AI InterConnect Podcast

Laurent Cochet
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Daily

Invite Leaders in Businesses from Proptech to B2B and Technology to AI AI Interconnect Podcast is where the next generation of business builders, Proptech pioneers, and AI-native entrepreneurs come to share raw insights, real struggles, and breakthrough ideas. Hosted by Laurent, a Proptech operator turned AI agency founder, this show isn’t another hype machine — it’s a deep-dive into what’s actually working in the trenches of real estate tech, logistics, automation, and AI adoption.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Major Transformation Programs Fail Before Leaders See the Risk

    Host Laurent Cochet interviews Peter Wardle, co-founder of Intelligent Assessments and Managing Director of Mainstay Management Consulting, who has 25+ years in complex transformation, project assurance and program recovery. Peter explains how he moved from turning around failing projects to digitizing assessments for continuous assurance. He also covers why organizations spot major risks too late, and why a single quiet voice can matter more than an average score.In this episode: Peter's path from the Royal Engineers and telecoms to contracting on failing projects and programmesHow the Mainstay health check was digitised (over 2 million variables) and led to Intelligent AssessmentsWhy consistent, evidence-backed data matters, since AI analytics are only as good as the underlying dataA big-four "A-" assessment of a program whose business case assumptions were falseWhy "assurance" is often heard as "audit", and how the three lines of defence model fitsA two-question anonymous survey where one team member said 0% while others said 90-100%Plans for a marketplace where subject matter experts can sell their assessmentsLate risk detection: Peter describes a program given an "A-" by a big-four assessment even though its business case assumptions were false. 0:01 - Intro and guest introduction1:40 - From Royal Engineers and telecoms to program turnarounds3:47 - Founding Mainstay Consulting and the health-check methodology5:34 - Digitising the health check and the idea behind Intelligent Assessments7:52 - The problem solved: consistent assessments, trends and evidence-backed data9:33 - Why major risks are identified too late14:29 - Hardest parts of building and scaling the business17:25 - Do customers understand continuous assurance?20:21 - Anonymous survey example: the go/no-go story25:29 - The next 12-18 months: controlled growth and a marketplace27:52 - Target markets: project management and regulated industries29:25 - Rapid-fire: multilingual platform, "Prove it" and red-amber-green31:56 - Advice to his younger self34:09 - Where to find Peter34:35 - Sign-off and outro Key points project assurance, continuous assurance, transformation failure, project risk management, programme assurance, program recovery, enterprise transformation, project governance, evidence based decision making, project health check, transformation risk, project management, PMO, project delivery, programme management, risk management, maturity assessment, regulatory compliance, assessment platform, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #PeterWardle, #IntelligentAssessments, #MainstayConsulting, #ProjectManagement, #ProgramManagement, #ProgrammeManagement, #ProjectAssurance, #ContinuousAssurance, #ProjectRecovery, #ProjectRisk, #RiskManagement, #ProjectGovernance, #Transformation, #BusinessTransformation, #DigitalTransformation, #EnterpriseTransformation, #ProjectDelivery, #PMO, #ProjectHealthCheck, #EvidenceBased, #DecisionMaking, #MaturityAssessment, #Assessment, Peter Wardle, Co-Founder of Intelligent Assessments and Managing Director of Mainstay Management Consulting, joins AI InterConnect to explain why major transformation programs can look healthy while serious risks remain hidden. Drawing on more than 25 years around project delivery and recovery, Peter explains how weak evidence, inconsistent assessments and human behaviour can distort executive decision-making. He shares why annual reviews often fail, how continuous assurance can surface problems earlier, and why a single dissenting voice can reveal more than an average score. The conversation also covers the evolution from consulting health checks to a configurable assessment platform, the role of evidence in AI analytics, regulated industries, market education and Intelligent Assessments' ambition to become a global marketplace for assessment frameworks. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for founder conversations on AI, technology and business growth.

