Simple Tech Talk

Simplify Tech
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Discover how AI is revolutionizing industries from healthcare to finance, offering actionable insights and innovative solutions. Whether you’re a business leader, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI, Simple Tech Talk brings you deep dives into AI’s transformative impact through conversations with top industry leaders and CEOs. Learn directly from the executives shaping the future, and get the latest strategies to leverage AI effectively in your own industry. Join us on this journey to decode technological advancements and simplify complex innovations. Subscribe today to not miss out on the opportunity to understand AI through the eyes of those leading its charge.

  1. 05/29/2025

    AI in Healthcare: Innovation, Ethics & Global Collaboration with Dr. Ala Santos

    00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Ala Santos00:27 – Her journey from Poland to global health innovation01:12 – Transitioning from academia to real-world impact02:30 – Patients as the driving force behind innovation03:38 – AI in science: a tool for expansion, not replacement06:00 – How AI is reshaping the scientist’s daily workflow08:00 – Risks of relying on flawed AI outputs09:50 – Navigating the quality of data fed into AI11:00 – Importance of skepticism in the AI era12:30 – Moving from in vitro to in silico experimentation13:32 – Data privacy and IP concerns in healthcare AI16:00 – AI’s potential to enhance global collaboration18:00 – How AI could attract new minds to science21:14 – Bridging the gap between academia and industry22:03 – Advice: prioritize human networks in a tech-driven world23:27 – Closing thoughts and gratitude

    25 min

  2. 05/24/2025

    AI for Earth: Daniel White on Tech, Nature & Transforming Environmental Impact

    00:00 – Meet Daniel White, serial environmental entrepreneur and founder of Gentian and Signal. 00:30 – Daniel shares how childhood birdwatching led to a lifelong passion for nature and ecology. 02:30 – Discussing early innovations like insulating buildings via abseiling and promoting green roofs. 04:00 – Using behavioral science to reduce household energy use through randomized trials. 05:00 – How nudging pilots led to $6M in fuel savings and lower CO₂ emissions for Virgin Atlantic. 07:00 – Building Signal to help pilots and shipping crews become more fuel efficient with data. 09:00 – Introducing Gentian: using AI and satellite imagery to map and monitor biodiversity. 12:30 – Why private sector stakeholders must care about pollination, crop yield, and nature loss. 14:00 – Exploring global legislation pushing biodiversity efforts across industries. 16:00 – Daniel shares entrepreneurial lessons: grit, creativity, and staying grounded. 19:00 – AI is not just helpful—it’s essential for solving the biodiversity crisis at scale. 23:00 – Using data-driven nudges and gamification to encourage eco-friendly decision making. 26:00 – Future outlook: tighter regulations, better satellite tech, and a purpose-driven workforce. 28:30 – Final reflections on hope, collaboration, and building solutions that matter.

    30 min

  3. 04/26/2025

    The Hidden Crisis in AI Development: No One’s Testing

    In this episode, we sit down with Alon Bochman, a seasoned AI leader and founder of RagMetrics, whose career spans leadership roles at Google, Microsoft, FactSet, and a successful startup exit to Thomson Reuters. Alon breaks down the urgent gaps in AI testing today, why bilateral evaluation between humans and AI is the future, and shares a chilling real-world example of autonomous agents evolving faster than expected. We dive into why true AGI might be forever elusive (because we keep redefining it), the moral and economic need for universal basic income, and why today's "chatbot phase" is just the first flicker of a much larger AI revolution—akin to the dawn of electricity. A must-listen for anyone thinking seriously about building with AI, investing in AI, or simply understanding where this tech tidal wave is headed. Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Alon Bochman: Ex-Google, Ex-Microsoft, now Founder of RagMetrics00:50 – Journey from fintech to leading AI teams at major tech giants01:50 – The problem no one talks about: Why AI apps often skip real testing03:50 – The three bad choices in AI evaluation today06:12 – How bilateral feedback loops improve AI testing and model reliability08:18 – Human bias in feedback: Lessons learned from FactSet tech support automation13:43 – The importance of read/write knowledge bases to adapt with change15:43 – RagMetrics’ mission: Making AI evaluation scalable and less painful16:08 – Redefining AGI: Why we move the goalposts every time computers get better21:10 – AI’s impact on jobs: Why universal income may become a necessity25:29 – The electricity analogy: How AI will transform industries like a silent revolution27:54 – The scariest AI demo Alon ever saw: Agents that build their own tools32:36 – Using AI personally: Learning, demo generation, and accelerating workflows34:49 – Final advice to entrepreneurs: Just start, but test before you ship Notable Quotes“If you're not testing your AI today, you're building a bridge without running trucks over it.”“AI will never reach AGI—because AGI keeps getting redefined.”“Progress is unstoppable. The only question is whether you're the Roomba—or the person programming it.”“Testing is the bridge from hobby projects to real-world value.”“The scariest thing I saw? An agent learning to create its own tools in 25 lines of code.” Links & ResourcesAlon Bochman on LinkedInRagMetrics WebsiteTaran Agarwal on LinkedInSimplify Tech Website

