Ayna Insights

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The Ayna Insights podcast features prominent leaders and influencers shaping the industrial and industrial technology sectors, discussing topics that are critical for executives, boards, and investors. Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna, a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, providing transformation and consulting services to its clients. To learn more about Ayna, please visit our website at www.ayna.ai. The views, information, and opinions presented in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Ayna.AI or its affiliates. This podcast should not be considered financial or investment advice. Ayna.AI or its affiliates do not verify for accuracy any of the information contained in this podcast.

  1. -3 J

    Dong-Su Kim: How LG Tech Ventures Bets $900M on AI + Semis

    "Contrary to a lot of people's beliefs, I do believe that financial gain and strategic benefits - they go hand in hand." - Dong-Su Kim Host Vineet Gupta sits down with Dong-Su Kim, CEO of LG Technology Ventures, to discuss corporate venture capital and emerging tech investments. Kim stresses that corporate VCs must deliver financial returns as well as strategic value, pushing back against the view that strategy comes at the expense of profitability. He highlights opportunities in enterprise AI for verticals, semiconductor infrastructure for AI, and the electrification wave beyond EVs. He also cautions against hype in consumer AI and LLMs, predicting consolidation ahead. Dong-Su Kim leads LG Technology Ventures, managing nearly $900M across AI, biotech, cleantech, consumer, and enterprise tech. A Caltech physics graduate with a PhD in electrical engineering from Princeton, Kim has over 20 years in venture capital. He previously invested in 30+ companies at Samsung Ventures before founding LG Technology Ventures in 2018, bringing a rare blend of strategic and financial discipline to corporate VC.   Discussion Points (00:00) Kim shares his journey from physics and semiconductor research to corporate venture capital (00:03:18) Corporate VC eases fundraising and opens strategic partnerships while targeting solid returns (00:09:47) Early-stage semiconductor bets hinge on market size and execution, with AI valuations both promising and risky (00:15:11) Enterprise AI in verticals offers stronger upside than consumer apps, as LLM cost drops enable specialized solutions (00:21:13) Electrification beyond EVs—spanning homes, industry, and infrastructure—presents the next big wave of opportunities Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Vineet Gupta is President and Head of Semiconductors Practice at Ayna.   For More Information Dong-Su Kim LinkedIn LG Technology Ventures Titanium Economy Ayna.AI Website Vineet Gupta

    23 min
  2. Wahid Nawabi: AeroVironment’s Defense Technology Leadership

    8 SEPT.

    Wahid Nawabi: AeroVironment’s Defense Technology Leadership

    In this episode, Vineet Gupta, President and Head of Semiconductor at Ayna, speaks with Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President & CEO of AeroVironment, on how the company is redefining defense tech through innovation and customer focus. Wahid highlights AeroVironment’s portfolio of unmanned systems, the Blue Halo acquisition, and advances in AI-driven autonomy. The conversation also touches on leadership, product development speed, and military-grade quality, with Wahid sharing his decade-ahead vision for the industry.   Wahid Nawabi has led AeroVironment for 15+ years, building it into a full-spectrum defense technology prime. With prior leadership roles at American Power Conversion, he brings cross-sector experience. Under his watch, AeroVironment has driven new categories like loitering munitions, executed strategic acquisitions, and sustained innovation investments of 12–13% of revenue while scaling production.   Discussion Points AeroVironment’s Defense Leadership – Established as a leading multi-domain defense technology provider, with a focus on integrating unmanned systems and AI capabilities Engineering Legacy & Innovation – With seven vehicles in the Smithsonian, AeroVironment combines heritage with rapid development cycles and sustained R&D investment Building High-Performing Teams – Success comes from balancing freedom to experiment with mission-driven discipline, while preserving culture and employee engagement Comprehensive Solutions – From underwater robotics to space communications and cyber, strategic acquisitions close capability gaps and strengthen the tech portfolio Military-Grade Reliability – Meeting exponentially higher standards than consumer tech, with advanced autonomy powered by proprietary annotated datasets in computer vision Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Vineet Gupta is a President at Ayna.   For More Information Aerovironment Wahid Nawabi LinkedIn Titanium Economy Ayna.AI Website Vineet Gupta

