Tech Talks Daily

• 3274: Inside Abnormal AI's Approach to Threat Detection

  In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I reconnect with Abnormal AI's CIO, Mike Britton, to explore one of the most pressing topics in the tech world—AI regulation and cybersecurity.  Speaking from his base near Dallas, Mike brings a pragmatic perspective shaped by decades of experience at the intersection of enterprise technology and security. As the debate around artificial intelligence evolves, we examine the growing divide between the United States and Europe on regulatory approaches and what business leaders can learn from each side. While Europe takes a more cohesive, application-based approach, the US remains fragmented, relying on state-by-state policies and sector-specific laws. Mike unpacks why this patchwork complicates global alignment and what an effective risk-based, standardized framework might look like. He argues that regulation must focus on how AI is applied, not just its scale, especially as the technology becomes embedded in everything from healthcare to email automation. We also touch on the unintended consequences of overregulation, including the risk of pushing innovation into regions with fewer safeguards. As Abnormal Security works with some of the world's largest brands, Mike offers a frontline view into how threat actors are already leveraging AI to outpace traditional defenses. His insights reinforce the need for transparency, human oversight, and "kill switches" to ensure AI remains a tool for good, not a liability. From real-world examples to strategic recommendations, Mike outlines what CIOs and CISOs need to know now. His advice is clear, grounded, and actionable, whether embracing regulatory sandboxes, staying alert to geopolitical nuances in AI models, or maintaining continuous learning in a fast-moving space. So, how do we keep innovation ethical and secure in a world where AI is moving faster than ever? And what steps should technology leaders take to avoid falling behind or losing control of the tools meant to drive progress?

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• 3273: AI, Ethics, and the Human Element in Leadership

  As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how we work, lead, and interact, the need for emotionally intelligent and human-centered leadership has never been more urgent. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Jen Croneberger, the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at The Human Leadership Institute, to explore how relational leadership guides organizations through the noise and complexity of rapid AI adoption. With a background in sports and performance psychology and a career that spans working with elite athletes, government agencies, and global brands like Nike and Samsung, Jen brings a rare perspective to the conversation around AI. She argues that amidst all the automation and data, our ability to build trust, communicate transparently, and stay grounded in shared values will define success moving forward. Throughout the conversation, Jen makes the case that leaders today cannot rely on technical skills alone. They must create cultures of psychological safety, model adaptability, and foster a clear understanding of how AI can enhance rather than replace human capabilities. We also dive into some of the more challenging topics, including the ethical implications of AI, resistance to change, and why some employees struggle to see a future where they coexist with intelligent machines. What I found particularly insightful was Jen's ability to draw parallels between leading teams in high-stakes athletic environments and leading through tech transformation. Whether it's building resilience after a setback or navigating uncertain outcomes with confidence, the same foundational principles apply. As we look to a future where AI is embedded in every business layer, Jen's message is timely and practical. If you are a leader wondering how to support your teams through disruption without losing the soul of your culture, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on. How will you lead in a world where machines are intelligent, but people still need to feel seen?

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• 3272: Inside Illumio's Global Ransomware Report - Building Real-World Cyber Resilience

  How prepared is your business for a ransomware attack? Not just to prevent it, but to continue operating when it happens. In this episode, I sit down with Trevor Dearing, Director of Critical Infrastructure at Illumio, to discuss the latest findings from their global ransomware report and what they reveal about cyber resilience. Trevor shares insight from a survey of more than 3,000 organisations across multiple sectors. The most concerning figure is that 58 percent of those impacted by ransomware were forced to halt operations. That number has risen sharply from 43 percent just two years ago. Despite this, many businesses in the UK still avoid reporting attacks, often due to fears around reputational damage or potential retaliation. Trevor explains why that reluctance is misguided and how public support, improved infrastructure, and more explicit government guidance could encourage more transparency. We also explore the rise of containment as a more practical and cost-effective approach than prevention alone. Rather than trying to stop every attack at the perimeter, organisations are learning how to isolate and limit damage quickly. Trevor explains how zero trust architecture, microsegmentation, and one-click containment tools are being used to keep systems operational even during an incident. Only 13 percent of organisations believe their cyber resilience exceeds what is required. Trevor helps us understand why this number remains low and where organisations should focus to shift from vulnerability to resilience. From evolving regulations to future applications of AI in security, this conversation covers what leaders need to know if they prepare for the next generation of cyber threats. To access Illumio’s full ransomware report, visit illumio.com. Is your cyber resilience strategy built for recovery, or just defense?

