Advertise on podcast: Tech Innovators Spotlight

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Chad Merck is joined by Paul Goldstein, Head of AI Growth at Blackbaud to discuss how AI is transforming the social good sector through a focus on customer needs, simplicity, and measurable outcomes. The conversation explores the rise of agentic AI as virtual teammates, capable of autonomously supporting tasks like donor engagement while maintaining a human-in-the-loop for trust and oversight. Paul emphasizes that successful AI adoption isn’t about the technology itself, but the value it delivers, whether that’s increased fundraising, stronger relationships, or operational efficiency.   In This Episode You Will Learn:     How agentic AI is being structured and onboarded like a real team member What product and leadership shifts are needed to successfully adopt AI at scale Why outcome-driven AI matters more than understanding the underlying technology   Some Questions We Ask:    What do customers actually care about when it comes to AI? How do you measure whether your AI strategy is working? What future developments in AI are you most excited about?       Resources:       View Paul Goldstein on LinkedIn    View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Chad Merck is joined by Bryan Harris, CTO of SAS, to explore the current state of AI and where it’s headed next. Bryan shares why AI represents a turning point in how organizations analyze and act on massive amounts of data, and why the real opportunity isn’t replacing people but empowering them to create better outcomes. The conversation covers the rise of agentic AI, the importance of trust and governance in enterprise AI systems, and how technologies like digital twins, synthetic data, and quantum computing are helping organizations solve complex real-world problems, from manufacturing optimization to fraud detection.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     Why the explosion of enterprise data is driving the rapid adoption of AI How AI can shift organizations from gathering data to actually analyzing it The difference between AI assistants and agentic AI workflows   Some Questions We Ask:    Why do you believe this moment in AI should lead companies to invest more in people? As AI moves from assistants to agentic workflows, where will enterprises see the biggest impact? How do digital twins help organizations bridge the gap between AI insights and real-world outcomes?       Resources:       View Bryan Harris on LinkedIn   View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts      Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Chad Merck and co-host Jennifer Martinez are joined by Paul Walker, Global Solutions Director at iManage, to explore how AI is transforming legal and professional services. Paul discusses how generative AI has shifted iManage’s platform from record-keeping to active intelligence, enabling lawyers to extract value from vast, highly sensitive document repositories while maintaining trust, security, and regulatory compliance. The conversation covers what “AI confidence” means in practice, including explainability, auditability, data containment, and completeness, as well as real-world efficiency gains, unexpected high-impact use cases, and the importance of strong information architecture.  In This Episode You Will Learn:     How generative AI is changing the way legal teams work with documents Why grounding AI responses in source documents improves adoption What’s next for AI in legal tech including platform openness and agentic workflows   Some Questions We Ask:    Why are trust, accuracy, and sensitive data handling so critical in legal AI? How does iManage make AI outputs trusted and explainable for users? What does the agentic future of AI look like for legal teams?      Resources:       View Paul Walker on LinkedIn   View Jennifer Martinez on LinkedIn   View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Chad Merck and co-host Will Pollard are joined by Ed Keisling, Chief AI Officer at Progress Software, to explore what it really takes to make AI deliver value in the enterprise. Ed shares why the Chief AI Officer role is uniquely positioned to balance innovation and risk, why most GenAI projects struggle to show ROI, and how organizations can avoid chasing hype by focusing on sharp, well-defined problems. The conversation dives into Progress’s approach to AI as augmentation rather than replacement, the growing opportunity for small and mid-sized businesses, and how agentic RAG and Progress’s partnership with Microsoft are helping make AI more practical, scalable, and accessible.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     Why many GenAI projects fail to deliver ROI and how to avoid common pitfalls How agentic RAG helps ground AI systems in reliable, trusted data Where AI is delivering real value today versus where experimentation is still ongoing   Some Questions We Ask:    How has this current wave of AI been different from past technology disruptions? Why do you think so many organizations struggle to succeed with AI initiatives? Where do you think we are right now in the AI adoption and hype cycle?       