Tech Observer

Tech Observer

Tech Observer Podcasts bring diverse perspectives from government technology leaders, CIOs, CISOs, CTOs and policy makers on the use of technology for governance, operational efficiency and improving public service delivery.

  1. The Digital India Podcast with Pearson CTO Dave Treat: AI, EdTech & Future of Learning | Ep11 Mohd Ujaley

    07/16/2025

    The Digital India Podcast with Pearson CTO Dave Treat: AI, EdTech & Future of Learning | Ep11 Mohd Ujaley

    🎙 Digital India Podcast📍 Listen here: https://techobserver.in/podcast📩 Guest Suggestions: editor@techobserver.in 🔔 Subscribe to Our Channels:▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/TechObserver🎵 Spotify: spotify.com/TechObserver📱 Facebook: facebook.com/techobservor🐦 X (Twitter): x.com/techobservor💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/techobserver📸 Instagram: instagram.com/techobserver ⏱ Timestamps:01:12 – From FinTech to EdTech: Dave Treat's career shift04:30 – Pearson’s 3 core businesses (Content, Distribution, Assessment)07:45 – AI tools already used by teachers for 18+ months11:20 – Why Indian R&D is Pearson’s "innovation lighthouse"15:10 – Spatial computing’s future in 3D learning18:40 – Quantum computing’s encryption challenge20:01 – Startups' role in Pearson's digital transformation journey 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of the Digital India Podcast, host Mohd Ujaley, Editorial Director of Tech Observer Magazine, speaks with Dave Treat, Chief Technology Officer at Pearson. They explore the role of AI in education, Pearson’s digital transformation, and the future of personalised learning. Dave also shares insights on legacy modernisation, immersive tech, quantum-safe encryption, and how Pearson works with startups to drive innovation. Dave Treat shares his views around: ✅ From FinTech to EdTech: Lessons from banking to education innovation✅ Why Pearson is advancing faster in AI than banks ever did✅ How the “Learn to Earn” mindset is shaping workforce development✅ Why teachers need AI—to focus on what matters most✅ India’s role in Pearson’s global R&D and innovation strategy✅ How quantum computing could disrupt encryption in education✅ Why startups help keep Pearson agile—even after 181 years 🎓 A must-listen for educators, edtech founders, policy makers, and anyone curious about the future of learning! 👤 Follow Dave Treat, CTO, Pearson:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidbtreat 📰 About Tech Observer Magazine:Tech Observer Magazine is India’s premier technology news publication, delivering in-depth analysis on government tech, public sector innovation, defence, enterprise IT, emerging startups, telecom, and consumer electronics. #EdTech #AIinEducation #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Pearson #AI #podcast

    21 min
  2. Kayzad Hiramanek, COO, Edelweiss Life Insurance with Mohd Ujaley | Episode 10 | The Digital India Podcast

    07/08/2025

    Kayzad Hiramanek, COO, Edelweiss Life Insurance with Mohd Ujaley | Episode 10 | The Digital India Podcast

    In the latest episode of The Digital India Podcast, Kayzad Hiramanek, Chief Operating Officer of Edelweiss Life Insurance, shares insights from his 25-year leadership journey across diverse industries. In conversation with host Mohd Ujaley (Editorial Director, Tech Observer Magazine), they explore transformative leadership approaches, systemic challenges in India's insurance adoption, and the technological innovations reshaping financial services. Hiramanek champions leaders who recruit "people smarter than themselves" and decentralise decision-making. "The true measure of leadership," he observes, "lies in building systems where teams function autonomously—even if it diminishes your own indispensability." His perspective is informed by an unconventional career path that began in hospitality before transitioning through telecom to insurance, demonstrating that adaptive thinking trumps sector-specific expertise. With life insurance penetration stagnating at 3-4%, Hiramanek pinpoints three critical barriers: Demographic Disconnect: Young Indians prioritize immediate needs over long-term protection Education Deficit: No standardized curriculum on financial planning fundamentals Design Complexity: Actuarial products alienate returns-focused consumers He credits regulatory innovations like Bima Sugam (unified insurance marketplace) and Bima Vahak (last-mile women agents) for driving inclusion, alongside pandemic-driven digitisation of claims processes through tools like verifiable digital death certificates. While describing insurance as "the original data science industry" (rooted in actuarial models), Hiramanek offers measured perspectives on emerging tech: AI Today: NLP-powered chatbots handle 68% of routine customer queries (internal metrics) Underwriting Realities: Still dependent on traditional verification (Aadhaar, medical exams, financial disclosures) AI Frontiers: Agentic AI automates workflows but yet to replicate human risk assessment As regulators work toward Insurance for All by 2047, Hiramanek stresses product simplification and India Stack integration. His leadership mantra—"Fail fast, recover faster"—reflects his cross-industry evolution and applies equally to tech adoption and talent development. #InsuranceInnovation #LeadershipMatters #FintechIndia #DigitalTransformation #Podcast

    21 min
  3. The Digital India Podcast: Keith Odom, EVP, Consulting & Services, AHEAD | Mohd Ujaley | Episode 06

    04/27/2025

    The Digital India Podcast: Keith Odom, EVP, Consulting & Services, AHEAD | Mohd Ujaley | Episode 06

    India’s Tech Talent: Driving the Global Cloud and AI Transformation In this episode of The Digital India Podcast, host Mohd Ujaley, Editorial Director, Tech Observer Magazine, explores how India’s technology sector is shaping the future of global digital transformation. With the cloud services market projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, India now supplies 45% of the world’s cloud technology workforce. This episode examines what this means for businesses worldwide and how companies are leveraging India’s expertise. We take a closer look at AHEAD, a US-based technology consulting firm that relies on over 500 professionals in India to deliver cloud strategies, AI solutions and managed services. Keith Odom, EVP at AHEAD, explains why India plays such a critical role in their global operations. Key discussion points include: How India’s talent pool supports global cloud adoption The challenges companies face in implementing AI Balancing innovation with cost efficiency Why security has become the top priority in technology Industries leading digital transformation, including healthcare and finance The episode also covers AHEAD’s plans to expand its workforce in India, highlighting the country’s growing importance in the tech industry. Whether you work in technology, business or simply want to understand India’s role in digital innovation, this episode offers valuable insights. The Digital India Podcast provides analysis of India’s technology landscape and its global impact. Listen now to stay informed about the latest developments in tech.

    15 min

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Tech Observer Podcasts bring diverse perspectives from government technology leaders, CIOs, CISOs, CTOs and policy makers on the use of technology for governance, operational efficiency and improving public service delivery.