The Tech Talks Daily Podcast Neil C. Hughes

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sits down with Monika Liikamaa, Co-CEO of Enfuce, for a conversation that takes us from a hotel lobby to a moving taxi—illustrating that innovation never stands still.
With operations across Europe and numerous accolades under its belt, Enfuce is at the vanguard of modern payment processing. The discussion kicks off with the audacious strategic decision by Enfuce to move card issuing entirely to the cloud, positioning the company as a trailblazer in a highly competitive industry.
However, the episode isn't just a chronicle of tech milestones; it’s also a study in unconventional leadership. With Monika at the helm as Co-CEO—a rarity in any industry, but particularly in fintech—Enfuce is challenging the status quo on multiple fronts. Monika elucidates how this distinctive leadership model has been pivotal for the company, especially in navigating the complex fintech landscape.

Amid these business insights, Monika confronts an issue that the tech world often sidesteps: gender imbalance in leadership. With women making up a paltry percentage of CEOs in financial services globally, Monika’s perspective serves as both a wake-up call and a beacon of change. Tune in to discover how Enfuce is not just leading in technology, but also in shaping the future landscape of leadership in fintech.

Today, I am joined by Rob Hays, the CEO of Atom Computing, a company specializing in the creation of scalable, gate-based quantum computers.
In an era where quantum computing is quickly evolving from theoretical research to practical application, Rob Hays comes forward with an impassioned perspective on why the United States needs to lead the global race in this pivotal technology. 
As we unpack his views, you will discover a detailed roadmap that includes increased public funding, diversified investment strategies, and the essential role of government partnerships. Rob and I also tackle the increasingly important topic of talent acquisition and retention in the burgeoning field of quantum technologies. The conversation illuminates the U.S.'s struggles and opportunities as it attempts to maintain a competitive edge, particularly when pitted against international rivals in the technology sector.
However, this isn't merely about a race but the consequences of who crosses the finish line first. We will explore the monumental economic value and the array of industries that stand to benefit from large-scale quantum computing. Moreover, we will touch upon the implications of new rules under consideration by U.S. Treasury officials that could restrict the flow of investments and knowledge to foreign companies, particularly in China, which is making strides in semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing.
Join us as we engage in an incisive discussion that goes beyond the headlines to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities, challenges, and vast opportunities in the world of quantum computing. 

In this episode, I am joined by Barry Levett, the CEO of Mypinpad, a B2B SaaS enterprise making remarkable strides in the sector. Headquartered in Cardiff, UK, but with a presence in over 20 countries, Mypinpad aims to be the go-to solution for seamless and secure mobile transactions.
Fresh from securing a $13 million investment led by the respected fintech investor Crossfin Holdings, Barry joins us to shed light on Mypinpad's ambitious goals and innovative technology. He will share how the company actively pursues financial inclusion in emerging markets, helping individuals access and manage their financial resources.
 Given the current global economic landscape, it's an initiative that feels particularly timely, and we'll dive deep into how technology can make a difference in these communities. Beyond its laudable mission, Mypinpad is also setting the industry standard when it comes to security. We explore the company's emphasis on bank-grade security protocols that have undergone rigorous testing. Barry's insights offer much-needed reassurance for anyone concerned about the safety of financial transactions in a digital-first world.
Navigating the regulatory waters of the fintech industry is a complex task, and this is where our conversation takes an intriguing turn. We'll delve into the challenges surrounding PCI compliance, a crucial aspect of data security in the payment card industry. This is a realm where partnerships are invaluable, as Barry will illustrate. Collaborations not only help companies like Mypinpad meet stringent regulatory requirements but also enable them to augment their offerings, thereby providing additional value to customers.
In a time when the payments landscape is continuously evolving, Barry and his team at Mypinpad are keenly attuned to the shifting needs of their customer base. The company is not just reacting to changes in the market but actively shaping it, looking ahead to what secure mobile transactions could and should look like in the future.

