In this episode, I dive into the world of AI leadership with Andreas Welsh, a renowned AI expert and author of 'The AI Leadership Handbook'. We explore Andreas's impressive career at SAP, his new venture as an AI advisor and expert, his impactful journey on LinkedIn, and his insights into successful AI implementation. Topics we cover: Discover Andreas’s background and his remarkable 23-year career at SAP. He shares pivotal moments and lessons learned from working at one of the world’s largest tech companies. Learn what motivated Andreas to start sharing his expertise on LinkedIn in 2021, and ..read more

My guest in this episode is Evan Shellshear, an expert in artificial intelligence and co-author of the eye-opening book "Why Data Science Projects Fail: The Harsh Realities of Implementing AI and Analytics, without the Hype." With nearly two decades of experience in developing AI tools, Evan shares his insights into the real challenges and pitfalls of data science projects, and how organizations can overcome these hurdles. About Evan Shellshear: Evan is a renowned AI expert with a Ph.D. in Game Theory from the University of Bielefeld. He has worked globally with leading companies across variou ..read more

Brian Ferris is a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in technology and advanced analytics. Brian has an impressive track record, having worked in IT consulting for 9 years and client-side roles for 13 years with major organisations like the European Central Bank, BAT, Heineken, Nike and Loyalty New Zealand. In this episode, we dive into Brian's journey from supply chain operations to becoming Chief Data, Analytics and Technology Officer at Loyalty New Zealand. We explore the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to analytics and the leadership qualities essential for foster ..read more

In this episode, I’m joined by the remarkably versatile Akshay Swaminathan, a polyglot who speaks 11 languages and has carved a unique path from medicine to data science. Currently an MD-PhD candidate at Stanford, Akshay's work has taken him from building clinics in Bolivia to pushing the boundaries of healthcare through data science. Akshay's journey is not just about his professional achievements but also his personal commitment to continuous learning and making a global impact. His transition from medicine to data science was driven by his desire to leverage technology for social good, part ..read more

My guest on this episode is Nikolaj van Omme, CEO and co-founder of Funartech. Funartech is a Canadian company specializing in AI-driven solutions to complex industrial optimisation problems. The company’s secret sauce is combining the two disciplines of Operations Research and Machine Learning. Operations Research is about making the best decisions and solving problems in a structured way, using maths to optimize outcomes. Machine learning on the other hand, is really good at spotting patterns and making predictions from lots and lots of data. The cool part happens when we bring these two tog ..read more

Sandy Iyer has been General Manager of Data Science at Sportsbet since the beginning of 2023, leading a dynamic team that leverages data in innovative ways. But what does it take to lead in such a data-driven environment? How does one balance the promotion of betting products with social responsibility? And how does data shape the strategy of a betting giant like Sportsbet? These are just a few of the questions we'll explore today. I’ve watched Sandy's career trajectory skyrocket in the last few years, and It's been nothing short of inspiring. In this conversation we explore the key elements b ..read more

In this digital age, data is the lifeblood of business. Just as computer literacy became a non-negotiable skill in the 21st century, data literacy is now an essential competency in our increasingly data-driven world. Yet, despite its critical importance, it's an area where many individuals and businesses stumble. Understanding, interpreting, and effectively using data can be challenging, even daunting. The lack of data literacy skills can lead to misinterpretation, misuse, and missed opportunities for businesses and individuals. Many struggle to find a structured approach to elevate their data ..read more

Many large organisations have the data to pull off sophisticated marketing strategies, but only if they avoid the common pitfalls that limit the potential. In this episode I interview Tejas Manohar on the huge – and typically unexploited – potential for data-driven marketing and personalisation. Tejas is co-founder and co-CEO of Hightouch. Hightouch is a reverse ETL platform that helps organisations synch their data warehouses with business facing tools and technology. Their products are used by big name corporations like Warner Music, Chime, Spotify, NBA, and PetSmart. In this wide-ranging co ..read more

Every day, like invisible breadcrumbs, we leave trails of personal data scattered across the digital landscape. Each click, every search, every purchase - they all tell a story about us. But do we know where these breadcrumbs lead? Who's picking them up? And most importantly, what are they doing with them? In an era where data is documenting our lives across a host of platforms, understanding these trails and their implications is no longer a luxury but rather, a necessity. It's about our privacy, our rights, and our well-being in an increasingly interconnected world. In this episode of Leader ..read more

We’re definitely in AI hype mode at the moment largely driven by the evolution in generative AI. However, it seems like this progress is not necessarily driving lots of data-related innovation inside organisations that are not AI-first tech companies. A recent survey published by Randy Bean’s company, NewVantage Partners, confirms this. Here are the main findings compared to when the survey was last run 4 years ago: 59.5% of executives say their companies use data for business innovation – the same as four years ago. A drop from 47.6% to 40.8% of executives say their companies compete using d ..read more