Have you ever wondered how technology could help solve the growing challenges in the UK’s water industry? With increasing cost pressures and rising consumer demands, the water sector is at a critical juncture. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Sandeep Bhattarai, Utilities Value Advisor at SAP UKI, to explore how digital solutions can help water companies navigate these turbulent times.

SAP’s latest research reveals that 34% of water company leaders are grappling with challenging cost pressures, with 94% believing that investment must rise to meet customer expectations. Sandeep shares his insights into the root causes of these financial strains and how a lack of digital infrastructure is slowing progress. He explains how technology adoption, or the lack thereof, is impacting the industry's ability to meet the stringent requirements of AMP8, a five-year regulatory framework starting in 2025.

As we unpack the complexities of the water network, Sandeep highlights how digital transformation can streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and improve service delivery. But can technology truly be a silver bullet? Sandeep addresses this question head-on, offering practical solutions for overcoming the skills gaps, operational silos, and knowledge barriers that continue to hinder digital adoption.

Looking ahead, we discuss what the future holds for the UK water industry post-AMP8. Will the sector embrace the digital revolution required to meet evolving demands? How can leaders harness technology to ensure sustainable growth and customer satisfaction?

Tune in to this insightful conversation and share your thoughts—what role do you think technology should play in shaping the future of water services?

What does it take to transform a men’s health start-up into one of the fastest-growing digital healthcare providers in the UK? In this episode of The Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I explore this question with Sokratis Papafloratos, founder and CEO of Numan.

Since launching Numan in 2018, Sokratis has overseen its remarkable journey from offering solutions for erectile dysfunction to becoming a full-scale digital healthcare provider supporting over 500,000 patients. Today, Numan addresses key health challenges such as obesity, hair loss, and erectile dysfunction, generating £30 million in revenue last year and building a team of over 150 professionals.

But Numan’s evolution isn’t just about scaling services—it’s about leading the future of health tech. Sokratis shares how Numan is setting new benchmarks by integrating AI, predictive analytics, and data science into its operations.

We discuss the company’s latest innovation: the AI Health Assistant, a groundbreaking tool designed to offer personalised, real-time health guidance while adhering to rigorous safety and regulatory standards. This tool, backed by Numan's proprietary Aegis Monitoring System, is redefining patient engagement, ensuring clinical accuracy, and delivering up to 99% clinically reviewed responses.

Sokratis also outlines how AI can provide scalable, personalised healthcare solutions for stigmatised conditions like obesity. With the AI Health Assistant already supporting over 3,000 patients in its beta phase, we discuss how this technology has helped patients collectively lose over 200,000kg. Sokratis explains how Numan’s patient-centred AI approach is bridging critical gaps in healthcare by ensuring safe, tailored support that evolves with patient needs.

We explore Numan’s ambitious plans to launch more AI-driven tools in 2025, aiming to lead the UK’s health tech market and expand globally. Sokratis shares his broader vision for digital healthcare, insights on balancing technology with compassionate care, and the crucial role of AI safety frameworks like ISO42001.

As the digital healthcare landscape continues to evolve, Numan’s journey offers lessons in scaling innovation responsibly while staying patient-focused. How can AI reshape healthcare delivery? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for health tech? Join us to hear Sokratis Papafloratos share his insights and help us understand how technology is transforming healthcare journeys for millions.

What happens when AI agents begin to outnumber humans? In this episode of The Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sit down with Steve Lucas, CEO of Boomi, to explore this thought-provoking prediction and what it means for businesses, the workforce, and society. With extensive experience leading companies through transformative journeys, Steve brings invaluable insights into how organizations can prepare for a future dominated by AI.

Steve delves into the concept of the “AI big bang,” where AI agents are set to fundamentally reshape workforce dynamics and decision-making processes. He highlights how these agents are rapidly evolving, influencing everything from customer service and supply chain management to market analysis. But with this growth comes the pressing need for transparency, explainability, and control. How can businesses avoid being overwhelmed by this AI influx? Steve argues that companies must reimagine work processes and establish robust AI governance frameworks to ensure human oversight and ethical AI deployment.