Resources:       View Ed Keisling on LinkedIn   View Will Pollard on LinkedIn   View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Chad Merck and co-host Lauren Hutchinson sit down with Coursera CTO Mustafa Furniturewala to explore how AI is reshaping education at a global scale. Mustafa shares why Coursera’s mission to democratize learning has kept him with the company for over a decade and discusses how the organization fosters a culture of experimentation to drive innovation. He breaks down Coursera’s rapid adoption of generative AI, the creation of Coursera Coach, new capabilities in personalized and hands-on learning, and the expansion of translated and AI-dubbed content to reach more learners worldwide.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     How a decade inside Coursera has shaped Mustafa’s perspective on building at scale Why core skills like cybersecurity and data fundamentals remain essential alongside AI What makes offline mobile learning critical for low-connectivity regions   Some Questions We Ask:    What does a culture of experimentation look like at Coursera? How does Coursera think about partnerships, including Microsoft? What role will Coursera play in the changing education landscape?       Resources:       View Mustafa Furniturewala on LinkedIn   View Lauren Hutchinson on LinkedIn   View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of Season 2, host Chad Merck and co-host Marc-André Groulx sit down with Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, to explore how AI is transforming the classroom. Sal shares the story of Khan Academy’s evolution from tutoring his cousins to empowering millions of learners worldwide, and how its AI-powered tutor, Khanmigo, is redefining personalized education. They discussed responsible AI in schools, the future of teaching, and how the partnership with Microsoft is enabling Khan Academy to offer free, world-class tools to teachers globally. Sal also offers a glimpse into what’s next, from the Khan Academy Reimagined platform to innovations in writing, assessments, and early learning.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     The ways Microsoft’s partnership is expanding access to Khan Academy worldwide Why Sal believes AI can make teachers more valuable, not replace them. The challenges and opportunities of bringing AI safely into schools   Some Questions We Ask:    What has remained constant at Khan Academy as the platform has scaled? How did you approach the challenges of working directly with school systems? What have you learned about how students engage best with AI tools?       Resources:       View Sal Khan on LinkedIn   View Marc-André Groulx on LinkedIn   View Chad Merck on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this season finale of Tech Innovator Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni and co-host DJ Johnson sit down with Kunal Mukerjee, VP of Architecture at DocuSign for an insightful conversation on innovation, AI, and the future of digital agreements. Kunal reveals DocuSign’s evolution from a trusted e-signature platform to a full-scale, intelligent agreement lifecycle partner. He discusses how AI-powered features like custom data extractions, Chat with Data, and AI Assistant Review are transforming how organizations create, analyze, and manage contracts. Looking ahead, Kunal shares a bold vision: AI as a strategic advisor that proactively identifies risks, reveals cost-saving opportunities, and automates complex legal workflows. Built securely on Microsoft Azure and OpenAI technologies, DocuSign’s purpose-built AI offers the trust, compliance, and scale required by global enterprises—positioning it as a leader in the future of intelligent agreements.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     Why domain expertise, trust, and security are critical differentiators in DocuSign’s AI strategy The story of IAM (Intelligent Agreement Management) and the real-world problem it solves How custom data extractions using LLMs allow users to surface bespoke insights from contracts   Some Questions We Ask:    What’s DocuSign’s vision for incorporating agentic AI into its offerings? How does DocuSign plan to evolve agent capabilities while ensuring compliance and security? Why is full automation not always practical or advisable in high-stakes agreement scenarios?       Resources:       View Kunal Mukerjee on LinkedIn   View DJ Johnson on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni welcomes Sean Sturman, Azure Specialist at Microsoft, and Shing Tao, CEO and Chairman of Remark AI. Together, they explore how Remark AI is using computer vision to transform industries—from construction and manufacturing to aviation and agriculture. Shing shares how his company is delivering real-world impact with AI, from fire detection on job sites to turbine inspections and even facial recognition for pigs. He also unpacks the shift from passive analytics to intelligent agents that take action—like dispatching emergency services or handling multilingual customer support. His advice to businesses: start small, prove value fast, and build AI partnerships that scale.