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AI is dominating the tech industry, from new LLMs being released to new startups being formed to who will have the most GPUs.  The multi-cloud and AI announcements dominated Oracle's flagship annual conference this week. Today's edition covers all essential products and features announced during the CloudWorld 2024 but before I start the highlights from this week's conference, let me give you some context as it reminded the keynote during the 2022 conference. The 'Internet of clouds' statement made by Oracle CTO Larry Ellison during the opening keynote at Oracle CloudWorld 2022 enables customers to choose cloud services from various vendors and to go for the best cloud service from the cloud vendors. The words that stuck in my mind were "Internet of clouds." What does it mean that, as he said, we need to build clouds like the Internet, which are interconnected and interoperable? Customers have all the choices of services, irrespective of what the vendors are; they are connected. And if I recall, a couple of y

Welcome to this week's Open Tech Talks podcast. I will cover the latest trends in my weekly AI Tech Circle newsletter, exploring the fascinating intersection of technology and society. If you want to subscribe to the AI Tech weekly newsletter, subscribe to the AI Tech Circle dot com and subscribe. You will get AI, ML, and Data science insights every weekend. Today's episode explores a more relevant topic than ever: The Impact and Opportunities of Generative AI on Kids. Before starting this topic, let me share a few thoughts on last year's experience of hosting so many esteemed guest speakers on the show. I was running with so much backlog that I could not publish the last recorded episode last week. I have a backlog of recorded guest interviews and must publish them. So we are back with a fresh look, and now I will start again hosting more guests, primarily focusing on the AI, ML, and Generative AI areas, how we can learn from them, and how we can play our part in community building. Thank you so much for bei

Imagine navigating the ever-evolving tech landscape, from blockchain to AI, and building successful products along the way - how do you manage it all? In the ever-evolving world of technology, staying ahead of the curve requires innovation and a deep understanding of the trends shaping our digital future. From blockchain to artificial intelligence and from Smart contracts to Generative AI, the landscape is shifting at an unprecedented pace. In this episode, I am thrilled to have JB Benjamin, the visionary Founder and CEO of Kryotech Ltd & Akuma Engineering, join us. He's here to share his invaluable insights on various topics, from smart contracts in blockchain to the challenges and triumphs of launching new tech products.   Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or just curious about the journey of a tech leader, this episode is tailor-made for you. It's a unique opportunity to gain insights from a tech leader and explore the future of technology together.   So, tune in, and let's em

Welcome to another exciting episode of Open Tech Talks, where we bring you insights and strategies from industry leaders to help you navigate your professional journey. Today we have a truly inspiring guest with us  who is the Founder and Certified Executive Coach at Human Interfaces, a renowned coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals and organizations achieve their full potential. He brings extensive experience in executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational transformation. His work has empowered countless individuals and teams to reach new heights in their careers.  In this episode, we'll delve into the corporate world and explore practical strategies for advancing your career, whether you're an individual contributor or a manager. Vladimir will share his expertise on moving up the career ladder, effectively communicate your achievements regardless of your personality type, and sell your product as a tech founder. We'll also uncover the one thing Vladimir wishes he

In the latest episode of our podcast, we sit down with Jason Agouris, the CEO of Tristan Group, to explore the intricacies of developing and implementing AI solutions in the business. This episode is packed with valuable insights into the practical aspects of AI adoption and integration, ensuring it meets real-world business needs. Join us in this insightful episode to learn from Jason Agouris about the real-world application of AI in business and gain actionable insights to drive your AI initiatives forward. Episode # 140 Today’s Guest: Jason Agouris, CEO, iTristan Group Jason’s extensive experience in systems integration across retail, fintech, wholesale, and supply chain logistics makes him our go-to guru for data integration and strategy. Website: iTristan Linkedin: JasonAgouris  What Listeners Will Learn: Strategies for validating AI products to ensure they meet business needs. Insights into finalizing the technology stack for AI solution development Typical development timelines and adapting to

In this episode of our Open Tech Talks podcast, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and data strategy with Gray Mabry, the co-founder and CEO of iVenture. With over two decades of leadership experience, Gray shares his insights on how AI transforms various industries, including the financial sector. As an evangelist of company culture, Gray discusses how aligning vision with core values has helped iVenture become a nationally-ranked Managed Service Provider (MSP). This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the practical applications of AI, including tools like ChatGPT, and how they can drive business success. AI Adoption and Customer Perspectives Our guest speaker illuminates how customers are embracing AI. He discusses whether businesses are adopting AI to solve specific problems or keep up with the trend.  The Future of AI Technology In this episode, he offers his perspective on the future of AI technology and shares predictions on how AI will evolve and imp

The latest advancements in text-to-voice technology are opening up exciting new business opportunities. Text-to-voice technology is rapidly improving, making it more accessible and effective for various applications. These advancements are enhancing user experiences and creating new avenues for businesses to explore and innovate. One significant opportunity lies in customer service. Companies can implement more natural and responsive virtual assistants with enhanced text-to-voice models. These assistants can handle customer inquiries efficiently, reducing the need for human intervention and improving service availability. Another promising area is in content creation. Businesses can now generate high-quality audio content from text with ease. This is particularly beneficial for creating podcasts, audiobooks, and voiceovers for videos, enabling companies to reach wider audiences and diversify their content offerings. In the education sector, text-to-voice technology is a valuable tool. It aids in developing ac

