In this episode of AI Rising, Leslie and Jayanth discuss the hype surrounding OpenAI's rumored "Orion" project. Jayanth sheds light on the state of agentic AI in India, where flash ... Read more
In this episode of AI Rising, Leslie and Jayanth discuss the hype surrounding OpenAI's rumored "Orion" project. Jayanth sheds light on the state of agentic AI in India, where flashy pitch decks often overshadow substance. He draws attention to trends like Indic language LLMs, many of which are mere wrappers on existing English models rather than innovations built from the ground up. Are these developments genuine breakthroughs, or are they simply marketing tactics aimed at impressing investors? Joining the conversation is Dhruv Rastogi, Senior Vice President & Head of Data Science at Medi Assist. With over 15 years of experience spanning finance, marketing, sales, and healthcare, Dhruv is a versatile data scientist driving innovation in India’s healthcare ecosystem. As COO at Medi Assist, he’s leveraging AI to make healthcare services more efficient and accessible. Dhruv discusses how Medi Assist is tackling a critical issue—reducing the wait time for insurance claims during hospital discharges. “A patient or their family, in such vulnerable situations, just want a smooth experience,” says Dhruv. By using predictive analytics, Medi Assist estimates bills with an accuracy of around ₹500, more or less, streamlining the process for patients and caregivers alike. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the intersection of AI innovation, healthcare transformation, and the ever-evolving tech landscape. Read more
In this episode of AI Rising, host Leslie D’Monte is joined by Ashwin Raguraman, Co-founder and Partner at Bharat Innovation Fund. Ashwin reflects on the journey of launching the f ... Read more
In this episode of AI Rising, host Leslie D’Monte is joined by Ashwin Raguraman, Co-founder and Partner at Bharat Innovation Fund. Ashwin reflects on the journey of launching the fund in 2018 to support deep tech startups in India—a bold move, as the startup ecosystem was still emerging. "We were trying to promote the ecosystem ahead of its time," he shares, highlighting the fund's mission to foster innovation before the landscape fully matured. Leslie delves into Ashwin’s approach to selecting deep tech entrepreneurs, asking what factors guide his investment decisions. Ashwin outlines three key vectors: first, the founding team’s background; second, the size and potential growth of the market, adding that forecasting both startup success and market evolution is a unique challenge; and third, the technology’s level of disruption, including patents and solutions. Tune in for insights into the strategies that drive investment in India’s deep tech ecosystem and how AI is changing the landscape. Read more
In this insightful episode, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla engage with Shashank from Tredence to discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data analytics. Shashank delves ... Read more
In this insightful episode, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla engage with Shashank from Tredence to discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data analytics. Shashank delves into the role of AI in creating interconnected solutions for supply and demand, emphasizing Tredence's unique approach in delivering actionable insights over mere predictions. The conversation spans the growth trajectory of AI startups like Fractal, the critical role of cloud computing, and India’s emerging influence in the AI ecosystem, showcased by models like Ola’s Krithrim. Additionally, Shashank shares the culture of innovation at Tredence, inspired by initiatives like Tredence Studio, a space reminiscent of Google’s Area 120, where employees can nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. He also touches upon India’s booming startup landscape, his investments in a VC fund supporting Indian startups, and Tredence's culture of mentorship-driven growth. Tune in for an engaging discussion on AI’s transformative power in business, India’s role in the global AI scene, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations. Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Tathagato Rai Dastidar, founder of SigTuple, a company transforming diagnostic healthcare ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Tathagato Rai Dastidar, founder of SigTuple, a company transforming diagnostic healthcare through AI-driven solutions. The discussion opens with the rise of AI agents like Salesforce's AgentForce AI and Microsoft’s new Copilot. Leslie poses the big question: can AI truly reason like humans? Tathagato offers an intriguing perspective, asking, “Do we even understand how humans reason?” Jayanth shares insights from his recent Europe trip, where he met AI innovators struggling to scale solutions due to the continent’s fragmented landscape. Tathagato then explains how SigTuple is streamlining diagnostics using AI-powered microscopes, making healthcare more efficient and accessible. Tune in for a compelling conversation on AI’s real-world impact and the future of healthcare technology. Read more
Dear listeners, as we celebrate 5 amazing years of HT Smartcast, we’re re-releasing the most loved episode from this podcast. Today, we’re bringing you one of our all-time favorite ... Read more
Dear listeners, as we celebrate 5 amazing years of HT Smartcast, we’re re-releasing the most loved episode from this podcast. Today, we’re bringing you one of our all-time favorites titled - What's stopping India from becoming AI superpower? Debjani Ghosh, President of NASSCOM has many firsts to her credit including being the 1st woman to head India's IT industry body to enable digital transformation in the country. She was facilitated by the president of India, in 2018, under the auspices of the First Ladies Program which honors exceptional women pioneers in their respective fields. And now Debjani is at the forefront of pushing AI and Generative AI Initiatives. Tune in as hosts, Jayanth and Leslie, pick Debjani's brain to decode the next era of IT and Tech in India when it comes to AI. Together they address questions like: why is India not on the global map when it comes to AI, where India is on the value chain globally and how far they are from who is controlling it, India's AI talent pool and how it is the biggest competitive advantage globally when it comes to the IT industry. Furthermore, they answer why is India low on research and development, investments and infrastructure when it comes to AI and what can be done to address these issues. They also discuss how India can re-skill its citizens to add to the talent and productivity boost to become the leader when it comes to the AI talent hub. If you are a Gen Z or a Millennial who is looking to build a career in AI, this episode is a must-listen! Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Ankur Pal, Chief Data Scientist at Aplazo, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) FinTech pl ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Ankur Pal, Chief Data Scientist at Aplazo, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) FinTech platform based in Mexico. Ankur, who leads the company’s data organization, is deeply committed to democratizing financial access through innovative technology. In addition to his role at Aplazo, he is an active angel investor with a portfolio of over 40 global companies, including Spenmo, Otipy, Rupifi, and TeachMint. The conversation begins with a discussion of Gartner’s Hype Cycle Report 2024 for emerging technologies, which projects a plateau for generative AI in 2 to 5 years, autonomous agents in 5 to 10 years, and artificial general intelligence (AGI) in more than 10 years. Ankur shares insights on how investors are navigating the rapid evolution of foundational AI models, while the hosts also explore the unique regulatory landscape in Latin America, which is fostering innovation in the fintech space. Tune in to this enlightening discussion to learn more! Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Anant Vidur Puri, a seasoned Venture Capitalist from Bessemer Venture Partners. The discu ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Anant Vidur Puri, a seasoned Venture Capitalist from Bessemer Venture Partners. The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the Listening-while-Speaking Language Model (LSLM), a model that integrates listening and speaking capabilities, allowing for real-time, seamless interaction. The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI on the workforce, with insights from a recent Accenture report revealing that up to 44% of working hours in the US are poised for automation or augmentation, with even higher percentages in the UK. The hosts, alongside Anant, delve into the risks this poses, particularly for workers with lower digital skills, and the potential widening of the digital divide. Anant brings his expertise to the table, emphasizing the critical role of Gen AI in the future of software development. He cautions that businesses not adopting AI will be left behind, as both competitors and clients increasingly demand AI-driven solutions. In a more personal segment, Leslie asks Anant what excites him about entrepreneurs, providing listeners with a glimpse into the mind of a leading venture capitalist. Tune in to explore the forefront of AI innovation and its far-reaching impacts on both technology and the workforce. Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Srinivas Gattamneni (Srini), CEO of ADA, a global data and AI company headquartered in Ku ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Srinivas Gattamneni (Srini), CEO of ADA, a global data and AI company headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The episode dives deep into how AI and Generative AI are revolutionizing digital marketing, with Srini sharing insights on funnel management, content automation, and personalized advertising. The conversation further explores how companies are approaching AI adoption, with Srini emphasizing the importance of foundational platform readiness and data preparedness. Additionally, he provides a comprehensive overview of the AI landscape in Southeast Asia, drawing parallels to the Indian market while noting the unique challenges posed by fragmented government structures, regulations, and cross-border complexities. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the latest in AI, digital marketing, and the evolving landscape of Generative AI! Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla moderated the Accel Cybersecurity Summit roundtable discussion discussing the latest trends and con ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla moderated the Accel Cybersecurity Summit roundtable discussion discussing the latest trends and concerns in cybersecurity, particularly in light of recent high-profile incidents and the growing influence of AI. The discussion features cybersecurity experts and industry professionals including Prayank Swaroop, Partner at Accel, Jossef Harush, Head of Supply Chain Security at Checkmarx, and Ross Haleliuk, Product Manager at LimaCharlie. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from recent cyber attacks and the increasing sophistication of modern threats to the impact of AI on cybersecurity and the challenges faced by businesses in protecting their digital assets. The experts explore software supply chain security, the role of social engineering in attacks, and the potential of AI to both enhance and complicate cybersecurity efforts. They also discuss the delicate balance between innovation and security for startups, as well as the evolving landscape of enterprise IT security in an era of rapid AI adoption. Tune in for an insightful episode! Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla delve into the potential impact of a newly passed bill in Karnataka which directs private firms in ... Read more
In the latest episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla delve into the potential impact of a newly passed bill in Karnataka which directs private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas. As the state grapples with the implications of the legislation, questions have arisen about whether it will tarnish its reputation as a tech hub. Our hosts further discuss the silliness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day, celebrated on July 16 each year. While intended to spotlight AI innovation and adoption across sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and cybersecurity, Leslie and Jayanth question the necessity of dedicating a day to AI, labeling it as a marketing gimmick with no real sanction. Adding to the discussion, Leslie recounts an amusing episode from Google I/O in Bengaluru, where some leadership appeared unaware of the day’s existence, further underlining his skepticism. Tune in for an insightful episode! Read more
