In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Eilon Reshef, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Gong, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing revenue operations and transforming the future of sales teams. Reshef shares the decade-long journey of building Gong from a data-driven conversation platform into what they call an "AI OS for Revenue Teams," serving Fortune 10 companies and pioneering the use of AI in go-to-market workflows.

From capturing customer conversations to deploying AI agents that can automate mundane tasks, Reshef offers a compelling vision of where sales productivity is heading. The conversation delves into how AI is making revenue teams more efficient and effective, the transformation of traditional sales roles, and why the biggest shift isn't just in technology but in how quickly organizations can execute and adapt. If you're interested in understanding how enterprise AI is moving beyond hype to deliver measurable productivity gains, how unstructured data creates competitive advantages, and what the future holds for revenue professionals in an AI-driven world, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone building the infrastructure that's reshaping B2B sales.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[02:15] Eilon's Background and Journey to Gong

[05:30] The Origin Story: Starting Gong 10 Years Ago

[08:45] First and Worst Jobs

[11:00] The ChatGPT Moment and AI Acceleration

[14:30] Gong's Unfair Advantage with Unstructured Data

[17:00] Three Pillars of AI Transformation

[21:15] The Rev Ops Revolution

[24:00] Enabling Sales Teams with AI

[27:30] What's Hype vs. Reality in AI for Revenue

[31:00] The Future of Sales Roles and Team Structure

[33:45] The Platform Strategy and Integrations

[36:30] Security and Trust in Enterprise AI

[39:00] Gong's Growth Trajectory and Future Plans

[41:30] Voice Agents and the Future of Customer Interaction

[45:00] Two Words for the Future: Efficient and Exciting

[48:00] Connecting with Eilon and Hiring at Gong

Connect with Eilon Reshef

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/eilonreshef

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Rob Lloyd, Chief Technology Officer of the City of Seattle, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to discuss Seattle's groundbreaking approach to implementing artificial intelligence in municipal government. Lloyd shares his journey from serving multiple cities across America to spearheading one of the nation's most progressive urban AI initiatives, revealing how Seattle is transforming public services through thoughtful technology adoption.

From traffic safety innovations to permitting process overhauls, Lloyd offers a candid look at the successes and failures of Seattle's AI pilots, including the surprising revelation that 80% of initial experiments didn't stick.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Joe Nguyen, Director of Commerce for Washington State, joins to discuss statewide AI efforts, creating a rare dialogue between city and state technology leaders. If you're interested in understanding how government can responsibly deploy AI to serve communities better, this episode provides practical insights from leaders navigating the complex intersection of public service, technology, and trust.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Rob's Journey to Seattle

[03:30] Career Path Through Multiple Cities

[06:45] Growing Up in a Military Family

[09:15] First Jobs and Character Building

[12:00] Seattle's AI Plan Genesis and Evolution

[16:30] Policy Framework and Community Trust

[20:15] Pilot Programs: Success and Failure Rates

[24:45] Traffic Safety and Game Theory Applications

[28:00] Permitting Process Transformation

[32:30] Special Guest: Joe Nguyen from Washington State

[35:15] State-Level AI Implementation at Commerce

[38:45] Cultural Shifts and Future Vision

Connect with Rob Lloyd

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rob-lloyd-cto-seattle/

Connect with Joe Nguyen

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/meetjoenguyen/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Yash Wagh, Co-Founder and CEO of Gone, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how reverse logistics and AI are transforming the secondhand goods market into a sustainable circular economy. With a background as a rocket engineer, supply chain leadership at Amazon and A.T. Kearney, and a passion for sustainability, Yosh is building autonomous local commerce infrastructure that keeps valuable goods out of landfills and in circulation.

