Stay ConnectedThe AI in Business Podcast is for non-technical business leaders who need to find AI opportunities, align AI capabilities with strategy, and deliver ROI.
Each week, Emerj research staff and journalists interview top AI executives from Fortune 2000 firms and unicorn startups – uncovering trends, use-cases, and best practices for practical AI adoption.
Visit our advertising page to learn more about reaching our executive audience of Fortune 2000 AI adopters: https://emerj.com/advertise
Copyright: © Daniel Faggella, 2014
As universities and enterprises both turn to large-scale digital learning, the challenges of scaling education look remarkably similar across sectors. From managing data pipelines to ensuring learners feel a sense of connection, success depends on more than just technology. In this Pure Storage-sponsored episode of the 'AI in Business' podcast from Emerj, Norma Scagnoli, Chief Learning and Innovation Officer at the Illinois Institute of Technology, discusses how higher education institutions are navigating cultural resistance, accreditation hurdles, and governance demands while scaling MOOCs and degree programs. She also shares lessons enterprises can apply as they build partnerships with universities and adopt AI-driven personalization for workforce training. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show! This episode is sponsored by Pure Storage. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.
The consumer goods and retail industries face an overwhelming challenge: too much fragmented data and too little clarity. From mismatched retailer reports to legacy systems that can't keep up with today's SKU volumes, many organizations find themselves bogged down in "data indigestion" instead of actionable insights. Today's guest is Henrique Wakil Moyses, Vice President of Data Science at Crisp. Crisp is a data platform designed for the consumer goods ecosystem, helping brands, retailers, and distributors harmonize fragmented data from multiple sources. By providing real-time visibility into sales, inventory, and supply chain signals, Crisp enables faster, data-driven decisions that reduce waste and improve business outcomes. Henrique joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to break down how CPG and retail leaders can cut through this complexity. He explains why building a data-driven culture is the first barrier to overcome, how to align AI adoption with ROI, and where brands are already seeing the biggest payoffs—such as supply chain optimization, inventory forecasting, and personalized retail experiences. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! This episode is sponsored by Crisp. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.
As AI capabilities evolve, financial institutions face pressure to balance innovation with security, trust, and regulatory compliance. From fraud prevention to customer experience, deterministic AI applications continue to form the backbone of financial services—even as new technologies like generative and agentic AI emerge. In this episode, JoAnn Stonier, Data and AI Fellow at Mastercard, joins us to share how Mastercard is navigating these dynamics. She explains how AI-driven analytics reduce false positives in fraud detection, why "agent-ish" AI marks an important transition toward more autonomous systems, and how responsible governance ensures privacy and security remain at the forefront. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!
What if the real AI revolution isn't in the models — but in the reimagined systems beneath them? In this episode, Deborah Golden, U.S. Chief Innovation Officer at Deloitte, joins Emerj CEO and Head of Research Daniel Faggella to rethink what powers (or derails) AI at scale. The conversation challenges conventional wisdom – proposing that the future of AI may hinge less on algorithms and more on the invisible infrastructure that surrounds them. Golden surfaces the hidden risks of silo systems, unchecked shadow AI, and the all-too-common "speed trap" mindset – making a bold case that infrastructure isn't just operational – it's strategic. From governance to cross-functional orchestration, this conversation explores what it takes to embed AI with resilience, trust, and sustained ambition. This isn't about chasing the next model. It's about elevating the questions we're asking – and reimagining the systems that will define whether AI fulfills its promise or fractures under pressure. This episode is sponsored by Deloitte. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!
In today's high-volume service environments, the smallest misstep can erode both efficiency and customer trust. In this episode, Eric Rivas, Director for Service Repair at Electrolux, joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to share how frontline data and technician expertise can be better captured, organized, and applied to deliver consistent, first-visit success. Rivas advises service leaders on best practices for approaching the challenges of tribal knowledge transfer, skill development, and diagnostic accuracy in large service organizations. He also breaks down the build-versus-buy dilemma facing many service leaders when it comes to new technology—and why effective partnerships often prove more valuable than internal development. Listeners will gain insights into balancing efficiency with reliability, empowering frontline teams, and building long-term trust with customers at scale. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! This episode is sponsored by Aquant. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.
In this episode of the AI in Business podcast, Pallab Deb, Managing Director in SI & Industry GTM Partnerships at Google, joins Emerj CEO Daniel Faggella to discuss how AI infrastructure has evolved into a platform-centric foundation for enterprise transformation. Pallab explains why the modern AI stack extends beyond compute and storage to include network performance, data governance, multi-model integration, and agentic interfaces that enable real-time, multilingual, and multimodal engagement. He outlines the shift from proof-of-concept pilots to proof-of-value initiatives, where production readiness and security are expected from the outset. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show! Watch Daniel and Pallab's conversation on our new YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@EmerjAIResearch
Joe Lang, Vice President of Service Technology and Innovation at Comfort Systems USA, joins the AI in Business podcast to discuss why a clear data strategy must come before investing in storage infrastructure for AI adoption. Joe outlines the risks of assuming that cloud providers or storage solutions alone will produce reliable intelligence, and why organizations should approach AI initiatives as iterative R&D projects rather than instant ROI efforts. He shares practical guidance on right-sizing storage to business goals, addressing the skilled trade gap through scalable systems, and the advantages of a cloud-first approach with sequestered, trusted data. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! This episode is sponsored by Pure Storage. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.
AI-powered video intelligence is transforming the retail environment from one of surveillance to one of support. In this episode, Joe Troy, Senior Manager of Site Risk at Amazon, shares how generative AI is helping organizations not only reduce shrink and detect fraud, but also foster transparency, trust, and operational efficiency across frontline teams. Joe explains how AI can detect patterns that traditional systems miss—like organized fraud rings and duplicate refund behaviors—while still relying on human judgment to determine context and action. He highlights the importance of building a culture of "mutual visibility," where employees feel supported rather than monitored, and risk teams evolve from gatekeepers into trusted business advisors. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!
Today's guest is Madhav Madaboosi, who is with bp. Madhav Madaboosi leads a global Digital Transformation Team in Future Midstream and Strategy at bp, where he is involved in leading initiatives spanning supply chain, logistics, energy movement, and customer-facing operations. With over two decades of experience in AI, advanced analytics, strategy, and portfolio management, he specializes in driving enterprise-wide transformation that bridges business strategy and digital innovation. bp is an integrated energy company operating across oil, gas, and low-carbon energy solutions, with a presence in more than 60 countries. Madhav joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to explore how companies can operationalize digital transformation at speed and scale — balancing short-term ROI with long-term infrastructure goals. He shares insights on aligning transformation roadmaps with both regulatory and commercial imperatives, emphasizing the role of culture, frontline engagement, and digital literacy in driving successful change. Madhav also highlights the value of rapid-turnaround pilots and explains why simplicity and self-service are essential for effective platform design. This episode is sponsored by Arkestro. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!
Today's guest is Joe Lang, Vice President of Service Technology and Innovation at Comfort Systems USA — a leading national provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing building systems services, with more than 45 operating companies across 170+ locations. Joe shares insights on managing data complexity in large field service operations — from translating tribal knowledge into clean, usable data to building internal tools that treat technicians like their own customers. He explains why cleaning data too early can slow progress, how AI tools can gradually align terminology across legacy teams, and which KPIs matter most when moving from reactive to predictive service. This episode is sponsored by Aquant. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast!
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
