Data-powered Innovation Jam

Do we hear sleigh bells in that surf rock soundtrack? Well, anything can happen when you tune in to the Data-powered Innovation Jam podcast—especially in the very last episode of the year! Our hosts Weiwei Feng (winning top honours for her Christmas sweater), Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido gather with their producer Arne Rossmann by a cozy fireplace to reflect on an unforgettable 2024. From groundbreaking moments in data and AI to the soundtrack of the year, it’s a heartfelt and insightful rewind. But wait, there's more! It wouldn’t be the Innovation Jam without a bold look ahead and discussion on some predictions for 2025. Any chance of being accurate amid such unpredictable times? Well, to paraphrase the contemporary poet Zack de la Rocha, “some of those that hype new courses, are the same that ignore real causes.” Of course, this doesn’t keep our hosts from forecasting. Drawing from the visions of 7 leading innovation movers and shakers, the team pieces together a picture of a new year that promises to be transformational, and of course packed with a whole lot of data-powered magic. Will the future hold surprises? Undoubtedly. But if one thing’s certain, it’s that this extra special holiday episode delivers inspiration, insights, and plenty of holiday cheer. Join us by the fire for data, analytics, robotics, AI, and all that data jazz! Timestamps:00:40 – Ron and Robert reflect on some of the most memorable musical moments shared throughout the podcast series.12:50 – As AI continues to evolve and its misuse in criminal activities rises, conversations are shifting from abstract ideals to pressing, real-world challenges.23:58 – A clear trend for 2025 is emerging: a strategic blend of diverse cloud solutions will be critical for effective data management.29:07 – Synthetic data is set to take center stage, offering realistic, pattern-rich data without exposing sensitive information.48:05 – The hosts wrap up the year with a recap of 2024's highlights in data and AI, while offering a look ahead at 2025, all by the warmth of a fireplace and a glass of Glühwein. Curious about the latest in data and AI? Explore our newly launched thought leadership magazine, Data-powered Innovation Review Wave 9. Connect with our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, Weiwei Feng and our producer Arne Rossmann on LinkedIn.

Autonomous AI isn’t just a futuristic dream—it’s here, and robots are redefining industries. But who would have thought the human touch is so crucial to success? In this electrifying episode, hosts Robert Engels, Weiwei Feng, and Ron Tolido are joined by Kence Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Composabl and author of “Designing Autonomous AI: A Guide for Machine Teaching.” Kence shares his expertise in designing autonomous robotic systems that seamlessly fuse human insight with machine intelligence—like crafting the perfect rock ballad with just the right balance of grit and melody. The conversation explores “data science colonialism”, the revolutionary potential of machine teaching, and why subject matter experts are the real stars of AI. And yes, there’s even a nod to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder for good measure! While the world rides the generative AI wave, Kence makes a compelling case for exploring diverse AI approaches and engineering systems that truly harmonize with human capabilities. This episode is your backstage pass to the future of AI. It’s a conversation that will leave you inspired and ready to embrace the autonomous AI revolution. No November rain here—just insights that hit all the right notes. Join the autonomy, don't miss this episode! Timestamps:00:38 – Ron and Robert explore the fascinating history of the "Synthesizer."15:38 – What’s the perfect music genre for Composabl platform? Plus, the magic of improvisation.23:40 – Kence dives into his report, "Intelligent Autonomous Agents – The Missing Ingredient in the Autonomous Enterprise."36:40 – Can we teach machines to create the ultimate soundtrack?38:53 – Weiwei takes the stage for some myth busting brilliance. Connect with our guest Kence Anderson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

 Bayer, a global powerhouse with a diverse portfolio spanning pharmaceuticals via consumer health, all the way to crop science. So, what do you get when you have a guest from Bayer discussing data and AI? Even more diverse topics, of course. In this episode, hosts Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido are joined by Mukesh Dubey, Product Management & Architecture Lead for Data and Commercial Platforms at Bayer US, for a lively and thought-provoking exchange. The agenda? Generative AI, of course. To stay in style: is it really a “Big Aspirin” ready to tackle the toughest headaches, or is a strategy of well-planned baby steps be the better approach? But that’s just the start. Being architects themselves just like Mukesh, Robert, and Ron exchange perspectives on the evolving role of architecture, strategy, data platforms, and governance in organizations. Meanwhile, Weiwei takes on her signature myth-busting challenge, tackling the feasibility of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the question; do we need it? And because this is the Data-powered Innovation Jam, expect some surprising connections play into the mix. Like how do everybody’s favourite Bon Jovi songs fit exactly into this equation?  And who was in the same school class as German singer Nena? Don’t miss this engaging episode filled with insights, debates, and a few unexpected twists! Timestamps:01:41 – Ron shares his claim to fame, recounting the time he met Joseph Bowie, founder of the legendary band Defunkt!25:01 – Strategies for preparing architects to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.29:41 – Exploring key concepts in data management, including the data mesh.37:10 – Insights into fostering seamless data sharing within organizations.41:15 – Mukesh dives into his perspective on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Connect with our guest Mukesh Dubey and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Sometimes, language is universal – one could win the Eurovision Song Contest with lyrics like “la-la-la” or “ding-a-dong! But when it comes to sharing data across companies, sectors, and countries, we need a little more than catchy choruses. Enter Gaia-X: a pan-European platform designed to enable trusted, decentralized data sharing and digital ecosystems, all aligned with EU values. In this episode, we’re joined by Alberto Palomo, Chief Strategy Officer at Gaia-X, to explore what’s required for seamless data sharing – even among organizations determined to do things their way. With hosts Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, Ron Tolido and our producer Arne Rossman, Alberto unpacks the challenges, shares key insights and lessons learnt from his time as Spain’s Chief Data Officer. Turns out that speaking the same language isn’t necessary for collaboration—as long as you’re referring to the same things and concepts. Curious about the future of data ecosystems? Or just wondering about the team’s favourite Eurovision tracks? Don’t miss this lively new episode of the Data-powered Innovation Jam podcast! Timestamps:01:15 – Ron and Robert dive into a discussion on “Eurovision.”06:07 – Alberto introduces Gaia-X and explores its benefits.17:22 – A deep dive into Data Mesh, user sovereignty, and ethics with Gaia-X.37:25 – Weiwei leads a myth-busting session.40:33 – What’s next for Gaia-X? Connect with our guest Alberto Palomo and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.