#79 The Intersection of Data Science, Analytics, and AI: Insights from Mohammad Arshad

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

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תוכן מסופק על ידי Mehmet Gonullu. כל תוכן הפודקאסטים כולל פרקים, גרפיקה ותיאורי פודקאסטים מועלים ומסופקים ישירות על ידי Mehmet Gonullu או שותף פלטפורמת הפודקאסט שלהם. אם אתה מאמין שמישהו משתמש ביצירה שלך המוגנת בזכויות יוצרים ללא רשותך, אתה יכול לעקוב אחר התהליך המתואר כאן https://he.player.fm/legal.

Species Unite

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Trevor Ritland: The Golden Toad 34:01

לפני 5 weeks34:01

הפעל מאוחר יותר

רשימות

לייק

אהבתי

34:01

I think you could probably go back and track the stages of grief, probably that is what I went through. But I think if you do it right, you end up at acceptance. And that's where I ended up. And that's not to say that I've fully accepted the idea that the golden toad is extinct. Personally, I do still hold out hope that it could still be out there in those forests." - Trevor Ritland This conversation is with Trevor Ritland, who—along with his twin brother Kyle—authored The Golden Toad . The book chronicles their remarkable journey into Costa Rica’s cloud forest, once home to hundreds of brilliant golden toads that would emerge for just a few weeks each year—until, one day, they vanished without a trace. What began as a search for a lost species soon became something much more profound: a confrontation with ecological grief, a meditation on hope, and a powerful call to protect the natural world while we still can. Links: SpeciesUnite.com Kyle and Trevor: https://kyleandtrevor.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventureterm/ Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222249677-the-golden-toad Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Toad-Ecological-Mystery-Species/dp/163576996…

לפני שנתיים 33:18

MP3•בית הפרקים

In this episode, we speak with Mohammad Arshad, a data science, analytics, and AI expert with extensive experience in academia and industry. Mohammad shares his insights on the different layers of data, the business outcomes that data science and analytics can solve, and the most successful implementations of AI solutions. He also discusses the importance of data collection practices, the verticals that should focus on adopting AI, and the future of AI and data science.

Find more about Mohammad here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdarshad/

499 פרקים

#Entrepreneur #Business #Mehmet Gonullu

#79 The Intersection of Data Science, Analytics, and AI: Insights from Mohammad Arshad

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

published לפני שנתיים

שתפו

MP3•בית הפרקים

Find more about Mohammad here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdarshad/

499 פרקים

#Entrepreneur #Business #Mehmet Gonullu

כל הפרקים

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#500 The Recruiter’s VC Mindset: Betting on Startups and People with Justin Dixon 48:40

לפני 10 hours48:40

48:40

In this special 500th episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we dive deep into the talent game behind startup scaling and private equity moves. Joining us is Justin Dixon , founder of Hire Tomorrow, who brings nearly two decades of recruiting experience—from Fortune 500s to early-stage startups and PE-backed ventures. We explore how AI is disrupting (and complicating) hiring, why job security at big companies is a myth, and how to evaluate a startup as if you were a VC—even when you’re just looking for your next role. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • The shift from employee to founder mindset (and how Rich Dad Poor Dad started it all) • How startups can compete with Fortune 500s for top talent • Why private equity firms almost always replace the CFO post-acquisition • What startup job seekers should really evaluate (hint: think like a VC) • How AI is flooding hiring pipelines—and what that means for founders and recruiters • Why job security at big companies is often an illusion • How Justin uses AI as a “board of advisors” to sharpen his thinking • The underrated power of podcasting for network building and deal flow ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn: • Practical hiring insights for both founders and job seekers • How to vet a startup before joining—beyond the hype • Trends shaping AI’s role in recruitment (and its limitations) • The human side of recruiting that AI can’t automate 👤 About the Guest: Founder of Hire Tomorrow, Justin Dixon brings a wealth of experience and passion to his business. With a career dedicated to the recruiting industry, Justin has effectively collaborated with companies of various sizes and across diverse industries, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500. In January 2020, he transitioned from his role as Head of Recruiting for a Wealth Management firm to establish Hire Tomorrow, dedicated to assisting Private Equity firms and Startups in finding the Right Talent to drive their success. Our focus extends across C-level roles, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Technology, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fulfilling our clients' staffing needs. https://www.hiretomorrow.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdixon15/ Episode Highlights (Timestamps): 00:00 – Introduction and Justin’s backstory 02:00 – Quitting a stable job to launch a recruiting firm 06:00 – Building financial freedom through entrepreneurship 08:30 – Working with private equity firms post-acquisition 13:00 – Why PE firms prioritize CFO replacements 15:00 – How startups can win talent over big companies 19:00 – What Justin looks for in a startup before recommending it 23:00 – Startup job seekers need a VC mindset 27:00 – How AI is disrupting hiring—and why it’s messy 33:00 – Why candidate experience is broken 37:00 – Limitations of AI interviews and hidden legal risks 41:00 – Why recruiters (and salespeople) won’t be replaced 43:00 – How podcasting builds network, not just visibility 46:00 – Wrap-up and how to reach Justin…

