AI Think Tank Podcast

Why AI Needs Data Fabric, Metadata & Metrics Governance to Scale

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 01:14:53 +0000

Interview w/ Ritish Chugh

I do not often get to sit down with someone who operates at the intersection of financial data infrastructure, enterprise analytics, and AI readiness. Ritish Chugh is one of those rare people. He is a Senior Analytics Engineer, where he leads reporting and analytics for finance business users across 160 countries. Before that, he spent years at Amazon Prime Video managing end-to-end business metric reporting and KPI dashboards for third-party living room devices. Before that, he cut his teeth in fraud and risk analytics, managing portfolio strategies for nearly 1,000 banks and chasing down millions of dollars in fraud losses year over year.

Building Better with Claude Agent Skills

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 02:38:43 +0000

With Co-host John McDonald

When I welcomed John McDonald back to the AI Think Tank Podcast, it had been about a year since his last appearance. In AI time, that gap might as well have been a decade. What unfolded during this conversation made that clear. We moved from early ideas around agents and protocols into a much more mature discussion about how agentic systems are actually being built today , and why Claude’s new concept of skills represents a genuine paradigm shift.

Webinar: From Cloud Costs to Edge Control

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Modular Data Centers for Sustainable and Efficient AI

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has forced organizations to reconsider where their data lives and how their infrastructure operates. I have spent the past several years at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and data infrastructure. During that time I have seen cloud-first strategies begin to fail under the weight of real operational demands.

AI workloads require predictable costs. They require low latency. They require strict control over privacy, compliance, and sovereignty. They also require physical and energy efficient environments that support AI at scale.

Recorded Webinar: From Cloud Costs to Edge Control

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Recording from: FRIDAY NOV 14TH

Link to Full Article & Video: https://aithinktankpodcast.com/articles/f/webinar-from-cloud-costs-to-edge-control

AI Governance: ISO 42001 and NIST AI RMF

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Interview with Greg Hutchins of Quality + Engineering

In our latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Greg Hutchins, Principal Engineer at Quality Plus Engineering (Q+E). Greg is one of the foremost authorities on engineering, risk, and quality in the modern era. Greg has over 45 years of experience across multiple engineering disciplines and has authored more than 30 books. He’s also the creator of the Certified Enterprise Risk Manager (CERM) framework, and his firm was one of the first certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in critical infrastructure protection.

Swiss Vault is Bringing Hyperscaler Power to Everyone

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Interview with Bhupinder Bhullar

In a world increasingly dominated by AI, massive data creation, and energy-hungry compute infrastructure, the question isn’t just how to store our data, but how to store it better. On the latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Bhupinder Bhullar, CEO of Swiss Vault, to discuss a truly groundbreaking approach to data storage.

What I found was a company that has quietly engineered a revolution, one that delivers hyperscaler-grade resilience, performance, and efficiency to everyone from small businesses to satellite networks.

Closing the AI Skills Gap

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Interview w/ Mike Spaeth, VP of United States AI Institute

The phrase “AI skills gap” gets thrown around so often that it risks becoming background noise. One thing that I hear often is “ How do we bring everyone along, fast enough?”

That question framed our latest episode with Mike Spaeth , Global VP at the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute. Mike sits at the intersection of policy, workforce development, and enterprise strategy, so he’s uniquely positioned to talk solutions instead of soundbites.

Mathematical Optimization for AI

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Interview / Jerry Yurchisin, Sr. Data Scientist @ Gurobi

As a lifelong systems thinker and technology advocate, I’ve long been fascinated by the intersection of data science, machine learning, and operations research. But nothing quite brings it all together like mathematical optimization. In our latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jerry Yurchisin, Senior Data Scientist at Gurobi, to explore how optimization is being used not just to improve AI, but to fundamentally empower better decision-making across industries.

Emerging Standards: Model Context Protocol

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Interview with John McDonald

When I first read about the Model Context Protocol (MCP) , I was deep in designing a new cognitive memory system when it dropped. I realized I needed to integrate MCP into my workflow immediately. This open standard from Anthropic wasn’t just another protocol, it was the missing link to creating truly interoperable, intelligent systems. On this episode of the AI Think Tank, I sat down with my longtime colleague and product leader John McDonald to dig deep into what MCP means for developers, enterprises, and AI agents.

