The Brave Technologist

Brave Software
The Brave Technologist

From privacy concerns to limitless potential, AI is rapidly impacting our evolving society. In this new season of The Brave Technologist Podcast - we’re demystifying artificial intelligence, challenging the status quo, and empowering everyday people to embrace the digital revolution.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    AI Meets Fashion: Redefining Retail Experiences at Nordstrom

    Katie Winterbottom, Director of AI (Digital and Merch) at Nordstrom, discusses a new pilot program that uses AI-powered trend reports and agentic architecture to craft unique fashion journeys. She also emphasizes the need for tech education within companies, and updating antiquated processes to leverage the benefits of emerging tech. Key Takeaways: How AI is revolutionizing the fashion industry by capturing precise fashion trends and assisting in areas such as product surfacing, merchandising, and customer personalization. Operational challenges of integrating AI, and the importance of infrastructure scalability. The development of AI-powered trend reports and agentic architecture to enhance customer experiences. Limitations of recommendation models, and the importance of modern architectures like sequential transformers. Guest Bio: Katie Winterbottom leads AI innovation at Nordstrom, where she directs a team of 32 data scientists and engineers building next-generation personalization and recommendation systems. She's particularly passionate about responsible AI deployment, and has pioneered frameworks for measuring and monitoring AI's business impact while ensuring ethical implementation. Prior to her current role, Katie scaled multiple data science organizations and built enterprise-wide platforms that transformed Nordstrom's digital capabilities. Her teams' innovations have generated hundreds of millions in revenue through enhanced personalization, fraud prevention, and automated merchandising solutions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    22 min
  2. JAN 29

    Future-Proofing AI: Ethics, Accountability and Governance

    Jo Davaris, Global Chief Privacy Officer at Booking Holdings, discusses how to build trust in AI, emphasizing privacy and ethical governance as the pillars of AI innovation. We explore the importance of feedback mechanisms and transparency in AI systems, along with how to maintain user control without compromising innovation. Key Takeaways:  Building trust in AI systems and the role of privacy in AI governance The need for public and private collaboration on AI regulations Concerns with AI’s rapid advancement The importance of integrating privacy and ethical considerations into AI development from the start Guest Bio:  Jo Davaris is the Global Chief Privacy Officer at Booking Holdings, where she established a unified privacy framework across brands like Booking.com and OpenTable. She leads AI Governance, Digital Trust, and Cybersecurity efforts, integrating privacy and innovation globally. Previously, Jo was Mercer’s first Global Chief Privacy Officer, developing a privacy program that protected data while enabling growth. At American Express, she strengthened privacy governance for institutional & network businesses. Earlier, as an attorney for New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, she prosecuted child abuse cases. Jo serves on advisory boards, speaks at conferences on privacy and governance, and advocates for social services in NYC. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    30 min
  3. JAN 22

    The Role of Analytics in Shaping the Future of MLOps

    Sophia Rowland, Senior Product Manager at SAS, discusses her journey from data science to product management at SAS, focusing on the integration of AI and analytics. She explains the concepts of Model Ops and ML Ops, the challenges organizations face in operationalizing machine learning models, and the critical role of analytics in this process. Key Takeaways:  Dependency management errors that occur when IT and data science teams work in silos The connection between algorithms and psychology, using data and software to tap into motivation How to discern hype from meaningful advancements in emerging technologies The influence of user behavior on AI adoption Ways to stay updated in the rapidly evolving field of AI Guest Bio: Sophia Rowland is a Senior Product Manager focusing on ModelOps and ML Ops at SAS. In her previous role as a data scientist, Sophia worked with dozens of organizations to solve a variety of problems using analytics. As an active speaker and writer, Sophia has spoken at events like the AI Summit, All Things Open, SAS Explore, and SAS Innovate; she has also written dozens of articles and blog posts. As a lifelong North Carolinian, Sophia holds degrees from both UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke, including bachelor’s degrees in computer science and psychology, and a Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics from the Fuqua School of Business. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys reading an eclectic assortment of books, hiking throughout North Carolina, and trying to stay upright while ice skating. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    33 min
  4. JAN 15

    LIVE from AI Summit: The Impact of Strategic Fine Tuning on Achieving Peak Performance

    Senthil Padmanabhan, VP of Platform and Infrastructure at eBay, discusses how eBay’s use of fine-tuning is improving their operational workflows. He explains why fine-tuning existing models can often be more cost-effective than training from scratch, and how methods like low-ranking adaptation (LoRa) are pivotal in improving AI performance. Key Takeaways:  The impact of strategic fine tuning on achieving peak performance AI's broader impact on eBay's infrastructure, fraud detection, and customer-facing experiences The challenges of tech debt and software upgrades Case studies from eBay that illustrate productivity gains via fine-tuning Considerations for choosing between open and proprietary AI models The importance of data quality over quantity in fine-tuning processes Predictions for the future of AI development and fine-tuning techniques Guest Bio: Senthil Padmanabhan is a Vice President and Technical Fellow at eBay, where he runs Platform and Infra (private cloud) Engineering for the global eCommerce marketplace, providing infrastructure for 4000+ engineers to deliver products at scale. Before this role, he was in the Product engineering space, building consumer-facing applications at eBay and Yahoo. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    25 min
  5. JAN 8