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#499 Accelerating Enterprise Innovation: Karan Jain on Rethinking Vendor Collaboration 46:57

לפני 6 ימים46:57

46:57

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Karan Jain , Founder and CEO of NayaOne , to explore the broken state of enterprise tech adoption — and what it takes to fix it. With over two decades of experience in financial services and technology, Karan is on a mission to eliminate the painful 12-month vendor procurement cycles that cripple innovation in large institutions. NayaOne offers a powerful, secure platform that connects enterprises with technology vendors and enables real-time evaluation using synthetic data, workflow tooling, and curated testbeds. From regulated environments like banking and healthcare to emerging innovation hubs in MENA, this conversation dives deep into how enterprises can move faster without compromising trust, compliance, or outcomes. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why most enterprises still take 6–12 months to validate a tech vendor • How NayaOne shortens this cycle to a few weeks with sandbox infrastructure and synthetic data • The role of AI urgency in transforming procurement culture • Why “measured” doesn’t have to mean “slow” in regulated industries • How enterprise buyers are beginning to embrace experimentation over perfection • Trends in enterprise AI use cases (contact centers, dev tooling, document workflows) • What MENA banks can learn from global innovation patterns — and where they’re leapfrogging ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • 🧪 Proof-of-concept purgatory is real — but solvable with the right tools and mindset • ⏱ Speed is a competitive advantage, even in highly regulated sectors • 🤖 AI adoption requires a cultural shift, not just tools • 🌍 MENA is a region full of top-down innovation energy and emerging early adopters • 🧠 Enterprises must start thinking like platforms — not just buyers 👤 About Karan Jain • Founder & CEO of NayaOne • Former exec in banking, wealth, capital markets • Passionate about transforming enterprise-vendor relationships and building tech infrastructure that accelerates delivery • Actively working with banks, insurers, governments, and regulators globally — including in the MENA region https://nayaone.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanjainonline/ ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:30 – Karan’s journey from banking to NayaOne 03:15 – The core problem: why vendor adoption is broken 05:40 – Industries most affected: finance, health, legal, public sector 07:10 – How NayaOne accelerates vendor evaluation with synthetic data 10:30 – Vendor vs. enterprise adoption mindsets 12:20 – Executives as the key stakeholders in tech adoption 14:40 – Why AI has forced enterprises to move faster 17:00 – NayaOne’s internal AI journey and infrastructure 20:15 – Agentic AI: hype vs. real use cases 23:45 – Why 70% of “AI agents” are just glorified automation 26:10 – Real enterprise AI use cases today 29:00 – The enterprise fear of missing out (FOMO) 31:10 – Lessons from neobanks and BNPL players 34:00 – The CVC use case: accelerating adoption within portfolios 36:20 – Expansion and innovation patterns in MENA 39:40 – Cultural nuance and early adopters in B2B 41:00 – Crossing the chasm in the MENA startup ecosystem 44:00 – Where to find Karan and learn more…

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#498 Edge AI Meets Global Impact: Dev Aditya on Scaling Learning Without the Cloud 42:34

לפני 8 ימים42:34

42:34

In this episode, host Mehmet Gonullu welcomes back Dev Aditya , Co-Founder of OIAI by Otermans Institute , who returns nearly two years after his first appearance to share an extraordinary update: they’ve built an AI teacher that runs completely offline — even on a 2020 Android phone. From educating learners in refugee camps to scaling across 17 countries, Dev’s mission is clear: make AI-powered learning accessible to the 750 million people underserved by the internet and modern hardware. We explore the engineering breakthroughs , the philosophical pivots , and the global partnerships that are making it possible. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • Why offline, voice-first AI is a game changer for education in low-connectivity areas • How Dev’s team runs 3D avatar-based AI on edge devices from 2020 — without cloud inference • The reason they pivoted away from enterprise clients to return to their impact-driven mission • Why running AI for the marginalized means solving for both connectivity and hardware bottlenecks • Their ambitious goal: upskill 750M people by 2030 • The launch of an SDK for other organizations to embed their AI teaching system • Upcoming partnerships with African governments and UN bodies ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn: • How to scale AI without relying on cloud infrastructure • What true digital inclusion looks like — beyond donations and broadband • The importance of philosophy and mission in product decisions • The future of immersive, voice-first learning experiences • How to build for constraint — and still scale globally 👤 About the Guest: Dev Aditya is the co-founder of OIAI by Otermans Institute. He’s known for launching the world’s first public-facing AI teachers well before ChatGPT entered the scene. Dev’s work focuses on democratizing education through AI and edge computing, bringing scalable, impactful learning to the most underserved populations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-adityaofficial/ https://www.portfolio.oiedu.co.uk/ 00:00 – Welcome back, Dev Aditya & what’s changed since Episode 212 02:00 – From rural schools to refugee camps: The origin story 05:30 – Content vs. teacher: The real challenge in scaling learning 07:00 – The philosophical misstep and going back to the mission 09:40 – Monetizing impact: Lessons from enterprise and education 11:00 – Offline breakthrough: Running AI without internet 13:40 – Engineering feat: 3D avatar AI on Android 2020 phones 15:20 – Why bigger models don’t equal better outcomes 18:00 – Did open-source LLMs influence their vision? 21:00 – How they handle data, analytics & personalization offline 23:00 – No patents? Why they’re releasing an SDK instead 25:00 – The SEA Model: Skills, Efficiency, Accessibility 27:00 – Building voice-first digital experiences for the underserved 30:00 – VR + AI for marginalized learners? Already built 32:00 – Teaching entrepreneurship, not just STEM 34:30 – An AI teacher that remembers you 36:00 – What’s next: Kenya, Guinea-Bissau & São Tomé 38:00 – Final thoughts & how to get in touch with Dev…