Creative Applications of AI in Cinema

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Interview with Dr. Patricia Beckmann-Wells

The latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast was one for the books. I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with a true pioneer in animation and AI-driven filmmaking, Dr. Patricia Beckmann-Wells. A veteran of DreamWorks and Disney, and now the creative force behind Buncella Films, Patricia joined me to explore the cutting edge of AI in cinema, and her latest passion project: Mom Bomb , a feminist comedy horror born from over a dozen AI tools. Buckle up, we covered everything from forensic skull modeling to puppet-driven marionettes powered by Arduino. This episode was a fun look into how human creativity merges with the machine.

A/B Testing Pitfalls

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Interview w/ Sumit Gupta - Business Intelligence Engineer at Notion

In our latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast , I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sumit Gupta , a business intelligence engineer at Notion, author of The Tableau Workshop , and an expert in modern data stacks, marketing analytics, and business intelligence. With a career spanning companies like Snowflake and Dropbox, Sumit has spent years optimizing A/B testing strategies, analytics engineering, and data-driven decision-making.

Entertainment Media & AI

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Interview w/ Larry Namer

The AI Think Tank Podcast has always been a platform for exploring the future of intelligent systems, machine learning, and data science. But this time, we had the pleasure of diving into the intersection of AI and entertainment media with an industry legend, Larry Namer.

As a founder of E! Entertainment Television , Larry has shaped the global media landscape in ways few have. Beyond E!, he’s built Metan Global Entertainment Group , bringing Western-style entertainment to China, and worked on AI-driven storytelling, immersive entertainment, and digital content. He’s also deeply involved with Kwaai , a nonprofit dedicated to democratizing AI, a mission that I proudly support.

Davos World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Hightlights 2025

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:52:02 +0000

Interview w/ Egle B. Thomas

Each January, the serene snow-covered landscapes of Davos, Switzerland, transform into a global epicenter for dialogue on economics, technology, and societal change. The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting convenes world leaders, innovators, and thinkers to chart paths forward on humanity’s most pressing issues. This year, the AI Think Tank Podcast had the privilege of diving deep into the summit’s highlights with my brilliant friend and fellow MIT alumna, Egle Thomas. A strategic consultant, executive coach, and AI advisor with over 16 years of experience, Egle brings unparalleled insights into the evolving intersections of technology, business, and human well-being.

Current State of Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Interview with Dr. Andrea Isoni - SHOW 16

Intelligent systems are evolving faster than ever, and keeping up with the latest advancements requires expertise, foresight, and a deep understanding of both the technological and regulatory landscapes. In AI Think Tank Podcast – Show 16 , I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Andrea Isoni, Director and Chief AI Officer at AI Technologies, a consultancy specializing in machine learning and AI-driven solutions. Dr. Isoni is not only a thought leader in AI but also a contributor to international AI standards, including the newly established ISO 42001 for machine learning adoption.

A Vision For The Future of AI:ThinkFuture w/Chris Kalaboukis 1039

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 02:00:00 +0000

Dan’s guest appearance on: Think Future episode 1039

As someone who has spent years navigating the exciting and unpredictable currents of innovation, I recently had the privilege of joining Chris Kalaboukis on his show, Think Future. For those unfamiliar, Chris is a thought leader in the realms of foresight, philosophy, futurism, and innovation, and his show dives deep into ideas shaping tomorrow. Chris is also the author of [Beyond Stoicism: Embracing The Ancient Greek Practice of Ataraxia for Tranquility and Inner Peace](https://Beyond Stoicism: Embracing The Ancient Greek Practice of Ataraxia for Tranquility and Inner Peace) ,**** which I recommend**.**

Critical Decision Making for Enterprise AI - Show #15

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Interview with Vincent Koc, MIT Program Mentor

Introduction: Bridging AI and Enterprise

On this episode of the AI Think Tank podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Vincent Koc, an MIT program mentor and a celebrated international keynote speaker. Vincent was recognized among Australia’s top 25 Chief Data & AI Officers in 2020, and he has a global perspective on AI, cultivated from his travels and professional experiences across the United States, Europe, and Asia. During our conversation, Vincent revealed some profound insights into the changing landscape of AI, the challenges of data integration, and the evolving dynamics of the enterprise AI ecosystem.