    LIVE from AI Summit: Walmart’s Innovations in Retail and Enhancing the Customer Experience

    Ishita Ghosh, Senior Manager of Data Science at Walmart, discusses AI innovations within retail, highlighting Walmart's initiatives that enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies.​​ She also stresses the importance of balancing technological advancements with trust, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Key Takeaways:  AI innovations at Walmart, including generative AI for employee assistance and inventory management Navigating regulatory hurdles in highly regulated sectors, and the challenges of gaining stakeholder buy-in for AI implementation The importance of human oversight in implementing AI solutions Speculation on the future of AI, and how we can use AI as a tool for creating a better world (particularly in healthcare) Guest Bio: Ishita Ghosh is the Senior Manager of Data Science at Walmart USA. Ms. Ghosh is a skilled leader in data science and machine learning, combining technical expertise with strategic insight. With a Master's in Data Science, she excels in both research and practical applications. At Walmart, as well as in previous roles at Schlumberger and Abbvie, she drove innovation and delivered results in computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, and Generative-AI across manufacturing, safety, and operations. Her active research contributions and leadership at major organizations highlight her significant impact on the field. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    29 min
  6. JAN 1

    LIVE from AI Summit: PayPal’s Approach to FinTech and Responsible Product Management

    Jacqueline Karlin, Sr. Director of AI Product & Personalization at PayPal, discusses how AI is revolutionizing the financial technology landscape, particularly in payment transactions and operational efficiency. She highlights the importance of mindful product management and the balance between innovation and responsible AI usage. Key Takeaways:  PayPal's three main AI investment areas How PayPal is using AI to drive product innovation and improve customer experience How to be a responsible technologist, contributing positively to the community Ethical practices to find product-market fit while avoiding biases The need for transparency, trust, and responsible AI How we can develop AI literacy among consumers Guest Bio: Jacqueline Karlin is the Sr. Director of AI Product & Personalization at PayPal. With a rich background at industry giants like Amazon, Meta, and Santander, Jacqueline has launched AI-powered products used by millions of consumers around the world today. As a thought leader in the AI space, she is dedicated to advancing industry standards and exploring the transformative potential of AI in financial technology. Her approach combines a pursuit of driving value to customers with a passion for responsible AI, with the ultimate goal of building products that matter. Join us as we explore her insights on the transformative power of AI in financial technology! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    24 min
  7. 12/18/2024

    Agentic Workflow and Generative AI for Enterprises

    Vivek Kumar, Director Of CX Innovation & Strategy, Oracle Corporation, discusses the integration of generative AI into enterprise solutions, with a focus on its transformative impact on customer experience and CRM systems. He highlights Oracle's decade-long journey with AI, the evolution of agentic workflows, and the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption. In this episode of The Brave Technologist Podcast, we discuss: How generative AI is transforming enterprise solutions, automating processes, and enhancing productivity. Strategies for overcoming resistance to AI within organizations. Oracle’s innovative use of agentic workflows for dynamic decision making and complex business automation. The critical role of user experience and collaboration with developers and customers in driving successful AI adoption. The importance of continuous learning and adaptation as AI reshapes the future of enterprise and customer experiences. The views expressed in this podcast are of Vivek's and do not necessarily represent Oracle. Guest Bio: Vivek Kumar is Director of CX Innovations and Strategy at Oracle. He is based in Austin, Texas and has spent the past 18 years working in the CRM industry.  He has been awarded 5 patents and has filed another 15 patents in the area of CRM automation, generative AI, and agentic workflows. In his early career, Vivek was an evangelist for developer productivity, and tooling to help speed development and delivery of enterprise solutions. Vivek was involved in early efforts to explore and democratize chatbot solutions for CRM systems at Oracle. His latest work is primarily focused on applied generative AI and agentic workflows. Today, he spends most of his time exploring the limits of genAI, working to make it practical for enterprise adoption. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    31 min
  8. 12/11/2024

    Unplugged: Cellular Privacy in a Surveillance Economy

    Ryan Paterson, CEO of Unplugged Technologies, discusses the mission and features of Unplugged, a privacy-focused mobile device aimed at empowering users to regain control over their personal data. He also shares stories from his background with DARPA, and the challenge of integrating emerging tech into these real-world operations. Key Takeaways:  Why privacy-focused devices are essential in today's surveillance economy The need for awareness around data privacy, especially for parents and families The challenges of building a privacy-first device, and the importance of community engagement with early adopters The details of a new partnership between Unplugged and Brave Guest Bio: Ryan Paterson is the CEO of Unplugged Technologies, a company dedicated to advancing commercial cellular privacy. He has over 20 years of experience leading innovative technology development and operational initiatives across the federal and civilian sectors. Previously, he founded IST Research, where he developed advanced information systems for challenging environments, finally culminating in a successful exit in 2020. A two-time DARPA veteran, Paterson played key roles in transitioning groundbreaking technologies to the Department of Defense, including deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte

    34 min

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4.7
out of 5
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From privacy concerns to limitless potential, AI is rapidly impacting our evolving society. In this new season of The Brave Technologist Podcast - we’re demystifying artificial intelligence, challenging the status quo, and empowering everyday people to embrace the digital revolution.

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