Tech Talks Daily

What will the enterprise of the future actually look like, and which technologies deserve attention beyond the hype cycle?
In today's episode, I sit down with Yaad Oren, Global Head of SAP Research & Innovation and Managing Director of SAP Labs US, for a fascinating conversation about the technologies that could shape business over the next decade.
Leading SAP's global research and innovation efforts, Yaad works at the intersection of academia, startups, venture capital, and enterprise technology, identifying emerging technologies before they reach the mainstream. His team explores everything from next-generation AI and voice interfaces to quantum computing, robotics, future data platforms, and new cloud architectures.
We discuss why voice AI could become the primary interface for enterprise software, allowing employees to interact with business systems as naturally as they would with a colleague. Yaad also explains how quantum computing is already showing promise in complex supply chain optimization challenges and why robotics is moving beyond manufacturing floors into logistics, inspection, hospitality, and customer-facing environments.
The conversation also explores one of the less talked about drivers of innovation: the role universities play in shaping the technologies businesses will eventually depend on. Yaad shares how SAP works closely with academic institutions around the world to identify breakthroughs while they are still emerging from research labs, long before they become commercial products.
We also discuss SAP's vision for the autonomous enterprise, where AI assistants orchestrate teams of specialized agents across finance, supply chain, sales, and operations. Rather than replacing decision-makers, these systems are designed to automate routine work and allow people to focus on higher-value activities.
Perhaps most importantly, Yaad offers practical advice for business leaders trying to prepare for the next wave of innovation without chasing every trend. His message is clear: build a strong data foundation, stay informed about emerging technologies, and create a culture that is willing to experiment.
If you've ever wondered what technologies might shape enterprise software five to ten years from now, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the research, partnerships, and ideas that are already influencing that future. What emerging technology do you believe will have the biggest impact on your industry over the next decade? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

What happens when your AI ambitions collide with the reality of your infrastructure?
Across boardrooms everywhere, agentic AI has quickly moved from experimental projects to strategic priority. The excitement is easy to understand. Business leaders see opportunities to automate workflows, improve decision-making, and increase productivity. Yet behind the headlines and product announcements sits a less visible challenge that many organizations are only beginning to understand.
In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Abby Strong, Chief Market Officer and Chief Customer Officer at Cribl, about the growing gap between AI ambition and operational readiness. Drawing on new research conducted with Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, Abby shares why so many organizations are struggling to move AI initiatives from pilot projects into production environments.
The findings paint a fascinating picture. While almost every business leader surveyed views agentic AI as strategically important, only a small percentage believe they currently have both the strategy and infrastructure required to support it. At the heart of the challenge is data. As AI agents interact with systems, applications, and services, telemetry volumes are increasing at rates that many organizations never anticipated. In some cases, data volumes have doubled or tripled, creating unexpected infrastructure costs and operational complexity.
Abby explains why telemetry, observability, and data management have become central to AI success. We discuss why AI systems are only as effective as the quality, accessibility, and context of the data available to them. She also shares real-world examples of how organizations are wrestling with growing infrastructure demands, rising costs, governance requirements, and the challenge of proving meaningful return on investment.
Our conversation also examines the growing importance of visibility into AI activity. As enterprises deploy large language models and AI agents across their environments, security and observability teams are facing entirely new questions around monitoring, governance, compliance, and cost control. How do you establish a baseline when the technology itself is evolving so quickly? How do you maintain trust when AI systems generate vast numbers of automated queries and interactions?
Abby offers a balanced perspective on what comes next. Rather than replacing existing systems overnight, many organizations are adding AI capabilities onto current workflows while gradually rethinking how work gets done. The result is a period of transition where businesses must support today's operations while preparing for a future that looks very different.
If you're trying to understand why infrastructure readiness may become one of the biggest factors in AI success, this conversation provides valuable context. Are organizations focusing too much on AI models and not enough on the data foundations that support them? And what happens when the cost of AI adoption extends far beyond the AI tools themselves?