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#497 From Startup Grind to Mozilla Labs: Raj Singh on AI, Vibe Coding, and Building What Matters 50:31

לפני 12 ימים50:31

50:31

Raj Singh, VP of Product at Mozilla and a seasoned startup founder, joins The CTO Show with Mehmet to share a candid look into the evolution of building products—from the early days of AI to today’s GenAI-fueled solo founder wave. We dive into what vibe coding means, how big companies like Mozilla are tackling zero-to-one innovation, and why most startups fail—not because of the idea, but because the founders get tired. 🚀 Key Takeaways • Most startups fail in the messy middle, not the beginning or end • AI is shifting us from “doing the work” to “instructing the machine” • Vibe coding is enabling faster product iteration—but it still needs human judgment • Large companies often struggle with zero-to-one because of talent structure, risk aversion, and short conviction windows • Solo founders can thrive—if they manage their energy and support systems ⸻ 🎯 What You’ll Learn • How Raj defines product-market fit in the GenAI era • The new role of engineers and creators in the age of AI • How to build new products inside legacy organizations • When and how to pivot—without burning out • Why AI shouldn’t be the pitch—it should be the enabler 👤 About the Guest Raj is the VP of Product at Mozilla, leading new 0 to 1 product initiatives. He joined Mozilla in 2022 via the acquisition of his startup, Pulse, which developed AI meeting summarization models. Previously, Raj has been a repeat consumer-focused startup founder. He was Co-Founder and CEO of Tempo AI, a smart calendar acquired by Salesforce in 2015. He also co-founded AllTheCooks, which became the largest recipe community on Android before its acquisition by Cookpad. Earlier in his career, he served as VP of Business Development at Skyfire, a mobile browser acquired by Opera. Prior to this, Raj co-founded and exited startups in the ringtone, live video and college dating categories. https://linktr.ee/mobileraj Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro and Raj’s journey from founder to Mozilla 03:00 – Pattern recognition and founder gut-checks 06:15 – Why most startups are stuck in the messy middle 08:45 – Evolution of AI: from OpenCV to GenAI 11:20 – Vibe coding and the shift in creative workflows 13:40 – The 95% AI accuracy rule and human-in-the-loop design 16:00 – AI’s impact on growth hacking and customer acquisition 17:40 – Can solo founders really build unicorns? 20:00 – Trillion-dollar ambitions vs. billion-dollar thinking 21:30 – Building zero-to-one products inside Mozilla 25:00 – Why large companies struggle with innovation 29:00 – Culture, incentives, and the “conviction window” 33:00 – Pivoting: when to stick, when to switch 36:00 – The solo founder dilemma and founder loneliness 41:00 – Consumer AI: solving problems vs. chasing hype 44:00 – Final advice: execute your idea—don’t just think about it…

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#496 From Accidental Founder to 30,000+ Entrepreneurs | Jeremy Ames on Building Businesses That Last 51:34

