The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Mehmet Gonullu
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Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world. mehmet@yassiventures.com

  1. 1D AGO

    #577 Agentic AI Is Rewriting the Boardroom: Betsy Atkins on Governance, Risk, and Execution

    In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Betsy Atkins, serial entrepreneur, board member of global companies, and advisor to leading organizations including Google Cloud. The conversation explores how the role of the board is evolving in an era defined by AI, agentic systems, and accelerating technological change. Betsy shares deep insights on how boards must move from passive oversight to active orchestration, the risks introduced by agentic AI, and what leaders must do today to stay relevant. From “corporate cholesterol” slowing down organizations to the emergence of AI governance frameworks, this episode offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of leadership. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Betsy Atkins is a three-time CEO, serial entrepreneur, and globally recognized corporate governance expert. She has served on over 30 public and private company boards and currently sits on the Google Cloud Advisory Board, as well as boards including Wynn Resorts and goPuff. Betsy brings decades of experience across venture capital, private equity, and public markets, advising leadership teams on digital transformation, governance, and innovation. ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • Boards are shifting from passive oversight to active involvement in technology and innovation • Agentic AI introduces new risks that require structured governance and monitoring • “Corporate cholesterol” slows companies down as they scale and must be actively removed • AI governance will become as critical as cybersecurity oversight • Founder-led companies must carefully select board members based on mindset, not just resumes • Decision speed and adaptability are now core competitive advantages • There is currently no clear “kill switch” for agentic AI systems, creating new risk categories • Investors must rethink due diligence to properly evaluate AI-driven companies ⸻ 📚 What You Will Learn • How the role of the board is evolving in the age of AI • The concept of “corporate cholesterol” and how it impacts growth • How to build AI governance frameworks inside organizations • The real risks behind agentic AI and autonomous systems • What founders should look for when building their boards • How investors should evaluate AI capabilities during due diligence • Why execution speed is becoming a key differentiator • The future of leadership in an AI-driven world ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Betsy Atkins’ background 02:45 How boards have evolved from oversight to active engagement 05:30 The concept of “corporate cholesterol” and organizational drag 08:40 Innovation vs. risk in public and private companies 11:00 Founder-led boards and selecting the right directors 17:30 AI’s impact on organizational structure and decision-making 21:00 Agentic AI risks and real-world experiments 25:00 Balancing innovation and governance in AI adoption 30:00 Who owns AI governance inside the organization 33:00 The need for monitoring, orchestration, and control systems 35:30 The “kill switch” debate and future AI risk 40:30 AI due diligence for investors and common mistakes 44:30 Key technology trends shaping the next decade 48:00 Optimism vs. risk in the future of AI ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Betsy Atkins Website: https://betsyatkins.com/ • Betsy Atkins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-atkins-a36b114/ • Anthropic research on AI agent behavior: https://www.anthropic.com/research/agentic-misalignment

    53 min

  2. 4D AGO

    #576 The Infrastructure Behind Tokenization: GP Worrell on Scaling Real-World Assets

