Momenta I Digital Thread

Our conversation with Fred Krueger, CEO of Workcoin addressed a range of issues related to blockchain technology – the promise, the technological shortcomings, critical innovations to drive adoption and the critical role of stable coins. In the podcast, Fred shares what he saw that makes blockchain technology such a breakthrough, he discusses the technological shortcomings of the Ethereum blockchain and the challenges involved with the difficult user experience. Also, the coming generation of easy to use wallets such as EOS Lynx that will make it easy to transact cryptocurrencies and his expectation that we are on the verge of a major demand inflection as several technologies provide truly scalable infrastructure. He also discusses the market dynamics around the rise of freelancing that led him to found Workcoin, and the impact of regulation on how blockchain companies will increasingly be funded.

Our conversation with Vivek Wadhwa touched on a broad array of topics, following up on his two most recent books The Driver in the Driverless Car and Your Happiness Was Hacked: Why Tech Is Winning the Battle to Control Your Brain--and How to Fight Back. Our conversation covered the nature of exponential technologies as a foundation concept, along with the implications of AI/Machine Learning. He provided an optimistic outlook around self-driving cars and solar energy cost curves, with a bit of tempered enthusiasm around human gene-editing (CRISPr). The ways that technology is designed to hijack our attention, and how love, work and interpersonal relationships are being impacted are the focus of his new book, and he provides suggestions for us to better manage the disruption of technology in our lives.

Our conversation with Sloan Brakefied CEO and Jon Fox, Chairman of Fr8 Network covered the current state of the global supply chain, and the inherent inefficiencies of paper based processes. Brakefied and Fox discuss the unique technology challenges faced with the supply chain and how blockchain technology represents a new approach to solving long time challenges for market participants. The conversation touched on key use cases where blockchain technology could be transformative, the challenges of evangelizing new technologies and a look into the future.

David White is a principal at Ontos Global, a boutique consulting firm based in Berkeley, CA and the author of Rethinking Culture: Embodied Cognition and the Origin of Culture in Organizations. Our conversation explored his deep background into organizational culture, the evolution of cognitive anthropology and some of the misperception around culture - what it is, why it’s important, and why it’s so difficult for organizations to change. White discussed insights from the past 30 years of research into the brain, illuminating how organizational culture is shaped by the industry and the daily tasks of the people within. Our conversation explores the role of language, leadership and technology, challenges and new approaches for organizations to transform their culture to become more effective.

Microsoft has emerged as one of the most important technology players in the Internet of Things. Sam George takes our conversation through the origins and evolution of Microsoft’s IoT strategy, touching on the key product offerings, the role of partnerships and customers behind the fundamental drive to make everything simpler for users. Our discussion covered platforms, analytics and AI, the role of blockchain, edge computing and Sam highlights a number of key use cases. Lastly, Sam provides a view of what to expect from Microsoft’s IoT focus on the future.

Atti Riazi is the CIO of the UN shared how technology has played an integral role in her life since she was a child, leading to her role today. She discussed the implications of technological evolution, the potential to address meaningful global challenges and the need to engage public and private partnerships to address the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, the ability for technologies to address the problems of human trafficking and refugees is highly promising. This comes with a dark side however on the dark web, and Riazi calls for participation in the UN’s Digital Blue Helmets, a global network dedicated to fighting security and other threats of the connected age.

The Coming Clean Energy Wave – How Analytics, IT and People Will Power Transformative Change - An interview with Dr. Chandu Visweswariah, CEO and Founder of Utopus Insights, a Vestas Wind Systems A/S company. Dr. Chandu Visweswariah leads one of the most forward thinking teams in all of energy. Utopus Insights (acquired by Vestas in February 2018) applies deep analytics and domain expertise to energy transmission and distribution and clean energy production assets. In our conversation, Chandu outlines the powerful forces setting the stage for clean energy (mostly solar and wind) to become dominant in the future. He discusses lessons from building his own zero-carbon home, the multiple dimensions of digitizing the energy industry, unique technology dynamics involved with energy and his optimistic visions for a future powered by clean sources. He also shares some of the obstacles and challenges ahead for utilities and governments to effectively traverse the coming transition of the energy markets.

Navigating Connected Industry - from AI to Quantum Computing - A conversation with Cisco’s VP of Strategic Innovation Maciej Kranz Maciej Kranz is one of the most prominent thought leaders in IoT, and his book Building the Internet of Things and blog are essential reading for anyone interested in the topics. Our conversation covered the changes in the market and surprises since the launch of his book in 2016, his views on the current state of the market and evolution across industries. He discusses the primacy of security and the surprise that so many organizations need help – which drove him to publish his companion workbook. We also covered key topics such as the evolving architectures of IoT, Intelligent Edge and Fog Computing, how China is approaching IoT, and the importance of AI. As the market moves from optimization to digital transformation, and Maciej provides essential advice to those looking to make the jump.