From his journey as a mechanical engineer designing rocket propulsion systems to pioneering AI-powered reverse logistics, Yosh shares how Gone is solving the complex challenges of secondhand commerce. The conversation explores the business economics of circular economies, the role of AI in automating pickups and pricing, and a bold vision for a future where autonomous systems connect millions of households through local meshes of commerce. If you're interested in climate-conscious innovation, AI-powered logistics, sustainable consumerism, and the future of work in an AI-driven world, this episode offers invaluable insights from an entrepreneur building the infrastructure of tomorrow's circular economy.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[03:15] From Rocket Science to Reverse Logistics

[06:30] First Jobs and Career Journey

[10:45] What is Gone - Reverse Amazon Explained

[16:20] The Problem with Current Donation Models

[19:40] Business Economics and Unit Economics

[24:15] AI Technology and Automation in Action

[29:50] The Entrepreneurial Journey and Challenges

[35:10] Negotiating the Gone.com Domain Name

[37:45] The Future of Autonomous Local Commerce

[43:20] How to Connect with Gone

Connect with Yash Wagh

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashwagh/

Website: https://gone.com

Shop: https://shop.gone.com

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Christian Lund, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Templafy, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how cognitive collaboration between humans and AI is transforming enterprise document creation. Broadcasting from Copenhagen, Christian shares his unique journey from newspaper sales to building one of the leading document automation platforms serving over 800 enterprise clients worldwide, including KPMG and IKEA.

From navigating technology shifts spanning on-premise to cloud to AI, Christian offers invaluable insights on what separates successful AI implementations from the 40% of projects that fail. The conversation dives deep into why purpose trumps capability when deploying AI, how Templafy helps companies save millions annually while reducing risk, and the evolution from traditional templates to AI-powered document generation. Whether you're an executive trying to drive meaningful AI adoption or an entrepreneur building in the AI space, Christian's perspective on connecting human intent with AI intelligence offers a roadmap for the future of work.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[02:00] Christian's Background and Journey to Templafy

[06:00] What Templafy Does: Enterprise Document Automation

[09:00] How AI Transformed Document Generation

[12:00] Why 40% of AI Pilots Fail and How to Succeed

[17:00] ROI and Multimodal Content Creation

[21:00] Advice for Deploying AI Agents

[26:00] Cognitive Collaboration: Humans and AI Working Together

[28:00] Job Displacement Concerns in Europe

[30:00] Two Words for the Future

Connect with Christian Lund

LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/christianlundcph

Website: https://templafy.com

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by Geekwire and produced by Crumpled Ink Media

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Michael Domanic, Head of AI at UserTesting, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how companies can successfully transform their organizations with AI. With over 800 custom GPTs built across UserTesting and nearly every employee actively using AI tools, Michael shares the framework behind one of the most successful enterprise AI transformations happening today.

From his early days designing chatbots during the first AI hype cycle to leading transformation at scale today, Michael offers invaluable insights into why AI transformation is fundamentally a change management and creative challenge—not just a technological one. The conversation delves into the responsibility companies have to their workforce during this historic transformation, the importance of democratizing AI access, and why focusing on human creativity and experimentation is the key to unlocking real value. If you're looking to understand how to drive meaningful AI adoption in your organization while keeping humanity at the center, this episode is essential listening.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Human Side of AI and Creativity

[02:00] Michael's Background and the First Chatbot Wave

[04:00] First Jobs: From Lifeguard to Telemarketer

[05:00] What is UserTesting and How It Works

[08:00] The Challenge of Enterprise AI Adoption

[11:00] Why Multiple AI Models and 800+ Custom GPTs

[15:00] Change Management Over Technology

[19:00] AI's Impact on Jobs and Employee Responsibility

[22:00] Growth Mindset vs. Scarcity in AI Strategy

[24:00] Healthcare and the Future of AI

[27:00] Two Words for the Future: Human and Creativity

[29:00] Measuring ROI in AI Transformation

Connect with Michael Domanic

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaeldomanic/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Jeff Reihl, Technology Chairman at LexisNexis and former CTO, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to discuss how one of the world's largest legal information companies executed a dramatic pivot to generative AI. Jeff shares the remarkable story of how LexisNexis transformed their entire 2023 strategy in response to ChatGPT's emergence, leveraging their 160 billion document repository to solve AI hallucination problems that plague the legal profession.

