• S6 Episode 4: The opportunity for Enterprise AI with Darshan Chandarana and Julia Howes from PWC
    Feb 25 2024

    This podcast episode features an interview with Darshan Chandarana and Julia Howes from PwC about opportunities in enterprise AI.

    They discussed AI adoption across industries, with financial services and retail leading the way, and Darshan emphasised the importance of responsible AI and understanding societal impacts.

    Julia discussed the challenges of AI adoption like determining value and data privacy issues.

    Julia gave examples where Microsoft's Copilot AI is helping non-native English speakers and explains how the future of work with AI could involve remote working and creativity hubs.

    Emerging technologies like augmented reality are also discussed, and our guests encourage experimenting with AI, embracing change, and coordinating cross-functional teams to unlock value from enterprise AI.

    We also discussed:

    • Industries benefiting the most from Gen AI
    • Responsible AI in practice
    • Getting started with AI
    • Why GenAI needs an intelligent approach to adoption
    • PWCs own tool - ChatPWC
    • What are customers asking about Generative AI?
    • What are AI Co-Pilots?
    • AI Strategy and Execution Challenges
    • The need for an AI Council to help co-ordinate activities
    • What do clients need to look out for with AI projects?
    • Common challenges faced in integrating AI
    • Safe, short experiments
    • AI Applications and Data Quality
    • The quick wins for AI projects
    • The need for quality AI-ready data
    • Without good data, there is no good AI
    • Industry-specific LLM's
    • AI Industry Trends and Applications
    • The most unique problems solved by AI
    • Podcast tip - using AI for language translation
    • Preparing the workforce for Gen AI
    • Addressing employee issues around AI deployments
    • Future Work Trends and Emerging Tech
    • The need for critical thinking in the age of AI
    • The future of work under AI
    • Emerging technologies to watch
    • How to stay informed on new technologies
    • 3 actionable tips to prepare for Enterprise AI

    More on Darshan
    Darshan on LinkedIn

    More on Julia
    Julia on LinkedIn

    Resources mentioned in this episode
    The PWC Essential 8 Technologies
    PWC website
    "I am Flame" book on Amazon


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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    Andrew on LinkedIn
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    46 mins
  • S6 Episode 3: Living in the moment - the opportunity for 5G Standalone with Nicki Lyons from Vodafone UK
    Feb 13 2024

    In this episode, we look at a report I wrote in partnership with Vodafone UK to examine how 5G Standalone (5G SA) could transform UK over the next 5-7 years.

    To talk more about the findings, I spoke with Nicki Lyons, Vodafone UK's Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer.

    Some of the predictions in the report include:

    We’ll see the end of Video Assisted Referee (VAR) and poor off-side decision-making thanks to smart ball tech, pitch sensors and player wearables enabled by 5G Standalone (5G SA) – meaning more time is devoted to the beautiful game and less time on disputes.

    Connected clothing will mean trainers will ‘talk’ to each other and collate style and sustainability-inspired looks from other feet on the street, powering your very own AI-powered style guide – enabling fashionistas to discover styles and express themselves in new ways.

    Working with Vodafone, in a new report, leading futurist Andrew Grill predicts how 5G SA could transform the things the UK loves most in the next five-to-seven years – from retail and sports to gaming and entertainment.

    The report supports the growing need for 5G SA infrastructure in the UK, as the proposed Vodafone and Three merger paves the way for UK 5G SA leadership with a pledge to invest £11 billion and reach over 99% of the UK population with 5G SA by 2034.

    More on Nicki Lyons

    Nicki became Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability in October 2021. She’s responsible for external communications, government and regulatory affairs, and sustainable business. Before this, she worked in senior roles at Walgreen Boots Alliance, Unilever, PepsiCo, in UK government and in international development.