    Why Major Transformation Programs Fail Before Leaders See the Risk

  2. 4d ago

    AI in Physical Security: Why Smart Cameras Won't Replace Human Guards

    Host Laurent Cochet speaks with Dan Castillo, founder and CEO of ADF Protection, about combining security personnel with AI-enabled monitoring, training, and life-safety services. Castillo draws on decades in the security industry to explain how technology can make protection more proactive without replacing human judgment, and how training, staff retention, and partnerships support sustainable growth. key topics Dan Castillo says ADF Protection’s name represents his wife Amy, himself, Daniel, and daughter Felicia, and that compassion is central to the work. ADF combines guard services with live video monitoring and other technology to help clients build security around their needs and budgets. AI can identify and relay events such as vehicle activity or possible threats, but Castillo says people must interpret information and respond. Parking lots, parking garages, retail centers, and car lots are highlighted as sites where remote monitoring can help detect risks and direct a rapid response. Castillo contrasts technology-supported, proactive security with guards simply standing watch, while emphasizing that human officers remain essential. ADF’s training facility serves security personnel from different companies, focusing on practical skills, state requirements, liability, and professional procedures. To address turnover, Castillo describes giving employees varied responsibilities and making use of their backgrounds so they feel valued. Castillo emphasizes reputation, prevention, budget-tailored security plans, and partnerships with companies whose capabilities complement ADF’s. ADF plans to keep testing emerging tools with client permission and identifies expansion of its physical training facility as a growth area. takeaways “You have to care for another. You have to care for you have to love thy neighbor.” “Being proactive instead of reactive has helped us provide security for a client when it's needed.” “You can't get rid of the human entirely.” “AI is gonna definitely help advance, but it won't necessarily replace.” “There's no such thing as a bad security officer. It's a bad company.” “Don't make the dollar dictate whether or not you need security.” “Your reputation as an individual, as a person, is important.” “It's not the question, is it gonna happen? The question is when and are you prepared.” “Stay in your lane, do what you know that works that you know as a professional, and then build from there.” “Network, attend” action items Assess site-specific risks and budget, then design a combination of personnel and technology rather than defaulting to a fixed security package. Keep a human response process in place for alerts generated by AI or remote monitoring. Invest in practical, policy-aware training for security staff and give employees varied roles that use their experience. Build business capabilities incrementally; when a need falls outside your expertise, find qualified industry partners. Test new security technology with client permission before presenting it as a proven solution. Chapters 00:00 Meet Dan Castillo and ADF Protection 01:23 Compassion and the evolution of security 04:01 Using live monitoring to make security proactive 05:44 Why parking lots and retail sites need coverage 07:24 Staying ahead of crime with technology 09:22 AI supports human judgment, not replaces it 11:30 From analog cameras to intelligent detection 13:22 Why ADF built a security training facility 17:09 Reducing turnover by valuing security staff 19:21 Career development and industry reputation 22:14 Prevention and security plans built around budgets 24:01 Growth through partnerships and field testing 28:49 Advice for building a security career or company 31:26 Where to find ADF Protection keywords AI Interconnect Podcast, Dan Castillo, ADF Protection, security technology, remote video monitoring, AI security, security officer training, physical security