From modernizing mainframe systems written in IBM assembly language to implementing multi-model AI strategies using GPT and Claude, Jeff provides a masterclass in enterprise AI adoption. The conversation explores critical topics including maintaining trust and accuracy in legal AI applications, the evolving role of junior lawyers in an AI-augmented world, and how LexisNexis achieved 300% ROI for their customers while dramatically accelerating their own internal processes. Whether you're leading digital transformation at an established enterprise or simply curious about how AI is reshaping professional services, this episode offers invaluable lessons from the frontlines of the legal AI revolution.

Chapters

[01:40] Jeff's Background and Career Journey

[05:54] LexisNexis, RELX, and the Legal Information Industry

[07:21] The ChatGPT Revolution and Strategic Pivot

[10:17] Solving the Hallucination Problem with RAG

[13:26] Liability, Accountability, and the Role of Legal Professionals

[16:16] ROI Metrics and Customer Adoption

[21:02] Agentic Workflows and Strategic Partnerships

[26:18] The Future of Junior Lawyers and Legal Education

[29:05] The Future of Work and Software Development

[31:33] Framework for AI Integration in Organizations

[34:46] Two Words for the Future: Transformative and Personalized

Connect with Jeff Reihl

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreihl/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Alvin Graylin, Digital Fellow at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI and creator of the Abundantism framework, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy for a bold and wide-ranging conversation on the future of AI and humanity. With a background that spans investing, international leadership, and advanced academic research, Alvin offers a rare, global lens on how we can — and must — steer AI toward positive societal outcomes.

Together, Boaz and Alvin explore three potential AI futures — from Mad Max to Star Trek — and discuss how we can avoid a descent into dystopia by reframing our economic systems, rethinking employment, and redefining human value. The conversation touches on the AI Bill of Rights, the risks of sovereign “gladiator AIs,” and how a new GI Bill for the AI age could help millions transition into a post-labor economy.

If you’re curious about AI’s geopolitical risks, employment disruption, or how we might architect a truly abundant society, this is an essential listen.

Chapters

[01:55] Alvin Graylin's Background: Stanford, XR, Global Ventures

[05:13] Why the Next 5–10 Years Matter for Humanity

[08:04] The Three Futures: Mad Max, Elysium, and Star Trek

[13:33] “Winning the Wrong Race” — The AGI Race and Policy Pitfalls

[17:02] The Real Threat: Bad Actors and Rogue AI Use

[18:40] AI and the Collapse of Traditional Employment

[20:39] What 15–25% Unemployment Could Mean for Society

[23:02] The AI Bill of Rights and the Need for New Protections

[27:10] Surveillance, Data, and Manipulation Risks

[29:52] From Scarcity to Abundantism: The Shift in Mindset

[32:40] Guardian AI vs Gladiator AI: What We Should Be Building

[35:04] The GI Bill for the AI Age and the Need for Soft Landings

[42:03] Start / Stop / Keep: Alvin’s Advice to Tech Leaders

[45:49] Redefining Value: The Two Words That Shape the Future

Connect with Alvin Graylin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agraylin/ X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/agraylin

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy Email: info@shiftai.fm

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by Geekwire and produced by Crumpled Ink Media.

Special thanks to Augmented AI Labs and Clause for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Court Lorenzini, the founding CEO of DocuSign and now founder of Founder Nexus, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy for a thought-provoking conversation about entrepreneurship, AI, and building a more balanced future for humanity. As a five-time entrepreneur who has experienced both spectacular success and instructive failure, Court brings a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing what it takes to build and scale companies today.