    35 min
  3. Pablo Palafox: Building AI Agents for the Titanium Economy

    18 AOÛT

    Pablo Palafox: Building AI Agents for the Titanium Economy

    "I would urge folks to at least look at what parts of their business could benefit from some form of automation." - Pablo Palafox   In this episode, Parthesh Shastri speaks with Pablo Palafox, Co-founder and CEO of Happy Robot, about how AI agents are transforming industrial operations — from automated supplier coordination to self-correcting autonomous workflows. Pablo shares his journey from computer vision research to building voice-first AI platforms and explains why industrial leaders need to start deploying AI now as adoption cycles shorten and ROI becomes clear. Pablo holds a PhD in Computer Vision from TUM and previously worked on autonomous systems at Meta’s Reality Labs. At Happy Robot, he now leads a platform that serves 60+ enterprise customers — including several Fortune 500s — with multi-channel AI automation across freight and supply chain communications.   Discussion Points Pablo shares how his background in robotics and AI research (inspired by his brother) led him to focus on deep learning. The team pivoted after Y Combinator, uncovering communication pain points in freight through Javi’s CFO experience. Happy Robot stood out by prioritizing voice-first AI agents and later expanded to multi-channel capabilities. Enterprise sales cycles have accelerated as industrials see AI’s value, with customers realizing 100x+ ROI in areas like payment collections. AI agents are shifting from structured workflows to autonomous, self-correcting systems — and industrials need to act now to stay ahead.   Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s CTO – Parthesh Shastri.   For More Information Pablo Palafox LinkedIn Pablo Palafox X Happyrobot.ai Ayna.AI Website

    35 min
  4. Anu Khare: Inside Oshkosh – Scaling AI and Digital in Heavy Industry

    1 AOÛT

    Anu Khare: Inside Oshkosh – Scaling AI and Digital in Heavy Industry

    "A digital champion isn’t someone who knows how AI works. It’s someone who knows where to apply it.." - Anu Khare In this episode of our Titanium Economy series, Parthesh Shastri sits down with Anu Khare, CIO of Oshkosh Corporation, to unpack how industrial manufacturers can win with digital. Anu shares Oshkosh’s human-centered approach to transformation—grounded in co-creation, phased implementation, and a sharp focus on business value. He outlines the company’s three-layer digital architecture and explains why supply chain optimization offers the biggest ROI, while finance remains an untapped opportunity. The conversation also covers building digital champions, adapting to workforce shifts, and preparing for a tech-enabled industrial future. Anu Khare has led Oshkosh’s digital transformation since 2018, driving initiatives across AI, advanced analytics, ERP modernization, and Industry 4.0. Under his leadership, the team has earned seven consecutive CIO 100 Awards and was named a finalist for the MIT Sloan Leadership Award. Prior to Oshkosh, he held senior roles at Koch Industries and United Technologies. An IIT Roorkee graduate, Anu brings more than two decades of experience in tech-driven industrial change.   Discussion Points (01:17) The three pillars of digital transformation: value, scale, and cybersecurity (03:15) Why aligning with business goals—and co-creating with users—makes change stick (04:27) Inside Oshkosh’s 3-layer tech stack: from transactions to predictive intelligence (18:53) Labor gaps and Gen Z expectations are fast-tracking industrial digitization Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.   For More Information Anu Khare LinkedIn Oshkosh Corp Ayna.AI Website Titanium Economy Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