Deep Reflections on Mycelium, Neural Networks, & AGI - Show #14

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 01:00:00 +0000

Interview with Jeanette Small, MA, PhD

In this recent AI Think Tank Podcast episode, we took a close look into the complexities of intelligence, neural networks, and the potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with my guest, Jeanette Small, MA, PhD. Jeanette, a licensed clinical psychologist with a focus on somatic psychology, brought a unique perspective by intertwining her knowledge of human neuroplasticity with the ever-expanding field of artificial intelligence. We discussed not only the technical parallels between AI systems and human neural networks, but also the philosophical questions surrounding consciousness, autonomy, and the limitations of current technologies.

The Current State of AI Ethics - Show #13

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 03:00:00 +0000

Interview with Laura Miller

After a nice Summer break here at the AI Think Tank Podcast , I had the pleasure of sitting down with Laura Miller. Laura is the founder of NextGen Ethics , an AI consultancy dedicated to embedding ethics into the lifecycle of AI development. She is not only a philosopher and award-winning ethicist, but also a passionate advocate for creating technology that aligns with the greater good of society. The conversation touched on a wide range of topics, from the challenges of AI in moderating social media content to the broader implications of AI on global sustainability goals. This episode was packed with thought-provoking insights, and I’m excited to share a recap of the key points we discussed.

Global AI Trends In Business and Humanity - Show 12

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Interview with Egle B. Thomas, PhD, MBA

After a nice four week break, the AI Think Tank Podcast is back for its 12 show. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Egle B. Thomas , a distinguished international AI advisor and business expert. Egle and I met last year through MIT and have remained close friends since. Our discussion spanned the global state of artificial intelligence and its multifaceted impact on art, music, business, and humanity. Here’s a detailed look at our conversation.

Innovating Sustainable Data Storage with SwissVault - Show #11

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Interview with Bhupinder Bhullar and Doug Fortune

For our 11th episode of the AI Think Tank podcast, I had the pleasure of diving deep into the world of innovative data storage solutions with Bhupinder Bhullar , CEO of SwissVault , and Doug Fortune , the company’s CTO and inventor of their Vault File System (VFS). SwissVault is at the forefront of addressing one of the most pressing issues in today’s digital age: efficient, sustainable data management.

Show #10 - Orange County Department of Education Has the AI Juice

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Interview with Kunal Dalal and Wes Kriesel

After nearly 2 months of waiting, I finally got to interview Wes Kriesel and Kunal Dalal from the Orange County Department of Education. These two visionaries are at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into the educational landscape, driving innovative changes across nearly 30 districts in Orange County, California! Both of these gentlemen have been a great source of inspiration for me personally, as well as many others.

Show #9 - The Early Days of the Internet

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Interview with Wes Kussmaul

If you were using computers in the early 80s, this interview is for you! I had the extreme honor of hosting Wes Kussmaul, an internet pioneer whose work has significantly shaped the landscape of online privacy and security. Wes is the creator of the first online encyclopedia, Delphi, and a founding member of the Authenticity Alliance. Our conversation delved into the early days of the internet, Rainbow Magazine, the evolution of social media, and the ongoing challenges and solutions in the realm of digital security.

Empowering Educators with AI Literacy

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Jill Kowalchuk’s Insights on Integrating AI in K-12 Education

Brought to you by DOCEO AI | Hosted by the AI Think Tank Podcast

The AI Think Tank Podcast has been given permission to share this video in an effort to help teachers around the world gain a better understanding of the use of AI in education. Special Thanks to Jill Kowalchuk at amii and Ahmad Jawad at DOCEO AI

Introduction

The rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges for educators. Jill Kowalchuk, a K-12 education advisor at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII), recently delivered an enlightening webinar discussing the impact of AI on education. Her presentation emphasized the importance of AI literacy, ethical considerations, and the empowerment of teachers through professional development. This article summarizes her key points, offering insights into the integration of AI in K-12 education.