What the future of tech holds – Parsing 2018 predictions - A conversation with Duncan Stewart, Head of TMT Research for Deloitte Canada. Duncan Stewart is the author of Deloitte’s annual Tech, Media and Telecom Predictions, which provides specific forecasts around tech trends and provides extensive strategic food for thought for businesses in all industries. Our conversation covered the predictions regarding Augmented Reality, the “invisible innovation” of the smartphone and other topics. Most surprising are the colossal price declines in Machine Learning made possible by new generations of GPUs and FPGAs. Duncan predicts that corporate use of AI and machine learning technologies will double this year and again in 2019. We also discuss the implications of today’s “ad-allergic” media consumers and the expected fallout from recent controversies around data ownership. This is an episode you will not want to miss!

Brian Gilmore I Our conversation with Brian Gilmore covered a range of Connected Industry topics. We discussed the evolution of IoT as it relates to data analytics, and he highlighted how connectivity and technologies have outpaced the ability for organizations to effectively embrace the technology. The conversation covered some of the ways that different industries are using connected technologies as well as the challenges to success. Brian highlighted the critical role that security plays in delivering on a connected future, and the need to embrace simple steps to ensure systems are protected.

Prof. Ahmed Banafa I Named the No. 1 Top Voice To Follow in Tech by LinkedInOne, Prof. Ahmed Banafa of San Jose State University, one of the top IoT writers, speakers and thought leaders, with research published on Forbes, MIT Technology Review, ComputerWorld, Techonomy, he is a contributor to IEEE-IoT, LinkedIn, IBMCloud, IBM Big Data Analytics Hub, HPE Insights and he has appeared as an expert in new tech with appearances on ABC, NBC , CBS, FOX and other media outlets. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, focusing on IoT from the perspectives of Technology, business and society. We discussed the different dynamics at play across consumer and enterprise technology, the regulatory backdrop, and the evolving demands around security safety and privacy. Banafa weaves in broad perspective on the dynamics of the IoT industry and provides details insights into the power of AI and Machine Learning as well as Blockchain technology. Looking forward he sees the rise of quantum computing as one of the most consequential innovations ahead of us.

Dale Calder I Our conversation with Dale Calder, founder of FactorySoft, Axeda and RevTwo, covered the origins of this pioneering work connecting manufacturing equipment to IT systems, then the instruction of connectivity to extend visibility into machines with Axeda. Dale’s unique talent is the ability to identify critical business pain points and create focused solutions, particularly in industrial settings. He shares how latest company RevTwo has applied the lessons of connecting and analyzing industrial data to the broad-based challenges of providing efficient support and service. Dale has “flipped the script” with Axeda’s approach, and he articulates how he’s doing this again with Axeda, leveraging cutting edge AI technology to anticipate the coming era of connected, intelligent and (hopefully) self-repairing systems.

Pete Wassell I Our discussion with Pete Wassell covered his history in the wearable technology space, working with pioneers and mentors like Steve Mann, Steven Feiner, Christina Pereyand others in collaboration to bring wearable technology to the enterprise. The conversation explored the origins of augmented reality technology, use cases, challenges and opportunities extending the management and security of AR and VR headsets to industry. Pete outlined how blockchain technologies are playing a critical role in the development of Augmate’s capabilities, and discusses characteristics of several leading technologies. Pete explained his long-term vision for the evolution of businesses, society and markets powered by disruptive technologies.

Kate Mitchell I Our conversation with Kate Mitchell reviewed her experience working at Oracle with Larry Ellison in the midst of the database wars, the emergence of data warehousing and analytics and what led to successes in the first era of data analysis. Our conversation also covered the significant changes afoot with the transition from a centralized to decentralized infrastructure – from cloud/mobile to intelligent edge computing – along with the key considerations involved with choosing and deploying the appropriate technology to the right business problem in order to get the right information to the right place at the right time. Looking forward, Kate discussed the potential for AI and machine learning to drive profound transformation of business.

Paul Glynn & Joe Quinn I Our conversation with Paul and Joe covered the team’s background in networking and big data, and the origins of Davra as an IoT Application Enablement Platform. Topics in the discussion included the different types of platforms, and how platforms help enable cross domain collaboration in large organizations, especially cities and big enterprises. We also discussed the potential use cases – and hard realities of blockchain in Connected Industry, and the advantages, pitfalls and potential from the applications of machine learning and AI to Connected Industry.