Join us by the virtual fireplace for the final Data-powered Innovation Jam episode of 2025! In this special holiday edition, our hosts swap ugly Christmas sweater stories, debate favorite festive tunes (from punk to glam rock), and reflect on a whirlwind year in AI and data innovation.

From breakthroughs in autonomous agents and digital twins to the hype scalers that dominated LinkedIn, we explore what truly mattered in 2025 and what’s next for 2026. Expect candid insights, a few laughs, and even a philosophical detour into the future of coding and AI roles.

As one of our hosts, Ron, signs off for retirement, we raise a glass to realism, creativity, and game-changing ideas that actually deliver value.

Tune in for nostalgia, predictions, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Timestamps

[ 02:40 ] - Let's talk about music and the favourite Christmas songs

[ 07:39 ] - Recapping and reflecting the Data & AI year 2025

[ 18:11 ] – Hosts share their favourite podcast episodes of 2025

[ 28:41 ] - An intermezzo about coding, vibe coding and the future of it.

[ 34:43 ] – Ex-CTO Ron continues with sharing his favourite episode

[ 40:04 ] - Looking into the Data & AI crystal ball for 2026

In this episode of Data-powered Innovation Jam, hosts Robert Engels and Ron Tolido jam with Craig Wiley, Senior Director of AI/ML Products at Databricks and former founder of AWS SageMaker and Google Vertex AI. From Seattle’s grunge roots in Nirvana, from Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain, then going on to the evolution of AI platforms, Craig shares insights on how generative AI is reshaping development workflows, why “vibe coding” is becoming the new norm, and how Agent Bricks aims to simplify building and tuning AI agents using natural language.

Expect candid takes on deterministic vs. generative systems, contextual awareness, and the role of developers versus data scientists in this fast-changing landscape. If you’re curious about the future of AI-driven software and why coding might soon feel like playing a guitar riff, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

[ 00:25 ] - Ron and Robert share their special connection to grunge music

[ 05:46 ] - Introducing the episode with Craig Wiley from Databricks and talking about evolving of the Databricks platform, developer profiles and language models

[ 14:05 ] - Deterministic vs. indeterministic goals of AI solutions and the importance of context

[ 20:02 ] - from Digital Twins to world models and leveraging Agentic AI solutions efficiency and talking about the path to determinism through tools of agents

[ 28:35 ] - going with the flow - vibe coding in Databricks

[ 33:12 ] - looking on the roadmap of Databricks

[ 40:04 ] - Weiwei busts the myth about vibe coding

[ 42:08 ] - Summarising this 'vibey' episode

What does the future of AI sound like? In this special year-end episode of Data-powered Innovation Jam, we riff on seven bold predictions for 2026, from security-first AI and multi-agent ecosystems to industry-native intelligence and even synthetic curiosity. Join hosts ex-CTO Ron Tolido and Robert Engels as they jam with thought leaders on trends that will reshape enterprises: vision-language-action models, human-centric skills, ethical recalibration, and more. Expect insights, metaphors, and a dash of rock-and-roll as we explore how data and AI will set the rhythm for the year ahead. Because in a world of code and control, there’s still room for improvisation.

Tune in and save the predictions to match how many actually come true in 2026

Time stamps

[ 00:30 ] - Ron and Robert talking about Matrix, Agent Smith and bass players

[ 04:21 ] - Introducing this special episode around looking in the crystal ball for 2026

[ 05:55 ] - Skynet: Sorry, You Must Stay Outside - Security takes the driver’s seat in AI innovation. By Arne Rossmann

[ 11:13 ] - Rise of the Enterprise VLAs - When AI stops reading and starts understanding the world. By Dinand Tinholt

[ 17:17 ] - The 2026 Mandate: Re-Centering Human Skills - Rediscovering what machines still can’t do. By Liz Henderson

[ 24:11 ] - The League of Autonomous Agents - When AI stops assisting and starts collaborating. By Monish Suri

[ 33:56 ] - Verticalization - From general-purpose AI to industry-native intelligence. By Yash Sowale

[ 38:28 ] - The Rise of Synthetic Curiosity: When AI stops answering and starts asking. By GPT-5

Bringing you a very special edition of the Data Powered Innovation Jam podcast, recorded live during a tech road trip through San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This episode blends the city’s musical heritage with cutting-edge innovation, exploring how creativity and technology intersect. Hosts Robert Engels, together with our ‘tech guy’ Alex Bulat dive into conversations with pioneers shaping the future. From AI-driven space situational awareness at Aerospace Corporation to infrastructure-as-code improvization with Pulumi, and groundbreaking health-tech like LogMeal’s nutrition tracking and Uganda’s AI-powered malaria diagnostics at MariTest. Along the way, we uncover trends from TechCrunch Disrupt, GitHub Universe, and Google Cloud AI, highlighting the shift from AI hype to realism, the rise of physical AI, and the global push for purpose-driven AI for Good.

