Shift AI with Boaz Ashkenazy

Latest Episodes:

Democratizing Access to Health Care Benefits with Avante CEO Rohan D'Souza Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy sits down with Rohan D'Souza, co-founder of Avante, who is tackling one of America's most complex challenges: the $1.7 trillion employer-sponsored healthcare system. With his unique background as a former competitive swimmer from India and extensive experience in healthcare technology, Rohan brings a fresh perspective to an industry plagued by opacity and inefficiency.

Rohan shares how Avante is leveraging AI to democratize healthcare information, making complex insurance plans understandable for employees while helping employers control costs that are rising 8-14% annually. From his early days working with electronic medical records during the 2008 financial crisis to building a nine-person team that supports hundreds of conversations with AI-powered solutions, Rohan illustrates how productivity and creativity converge in the future of work. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, AI implementation in regulated industries, and the entrepreneurial journey of building solutions for massive, entrenched systems.

Chapters:

[01:57] From India to America - The Swimming Journey

[03:57] Early Career in Healthcare Technology During the Financial Crisis

[05:14] Introducing Avante - The $1.7 Trillion Opportunity

[09:10] The Employee Experience Problem

[14:05] AI Agents and Personalized Healthcare Recommendations

[18:25] Privacy Challenges in Healthcare AI

[23:35] Building the Founders Club and Early Customers

[28:07] The Future of Work - Productivity and Creativity

Connect with Rohan D’Souza

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohanpdsouza/

Website: https://avante.ai/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs. Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

Navigating the Enterprise Compliance Journey with Certivo CEO Kunal Chopra May 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes Kunal Chopra, CEO and Founder of Certivo, to explore how AI agents are evolving from assistants to true team members. Kunal shares insights from his experience as a former leader at Microsoft and Amazon, and his current venture tackling product compliance challenges for manufacturers. Through Certivo's AI agent compliance managers can automate tedious regulatory tasks while maintaining strategic control of the process.

The conversation delves into the distinction between AI assistants and agents, examining the collaborative dance between humans and AI that defines today's implementations. Kunal offers a compelling vision of future workplaces where teams consist of both humans and AI agents working in tandem, while sharing candid advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders adapting to this new reality. If you're interested in how AI is reshaping teams and transforming manufacturing industries, this insightful discussion provides a window into what's coming next.

Chapters:

[02:19] Kunal's Background at Tech Giants and as CEO

[05:34] The Pioneer Square Labs Incubation Process

[10:06] Certivo's Origin and the Product Compliance Challenge

[12:35] How AI Agent Cora Solves Regulatory Compliance Problems

[16:59] The Evolution from Assistants to Agents

[21:20] The Human-AI Dance: Autonomy vs. Collaboration

[24:01] Manager Reactions and Changing Workforce Skills

[29:17] The Role of Mentors in Entrepreneurial Success

[31:33] Advice for First-Time Founders

[34:29] The Future of Work: "Agent" and "Team"

Connect with Kunal Chopra

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalchopra28/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

Adapting Education to the Future of Work with WGU Executive Dean Paul Bingham May 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Paul Bingham, Senior Vice President and Executive Dean of the School of Technology at Western Governor's University, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore the evolution of education in the digital age. Bingham brings a fascinating background spanning from a full career with the FBI, where he specialized in cybercrime investigations, to his current role pioneering innovative approaches to online education. As an institution designed specifically for adult learners with work experience, WGU has been at the forefront of educational innovation for over 25 years, well before remote learning became mainstream. Bingham shares insights on how competency-based education is transforming career pathways in technology, how AI and decision intelligence are personalizing the learning experience, and why adaptability is crucial in our rapidly changing technological landscape. If you're interested in how education is evolving to meet the needs of today's workforce, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Chapters:

[04:15] FBI Background and Cybersecurity Experience

[07:50] The Origins of Western Governor's University

[10:01] Competency-Based Education and Workforce Preparation

[15:15] AI and Decision Intelligence in Learning

[22:55] The Role of Mentorship in Remote Education

[27:08] Leadership Lessons from the FBI

[28:51] The Human Connection in a Digital World

[29:39] The Future of Work: Faster and Adaptable

Connect with Paul Bingham

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paul-bingham-cpa/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: info@shiftai.fm

Drive Through AI: Making Fast Food Faster with Audivi CEO Seth Siegel May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz welcomes Seth Siegel, founder and CEO of Audivi, a groundbreaking company revolutionizing the drive-through experience with voice AI technology. From bootstrapping his startup to achieving industry-leading accuracy in less than two seconds, Seth shares the journey of building a second-generation solution that succeeds where others have failed. As a self-described "blue collar kid from Long Island" turned tech entrepreneur, Seth offers candid insights into fundraising challenges, investor relationships, and the importance of domain expertise in the AI revolution.

