In Part 2 of our Cisco exec series from Cisco Live Melbourne 2025, we sat down with Julie Canepa—long-time Cisco IT leader and former CIO for Australia & New Zealand who later led digital transformation and CX programs across Asia Pacific, Japan & China—to unpack how AI strategy becomes real business impact.
We cover moving from pilots to scale, building guardrails that accelerate delivery, linking AI to customer-experience KPIs, and reskilling teams for “everyday AI.”
What you’ll learn:
The scale playbook: ownership, controls, and value stories that land with the business.
People–Process–Technology: raising AI fluency and reskilling at speed.
Measuring what matters: tying AI to CX and board-level outcomes.
“Everyday AI”: practical agent patterns beyond the demo stage.
Guest: Julie Canepa (Cisco ANZ CIO; APJC digital transformation/CX leader).
Series: Special Cisco Executive Interviews — Part 2 (recorded around Cisco Live Melbourne 2025).
During our time at Cisco Live Melbourne 2025, we sat down with Mary de Wysocki, Cisco’s first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer, to unpack how circular design, energy-efficient data centres, and value-chain transparency can power AI responsibly—without blowing the carbon budget.
Under Mary’s leadership, Cisco has now incorporated Circular Design Principles into 100% of new products and packaging (FY25 goal achieved)—a key milestone that turns sustainability into an innovation driver for the AI era.
🎧 In this episode:
• What “AI-ready” infrastructure means in practice (efficiency + resilience)
• Bringing engineers into the sustainability process so efficiency becomes innovation
• Circularity at scale across Cisco’s portfolio and supply chain
• Why these moves matter as AI demand surges post-Cisco Live Melbourne 2025
#CiscoLive #Melbourne #Cisco #Sustainability #ChiefSustainabilityOfficer #AI #DataCentres #CircularDesign #EnergyEfficiency #NetZero #ESG #TechForGood #WhatTheTechPodcast
In this season finale, we sit down with Christopher Simusokwe, a seasoned data leader with over two decades of experience building and leading data engineering teams across finance, telco, and mining.
Together, we explore how AI is reshaping the world of data engineering — from evolving roles and real-time architectures to what it really takes to future-proof your career as automation and AI become deeply embedded in data systems.
Chris shares practical insights from the trenches: how to balance depth vs breadth in your technical growth, build pipelines that serve both humans and machines, and transition from reactive “data janitors” to proactive data product owners.
Whether you’re a data engineer, AI professional, or simply curious about the future of modern data systems, this episode breaks down how automation, orchestration, and reasoning are redefining what it means to work with data.
🎙️ In Episode 9 of What The Tech Podcast (AU), we sat down with Shaila Pervin to explore how organisations can build cross-functional AI teams that actually work.
From leadership buy-in and product alignment to risk, compliance, and engineering execution, we unpack the governance frameworks that make AI adoption both safe and effective. Shaila shares lessons from her journey across research, consulting, and engineering, highlighting why trust, accountability, and transparency must be the foundation of every AI project.
Whether you’re a leader, engineer, or just curious about how AI governance is shaping the future of work, this episode delivers practical insights on collaboration, compliance, and scaling AI responsibly.
#WhatTheTechPodcast #AI #Governance #FutureOfWork
In this episode we welcome Abe (Osarumwense) Omorogbe, Senior AI Product Manager at Microsoft, who brings nearly a decade of experience building and launching AI-driven products at scale.
Together, we explore how the role of a product manager is evolving in the AI era—covering the mindset shifts, technical skills, and creative thinking needed to turn bold ideas into products used by thousands. From balancing experimentation with delivery, to navigating the unique challenges of AI in enterprise and non-tech industries, Abe shares real-world lessons from the frontlines of AI product management.
Discover how AI is changing the game for PMs, the practical differences between traditional and AI product management, and how organisations can approach building AI products that are both impactful and responsible. Whether you’re a product manager, aspiring PM, or just curious about how AI products come to life, this episode is packed with insights.
In this episode, we welcome Hannah Maude, a leadership and communications expert and the founder of Fire & Forte, known for her mission to empower women to thrive in the AI era.Together with the hosts, Rene and Vivienne, Hannah dives into a provocative and timely topic: identifying the key qualities the leaders of today and the future must have to survive the AI age. This conversation unpacks the uncomfortable truths about organisational resistance to change, explores the barriers to AI adoption at the top, and reimagines what leadership should look like in an AI-first world. Discover how to lead with curiosity instead of fear, how AI is reshaping the workplace, and why inclusive leadership is essential in the age of automation. Whether you're a business leader, strategist, or someone navigating the future of work, this episode is packed with insights that challenge the status quo.
In this episode we welcome Keith Marlow, a seasoned security architect with extensive experience in cybersecurity, enterprise solutions and AITogether, we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity and technology operations, diving into the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to the table. From enhancing security measures to automating business functions, AI is reshaping the landscape of modern industries.Discover how AI is revolutionising security, how businesses are integrating AI into their operations, and the critical steps companies need to take to ensure safe and effective AI implementation. Whether you're a security professional, business leader, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.
In this episode, we welcome Gabriele Sanguigno, the Chief Executive Officer of ToothfairyAI, one of the best multi-model (and secure) AI tools on the market.
Gabriele brings his extensive experience in scaling AI within enterprise environments to the conversation. Together, we explore the cutting-edge trends reshaping business operations—from the evolution of transformers and agentic workflows to the practical challenges of compute bottlenecks and regulatory compliance.
Get ready for an in-depth discussion on how transparency, open source innovation, and strategic AI integration are fueling enterprise transformation
In this episode of What The Tech Podcast (AU), the hosts are joined by Monmayuri, an accomplished AI and machine learning expert with extensive experience in generative AI, software development, and engineering leadership.Together with Rene and Vivienne, Monmayuri delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, discussing topics like large language models, agentic workflows, and responsible AI practices. This episode offers a fascinating exploration of how AI is revolutionising industries, empowering developers, and shaping the future of technology. Discover the differences between AI and machine learning, how AI tools like coding assistants are enhancing productivity, and why building responsible AI applications is more important than ever. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, developer, or just curious about AI, this episode is packed with insights and thought-provoking discussions.
In this episode of What The Tech Podcast (AU), the hosts are joined by Patrick Choi, a seasoned recruitment expert with 15+ years of experience in building data science, machine learning, and AI teams.
Together with Rene Esomba and Vivienne Motemwa, Patrick dives deep into the evolving world of AI recruitment, offering insights and advice for job seekers, hiring managers, and organisations navigating the challenges of an AI-driven job market.
Discover how roles are changing, how to make your CV stand out, and whether certifications, degrees, or hands-on projects are the best path to success. Whether you’re looking to land your dream job, hire top talent, or understand how AI is shaping careers, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert tips.
In this special episode of What The Tech Podcast (AU), the hosts are joined by Vivienne Mutembwa to discuss their journeys into the world of AI, technology, and innovation. Get to know the hosts as they open up about their careers, challenges, and the vision for the podcast.
Through candid conversations and insightful anecdotes, discover what fuels their passion for technology and how they plan to explore AI's impact on business, society, and everyday life in future episodes.
This is the first episode of What The Tech Podcast (AU).