Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)

Episod

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  From Demos to Deployments: How U.S. Bank Is Industrializing AI 05.10.2026 42min

  Proving AI works was never the hard part. The hard part is industrializing it. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Dilip Venkatachari, Chief Information and Technology Officer at U.S. Bank, about what it actually takes to move from scattered AI experiments to a common platform with reusable components and measurable outcomes. Drawing from eight years leading technology at one of the country’s largest banks, Venkatachari explains how U.S. Bank treats model risk management and regulatory requirements as design parameters rather than obstacles, why the real technical challenge is plumbing rather than models, and how an internal AI marketplace uses social incentives to drive reuse without mandating it. Key Highlights: Why industrialization, not proof-of-concept, is the defining AI challenge for large enterprises How U.S. Bank treats regulatory requirements as design inputs rather than blockers to AI deployment Why the best AI system creates no value if people don’t change their workflows How an internal AI marketplace and citation-style reuse incentives prevent redundant technology stacks Why AI is emerging as an unexpected solution to the COBOL skills retirement crisis How frontier model companies are shifting from LLM providers to enterprise deployment partners This episode is sponsored by Tines. This episode is presented by Tines: Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io
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  From Patterns to Prompts: Pawan Verma on AI Across the Pharma Value Chain 01.10.2026 42min

  AI is reshaping every stage of pharmaceutical distribution, but only if the organization is built to absorb it. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Pawan Verma, Executive Vice President and Chief Data and Information Officer at Cencora, about leading technology and data strategy at one of the world’s largest healthcare companies ($320B+ in revenue, 5 million pharmaceuticals moving through its network daily). Verma joined Cencora in 2024 after serving as Global CIO at MetLife, with earlier leadership at Foot Locker, Target, and Verizon, a cross-industry arc that shapes how he thinks about patient access, workforce transformation, and what AI can and cannot replace in leadership. Key Highlights: Why “centered-out” change management outperforms both top-down mandates and bottoms-up experimentation How Cencora evaluates AI investments against a four-bucket prioritization model, including long-term sustaining value Where AI is shortening the pharmaceutical chain: virtual clinical cohorts, faster drug discovery, and real-time inventory optimization Why pharmaceutical supply chains demand a different standard of precision than conventional logistics What AI cannot replace: the ability to unlearn, reframe on new emotional data, and hold authentic human connection This episode is sponsored by Tines. This episode is presented by Tines: Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io
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  Security by Design: How Ally Financial’s CISO Builds Resiliency Into the Cloud 28.09.2026 32min

  A digital-only bank can’t afford to retrofit security. Ally Financial builds it in from the start. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Spencer Cremers, Chief Information Security Officer at Ally Financial, about designing security and resiliency into cloud infrastructure by default — and what that requires organizationally. Cremers spent 20+ years at Ally progressing through divisional CIO and engineering roles before becoming CISO, including a stretch as interim Chief Information and Data Officer. That delivery background shapes how he positions security: not as a gatekeeper handing down requirements late in the cycle, but as a design partner embedded from the start. Key Highlights: Why Ally’s cloud environment uses templatized resiliency patterns so application teams inherit security standards automatically How a three-bucket framework separates AI-in-defenses, AI-enabled external threats, and governing Ally’s own AI use What Cremers learned running a three-day, CEO-involved crisis simulation with concurrent threat vectors Why a CISO with a delivery background can dismantle the adversarial dynamic between security and engineering How Cremers managed the interim CIDO role without putting the organization into a holding pattern This episode is sponsored by Tines. Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io  
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  Ross Fubini on Finding the Wave Behind Breakout Startups 25.09.2026 57min

  What separates a great founder from a great company? For XYZ Venture Capital Founder and Managing Partner Ross Fubini, execution is only part of the equation. The company also needs to find its “wave.” In this episode of Technoventure, Fubini joins Peter High to unpack the investment philosophy behind XYZ’s bets on founder networks, defense technology, and AI. Drawing on his experience as an engineer, entrepreneur, executive coach, and investor, he explores: Why XYZ built an early thesis around the Palantir talent network What Fubini saw in Anduril before other investors embraced defense technology Why exceptional execution still needs a market “wave” How AI changes software development, defensibility, and venture investing Why forward-deployed engineers are becoming increasingly important Fubini also shares how he personally uses AI to research, challenge investment theses, and sharpen his thinking.
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  How Nationwide CTO Michael Carrel Is Building an AI-Ready Workforce 24.09.2026 44min