Tom McVey, Senior Sales Engineer EMEA at Menlo Security, joins me in a layered discussion about the complexities and potentials of artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing on Tom's extensive background in cybersecurity and AI, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide on how to boldly embrace AI's disruptive power while being vigilant about its ethical and security implications.
The episode starts with Tom addressing the increasing proliferation of AI-generated images, videos, and voices and the threats these pose regarding misinformation and false flag operations. We examine the urgent need for verification tools to discern human-created content from AI-generated material, marking this as an essential line of defense against AI-based threats.
Tom discusses the delicate balancing act of implementing ethical frameworks while not stifling the innovative potential of AI technologies. They also explore the concept of AI models controlling other AI models—what Tom refers to as the 'sci-fi reality' of multi-intelligence-based systems. 
We delve into Menlo Security's latest product, HEAT Shield, and its machine learning capabilities to thwart these complex cyber threats. The conversation also brushes upon how Menlo's unique architecture isolates user interaction from potentially harmful web content.
Towards the end, Tom dismisses the idea of halting AI development, comparing it to the societal transformations unleashed by Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. He argues that pausing progress would be both impractical and counterproductive, giving adversaries an unfair advantage.

Today, I am joined by Jon Trask, CEO of Dimitra, a trailblazing agtech company. Dimitra is revolutionizing the agricultural sector through its blockchain-based platform, designed to empower smallholder farmers across 18 countries. From combating deforestation to leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture, this episode offers a unique glimpse into how emerging technologies can address pressing global challenges.
As an agtech pioneer, Jon outlines how Dimitra's flagship product, Connected Farmer, harnesses cutting—edge technologies— from blockchain and IoT sensors to satellite imagery—to offer a holistic solution to smallholder farmers. The platform equips them with the necessary tools to optimize yields, reduce costs, and secure financial assistance to foster sustainable agriculture.
Jon shares how Dimitra's use of blockchain AI and machine learning can mitigate issues like deforestation while guaranteeing agricultural products' provenance. The dialogue emphasizes the critical role of education and training for farmers, elucidating how the adoption of these emerging technologies can redefine the agricultural industry.
With an eye on the European Union's sustainability goals and a closing note on Jon's aspiration to meet with Bill Gates, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding technology's untapped potential in advancing sustainable agriculture and combating climate change.
If you're a stakeholder in agriculture, an environmentalist, or simply someone intrigued by the interplay of technology and sustainability, this episode is a must-listen. 

Join me in conversation with Joseph Carson, Chief Security Scientist at Delinea, where we delve into a critical but often overlooked aspect of cybersecurity: its alignment with business metrics. Based on alarming statistics from Delinea's Global CISO research, this episode urges cyber decision-makers to reframe their perspective and underscores the pressing need for integrating cybersecurity with business objectives.
We explore the challenges stemming from the traditional cybersecurity-focused approach, emphasizing a seismic shift towards holistic business security. The statistics from Delinea’s Global CISO research set the tone: 89% of survey respondents reported experiencing at least one negative business impact in the past year due to the absence of alignment between cybersecurity and business strategies. This underscores the importance of the conversation and the pressing need for structural changes.
We discuss the art of communicating the value of cybersecurity initiatives to executive boards. Joseph argues that merely focusing on technical or activity-based metrics such as the number of prevented attacks isn't enough. These metrics must be integrated into strategic business objectives, helping to break down the conventional silos within organizations and positioning cybersecurity as a crucial enabler of business growth.
Joseph shares why businesses need to prioritize the most critical assets and incorporate security considerations early in project development phases. He underscores the significance of a symbiotic relationship between the CIO and CISO roles for better alignment and fortification against looming cyber threats.
Whether you are a CISO, a business leader, or an executive, the discussion renders invaluable insights into aligning cybersecurity strategy with business goals to gain consensus, appropriate budgets, and, ultimately, a seat at the executive table.