Packed with insights on generative AI, edge computing, and sustainability, this episode is a jam session of ideas where data meets rhythm, and innovation meets impact. Turn the volume up!

Time Stamps:

[ 00:34 ] - Introducing the special start up edition with some San Francisco music talks and swinging to startups

[ 04:15 ] - Starting with orbital altitude with Sean Sloan from the Aerospace Corporation

[ 14:11 ] - Miles Davis meets git commit, the future of coding - meeting James Connell from Pulumi

[ 21:13 ] - tracking food waste with AI - meeting Marc Bolanos from Log Meal

[ 29:26 ] - low cost malaria test devices - meeting Hakim Kakooza from MariTest (https://www.maritestafrica.com)

[ 36:37] - Post TechCrunch Therapy Session - wrapping up the Startup Roadtrip with Alex Bulat

[ 52:10 ] - Concluding the Jam San Fancisco

In this genre-blending episode of Data Powered Innovation Jam, hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Arne Rossman welcome Stephen Brobst, CTO of Ab Initio and former CTO of Terradata, for a deep dive into the art of mixing data, AI, and music. From punk rock roots and stage-diving legends to the reinvention of enterprise data platforms, Stephen shares insights on metadata-driven architectures, generative AI, and the future of data mesh. The conversation flows through analog double basses, digital beats, and the soul of sound—drawing parallels between musical creativity and data engineering. Whether you're a data architect, AI enthusiast, or music lover, this episode hits all the right notes.

Tune in for a jam-packed session on mastering data, building resilient platforms, and embracing reinvention in tech and tune.

Timestamps

00:00:00 – 01:11 - Blooper Beats & Introductions

01:11 – 01:54 Introducing our guest Stephen Brobst, CTO of Ab Initio, and teasing the themes of mixing, mastering, and data.

01:54 – 16:02 - Reimagining GenAI as an Operating System

16:02 – 23:05 - Talking about Data Mesh and Metadata

23:05 – 28:45 - Metadata and the importance of context (for AI)

28:45 – 39:10 - look into the future of Architecture, Data Engineering and Ab Initio

50:38 – 51:57 - Closing Reflections: Final thoughts, and a punk-inspired send-off—“If the music’s too loud, you’re too old.”

Welcome to the latest episode of the Data Powered Innovation Jam, where data meets disco and AI grooves with funk. After a long summer break, our hosts return with fresh stories, musical nostalgia, and cutting-edge insights into the world of supply chain superintelligence. In this vibrant and eclectic episode, we’re joined by Guillaume Waline, Senior Manager of Alliances at Prewave, a company pioneering AI-driven supply chain transparency and resilience.

From reminiscing about summer holidays and funk band glory days to exploring how Diana Ross’s “Chain Reaction” might secretly be about logistics, the episode blends humor, music, and serious tech talk. Guillaume shares how Prewave uses AI to monitor global supply chain risks in real time—scanning the web in over 400 languages to detect disruptions, compliance issues, and ESG concerns. We dive into the challenges of predicting unseen risks, the evolution of AI from manual tagging to custom LLMs, and the importance of human accountability in AI systems.

The conversation also highlights our partnership with Capgemini Ventures, the role of data integration across ERP systems, and the future of sourcing intelligence. Whether you're a data enthusiast, supply chain strategist, or just here for the Bee Gees impressions, this episode promises insight, innovation, and a touch of groove.

Your hosts Ron Tolido, Weiwei Feng, and Robert Engels riff on:

· The metaphor of Diana Ross’s song “Chain Reaction” as a segue into the complexities and interconnectedness of global supply chains.

· From Risk Detection to Action: Turning Intelligence into Resilience

· The Human Behind the AI: Prewave’s Origin Story and AI in Action: Language, Semantics, and Real-Time Risk Monitoring across 200 types of supply chain risks.

· Predictive Analytics and the Wisdom of Ancient Chinese Medicine

· Accountability in AI: Humans, Agents, and Ethical Decision-Making

· Capgemini Ventures and the Power of Partnership

· Beyond ERP: Integrating External Intelligence for Holistic Supply Chain Insight

· Myth Busting: Accountability, Punishment, and Systemic Improvement

So tune in, jam with us, and discover how AI is turning supply chains upside down—in the best way possible.