    Tokenization has moved beyond hype. The real opportunity is no longer in creating tokens, but in building the infrastructure that allows real-world assets to operate at scale. In this episode, Mehmet speaks with GP Worrell, Co-Founder and CPO of Blubird, about the evolution of Web3 from speculation to systems. They explore why most tokenization projects fail, how modular infrastructure changes time-to-market, and why compliance, trust, and operational systems are becoming the true moats in the space. The conversation also dives into AI’s role in Web3, the shift from ICO-era hype to real assets, and what it takes to build scalable, institutional-grade platforms in a rapidly maturing market. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest GP Worrell is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Blubird, a platform focused on building the infrastructure layer for tokenized real-world assets. With over two decades of experience across enterprise systems, fintech, and blockchain, GP has been active in the Web3 space since 2016. At Blubird, he focuses on enabling institutional-grade tokenization through compliance, governance, onboarding, reporting, and lifecycle management. ⸻ 🚀 Key Takeaways • Tokenization alone is not enough, infrastructure is where long-term value is created • Most projects fail not because of tech, but due to lack of market fit and distribution • Modular platforms dramatically reduce time-to-market from months to weeks • Compliance, governance, and reporting are critical for institutional adoption • Real-world assets differ fundamentally from NFTs and speculative tokens • Infrastructure creates operational trust across issuers, investors, and regulators • AI will play a supporting role, especially in compliance and decision-making workflows • The Web3 market is maturing, but still far from fully developed ⸻ 🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why tokenization is shifting from hype to infrastructure • How modular systems are transforming Web3 development • The biggest mistakes founders make in the RWA space • What makes a tokenization platform scalable and compliant • How regulators view trust in tokenized assets • The role of AI in Web3 platforms and infrastructure • The future of tokenization in real estate, commodities, and beyond ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and GP’s background 01:00 – What Blubird is building in tokenization infrastructure 02:00 – Why infrastructure matters more than tokens 03:00 – From bespoke tokenization to modular systems 04:00 – Common mistakes founders make in Web3 05:00 – Explaining tokenization using Web2 analogies 06:00 – Real-world asset examples and use cases 07:00 – What is defensible in tokenization platforms 08:00 – Speed, scale, and time-to-market advantages 09:00 – Compliance, KYC, AML and institutional requirements 10:00 – Trust, regulators, and infrastructure layers 11:00 – Impact on investor confidence and adoption 12:00 – Government use cases and institutional focus 13:00 – Tokenization as a fundraising tool for founders 14:00 – Why infrastructure alone is not enough 16:00 – Market fit, GTM, and why projects fail 18:00 – Blockchain choice vs business fundamentals 19:00 – The role of AI in tokenization platforms 21:00 – Product leadership in Web3 vs Web2 24:00 – Emerging use cases beyond real estate 26:00 – Lessons from ICOs and market evolution 29:00 – Why the market is maturing but not mature 31:00 – Parallels between Web1, AI, and Web3 34:00 – The future “ChatGPT moment” for tokenization 35:00 – Final thoughts and where to connect ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Blubird: https://www.getblubird.com/ • GP Worrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpworrell/

    38 min

  3. FEB 23

    #575 AI Risk Is the New Cybersecurity Battleground With Walter Haydock

    AI is moving faster than security, and the gap is widening. In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Walter Haydock, Founder of StackAware, to explore how organizations can safely deploy AI while managing growing risks across cybersecurity, compliance, and governance. As AI systems become embedded in products, operations, and decision-making, traditional security approaches are no longer enough. From data leakage to supply chain vulnerabilities, and from regulatory pressure to investor scrutiny, AI introduces a new layer of complexity that leaders can no longer ignore. Walter breaks down the emerging AI risk landscape, the importance of standards like ISO 42001, and why governance is becoming a competitive advantage, not just a compliance exercise. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Walter Haydock is the Founder of StackAware, a company helping organizations measure and manage cyber, privacy, and compliance risks in AI systems. He previously served as a Marine Corps officer and worked on Capitol Hill advising members of the U.S. House of Representatives. His experience spans government, cybersecurity, and enterprise software, giving him a unique perspective on managing risk in fast-moving technology environments. Walter focuses on helping companies accelerate AI adoption responsibly while maintaining trust, security, and regulatory alignment. https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-haydock/ ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • AI risk is becoming a core cybersecurity challenge, not a separate discipline • ISO 42001 introduces a structured way to manage AI governance and risk • Many companies still treat compliance as a checkbox instead of an operational system • AI supply chain risks are one of the biggest emerging threats • Training AI on customer data without transparency can lead to backlash and liability • Open-source AI tools introduce new attack vectors through plugins and dependencies • AI governance is quickly becoming part of investor due diligence • Companies that manage AI risk well will gain a competitive advantage • Speed of decision-making matters more than perfect information in AI adoption • Every company is becoming an AI company, whether they realize it or not ⸻ 🎯 What You’ll Learn • What ISO 42001 is and why it matters for AI-driven companies • How AI risk differs from traditional cybersecurity risk • The biggest vulnerabilities in the AI supply chain • How attackers are already using AI to accelerate cyber threats • Why governance frameworks are essential for scaling AI safely • How regulations in the US and EU are shaping AI adoption • The role of AI governance in fundraising and M&A due diligence • Practical first steps to assess and manage AI risk • How to balance innovation speed with compliance requirements • Why AI governance will become table stakes for every business ⸻ ⚡ Episode Highlights (Chapters) 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:30 What is ISO 42001 and why it exists 05:00 Why AI governance is becoming critical 07:00 Who needs AI compliance the most 10:00 Regulation across the US, EU, and globally 13:00 Innovation vs regulation: finding the balance 18:00 AI supply chain risks explained 21:00 Open source AI and new attack vectors 25:00 Why AI risk management will be mandatory 27:30 AI in due diligence and fundraising 30:00 Future threats and AI-driven attacks 32:00 First steps for managing AI risk 34:00 Leadership mindset and decision making 37:00 Who owns AI risk inside organizations 39:00 Closing thoughts ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • StackAware: https://stackaware.com/ • ISO 42001 (AI Management System Standard): https://www.iso.org/standard/42001