    AI in Physical Security: Why Smart Cameras Won't Replace Human Guards

  3. Oct 25

    Will AI Replace SDRs? The Future of B2B Sales and AI Automation

    In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Mar Sneeg, founder of Ground Game Sales, about how AI is transforming sales organizations. They explore the evolution of AI in sales, building with AI tools, and strategies for integrating AI into sales teams to improve performance and reduce costs. key topics Evolution of AI in sales from cold calling to AI-powered prospecting Building with AI: tools, platforms, and strategies AI coaching and real-time feedback for sales reps Cost reduction and efficiency in global sales teams Using intent signals and data for better prospect targeting Rapid prototyping and implementation of AI solutions The importance of human judgment in AI-driven sales Future trends in AI and sales infrastructure sound bites "AI should improve human performance, not replace it" "You need to learn how to build with these tools" "AI coaching provides immediate, actionable feedback" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest Marc Sneeg 00:27 The evolution of Ground Game from cold calling to AI integration 01:02 Mark's background in real estate and sales 01:27 How Ground Game started and its focus on outbound sales 02:20 The shift towards AI and building with AI tools 04:02 Developing AI tools for prospect context and coaching 06:00 Putting humans at the center of AI in sales 07:26 Building roadmaps and prioritizing AI projects 08:04 Preparing salespeople with AI-driven prospect insights 09:37 The role of volume and quality in outbound sales 12:32 Using intent signals and signals for outreach timing 15:57 AI coaching and understanding why some convert 18:50 AI's impact on sales team economics and structure 22:08 The future of offshoring and global sales teams 23:49 Skills needed for sales roles in the AI era 24:10 Building AI roadmaps and identifying organizational pain points 26:48 Prioritizing AI projects with quick prototypes 28:17 The role of real-life interactions and AI infrastructure 30:24 Preparing for AI integration in future sales organizations 33:14 Closing remarks and where to find more about Ground Game Sales keywords AI in sales, sales automation, AI tools, sales team building, AI strategy, ground game sales, sales coaching, prospect intelligence, AI implementation, sales performance, AI for B2B sales, AI sales automation, B2B sales automation, B2B sales, outbound sales, outbound sales strategy, AI SDR, AI SDR tools, sales development representatives, future of SDRs, AI sales coaching, sales intelligence, intent signals, buyer intent data, B2B lead generation, enterprise lead generation, sales prospecting, cold calling, cold email, human AI collaboration, #AIInterConnect, #Podcast, #MarcSnegg, #GroundGameSales, #GroundGame, #GameTimeAI, #B2BSales, #Sales, #SalesLeadership, #SalesTechnology, #SalesTech, #SalesAutomation, #AISales, #AIForSales, #AISalesAutomation, #AIForB2BSales, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIImplementation, #AIAdoption, #SalesIntelligence, #IntentSignals, #BuyerIntent, #LeadGeneration, #B2BLeadGeneration, #OutboundSales, Marc Snegg, Founder & CEO of Ground Game Sales, joins AI InterConnect to explore whether AI will replace SDRs—or make human sales teams dramatically more effective. Marc explains how Ground Game combines AI-powered prospect intelligence, intent signals, cold calling, global sales teams, and its GameTime AI coaching platform to improve B2B sales performance. He shares why better account intelligence can help salespeople reach the right buyer at the right moment, how AI can analyze calls and provide immediate coaching, and why human conversations remain critical as automated outreach creates more digital noise. The conversation also explores AI implementation, global talent, sales automation, and why real-world human relationships could become even more valuable as AI becomes standard business infrastructure. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and AI leaders building the future of B2B growth.

    Will AI Replace SDRs? The Future of B2B Sales and AI Automation

  4. Oct 25

    AI Is Sucking the Wind Out of Everything: What Happens to Innovation?

