Alaa Moussawi, Chief Data Scientist for the New York City Council, shares how AI is reshaping legislative processes through smarter, data-driven laws. He discusses the council’s use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models, and open-source AI solutions to streamline workflows and ensure legislative originality. He also shares his perspective on the future of AI in government, the importance of transparency in policy-making, and why generative AI should assist with—but never make—decisions....
Mar 05, 2025•27 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast Chris Ghent, Chief Growth Officer at Input Output, explores the intersection of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, focusing on the empowerment of users through decentralization and privacy advocacy. He discusses strategies crucial for community engagement, the importance of developing meaningful relationships in tech, and the role of privacy in shaping the future of digital transactions. Key Takeaways: The evolution and integration of AI and blockchain Strategies for effective ma...
Feb 26, 2025•35 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP, discusses the transformative role of AI in marketing, leadership, and society. We explore the use of synthetic audiences, ethical considerations of AI, and the future of work influenced by AI technology. Key Takeaways: The use and impact of synthetic audiences in marketing and content creation AI's potential to enhance human creativity, and future job implications due to AI advancements Overview of the current regulatory landscape, and ethical challenges re...
Feb 19, 2025•28 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast Kai Zenner, Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for German Member of the European Parliament Axel Voss, discusses the emerging regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence in Europe and its implications for innovation and consumer safety. He also discusses implementation hurdles of the EU AI Act, specifically the shortage of AI experts and the complexity of enforcement across 27 member states. Key Takeaways: Challenges with the AI Act (such as vague use cases, balancing innovation with...
Feb 12, 2025•51 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast Katie Winterbottom, Director of AI (Digital and Merch) at Nordstrom, discusses a new pilot program that uses AI-powered trend reports and agentic architecture to craft unique fashion journeys. She also emphasizes the need for tech education within companies, and updating antiquated processes to leverage the benefits of emerging tech. Key Takeaways: How AI is revolutionizing the fashion industry by capturing precise fashion trends and assisting in areas such as product surfacing, merchandising, a...
Feb 05, 2025•22 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast Jo Davaris, Global Chief Privacy Officer at Booking Holdings, discusses how to build trust in AI, emphasizing privacy and ethical governance as the pillars of AI innovation. We explore the importance of feedback mechanisms and transparency in AI systems, along with how to maintain user control without compromising innovation. Key Takeaways: Building trust in AI systems and the role of privacy in AI governance The need for public and private collaboration on AI regulations Concerns with AI’s rapi...
Jan 29, 2025•30 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast Sophia Rowland, Senior Product Manager at SAS, discusses her journey from data science to product management at SAS, focusing on the integration of AI and analytics. She explains the concepts of Model Ops and ML Ops, the challenges organizations face in operationalizing machine learning models, and the critical role of analytics in this process. Key Takeaways: Dependency management errors that occur when IT and data science teams work in silos The connection between algorithms and psychology, us...
Jan 22, 2025•33 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast Senthil Padmanabhan, VP of Platform and Infrastructure at eBay, discusses how eBay’s use of fine-tuning is improving their operational workflows. He explains why fine-tuning existing models can often be more cost-effective than training from scratch, and how methods like low-ranking adaptation (LoRa) are pivotal in improving AI performance. Key Takeaways: The impact of strategic fine tuning on achieving peak performance AI's broader impact on eBay's infrastructure, fraud detection, and customer-...
Jan 15, 2025•25 min•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast Ishita Ghosh, Senior Manager of Data Science at Walmart, discusses AI innovations within retail, highlighting Walmart's initiatives that enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. She also stresses the importance of balancing technological advancements with trust, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Key Takeaways: AI innovations at Walmart, including generative AI for employee assistance and inventory management Navigating regulatory hurdles in highly regulated s...
Jan 08, 2025•29 min•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast Jacqueline Karlin, Sr. Director of AI Product & Personalization at PayPal, discusses how AI is revolutionizing the financial technology landscape, particularly in payment transactions and operational efficiency. She highlights the importance of mindful product management and the balance between innovation and responsible AI usage. Key Takeaways: PayPal's three main AI investment areas How PayPal is using AI to drive product innovation and improve customer experience How to be a responsible techn...