From the isolation of the founder's journey to reimagining education systems for an AI-driven world, Court shares his vision for creating abundance rather than scarcity. The conversation explores how AI could be humanity's greatest tool for leveling the playing field, the importance of founder communities, and why we need to rethink our approach to work, purpose, and human dignity. If you're interested in understanding not just the business implications of AI but its profound societal impact, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone dedicated to helping founders succeed while building the future we all want to live in.

Chapters

[02:06] Court's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey

[04:27] The First Paycheck and Worst Job Stories

[07:34] Introducing Founder Nexus and the Founder's Journey

[11:31] How AI is Changing Startup Requirements

[14:04] The Challenge of Differentiation in the AI Era

[17:11] The Lifecycle of Employment and Societal Impact

[20:06] Rethinking Education for an AI Future

[26:16] Dystopian vs Utopian AI Futures

[30:25] What Court is Most Excited and Scared About

[33:30] Creating Abundance Over Scarcity

Connect with Court Lorenzini

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/court-lorenzini-333447/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

The Shift AI podcast is syndicated by Geekwire and produced by Crumpled Ink Media.

In this special live episode of the Shift AI Podcast recorded at Seattle AI Week, Dr. Andre Alfred, who leads threat operations and security for Google Cloud's Fortune 500 customers, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy for an eye-opening conversation about the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. With his remarkable journey from high school help desk operator to earning his PhD and leading security operations at Microsoft, Oracle, and Google, Andre brings a unique perspective on protecting critical infrastructure in an era where adversaries have access to the same powerful AI tools as defenders.

From data poisoning threats that could compromise healthcare diagnostics to the challenges of securing physical infrastructure like water systems and power grids, Andre shares what keeps him up at night and why two-factor authentication isn't optional anymore. The conversation explores how AI is transforming both offensive and defensive capabilities in cybersecurity, why the next generation of jobs will be defined by leaders rather than technology, and Andre's commitment to visibility as an African American leader in tech. Through his scholarship program at Western Governors University, Andre is opening pathways for the next generation of cybersecurity and healthcare professionals. If you're wondering about the real security threats we're not thinking about—and why the future of work requires "more focus"—this conversation offers crucial insights from someone defending some of the world's most critical systems.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Boaz's Journey to the Shift AI Podcast

[02:37] Andre's Background and Role at Google Cloud Security

[03:44] The Non-Traditional Path: From Help Desk to PhD

[06:25] The Decision to Return to College and Transform Your Career

[08:41] From Capital One to Microsoft to Google

[12:03] What It's Like to Wake Up Every Morning in Threat Operations

[14:21] The Bittersweet Reality: When Innovation Can Be Weaponized

[15:31] Data Poisoning and Healthcare: The Threat We're Not Thinking About

[18:37] Teaching Kids to Question What They See Online

[20:06] Physical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities and Social Engineering

[24:09] The Future of AI and Cybersecurity in 2030

[26:24] Creating Jobs of the Future Through Education

[29:41] The Intersection of Cybersecurity and Healthcare

[32:29] Leaders Must Define the Next Jobs, Not Let Technology Define Them

[33:36] Being Visible as an African American in Tech

[36:11] Two Words for the Future: "More Focus"

Connect with Dr. Andre Alfred

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoalfred/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

Special thank you to Western Governers University for hosting and sponsoring this live episode at the Labor Temple in Seattle WA during AI Week.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Will Jung, Chief Technology Officer at nCino, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the traditionally conservative banking and financial services sector. Jung brings a distinctive perspective from his extensive experience helping financial institutions transition from viewing technology as a cost center to embracing it as a strategic innovation driver, particularly in the highly regulated world of banking.

From fraud prevention using AI agents that actively lure scammers to context engineering that personalizes banking experiences, Jung offers compelling insights into how banks are deploying cutting-edge technology while maintaining trust and regulatory compliance. The conversation examines the delicate balance between rapid technological advancement and responsible innovation, the future of personalized banking relationships, and why staying human remains the most critical factor in an increasingly automated world. If you're interested in understanding how one of the most regulated industries is navigating the AI revolution while serving underbanked populations and protecting customer data, this episode delivers essential perspectives from a technology leader at the forefront of financial innovation.