    In this episode, Steve Carnevale from Blue Ash Ventures discusses the intersection of AI, brain health, and human performance. He explores the risks of AI-driven systems prioritizing financial returns over human needs, the importance of human-centered AI, and the future of venture capital in AI innovation. key topics AI's impact on healthcare and brain health The importance of human-centered AI Venture capital's role in AI development Neuroscience insights into dyslexia and brain performance The risks of AI prioritizing financial returns over human needs sound bites "We are born with different brains, but society isn't organized around that" "AI is sucking the wind out of healthcare investment" "Prioritize human return over financial gain" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest 02:25 Understanding dyslexia through neuroscience 03:21 The golden age of neuroscience and new discoveries 04:17 The importance of organizing society around brain health 05:30 Blue Ash Ventures' mission and focus on brain flourishing 07:29 Using AI to measure social emotional capabilities in children 09:42 The decline of social emotional skills and AI's role in addressing it 11:30 Concerns about AI funding and its influence on healthcare 13:19 AI's economic impact and the need for human-centered systems 16:45 What human-centered AI means and its importance 18:58 The urgency of creating AI layers that serve human needs 20:23 The risk of AI systems controlling society and the need for regulation 23:39 Distinguishing durable AI companies from fleeting apps 26:26 Privacy concerns and opportunities in AI development 28:42 The future of employment and AI's role in work organization 29:47 Reflections on the venture capital industry's understanding of AI 32:28 The impact of AI on employment and education 33:09 Optimism about AI and brain science advancements 33:55 Key message: Prioritizing human return over financial gain 36:30 Closing remarks and contact information keywords AI, brain health, human performance, venture capital, human-centered AI, neuroscience, healthcare, social emotional learning, AI regulation, impact investing, Steve Carnevale, Blue Ash Ventures, AI venture capital, artificial intelligence, venture capital, AI investment, human centered AI, human-centered AI, AI and healthcare, healthcare innovation, brain health, brain capital, neuroscience, AI and neuroscience, impact investing, future of venture capital, AI funding, AI investment bubble, AI and society, AI and jobs, future of work, #AIInterConnect, #SteveCarnevale, #BlueAshVentures, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #VentureCapital, #VentureCapitalist, #AIInvestment, #AIFunding, #FutureOfAI, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #EthicalAI, #AIInnovation, #ImpactInvesting, #BrainHealth, #BrainCapital, #Neuroscience, #AIandHealthcare, #HealthcareInnovation, #MentalHealth, #MentalHealthTechnology, #HumanPotential, #FutureOfWork, #AIandJobs, #WorkforceTransformation, Steve Carnevale, Founding Partner at Blue Ash Ventures, joins AI InterConnect to challenge one of the biggest assumptions behind today's AI investment boom: what happens when AI starts "sucking the wind out of everything"? Steve explores how venture capital's pursuit of AI returns could divert funding from healthcare and other critical innovation, while explaining why the future needs human-centered AI designed around human outcomes. Drawing on his work across venture capital, neuroscience, brain health, education and workforce development, he discusses AI's impact on jobs, skills, privacy and human potential. We also explore why founders must remain "maniacally focused on the customer," why narrow AI point solutions may struggle, and why Steve believes human return on capital matters more than financial return alone. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders, investors and leaders building the future.

    AI Is Sucking the Wind Out of Everything: What Happens to Innovation?

  5. Oct 25

    AI vs Automation: How to Choose the Right Technology for Your Business

    In this episode, Aanal Shah, founder and CEO of Zillion InfoTech, shares insights on building a tech company focused on business-first solutions, the role of AI in software development, and strategies for scaling and maintaining client relationships. key topics Business-first approach to software development The importance of understanding business problems before building solutions Integrating AI effectively without unnecessary costs Scaling challenges and architecture decisions in tech companies Building long-term client relationships and strategic growth takeaways Start with understanding the actual business problem before proposing a solution. Add AI only when it provides clear benefits in terms of cost, time, or effort. Focus on architecture from day one to enable scalable growth. Balance new feature development with solving existing issues. Build long-term relationships with clients as strategic partners. sound bites "Start with the actual business problem first" "Add automation, not necessarily AI" "Add AI only when beneficial for the business" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest introduction 00:27 Guest background and the origin story of Zillion InfoTech 01:45 Transition from technical expertise to business problem solving 04:22 The importance of understanding business before building software 05:11 Approach to AI integration based on actual business needs 07:00 Case study: Claim Cow SaaS application and AI use cases 09:22 Types of businesses that benefit most from Zillion's services 10:39 Challenges in scaling and architecture decisions 13:42 Balancing new features with solving existing issues 14:45 The realities of running a tech company and ongoing responsibilities 19:36 Future goals and strategic focus for Zillion 22:09 Prioritized markets and industry focus 23:15 What to do with unlimited resources 24:23 Advice for businesses starting with AI 26:29 Questions to ask a technology partner keywords AI, software development, business solutions, startup, scaling, client relationships, AI integration, tech strategy, AI adoption, AI implementation, AI vs automation, AI for business, business automation, artificial intelligence for business, custom software development, AI software development, software architecture, scalable software architecture, enterprise AI, AI strategy, digital transformation, business process automation, AI business value, AI ROI, technology partner, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #AanalShah, #ZillionInfotech, #Podcast #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #AIvsAutomation, #Automation, #BusinessAutomation, #EnterpriseAI, #AIForBusiness, #AIStrategy, #AIBusinessValue, #AIROI, #CustomSoftware, #SoftwareDevelopment, #SoftwareArchitecture, #SaaS, #SaaSDevelopment, #DigitalTransformation, #BusinessTechnology, #ScalableSoftware, #StartupTechnology, #BusinessGrowth, #TechFounder, #FounderJourney, #Entrepreneurship, #FinTech, #AIinHealthcare, #HealthTech, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceTechnology, Aanal Shah, Founder & CEO of Zillion Infotech, joins AI InterConnect to explore a critical business question: when should companies use AI, and when is automation or traditional software actually the better solution? Aanal explains why businesses should understand the problem before choosing the technology, how to measure whether AI creates real value, and why scalable software architecture remains essential even as AI makes development faster. He also shares lessons from building Zillion Infotech and explains the difference between simply providing software and becoming a long-term technology partner. The conversation covers AI adoption, AI vs automation, custom software development, scalable architecture, AI ROI, Healthcare, FinTech, E-commerce, and practical technology strategy. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI and business solutions.