    38 min

  4. 04/19/2025

    From Unicorns to Underwriting: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do

    In this episode, we go global with Michael Beda, CEO of Eden Global Capital, as he shares his fascinating journey—from helping shape China’s financial infrastructure to using AI to transform investment workflows in Southeast Asia. We explore how AI is revolutionizing private equity, risk analysis, and document automation—especially in emerging markets. Michael candidly shares how he went from banning ChatGPT at his firm to watching one analyst deliver the best report of their life—with AI’s help. From scaling a fintech unicorn to warning entrepreneurs about misusing AI models in messy data environments, this episode is rich with global insight, practical takeaways, and advice for anyone looking to blend finance, innovation, and tech. Chapters00:00 – Intro to Michael Beda: From Wall Street dreams to global finance01:46 – Navigating the 2008 crisis and pivoting to China’s financial boom03:28 – Helping launch HuaXia Finance and China’s social credit infrastructure04:24 – The birth of Edoru: Tokenizing private equity to unlock liquidity06:04 – Building Eden Global: Connecting Asian industries with Western capital07:41 – Risk management with AI: Why models fail without clean data11:31 – What private equity taught him about scaling and adaptation15:11 – From 1,200 analysts to 50: How AI could’ve transformed underwriting18:11 – A real-life AI pivot: How one analyst proved AI’s edge at Eden22:48 – Job evolution vs. elimination: Why AI made his team happier25:26 – Practical advice: Learn the tools now or get left behind27:08 – Most impacted industries: Finance, analysis, and creative operations29:15 – AI vs. robotics: What’s real, what’s hype, and what’s still far off31:28 – Personal use of AI: As an executive assistant and scheduling co-pilot33:19 – Advice to entrepreneurs: Start broad, solve one clear problem37:39 – Final take: If nobody would buy it, it’s not worth building Notable Quotes“AI didn’t replace our analysts. It made them faster, happier, and more creative.”“Progress is unstoppable. The only question is whether you’re the Roomba or the person programming it.”“Garbage in, garbage out. Models are only as good as the data you feed them.”“If you’re starting something new, ask: would someone actually buy this?” Links & ResourcesMichael Beda on LinkedInEden Global Capital WebsiteTaran Agarwal on LinkedInSimplify Tech Website