    41 min

  4. FEB 20

    #574 The Age of Synchrony: Why Human Connection Wins in the AI Era With Joshua Bernstein

    As AI continues to automate workflows, decision-making, and even communication, one critical capability is becoming more valuable than ever: human connection. In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Joshua Bernstein, author of The Age of Synchrony, to explore the science behind trust, connection, and communication in an AI-driven world. They dive into the concept of synchrony, the neuroscience of human interaction, and why the ability to connect, build trust, and read people may become the ultimate competitive advantage for founders, leaders, and operators. From pitching investors to leading teams, this conversation explores how trust is built, why most decisions are emotional, and what happens to human purpose in a world where AI can do most of the work. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Joshua Bernstein is an author, investor, and consultant with over 30 years of experience across technology, business, and advisory. He is the author of The Age of Synchrony, a book exploring how neuroscience, human biology, and emerging technologies are converging to redefine how we connect, communicate, and build trust. Joshua works with organizations ranging from early-stage founders to multi-billion dollar companies, helping them improve performance, leadership, and human dynamics through the science of synchrony. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabbernstein/ ⸻ 💡 Key Takeaways • Trust is created emotionally, not logically • AI increases the value of human connection, not decreases it • Synchrony is a measurable neurobiological connection between people • Most people already have the ability to connect deeply, but noise gets in the way • The real differentiator in an AI-driven world is authenticity • AI can simulate empathy, but it cannot create real human connection • The future will split between scalable AI communication and real human interaction • Founders who build trust will outperform those who only build products ⸻ 🎯 What You Will Learn • What “synchrony” means and why it matters in business and leadership • How neuroscience explains trust, connection, and influence • Why human connection is becoming more important as AI scales • Simple techniques to build trust faster in conversations • How founders can improve investor pitches through emotional connection • The hidden signals people send through language, tone, and behavior • Why authenticity is the only durable advantage in an AI-driven world • How to balance AI efficiency with real human relationships ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights (Chapters) 00:00 Introduction to Joshua Bernstein and The Age of Synchrony 02:00 Why human connection is declining in the digital age 05:00 What synchrony is and why it matters 08:30 The impact of AI on human relationships 12:00 How to build trust and connection in conversations 16:00 Practical techniques to create synchrony in meetings 20:00 Why introverts can have an advantage in connection 24:00 Trust, authenticity, and emotional decision-making 29:00 Why founders win through connection, not just logic 33:00 AI, digital twins, and the risk of losing human interaction 38:00 The future of human connection in an AI-driven world 44:00 Purpose, meaning, and life in the age of AI ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • The Age of Synchrony by Joshua Bernstein: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLLFZ4HW/ref=zg_bsnr_g_573358_d_sccl_18/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1 • Vault Profit Partners: https://www.vaultprofitpartners.com/

    50 min

  5. FEB 16

    #573 AI Is Becoming a Commodity. The Real Game Is Value and Control With Shashank Tiwari

    AI is no longer just about models, prompts, or experimentation. It is becoming infrastructure. In this episode, I sit down with Shashank Tiwari, CEO and Founder, to unpack one of the biggest shifts happening right now: AI is rapidly commoditizing, and the real value is moving up the stack. We explore how enterprises are moving from hype to real ROI, why AI agents introduce new risks, and how governance, control, and reliability are becoming critical in the age of autonomous systems. This conversation goes beyond the noise to focus on what actually matters for builders, operators, and investors. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Shashank Tiwari is the CEO and Founder of Uno.ai, a Silicon Valley-based company focused on AI-driven automation in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC). With deep expertise in enterprise systems, AI agents, and risk management, Shashank works closely with large organizations in highly regulated industries such as banking, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. His work focuses on automating human-centric tasks while maintaining accuracy, reliability, and control. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tshanky/ ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • AI models are rapidly becoming commoditized infrastructure • The real differentiation is shifting to applications, workflows, and execution • AI agents introduce new categories of risk and governance challenges • Enterprise AI adoption is moving from experimentation to ROI-driven use cases • Automation must balance productivity with reliability and control • The future of AI is solution-centric, not model-centric • Coding is getting faster, but building products remains complex • AI may increase productivity, but it also amplifies risks at scale ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • Why LLMs are becoming the “operating system” of AI • Where real value is created in the AI stack • How enterprises are measuring AI ROI today • Why AI agents create new threat vectors • The challenges of AI governance and compliance • Why “vibe coding” does not replace product thinking • How organizations should think about control in autonomous systems • What the future of AI applications looks like beyond hype ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 02:30 From generative AI to AI agents: what changed 05:00 Why AI is becoming commoditized 07:00 The myth and reality of AGI 10:30 AI and new risk landscapes 14:00 AI as a new threat vector in enterprises 18:00 Governance, compliance, and control challenges 22:00 Shadow AI and visibility gaps 26:00 Why you cannot “opt out” of AI 29:00 From hype to ROI: how enterprises are thinking 34:00 AI productivity vs real business impact 37:00 The reality of AI coding and “vibe coding” 43:00 Why building products is still hard 48:00 AI, creativity, and the future of development 51:00 What’s next: automation of human-centric work 54:00 Elevating GRC beyond processes 56:00 Closing thoughts ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Uno.ai • NIST AI Risk Management Framework • ISO 42001 (AI Management Systems)

