If you think that the weather is getting crazier by the year, then you are not alone. In fact at the time of recording this episode in late July 2025 snow fell on every Australian state and territory except the NT.

Thankfully there are people who care about the climate and are doing something about it. Like this week's guest Rinaldo Brutoco founder of the World Business Academy.

Summary

On the flight deck this week, Rinaldo Brutoco discusses his extensive experience in renewable energy and the importance of transitioning to a hydrogen economy. He emphasises the need for businesses to adopt a purpose-driven approach, integrating people, planet, profit, and purpose. Rinaldo explains the safety and abundance of hydrogen as a fuel source, while also addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. He advocates for a shift towards decentralised micro-grids and highlights the importance of optimism in tackling these global issues.

Keywords

energy transition, hydrogen economy, climate change, renewable energy, cautious optimism, business purpose, environmental sustainability, AI, micro-grids, future of civilisation

Takeaways

Rinaldo Brutoco has had two full-time careers focused on renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

The World Business Academy promotes a business model that includes people, planet, profit, and purpose.

Hydrogen is a key player in the transition away from fossil fuels, especially in hard-to-abate sectors.

The hydrogen economy can be profitable and environmentally friendly, challenging the notion that green solutions are costly.

Climate change is accelerating, and its impacts are becoming more severe and frequent.

The jet stream and ocean currents are becoming unpredictable due to climate change, leading to extreme weather events.

The future of civilsation is at risk if we do not address climate change effectively and urgently.

Decentralised micro-grids are essential for a sustainable energy future, allowing local energy production and consumption.

Optimism is crucial in the face of environmental challenges, as it encourages proactive solutions and innovation.

The Optimist Daily newsletter highlights positive developments in the world, countering the negativity often found in mainstream news.

Join us on board the good ship SS Tomorrow, as we discuss Conversational AI with Peter Swimm from Toilville. Discover how conversational AI is transforming customer interactions, the ethical considerations involved, and the future of AI in business. Peter shares his expertise on building effective AI solutions that enhance human experience without compromising on ethics. Tune in to explore the balance between technology and humanity in the evolving landscape of AI.

Takeaways

Peter Swimm has over 20 years of experience in tech, focusing on conversational AI.

Toilville helps businesses build effective conversational AI solutions.

Conversational AI aims to improve user experience, moving beyond traditional chatbots.

Ethical AI requires transparency about data sources and biases.

Cultural norms significantly impact AI interactions and understanding.

The future of work will involve collaboration between humans and AI, not replacement.

AI should augment human capabilities, allowing for more efficient workflows.

Data privacy is becoming increasingly important in AI development.

Businesses need to reset their privacy contracts with users.

AI's effectiveness depends on the ethical considerations of its creators.

Keywords

AI, ethics, conversational AI, Toilville, data privacy, future of work, technology, human experience, ethical AI, automation

Today on board the good ship SS Tomorrow. We ask What makes a city "smart"? With our guest Asanga Lokusooriya from IBM.

Is it the technology, the data, or the human experience? Data's Role: How data and AI are crucial in building responsive and efficient urban environments.

Technological Convergence: The intersection of AI, IoT, and data analytics in urban planning.

Challenges and Opportunities: The balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations in smart cities.

The Future Outlook: The role of autonomous AI agents and the potential for energy optimisation in urban settings.

Key themes and takeaway points:

• Smart cities leverage data to improve emergency response times and optimise energy consumption.
• The definition of a smart city goes beyond technology; it includes enhancing human liveability and community engagement.
• The future of urban living involves a symbiotic relationship between technology and human needs, emphasising responsible AI use.

Joining us on board the good ship SS tomorrow this week is Jill Reilly.

Jill shares her experiences in aid work and social development, with a focus on Africa. They discuss the parallels between historical transformations and current societal changes driven by technology. Jillian introduces her concept of the '10 permissions' that individuals need to navigate change confidently. The conversation also touches on the resilience of the African population in the face of uncertainty and the importance of optimism and agency in shaping the future.

Keywords

change, transformation, 10 permissions, uncertainty, Africa, resilience, optimism, social development, technology, future

Takeaways

No one should be left behind in societal progress.

History serves as a teacher during times of change.

The 10 permissions help individuals navigate change.

Embracing uncertainty is crucial in the 21st century.

Africa's youthful population is an asset for the future.

Resilience is a way of life for many Africans.

Agency and adaptability will be rewarded in the future.

The future is not predetermined; it can be shaped.

Optimism is essential for navigating change.

We must engage in conversations to find our way forward.

Joining us today on the bridge of the good ship SS Tomorrow is Aaron Momin, the CISO of Synechron, discussing the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Aaron shares insights from his extensive career, the mission of Synechron, and the critical challenges organisations face in cybersecurity today, including third-party risks and ransomware. He emphasises the importance of a top-down approach to building security systems while balancing it with bottom-up strategies. The conversation also explores future trends in cybersecurity, including the role of AI and zero trust architecture.

