The last time Philipp Pointner joined me on the podcast, AI was just a whisper on the horizon. We discussed the foundational role of digital identity in establishing trust between individuals and platforms. But fast forward to 2025, and the conversation has shifted dramatically. We're no longer just discussing verification for compliance. We're reckoning with synthetic identities, deepfake armies, and the growing push for reusable digital credentials.

In today's episode, Philipp returns to unpack how much has changed since 2022. As Chief of Digital Identity at Jumio, he's right at the intersection of where AI meets trust. Fraud has evolved from lone hackers into coordinated operations that run on an industrial scale. ID fraud is no longer a matter of bad actors copying documents. Its entire networks generate tens of thousands of AI-manipulated identities with the click of a button.

So, how are businesses adapting? Philipp breaks down the layered approach required for modern identity verification, touching on risk signals across various channels, including documents, devices, faces, emails, and more. He also points to an encouraging trend: cross-industry collaboration. Companies, regulators, and tech vendors are no longer working in silos. They are coordinating efforts to counter this new breed of threats.

But this isn't just about fraud. We explore how identity solutions are now a key part of improving onboarding, boosting customer satisfaction, and even reducing operational costs. With significant regulatory shifts underway in Europe, the UK, and the US, from mobile driver's licenses to national digital identity schemes, businesses can't afford to fall behind.

Philipp also tackles the AI paradox. The same technology that enables deepfakes is now critical for combating them. Jumio is using AI to detect fakes, verify liveness, and stay one step ahead of fraudsters. Biometrics, meanwhile, are becoming mainstream, not just in airports but as part of everyday onboarding and authentication.

If you're thinking about what identity means for your business in 2025 and beyond, this episode offers a practical, timely look at what's here now and what's coming next. Whether you care about compliance, conversion rates, or protecting your users, it all starts with knowing who you're dealing with. And increasingly, that requires more than just asking for a photo ID.

What role will your organization play in the future of digital trust?

Enterprise security has always been a moving target, but with the surge of AI adoption, it's entering a whole new era of complexity. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Bradon Rogers, Chief Customer Officer at Island, who brings over 25 years of cybersecurity experience to a conversation that cuts through the noise on AI, data protection, and the evolving role of the browser.

Bradon warns that AI isn't just creating new opportunities. It's also generating what he calls a derivative data nightmare. Large language models are now producing massive volumes of unstructured outputs that differ in formatting but carry the same meaning. These subtle variations are already overwhelming traditional data loss prevention tools, and the challenge is only growing.

Yet Bradon doesn't stop at the warning. He believes AI might also be the solution.

We discuss why businesses need to move beyond old data-centric approaches and start designing application-centric frameworks that mirror how people work. In a world where banning AI is no longer realistic, organizations need practical ways to guide users toward safe, sanctioned tools. Bradon explains how enterprise browsers can serve as that safe space, combining usability with security and offering a familiar interface that doesn't get in the way of productivity.

He also addresses the new breed of shadow IT emerging from embedded AI features in everyday apps, as well as the importance of understanding how third-party providers utilize your data behind the scenes. For anyone still thinking of AI adoption as a checkbox exercise, Bradon makes it clear this is a complex governance challenge that demands a new mindset.

From call center automation to real-time coaching workflows, the conversation explores how AI can enhance precision, minimize false positives, and support teams without overwhelming them. We wrap up with a powerful music recommendation that perfectly reflects the winding road many tech leaders now find themselves navigating.

What happens when machine identities outnumber human ones by a hundred to one?

That’s not a future scenario. It’s already happening. In this episode, I’m joined by David Higgins, Senior Director at CyberArk, for a deep conversation about identity security in an environment increasingly shaped by AI agents, autonomous systems, and blurred digital boundaries.

David brings clarity to the growing risks tied to machine credentials and explains why so many organisations are still struggling with password reuse, unsecured personal devices, and outdated security awareness efforts. We explore the rise of deepfake scams, AI-powered impersonation, and the worrying trend of attackers bypassing savvy users by targeting helpdesks and support channels instead.

