation, or simply trying to keep up with the pace of change, this podcast offers a balanced view of the possibilities and pitfalls that come with building a digital-first business. Search Tech Talks Network to discover more shows in the series.

  1. Human-Centered AI-  Zebra’s Strategy for the 80% of Workers Often Overlooked

    3.9.

    Human-Centered AI- Zebra’s Strategy for the 80% of Workers Often Overlooked

    AI conversations often center on coders, designers, and office-based teams, but what about the people who keep goods moving, shelves stocked, patients cared for, and factories running? They make up almost 80 percent of the global workforce, yet much of the technology talk overlooks them. In this episode of Business Technology Perspectives, I sit down with Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer at Zebra Technologies, to explore how AI is being designed for the shop floor, the warehouse aisle, and the hospital corridor. Tom outlines Zebra’s long-standing mission to “deliver productivity at the point of activity,” and explains how AI fits into that vision. The company’s approach is not about replacing people but augmenting their capabilities, reducing repetitive tasks, and enabling faster, more accurate decision-making. We discuss Zebra Companion, the company’s AI-powered assistant for frontline teams, which features four dedicated agents for knowledge, sales, merchandising, and device support. Early pilots have shown strong adoption, with workers reporting greater empowerment and employers seeing reduced attrition. We also dive into the role of machine vision, 3D scanning, and RFID in driving efficiency across retail, logistics, and manufacturing. Tom shares examples ranging from automated shelf checks to high-speed industrial inspection, and from wearable cameras that guide item picking to omniscient store concepts that combine real-time inventory awareness with operational intelligence. The conversation goes beyond features and functions to focus on human-centered automation — the belief that AI works best when it collaborates with people, adapts to their experience level, and integrates seamlessly into their daily tools. For business leaders seeking ROI, we talk about where AI delivers measurable impact today, the infrastructure needed to support it, and the opportunities on the horizon for physical workplaces. If you’ve been wondering what AI can really do for the teams who keep everything moving, this episode offers a clear and practical perspective. ********* Visit the Sponsor of Tech Talks Network: Land your first job in tech in 6 months as a Software QA Engineering Bootcamp with Careerist https://crst.co/OGCLA

    39 min
  2. The Red Cross Digital Emblem: A New Layer of Cyber Protection for Humanitarian Aid

    17.7.

    The Red Cross Digital Emblem: A New Layer of Cyber Protection for Humanitarian Aid

    For more than 160 years, the Red Cross emblem has protected humanitarian organizations in times of war. But as conflict increasingly moves into cyberspace, new protections are needed for digital infrastructure. In this episode of Business Technology Perspectives, I speak with Samit D'Cunha, legal advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about the groundbreaking Digital Emblem Project. Samit explains how this modern emblem uses cryptographic certificates and DNS protocols to designate digital assets as protected under international humanitarian law. We explore the rise in cyberattacks on hospitals and humanitarian networks during armed conflict, and why creating a recognized, trustworthy signal of digital neutrality is now a moral and legal imperative. We discuss: How the Digital Emblem mirrors the protections of its physical counterpartThe technical infrastructure behind the project and how it ensures global applicabilityLegal, political, and diplomatic challenges in gaining global adoptionThe need for collaboration across governments, tech companies, and humanitarian actorsWhat comes next as cyberwarfare becomes a greater threat to humanitarian operationsAs the nature of conflict evolves, so too must the symbols that protect those who help others. This conversation is essential listening for anyone working at the intersection of cybersecurity, ethics, and international law.

    30 min
  3. How ServiceNow Is Using AI to Reinvent Field Service From the Ground Up

    8.7.

    How ServiceNow Is Using AI to Reinvent Field Service From the Ground Up

    In this episode of Business Technology Perspectives, host Neil C. Hughes speaks with Bulent Cinarkaya, General Manager of Field Service Management at ServiceNow, to explore how AI is transforming one of the most overlooked but essential areas of enterprise operations: field service. Bulent shares how technologies like agentic and generative AI are reshaping frontline work in real time, giving technicians the tools to anticipate what they’ll need before arriving on site, surface answers during complex tasks, and close out jobs faster with intelligent automation. These innovations are no longer on the horizon. They are already being used to improve scheduling accuracy, reduce mean time to resolution, and capture decades of expert knowledge before it disappears. Drawing on real examples from companies like Bell Canada, Coursera, and British Telecom, Bulent breaks down how ServiceNow is helping field teams not only boost productivity but also improve job satisfaction and customer loyalty. He also highlights how unified platforms, data-driven workflows, and strong change management are critical to scaling these gains sustainably. If your organization still sees AI as a back-office tool, this conversation is a wake-up call. AI is now embedded in the physical world of work, helping solve operational bottlenecks while empowering people to do their best work under pressure. Whether you're leading a service team or looking to bridge the gap between digital innovation and human impact, this episode offers a clear look at the future of field service.

    29 min
  4. IBS Software on Breaking Free from Legacy Travel Tech

    28.5.

    IBS Software on Breaking Free from Legacy Travel Tech

    In this episode of Business Technology Perspectives, I sit down with Somit Goyal, CEO of IBS Software, to talk about something every traveler has experienced: outdated systems that make booking, checking in, or simply managing a trip more frustrating than it should be. Somit brings a wealth of experience from his time at Microsoft to now leading one of the biggest names in travel tech. He shares why real transformation in this space isn't just about upgrading software. It's about rethinking how travel businesses operate, how they engage with customers, and how they build for the future. We talk about the dangers of treating digital transformation as just another IT project and why companies stuck on legacy systems are holding themselves back. Somit explains how IBS Software is working as a true partner to airlines, hotels, and cruise lines, not just another vendor pushing tools. He also shares how listening to customers, rather than rushing into tech solutions, is one of the most underrated skills in this industry. We explore how AI and data are shaping smarter travel experiences, what it takes to overhaul loyalty programs, and why a long-term strategic mindset beats short-term patch jobs every time. So if you've ever wondered why your last flight check-in felt like it was designed in 2005 or why your hotel app crashed again, this episode offers a look behind the curtain at what's really happening in the travel tech world. I hope you'll join me for this conversation and let me know what you think. How is your organization approaching change? And what does modern travel tech mean to you? Search Tech Talks Network to discover more shows like this one, or drop me a message. I always love hearing from you.

    28 min

Tietoja

Business Technology Perspectives is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network that explores how digital innovation is influencing business strategy across industries. Hosted by Neil C. Hughes, creator of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, the series features conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of enterprise technology. Each episode takes a closer look at how organisations are aligning technology with business outcomes. From AI and cloud to data strategy and digital skills, we speak with those navigating complex decisions that drive transformation. These are honest, grounded discussions about what's working, what isn't, and what business leaders are learning as they adopt and adapt new technologies. Whether you're steering strategy, leading innovation, or simply trying to keep up with the pace of change, this podcast offers a balanced view of the possibilities and pitfalls that come with building a digital-first business. Search Tech Talks Network to discover more shows in the series.

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