    23 min
  5. Nalin Jain: Digitization in Rail Industry – Wabtec’s AI Revolution

    7 JUIL.

    Nalin Jain: Digitization in Rail Industry – Wabtec’s AI Revolution

    "Technology isn't the barrier - adoption is the key challenge facing industrial leaders today." - Nalin Jain   In this episode, Ayna’s Parthesh Shastri speaks with Nalin Jain, Group President of Digital Intelligence at Wabtec Corporation, about the digital transformation sweeping the rail and mining industries. Nalin details how Wabtec, a 150-year-old industrial leader, is leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital solutions to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He highlights innovations like Trip Optimizer, which has helped save 752 million gallons of fuel and cut emissions by up to 25%. The discussion underscores the shift from physical to digital product management and the importance of customer-centric innovation in navigating industrial digitalization. Nalin also emphasizes that technology adoption—not availability—is the biggest hurdle, advocating for AI as a tool to augment human capability.   Nalin Jain brings extensive global experience to his role, overseeing digital and mission-critical control systems across railroad, mining, and port operations at Wabtec. He joined the company in 2019, initially leading the global equipment business before taking charge of its digital transformation efforts. With a mechanical engineering degree from National Institute of Technology, Surat and an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Nalin previously held leadership roles at GE, including CEO of GE Aviation and GE Transportation in South Asia. His expertise spans industrial technology, international business, and strategic digital innovation, making him a key voice in shaping the future of intelligent industrial systems.   Discussion Points (00:00) Nalin Jain introduces Wabtec’s 150-year legacy and how digital intelligence is transforming rail and mining operations. (01:16) Wabtec builds autonomous locomotives and software for coordinating trains across complex networks. (03:59) Safety is critical in long-haul operations; efficiency boosts capacity and digital tools drive emissions cuts. (07:13) Machine learning now powers predictive maintenance, with AI enhancing—not replacing—human roles. (12:08) Digital tools cut emissions by 20–25%; Trip Optimizer alone has saved 752 million gallons of fuel. (16:48) Global experience highlights the need for local adaptation; customer focus and curiosity fuel innovation. Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.   For More Information Nalin Jain LinkedIn Wabtec Corp Ayna.AI Website Titanium Economy Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

    31 min
  6. Jeff DeSandre: Navigating Digital Transformation in Industrial Environments

    2 JUIN

    Jeff DeSandre: Navigating Digital Transformation in Industrial Environments

    “Data is not just a reporting tool; it's now a strategic asset. It's the key to everything.” - Jeff DeSandre In this episode of our Titanium Economy series, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Jeff DeSandre, former CIO at Harrington Process Solutions and America Royal, about digital transformation in industrial settings. DeSandre emphasizes the importance of starting with clear business outcomes and a strong data foundation—particularly around master data management. He shares practical strategies for modernizing legacy systems through hybrid architecture using API gateways and microservices and explains how metrics like inventory accuracy and freight cost optimization can clearly demonstrate transformation value.   With decades of IT leadership experience, DeSandre now serves as a Fractional CIO and Principal Consultant at CatalystCIO, advising mid-sized enterprises on digital strategy. His expertise spans legacy system integration, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and strategic data analytics. At both Harrington and America Royal, he led complex ERP implementations, drove IT strategy during M&A, and built modern technology frameworks that delivered measurable business impact across the industrial sector.   Discussion Points (01:30) Digital Transformation & Legacy Systems – DeSandre stresses the need for clear business goals and strong data visibility, advocating API gateways and microservices to modernize without disrupting operations. (04:50) Measuring Success & Avoiding Pitfalls – He shares how his team boosted inventory accuracy by 90% and warns against overlooking master data and security in digital initiatives. (08:38) IT's Strategic Role & Staying Current – DeSandre discusses IT’s shift to a strategic function and his methods for staying up to date—daily research, vendor input, and tool evaluation. (11:58) Cloud & AI in Industrial Environments – He recommends a hybrid cloud approach starting with analytics and CRM and urges leaders to grasp AI fundamentals before rollout. (15:45) High-Impact Tech & CIO Advice – From EDI to process mining, DeSandre highlights valuable tools and advises new CIOs to listen, build trust, secure quick wins, and align closely with strategy.   Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.   For More Information Jeff DeSandre LinkedIn Catalyst CIO Ayna.AI Website Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