    Nicki on LinkedIn

    Resources mentioned in the show
    Ann Patchett Tom Lake book
    Vodafone UK Website
    Vodafone and Three website

    More on the report
    Vodafone press release about the report
    Download the report


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
    Pre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

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    20 mins
  • S6 Episode 2: Celebrating Facebook's 20th Anniversary: Facebook @ 20 with Jason Mander from GWI
    Feb 1 2024

    In this episode, we’re casting our minds back to 2004, when NASA landed the Spirit rover on Mars; the last episode of Friends aired; George W Bush was re-elected US president, and the number one hits were LMC’s Take Me To The Clouds Above in the UK and Hey Ya! By Outkast in the US.

    Over at Harvard University, computer science student Mark Zuckerberg is coding in his dorm room. Lately, he’s been nurturing a reputation as a minor enfant terrible on campus after creating the shortlived site FaceMash, which allowed students to rate each other’s hotness.

    Today, Wednesday, 4th February, he’s about to push “publish” on TheFacebook, which would later become simply Facebook.

    So what does Facebook look like at 20, and what can we learn from this social networking phenomenon?

    To help me answer this and more, I’m joined by Jason Mander, Chief Research Officer at leading global consumer research platform GWI, to dive into their vast research platform and take a deep dive on Facebook at 20.

    Here are the key statistics Jason mentioned on the podcast, extracted from the GWI platform.

    • 75% of people in the UK use Facebook monthly, 66% use it weekly, and 50% use it daily
    • Boomer Facebook usage has increased 20% over the last decade, with around 66% of boomers currently using it
    • Gen Z and student Facebook usage has decreased compared to 10-20 years ago, though around 66% of Gen Z still use it
    • Half of 13-14 year olds are on Facebook, despite declining usage among younger generations
    • TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are the most popular platforms among children
    • Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger – the top 4 platforms in the UK
    • 15% of UK residents purchase secondhand items online weekly
    • Around 50% of Brits use eBay for selling items, 25% use Facebook Marketplace, and smaller percentages use sites like Gumtree
    • Three quarters of Millennials and Gen X in the UK use Facebook, with stable usage over the last 10 years
    • Instagram ranks as the 4th most used social media platform in the UK, used by around 60% of people
    • Facebook Messenger ranks 3rd for pure messaging platforms in the UK
    • iMessage overtakes Messenger among younger Gen Z
    • 96% of Gen Z in the UK use at least one Meta platform like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp
    • Boomers’ Facebook usage is up 20% in the last decade

    More on Jason

    Jason on LinkedIn
    Jason on Twitter

    You can listen to the episode with GWI Tom Smith here.


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
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    Keynote speeches here
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    34 mins
  • S6 Episode 1: The new Y2K? Quantum computing and the threat of Q-Day in 2030 with Chris Johnson from Nokia
    Jan 13 2024

    Twenty-four years ago, the world prepared for the risk of a global meltdown due to the "Y2K bug" - the potential for computer errors related to the formatting and storage of calendar data for dates in and after the year 2000. The issue at the time was many programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900.

    Because many computer systems could not correctly distinguish dates, this had the potential to bring down worldwide infrastructures for computer-reliant industries.

    Thanks to the awareness of this as early as 1985, many systems could be modified in time, and the impact of the Y2K issue was minimal.

    However, a new threat is looming with the advent of Quantum computing. These mega-powerful computers will potentially be able to decrypt current-day encryption by 2030, with some cybersecurity experts suggesting it could even be as soon as next year.

    What does this mean for businesses and consumers? Any currently encrypted data could be stored until such a time that quantum computers can decrypt it, exposing our most important secrets and personal information to bad actors and hackers.

    Are you prepared for the quantum threat? In this first episode for season six, we discuss the risks and opportunities of quantum computing with Chris Johnson, Senior VP and Global Head of Enterprise at Nokia.

    Chris explains how quantum computing will exponentially increase data volumes and processing power, potentially allowing encrypted data from today to be decrypted in the future. He stresses the importance of preparing networks and systems now to be "quantum safe."

    We also explore the positive uses of quantum, such as accelerating research and optimizing complex systems, and Chris shares examples of how quantum could speed up vaccine development and financial analysis.