Timestamps:

[ 08:14] - introduction of our guest and Prewave

[ 15:35 ] - how to find and classify risk types?

[ 23:07 ] - how to sell something that prevents

[ 28:20 ] - Prewave as a startup

[ 36:11 ] - looking ahead the roadmap of Prewave

[ 41:27 ] - Myth-busting with Weiwei

Connect with our guest Guillaume Waline and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Ready for your Hour of (Data) Power with some Radioactive and Electric Feel thrown in? Ok, so hang tight, get your coffee or lemonade (depending on how your summer looks like!), as we bring you a double whammy from your newest Data-powered Innovation Jam to celebrate the anniversary launch of the 10th edition of the Data Powered Innovation Review. This jam packs in the "power" of music, as always. But this time drawing connections to what “power” really means - from John Lennon's "Power to the People" to Robert Palmer banding up with Duran Duran’s John Taylor (bass) and Andy Taylor (guitar) for Power Station and heavy metal crews like Power Trip. This eclectic musical journey serves as a metaphor for the unexpected and powerful combinations that arise when diverse elements mix, a theme that underpins the episode's core discussions.

Your hosts Ron Tolido and Robert Engels drum to the beats of two special pieces from the latest Data Powered Innovation Review 10: "The Serendipity Engine" and "Nature Engineered" with Neerav Vyas, VP Customer First, Insights and Data, Capgemini discovering rock music in a video store by accident and Franziska Wolf, Head of Quantum Chemistry for Capgemini Engineering playing the trombone in a band. While Neerav explains the "post-personalization world" where the goal is to achieve serendipity at scale – moving beyond mere recommendations based on known desires to surprising customers with things they didn't even know they wanted, Franziska talks of metallo-enzymes and how AI and quantum computing combined can help us understand nature better and create full stack simulation environment for biology.

The episode sets the stage for a deep dive into how AI and data are enabling unexpected discoveries and innovations, much like the serendipitous musical journeys shared by the hosts and guests. So do tune in and enjoy!

Timestamps:

00:00 - 02:29 – Ron takes a "Power" trip flexing the 10th edition of the Data-powered Innovation Review

02:29 - 06:25 – Ron and Dr. Bob explores their individual take on "Power" Through Music

06:25 - 07:44 – Introduction to the Data-powered Innovation Review and two of its authors from Edition 10

10:41 - 25:37 – Neerav takes us back to a serendipitous musical journey in 1995 and subsequent revelations

25:58 - 41:58 - Franziska Wolf dives into "Nature Engineered" with Quantum and AI

42:58 - Weiwei busts her last myth before the summer break.

Connect with our guests Neerav Vyas and Franziska Wolff and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

From punk rock to process automation, from Blondie to BSON — it’s a genre-defying episode of the Data-Powered Innovation Jam where we grab a virtual bench in Central Park with Andrew Davidson, SVP of Products at MongoDB, and let the data conversation run wild. What follows is an improvisational jam session on the evolution of data, the art of distributed architectures, and why NoSQL was the punk rebellion against the symphonic pomp of relational databases. But wait, that was then. Now, MongoDB is no longer the scrappy garage band. With MongoDB Atlas, best-in-class vector search, and AI-native memory architectures, it’s headlining the main stage of general-purpose data platforms in the GenAI era.

Your hosts Ron Tolido, Weiwei Feng, and Robert Engels riff on:

• Why document models might just be the new lingua franca of AI
• How vector search is redefining “relationship status”
• What vibe coding really means (yes, that’s a thing now)
• And how social science might hold the key to truly intelligent systems

Oh, and there’s Sting, and Talking Heads, and a band called Kobus Gaat Naar Appelscha. Because this is still a jam. In a world of LLMs and memory-centric platforms, “every doc you take” is part of something bigger.

Tune in. This one’s electric.

Timestamps:

07:55 – Introduction to MongoDB and guest Andrew Davidson

14:01 – Exploring social sciences, graph databases, and database storage choices

21:39 – Strategies for identifying optimal relationships within documents

29:23 – With natural language interfaces, is SQL still necessary?

34:31 – The concept of “vibe coding” and understanding programming fundamentals

38:01 – Weiwei debunks myths about diversity, inclusion, and data

Connect with our guest Andrew Davidson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.