    AI vs Automation: How to Choose the Right Technology for Your Business

  6. Oct 25

    Why Banks Are Using AI to Generate Revenue, Not Just Cut Costs

    In this episode, Dvir Ginzburg, CEO of Encore, shares insights on how AI is transforming customer interactions in financial services, emphasizing revenue generation over traditional metrics like deflection rates. Discover how generative AI can create personalized, revenue-driving customer journeys and the future of conversational banking. key topics AI's role in financial services Revenue generation vs. deflection rate Complex customer interactions in banking Regulatory impact on AI adoption Future of conversational banking takeaways Measuring AI success by revenue, not deflection rate Personalized AI agents can mimic personal bankers Regulations like EU AI Act help move the industry forward Customer trust in AI is increasing, especially among younger users Building the right team is crucial for AI startup success Titles Revolutionizing Banking with Revenue-Driven AI How Encore Uses AI to Transform Customer Journeys sound bites "Measuring AI by revenue, not deflection" "Good conversations are high revenue, not just deflection" "The shift to a fully conversational experience" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dvir Ginzburg and Encore 2166:36:21 Dvir's background in conversational AI at Microsoft and Facebook 5527:43:06 The importance of complex interactions in banking 7749:56:35 Why traditional customer interactions in banking are outdated 13194:23:29 Measuring AI success by revenue, not deflection rate 19333:17:07 The shift to a fully conversational banking experience 349444:24:43 Regulatory changes and their impact on AI in finance 365277:44:48 The future of holistic, conversational financial services 391388:51:38 Customer expectations as AI becomes more common 433333:18:37 Success metrics and scaling at Encore 496111:05:52 Resources needed to accelerate AI adoption 555277:46:35 Lessons learned from entrepreneurship and building teams 571111:06:40 Personal insights from Dvir about leadership and failure keywords AI, financial services, customer experience, revenue generation, conversational AI, fintech, generative AI, digital banking, AI regulation, Dvir Ginzburg, Encore AI, AI InterConnect, AI in banking, AI in fintech, AI for financial services, enterprise AI, conversational AI, AI agents, AI agents for banking, generative AI, revenue generating AI, revenue per interaction, conversational banking, digital banking, banking automation, financial services AI, customer experience AI, AI customer service, AI sales automation, banking innovation, fintech innovation, enterprise AI adoption, #AIInterConnect, #DvirGinzburg, #EncoreAI, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #FinTech, #FinTechAI, #EnterpriseAI, #ConversationalAI, #GenerativeAI, #GenAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #AIinBanking, #BankingAI, #AIinFinTech, #FinancialServicesAI, #AIforFinancialServices, #ConversationalBanking, #DigitalBanking, #FutureOfBanking, #BankingInnovation, #FinTechInnovation, Dvir Ginzburg, Founder and CEO of Encore AI, joins AI InterConnect to explain why financial institutions should stop thinking about AI only as a cost-reduction tool and start measuring how AI generates revenue. Dvir shares how conversational AI and digital agents can guide customers through complex financial journeys, improve conversion, and create experiences closer to working with a personal banker. He explains why traditional metrics such as call deflection can hide poor customer experiences and why revenue per interaction offers a very different way to measure AI performance. We also explore AI adoption inside regulated financial institutions, build versus buy decisions, conversational banking, changing customer expectations, and Dvir's vision for a future where one AI-powered conversation could become the primary interface between customers and their bank. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and leaders building the future of AI and business.