Can businesses still rely on cybersecurity strategies that were designed for a very different threat environment?
In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Matt Knell from ESET about why many managed service providers and businesses are being forced to rethink what effective cybersecurity looks like in 2026. As cybercriminals become faster, more sophisticated, and increasingly powered by AI, many of the approaches that once provided reassurance are struggling to keep pace.
Matt shares why the idea of "good enough" security is becoming increasingly difficult to defend. While endpoint protection remains an important part of any security strategy, he explains why technology alone is no longer enough. Organizations must continually review, update, and strengthen their defenses rather than assuming that yesterday's protections will be sufficient tomorrow.
Our conversation explores the lasting impact of ransomware and the lessons businesses continue to learn from high-profile incidents. From major retailers to global manufacturers, attacks are creating operational disruption, financial losses, and reputational damage on a scale that few organizations would have imagined a decade ago.
We also discuss one of the industry's most persistent challenges: the cybersecurity skills gap. Finding experienced security professionals remains difficult, while retaining talent has become equally challenging. Matt explains how managed detection and response services are helping MSPs extend their capabilities without having to build and maintain large security operations teams.
AI naturally plays a major role in the discussion. While cybersecurity vendors use AI to improve threat detection and response, attackers are also leveraging the technology to accelerate and sophisticate phishing campaigns, social engineering, and other forms of cybercrime. Matt explains why businesses must remain realistic about both opportunities and risks.
Another theme throughout the episode is the growing expectation that cybersecurity should be treated as a business issue rather than purely an IT concern. Regulations, cyber insurance requirements, supply chain scrutiny, and customer expectations are all increasing pressure on organizations to demonstrate stronger security practices and greater resilience.
We also discuss ESET PRIVATE and why more organizations are seeking security services tailored to their specific operational needs. Rather than relying on a standard package, many businesses are looking for solutions that align with their industry requirements, compliance obligations, risk profile, and long-term objectives.
Finally, Matt reflects on the conversations emerging from ESET's recent partner conference and shares his perspective on the topics shaping cybersecurity priorities for the coming year. AI, resilience, compliance, and business education continue to dominate discussions as organizations look for practical ways to strengthen their defenses.
If you're an MSP, IT leader, business owner, or anyone responsible for protecting digital operations, this episode offers a timely look at the challenges facing organizations today and the steps many are taking to prepare for what comes next.
Is your organization still relying on security strategies designed for yesterday's threats, or have you adapted to today's cyber risks?

Have we become so used to data breaches that we no longer stop to think about what they actually mean for the people affected?
In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Simon Pamplin, CTO at Certes, about why cybercrime remains one of the biggest threats facing businesses and consumers alike. While headlines about ransomware attacks and data breaches appear almost every day, Simon argues that too many organizations are still treating cybersecurity as a technology problem rather than a business risk with real human consequences.
Our conversation begins with a simple but powerful question. Why are so many companies still focused on protecting networks when attackers are really after the data itself? Simon explains why traditional perimeter-based security approaches are struggling in a world where information moves between cloud environments, devices, applications, and partners far beyond the boundaries organizations once controlled.
We also discuss the personal cost of cybercrime. Behind every breach announcement are real people whose financial records, personal details, healthcare information, and digital identities may have been exposed. Simon shares why the impact often extends far beyond resetting a password, creating financial, emotional, and reputational consequences that can last for years.
Another major theme is the growing concern about quantum computing and the rise of harvest-and-decrypt attacks. While fully realized quantum computing may still be in the future, cybercriminals are already collecting encrypted data with the expectation that future technology will eventually unlock it. Simon explains why businesses need to think about protecting sensitive information today rather than waiting for tomorrow's threats to become reality.
The conversation also examines the growing pressure from regulations such as GDPR, DORA, and NIS2. With larger penalties and increased regulatory scrutiny, organizations are facing greater accountability for how they handle and protect customer information. Simon argues that trust has become one of the most valuable assets a business can possess and one of the easiest to lose.
Of course, no cybersecurity discussion would be complete without addressing AI. We explore how AI is making attacks faster, cheaper, and more accessible while also creating opportunities for defenders. Simon shares his thoughts on why businesses must rethink long-held assumptions and prepare for a future in which cybercriminals can automate many techniques that once required significant expertise.
Throughout our discussion, Simon returns to a consistent message. Attackers target data because it has value. Organizations that focus their efforts on protecting that data, wherever it travels, will be in a far stronger position than those relying solely on traditional defenses.
If you are responsible for cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, or digital transformation, this episode offers a timely discussion of what businesses should prioritize as threats continue to evolve. Customer trust becomes harder to earn and easier to lose.
When the next breach makes headlines, will it simply be another news story, or will it be a reminder that every piece of stolen data belongs to a real person whose life could be affected?

What is the office actually for?
It's a question that many organizations are still wrestling with as they balance flexibility, collaboration, employee expectations, and business performance. At Cisco Live, I sat down with Christian Bigsby, Senior Vice President of Workplaces at Cisco, to discuss how the role of the workplace is changing and why measuring success by attendance alone may no longer make sense.
Christian shares how Cisco has rethought the relationship between people, place, and technology, bringing together teams that traditionally operated separately to create a more connected workplace experience. Rather than focusing on how many employees are in the office, the conversation centers on the outcomes that become possible when people come together with purpose.
We explore how hybrid work has reshaped workplace strategy, why employee experience has become a business priority, and how organizations can create environments that support collaboration, innovation, learning, and culture. Christian also explains why flexibility should not be viewed as a perk but as an important part of helping employees do their best work.
The conversation also looks at the growing role of AI in workplace operations. From forecasting occupancy and improving space utilization to helping organizations make smarter decisions about resources and services, AI is helping workplace leaders respond to a level of variability that traditional operating models were never designed to handle.
Along the way, Christian offers thoughtful insights on leadership, trust, organizational culture, and why the future workplace may have more in common with a dynamic service than a fixed location.
If you've ever wondered whether the future of work is about where people work, how they work, or why they come together in the first place, this conversation offers plenty to think about.
What do you believe makes a workplace valuable in 2026, attendance, experience, outcomes, or something else entirely?