As AI becomes deeply integrated into everyday business functions, Steve outlines the critical role of protocols for future communication. The rapid evolution of technology requires clear frameworks to enable AI agents to interact in ways we can understand and control. He shares how Boomi is addressing this challenge by developing an AI governance platform designed to help organizations manage agent creation, execution, and compliance effectively.

Steve also reflects on how business leaders can stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape. With AI set to revolutionize global learning and knowledge accessibility, continuous learning becomes essential. Drawing on advice from industry leaders, Steve emphasizes the importance of dedicating time to understanding AI technologies and using AI itself for personalized learning experiences.

This episode offers a deep look into how AI will shape the future of work, the critical need for governance, and the opportunities and risks that lie ahead. As AI agents become a powerful force in business, how will your organization adapt? Are you ready for the cognitive revolution that’s already underway? Let us know your thoughts after the conversation.

What does it take to revolutionize the dining experience for a generation that holds $7.6 trillion in annual spending power? As America’s largest contingent of Baby Boomers approaches retirement, the demand for elevated dining in senior living communities has never been higher.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Joseph Cuticelli, CEO of Restaura, a company poised to disrupt the $45.1 billion foodservice contracting industry. Restaura is not just changing what’s on the menu—it’s redefining how technology, data science, and hospitality converge to create personalized dining experiences that cater to the evolving expectations of the Longevity Economy.

During our conversation, Joseph shares how Restaura is setting new industry standards by leveraging artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and real-time data to gather resident feedback, optimize operations, and reduce food waste.

With dining costs representing up to 20% of a senior living community’s operating expenses, Restaura’s tech-driven insights provide clients with smart dashboards offering real-time KPIs and sentiment analysis, ensuring that resident satisfaction and operational efficiency go hand in hand.

But how does one balance cutting-edge technology with the compassionate care and culinary artistry that residents expect? Joseph explains how Restaura brings together nutrition science and personalized service to address not only the health but also the emotional well-being of residents. We also explore the growing need for tech-enabled responsiveness in senior living, where dining quality is key to attracting and retaining residents.

As the conversation unfolds, we discuss the broader impact of the Longevity Economy and how senior living communities can stay ahead by blending technology with human connection. Is the future of senior dining about more than just food? Could AI and data science pave the way for a more sustainable, personalized approach to care?

Tune in and join the discussion. How do you see technology transforming the way we approach aging and hospitality? Share your thoughts—this is a conversation worth continuing.

The demand for seamless connectivity continues to grow as industries, businesses, and consumers increasingly rely on digital infrastructure. In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Christian Hillbrandt, CEO of Vantage Towers, to discuss how one of Europe’s largest tower companies is shaping the future of mobile networks.

With 86,000 towers spread across 10 European markets, Vantage Towers is at the center of expanding 5G coverage and enhancing network reliability. Christian shares insights on the progress of 5G rollout across Europe, the challenges of building sustainable and scalable infrastructure, and why connectivity across transportation networks—such as highways, railways, and airports—is becoming a priority.

We also explore the company’s efforts to drive efficiency through shared infrastructure, the shift toward renewable energy, and how Europe’s approach to connectivity compares to the U.S. As the demand for faster, more reliable networks increases, how will companies like Vantage Towers support innovation while ensuring cost-effective solutions?

Join us for a fascinating conversation on the technology that powers our digital world. What role do you think infrastructure providers should play in shaping the future of connectivity? Let us know your thoughts.

The internet is evolving, but so are the threats that come with it. The latest Bad Bot Report from Imperva, a Thales company, reveals a staggering statistic: nearly 50% of internet traffic now comes from non-human sources, with bad bots making up almost one-third of all online activity.

These bots are no longer just simple scripts running in the background; they have become more advanced, leveraging AI to mimic human behavior and evade traditional detection methods. The consequences? A surge in transaction fraud, web scraping, data harvesting, and account takeovers, affecting industries across the board.

In this episode, I'm joined by Lynn Marks, Senior Product Manager at Imperva, who returns to the podcast to break down the key findings of the 2024 Bad Bot Report. We explore how bot activity is evolving, why businesses need to rethink their approach to security, and what proactive steps can be taken to mitigate these threats.

Lynn explains how attackers are shifting their focus from technical vulnerabilities to exploiting business logic, making it increasingly difficult for companies to detect and prevent malicious activity.

