Episodes
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Kristen Forward, Design Technology Futures Leader at NBBJ, joins Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI and computational design are revolutionizing architectural practice. From her unique journey starting in finance to becoming a pioneer in architectural technology, Forward shares insights into how one of Seattle's preeminent architecture firms is integrating AI into their design process. She discusses how data-driven approaches and artificial intelligence...
Published 11/22/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Professor Shyam Gollakota, a pioneering researcher and entrepreneur from the University of Washington's Mobile Intelligence Lab. Gollakota shares his groundbreaking work on intelligent hearables and proactive speech agents that could revolutionize how we interact with sound and AI. From noise-filtering earbuds that can isolate specific voices in crowded spaces to AI agents that anticipate our needs in real time,...
Published 11/07/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, we dive into the critical issue of digital harassment against women with Melissa Hutchins, CEO of Certifi AI. Melissa shares her personal experience with cyberstalking and how it inspired
her to develop AI-driven solutions to combat online abuse. She discusses Certifi AI's innovative approach to detecting manipulated images and videos, including insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of resilience and having a...
Published 10/21/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, we delve into how AI is transforming the banking industry with guest David Gillespie, a technology leader at CIBC. David shares insights into AI-driven innovations at CIBC, from the automation of document processing to enhancing employee performance and discusses the regulatory challenges in the banking sector. He highlights the importance of AI education among business leaders and how CIBC is fostering an AI-forward mentality among its...
Published 10/08/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Mandela Patrick, CEO of Vybe and creator of the Optics app. Mandela, a Rhodes Scholar with a PhD in AI from Oxford, shares his journey from Trinidad to becoming a leader in AI-driven creative technology. The conversation covers the innovative Vybe app, which allows users to easily modify and remix visual content. Mandela discusses the rapid evolution of AI, including recent developments like Google's Gemini, and offers...
Published 09/28/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact for HP and Director of the HP Foundation, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to discuss digital equity in the age of AI and global technological advancement. Malejki shares her journey from Wall Street to Cambodia, and how these experiences shaped her vision for accelerating digital equity on a global scale. From HP's ambitious goal to impact 150 million people by 2030 to the nuanced challenges of the digital...
Published 09/21/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Aviel Ginzburg, founder of Seattle Foundations, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to discuss the future of the startup ecosystems in the age of AI and remote work. Ginzburg shares his vision for reinvigorating Seattle's entrepreneurial scene through a unique blend of physical space, community engagement, and mentorship. From his early days with Techstars to the creation of Seattle Foundations, Ginzburg offers insights into the challenges faced by modern...
Published 09/12/24
In this episode of Shift AI, host Boaz welcomes Bethanie Maples, founder and CEO of Atypical AI, for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of AI and education. Bethanie delves into her background and the innovative vision behind Atypical AI, exploring how AI can revolutionize personalized learning experiences. The conversation touches on the broader implications of AI in preparing the workforce of the future, the significance of cultivating diverse expertise, and the evolving role of AI...
Published 09/05/24
In this episode of The Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy, founder and CEO of Augmented AI, sits down with Ken Horenstein, the founding partner of Pack Ventures, a venture firm that supports startups emerging from the University of Washington's vibrant tech ecosystem. Ken shares his journey from growing up in Vancouver, Washington, to becoming a key player in Seattle's venture capital scene, with previous roles at Microsoft's M12 and Venture Out.
Ken and Boaz delve into the art of...
Published 08/27/24
In this episode of The Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy, founder and CEO of Augmented AI, is joined by Doug Seven, Director and General Manager of AWS AI Developer Experiences. As AI continues to revolutionize industries, Doug is at the forefront of this transformation, leading the charge in reshaping how developers write and deploy code with advanced AI tools.
Doug brings a wealth of experience from his time at Microsoft and Amazon, where he has witnessed and contributed to the...
Published 08/21/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Luke Arrigoni, founder of Loti, a company specializing in online protection for public figures. They discuss the transformative power of GenAI in storytelling, Loti's mission to combat deep fakes, and Luke's journey from a software engineer at Hollywood talent agency CAA to becoming the CEO of Loti. The episode delves into the technical and strategic challenges of running an AI startup, the importance of data privacy for celebrities, and...
Published 08/09/24
In this episode, we explore the role of design thinking in AI and data analytics, highlighting the importance of creating human-centered solutions. Chris Willis, Chief Design Officer at Domo shares valuable insights from his career in media, design and technology, emphasizing the necessity of digital dexterity and continuous learning in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. The conversation also delves into the potential and challenges of AI, addressing the risks of over-reliance on...