Chapters:

[02:00] Will's Background in Banking Technology

[03:00] nCino's Mission in the FinTech Space

[04:30] Banks Embracing Technology as Innovation Driver

[06:50] Fighting Fraud with Advanced AI Technology

[09:00] Building Technical and Non-Technical Team Culture

[11:50] Context Engineering in Banking

[14:25] Privacy and Personalization Trade-offs

[19:20] The Future Customer Experience in Banking

[21:30] Societal Implications of AI Technology

[25:50] Cryptocurrency and Banking Technology

[27:50] Two Words for the Future: Stay Human

[30:00] The Human Element in Automated Banking Decisions

Connect with Will Jung

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-jung/?originalSubdomain=au

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Venky Veeraraghavan, Chief Product Officer at DataRobot, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the fascinating evolution from predictive AI to today's agentic workflows. With 20 years of experience at Microsoft working on everything from Azure Machine Learning to the early days of Azure OpenAI, Venky brings a unique perspective on how AI is truly transforming the enterprise landscape.

The conversation delves into the fundamental differences between predictive and generative AI, how agents will orchestrate complex business processes using multiple AI tools, and what the future holds for the agentic workforce. From warehouse management systems that adapt in real-time to supply chain planning agents that combine forecasting with live data, Venky shares insights on how the orchestration layer of multiple AI tools creates genuinely transformative possibilities.

If you're interested in understanding how enterprises are navigating AI adoption with appropriate caution and what it takes to thrive in an AI-driven workplace, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Background

[02:00] Venky's Journey from Microsoft to DataRobot

[05:00] Predictive vs Generative AI Explained

[09:00] The Evolution of DataRobot's Platform

[13:00] Function Calling and Orchestration Layers

[15:00] The Future of Agentic Workflows

[18:00] Agent Workforce Management and UI Challenges

[23:00] The Human Impact of AI Transformation

[28:00] Enterprise Adoption and Brand Risk

[30:00] Two Words for the Future: Exciting and Disruptive

Connect with Venky Veeraraghavan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkyv

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Vik Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder of Foresite Labs and Interim President at Xaira Therapeutics, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is revolutionizing life sciences and healthcare. With a distinguished background spanning physics, structural biology, radiology at Stanford, and pioneering work at Google, Vik brings a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and medicine.

The conversation delves into the stark realities of drug discovery—where 2 million researchers globally struggle against success rates so low that most will be lucky to contribute to one or two successful drugs in their entire careers. Vik explains how AI, particularly David Baker's groundbreaking protein design work, is poised to transform this landscape by enabling drugs for previously "undruggable" targets and moving healthcare from reactive treatment to predictive, personalized medicine.

From genetic tests that could provide actionable insights for 75% of people to AI models that can predict 5-year mortality from a simple chest X-ray, this episode reveals how we're approaching a future where disease prevention replaces disease treatment. If you're interested in understanding how AI will fundamentally reshape healthcare economics and why Vik compares this transformation to the industrial revolution, this episode is essential listening.

Chapters:

[01:48] From Physics to Life Sciences: Vik's Interdisciplinary Journey

[04:13] The Google Years: Early AI Revolution in Science

[06:56] Xaira Therapeutics and David Baker's Protein Design Breakthrough

[09:28] The Optimistic Future of AI in Drug Discovery

[15:17] The Four-Stage Evolution of AI in Medicine

[19:53] Healthcare Cost Crisis and AI Solutions

[23:27] The Promise of Personalized Medicine

[28:39] Foresite Labs: Specializing in Science and Engineering AI

[32:00] Why Healthcare AI is Harder Than Software Engineering

[36:27] Two Words for the Future: Industrial Revolution

Contact Info:

Connect with Vik Bajaj

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvikbajaj/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● X: boazashkenazy

● Email: info@shiftai.fm

Shift AI is brought to you by Clause, a legal AI platform, and is syndicated by GeekWire.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Shalini Agarwal, VP of Product at Salesforce overseeing Slack's AI and search capabilities, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how AI is transforming workplace collaboration from the inside out. With 17 years of experience at Google and now leading AI innovation at one of the world's most widely used workplace platforms, Shalini offers unique insights into how billions of weekly messages are being augmented with intelligent agents and contextual AI.