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     How Remark AI is applying computer vision to transform physical spaces across industries Why computer vision is a more scalable AI solution than generative AI The huge potential for AI to improve 311 call response and public safety   Some Questions We Ask:    How has Remark AI’s product changed in the last few years with AI innovation? Can you share how Remark AI is helping the agriculture industry? What should sellers listen for when talking to customers to identify potential AI solutions?       Resources:       View Shing Tao on LinkedIn   View Sean Sturman on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni welcomes Blake Brannon, Head of Product, and Ojas Rege, General Manager of Privacy and Data Governance of OneTrust. They dive into the evolving landscape of data privacy, compliance, and AI governance, exploring how OneTrust helps organizations navigate complex regulations like GDPR while ensuring responsible data use. Blake and Ojas discuss the global challenges of data management, the shift from companies "owning" consumer data to individuals having control, and how AI adds new layers of complexity to privacy and security.       In This Episode You Will Learn:     How regulations like GDPR changed the way companies handle user data The operational shift from legal paperwork to actively managing data governance Why companies need to prioritize privacy to build strong customer relationships   Some Questions We Ask:    How has the landscape evolved with multiple privacy regulations worldwide? How does OneTrust help manage the complexity of global privacy laws? What does responsible data usage mean, and how do companies navigate what is acceptable?       Resources:       View Blake Brannon on LinkedIn   View Ojas Rege on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni and co-host Raquel Gallivan from Microsoft welcome Anand Kulkarni, CEO of Crowdbotics, to discuss the critical role of AI-powered modernization in transforming legacy code. Anand explains how Crowdbotics is tackling the challenge of migrating outdated mainframe systems, like COBOL, into modern cloud frameworks. With billions of dollars wasted on failed modernization efforts, he breaks down the scale of the issue, the risks of inaction, and how AI can bridge the gap by efficiently understanding and updating legacy systems.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     How AI accelerates the migration of legacy systems to modern cloud frameworks The cost of inaction: what happens when businesses delay modernization What the future of AI-driven software modernization looks like   Some Questions We Ask:    What security measures do you have in place to protect customers' code and data? Why did you choose to partner with Microsoft, and what has the journey been like so far? What is Crowdbotics' role in making modernization more efficient and preventing this waste?   Resources:       View Anand Kulkarni on LinkedIn   View Raquel Gallivan on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts      Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni and co-host Ahmed Halawani welcome August Allen to explore the cutting-edge world of AI-powered drug discovery with Enveda Biosciences. August Allen, CTO of Enveda, breaks down how the company is leveraging AI and mass spectrometry to unlock nature’s vast, untapped reservoir of medicinal molecules. With 99% of nature’s chemistry still undiscovered, Enveda’s innovative approach aims to accelerate drug discovery and bring new treatments to market faster than traditional methods. August also discusses PRISM, their collaboration with Microsoft, and how machine learning is revolutionizing the way scientists decode the "grammar of chemistry" for groundbreaking medical advancements.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     How AI and machine learning are revolutionizing drug discovery Why nature-derived compounds may lead to safer and more effective medicines How Microsoft's partnership with Enveda is driving innovation in pharmaceutical research   Some Questions We Ask:    Does using natural ingredients make drug development faster? Can you explain mass spectrometry in simple terms? AI is a big part of Enveda. How has it shaped the company since 2019?       Resources:       View Ahmed Halawani on LinkedIn   View August Allen on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Download the Transcript Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni and co-host Raquel Gallivan welcome Justin Foster, CTO of Forescout, to discuss cybersecurity, risk management, and the evolving role of AI in security. Justin shares how Forescout provides asset visibility, threat management, and compliance solutions across industries like healthcare, finance, and government. He highlights the company's partnership with Microsoft and their use of Azure and AI-driven threat detection. The conversation explores how AI-powered automation enhances security operations, improves compliance, and simplifies reporting for analysts and executives.  