Published 08/01/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, Boaz, founder and CEO of Augmented AI, engages in an enlightening conversation with Mike Nash, CEO and founder of Trelliswork. The discussion explores the significance of managing and leading teams in the evolving technological landscape, particularly with the integration of AI tools and workflows. Mike delves into the operational challenges faced by organizations and how Trelliswork aims to orchestrate team operations more effectively. The episode...
Published 07/25/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy, CEO of Augmented AI, hosts Yuval Neeman and Amy McCullough, managing directors at Trilogy Equity Partners. They discuss Gen AI's potential to revolutionize the workforce by automating mundane tasks and making advanced services more accessible. Yuval and Amy share their journeys to venture capital, Trilogy's investment thesis, and highlight portfolio companies like Alongside and Bright Canary. The discussion also touches on the qualities...
Published 07/16/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, Rebecca, the CEO of Partnership on AI, discusses the dynamic impacts of AI on the job market, job quality, and worker well-being. Reflecting on her diverse career background and early influences, Rebecca emphasizes the necessity for multi-stakeholder collaborations, responsible AI development, and proactive workforce planning. She highlights AI's dual nature, bringing both opportunities and challenges, and stresses the importance of regulatory...
Published 07/08/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy, founder and CEO of Augmented AI, hosts Todd Bishop, co-founder of GeekWire, and Adam Tratt, marketing consultant at Squirrelfish, for an engaging discussion on the impact and future of AI in the world of media, marketing and startups. The conversation covers a variety of topics that range from Todd's perspective on Google’s approach to AI and Adam's ethical considerations in AI and marketing.
They delve into the rapid advancements...
Published 06/19/24
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy, founder and CEO of Simply Augmented, interviews Monica Ares, the Executive Director of Innovation, Digital Education, and Analytics at Imperial College London Business School Idea Lab. They discuss Monica's journey from teaching and working at tech giants like Amazon and Meta to her current role in advancing immersive and AI-driven educational technologies. Topics include the convergence of AI and immersive experiences, the...
Published 06/06/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, host Boaz welcomes Jim Loter, the Interim CTO of the City of Seattle, to discuss the city's approach to AI policy, its impacts on public service, and the future of technology in the government sector. Jim shares his background and experiences in technology and highlights the importance of responsible and factual use of AI technology and the need for human involvement in decision-making. The episode also covers the formation of AI guidelines in Seattle,...
Published 05/18/24
In this episode, Boaz Ashkenazy interviews Pablo Castro, a distinguished engineer at Microsoft. They discuss Pablo's background and journey at Microsoft, his current work in Azure Open AI and databases, and the practical applications of AI in business. They also explore exciting developments in large language models and address concerns about hallucination in AI systems. Pablo emphasizes the importance of security and responsible AI and shares insights into Microsoft's direction in AI. He...
Published 05/05/24
Yifan Zhang's journey from a Harvard graduate to a serial entrepreneur and now the Managing Director at AI2 Incubator exemplifies her evolution within the tech startup ecosystem. Immigrating from China, she first ventured into the startup world by founding GymPact, a fitness app, followed by Loftium, an innovative home ownership model. Zhang's transition to investor at AI2 Incubator marks a new chapter where she leverages her experience to mentor early-stage AI startups with a focus on...
Published 04/01/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy interviews Varun Puri, the founder and CEO of Yoodli, who shares his journey from working at Google to starting his own AI startup Yoodli. Yoodli is an AI-powered speech coaching tool that helps individuals improve their communication skills. Puri discusses the importance of effective communication and how Yoodli can be used as a personalized coach. He also highlights the positive response of Yoodli by users and organizations and...
Published 03/10/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy interviews Sarah Nagy, CEO of Seek.ai, discussing her journey from astrophysics and finance to leading one of the fastest-growing AI companies. Sarah shares insights into her transition from quantitative analysis and data science in finance to creating Seek.ai, which aims to make data more accessible to non-technical users through natural language interfaces. She highlights the significance of large language models in facilitating...
Published 03/03/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, Joe shares his unique journey from a tech-savvy business professional to a state senator in Washington, emphasizing his work on technology legislation, particularly around AI and facial recognition. The discussion covers the challenges and opportunities of regulating AI technology, balancing innovation with privacy and ethical considerations. They also explore Joe's personal use of AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance his legislative effectiveness,...
Published 02/09/24
In this episode of the Shift AI podcast, David Nilssen, CEO of DOXA Talent, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of the global workforce and the significance of remote work. He highlights the necessity of developing an international talent strategy in response to the enduring scarcity of talent. Nilssen delves into his personal journey, from early career influences to leading DOXA Talent, emphasizing the role of AI and innovative practices in shaping modern employment. Throughout the...
Published 01/29/24