    39 min

  5. 04/15/2025

    Storytelling Meets Strategy: Human-Centered AI with Mike Wittenstein

    In this episode, we dive into a masterclass on the future of strategy, storytelling, and AI with Mike Wittenstein, founder of Storyminers and a pioneer in customer experience design. With decades of experience at companies like IBM, McDonald’s, and iPay, Mike shares how story-driven strategy can align teams, unlock creativity, and humanize AI in the process. Mike challenges the buzz around "disruption" and argues that the real power of AI lies in human intent, ethical prompting, and shared understanding. From replacing deliverables with immersive stories to integrating AI as a co-creator—not a dictator—this episode will expand how you think about the intersection of business, tech, and humanity Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Mike Wittenstein and Storyminers01:07 – Early entrepreneurship and the value of cultural experiences03:40 – Career evolution: IBM, digital agencies, and founding Storyminers05:12 – Why visionary leaders need better tools—not just KPIs06:30 – Don’t let AI reshape business—humans must lead the way08:48 – Replacing deliverables with insight, creativity, and co-creation10:33 – Story as strategy: Using “knowledge blocks” to guide organizations12:45 – How immersive storytelling aligns teams and creates buy-in16:16 – Creative + analytical = future-ready decision-making19:03 – Prompting AI with empathy and values changes everything21:15 – From zero-sum to abundance: Reimagining economics with AI24:03 – Stop chasing disruption—start mastering integration27:55 – Mechanical vs. intellectual advantage: Why AI is more than the next internet30:00 – Mike’s personal AI use cases—from therapy to woodworking inspiration32:11 – Embracing discomfort: Why leaders should explore AI in private first Notable Quotes“AI isn’t artificial. And it’s not intelligent. It’s a reflection of us.”“You don’t need another spreadsheet. You need a better story.”“Don’t chase disruption. Master integration.”“Story is the strategy. When everyone sees themselves in the story, they move.”

    35 min

  6. 04/06/2025

    Automating Impact: How AI Powers TBLI’s Investor Matchmaking

    In this episode, we sit down with Robert Rubinstein, founder of the TBLI Group, one of the original pioneers in ESG and impact investing. With over 40 international summits and nearly three decades of mobilizing capital for good, Robert shares why he believes most of today’s sustainable finance movement is still just performance art—and what needs to change. We cover how technology like AI is enabling real matchmaking between founders and funders, why Trust VC is bringing radical transparency to private equity, and how ESG needs less marketing and more accountability. Plus, Robert drops some brutally honest advice for founders about desperation, due diligence, and knowing when to walk away. If you care about reshaping finance, raising capital the right way, or building a regenerative business—this one’s for you. Chapters00:00 – Intro to Robert Rubinstein: Founder of TBLI Group and ESG pioneer01:01 – From oil rigs to founding Europe's first sustainability management magazine02:49 – Why Robert targeted 100 asset owners to reshape global finance04:41 – The “predictable alpha males” of finance and why ESG is just education06:13 – Behavioral economics: money flow matters more than morality08:07 – Why fund managers resisted ESG: bonuses, benchmarks, and burnout11:47 – Europe vs. US: Why ESG progress depends on geography13:40 – Why Robert focuses on illiquid assets over public markets15:10 – Exposing greenwashing: The Better World Prize and why top firms opt out20:18 – Sustainability isn’t a sacrifice—it’s resilience and cost reduction23:51 – Automating investor-founder matchmaking with AI at TBLI27:12 – Finding cultural fit: why personality matters more than pitch decks29:19 – Launching Trust VC: A Glassdoor for venture capital35:05 – Founders, stop being desperate: You have what they need41:18 – Robert’s biggest leadership lesson: filter out the extractive people46:25 – His future hope: make impact investing accessible to retail investors Notable Quotes“Don’t shout Mandarin at someone who speaks Italian. ESG is a translation problem.”“Sustainability isn’t sacrifice. It’s resilience—and it’s cheaper.”“Most VCs never ran a business. Don’t assume they know more than you.”“Founders: if the partner’s not right, walk away. There’s more money than there are great ideas.”“Greenwashing is easy. Accountability isn’t. That’s why we built the Better World Prize.” Links & ResourcesRobert Rubinstein on LinkedInTBLI Group WebsiteTaran Agarwal on LinkedInSimplify Tech Website