    19 min
  7. Rishabh Agarwal: Democratizing Automation for Small Manufacturers

    22 MAI

    Rishabh Agarwal: Democratizing Automation for Small Manufacturers

    "There is a need for starting automation - robotics is a space that we can't postpone for too long. We want to make sure that you start adopting it." - Rishabh Agarwal   In this episode, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Rishabh Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Peer Robotics, about rethinking automation for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Drawing from his experience at Kuka, Siemens, and a family manufacturing background, Rishabh shares how Peer’s collaborative robots learn from human demonstrations—no coding required. He explains how their robots are designed to work with people, often elevating workers to more valuable roles, and encourages manufacturers to adopt automation gradually using tech that fits existing systems and is easy for non-technical users.   Rishabh Agarwal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and the University of Maryland, combines academic rigor with practical insight. At Peer Robotics, he leads a lean, R&D-focused team building intuitive robots that simplify material movement on the factory floor. Backed by significant funding, the company prioritizes accessibility over sales infrastructure, empowering more manufacturers to embrace collaborative automation.   Discussion Points (04:11) Rishabh shares how their robots learn routes via human demonstration, eliminating reprogramming. He also explains Peer’s R&D-first approach, keeping dev and deployment teams closely aligned for rapid iteration. (09:09) From IIT Delhi to the University of Maryland, and stints at Siemens and Kuka, Rishabh reflects on his journey into robotics and how SMEs face unique automation hurdles due to their need for flexibility. (16:38) Peer’s automation strategy centers on plug-and-play integration, minimal user input, and intuitive interfaces. Their team handles complexity internally to deliver streamlined, infrastructure-light solutions. (22:36) Rishabh discusses how automation at Peer augments jobs rather than displacing workers, often promoting operators into new roles. He urges manufacturers to start small, enabling low-risk, scalable adoption. Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.   For More Information Rishabh Agarwal LinkedIn Peer Robotics Ayna.AI Website Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

    27 min
  8. George Randle: The Talent War – What Army Leadership Teaches Manufacturing CEOs

    14 MAI

    George Randle: The Talent War – What Army Leadership Teaches Manufacturing CEOs

    "Experience tells you where you've been, character tells you where you're going." - George Randle What can manufacturing leaders learn from military leadership? In this episode of the Titanium Economy podcast, George Randle—Army veteran, talent strategist, and co-author of The Talent War—joins host Nidhi Arora of AYNA.AI to explore why character consistently outperforms credentials. Drawing on lessons from both the battlefield and the boardroom, Randle shares practical advice: know your people, walk the floor, and explain the “why” behind the work. He shows how better leadership—not better perks—can drastically reduce attrition and build resilient teams. George Randle is a seasoned talent executive, executive coach, and former U.S. Army officer with over 20 years of experience in global HR and talent acquisition. He has led teams that hired more than 80,000 professionals across 60 countries and advises organizations on building high-performing teams through character-based hiring. As co-author of The Talent War, he champions leadership rooted in authenticity, accountability, and values.   Discussion Points (00:00) George Randle blends 20+ years in Fortune 100 HR with a decorated Army career. His teams have hired 80,000+ professionals, including 2,500 senior leaders. (04:05) Leadership starts with humility. Randle shares how listening—over commanding—drives better outcomes in both military and corporate environments. (08:52) The Talent War argues that character trumps credentials. Randle explains why traits like grit and integrity predict leadership success better than résumés. (13:57) AI makes résumés look the same—so character must differentiate. Randle urges companies to define success beyond technical skills. (16:23) In interviews, Randle asks execs: Who have you mentored to greater success? Their answers reveal true leadership impact. (18:30) Manufacturing retention rises when leaders connect. One firm cut attrition from 22% to 2% just by walking the floor and explaining why the work matters. Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Nidhi Arora is Vice President at Ayna.   For More Information George Randle "The Talent War" by George Randle Titanium Economy Ayna.AI Website Nidhi Arora LinkedIn

    23 min
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À propos

The Ayna Insights podcast features prominent leaders and influencers shaping the industrial and industrial technology sectors, discussing topics that are critical for executives, boards, and investors. Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna, a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, providing transformation and consulting services to its clients. To learn more about Ayna, please visit our website at www.ayna.ai. The views, information, and opinions presented in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Ayna.AI or its affiliates. This podcast should not be considered financial or investment advice. Ayna.AI or its affiliates do not verify for accuracy any of the information contained in this podcast.

Informations

  • Création
    Ayna.AI
  • Années d’activité
    2022 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    69
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2023 AYNA
  • Site web de l’émission
    Ayna Insights

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