In this thought-provoking episode of AI Rising, our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla unpack a whirlwind of topics shaping the AI landscape.

First, Leslie and Jayanth delve into the buzz surrounding Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, whose controversial remarks in a Stanford University interview sparked a stir before the video was taken down from YouTube. From criticizing Google’s work culture to drawing parallels between coding and learning a language like English, Schmidt's candid observations have left the tech world buzzing.

Next, the discussion shifts to generative AI—does it live up to the hype, or is it a technology in a frantic rush to prove itself? Jayanth also explores the challenges investors face when betting on AI startups and the growing emphasis on building responsible AI models that balance innovation with ethics.

Join us for a deep dive into the controversies, debates, and opportunities defining the rapidly evolving AI industry.

In this episode of AI Rising, Leslie and Jayanth discuss the hype surrounding OpenAI's rumored "Orion" project. Jayanth sheds light on the state of agentic AI in India, where flashy pitch decks often overshadow substance. He draws attention to trends like Indic language LLMs, many of which are mere wrappers on existing English models rather than innovations built from the ground up. Are these developments genuine breakthroughs, or are they simply marketing tactics aimed at impressing investors? Joining the conversation is Dhruv Rastogi, Senior Vice President & Head of Data Science at Medi Assist. With over 15 years of experience spanning finance, marketing, sales, and healthcare, Dhruv is a versatile data scientist driving innovation in India’s healthcare ecosystem. As COO at Medi Assist, he’s leveraging AI to make healthcare services more efficient and accessible. Dhruv discusses how Medi Assist is tackling a critical issue—reducing the wait time for insurance claims during hospital discharges. “A patient or their family, in such vulnerable situations, just want a smooth experience,” says Dhruv. By using predictive analytics, Medi Assist estimates bills with an accuracy of around ₹500, more or less, streamlining the process for patients and caregivers alike. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the intersection of AI innovation, healthcare transformation, and the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode of AI Rising, host Leslie D’Monte is joined by Ashwin Raguraman, Co-founder and Partner at Bharat Innovation Fund. Ashwin reflects on the journey of launching the fund in 2018 to support deep tech startups in India—a bold move, as the startup ecosystem was still emerging. "We were trying to promote the ecosystem ahead of its time," he shares, highlighting the fund's mission to foster innovation before the landscape fully matured. Leslie delves into Ashwin’s approach to selecting deep tech entrepreneurs, asking what factors guide his investment decisions. Ashwin outlines three key vectors: first, the founding team’s background; second, the size and potential growth of the market, adding that forecasting both startup success and market evolution is a unique challenge; and third, the technology’s level of disruption, including patents and solutions. Tune in for insights into the strategies that drive investment in India’s deep tech ecosystem and how AI is changing the landscape.

In this insightful episode, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla engage with Shashank from Tredence to discuss the evolving landscape of AI and data analytics. Shashank delves into the role of AI in creating interconnected solutions for supply and demand, emphasizing Tredence's unique approach in delivering actionable insights over mere predictions. The conversation spans the growth trajectory of AI startups like Fractal, the critical role of cloud computing, and India’s emerging influence in the AI ecosystem, showcased by models like Ola’s Krithrim.

Additionally, Shashank shares the culture of innovation at Tredence, inspired by initiatives like Tredence Studio, a space reminiscent of Google’s Area 120, where employees can nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. He also touches upon India’s booming startup landscape, his investments in a VC fund supporting Indian startups, and Tredence's culture of mentorship-driven growth.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on AI’s transformative power in business, India’s role in the global AI scene, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations.

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Tathagato Rai Dastidar, founder of SigTuple, a company transforming diagnostic healthcare through AI-driven solutions.

The discussion opens with the rise of AI agents like Salesforce's AgentForce AI and Microsoft’s new Copilot. Leslie poses the big question: can AI truly reason like humans? Tathagato offers an intriguing perspective, asking, “Do we even understand how humans reason?”

Jayanth shares insights from his recent Europe trip, where he met AI innovators struggling to scale solutions due to the continent’s fragmented landscape. Tathagato then explains how SigTuple is streamlining diagnostics using AI-powered microscopes, making healthcare more efficient and accessible.

Tune in for a compelling conversation on AI’s real-world impact and the future of healthcare technology.

In the latest episode of the AI Rising podcast, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Sayandeb Banerjee, Cofounder and CEO of MathCo, an enterprise AI and analytics company known for developing data-driven AI models that enhance decision-making processes.

The discussion dives into whether the debate of open-source vs. closed-source AI still matters to clients today. Banerjee reflects on the enduring resistance to open source and what it means for the industry. They also explore the rise of SLMs, with a focus on Gemma 2—how its portability sets it apart, and whether SLMs make more sense for businesses looking to adopt scalable AI solutions. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with real-world AI applications and industry perspectives!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla sit down with Ankur Pal, Chief Data Scientist at Aplazo, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) FinTech platform based in Mexico. Ankur, who leads the company’s data organization, is deeply committed to democratizing financial access through innovative technology. In addition to his role at Aplazo, he is an active angel investor with a portfolio of over 40 global companies, including Spenmo, Otipy, Rupifi, and TeachMint.

The conversation begins with a discussion of Gartner’s Hype Cycle Report 2024 for emerging technologies, which projects a plateau for generative AI in 2 to 5 years, autonomous agents in 5 to 10 years, and artificial general intelligence (AGI) in more than 10 years.

Ankur shares insights on how investors are navigating the rapid evolution of foundational AI models, while the hosts also explore the unique regulatory landscape in Latin America, which is fostering innovation in the fintech space. Tune in to this enlightening discussion to learn more!

In the latest episode of AI Rising, hosts Leslie D'Monte and Jayanth N Kolla are joined by Anant Vidur Puri, a seasoned Venture Capitalist from Bessemer Venture Partners. The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the Listening-while-Speaking Language Model (LSLM), a model that integrates listening and speaking capabilities, allowing for real-time, seamless interaction.

The conversation then shifts to the broader implications of AI on the workforce, with insights from a recent Accenture report revealing that up to 44% of working hours in the US are poised for automation or augmentation, with even higher percentages in the UK. The hosts, alongside Anant, delve into the risks this poses, particularly for workers with lower digital skills, and the potential widening of the digital divide.

Anant brings his expertise to the table, emphasizing the critical role of Gen AI in the future of software development. He cautions that businesses not adopting AI will be left behind, as both competitors and clients increasingly demand AI-driven solutions. In a more personal segment, Leslie asks Anant what excites him about entrepreneurs, providing listeners with a glimpse into the mind of a leading venture capitalist.

Tune in to explore the forefront of AI innovation and its far-reaching impacts on both technology and the workforce.