  In this episode of Technovation, Nationwide CTO Michael Carrel joins Peter High to discuss how the company is building an AI-ready workforce while modernizing technology across its insurance and financial services businesses. Carrel explains why Nationwide made everyday AI available to associates across the company and paired access with future-ready learning sprints, manager certifications, and role-specific skill development. He also shares how Nationwide is applying generative and agentic AI across underwriting, claims, software engineering, and other domains while maintaining disciplined governance, trusted data, and human judgment. This episode is presented by Tines — Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io
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  How Trane Technologies Uses AI to Make Buildings More Autonomous 21.09.2026 31min

  What happens when AI moves beyond generating content and starts autonomously optimizing the physical world? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Riaz Raihan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of Trane Technologies, about how the company is applying AI, connected equipment, and massive volumes of IoT data to make buildings more autonomous and energy efficient. Riaz explains how BrainBox AI acts as an “autopilot” for complex HVAC systems, continuously making small adjustments to optimize energy use without sacrificing comfort. He also discusses Trane Technologies’ three-pillar AI strategy, responsible data use and cybersecurity, and a future in which smart, resilient buildings coordinate energy consumption, storage, and generation autonomously.   This episode is presented by Tines — Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io  
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  Goodyear CIO Raman Mehta on Making Speed the Strategy for Enterprise AI 17.09.2026 26min

  For Goodyear CIO Raman Mehta, enterprise AI cannot remain stuck in pilot mode. His mandate is to bring a startup mindset to a 128-year-old manufacturer by making speed a strategy and turning AI experimentation into measurable business impact. In this episode of Technovation, Raman joins Peter High to discuss Goodyear’s push toward industrial-scale AI, Lighthouse Projects, enterprise-grade intelligence, and connected manufacturing. He explains why trusted master data is essential for AI systems that reason, how his team is using AI itself to improve data quality, and why reskilling must happen through live work rather than courses alone. Key topics include: Moving AI from pilots to measurable business outcomes Building Lighthouse Projects around cross-functional problems Creating enterprise-grade intelligence with governed data Reskilling technology teams for agentic AI Preparing connected factories for agents, robotics, and physical AI This episode is presented by Tines — Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io  
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  How Bobcat CDO Roy Greco Is Building a Digital Foundation for AI and Growth 14.09.2026 29min

  Bobcat is transforming machines that were once physical “tool carriers” into software-enabled, connected products. Behind that evolution is a broader effort to modernize the digital foundation of the business. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Bobcat Chief Digital Officer Roy Greco about harmonizing global processes, building a trusted data intelligence platform, and scaling practical AI applications. They explore how Bobcat is: Building a digital foundation for faster growth Preparing trusted data for AI and analytics Applying AI to equipment service and logistics Bringing voice-enabled AI into machines Using connected equipment to improve customer uptime This episode is presented by Tines — Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Shardul Shah of Index Ventures on Why the Founder Is the Investment Thesis 11.09.2026 46min

  Before the market is obvious, what gives an investor the conviction to act? In this episode of Technoventure, Peter High speaks with Shardul Shah, Partner at Index Ventures, about why exceptional founders can matter more than early market signals. Shardul shares lessons from investing in companies including Datadog and Wiz and explains how he evaluates conviction, high agency, and founders who can “hold contradiction with ease.” They also explore: How AI is reshaping enterprise software and infrastructure Why companies born before 2025 need to reinvent themselves The rise of machine-to-machine cybersecurity Why enterprise AI adoption begins with culture and risk How Shardul uses relationships and AI agents to accelerate learning
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  PG&E CIO Ajay Waghray on Building Trusted Data for Predictive AI 10.09.2026 51min