What stood out is how David reframes the conversation around human behaviour and responsibility. Rather than blaming users as the weakest link, he argues that identity security needs to be rooted in context, culture, and proactive design. From adaptive authentication to just-in-time access models, there are smarter ways forward that balance security and user experience without turning employees into roadblocks.

And we go even further. We talk about the next phase of risk, where AI agents aren't just tools but semi-autonomous actors capable of learning and adapting. What happens when one of these agents goes off-script? What safeguards are in place if they begin to behave in ways their developers didn’t anticipate?

This episode is not about hype. It’s a practical look at what identity-first security really means in a machine-dominated environment.

So let’s hear it: do you think your business is ready for this shift? Or are we still relying too much on assumptions that no longer hold up?

Let me know what you think after listening.

In today’s episode, I sit down with John Adam, Chief Revenue Officer at Aimprosoft, for a direct conversation on what it really takes to implement AI inside a business.

With AI hype dominating headlines, many companies are either rushing in without a clear plan or standing still out of fear of making the wrong move. John brings a grounded perspective, shaped by years of helping mid-sized firms and enterprise teams move beyond buzzwords and into real, measurable outcomes.

We explore how Aimprosoft guides clients to focus on AI projects that are low in complexity but high in impact. These early wins are often the key to building internal buy-in and unlocking wider adoption across departments. John shares why modular implementation strategies are becoming more popular, especially for companies that want to avoid getting locked into any one vendor or platform.

Our conversation goes beyond the technical. We discuss where AI tools actually deliver value and where they fall short. John highlights that AI performs well in rules-based, repetitive environments but still struggles with nuance, edge cases, and anything that requires emotional intelligence. He also outlines the importance of ethics, especially in regulated industries, and offers a pragmatic approach to mitigating bias, protecting data, and maintaining brand voice.

With examples drawn from Aimprosoft’s client work, including success stories involving scalable platform rebuilds and cost-saving test automation, this episode offers a clear-eyed view of how AI is being used today. John emphasizes that the right starting point is a good data strategy, supported by simple pilot projects that prove value early.

If you’re a leader trying to separate substance from noise in AI conversations, this episode offers an honest look at what works, what doesn’t, and how to move forward without overcommitting. What’s the smartest first step your team can take with AI right now? Let’s find out.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sat down with Ashley Stevenson, VP of Product and Solution Marketing at DigiCert, to explore the shifting landscape of digital trust. We are living in a time where certificate-related outages still disrupt critical systems, identity management is becoming more complex, and the arrival of quantum computing is no longer a distant concern. Ashley brought clarity to these issues with a practical look at how DigiCert is helping organizations manage trust at scale.

Our conversation began with the foundational role DNS and PKI play in digital infrastructure. While most users never think about them, every secure connection begins with DNS resolving a domain and PKI establishing trust. DigiCert has combined these layers in a single platform, DigiCert1, designed to automate and simplify how trust is managed across networks, users, and connected devices.

We explored the increasing importance of certificate lifecycle management. With certificate lifespans moving from 398 days to just 47 by 2029, and domain validations required every 10 days, automation is no longer a convenience. It is a necessity. DigiCert1 addresses this through centralized inventory, policy enforcement, proactive notifications, and full automation from issuance to installation.

Ashley also shared insights on the convergence of PKI and identity and access management. From IoT to human users, digital identities are multiplying and evolving. PKI is playing a larger role in enabling passwordless authentication and supporting verifiable credentials, especially as organizations move toward privacy-enhancing and standards-based models.

Looking ahead, we discussed quantum readiness and crypto agility. DigiCert is already helping customers evaluate which systems are most vulnerable and preparing them to adopt quantum-safe algorithms when needed. Whether the concern is policy change, an unexpected breach, or emerging tech, the ability to adapt quickly is key.

How do you build a strategy for trust that adapts to this pace of change? This episode offers an inside look at how DigiCert is answering that question.

When I sat down with Leon Butler, the newly appointed CEO of IBM UK and Ireland, it felt like a timely check-in with one of the most influential forces in enterprise technology. Having taken on the role in January 2024 after leading IBM’s global data and AI division, Leon brings both technical depth and a clear strategic lens to what lies ahead. Our conversation couldn’t have been better timed, following the IBM Think conference and the company’s latest wave of announcements around agentic AI, enterprise models, and quantum computing.