In This Episode You Will Learn:   The role AI plays in automating security operations and summarizing risk assessments Why network visibility is crucial for detecting rogue devices and preventing cyber threats The benefits of using Azure for cloud security, automation, and global scalability  Some Questions We Ask:  How does Forescout leverage Azure and Microsoft security solutions to enhance its offerings? What are some of the key reasons Forescout chose Microsoft as a strategic partner? What excites you the most about the future of AI in cybersecurity, and what’s next for Forescout?  Resources:       View Raquel Gallivan on LinkedIn  View Justin Foster on LinkedIn    View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn   Forescout – Manage cyber risk and mitigate threats, continuously.  Related Microsoft Podcasts:    Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Download the Transcript Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni is joined by Ed Abbo, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of C3.ai, to explore how the company is revolutionizing enterprise AI. Ed breaks down C3.ai’s expansive portfolio—spanning asset performance management, supply chain optimization, law enforcement, and even defense—showcasing how their pre-built AI applications drive efficiency, reduce downtime, and create real economic value for industries worldwide. From partnering with giants like Shell and Dow to deploying AI solutions in weeks rather than years, Ed shares insights into what makes C3.ai a market leader in enterprise AI innovation. Plus, he reveals the story behind the company's name and how its tech stack has evolved since 2009.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     The industries C3.ai serves, including manufacturing, energy, government, and financial services How C3.ai rapidly deploys AI applications in as little as 12 weeks for maximum economic impact Why supply chain AI is critical for demand forecasting, production scheduling, and supplier risk management.   Some Questions We Ask:    What are the key factors that guide your innovation strategy? Can you explain the portfolio of products you offer? How do you measure success and decide where to innovate?    Resources:       View Ed Abbo on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Download the Transcript Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni is joined by Co-Host Jeffrey Bush and special guest Nabil Bukhari from Extreme Networks to explore how AI is revolutionizing networking by cutting through complexity. Nabil explains that Extreme Networks is shifting from traditional product offerings to a comprehensive platform—Platform One—that integrates AI as a core service. Using relatable analogies, he illustrates how the platform accelerates existing processes, replaces inefficient workflows, and enables entirely new capabilities, all aimed at delivering tangible value to customers. The conversation underscores the evolution of AI from a simple chatbot to an embedded, transformative tool that makes managing complex network environments more efficient and user-friendly.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     How Extreme Networks’ customer-centric approach drives innovation in network management The key benefits of merging AI with networking to deliver tangible customer value How generative AI is integrated into Extreme Networks’ Platform One to accelerate business processes   Some Questions We Ask:    What is the best way for customers to experience your AI platform and its capabilities? Can you share what you’re working on for the next six to 12 months? What is one of the biggest challenges that technology and business leaders face?   Resources:       View Nabil Bukhari on LinkedIn   View Jeffery Bush on LinkedIn   View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:       Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Download the Transcript Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech Innovators Spotlight, host Vrushali Soni dives into AI and data pipeline innovation with Julian LaNeve, CTO of Astronomer. Julian shares how Astronomer empowers organizations to manage massive-scale data pipelines using Apache Airflow, the popular orchestration tool originally developed by Airbnb. They discuss Astronomer's journey from building their own product to becoming the leading provider of managed Airflow solutions, helping companies optimize their data ecosystems. Julian also introduces Astronomer’s latest offering, Astro Observe, designed to enhance observability and data quality at scale.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     How Astronomer simplifies Airflow deployment and management Why Apache Airflow is the go-to tool for data workflow orchestration What role reliable data plays in enhancing generative AI   Some Questions We Ask:    Can you explain what Airflow and Astro Observe are? How do Astro and Astro Observe help customers with AI and data? What’s your vision for the future of AI, and how do you think Astronomer will fit into that?      Resources:       View Julian LaNeve on LinkedIn  View Vrushali Soni on LinkedIn   Astronomer: The Best Place to Run Apache Airflow®  Related Microsoft Podcasts:      No Slides Attached Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Download the Transcript Produced by Hangar Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.