לפני 14 ימים51:34

51:34

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Jeremy Ames , Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial , a company that has helped over 30,000 entrepreneurs fund their businesses using US retirement funds. Jeremy shares his unconventional path into entrepreneurship, the rise of Main Street innovation , and what truly holds people back from launching businesses. This is a masterclass in testing ideas , avoiding costly mistakes, and seeing opportunities where others don’t—plus a refreshing take on AI adoption in traditional businesses. 💡 Key Takeaways • Why retirement funds can be a powerful startup capital source • The secret behind starting a business without quitting your job: “Side Projects” • Why validation before investment is non-negotiable • What entrepreneurs often overlook about financial modeling • The power of AI in traditional businesses and why it’s about culture, not just tools • Why “shiny object syndrome” kills more businesses than lack of capital • A personal story of failure—and what Jeremy learned from a loss-making franchise bet ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to reduce risk when starting a business • What investors and entrepreneurs can learn from 30,000+ business launches • How to blend tech savviness with service-based business models • How AI is being used at Guidant Financial to create bottom-up innovation • Why agency, ownership, and intention matter more than ever in today’s uncertain economy 👤 About the Guest Jeremy Ames is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & CEO of Guidant Financial, a leader in innovative business funding solutions. With over 20 years of experience, Jeremy has helped 30,000+ individuals leverage their retirement funds to start and grow businesses through programs like 401k Business Financing (ROBS). A firm believer in the power of entrepreneurship to create wealth and freedom, Jeremy’s career spans successes, failures, and invaluable lessons, including being recognized as the SBA’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. http://www.guidantfinancial.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyamesentrepreneur/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyamesentrepreneur/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro & Jeremy’s background 03:00 – The emotional story behind his first business 06:00 – What keeps people from starting businesses 09:30 – The “Side Project” framework 13:00 – The viral cocoa bomb experiment 16:30 – Cleaning trash bins = $4M business? 19:00 – The engineer who bought a car repair shop 22:00 – Guidant’s approach to AI adoption 27:00 – AI’s role in business financing 29:00 – The #1 mistake entrepreneurs make after launching 33:00 – Coffee shop myths and financial realism 36:00 – Research, customer interviews, and competitive edge 40:00 – On the illusion of copying success 44:00 – A personal failure: the massage franchise story 47:00 – Final thoughts on agency, entrepreneurship, and ownership…

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#495 Next-Gen Gaming: AI Agents, NFTs, and the Blockchain Frontier 40:43

לפני 17 ימים40:43

40:43

In this episode, I sit down with Greg Marlin , the CTO of ZKcandy , to explore the evolving intersection of AI agents, blockchain infrastructure, NFTs, and the gaming world . We dive deep into how Greg is building seamless onboarding for Web3 gaming, how AI agents are redefining non-player characters and companions, and why encrypted AI agent NFTs might just be the future of user-owned digital experiences. Whether you’re a founder building in Web3, an investor watching the AI frontier, or just curious about where gaming is headed—this one’s packed with insights. 💡 Key Takeaways • What AI agents actually are—and why they matter in gaming • The vision behind encrypted AI companion NFTs • How ZKcandy simplifies Web3 authentication and onboarding • Why composability and simplicity are keys to developer adoption • The role of blockchain in preserving ownership and memory in AI • Founder tips on staying resilient in a copycat-prone startup environment ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • How AI agents will revolutionize NPCs and game companions • Why ERC-7662 is critical for privacy-first AI agents on-chain • Practical strategies for founders building in AI + gaming + blockchain • A preview of Raid Quest and ZKcandy’s upcoming game features About Greg Marlin Greg is a serial entrepreneur and technologist with a track record across SaaS, crypto, AI, and developer platforms. As the CTO of ZKCandy , a layer-2 blockchain built on the ZK Stack, he’s building tools that simplify Web3 onboarding for developers and gamers alike. Greg is also the author of ERC-7662 , the emerging standard for encrypted AI agent NFTs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmarlin/ https://zkcandy.io/ https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-7662 ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Greg’s journey from SaaS to AI to blockchain 04:00 – Breaking down what an AI agent actually is 09:30 – How AI companions will reshape gaming experiences 13:00 – AI in “raid” environments and social quests 15:00 – Addressing hallucinations and unpredictability in AI 20:00 – What ERC-7662 is and why it matters for AI NFTs 26:00 – Who owns your AI? How blockchain can protect user memory 28:00 – Developer experience: Plug-and-play SDKs for Web3 games 32:00 – Advice for founders building at the intersection of AI and gaming 36:30 – Final thoughts + where to find Greg…

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#494 Trust is the New Traction: PR, Fundraising, and the AI Discovery Shift with Mauro Battellini 47:51