    58 min

  6. FEB 13

    #572 AI Can Source Talent. It Still Can’t Close Humans With Will Spengler

    In this episode, Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Will Spengler, Founder and Principal of Frederick Fox, to explore how hiring, entrepreneurship, and scaling professional services businesses are evolving in the age of AI. Will shares his journey from working in staffing firms to building a 70-person company organically, without venture capital. The conversation dives deep into the realities of scaling a services business, the importance of relationships as a competitive moat, and why AI, despite its capabilities, still cannot replace the human element in hiring. They also discuss how founders should think about hiring finance talent, common mistakes in early-stage hiring, and the leadership lessons learned from building a business from the ground up. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Will Spengler is the Founder and Principal of Frederick Fox, a staffing and recruiting firm specializing in accounting, finance, technology, and sales roles. Since launching in 2019, Will has grown the company to nearly 70 employees, scaling organically without venture capital or private equity funding. Frederick Fox focuses on building long-term partnerships with both clients and candidates, with a strong emphasis on human relationships and performance-driven culture. ⸻ 🚀 Key Takeaways • AI is transforming sourcing and data analysis, but human relationships remain critical in hiring • Bootstrapping a business forces discipline, clarity, and strong execution • The real moat in professional services is trust and long-term relationships • Hiring finance talent requires matching both industry and company stage • Over-hiring or hiring from large companies can hurt early-stage startups • Scaling requires a clear vision, strong leadership, and people management skills • Entrepreneurship comes with significant personal and family trade-offs • Learning in business comes primarily from failure and iteration, not theory ⸻ 🎯 What You’ll Learn • Why AI cannot fully replace recruiters or human interaction in hiring • How to scale a professional services business without external funding • The right way to hire your first accountant, controller, or CFO • Common hiring mistakes founders make in early-stage companies • How to build a culture of ownership and performance • Why relationships are becoming more important in an AI-driven world • What it really takes to build and lead a growing company ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:00 Building Frederick Fox and early journey 03:00 Identifying the opportunity in staffing 05:00 Scaling a business without venture capital 07:00 The importance of vision and planning 09:00 Hiring finance talent in startups 13:00 Where to find top accounting and finance talent 15:00 AI’s impact on recruiting and hiring 19:00 Human relationships as a competitive advantage 22:00 Building internal tools and automation 25:00 Creating ownership through equity 28:00 Leadership lessons and personal growth 32:00 Learning through failure in business 35:00 The reality of entrepreneurship 39:00 Closing thoughts and where to connect ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Frederick Fox: https://www.frederickfox.com • Will Spengler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wspengler/

    42 min

  7. FEB 9

    #571 Scaling With Intelligence: Building an Autonomous Business With Amos Bar-Joseph