From her journey as a seasoned product manager to spearheading Slack's evolution into an agentic work operating system, Shalini reveals how teams are already using AI search, channel experts, and multiplayer agents to unlock institutional knowledge and streamline productivity. The conversation dives into the future of human-agent collaboration, the importance of contextual AI that works in the flow of work, and how Slack is positioning itself as the perfect platform for the next generation of workplace intelligence.

If you're curious about how AI agents will reshape team productivity and what the future holds for contextual, collaborative AI experiences, this episode provides invaluable insights from someone building the future of work today.

Chapters:

[02:00] Shalini's Background and Product Management Evolution

[04:43] Slack's AI Vision and Work Operating System

[09:17] Real-World AI Integration Examples at Slack

[12:26] The Power of Contextual AI in Workflow

[13:56] Customer Adaptation and AI Journey Patterns

[16:02] Agents vs Assistants: Understanding the Difference

[18:14] Surprising Customer Use Cases and Open Text Box Innovation

[21:22] Multiplayer AI Experiences and Team Collaboration

[25:20] Security, Privacy, and Enterprise Data Protection

[25:49] Multiplayer Native Agents Preview

[27:44] The Future of Work: Agentic and Contextual

Connect with Shalini Agarwal

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/shaliniprofile/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

Shift AI is brought to you by Clause, a legal AI platform, and is syndicated by GeekWire.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Sanjna Parulekar, SVP of Product Marketing at Salesforce, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the reality of enterprise AI adoption beyond the media hype. With her psychology background and eight years at one of the world's leading enterprise software companies, Parulekar offers a grounded perspective on how large organizations are actually implementing AI agents and what the human side of AI transformation really looks like.

From discussing the courage required to transform workflows to the importance of data strategy foundations, Parulekar shares insights on why some companies are succeeding with AI while others struggle with pilots. She also explores how voice technology fits into enterprise solutions, the evolving role of humans in AI systems, and why the future of work will be both more exciting and more intentional. If you're interested in understanding where enterprise AI adoption actually stands versus the narrative, this conversation provides valuable insights from the trenches.

Chapters:

[00:00:35] Introduction and Background

[00:01:56] Sanjna's Journey from AI Startups to Salesforce

[00:03:52] Enterprise AI Adoption Reality vs. Hype

[00:07:16] How Jobs Are Changing with AI Agents

[00:10:30] The Human Experience in AI Transformation

[00:11:25] Voice Technology in Enterprise Solutions

[00:13:56] Humans in the Loop: When and How

[00:18:08] The Truth About AI Hype Cycles

[00:22:13] Big Enterprise Customer Conversations

[00:26:35] Leadership Changes in the AI Era

[00:29:56] Two Words for the Future of Work

Contact Information:

Connect with Sanjna Parulekar

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjna-parulekar-0248a537/

● Company: Salesforce

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● X: boazashkenazy

● Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Dr. Vanja Josifovski, CEO of Kumo and former CTO of Airbnb and Pinterest, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses unlock value from their structured data. Josifovski shares his journey from building recommendation systems for millions of users to founding Sequoia-backed Kumo, which is tackling one of AI's biggest challenges: turning business data into actionable insights.

From his early days witnessing the evolution of embeddings and vector representations to today's transformer revolution, Josifovski offers a unique perspective on the AI landscape. The conversation delves into why the current AI boom has largely overlooked structured business data, the future of personalized consumer experiences, and how coding tools are democratizing software development. If you're interested in understanding how enterprise data can drive better business decisions and what the future holds for work in an AI-driven world, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone who's been at the forefront of the AI revolution for two decades.