לפני 19 ימים47:51

47:51

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Mauro Battellini , co-founder of Black Unicorn PR , to break down why PR is no longer optional for startups—and how the rise of AI-powered search is changing what investors and customers see first. From fundraising strategy to media perception, Mauro explains how to build legitimacy , earn visibility , and outperform better-funded competitors —even if you’re not in Silicon Valley. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a repeat entrepreneur, this episode will shift how you think about storytelling, credibility, and why “earned media” may be your strongest asset in the AI era . 🔑 Key Takeaways • When PR matters : The signals investors, regulators, and enterprise clients look for beyond the pitch deck • AI’s impact on perception : How tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity influence investor research and due diligence • Personal branding vs. thought leadership : Why founders must be discoverable—before the product is • PR in emerging markets : How startups from Central & Eastern Europe or MENA can play the global media game • Fundraising and credibility : How the right PR at the right time can shorten investor cycles ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to identify your startup’s PR timing based on traction and stakeholder needs • Why earned media is becoming more powerful than paid ads in the AI era • The difference between “spray & pray” and strategic media outreach • How journalists evaluate startups—and how founders can become go-to voices • Real-world examples of how PR directly impacted fundraising outcomes 🧑‍💼 About Mauro Battellini Mauro is the co-founder of Black Unicorn PR , an agency laser-focused on early-stage tech startups. With a background in sales, market research, and e-commerce, Mauro brings a unique lens to PR that aligns brand perception with business outcomes. His mission: help founders from non-traditional ecosystems punch above their weight in global markets. https://www.blackunicornpr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauro-alexis-battellini/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mauro’s journey from sales to startup PR 04:30 – Why Black Unicorn PR was founded to fix broken agency models 06:45 – When founders should start thinking about PR 10:15 – The mindset shift: PR isn’t about vanity—it’s about trust 14:00 – Thought leadership vs. personal branding in founder visibility 18:20 – Why emerging markets struggle with global media presence 22:40 – How PR helped Lithuanian startups get into international coverage 26:30 – What PR looks like during a fundraising round 30:45 – AI’s disruption of SEO and search discovery 33:10 – Why PR is becoming essential in the AI discovery layer 36:00 – The rise of solo journalists, niche media, and credibility loops 38:20 – Practical advice: what AI sees when someone Googles you 42:00 – Why PR is your startup’s trust layer in the noisy digital world 45:00 – Final tips: how to map stakeholders, focus outreach, and treat journalists like investors…

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#493 Reimagining Events with Tech: Cosmin Ivan on Scaling Platinumlist Across MENA 44:25

לפני 21 ימים44:25

44:25

In this episode of The CTO Show , Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Cosmin Ivan , CEO of Platinumlist , the leading event and ticketing platform in the MENA region. From selling tickets by hand to building a platform used for the biggest concerts and sporting events, Cosmin shares his 18-year journey and how Platinumlist became a trusted tech partner for global entertainment brands. They unpack the power of secure, scalable event tech, what it takes to expand across culturally diverse markets, and why trust, transparency, and customer experience drive long-term success. 💡 What You’ll Learn • How Platinumlist evolved into MENA’s most trusted ticketing tech platform • The role of security, dynamic QR codes, and anti-scalping measures • Why a great user experience begins before the event • Strategies for scaling across culturally diverse countries • Cosmin’s leadership approach to change management and team building • The future of AI, blockchain, and Web3 in entertainment tech • Opportunities for startup founders in the MENA event ecosystem ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • Tech alone isn’t enough— simplicity and trust are critical. • 85% drop in ticket fraud after adopting dynamic QR and bank-grade encryption. • Customer experience is an end-to-end journey, not a single touchpoint. • The GCC’s mobility and transparency offer a unique opportunity for entertainment startups. 👤 About the Guest Cosmin Ivan is the CEO of Platinumlist, the region’s leading event discovery and ticketing platform. With nearly two decades in the industry, Cosmin helped grow the company from a scrappy 3-person operation to a regional tech powerhouse operating across the GCC. He’s an advocate for customer-centric design, ethical reselling, and event tech innovation. https://platinumlist.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmin-ivan-38546582/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro and welcome 02:00 – Cosmin’s journey from Europe to Platinumlist 06:00 – Defining a great event experience 10:00 – Leveraging tech to eliminate fraud and scalping 15:00 – Behind the scenes: Dynamic QR and secure ticketing 20:00 – Scaling Platinumlist across MENA 25:00 – Leading change and adapting to regional nuances 30:00 – The future of event tech: AI, Web3, crowd analytics 36:00 – What’s next for Platinumlist 39:00 – Advice for entertainment tech entrepreneurs in MENA 42:00 – Final thoughts on leadership and team culture…

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#492 Building Human-First Products in the Age of AI: Eric Müller on Security, Trust, and Leadership 46:20