Seth's practical wisdom on navigating the startup ecosystem while solving real-world problems makes this episode essential listening for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike. The conversation explores how AI is transforming industries beyond just drive-throughs, with Seth warning that white-collar workers need to adapt or risk becoming "the buggy whip makers" of the modern era. Whether you're interested in AI applications, startup funding strategies, or the future of work, this episode delivers valuable perspectives from a seasoned entrepreneur who's focused on "doing things that are incredibly hard and making them look incredibly easy."

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Seth Siegel and Audivi

[02:50] Seth's Background and Career Philosophy

[04:23] Introduction to Audivi and Its Mission

[06:43] Industry Challenges and First-Gen AI Failures

[11:07] The Boston Mom Test and Technical Expertise

[15:22] Domain Expertise in Fast Food AI

[17:43] Navigating the Startup Fundraising Landscape

[21:22] Fundraising Challenges for Seasoned Entrepreneurs

[28:23] AI's Impact on Society and Future of Work

Connect with Seth Siegel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-siegel1

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Shift AI Podcast is syndicated by GeekWire, and we are grateful to have the show sponsored by Augmented AI Labs. Our theme music was created by Dave Angel

Follow, Listen, and Subscribe

Spotify | Apple Podcast | Youtube

How AI Is Transforming Customer Data with Amperity CEO Tony Owens May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, host Boaz welcomes Tony Owens, the recently appointed CEO of Amperity, a Seattle tech unicorn revolutionizing how companies leverage customer data in the age of AI. Drawing from over two decades at tech powerhouses Oracle and Salesforce, Tony shares his vision for the intersection of AI and customer data. The conversation explores how the traditional rules-based approach to customer data is being transformed by AI capabilities, enabling brands to create truly personalized experiences that fit into consumers' lives rather than interrupting them.

Description:

[01:30] Introduction to Tony Owens

[03:09] Tony's Journey Through Oracle and Salesforce

[05:18] The Amperity Story and Value Proposition

[07:53] AI's Impact on Customer Data Platforms

[09:38] Personalization and the Evolution of Customer Experience

[16:10 ] Balancing Personalization with Privacy

[18:02] Leadership in the Age of AI and Automation

[21:39] Mentors and Influences in Tony's Career

[25:03] The Future: 'Exciting and Uncertain'

[27:29] Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Connect with Tony Owens

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-alika-owens-a53a794

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

Reshaping Brand Engagement with AI and Sitecore CPO Roger Connolly Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

In this latest episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Roger Connolly (Sitecore CPO) discusses how AI is transforming enterprise marketing with host Boaz Ashkenazy. Drawing from his experience at Victoria's Secret and Sitecore, Roger explains how brands like Nestle use generative AI to enhance marketing while maintaining brand consistency. As a Microsoft partner, Sitecore is developing "Brand Assistant," an AI tool that processes brand guidelines to help marketers create on-brand content and co-creating AI Innovation Lab. Roger shares his vision for the future of content creation, marketers' evolving roles, and how immersive technologies will shape customer experience.

Chapters:

[00:59] Introduction to Roger Connolly

[04:42] Sitecore's Evolution and Microsoft Partnership

[06:38] Delivering Content Across Channels

[07:41] The Nestle Brand Assistant Project

[12:29] Generative AI in Marketing Content

[14:55] Content Volume and Brand Authenticity

[17:15] The Future of Work in Marketing

[19:27] Mentorship in a Remote World

[20:30] Immersive Experiences and 3D Marketing

[24:39]The Future: Seamless and Freeing

Connect with Roger Connolly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerconnolly/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X:https://x.com/boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

Speaking Your Language in Amazon Q Developer Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

EXCLUSIVE AWS ANNOUNCEMENT: Amazon Q Developer now speaks YOUR language! 🌎

In this special announcement from the Shift AI Podcast, we're breaking the news that AWS has launched multilingual support for Amazon Q Developer. This isn't a full episode—it's a direct, exclusive reveal that we're privileged to share first with our global community.