Chapters:

[02:00] Vanja's Background and AI Journey

[04:00] The Evolution of Embeddings and Vectors

[07:00] Silicon Valley's AI Revolution

[09:00] Founding Kumo and the Enterprise Data Problem

[12:00] The Future of Personalization

[15:00] How AI is Changing Software Development

[18:00] The Optimistic Future of Work

[21:00] Societal Changes and Abundance

[25:00] From Big Tech to Startup Life [00:28:00] Two Words for the Future: "Lots of Fun"

Contact Info:

Connect with Vanja Josifovski:

● Website: kumo.ai

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy:

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

● Email: info@shiftai.fm

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy is joined by Taylor Black, Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems in Microsoft’s CTO Office. With a background as a B2B SaaS founder and deep tech venture studio leader, Taylor brings a rare blend of startup vision and enterprise expertise to the AI conversation.

Together, they explore the rise of agentic workflows, protocols like MCP, and the shifting interface of software in the age of AI. Taylor also reflects on the philosophical and economic implications of AI’s rapid evolution—from abundant intelligence to human decision-making limits. If you're curious about how Microsoft thinks about AI agents, or what the future of work might actually feel like, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Promise of AI and Collective Problem Solving

[00:32] Intro: Meet Taylor Black of Microsoft

[01:54] Inside the CTO’s Office and Innovation Labs

[03:53] From SaaS Founder to Deep Tech Studio Leader

[05:38] Agentic Workflows: Beyond the Hype

[08:46] Ecosystems, Authority, and Agent Infrastructure

[11:12] MCP: The Protocol Standard for AI Agents

[15:24] Microsoft's Vision of Agentic Interfaces

[18:34] Designing for Human Capacity in the AI Age

[23:15] The Hidden Risks and Philosophical Impacts of AI

[27:09] Scarcity vs Abundance: New Frontiers in Work

[29:12] Final Thoughts: A Future of Abundant Intelligence

Connect with Taylor Black

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/blacktaylor/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: @boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel.

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Patrick Jarvis, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Acumino, to explore the cutting edge of roboticstechnology. After two decades building one of the world's most advanced AI labs, helping companies like Apple, Samsung, and major automotive manufacturers solve critical data problems, Jarvis saw an opportunity to revolutionize how robotsinteract with the physical world. He reveals how Acumino is achieving unprecedented reliability in robotic manipulation tasks – from threading screws to fine assembly work – by combining advanced AI with revolutionary force-sensing technology.

The conversation delves into the commercial reality of robotics adoption, where anything less than human-level performance simply won't cut it for businesses. Jarvis shares his vision forthe future of work, emphasizing how robots shouldn't replace humans but rather empower them by removing the need for coding and enabling workers to directly train AI systems for their specific needs. From factory floors today to potential home care applications tomorrow, this episode offers fascinating insights into how ultra-reliable robotics will transform industries and reshape our relationship with technology in ways we're just beginning to imagine.

Chapters:

[01:41] Patrick's Journey into Robotics

[06:04] Visualizing Fine-Tuned Robotic Touch

[08:05] What Made These Advances Possible

[10:13] The Ultra-High Reliability Threshold

[12:01] Factory Floor Use Cases

[16:07] Future Vision: Robots in the Home

[23:26] Current Stage and Business Progress

[24:39] Finding the Right Team and Contacts

[27:18] AI's Impact on Jobs and Collaboration
Connect with Patrick JarvisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jarvis-a16473aWebsite: https://acumino.ai/

Email: patrick@acumino.ai
Other Resources Mentioned:

Minas Liarokapis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minasliarokapis

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm
The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and SubscribeSpotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Prem Kumar, CEO of Humanly and GeekWire Award winner for CEO of the Year. With his unique background as both a buyer of HR solutions at Microsoft and a startup leader at TINYpulse, Prem shares how his company is revolutionizing the hiring process through AI-powered solutions that create more human-centered experiences.