    Why Banks Are Using AI to Generate Revenue, Not Just Cut Costs

  7. Oct 24

    AI Agents for Business: Why Vertical AI Could Replace Traditional SaaS

    Tahir Rauf, co-founder of Keeyu, shares insights into building AI agents for e-commerce, focusing on proactive problem resolution, trust, and scaling internationally. key topics The personal journey of Tahir Rauf and how it influenced Keeyu´s mission The problem Keeyu solves in e-commerce: fragmented systems and customer dissatisfaction The concept of proactive customer care and its benefits The four principles for building reliable AI agents: context, boundaries, escalation, accountability Challenges and strategies for scaling AI solutions internationally The importance of data governance and sovereignty in enterprise AI The shift from traditional SaaS to AI-driven platforms The future of agentic AI in various industries and workflows Lessons learned from building and scaling Keeyu Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tahir Rauf and Keeyu 03:23 Understanding Keeyu´s E-commerce Problem 04:07 How Keeyu's AI Agent Addresses Fragmented Systems 06:00 When Do Retailers Need Keeyu? 06:46 Proactive vs Reactive Customer Care 08:37 Building Trust in AI Agents 09:06 Four Principles of Reliable AI Systems 12:04 The Human Role in AI-Driven E-commerce 13:54 Scaling from Small Retailers to Enterprises 16:36 Challenges of International Expansion 18:07 The Most Underappreciated AI Use Cases 19:24 Governance and Data Sovereignty in AI 21:44 The Future of SaaS and AI Integration 22:22 Goals for Keeyu in the Next 12-18 Months 24:27 Expanding into Enterprise Markets 25:53 The Impact of AI on Tech Resources 26:27 Focusing on Impactful Features 27:59 Advice for Funders and Operators 29:24 Lessons Learned from Building Keeyu 31:19 Closing Remarks and Contact Info keywords AI agents, e-commerce, proactive customer care, data integrity, enterprise AI, scaling AI, AI governance, agentic systems, AI infrastructure, startup growth, AI agents for business, vertical AI agents, agentic AI, enterprise AI, AI automation, ecommerce AI, ecommerce automation, proactive ecommerce operations, future of SaaS, AI replacing SaaS, enterprise AI agents, AI agents ecommerce, human in the loop AI, autonomous AI agents, AI agent governance, enterprise AI governance, AI implementation, AI adoption, AI workflow automation, ecommerce operations, post purchase automation, customer experience automation, proactive customer care, AI agents vs SaaS, vertical AI, Tahir Rauf, Keeyu, ecommerce technology, AI InterConnect, future of enterprise software #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #TahirRauf, #Keeyu, #AgenticAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #VerticalAI, #EnterpriseAI, #EcommerceAI, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceAutomation, #EcommerceTechnology, #EcommerceOperations, #ProactiveEcommerce, #ProactiveCustomerCare, #PostPurchase, #PostPurchaseExperience, #CustomerExperience, #CustomerExperienceAI, #AIAutomation, #WorkflowAutomation, #AutonomousAI, #HumanInTheLoop, #AIGovernance, #EnterpriseAIGovernance, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #SaaS, #FutureOfSaaS, #EnterpriseSoftware, #FutureOfSoftware, #AIForBusiness, #BusinessAutomation, #RetailTechnology, #RetailAI, Tahir Rauf, Co-Founder and CTO of Keeyu, joins AI InterConnect to explore why vertical AI agents could reshape e-commerce operations and challenge traditional SaaS. Tahir explains how Keeyu uses agentic AI to detect and resolve post-purchase problems before customers complain, and why trustworthy enterprise AI requires four foundations: context, boundaries, human escalation, and accountability. He also shares how companies can progressively move from human-in-the-loop workflows toward greater AI autonomy while protecting sensitive customer data. The conversation explores enterprise AI governance, proactive e-commerce operations, the future of SaaS, AI-powered software development, and why founders should focus on real customer problems before building more features. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI systems for real businesses.