Jan 01, 2025•24 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast Vivek Kumar, Director Of CX Innovation & Strategy, Oracle Corporation, discusses the integration of generative AI into enterprise solutions, with a focus on its transformative impact on customer experience and CRM systems. He highlights Oracle's decade-long journey with AI, the evolution of agentic workflows, and the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption. In this episode of The Brave Technologist Podcast, we discuss: How generative AI is transforming enterprise solutions, automating proces...
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast Ryan Paterson, CEO of Unplugged Technologies, discusses the mission and features of Unplugged, a privacy-focused mobile device aimed at empowering users to regain control over their personal data. He also shares stories from his background with DARPA, and the challenge of integrating emerging tech into these real-world operations. Key Takeaways: Why privacy-focused devices are essential in today's surveillance economy The need for awareness around data privacy, especially for parents and familie...
Dec 11, 2024•34 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast Kyle Den Hartog, Security Engineer at Brave Software, discusses emerging use cases for crypto, and their respective privacy implications. He emphasizes the urgency for innovative solutions to safeguard personal information in our digital financial systems given current privacy gaps on blockchains. Key Takeaways: The delicate balance between transparency and privacy in the blockchain era The importance of community engagement in driving technological advancements and shaping the future of decentr...
Dec 04, 2024•31 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast Cahill Camden, Founder of Echo Jockey, discusses how the landscape of media is shifting towards podcasts and away from traditional media. He also shares success stories from users of Echo Jockey, highlighting how automation can enhance outreach and content creation. Key Takeaways: Why podcasts are the number one medium to reach and create trust with your ideal client. Tough decisions creators will be forced to make when balancing privacy with the growing need for AI driven data insights The futu...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast Jan Piotrowski, VP, Head of Brave Search Business discusses the importance of independent search engines and the evolution of Brave Search. Jan shares insights on scaling Brave Search to over 30 million daily queries, emphasizing the need for high-quality search results and the potential for future growth in the AI space. Key Takeaways: How the acquisition of a German company enabled Brave to develop its own search index Ways the API business has evolved with unexpected use cases, especially in ...
Nov 20, 2024•26 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast Luca Schnetzler, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, discusses their mission to become the face of crypto through innovative uses of NFTs, community involvement in brand development, and successful partnerships with major retailers like Walmart. As a high school dropout to successful tech entrepreneur, Luca also shares advice for young entrepreneurs who want to build businesses at the intersection of tech, creativity, and IP. Key Takeaways: The significance of first edition collections and how they’ve change...
Nov 13, 2024•29 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Lyman, Director of Public Policy at Riot Platforms, discusses the disruptive potential of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency as tools to decentralize power. He highlights the generational shift that may influence the regulatory landscape as more tech-savvy policymakers rise to positions of influence. He also discusses how miners using excess energy (that would otherwise be wasted) could support future energy demands. Key Takeaways: The generational divide in understanding cryptocurrency How the U.S....
Nov 06, 2024•37 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast Hamed Haddadi, Chief Scientist at Brave Software, discusses the future of ethical and inclusive technology, and how a human-centered approach can transform AI development's impact on society. We also discuss how to navigate the complex dynamics among academia, industry, and policymakers in crafting ethical standards that safeguard citizen rights. Key Takeaways: The importance of human-centered systems AI's role in preserving democratic processes The purpose of Brave’s research team Future of eth...
Oct 30, 2024•26 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast Camila Russo, Founder of The Defiant, discusses their role in making cryptocurrencies more accessible, and in making complex topics more comprehensible for everyone. We also explore the resilience of DeFi amid regulatory challenges and its potential to reshape the financial ecosystem. Key Takeaways: Ways that AI is enhancing media coverage (and what parts of that coverage can never be replaced) How regulation is impacting the growth and development of DeFi Biggest myths and misconceptions about ...
Oct 23, 2024•24 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast Jeff Boudier, Head of Product and Growth at Hugging Face, discusses the evolving landscape of AI and the role open-source development plays in its transformation. We also explore the challenges and opportunities that organizations encounter when embracing AI, especially with open-source solutions. Key Takeaways: Why it’s important to democratize AI and adopt open source development (and how Hugging Face is making it easier to do so) Ways Hugging Face is collaborating with academic institutions w...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast Jean-Paul Schmetz, SVP of Ads at Brave, discusses the evolution of search engines from closed platforms like AOL to today’s open web, and how advertising has influenced their growth. We dive into AI’s integration in search and advertising, the challenges of maintaining privacy, and the future role of regulation. Jean-Paul also shares practical tips for users to protect their privacy and take control of their data. Key Takeaways: The evolving relationship between browsers, search engines, and the...
Oct 09, 2024•41 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast Lambert Hogenhout, Chief of Data and AI at the United Nations Secretariat, explores the delicate balance of embracing technological advancements while maintaining our authentic human identities. We also discuss the benefits of open-source models for global equity, along with the crucial intersection of data privacy and AI. Key Takeaways: Organizational readiness - how organizations can ensure that their AI systems are designed and implemented with ethical considerations using safety by design pr...
Sep 25, 2024•25 min•Ep 102•Transcript available on Metacast Yan Zhu, Chief Information Security Officer at Brave Software, discusses ways to reduce your risk of getting compromised when browsing the Internet. She also explains how Brave's policy of only collecting the bare necessities not only boosts security but also simplifies legal compliance and keeps your data truly private. Key Takeaways: Security challenges that are unique to browsers, and how Brave builds your user profile differently using user-first principles How security and policy work toget...
Sep 18, 2024•30 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast Hester M. Peirce (appointed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by President Donald J. Trump), shares insights into the SEC's role in enforcing laws amidst rapid technological advancements. We also explore balancing innovation with consumer protection, and emphasizing the need to rethink outdated legislation along with how regulatory clarity can foster more innovation. Key Takeaways: The importance of public engagement with regulatory bodies to shape future policies constructively Wei...
Sep 11, 2024•33 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast Caitlin Cook, Head of Growth at Moonwalk Fitness, shares how their product is gamifying health, leveraging Web3 technology and offering crypto incentives to get you moving. She also shares how they’re targeting non-crypto native users in an effort to achieve mainstream adoption. Key Takeaways: How you can join their steps challenges, deposit crypto like USDC or Solana and earn rewards for staying active Strategies for integrating crypto technology into mainstream consumer applications Ways they’...
Sep 05, 2024•23 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast David Westera, AI & Data Leader at Adidas, discusses the pressure that many companies feel to adopt emerging technologies, and the biggest challenges companies face when trying to implement AI solutions. He also explores the contrasting regulatory landscapes of the EU and the US, highlighting the challenges and ethical considerations that come with AI advancements. Key Takeaways: The future of job roles in an AI-driven world The importance of having knowledgeable tech talent to cut through the m...
Aug 28, 2024•27 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast What if the future of work could be reshaped by artificial intelligence in ways that empower rather than displace? In this episode Didem Un Ates, founder & CEO of LotusAI Ltd, discusses strategies for organizations to integrate AI in a way that maximizes benefits while minimizing job displacement. We also explore the complex landscape of AI's societal impact and the need for diverse perspectives in technology. Key Takeaways: How individuals can pivot towards high-value tasks in an evolving job m...
Aug 21, 2024•42 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast Phil Mataras—CEO at Permanent Data Solutions—discusses Arweave's innovative “pay once, store forever” model and its potential to revolutionize various industries, from content creation to healthcare, by offering permanent storage solutions. Phil also sheds light on the regulatory challenges that come with the rapid pace of innovation in the Web3 space. Key Takeaways: What permanent storage means, and why it’s important / useful How AI and permanent storage can work together The future of data pr...
Aug 14, 2024•32 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast Luke Mulks , VP Business Operations at Brave Software, discusses how Brave’s Basic Attention Token (BAT) was conceived in 2017 to confront the inefficiencies of traditional digital advertising and the early hurdles with Bitcoin. He also shares how BAT now harnesses the Ethereum blockchain to create a privacy-centric and transparent ecosystem, fundamentally changing the way users, advertisers, and content creators engage with digital ads. Key Takeaways: The basic principles around the first use c...
Jul 31, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Benjamin B. Bargetzi, CEO of Bargetzi & Company Group, discusses how cultural and regulatory differences influence AI innovation and adoption across China, Europe, India, and the US. He also explores AI's role in transforming medicine; the ethical implications of AI in military applications; and the urgent need for global AI literacy to prevent economic disparities and job displacement. Key Takeaways: The role ChatGPT has played in helping people overcome concerns around AI, and how we can conti...
Jul 24, 2024•41 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast 