Starting a startup is a significant challenge, requiring efforts in securing funding, building a team, and navigating market demands. However, the rewards are substantial. If you get mentors and experienced colleagues, this ride can be very fruitful and amazing. On the other hand, Mentors gain personal growth, professional satisfaction, and the joy of witnessing ideas transform into successful businesses. This process fosters strong networks, brings fresh perspectives, and drives innovation and economic growth. In this episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Leopold, the CEO and Founder of Amsterdam Standard. He brings over two decades of experience in building startups, with 18 successful ventures and three major wins under his belt. His expertise in scaling businesses and developing team augmentation offers new and aspiring founders invaluable insights. Episode # 137 Today’s Guest: Leopold van Oosten, CEO, Amsterdam Standard He has built 18 startups in 20 years, with 3 major wins through his

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the AI Tech Circle, your new hub within the AI community for learning and sharing insights. I'm your host, Kashif Manzoor, a familiar face from the Open Tech Talks podcast, where we've engaged with numerous distinguished guests to dive deep into various tech topics. Alongside these conversations, I've curated a weekly newsletter that captures the latest AI and machine learning developments, ensuring you're always current. Recently, we've been inspired by the feedback from our vibrant community. This led to a great idea—why not bring these cutting-edge AI discussions into an audio format? With your active participation, we've decided to increase our episode frequency right here on Open Tech Talks, launching our very first dedicated AI session! Your insights and engagement are what make this podcast possible. We're eager to make this show as interactive and informative as possible, so please send us your feedback. And, for a fun twist, all our music intros are powered by AI f

The push to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into business operations is becoming increasingly essential in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Organizations are feeling the pressure to adopt AI, not just as a strategic tool to solve real business problems but also to keep pace with competitors and market trends.  This urgency often leads to a critical decision: should AI adoption be driven by genuine business needs, or should it be a response to external pressures to 'keep up with the AI movement'? AI's potential to revolutionize operations, elevate customer experiences, and forge new value streams is truly remarkable.  While the eagerness to adopt AI is understandable, it's crucial to grasp its purpose and potential impact first. A well-defined strategy ensures that AI is integrated to align with core objectives, preventing the wastage of resources and missed opportunities. Episode # 135 Today’s Guest: Denzil Eden, Founder, Smarty.ai Denzil has started her own SaaS App to unify your cale

Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI tools designed to generate text-based content. In advertising, these models use data to produce compelling, creative copy that resonates with targeted audiences. This includes everything from catchy headlines to detailed product descriptions and persuasive sales pitches. How it is being done: Data Input: LLMs require input of existing data such as product information, target audience characteristics, and company branding guidelines. This data helps the model understand the context and requirements of the advertising campaign. Content Generation: The model processes the input data using its pre-trained knowledge base to generate relevant and engaging copy. The AI considers language patterns, industry terminology, and brand voice in its output. Review and Refinement: While LLMs can produce high-quality initial drafts, it's important to note that they are not perfect. The generated content often goes through a review process where marketing professionals adjust to ens

Large language models (LLMs) significantly influence creative writers who write books by offering new tools for generating ideas, improving drafts, and overcoming writer's block. These models can suggest plot ideas, develop character dialogues, or even write entire sections of text, which writers can then refine and integrate into their work. This collaboration can increase productivity and creativity, allowing writers to explore new styles and narratives. LLMs can understand and generate human-like text based on their training from vast literature and online content. This enables them to assist in creative writing by providing relevant and contextually appropriate text suggestions. Today, we spoke to an accomplished writer who is a master in his field, and we discussed how LLMs will help or impact the creative writing process.  Episode # 133 Today’s Guest: Alex Shvartsman, Writer, Anthologist,  and Translator from Brooklyn, NY. He’s the author of Kakistocracy (2023), The Middling Affliction (2022), and Erid

In recent years, how we interact with technology has dramatically shifted, largely thanks to the advancements in Generative AI. This leap forward has transformed virtual assistants and voice user interfaces, making our interactions with different brands more accessible, more engaging, and human-like. Generative AI has empowered virtual assistants to understand and respond in incredibly natural ways. For example, when you ask a virtual assistant powered by Generative AI for cooking advice, it can provide recipes, tips, alternatives for missing ingredients, and follow-up questions to tailor the advice further. This depth of interaction makes using voice user interfaces more like chatting with a knowledgeable friend than issuing commands to a machine. The revolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) in virtual assistants and voice user interfaces marks a significant milestone in our journey with technology. It's not just about the convenience of hands-free commands anymore; it's about creating a more intuitive, ac