לפני 24 ימים46:20

46:20

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , we sit down with Eric Müller , Product Engineering Associate Director at Work & Co, to unpack the evolving intersection of AI adoption , digital security , and empathetic leadership . With a career that spans cybersecurity, product architecture, and agency collaboration, Eric shares how to lead engineering teams through complexity without losing the human touch —especially in today’s AI-driven landscape. Whether you’re a founder, CTO, product leader, or advisor , this conversation is packed with practical insights and leadership wisdom 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why AI should augment , not replace, your dev team • The real risks of trusting LLM output blindly (including “slopjacking”) • How to balance speed and security in fast-paced product teams • The overlooked power of psychological safety in engineering culture • Why technical debt is just business debt —and how to manage it • Practical ways to communicate security to non-technical leaders • How to spot and mentor emerging engineering leaders ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways • AI is not a silver bullet. Use it to accelerate boilerplate and QA, but keep human oversight for anything mission-critical. • Security must start early. You can’t patch it in the final sprint—bake it into your culture from day one. • Empathy wins. In client work and internal leadership, understanding before advising changes everything. • Trust your inner voice. As a leader, self-trust is a vital compass—don’t let indecision erode confidence. 👤 About Eric Müller Eric Müller, is an Associate Director focusing on Product Engineering and Digital Security at Work & Co, part of Accenture Song, where leads engineering teams and supported automated processes to deliver high-quality digital products for the past decade. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and security, Eric has worked across various industries including banking, social media, B2B, retail, fashion, and online gaming. His extensive background includes significant roles at Wells Fargo Bank, Charles Schwab, Razorfish, and Mekanism, where he delivered award-winning projects for clients such as Microsoft, Business Wire, Anza, and Vibrant Planet. Eric fosters empathetic leadership and transparent communication to build resilient, high-performing tech teams. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmullersf/ https://work.co/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Intro & Eric’s journey from Gen X hacker to engineering leader 04:00 – AI adoption: Hype vs. Doomerism, and where the real value lies 07:00 – Finding the sweet spot for GenAI in engineering 10:00 – The tension between speed, usability, and secure code 12:30 – LLM risks: hallucinations, outdated data, slopjacking 15:30 – Explaining AI risk & security to non-technical executives 18:00 – Making clients feel heard: the “make them writer” mindset 22:00 – Coaching engineering teams through compromises and deadlines 29:00 – Psychological safety and what leaders get wrong 33:00 – Leading in a hybrid world: Slack, trust, and async culture 38:00 – Spotting and mentoring the next generation of leaders 41:00 – Why mentorship vs management books 44:00 – Final advice: Trust yourself, and trust your team…

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#491 Scaling Engineering Teams for the AI Era: Insights from Mary Moore-Simmons 41:31

לפני 26 ימים41:31

41:31

In this episode, Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Mary Moore-Simmons , VP of Engineering at Keebo AI, to unpack what it really takes to scale high-performing engineering teams in today’s AI-powered environment. From DevOps and ML Ops to building team culture that lasts, Mary shares hard-won insights from over a decade in engineering leadership across startups and high-growth tech companies. This is a must-listen for founders, CTOs, and venture investors seeking clarity on where engineering, AI, and culture intersect. 🔑 Key Takeaways • The shift from traditional DevOps to ML Ops and its impact on team structure • Why data engineering is no longer optional, even for product-focused engineers • How to balance velocity with sustainable engineering culture • The real difference between a CTO and a VP of Engineering • Why culture must be owned—and modeled—by the CEO to scale • How Mary mentors future leaders through transparency and structure ⸻ 📘 What You’ll Learn • The traits Mary looks for when hiring for early-stage engineering teams • How to scope early features in a fast-moving startup environment • Strategies to shield your team from “firefighting” and maintain focus • The importance of infrastructure automation in the age of AI • Mary’s thoughts on whether company culture can truly scale 👤 About the Guest Mary Moore Simmons is the VP of Engineering at Keebo.ai, where she has been instrumental in shaping the company's innovative approach to data warehouse optimization. A seasoned engineering leader with 10+ years in software, her background includes Director of Engineering at Github and Zcash as well as VP of Engineering at AgentSync. She focuses on building high-performing teams that sustain a healthy culture and growth mindset. She is passionate about authentic and transparent leadership, and building a culture where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where DEIB is table stakes. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmooresimmons http://keebo.ai/ https://github.com/mmsthepizzathief Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:01 – Mary’s journey: from chemical engineer to VP of Engineering 03:20 – What Keebo AI does and how they optimize Snowflake & Databricks 05:10 – The evolving intersection of software and data engineering 07:00 – Why Mary prioritizes hiring with data and ML experience 08:30 – DevOps, ML Ops, and keeping engineers happy and efficient 10:50 – The CTO vs VP of Engineering: What really separates the two 13:30 – Balancing velocity vs long-term stability in startup engineering 18:45 – How Mary shields her team from noise and burnout 22:00 – The traits Mary looks for when hiring 23:30 – Authentic and transparent leadership in practice 25:30 – Does culture scale? What Mary has seen work 28:30 – What goes wrong when companies scale too fast 33:00 – Coaching future leaders and creating career ladders 37:00 – Tools, books, and blog posts Mary recommends 38:00 – AI, automation, and what tech excites Mary today 40:00 – Where to connect with Mary…

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#490 From Data to CTO: Keith Cassar’s Evolution in Tech Leadership 43:36