    Tune in to learn what Nokia is doing in the quantum space, how edge and cloud computing will work with quantum and three actionable steps you can take today to future-proof against quantum threats.

    It's a fascinating look at an emerging technology with worldwide implications.


    About Chris

    Chris is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Enterprise at Nokia.

    A veteran sales and business leader, Chris focuses on delivering critical network solutions for the world's most essential industries. He is a passionate champion of industrial digitalization for enterprises and government organizations, with a deep understanding of how innovative and intuitive digital technologies can bring resilience, productivity, efficiency and sustainability to any operation.

    Drawing on his experience defining business strategies, developing teams, executing initiatives and driving profitable growth, Chris helps Nokia Enterprise customers harness the exponential potential of networks to unlock new business models and build capacity for long-term success.

    Connect with Chris on Linkedin

    Connect with Chris on Twitter


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
    Pre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

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    21 mins
  • S5 Episode 26: The Transformative Impact of Edge Computing with Mark Swinson from Red Hat
    Oct 30 2023

    Curious about edge computing? Want to understand why it's the next big thing in the world of IT?

    My conversation with Mark Swinson, an enterprise IT Automation Sales Specialist at Red Hat, might just be the discussion you're looking for.

    Mark takes us on a deep dive into the world of edge computing, discussing its benefits, applications, and the crucial role of open-source projects.

    We navigate the diverse applications of edge computing, exploring its transformative impact in sectors like retail, autonomous driving, and more.

    Mark also enlightens us on the significant role of AI and Kubernetes in shaping the edge computing landscape.

    Our conversation also touches upon the unique challenges in edge computing and why data security is paramount in this field.

    More on Mark
    Mark on LinkedIn

    Resources Mentioned
    Red Hat Connect London 7 November 2023
    The Age of AI - Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
    Pre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

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    27 mins
  • S5 Episode 25: The Future of Multicloud Technology: A Deep Dive with Steve Young of Dell Technologies
    Oct 17 2023

    On this episode of the Actionable Futurist Podcast, I had an in-depth conversation with Steve Young, UK SVP & Managing Director for Dell Technologies, on why it is now critical that CEOs, CIOs, CFOs and CISOs play a role in driving a well-planned multicloud strategy for their businesses.

    In recent years, cloud technology has proliferated. However, many are realising that not all workloads and applications are suited to a single public cloud environment. Or, in fact, a public cloud environment at all.. As such, going 'multi-cloud' has been implemented unintentionally rather than strategically.

    The need for a multi-cloud approach is now more urgent as companies are deploying more complicated applications and services, so this Podcast is timely and important for business leaders in any organisation to hear.

    The discussion made me realise that multi-cloud strategy is not just about the tech world – and as Steve highlights, it has significant implications for various industries, including financial services and FMCG

    In the podcast, we discussed how a financial services organisation has efficiently utilised multi-cloud for cost and efficiency using ground-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground approaches.

    We also explored Dell Technologies' vision and differentiation in the multi-cloud space and how they focus on enabling customers to consume public cloud-style services irrespective of where their data and applications sit.

    Dell Technologies is helping to bridge the gap in the market for multi-cloud skilled talent. Artificial Intelligence also impacts the multi-cloud environment, and we talked about how AI will function in a multi-cloud world.

    It’s fair to say that multi-cloud environments offer numerous benefits, from increased flexibility and agility to improved cyber resilience; however, the journey towards effective multi-cloud adoption is filled with challenges.

    We examined in detail how each member of the C-suite can benefit from a multi-cloud approach.

    More and more, CEOs understand the importance of technology in driving business innovation and growth. Embracing a multi-cloud strategy allows CEOs to get their organisations on the front foot of digital transformation.

    Steve explained how organisations can successfully navigate the multi-cloud maze through strategic planning, business understanding, and the right technological support.

    We also spoke about the Dell Technologies Forum on November 28th in London that I'm attending, the premier conference for technology enthusiasts and business leaders looking to drive innovation and growth. You can sign up for a free pass at futurist.click/dell-forum

    Resources mentioned in this episode
    Steve on LinkedIn
    Sign up for the Dell Technologies Forum

    This was a sponsored podcast in partnership with Dell Technologies.


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
    Pre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

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    44 mins
  • S5 Episode 24: Transforming the Legal Industry: The Role and Impact of AI with Jaeger Glucina from Luminance
    Sep 8 2023

    The world of law is not immune to the sweeping changes brought about by technological advancements, specifically the advent of Artificial Intelligence. In a fascinating discussion with Jaeger Glucina, Chief of Staff at Luminance, we delve into how AI is reshaping the legal industry and creating new possibilities for efficiency and accuracy in legal processes.

    Built on a proprietary legal Large Language Model (LLM), Luminance uses next-generation AI to automate the generation, negotiation and analysis of contracts. Developed by world-leading AI experts and validated by leading lawyers, Luminance’s specialist ‘legal-grade’ AI is a trusted co-pilot for any legal team.

    From taking a first pass review of any contract under negotiation, to a first-of-its-kind AI chatbot for redrafting clauses on-the-fly and an intelligent contract repository for granular insight into any contractual landscape, Luminance brings AI to every touchpoint a lawyer has with their documents.

    A key area of focus in this conversation is the revolutionary role of AI in contract drafting and reviewing. Luminance is leading the way by using a combination of generative and analytical AI to improve accuracy and efficiency in these areas. This technology allows for the identification of risk elements in contracts and the generation of drafts with simple prompts.

    As Jaeger highlights, this is a significant shift from traditional legal processes and has the potential to greatly improve the working lives of lawyers and legal professionals.

    One of the fascinating aspects of AI's integration into the legal sector is its potential to redefine traditional business models. A significant shift is taking place in how lawyers bill for their services. AI is introducing opportunities for automation, leading to a drastic reduction in time spent on certain tasks. This change is influencing the billing model in the legal industry, moving away from hourly billing towards value-based pricing.

    As the legal industry continues to embrace AI, there's a growing need for digital literacy among legal professionals. The integration of AI into legal processes requires a workforce that understands and can effectively utilize these new tools.

    Jaeger underscores the importance of equipping legal professionals with the necessary digital skills to harness the full potential of AI in their work.

    More on Jaeger
    Jaeger on LinkedIn
    Jaeger on Twitter
    Luminance website


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
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    27 mins
  • S5 Episode 23: Shaping the Future of Enterprise-Grade AI with Umesh Sachdev of Uniphore
    Sep 7 2023

    Imagine a world where AI seamlessly integrates into your daily workflows, driving productivity gains, efficiency increases, and automation.

    AI and in particular Generative AI is all over the media, and now companies are looking at how they should be introducing AI into the enterprise.

    While Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT have been trained on publicly available data, they may not be suitable for always-on and mission-critical systems. So what’s the opportunity for enterprise-grade AI?

    To answer this question, I’m delighted to have on this episode Umesh Sachdev, CEO of Uniphore, an Enterprise-class, AI-native company that has set out to transform businesses delivering compelling and engaging customer and employee experiences.

    As we navigate the exciting yet challenging landscape of AI, we discuss potential pitfalls along the way. Umesh candidly shares insights into vital areas like regulation, data security, and total cost of ownership.

    We dive into how regulation is necessary, including guardrails for AI ensuring ethical use of public data, and protecting against biases and inappropriate use.

    Umesh also provided three actionable steps to ready your business for the AI revolution.

    More on Umesh
    Umesh on LinkedIn
    Umesh on X

    Resources Mentioned
    Jolt Effect, The: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision
    Uniphore website


    Your Host: Actionable Futurist® & Chief Futurist Andrew Grill
    For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

    Andrew's Social Channels
    Andrew on LinkedIn
    @AndrewGrill on Twitter
    @Andrew.Grill on Instagram
    Keynote speeches here
    Pre-order Andrew's upcoming book - Digitally Curious

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    45 mins