Prem dives into the challenges facing today's job seekers and recruiters, revealing how Humanly's technology enables meaningful two-way conversations for every candidate within 24 hours of application. The discussion explores how AI can reduce bias in hiring, improve standardization in interviews, and ultimately create better matches between candidates and companies. Whether you're interested in the future of recruiting or navigating today's job market, Prem's "human first" approach to AI offers valuable insights on how technology can enhance rather than replace meaningful human connections.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Philosophy of Human-Centered AI

[01:39] Professional Journey: Microsoft to Startup Leadership

[04:22] Addressing Recruitment Inefficiencies

[06:35] Humanly's Approach to Streamlining Candidate Experience

[08:42] Combating Algorithmic Bias in Hiring Processes

[11:29] Strategic Job Application Techniques for Modern Candidates

[13:13] Next-Generation Recruitment: Personalized Job Matching

[16:10] Building Trust Through Transparent AI Implementation

[20:49] The Evolution of Workforce Management

[25:19] Influential Mentors and Iterative Culture Development

[26:43] Prioritizing Human Outcomes in AI Development

Connect with Prem Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/premskumar/

Website: https://www.humanly.io

Email: prem@humanly.io

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Brian Buchwald, who leads AI strategy and product development at Edelman, the world's largest communications firm. With his impressive background spanning investment banking, ad tech, digital media, and entrepreneurship, Buchwald offers a unique perspective on how AI is transforming both internal operations and client services at global scale.

Discover how Edelman is implementing AI across its 7,000-employee organization and for its prestigious client roster. Buchwald shares fascinating insights on the balance between automation and human expertise, the evolution of trust in the AI era, and how communications professionals are quantifying their impact. Whether you're interested in AI implementation at enterprise scale or the future of knowledge work, this episode reveals how "curated automation" is redefining an entire industry while keeping the human element at its core.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Brian Buchwald and Edelman

[03:09] Brian's Career Journey from Ad Tech to Communications

[05:35] Four Lenses of AI Implementation at Edelman

[06:59] Trust Quantification and Research Transformation

[10:17] Trust and AI: The Public Perception

[13:01] Three-Tiered Approach to Client Transformation

[17:55] Measuring Business Value in Communications

[21:48] The Human-Machine Partnership in Creative Work

[24:11] Mentors and Strategic Influences

[29:11] The Future of Work: Curated Automation

Connect with Brian Buchwald

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-buchwald-0447591/

Email: brian.buchwald@edelman.com

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Rohan D'Souza, co-founder of Avante, who is tackling one of America's most complex challenges: the $1.7 trillion employer-sponsored healthcare system. With his unique background as a former competitive swimmer from India and extensive experience in healthcare technology, Rohan brings a fresh perspective to an industry plagued by opacity and inefficiency.

Rohan shares how Avante is leveraging AI to democratize healthcare information, making complex insurance plans understandable for employees while helping employers control costs that are rising 8-14% annually. From his early days working with electronic medical records during the 2008 financial crisis to building a nine-person team that supports hundreds of conversations with AI-powered solutions, Rohan illustrates how productivity and creativity converge in the future of work. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, AI implementation in regulated industries, and the entrepreneurial journey of building solutions for massive, entrenched systems.

Chapters:

[01:57] From India to America - The Swimming Journey

[03:57] Early Career in Healthcare Technology During the Financial Crisis

[05:14] Introducing Avante - The $1.7 Trillion Opportunity

[09:10] The Employee Experience Problem

[14:05] AI Agents and Personalized Healthcare Recommendations

[18:25] Privacy Challenges in Healthcare AI

[23:35] Building the Founders Club and Early Customers

[28:07] The Future of Work - Productivity and Creativity

Connect with Rohan D’Souza

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohanpdsouza/

Website: https://avante.ai/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs.  Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube