Targeting AI

If most sales representatives spend nearly a quarter of their time on administrative tasks, they are losing opportunities to generate revenue and be productive in sales. This is why Eilon Reshef of AI sales platform vendor Gong sees AI technology as a supportive co-worker that can offload menial admin tasks from sales agents so they can focus on their new jobs. He shares insights into Gong's mission to enhance sales team productivity and the importance of data in AI applications.

Featuring: Eilon Reshef, co-founder and chief product officer, Gong

In this episode, we cover how:

AI's effectiveness is heavily dependent on the quality of data.

"Gong" symbolizes success in sales.

Agentic AI is about automating complex tasks intelligently.

Sales roles are evolving, not disappearing, due to AI.

The future of sales will involve more AI-driven insights.

To learn more about generative AI, check out AI Business from Informa TechTarget, and please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the most important AI news.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeonTech.

References:

AI and automation: Transforming sales CRM

Phenom’s Acquisition: AI, Automation and the Future of Work

Salesforce Launches AI Cloud to Bring Generative AI to the Enterprise

At the start of the mass popularity phase of generative AI, large language models were the star of the show. Vendors released bigger and newer models. However, the conversation has recently shifted from considering big or small models to a deep focus on data. In this episode of the Targeting AI podcast from AI Business, Yasmeen Ahmad, of Google Cloud, discusses the transformative effect of generative AI on the data landscape. She emphasizes the importance of treating data as a product, the shift toward multimodal data, and the role of AI agents in enhancing data management and decision-making processes.

Featuring: Yasmeen Ahmad, managing director of product management for data and AI Cloud, Google Cloud

In this episode, we cover how:

The era of multimodal data is upon us, integrating various data types.

Agentic AI enhances the understanding of unstructured data.

Databases must evolve into cognitive reasoning engines for AI.

Gemini Enterprise provides a unified platform for AI and data.

Data security and responsibility are critical in AI deployment.

To learn more about the role data plays in generative AI, check out AI Business from Informa TechTarget, and please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the most important AI news.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeonTech.

References:

Generative AI is the Future of Data Management

Without Data There Is No AI

Google Invests $40B in AI Data Centers in Texas

Generative AI and agentic AI tools are only as good as the problem that they are used to solve. In some cases, using generic AI tools can help with non-specific issues. However, Raj Shukla, of enterprise AI platform vendor Symphony AI, says the future of AI technology will focus on vertical applications and open models. In this Targeting AI episode from AI Business, he emphasizes that open source models provide flexibility and the ability to fine-tune for specific use cases.

Featuring: Raj Shukla, CTO, Symphony AI

In this episode, we cover:

Symphony's AI mission of bringing AI technology to legacy industries that may struggle with adoption.

A vertical approach combines predictive, generative and agentic AI to address specific challenges.

The move in vertical areas from a traditional rule-based approach to a more dynamic, non-deterministic tool.

AI applications in these verticals can significantly improve operational efficiencies and strategic decision-making.

To learn more about vertical AI applications, check out AI Business from Informa TechTarget, and please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the most important AI news.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeonTech.

References:

Small Language Models Gaining Ground at Enterprises

Vertical AI agents explained: The future of enterprise tech

AI21 releases open source tiny language model

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week that looks to override AI state laws in favor of a national policy. Titled "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," it directs the Department of Justice to establish an AI Litigation Task Force and challenge "cumbersome" state laws. It also asks the Secretary of Commerce to consider withholding federal funds from states found to have restrictive AI laws. In this podcast, Michael Bennett discusses what the EO means for states like New York and California, which already have established laws in place, and how they might respond. 

Featuring: Michael Bennett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, University of Illinois Chicago 

In this episode, we cover how: 

The EO aims to prevent conflicting state laws on AI. 

States with existing AI regulations are likely prepared to resist the EO. 

The U.S. has a more laissez-faire approach to AI regulation compared with the EU and China. 

The order could lead to significant political battles leading up to the midterm elections. 

The effectiveness of minimal regulation in winning the AI race is uncertain. 

To learn more about AI regulations, check out AI Business, and please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the most important AI news. 

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeonTech. 

References: 

Navigating Big Tech’s Influence on the AI Regulatory Landscape in 2025 

Big Tech Firms Ask for AI Regulation but Quietly Hedge Their Bets 

US State Attorneys General Demand Greater AI Safety From Tech Giants

In this episode of the Targeting AI podcast from AI Business, host Esther Shittu interviews Oren Michels, of 2024 startup Barndoor.ai, an AI data and access management vendor, about how to effectively secure enterprise agentic and generative AI systems. The approach is different from traditional cybersecurity paradigms designed to prevent outside intruders from doing harm within an organization's IT system, according to Michels. With agents, security procedures need to focus on the agents themselves to ensure they are performing as their human counterparts intend. The podcast was recorded at the AI Summit conference in New York City on Dec. 10.

Featuring Oren Michels, founder and CEO of Barndoor.ai

In this episode, we cover:

How enterprises can secure agentic and generative AI systems.

What mistakes businesses make that make them vulnerable to security threats to AI systems.

Some of the biggest security threats to large-scale business users of generative and agentic AI technology.

How to use the Model Context Protocol standard with cybersecurity measures to protect and govern AI agents.

To learn more about security for generative and agentic AI systems, check out AI Business, and please subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on the most important AI news.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @EyeonTech.

References:

AI Agent Security: Whose Responsibility Is It?

Governance Is Top Priority for Companies Using Agentic AI: Survey

What Agentic AI Means for Cybersecurity