    AI Agents for Business: Why Vertical AI Could Replace Traditional SaaS

  8. Oct 18

    AI Underwriting: Faster Lending Without Replacing Human Judgment

    In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Shivi Sharma, co-founder and president of Kaaj.ai an AI-powered underwriting platform, about how AI is transforming financial services, especially in credit risk analysis and underwriting. They explore the practical applications, challenges, and future potential of AI in high-stakes financial decision-making. key topics AI's role in credit underwriting How Kaaj simplifies loan processing Balancing AI automation with human judgment Building trust and transparency in AI models Scaling AI solutions in financial institutions Challenges in AI adoption for high-stakes decisions Market education and customer trust in AI products Future opportunities in small business lending sound bites "AI should help organize workflows, not replace judgment" "Garbage in, garbage out in AI models" "AI gives leverage, not job replacement" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and Guest 00:29 Guest background and journey into AI 01:29 Shivi's experience in credit and fraud risk 02:14 Understanding the problem Kaaj solves in lending 03:16 How Kaj simplifies the loan application process 04:40 The human role in underwriting with Kaaj 06:47 Where AI can automate and where human judgment is essential 08:14 Building trust and evidence-backed AI analysis 10:40 Scaling challenges and market education 12:09 The importance of trust and customer relationships 15:40 Market misconceptions about AI in finance 16:00 The importance of data quality and infrastructure 17:07 AI's role in improving economics of small loans 20:22 Next steps and deeper customer engagement 22:33 Expanding into other lending segments 23:45 Key constraints and hiring challenges 26:41 High-stakes AI and the need for caution 27:50 Lessons learned and underestimations 28:24 Advice to younger self and startup founders 29:45 Closing remarks and contact information keywords AI in finance, underwriting, credit risk, financial technology, AI adoption, risk analysis, fintech innovation, AI trust, small business loans, AI scaling, AI underwriting, underwriting automation, AI in financial services, AI in fintech, SMB lending, small business lending, equipment finance, credit risk, credit risk automation, automated underwriting, human judgment in AI, AI lending, commercial lending, lending operations, financial services AI, AI credit analysis, credit underwriting, underwriting technology, lending technology, AI adoption , Shivi Sharma, Kaaj.ai, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #ShiviSharma, #Kaaj, #KaajAI, #FinTech, #FinTechPodcast, #AIUnderwriting, #Underwriting, #UnderwritingAutomation, #AutomatedUnderwriting, #AIinFinTech, #AIinFinancialServices, #FinancialServicesAI, #SMBLending, #SmallBusinessLending, #EquipmentFinance, #CommercialLending, #CreditRisk, #CreditRiskManagement, #CreditAnalysis, #CreditUnderwriting, #LendingAutomation, #LendingTechnology, #FinTechInnovation, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIAdoption, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #ExplainableAI, #FutureOfLending, #FutureOfUnderwriting, #DigitalLending, #LoanAutomation, #LendingOperations, #SmallBusinessFinance, #AIForBusiness, #FinancialTechnology, Shivi Sharma, Co-Founder & President of Kaaj.ai, joins AI InterConnect to explore how AI underwriting can make SMB lending faster and more efficient without removing human judgment from credit decisions. Shivi explains how Kaaj uses AI to analyze borrower documents, identify inconsistencies, organize evidence and prepare information for underwriters. She discusses why trust and explainability matter in financial services AI, why buyers care about business outcomes rather than AI itself, and how automation can help lenders scale without proportional headcount growth. She also explores how better underwriting economics could make smaller commercial loans more attractive to lenders. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and operators building practical AI businesses.

    AI Underwriting: Faster Lending Without Replacing Human Judgment
See All (281)

About

Invite Leaders in Businesses from Proptech to B2B and Technology to AI AI Interconnect Podcast is where the next generation of business builders, Proptech pioneers, and AI-native entrepreneurs come to share raw insights, real struggles, and breakthrough ideas. Hosted by Laurent, a Proptech operator turned AI agency founder, this show isn’t another hype machine — it’s a deep-dive into what’s actually working in the trenches of real estate tech, logistics, automation, and AI adoption.

Information

  • Creator
    Laurent Cochet
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Laurent Cochet
  • Show Website
    AI InterConnect Podcast