Keywords

cybersecurity, CISO, Synechron, AI, risk management, data protection, ransomware, generative AI, zero trust, third-party risks

Takeaways

Aaron Momin has over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity.

Synechron specialises in IT consulting and innovation, particularly in AI.

The role of the CISO has evolved to include business enablement.

Third-party risks are a significant challenge for organisations.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise again, partly due to generative AI.

A top-down approach is crucial for effective cybersecurity strategy.

Organisations must balance top-down and bottom-up approaches to security.

Understanding technology architecture is essential for cybersecurity professionals.

Post-quantum computing poses new risks to data security.

AI and zero trust architecture will be key trends in the future of cybersecurity.

Joining us on the bridge of the good ship SS Tomorrow is, Phillip Swan from Iridius discusses the concept of agentic AI, its mission to provide safe and responsible AI solutions, and the challenges of AI hallucinations. He differentiates between generative AI and agentic AI, emphasises the importance of trust in AI adoption, and shares insights on the future of AI and robotics. Swan also talks about the importance of passion in technology careers and the need for operational efficiency in AI-driven companies.

Keywords

Agentic AI, Iridius, AI solutions, compliance, hallucinations, generative AI, trust, robotics, operational efficiency, and the future of work.

Takeaways

Iridius aims to deliver AI solutions that are safe and responsible.

Proper context can mitigate AI hallucinations.

Generative AI is based on large language models, while agentic AI is autonomous.

The AI industry is currently in a hype cycle, with many companies likely to fail.

Trust is essential for the adoption of AI solutions.

Passion for technology is crucial for a successful career in the field.

Speed to market is critical for AI solutions.

Household robots will become common within the next decade.

AI systems require safety measures, including kill switches.

Contextual prompts lead to more accurate AI outputs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI and Iridius

01:21 Iridius' Mission and Market Reception

04:28 Understanding AI Hallucinations and Mitigation Strategies

08:19 Generative AI vs. Agentic AI

11:10 The AI Hype Cycle and Future Trends

15:01 The Role of Trust in AI Solutions

17:48 Passion and Career in Technology

21:53 Delivering Value to Customers

23:26 The Future of AI and Robotics

26:05 Agentic AI: Entitlements and Safety

28:31 Operational Efficiency and the Future of Work

31:21 Learning and Engaging with AI

Joining us on deck this week on the Goodship SS Tomorrow is JJ from SoSafe

In this episode, Dave and JJ discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity as we approach the midpoint of 2025 and the end of the financial year here in Australia. JJ shares insights from her extensive experience in the field, emphasising the importance of human behaviour in cybersecurity and the need for organisations to foster a culture of security awareness. They explore the current state of cyber threats, particularly the rise of AI-driven attacks and social engineering tactics. JJ provides practical tips for improving cyber hygiene and envisions a future where cybersecurity is recognised as a vital life skill.

Keywords

cybersecurity, human error, social engineering, AI threats, SoSafe, cyber hygiene, online safety, digital resilience, security awareness, future of cybersecurity

Takeaways

JJ has dedicated 25 years to bridging the divide between people and technology.

SoSafe aims to create a culture of security awareness among organisations.

Cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, especially with AI.

Everyone is a target for cyberattacks, regardless of their background.

Fear can lead individuals to fall for scams, even when they know better.

Two-factor authentication is a crucial step for online security.

Cyber safety should be viewed as a life skill, not just a workplace issue.

Misinformation online is becoming more prevalent and harder to detect.

Password management tools are essential for maintaining security.

Always verify the source of incoming communications before responding.

Joining Dave, on the bridge of the good ship SS Tomorrow is Don Weatherbee from Regenx, discussing the innovative recycling of catalytic converters, particularly focusing on diesel engines. They explore the concept of the circular economy, the challenges of traditional recycling methods, and the future of urban mining. Don emphasises the importance of reusing metals and the potential of hydrogen as an alternative energy source while also addressing the sustainability goals aligned with their mission.

Keywords

Regenx, catalytic converters, diesel, circular economy, urban mining, platinum, palladium, recycling, sustainable development, hydrogen economy

Takeaways

Regenx focuses on recycling platinum and palladium from diesel catalytic converters.

The company is positioned in a niche market that is currently underserved.

Traditional recycling often results in downcycling rather than true recycling.

Urban mining is about reclaiming metals from urban environments for reuse.

The circular economy is hindered by collection challenges.

Sustainable development goals align with the mission of reusing metals.

The hydrogen economy may increase demand for platinum and palladium.

Battery life in extreme weather poses challenges for electric vehicles.

There is a need to shift towards a degrowth mindset in resource consumption.

Regenx aims to regenerate metals to their original state, unlike traditional recycling.