    In this conversation, Mehmet sits down with Amos Bar-Joseph, Founder and CEO of Swan AI, to unpack what it really means to build an autonomous company. Amos shares how he moved away from the traditional “growth at all costs” startup model toward a lean, intelligence-driven approach powered by human-AI collaboration. Together, they discuss: • Why headcount is no longer the main growth lever • How founders can become “100x operators” with AI • The future of GTM in an agentic world • Why autonomy beats bureaucracy • How to scale without losing culture This is a deep dive into the next-generation startup playbook. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest Amos Bar-Joseph is the Founder and CEO of Swan AI. A serial entrepreneur with two prior exits, Amos is building one of the first truly autonomous businesses. His work focuses on human-AI collaboration, agentic workflows, and redefining how modern companies scale. He is also the author of The Big Shift newsletter and a leading voice on AI-native organizations. ⸻ 🎯 Key Takeaways • Startups can scale with intelligence, not headcount • AI should amplify human “zones of genius,” not replace them • GTM success depends on how buyers want to buy, not how founders want to sell • Context engineering is becoming a core GTM skill • Flat, autonomous teams require stronger leadership, not less • Decision velocity is the biggest startup advantage • Capital matters, but leverage matters more ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn By listening to this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ How to design an autonomous business model ✅ Where humans should stay in the loop with AI ✅ How to use agents to accelerate product-market fit ✅ Why relevance beats personalization in outreach ✅ How to build scalable GTM systems ✅ How leadership changes in flat organizations ✅ How to preserve culture while scaling ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & Amos’ background 02:00 – Why the traditional startup model is broken 04:30 – Building with three people and AI 07:00 – Zone of Genius + AI amplification 09:30 – Human-in-the-loop GTM strategy 12:00 – Choosing the right growth model 15:00 – Selling with empathy 18:00 – Personalization vs relevance 21:00 – Context engineering in GTM 24:00 – AI and product-market fit 27:00 – Decision velocity as a startup advantage 31:00 – Autonomous leadership challenges 35:00 – Culture without hierarchy 38:00 – Fundraising in an AI-native world 41:00 – The “Swan” philosophy vs unicorns 44:00 – Future vision for Swan AI 46:00 – Where to follow Amos 47:00 – Closing remarks ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Swan AI Platform: https://getswan.com/ • Amos Bar-Joseph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amos-bar-joseph/ • Autonomous GPT (ChatGPT Store): https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6800e20892b8819181df24a31ccdbf96-autonamos

    47 min

  8. FEB 6

    #570 The Quantum Founder Mindset: Wisdom, AI, and Conscious Leadership with Alessandro Grampa

    In this deep and thought-provoking episode, Mehmet sits down with Alessandro Grampa, Founder of Whole Grain Wisdom, to explore what it truly means to be a “Quantum Founder” in the age of AI, hyper-growth, and burnout. From panic attacks and founder stress to meditation, neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and artificial intelligence, Alessandro shares his personal transformation and the framework he now uses to help high performers reconnect with purpose, resilience, and inner coherence. This is not a typical startup conversation. It is a masterclass on conscious leadership, mental resilience, and building meaningful companies without losing yourself in the process. ⸻ 👤 About the Guest: Alessandro Grampa Alessandro Grampa is the Founder of Whole Grain Wisdom, a platform that bridges modern science with ancient wisdom to help entrepreneurs and high performers unlock their highest potential. With over 13 years of entrepreneurial experience, Alessandro transitioned from hustle-driven burnout to becoming a guide for founders seeking balance, clarity, and purpose. His work integrates neuroscience, meditation, biohacking, quantum physics, and spiritual practices. Today, he works with select founders through deep transformation programs focused on mind, body, and consciousness alignment. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-grampa/ ⸻ 🎯 Key Takeaways • Why 3 out of 4 founders struggle with mental and emotional health • How external validation drives burnout in entrepreneurship • What “Quantum Founder” really means • The hidden role of meditation and retreats among elite founders • Why consistency alone is not enough for real growth • How AI can amplify self-awareness and consciousness • The link between neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and leadership • How founders can rewire their mindset for long-term success • Why purpose matters more than ever in the AI era ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn in This Episode By listening to this episode, you’ll learn: • How to manage founder stress and prevent burnout • Why many successful entrepreneurs still feel “empty” • How to develop inner clarity in high-pressure environments • The difference between hustle culture and conscious growth • How top founders use meditation, retreats, and reflection • How to use AI as a tool for self-development • Why consciousness is becoming a leadership advantage • How to reconnect with your original purpose as a founder ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Alessandro’s journey 02:10 – From panic attacks to meditation 05:30 – Discovering Eastern philosophy and biohacking 08:40 – Why most founders hide mental struggles 11:50 – External validation vs inner coherence 15:20 – What is a “Quantum Founder”? 18:30 – How elite founders use meditation retreats 22:10 – Recognition vs repetition in personal growth 26:40 – Science meets ancient wisdom 30:50 – Consciousness and reality perception 35:10 – AI as a tool for self-awareness 38:45 – The future of leadership in the AI era 42:30 – When is the right time to start inner work? 45:10 – How to work with Alessandro 47:00 – Final reflections and closing ⸻ 🔗 Resources Mentioned • Whole Grain Wisdom: https://wholegrainwisdom.com

    49 min
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Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world. mehmet@yassiventures.com

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