In the latest episode of the AI Rising podcast, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Sayandeb Banerjee, Cofounder and CEO of MathCo, an enterprise AI and analytics company known for developing data-driven AI models that enhance decision-making processes.

The discussion dives into whether the debate of open-source vs. closed-source AI still matters to clients today. Banerjee reflects on the enduring resistance to open source and what it means for the industry. They also explore the rise of SLMs, with a focus on Gemma 2—how its portability sets it apart, and whether SLMs make more sense for businesses looking to adopt scalable AI solutions. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with real-world AI applications and industry perspectives!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Ankur Pal, Chief Data Scientist at Aplazo, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) FinTech platform based in Mexico. Ankur, who leads the company’s data organization, is deeply committed to democratizing financial access through innovative technology. In addition to his role at Aplazo, he is an active angel investor with a portfolio of over 40 global companies, including Spenmo, Otipy, Rupifi, and TeachMint.

The conversation begins with a discussion of Gartner’s Hype Cycle Report 2024 for emerging technologies, which projects a plateau for generative AI in 2 to 5 years, autonomous agents in 5 to 10 years, and artificial general intelligence (AGI) in more than 10 years.

Ankur shares insights on how investors are navigating the rapid evolution of foundational AI models, while the hosts also explore the unique regulatory landscape in Latin America, which is fostering innovation in the fintech space. Tune in to this enlightening discussion to learn more!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Anant Vidur Puri, a seasoned Venture Capitalist from Bessemer Venture Partners. The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the Listening-while-Speaking Language Model (LSLM), a model that integrates listening and speaking capabilities, allowing for real-time, seamless interaction.

The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI on the workforce, with insights from a recent Accenture report revealing that up to 44% of working hours in the US are poised for automation or augmentation, with even higher percentages in the UK. The hosts, alongside Anant, delve into the risks this poses, particularly for workers with lower digital skills, and the potential widening of the digital divide.

Anant brings his expertise to the table, emphasizing the critical role of Gen AI in the future of software development. He cautions that businesses not adopting AI will be left behind, as both competitors and clients increasingly demand AI-driven solutions. In a more personal segment, Leslie asks Anant what excites him about entrepreneurs, providing listeners with a glimpse into the mind of a leading venture capitalist.

Tune in to explore the forefront of AI innovation and its far-reaching impacts on both technology and the workforce.

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Srinivas Gattamneni (Srini), CEO of ADA, a global data and AI company headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The episode dives deep into how AI and Generative AI are revolutionizing digital marketing, with Srini sharing insights on funnel management, content automation, and personalized advertising.

The conversation further explores how companies are approaching AI adoption, with Srini emphasizing the importance of foundational platform readiness and data preparedness. Additionally, he provides a comprehensive overview of the AI landscape in Southeast Asia, drawing parallels to the Indian market while noting the unique challenges posed by fragmented government structures, regulations, and cross-border complexities.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on the latest in AI, digital marketing, and the evolving landscape of Generative AI!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla moderated the Accel Cybersecurity Summit roundtable discussion discussing the latest trends and concerns in cybersecurity, particularly in light of recent high-profile incidents and the growing influence of AI.

The discussion features cybersecurity experts and industry professionals including Prayank Swaroop, Partner at Accel, Jossef Harush, Head of Supply Chain Security at Checkmarx, and Ross Haleliuk, Product Manager at LimaCharlie. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from recent cyber attacks and the increasing sophistication of modern threats to the impact of AI on cybersecurity and the challenges faced by businesses in protecting their digital assets.

The experts explore software supply chain security, the role of social engineering in attacks, and the potential of AI to both enhance and complicate cybersecurity efforts. They also discuss the delicate balance between innovation and security for startups, as well as the evolving landscape of enterprise IT security in an era of rapid AI adoption. Tune in for an insightful episode!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla delve into the potential impact of a newly passed bill in Karnataka which directs private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas. As the state grapples with the implications of the legislation, questions have arisen about whether it will tarnish its reputation as a tech hub. Our hosts further discuss the silliness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day, celebrated on July 16 each year. While intended to spotlight AI innovation and adoption across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and cybersecurity, Leslie and Jayanth question the necessity of dedicating a day to AI, labeling it as a marketing gimmick with no real sanction. Adding to the discussion, Leslie recounts an amusing episode from Google I/O in Bengaluru, where some leadership appeared unaware of the day’s existence, further underlining his skepticism. Tune in for an insightful episode!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla, debunk the news of a ‘robot suicide’ in South Korea and discuss what exactly went down. Recently, a case was reported from Gumi City Council in South Korea where a civil servant robot allegedly 'committed suicide', which was termed as the country’s first 'robot suicide'.

The Daily Mail had reported the incident and stated that the 'Robot Supervisor' allegedly committed suicide on 26 June as its parts were found scattered under the stairs between the first and second floors of the council building. The robot used to work as an employee of Gumi City Council every day from 9 am to 6 pm.

While the news brings attention to the question of a robot’s rights, it also exaggerates the event. ‘Robot suicide’ would imply that the robot had become sentient. Leslie points out that there was no such thing. Moreover, he adds, the manufacturing company of the robot had released a statement highlighting that the robot was malfunctioning. Attributing the exaggeration of the news to Korean’s love for robots, our hosts discuss whether a robot has rights. Tune in for an insightful episode!

In the latest episode of AI Rising podcast, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla delve into the latest developments in the Gen AI space, the intersection between Data Science and AI, the pros and cons of rapid AI development, and cyborgs.

To discuss all this and more, we were joined by Ashwin Swarup, the VP of Data Science and Data Engineering at Nimblework Inc. Ashwin is also the lead of KAIron - a Gen AI platform for Digital Transformation. He points out the similarities between how humans and AI learn - through minimizing the error between an attempt and the objective. He adds that since AI is developing rapidly and learning through its mistakes, coders or writers, who were to have gained expertise through such mistakes will now miss out on the same. Our hosts, amicably agree to the point, "A fool with a tool remains a fool." Tune in for the latest developments in the world of AI and expert insights!