Think business is boring? This podcast proves it's anything but. Join Simon Pound as he talks to everyone from accidental entrepreneurs to industry leaders abou...
From Aotea to the world: Tama Toki on energy, connection, and purpose
Growing up in a self-sufficient community on Aotea Great Barrier Island, Tama Toki owes much of his problem-solving nous and deep connection to the whenua to his unique upbringing. As the founder of Aotea (a skincare line rooted in rongoā Māori knowledge) and Aotea Energy (a company focused on renewable micro-grid solutions), Tama’s work blends innovation with purpose.
In this final episode of Business is Boring for the season, we dive into Tama’s journey, the mātauranga Māori guiding his ventures, and his vision for a future where energy and business empower communities. This is the last episode in this run for Business is Boring, and such a fitting guest to end on – Tama embodies the potential of business to build a better world, while broadening our understanding of what business can be.
Thank you to all our incredible guests and listeners for joining us on this journey!
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48:05
Creating Humanistic AI
AI is becoming an integral part of daily life, and chances are you’ve already used the work of today’s guest. Tom Gruber is the co-founder and creator of Siri, the intelligent assistant that revolutionised how we interact with technology with Apple. But Tom’s contributions to AI extend far beyond voice commands—he’s a pioneer of “Humanistic AI”, a design philsophy that champions the idea that artificial intelligence should amplify human potential, not replace it.
While in Aotearoa for the Spark Accelerate Summit, Tom joined Simon Pound to chat about designing human-centered tech, the future of AI, and how to create tools that genuinely enhance our lives.
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43:57
Building smarter cities and ethical AI with Dr. Ayesha Khanna
AI, smart cities, and the future of urban living aren’t just buzzwords—they’re reshaping our world. Few are driving this transformation more than Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of Addo, an AI advisory firm dedicated to harnessing technology for the greater good. A futurist, thought leader in AI ethics, and passionate advocate for diversity in tech, Dr. Khanna’s impact spans continents, from shaping smart city initiatives in Asia to empowering young women through her education nonprofit 21st Century Girls.
While Dr. Khanna was in Aotearoa for the Spark Accelerate Summit, she joined Simon Pound to chat about her vision for ethical AI, smarter cities, and tech that uplifts humanity.
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46:01
How to get the best of AI today
AI can be a superpower, but like all tools, if you know what you’re doing you’re going to get a better result. In a nutshell: the better the inputs, the better the outputs.
That’s what Edmundo Ortega is here to help with. He’s an AI educator at Section - the business education and up-skilling platform - who was here in New Zealand to teach a course on AI prompting, and to present at the Spark Accelerate summit. Edmundo is a seasoned entrepreneur and Silicon Valley expert and he joined us to talk about his journey, his views on the future of tech, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
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47:27
Live from Spark Accelerate: Balancing innovation and efficiency for organisational success
How can organisations proactively disrupt themselves to stay ahead in rapidly changing markets while optimising costs? Nadine Higgins hosts a panel of international business and technology leaders for an engaging discussion on creating a culture of innovation that encourages risk-taking and experimentation, balanced with smart resource allocation and efficiency improvements.
Expect transformative ideas from frontline disruptors, as they explore the importance of continuous reinvention to maintain competitive advantage and organisational resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Featuring: Edmundo Ortego (partner, Machine & Partners), Brian Northern (group CIO, Fulton Hogan), Dave Scullin (chief digital officer, Zespri), Sarah Carney (Australia / NZ CTO, Microsoft)
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Think business is boring? This podcast proves it's anything but. Join Simon Pound as he talks to everyone from accidental entrepreneurs to industry leaders about their business journeys and what propelled them to where they are today. Made in partnership with Spark Business Lab.
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