לפני 28 ימים43:36

43:36

In this episode of The CTO Show , Mehmet welcomes Keith Cassar , CTO at Game Lounge, who shares his journey from SQL developer to tech leader, and what it takes to evolve from a data specialist into a cross-functional CTO. Together, they explore how to make data genuinely useful, what AI can and can’t solve, and how to scale high-performing tech teams without overengineering. 📌 Key Takeaways • The shift from developer to data leader to CTO — and what changes at each level • Why availability, accuracy, and speed of data are key to data usability • How to turn raw data into decision-ready insights • Embracing AI for empowerment, not replacement • Building cross-functional, agile teams without overhiring • How to lead during crisis: the importance of being “first to know” • Leadership advice for aspiring CTOs — from imposter syndrome to team design ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to structure data systems that support business decisions • Practical use cases of AI in affiliate marketing and tech operations • How to scale infrastructure with limited resources • The CTO’s evolving role in hybrid and remote work culture • Personalization as the next AI frontier 👤 About Keith Cassar Keith Cassar is the CTO of Game Lounge , an affiliate marketing company operating globally. With a strong background in data engineering, Keith previously held roles as Chief Data Officer and Head of Data. He began his career as a developer, later joining King (makers of Candy Crush) during its early growth. Now based in Malta, he focuses on bridging the gap between tech and business, using data and leadership to build resilient organizations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassar/ https://www.gamelounge.com/ Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction and Keith’s background 03:00 – Transitioning from data to CTO 07:00 – What “making data usable” really means 11:00 – Raw data to insight: The transformation journey 14:00 – Real-world AI applications and limitations 18:00 – Scaling infrastructure with limited resources 21:00 – AI in development teams: Productivity vs. replacement 25:00 – Frameworks for high-performing tech teams 28:00 – Remote culture and trust in hybrid environments 33:00 – Crisis leadership and data observability 37:00 – Trends in personalization and AI 39:00 – Advice for aspiring CTOs and tech leaders 42:00 – Final thoughts + where to find Keith…

1
#489 Why Silicon Valley Still Wins: Dr. Andrey Kunov on What Emerging Markets Miss 1:02:56

לפני 4 weeks1:02:56

1:02:56

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet , Dr. Andrey Kunov — serial entrepreneur, founder of Silicon Valley Innovation Center, and AI advisor — joins us from the heart of Silicon Valley to dissect what truly makes the Valley unbeatable. We explore why other ecosystems struggle to replicate it, what founders in emerging markets should focus on instead, and how AI is reshaping the rules of startup creation and capital. 🧠 What You’ll Learn • Why disruption doesn’t start with capital — it starts with conviction • The real reason Silicon Valley can’t be copied • How AI agents will reshape startup teams (and reduce early hiring needs) • Why execution matters more than knowledge in today’s innovation economy • How emerging hubs can build their own innovation flywheel • Why venture capital isn’t always a blessing — and when to delay raising ⸻ ✨ Key Takeaways • Disruption = growth without profit : Startups win by operating in uncertain markets large companies avoid. • Execution is the differentiator : Ideas are common — what matters is putting them into motion, despite risk. • AI is shifting the capital equation : Solo founders can now build with fewer resources by deploying intelligent agents. • Silicon Valley’s edge lies in compounding effects : Talent, capital, IP protection, early adopters, and open markets fuel each other. • Emerging markets should stop copying and start localizing innovation using their own unfair advantages. 🎙️ About the Guest Dr. Andrey Kunov is the founder of Brio Link and Silicon Valley Innovation Center (SVIC) , with over two decades of experience in innovation, AI, and technology adoption. At Brio Link, he develops fully automated, AI-powered marketing solutions for enterprises. Through SVIC, he has helped global corporations and governments accelerate innovation by connecting them with Silicon Valley’s ecosystem of startups, R&D labs, and venture capital. His clients include Toyota, ExxonMobil, Deutsche Bank, and SAP. A Stanford Ph.D. holder, Dr. Kunov specializes in generative AI, automation, and bridging Silicon Valley with global markets. https://briolink.com/ https://svicenter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunov/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Dr. Kunov’s journey from Kazakhstan to Stanford 04:30 – Common thread between science, startups, and execution 07:50 – Defining real technological disruption 13:10 – Why large companies can’t build disruptive products 18:00 – How Google and Amazon became monopolies without being first 22:30 – Execution vs. knowledge in the age of abundant AI 28:10 – How Silicon Valley Innovation Center helps global founders 34:00 – Startup scouting and strategic acquisitions for corporates 38:45 – Why no one can replicate Silicon Valley 47:30 – Advice for emerging markets: build your own version, don’t copy 53:00 – The rise of AI agents and how founders should use them 58:00 – Sam Altman, superintelligence, and the path to post-VC innovation 1:00:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Dr. Kunov online…

1
#488 The Inside-Out Entrepreneur: Mohamed Ahmed on Startup Mindset and Emotional Readiness 1:03:27