    52 min

  7. 03/30/2025

    Why Salespeople Burn Out—and How AI Can Fix It

    In this episode, we’re joined by Deepak Bhootra, a seasoned sales strategist, ICF & Sandler-certified coach, bestselling author, and the founder of Jabulani Consulting. With over 30 years of experience leading sales operations at HP, Sun Microsystems, and Capgemini, Deepak now helps entrepreneurs and sales teams scale smarter using AI-powered strategies. We unpack what it takes to build sales careers that last, how AI enhances rather than replaces human connection, and why it’s no longer enough to just “hustle harder.” From managing burnout to leveraging conversational AI for real-time coaching, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the evolving world of sales. Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Deepak Bhootra and his global sales leadership journey01:21 – Leaving the corporate world to launch Jabulani Consulting after COVID’s wake-up call03:03 – Redefining success in sales: purpose, longevity, and fighting burnout07:59 – Why 70% of salespeople are stressed and how to build a sustainable career13:05 – Augmented, not artificial: AI’s role in freeing reps from low-value work15:14 – The power of AI in surfacing insights from thousands of customer interactions17:39 – Real-time coaching, hyper-personalization, and objection handling with AI21:48 – What separates top sales performers in the age of AI24:30 – Deepak’s go-to slogans about AI and sales (“AI doesn’t replace reps, it replaces inefficiency”)30:59 – Guardrails, hallucinations & the danger of lazy AI prompting in sales workflows40:49 – Final advice for entrepreneurs: solve inefficiencies first, then layer in AI tools Notable Quotes“AI doesn’t replace salespeople. It replaces inefficiency.”“You won’t lose your job to AI—you’ll lose it by not using AI.”“Sales longevity is about building habits that help you thrive, not just survive.”“Stop thinking of AI as artificial intelligence. It’s augmented intelligence.” Links & ResourcesDeepak Bhootra on LinkedInJabulani Consulting WebsiteTaran Agarwal on LinkedInSimplify Tech Website

    45 min

  8. 03/22/2025

    Feeding the Future: How AI is Changing Agriculture & Food Systems

    In this episode, we sit down with Meifan Shi, Co-Managing Partner at Waterpoint Lane and a seasoned investor and board leader with experience at Amazon Web Services, T-Mobile, and BlackBerry. Meifan shares her remarkable journey from tech engineering to building AWS’s private equity platform and ultimately launching her venture fund focused on agri-food tech and sustainability. We discuss the practical ways AI is revolutionizing farming—from predictive analytics in weather-related risk management to genomics and livestock health monitoring. Meifan also tackles tough topics like AI’s potential to widen economic gaps, misinformation risks, and the vital importance of diversity in AI development. Whether you're interested in venture investing, sustainable tech, or AI’s role in shaping future economies, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful discussion. Chapters00:00 – Intro to Meifan Shi: From engineer at BlackBerry to co-founder at Waterpoint Lane01:51 – Transitioning from Silicon Valley tech to NYC venture capital and private equity at AWS03:14 – Launching Waterpoint Lane: Investing in late seed-stage agri-food tech startups04:38 – How AI is transforming agriculture, data analytics, and farm management09:14 – Practical AI use case: Predicting crop yields and managing weather-related risks11:23 – AI innovations in livestock farming and disease detection13:04 – Ethical concerns: AI’s impact on small farms, misinformation, privacy, and bias17:10 – AI in private equity: Streamlining due diligence, identifying trends, and assessing risks21:37 – Will AI displace jobs or enhance human roles? Industries at risk and new opportunities26:53 – Lessons from the dot-com bubble: Is AI facing a similar hype cycle?30:33 – Personal use of AI: Learning French, health monitoring, and productivity33:20 – AI in education: Enhancing or weakening critical thinking and problem-solving skills?37:10 – Advice for entrepreneurs: How to effectively integrate AI into business strategies41:27 – The importance of diversity in AI and business for innovation and decision-making Notable Quotes“AI is not just robots in movies—it's data analytics transforming everyday decisions.” – Meifan Shi“The real power of AI in investing is improving accuracy, speed, and risk management in due diligence.”“If you're chasing trends without clear purpose, you'll never succeed with AI.” – Meifan Shi Links & ResourcesMeifan Shi on LinkedInWaterpoint Lane WebsiteTaran Agarwal on LinkedInSimplify Tech Website

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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6 Ratings

About

Discover how AI is revolutionizing industries from healthcare to finance, offering actionable insights and innovative solutions. Whether you’re a business leader, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI, Simple Tech Talk brings you deep dives into AI’s transformative impact through conversations with top industry leaders and CEOs. Learn directly from the executives shaping the future, and get the latest strategies to leverage AI effectively in your own industry. Join us on this journey to decode technological advancements and simplify complex innovations. Subscribe today to not miss out on the opportunity to understand AI through the eyes of those leading its charge.

Information

  • Creator
    Simplify Tech
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Simplify Tech
  • Show Website
    Simple Tech Talk