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• 3271: Inside Poolside’s Mission to Reinvent Enterprise Software Engineering

  Amid the buzz of the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Eiso Kant, the CTO and Co-Founder of Poolside, to explore how his team is reshaping the future of software development through AI. This conversation was recorded right on the show floor inside a surprisingly sleek podcast booth at the ExCel, where Eiso unpacked what sets Poolside apart in a space many claim to be in but few truly build for. Poolside is not just another AI company. It's one of a handful globally that is actually training foundation models from the ground up. While most firms are chasing general-purpose AI, Poolside has chosen a different path. They focus solely on empowering software developers inside high-consequence environments, such as banking, defense, and major global retailers. These are systems where precision and security matter, and where AI can drive measurable gains in productivity and reliability. What struck me during this discussion is how deliberately Poolside has been built for enterprise use from the start. Their model doesn’t just live in the cloud. It is designed to live within the customer’s own infrastructure, whether that’s in their private AWS environment or even on-prem. This focus on data privacy, security, and customizability is helping Poolside win trust where it counts most. And the partnership with AWS takes this a step further, making it easier for enterprises to deploy Poolside’s AI within existing cloud frameworks while meeting strict governance requirements. Eiso explained that Poolside doesn’t just throw larger models at problems. Instead, they use reinforcement learning from code execution, training on millions of real codebases and test suites. This approach helps the model go beyond autocomplete and simple bug fixes. It’s now stepping into longer, more complex tasks, nudging us closer to a future where AI could serve as a true teammate for software engineers. We also tackled one of the most important discussions in AI today: whether this is a cost-cutting tool or a productivity multiplier. Eiso didn't dodge the nuance. While some may use AI to reduce headcount, Poolside’s focus is on enabling companies to build more, ship faster, and innovate with greater speed. That shift is not about replacing people. It's about creating leverage for development teams under pressure to deliver more in less time. If you're a CTO, CIO, or engineering leader, this episode is packed with practical insights. Whether it's understanding the ROI of AI-assisted development, the importance of retaining control of your own models, or how to think about enterprise-grade security in the age of LLMs, there's a lot here to digest. So how should we really be thinking about AI in the enterprise? Is it a partner, a tool, or the beginning of an entirely new workforce paradigm? Tune in to find out.

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• 3270: AI, Health Data, and the Vision Behind Zoe's New App

  What if the food you eat could not only affect how you feel today but also determine how many healthy years you’ll have in the future? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Jonathan Wolf, the co-founder and CEO of Zoe, to explore how advanced science, AI, and data are reshaping our understanding of nutrition and health. Jonathan shares the remarkable journey of building Zoe from an idea into a leading science and nutrition company that has reached hundreds of thousands of users. From a background in physics and ad tech to pioneering personalized nutrition, Jonathan has led Zoe through significant milestones, including publishing more than 70 peer-reviewed papers and developing tools that empower individuals to understand their microbiomes, track real-time health markers, and make lasting changes to their diet. We also dive into the technology powering Zoe's new free app launch in the US, which aims to help consumers see what’s really in their food. Through food photo recognition, AI-driven analysis, and a unique risk scale for processed food, Zoe is offering a tool that could change how people choose what they eat. Jonathan explains why ultra-processed foods are a major public health concern and how empowering individuals with knowledge is the first step toward lasting change. Beyond product features, this conversation also unpacks the tension between rigorous scientific integrity and business growth, the importance of behavior change, and the broader implications for public health. Whether you're interested in the future of AI in healthcare, building a purpose-driven tech company, or simply making smarter food decisions, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what’s on your plate. How can personalized nutrition move from science labs into daily life, and what role should tech leaders play in that shift?

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