  Moving from reactive operations to predictive AI starts with trusted data. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Ajay Waghray, EVP and Chief Information Officer of PG&E, about the technology, data, process, and people transformation behind the company’s shift toward more predictive and proactive operations. Waghray explains how PG&E combines trusted asset, weather, environmental, sensor, and smart-meter data to support continuous monitoring and AI-driven decision-making. He shares how these capabilities have helped avoid 19 million outage minutes, prevent 28 potential ignitions, and eliminate more than 5,000 emergency response hours. The conversation also explores PG&E’s three-pillar AI strategy, foundation, democratization, and execution, and why cybersecurity, responsible AI, and standardized processes must advance together. Listen to the full episode to hear how PG&E is building the foundation for predictive AI at enterprise scale. This episode is presented by Tines — Freedom to build. Complete security. No compromises. Learn more at tines.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Tines Co-Founder Thomas Kinsella on Governing the Rise of Wild Code 07.09.2026 43min

  When AI makes everyone a software builder, who governs what gets built? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Thomas Kinsella, Co-Founder and COO of Tines, about the rise of “wild code”: invisible and ungoverned agents, automations, scripts, and workflows spreading across the enterprise. Kinsella explores how CIOs can encourage AI experimentation while creating the visibility, security, and controls required at scale. Key topics include: How “wild code” is changing enterprise AI governance Why governed AI needs a productive “paved path” When deterministic automation beats AI agents Where human judgment belongs in intelligent workflows How workflows can evolve based on real-world decisions This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Maximus CDIO Derrick Pledger on Putting Business Value Before AI 03.09.2026 46min

  AI transformation should start with business value, not technology. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Derrick Pledger, Chief Digital and Information Officer of Maximus, about how he is reimagining work for an AI-driven enterprise. Derrick explains why Maximus defines ROI before launching AI pilots, how the company evaluates whether legacy processes can survive in an agentic world, and why every employee receives AI training. He also discusses building a failure-friendly innovation culture, bringing Silicon Valley capabilities into government environments, and using technology to improve citizen and mission outcomes. For CIOs navigating pressure to turn AI investment into measurable results, Derrick offers a clear mandate: start with the value you intend to create. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Mouli Venkatesan on AI, Interoperability, and Connecting Healthcare at Scale 31.08.2026 37min

  Healthcare doesn’t lack data. The challenge is connecting it. In this episode of Technovation, Mouli Venkatesan, EVP and Chief Information & Technology Officer of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, joins Peter High to discuss how interoperability, AI, and shared technology foundations can help create a more connected healthcare system. Mouli explores how the Blue system balances national scale with local delivery, why longitudinal data matters to value-based care, and how BCBSA approaches AI through mindset, “heart set,” tool set, and skill set. He also explains why responsible AI begins with strong data governance and human involvement in clinical decisions. The conversation also covers AI workforce development, build-buy-partner decisions, process improvement, and leadership through influence across independent organizations. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Matt Witheiler on Why Great Companies Don’t Have to Be AI Companies 28.08.2026 37min

  AI may be transformational, but that does not mean every great company needs to be an AI company. In this episode of Technoventure, Peter High speaks with Matt Witheiler, Head of Late-Stage Growth at Wellington Management, about how one of the world’s largest asset managers evaluates companies approaching the public markets. Matt explains why valuation risk becomes critical at the late stage, what separates durable businesses from short-term trades, and how Wellington thinks about AI across technology, healthcare, fintech, and consumer markets. He also shares why today’s AI cycle feels different from the dot-com era, how companies can prepare for the rhythms of the public market, and why the growth of late-stage private investing has created a dramatically larger opportunity set. Listen for a long-term investor’s perspective on AI, growth, and building enduring public companies.
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  Nikhil Narvekar on Driving Bottom-Line Value with AI at Graphic Packaging 27.08.2026 24min

  Enterprise AI is moving beyond experimentation toward a harder question: where does it actually create measurable business value? In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Nikhil Narvekar, CIO and SVP of Global Business Services at Graphic Packaging Holding Company, about building an AI strategy around tangible outcomes. Narvekar explains how Graphic Packaging is applying AI to supply chain and logistics, reconsidering the need for a single ERP after 23 acquisitions and counting, and democratizing AI through fusion teams and employee training. Why Graphic Packaging took a cautious approach to enterprise AI How AI is helping optimize supply chain and logistics decisions Why a common data layer could change the ERP consolidation equation How fusion teams bring business and IT together around AI outcomes Why human domain knowledge remains essential as AI matures This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Simplify First, Scale AI Next with Vulcan Materials CIO Krzysztof Soltan 24.08.2026 35min