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational technology sector is revolutionizing the learning and teaching landscape. As AI continues to advance, its application within education is not just enhancing educational experiences but is fundamentally transforming the industry.  From personalized learning paths to intelligent tutoring systems, AI in education unlocks unprecedented opportunities for students and educators alike, setting the stage for a future where education is more accessible, efficient, and tailored to individual needs. In our earlier podcast session 126, we talked to the founders of AI Teacher about how they are using Generative AI for secondary school teachers.  In today's enlightening episode, we had the privilege of interviewing the founder of Plabook, a revolutionary educational tool designed to transform how we approach oral reading fluency and comprehension in students. Plabook stands out by leveraging advanced speech recognition technology to listen to students as they read

In our connected world, keeping our online spaces secure is a top priority for everyone - businesses, startups, and individuals alike. Today's episode is all about making cybersecurity simple and accessible. We'll cover how to start protecting yourself and your organization, address the need for more skilled professionals, and examine how new technologies make security brighter. Suppose you've ever wondered about the best ways to stay safe online. In that case, this conversation is for you about what it takes to build a career in cybersecurity or how innovation is shaping the future of protection. Let's dive in together and learn how to keep our digital lives safe and sound. Before inviting the guest speaker, I will also discuss my experience attending WebSummit Qatar and some of the latest news from the Leap 2024 event in Saudi Arabia. We all now must be aware that the consequences of neglecting cybersecurity can be dire, from personal data breaches to large-scale attacks on corporations and governments. I k

Welcome to today's episode of "Open Tech Talks," where we delve deep into the digital economy's convergence of technology, business, and creativity. Our focus today centers on the transformative wave of Web3 technologies, with a special spotlight on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and how they revolutionize customer engagement and loyalty programs across industries. The advent of Web3 has ushered in a new era of digital interaction characterized by decentralized networks, blockchain technology, and a strong emphasis on digital ownership and assets. NFTs have emerged as a groundbreaking concept, offering verifiable ownership of unique digital items through blockchain technology. In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting the President of SHOPX, a leading platform at the forefront of integrating NFTs into the retail and e-commerce sectors to create unparalleled customer experiences. Episode # 129 Today’s Guest: Eric Mchugh, President at SHOPX Labs and Chief Growth Officer at Dataing Website: ShopX Linkedin:

In today's digital era, we are bombarded with overwhelming information on our screens daily. This flood of data creates a significant problem: filtering through the massive content to find what truly matters and what should be avoided. We must identify information that captures our interest, enhances our understanding, and enriches our lives rather than just being controlled by the algorithms' contents. To tackle this challenge, we must develop strategies and tools that help us efficiently access high-quality, relevant content amidst the constant buzz. It requires a discerning eye to differentiate valuable content from the trivial, ensuring that what we consume contributes positively to our knowledge, well-being, and satisfaction. It is quite a challenging task, and even before making it into a task, there needs to be awareness that, yes, this is the challenge that we as humans are getting content from the algorithms to support the interest of these platforms. In addition, promoting digital literacy plays a c

In the dynamic realm of tech innovation, Web3 and blockchain emerge as pivotal forces, heralding a transformative era. These technologies redefine the digital frontier, promising enhanced security, transparency, and a shift toward decentralization in digital transactions.  This journey into uncharted territories has challenges, including blockchain's intricate nature, scalability issues, and regulatory landscapes. Further, infusing the hype of blockchain technology by the prominent vendors to not going mainstream technology is another concern. Yet, the advantages are compelling, offering a peek into a future where digital interactions are underpinned by trust, accountability, and open access. At their essence, Web3 and blockchain aim to grant users unprecedented control over their digital selves, assets, and data. This movement towards a user-centric web is reshaping industries, from finance to entertainment, emphasizing the need to navigate its complexities and seize the opportunities it presents. As we del

The advent of AI in education is paving the way for a new era of teaching and learning. Digital teachers, powered by artificial intelligence, are making their mark by transforming traditional teaching methods. These AI educators can quickly digest university curriculum content and craft detailed lesson plans, making education more accessible and personalized. At the heart of this transformation is the ability of Generative AI to process extensive educational materials swiftly, using advanced technologies to create comprehensive lessons complete with questions and answers. This approach not only streamlines the preparation phase for educators but also ensures that students receive a tailored learning experience. The use of Generative AI in lesson planning allows for adapting content to meet students' diverse learning paces and styles, enhancing engagement and understanding. Furthermore, this technology can identify gaps in knowledge, offering additional resources to help students master complex concepts. The e

The rise of low-code and no-code development platforms is reshaping how we think about building applications. These platforms are marketed for their ease of use, emphasizing that even those without coding expertise can quickly create applications. This approach to app development is increasingly popular because it democratizes the process, making it accessible to a broader audience. One key advantage of low-code platforms is their ability to empower people with little to no programming knowledge. They can now bring new projects to life or develop fresh ideas independently. Traditionally, creating an application involved relaying ideas to a programmer or coder, who would then try to translate these concepts into a functional product. This process could be time-consuming and often result in a product that might not fully align with the original vision. However, with low-code and no-code platforms, this dynamic has changed. Individuals can now take control of the development process, building and adjusting their