לפני 5 weeks1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode, host Mehmet Gonullu sits down with Mohamed Ahmed , an engineer-turned-founder and author of The Inside-Out Entrepreneur . Together, they unpack the mental, emotional, and strategic conditioning required for engineers to become successful startup founders. From navigating early-stage chaos to managing the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, Mohamed offers frameworks, stories, and tools that every founder needs to hear. 🎯 Key Takeaways • Why building a business is radically different from building a product • How emotional resilience and mental robustness can make or break your startup • The difference between mentors, advisors, and the right kind of friends • Fundraising reality checks: what first-time founders often get wrong • How to avoid “startup identity crisis” and separate your self-worth from your venture • Tactical tips for expanding your founder support system and filtering noise ⸻ 🎓 What You’ll Learn • A practical mindset framework to prepare for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship • How to validate your idea without getting stuck in tech hype • The role of storytelling, support systems, and self-awareness in founder success • How to build real VC relationships without falling into transactional traps ⸻ ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mohamed’s journey from Egypt to AWS to entrepreneurship 03:00 – Why engineers often misunderstand what it takes to build a business 06:00 – Emotional resilience: the invisible edge founders need 14:00 – Fundraising psychology and how to avoid burnout from rejections 19:00 – The support system: mentors, family, friends, and the role they each play 28:00 – Filtering noise: how to avoid time-wasters and empty advice 36:00 – How Mohamed overcame a failed acquisition hours before signing 44:00 – Fundraising done right: how to build investor trust before the ask 47:00 – Talking tech vs. solving problems: building the right narrative 52:00 – What “Boundless Founder” means and how Mohamed is giving back 👤 About Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed is an AI infrastructure leader, entrepreneur, and author of The Inside-Out Entrepreneur . He has built and scaled AI-driven ventures across startups and Fortune 1000 companies, with leadership roles at Intel, Amazon, and Microsoft. As the founder of Boundless Founder , he helps technical founders develop the mental resilience and strategic clarity needed to scale high-growth businesses. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedfahmed/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Entrepreneur-Become-entrepreneur-were/dp/B0DN25TW7H ⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mohamed’s journey from Egypt to AWS to entrepreneurship 03:00 – Why engineers often misunderstand what it takes to build a business 06:00 – Emotional resilience: the invisible edge founders need 14:00 – Fundraising psychology and how to avoid burnout from rejections 19:00 – The support system: mentors, family, friends, and the role they each play 28:00 – Filtering noise: how to avoid time-wasters and empty advice 36:00 – How Mohamed overcame a failed acquisition hours before signing 44:00 – Fundraising done right: how to build investor trust before the ask 47:00 – Talking tech vs. solving problems: building the right narrative 52:00 – What “Boundless Founder” means and how Mohamed is giving back…

לפני 15 weeks54:14

54:14

🔍 Episode Overview In this forward-looking conversation, Mehmet welcomes Colin Fitzpatrick, founder of Griffin AI and long-time tech leader, to unpack the convergence of artificial intelligence, Web3, and robotics. From “vibe coding” and AI agents to programmable avatars and robotic personal assistants, Colin paints a vision of a world being reshaped by exponential technology. They also explore how AI will democratize software development, disrupt work as we know it, and create massive opportunity. 📌 Key Takeaways • Why we haven’t seen the true “ChatGPT moment” yet—and what’s coming next • What “vibe coding” is and how it’s revolutionizing app development • Why AI won’t replace developers—but will change who builds software • How AI agents are solving onboarding and usability issues in Web3 • How AI and Web3 are becoming a “happy marriage” of complementary technologies • What robotics breakthroughs (like Figure and Gemini for Robotics) mean for your everyday life • Why tech-savvy founders will use AI agents as a competitive edge • How to future-proof yourself and your company in the AI age ⸻ 🎧 What You’ll Learn • The role of AI agents in automating complex, goal-oriented tasks • The current limitations of AI coding tools—and why they’re about to disappear • How AI and robotics together will reshape daily life and physical labor • The rise of deep research tools and personalized AI assistants • Why knowing how to use AI tools will become a fundamental job skill 👤 About the Guest Colin Fitzpatrick is a tech entrepreneur and futurist based in Dubai. With a career spanning Oracle, Salesforce, and HubSpot, he founded a metaverse/NFT venture and now leads Griffin AI , a platform enabling autonomous AI agents for Web3 applications. He is a vocal thought leader on LinkedIn covering emerging tech, AI, and the future of work. https://www.griffinai.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/colly/ 🕒 Episode Highlights & Timestamps 0:00 – Intro and Colin’s journey from enterprise software to Web3 2:00 – How ChatGPT changed everything for Colin 4:30 – The rise of AI agents and the next “GPT moment” 6:45 – Vibe coding: Coding apps just by describing them 10:00 – From hobbyist tools to startup MVPs: what’s possible today 14:00 – How Griffin AI is building agents for Web3 wallets and dApps 18:30 – The difference between bots and true AI agents 21:00 – How AI will automate personal and business workflows 26:00 – Using AI to explore meme coins and analyze trends 29:00 – Deep Seek, Grok, and Google’s edge with Gemini 33:00 – Robotics breakthroughs: Figure, Sora, Gemini for Robotics 38:00 – The future of AI-embodied robots in everyday life 43:00 – Preparing for the AI-driven job market 45:30 – Why AI has to become more human and contextual 48:00 – Personal AI personalities and voice assistants 50:00 – Final advice: How to stay ahead in the AI age…

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#79 The Intersection of Data Science, Analytics, and AI: Insights from Mohammad Arshad

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#79 The Intersection of Data Science, Analytics, and AI: Insights from Mohammad Arshad