  Better AI starts with better data, and for Vulcan Materials CIO Krzysztof Soltan that means simplifying first. In this episode of Technovation, Krzysztof Soltan joins Peter High to discuss how Vulcan Materials is modernizing its technology foundation across more than 400 aggregate operations. He explains why reducing system complexity, strengthening master data governance, and investing in talent are foundational to the company’s AI ambitions. The conversation also explores Vulcan’s multi-year digital transformation, its approach to buying versus building AI capabilities, and its focus on a small number of high-value AI opportunities. Looking ahead, Soltan shares his perspective on agentic AI, human-agent collaboration, autonomous mobility, and AI at the edge. Listen to learn how a data-first foundation can position an enterprise to scale AI with greater focus and business value. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Aetna’s Nathan Frank on Scaling AI to Give Healthcare Workers Time Back 20.08.2026 37min

  What happens when AI gives healthcare workers more time to do the work only humans can do? Nathan Frank, Chief Digital and Technology Officer of Aetna, joins Peter High to discuss how Aetna is scaling AI across healthcare while keeping people at the center. Frank shares how AI-enabled workflows are giving care-management nurses 90 minutes back per day, reducing the administrative burden of navigating clinical notes and multiple systems. He also explains how Aetna is building on years of investment in enterprise data and clinical data infrastructure, applying responsible AI governance, and bringing employees directly into the product-development process. The conversation explores what it takes to move AI from experimentation to meaningful improvements for members, providers, and colleagues, and why Frank believes AI and humans together can create a better healthcare experience. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  Michael Kempe on How AI Is Reinventing the Professional Services Business Model 17.08.2026 25min

  AI may make professional services faster, but Grant Thornton Advisors CIO Mike Kempe believes the bigger opportunity is to rethink what clients are actually buying. In this episode of Technovation, Kempe joins Peter High to discuss how Grant Thornton is using AI to reimagine professional services from the ground up. He explains why simply automating individual steps leaves much of AI’s potential untapped, how the firm keeps human judgment at the center of AI-enabled work, and why trust and governance remain essential as adoption scales. Kempe also explores a larger shift in the industry: away from traditional time-and-materials engagements and toward a model built around outcomes, insight, confidence, and results. The conversation also covers Grant Thornton’s AI investments, its GTAP audit platform, experimentation with AI agents, M&A integration, and the evolving role of the CIO. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io This episode is also presented by Retool — Build internal software better, with AI. Learn more at retool.com
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  How Sequoia’s Bogomil Balkansky Identifies Outlier Founders 14.08.2026 54min

  What separates an exceptional executive from an outlier founder? For Sequoia Capital partner Bogomil Balkansky, learning the difference required recalibrating his own definition of talent. In this episode of Technoventure, Peter High speaks with Balkansky about how Sequoia evaluates founders when there is little data to rely on, why intuition matters in early-stage investing, and what his experiences at VMware and Bebop taught him about building enduring companies. They also explore the evolution of Wiz, AI’s impact on cybersecurity, and why the companies that define a technology era may not be the ones that first blaze the trail. You’ll hear: What makes a founder an “outlier” Why great employees do not always become great founders How Balkansky approaches high-stakes, one-way-door decisions Why startups should earn the right to become platforms How AI could create a new generation of cybersecurity champions Listen to the full conversation for an investor-operator perspective on founders, markets, risk, and building through disruption.
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  Retool CEO David Hsu on Why AI Models Are No Longer the Bottleneck 13.08.2026 48min

  The smartest AI model may no longer be the biggest constraint on enterprise AI. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Retool Co-Founder and CEO David Hsu about why the next frontier is the “harness” around the model: the context, tools, governance, and human approvals that allow AI to do meaningful work inside an enterprise. David explains why knowledge workers are still too often acting as the API for AI, how enterprises can democratize software development without sacrificing security, and why model flexibility matters as costs and capabilities change rapidly. The conversation also explores the future of SaaS, the growing cybersecurity implications of AI-generated code, and how David’s background in philosophy shapes his thinking about intelligence itself. This episode is presented by ElevenLabs — Bringing technology to life. Learn more at elevenlabs.io