We also discuss the growing security challenges surrounding APIs, which have become prime targets for cybercriminals. With half of all account takeover attacks now targeting APIs directly, organizations need better visibility and stronger protections in place to defend against automated threats. Lynn shares insights on why industries like gaming and travel are seeing disproportionate bot activity and how businesses can better secure their platforms.

As AI legislation gains momentum worldwide, the conversation around bot management is becoming increasingly complex. How can companies stay ahead of evolving threats while ensuring compliance with emerging regulations? What lessons can be learned from past security failures? And more importantly, how can organizations take a proactive stance in the fight against automated cyber threats?

Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that sheds light on the hidden dangers lurking beneath internet traffic and learn how to better protect your business from the growing wave of automated attacks.

Are businesses truly prepared for the evolving world of AI regulations? As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, organizations face mounting challenges in managing data integrity, balancing compliance with innovation, and ensuring ethical implementation. In this episode, I welcome Juan Orlandini, CTO North America at Insight, to explore the shifting AI regulatory landscape and how companies can navigate the road ahead.

With so much hype surrounding AI over the last two years, many businesses rushed to adopt new technologies, eager to stay ahead of the curve. But as the dust settles, a new focus emerges—responsibility, regulation, and long-term strategy. Juan breaks down AI into three broad categories: creators, adapters, and consumers. Each faces distinct challenges, particularly as global policymakers attempt to establish clear frameworks for responsible AI use. The conversation dives into why businesses should begin by focusing on internal AI applications, where the risks are lower, and the immediate value is more tangible before expanding into customer-facing solutions.

With AI regulations in the US still developing, California is leading the charge at the state level, much like it did with past privacy laws. Juan shares his thoughts on how these early policies could evolve into broader federal frameworks and what lessons the US can take from the European Union’s approach with the AI Act. While regulation may seem like an obstacle, Juan argues that it also presents an opportunity for businesses to refine their AI strategies, ensuring their data assets are leveraged effectively while remaining compliant.

Looking ahead, AI’s role in business will only continue to expand, but how can organizations avoid the pitfalls of past technology trends? Juan offers insights into how companies can take a structured, methodical approach to AI adoption, ensuring they don’t fall into the trap of following trends without a clear purpose. Whether it’s identifying high-value, quick-win AI projects or integrating AI into existing enterprise systems without adding unnecessary complexity, Juan emphasizes the importance of measured, strategic implementation.

The conversation also touches on the broader impact of AI on the workforce, the regulatory challenges that different AI categories face, and how organizations can foster innovation while mitigating risks. As AI becomes more ingrained in daily business operations, understanding the nuances of responsible AI adoption will be critical for companies looking to gain a competitive edge.

Are organizations ready for the realities of AI regulation, or are they still in the hype cycle? And how can businesses strike the right balance between innovation and compliance? Tune in to hear Juan’s expert insights and strategies for navigating the AI-powered future.

In today’s episode, I welcome Ricardo Ferreira, EMEA Field CISO at Fortinet, to discuss how the UK's proposed Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill compares to the EU's NIS2 directive. Ricardo brings a wealth of experience in cybersecurity strategy and regulation, and he shares why he believes the UK's bill is missing key components that could make it truly effective.

With Brexit allowing the UK to take an independent approach, Ricardo argues that there is a unique opportunity to cherry-pick the most effective elements from NIS2 while avoiding its potential pitfalls. But is the current bill providing enough clarity?

Ricardo highlights how the legislation introduces buzzwords like "digital supply chain" without actually outlining a clear path for addressing cyber threats. In contrast, NIS2 lays out a prescriptive approach that includes risk profiling, supply chain security frameworks, and post-breach recovery strategies.

We also explore the growing need for board-level accountability in cybersecurity. Should executives and directors be held personally responsible for cyber resilience within their organizations? And how can governments ensure that businesses have both the guidance and incentives to proactively address security risks rather than reactively scramble to contain breaches?

With cyber threats only growing more sophisticated, the role of regulation in mitigating risk has never been more important. But does the UK's current legislative approach go far enough? And what lessons can be learned from international frameworks like NIS2?

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of cybersecurity policy, where it’s headed, and what needs to change to create truly resilient digital infrastructures. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—how should governments balance regulation with innovation in cybersecurity?