Show #8 - Personal AI OS

Sat, 25 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Interview with Kwaai’s Toby Morning and Karsten Wade

In the latest episode of the AI Think Tank podcast , I had the privilege of hosting Toby Morning and Karsten Wade from Kwaai. These two trailblazers are at the forefront of a nonprofit initiative dedicated to democratizing AI through the development of a Personal AI Operating System (pAIOS). Our discussion spanned various topics, from the origins of Kwaai to the technical intricacies of pAIOS, providing a comprehensive insight into their groundbreaking work. This article delves into the key points and takeaways from our enlightening conversation.

Show #7 Texas Jumps the Gun on AI

Sat, 18 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

A Look at TEA’s AI Grading System with Caleb Stevens and Dan Wilson

The recent implementation of artificial intelligence by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to grade the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests has sparked significant debate. For show #7 of the AI Think Tank podcast , I had the pleasure of discussing this topic with Caleb Stevens , an infrastructure engineer, founder of Personality Labs, and fellow MIT cohort of mine.

Show #6 Zero Trust Architecture and AI

Sat, 11 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Interview with Patrick Stingley

During this very special 6th episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the honor to speak with Patrick Stingley, a seasoned data scientist and enterprise architect for the U.S. government, currently associated with the Bureau of Land Management. His decades of experience in various sectors of government service have endowed him with an intricate understanding of information technology, particularly within the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and data security.

Show #5 The Road to Democratizing AI with Kwaai

Sat, 04 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Discussion with Reza Rassool and Cam Geer

For our 5th episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the pleasure of joining two key figures in the field of data democratization and its intersection with AI: Reza Rassool , founder of Kwaai , and Cam Geer , Co-Founder and COO of Cryptid Technologies. Throughout our conversation, we discussed Kwaai’s bold efforts to make AI accessible and beneficial for everyone, unpacking the complexities and transformative potential of their initiatives.

SHOW #4 CYBERSECURITY PRACTICES AND AI DEPLOYMENTS

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 18:59:49 +0000

Discussion with Tim Rohrbaugh

For our 4th episode of the AI Think Tank podcast, we explored cybersecurity and artificial intelligence with the insights of Tim Rohrbaugh , an expert whose career has traversed the Navy to the forefront of commercial cybersecurity. The discussion focused on the strategic deployment of AI in cybersecurity, highlighting the use of open-source models and the benefits of local deployment to secure data effectively.

Show #3 Implementing AI In K-12 Education

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Roundtable Discussion with Rebecca Bultsma and Ahmad Jawad 4/20/24

Implementing AI In K-12 Education

In the latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, we ventured into the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and K-12 education. I was fortunate to host a discussion that not only explored the transformative potentials of AI in educational settings but also tackled the complexities and ethical concerns that come with such technological integration. Joining me were friends Rebecca Bultsma and Ahmad Jawad, two notable experts who brought a wealth of knowledge and insight to our conversation.

Show #2 Retrieval Augmented Fine Tuning and Data Integrations

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 01:24:57 +0000

Presentation and Discussion with Suman Aluru and Caleb Stevens 4/13/24

In the latest episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting a deep dive into the world of AI advancements, specifically focusing on “RAFT” (Retrieval Augmented Fine Tuning). Joining me were the esteemed guests Suman Aluru and Caleb Stevens, who both have much to do with AI infrastructure and application. Our conversation revolved around how RAFT bridges the critical gaps between fine-tuning and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and the significant impact this has on AI-driven applications.

Show #1 Human-Centric AI Through Better Transparency

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Interview with Gerry Chng 4/6/24

In our very first public episode of the AI Think Tank Podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Gerry Chng, live from Singapore. Gerry serves as the Executive Director in Deloitte’s Cyber Risk Advisory Practice, focusing on cybersecurity and risk management. Gerry brings over 25 years of expertise in cybersecurity, making his insights into the complexities of AI governance, the EU AI Act, and the challenges of technological innovation and regulation invaluable. After having just spoken on BBC News, Gerry had very much to share with me.

About

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

How it began…

The AI Think Tank developed from a series of private online meetings of MIT cohorts with the intent of democratizing our learning as a community. After 16 non-stop weeks of Think Tanks with a variety of speakers, we decided to share this journey with the world.

We invite you to involve yourself in our discussions and to ask important questions. From interviews, roundtable discussions, presentations, to live labs, we have fostered a unique experience for all to share and participate in as equals. While the main platform of our continued meetings is through Zoom, we also provide our recorded streams publicly.