Leon offered an inside look at how IBM is responding to real-world business challenges with purpose-built, domain-specific AI tools. While the industry often gravitates toward large, generic models, IBM has chosen a different route, focusing on smaller, more efficient models that deliver measurable business outcomes. Their Granite model family and WatsonX orchestrate platform are helping companies streamline complex workflows, boost productivity, and integrate AI into operations without adding more layers of complexity.

We also explored how AI agents are evolving from basic chat interfaces into tools that can coordinate multi-step processes across HR, procurement, and customer service. Leon shared concrete examples from inside IBM, including how their own HR systems are now 94 percent automated through AI agents. The company has also achieved over $2 billion in productivity gains through AI and automation internally, a figure that sets a strong precedent for its clients.

Our conversation also touched on IBM’s quantum roadmap, with expectations that their systems will surpass today’s most powerful supercomputers by 2033 and reach error-free capability by 2029. Alongside this, IBM is pushing forward with a global commitment to close the AI skills gap, aiming to equip 2 million people with AI skills by 2026.

How does a company of IBM’s scale remain agile while reshaping industries with AI and quantum computing? This conversation offers a glimpse into the strategy, leadership, and technology shaping that future.

When I last spoke with Tony Jamous in November 2020, we were navigating the early days of a remote-first world. The shift was sudden and widespread, but what followed was even more transformative.

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I reconnect with Tony to explore how the world of work has changed and how Oyster has grown from an ambitious startup into a B Corp-certified unicorn focused on enabling global employment at scale.

Tony is the CEO and founder of Oyster, a company built on the belief that where you live should never limit where you work. We discussed the journey from pandemic-driven remote work to today’s distributed models, the growing need for location-independent hiring, and how AI is now being embedded into every layer of global workforce management. Oyster is helping businesses hire across 180 countries with just a few clicks, solving compliance, payroll, and benefits challenges without the traditional roadblocks.

During our conversation, Tony broke down what it means to build a mission-driven company and why measuring impact matters. More than 40 percent of employees hired through Oyster now come from emerging markets. That shift is not just a statistic. It reflects real people gaining access to economic opportunities they were previously excluded from. Stories like Christina in the Philippines, who now works from home and spends more time with her children, highlight the human impact of Oyster’s platform.

We also talked about Oyster’s recent Series D funding round and how the company is shifting from high-growth to sustainable profitability. AI is a big part of that evolution. From internal operations to customer support, automation is being used to reduce friction and let people focus on work that matters. For Tony, leadership now means focusing on vision and values while letting AI handle repetitive tasks.

What does the future look like when the world becomes one talent pool? This episode offers a grounded, forward-looking take on what happens when mission, technology, and global opportunity intersect.

What if the biggest delay in healthcare wasn’t a lack of doctors but a broken phone system? In today’s episode, I catch up with Zain Qayyum, the founder of Medsender, who left his path to medical school after witnessing firsthand how slow and outdated healthcare administration really is. His response wasn’t to complain. It was to build a solution.

Zain shares how Medsender uses voice AI, not to replace human interaction, but to support it. The company’s AI agent, Myra, now handles everything from referrals and scheduling to patient queries around the clock. The goal is simple: let staff focus on care while AI deals with the paperwork and the phone queues.

We talk about the real challenges of designing AI for healthcare, where privacy is non-negotiable and errors carry serious consequences. Zain explains how Myra is built from the ground up to work with fragmented healthcare systems while strictly respecting HIPAA compliance. Every integration is intentional. Every safeguard is baked in.

He also offers a look at the measurable impact this technology is already having. Referral times have dropped from days to seconds. Scheduling rates have improved. Phone calls are answered without fail. And patients are no longer left on hold or in limbo.

More importantly, Zain paints a compelling vision of what healthcare could look like in five years. Imagine AI agents not just answering patient calls but also speaking to other systems on their behalf. Imagine a future where getting care feels as seamless as booking a taxi or ordering dinner.

Is this the future patients have been waiting for? Or does the human side of care still risk being lost?

Listen in and tell us what you think. Can AI help healthcare find its voice again?