Tech Talks Daily

• 3341: Lessons from the Coursera 2025 Global Skills Report

  Are we preparing people as quickly as we’re preparing machines? That’s the uncomfortable question at the heart of Coursera’s 2025 Global Skills Report, and the starting point for my conversation with Nikolaz Foucaud, Coursera’s Managing Director for EMEA. As the UK jumps more than 20 spots in global skills rankings and countries like Singapore and Denmark widen the gap with lifelong learning cultures, we explore why mindset may be as important as access when it comes to reskilling for an AI-driven economy. Nikolaz explains how the newly introduced AI Maturity Index reflects the growing urgency around workforce readiness and why governments and employers need to stop thinking in degrees and start investing in micro-credentials that reflect what learners and businesses actually need. We also unpack the gender gap in AI learning, the alarming lack of growth in cybersecurity skills, and why economic pressure often drives the highest levels of completion and success. As institutions, employers, and individuals try to catch up with the pace of technological change, what will it take to build a learning culture that keeps momentum? And are we measuring the right things when we talk about readiness? Let me know what you think.

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• 3340: How Criteo Is Using AI to Redesign the Future of Retail Experiences

  What happens when AI moves from experimental tool to everyday shopping assistant? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Liva Ralaivola, Head of the Criteo AI Lab, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we discover, compare, and purchase products online. Speaking to me from the south of France, Liva shares insights from Criteo’s latest consumer research, revealing that 91 percent of shoppers expect AI-personalised recommendations within the next two years. We explore why that shift is happening so quickly, what it means for retailers, and the challenges of balancing innovation with transparency. From price comparisons to budget planning and dynamic creative generation, shoppers are already using AI tools in ways that few could have predicted even a year ago. We also discuss the complexity of integrating AI into retail environments, where business constraints, stock levels, and customer expectations vary dramatically. Liva highlights how Criteo is tailoring deep learning models to improve relevance, optimise campaigns, and support ethical outcomes. He also explains why AI is not yet plug-and-play, and why collaboration between AI specialists and business teams is key to unlocking real value. Looking ahead, Liva shares his thoughts on how data may evolve into a kind of personal currency, with users controlling what they share and how much personalisation they receive. From AI wallets to loyalty programs driven by interaction history, the landscape is changing fast—and businesses need to be ready. So what’s your take? Are consumers ready to control their own data in exchange for more relevant experiences? And how should retailers rethink personalisation in an age of growing privacy expectations? Let me know your thoughts and join the conversation.

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• 3339: How Cisco Is Preparing for a World Powered by Agentic AI and Quantum Computing

  How do we prepare for a world where AI agents work together, networks think for themselves, and quantum teleportation is no longer just science fiction? I recently caught up once again with Vijoy Pandey, SVP and GM of Outshift by Cisco, live at Cisco Live in San Diego, for a wide-ranging conversation about what comes next at the edge of AI and quantum innovation. We begin with Cisco’s evolving quantum strategy and the recent unveiling of its Quantum Network Entanglement chip, a research prototype capable of generating 200 million entangled photons per second over standard telecom infrastructure.  Vijoy explains how this chip, along with new research at Cisco’s lab in Santa Monica, brings us closer to distributed quantum computing by connecting compute nodes and scaling quantum capabilities beyond the lab. Even more interestingly, these quantum foundations are already demonstrating value in classical use cases, such as eavesdropping detection and real-time coordination. Our conversation also explores the momentum behind agentic AI. Rather than single prompts triggering single outputs, the future lies in distributed ecosystems of intelligent agents that work together to solve complex business problems.  Vijoy introduces Cisco’s vision for the Internet of Agents, supported by an open-source collective called AGNTCY. It is designed to help diverse agents communicate, collaborate, and operate with trust and transparency across cloud environments and organizational boundaries. Throughout our conversation, Vijoy focuses on the practical impact rather than hype. From network automation and SRE workflows to use cases in cybersecurity and infrastructure management, he highlights how these technologies are being applied in real-world scenarios, not just theorized. His team at Outshift is building the connective tissue that brings these innovations to life inside the enterprise. So what do you think? Are quantum networking and AI agents a part of your roadmap? And what steps can businesses take today to ensure they are building on trustworthy, open, and scalable foundations? Join the conversation and share your perspective.

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• 3338: What AI Copilot Teaches Us About Building Human-Centered Tech

  In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Candice DeVille, co-founder and CEO of AI Copilot, who joined me remotely from the serene gardens of Osaka Castle in Japan, where tech meets tradition in one of the most unexpected podcast backdrops we've had. Candice is on a mission to redefine how small and medium-sized businesses approach AI, treating it not as a trend but as a practical strategy for growth and efficiency. Throughout our conversation, she draws on decades of experience in marketing, media, and digital strategy to explain how SMEs can move away from fear-driven stagnation or scattered adoption and toward a structured, ROI-focused roadmap. We explore the practical challenges that come with implementing AI, from dealing with siloed data and low AI literacy to helping teams embrace change. Candice explains why many organizations fail at AI not because of the tools, but because they overlook the human element. Creating a team of AI champions, especially outside of traditional IT roles, can unlock powerful opportunities by tapping into the unique insights held across the business. A standout moment in our discussion is a case study involving a maintenance company that used AI to automate debt collection. The result wasn't just improved cash flow but something far more personal: their CFO regained two full days per week and used that time to spend with his family. It's a simple example of AI driving real outcomes for both business performance and quality of life. We also discuss common traps like shiny object syndrome, lack of planning, and the hype around agents. Candice encourages business leaders to first get their data in order, take a phased approach, and resist the urge to solve everything at once. Her advice is clear: start with what matters, measure impact, and build from there. So how do you turn AI into a business advantage without overwhelming your team or your budget? And how can you ensure that your approach to technology actually enhances the human side of work? Let’s find out.

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• 3337: Aeris and The Future of IoT Security

  In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Syed Zaeem Hosain, Founder and Chief Evangelist at Aeris. This conversation comes at a critical moment. Deloitte’s 2024 Cyber Threat Trends Report reported a 400 percent surge in IoT malware attacks across industries. Forrester has gone further, warning that a major IoT breach could disrupt a large class of devices by 2025. With the stakes higher than ever, Aziz shares his vision for protecting a hyperconnected world. We explore the growing risks in sectors like healthcare, energy and transportation, where compromised devices could have serious real-world impact. Aziz explains why IoT security can no longer be treated as an afterthought and how Aeris is tackling the problem with AI-powered solutions like IoT Watchtower, designed to detect and respond to threats at scale. He also addresses the shifting regulatory landscape, from the EU's NIS2 Directive to the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act. These frameworks are beginning to push organisations toward stronger protections and greater accountability. But are they moving fast enough? My guest outlines where he believes the future of IoT security is heading and what enterprises need to do now to avoid being caught off guard. From embedded AI to next-generation cellular infrastructure, this is a conversation that connects the dots between innovation, risk and responsibility. So how prepared is your organisation for the coming wave of IoT threats? Are we securing what matters most, or sleepwalking into a preventable crisis? Let me know what you think. Is IoT security finally getting the attention it deserves, or are we still too focused on convenience over caution? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.   Check out the Internet of Things for Business book.      

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