This breakthrough feature enables developers to build software using their preferred spoken language, removing a significant barrier for non-English speakers in the tech world. Now you can interact with Amazon Q Developer naturally, without the constant mental translation that interrupts your workflow.

Watch this quick announcement to learn how AWS is making AI development tools more inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of what language you speak.

Here are some additional details.

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/devops/amazon-q-developer-global-capabilities/

Humanizing AI Communication in the Enterprise with Yoodli CEO Varun Puri Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Boaz Ashkenazy welcomes back Varun Puri, founder of Yoodli, for a discussion about his journey transforming a consumer-focused public speaking tool into an enterprise powerhouse. Since his last appearance, Varun has pivoted Yoodli into what he calls "the Grammarly for speech," now serving 50 companies through AI-powered communication training and role-playing scenarios.

With candid reflections on the startup rollercoaster—from the challenges of enterprise sales to building a vibrant company culture—Varun shares his vision of "grounded optimism" for the future of AI. This conversation offers valuable insights for founders navigating the enterprise market, teams adapting to hybrid work models, and anyone interested in how AI tools can enhance human communication while maintaining our essential humanity in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Chapters:

[01:00] Introduction and Welcome Back

[02:43] Varun's Background and Yoodli's Mission

[03:43] Evolution from Consumer to Enterprise

[04:57] The Role Play Revolution

[06:59] Enterprise Deployment and Go-to-Market Teams

[08:43] Startup Journey: Challenges and Wins

[16:44] Team Culture and The AI House

[21:01] Hiring Strategy and Growth Plans

[23:22] The Future: Grounded Optimism

[26:49] Seattle's Startup Ecosystem

Connect with Varun Puri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001/

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

Building Trust in AI Agents with Experian EVP GM Shri Santhanam Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Shri Santhanam, EVP and GM at Experian, joins host Boaz Ashkenazy to explore how one of the world's largest data companies is implementing AI at scale. From his early days at Stanford to pioneering Silicon Valley-style innovation in large enterprises, Shri shares insights into Experian's transformation from a traditional credit bureau to a data-backed platform company. The conversation delves into the development of the Experian Assistant, an AI-powered tool revolutionizing how businesses interact with complex financial data, and the critical role of trust in AI adoption. If you're interested in how major financial institutions are navigating the AI revolution while maintaining data privacy and ethical standards, this episode offers invaluable perspectives on the future of trusted AI agents in the workplace.

Chapters:

[00:00] The Trust Challenge in AI

[01:00] Introduction to Shri Santhanam

[02:39] Career Journey and Silicon Valley Innovation

[04:08] Experian's AI Evolution

[06:43] Experian's Business Transformation

[10:44] The Experian Assistant

[20:01] Internal AI Implementation

[23:48] Technical Infrastructure and Model Selection

[28:36] The Future: Trusted Agents

Connect with Shri Santhanam

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shriramsanthanam

Connect with Boaz Ashkenazy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy

X: boazashkenazy

Email: shift@augmentedailabs.com

The Road to Autonomous Virtual Humans in Hollywood with Digital Domain VFX Expert Matthias Wittmann Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of AI-powered visual effects and digital humans with Matthias Wittmann, a leading VFX expert from Digital Domain. From his groundbreaking work on films like Benjamin Button to pioneering autonomous virtual humans, Matthias shares unique insights into how AI is transforming Hollywood and beyond. Learn about the challenges and innovations in creating lifelike digital characters, the future of AI in entertainment, and the unexpected applications of virtual humans in education and companionship. If you're interested in the intersection of AI, visual effects, and the future of digital entertainment, this episode offers an insider's perspective from one of the industry's most innovative studios.

Chapters:

[00:25] Welcome and Introduction to Matthias Wittmann

[01:55] Journey to Digital Domain: Early Career and Animation

[05:13] Digital Domain's Legacy in Visual Effects

[06:48] AI and Machine Learning in Facial Capture Systems

[08:31] The Birth of Autonomous Virtual Humans

[15:56] Applications and Future of Digital Humans

[25:37] AI Tools in Visual Effects Production

[29:23] Text-to-Video Technology and Industry Impact

[30:44] Mentors and Career Influences

[33:22] The Future: "Exciting Variations"

Connect with Matthias Wittmann