The Tech Leaders Podcast

#116: “CEOs and organisations are going all-in on Agentic AI.” Dr. Nicola Hodson, Chair, IBM UKI

Join us this week for The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth sits down with Dr. Nicola Hodson, Chair at IBM UK and Ireland. Dr. Hodson talks about how to manage transformations in complex organisations, how UK Enterprises are adopting AI, and why Quantum computing might be coming sooner than you think. On this episode, Gareth and Dr. Hodson discuss why authenticity is underrated, the evolution of AI regulations, the importance of Polymaths, and how Concorde and a copy of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica inspired her to begin the journey which would lead to IBM. Timestamps: Good leadership, Concorde and the Encyclopaedia Brittanica (2:40) How to drive change in large organisations (9:36) Polymaths (13:50) IBM and Quantum computing (20:00) ITAM Evolution and Hybrid Cloud Management (26:50) Enterprise adoption of Agentic AI (31:10) AI and Graduate jobs (36:40) AI Regulation (41:08) Advice for young IT professionals, and 21-year-old Nicola (43:30) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

#115: The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland, Former MP and Minister for National Security

"You can't have good Cyber Security without Economic Security.'' Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland, former MP and author of the McPartland Review into Cyber Security. Stephen talks about his time in Parliament, the impact of AI on Cyber Security, and why the UK is both uniquely well prepared and uniquely vulnerable. On this episode, Stephen and Gareth discuss what it’s like to work with Prime Ministers, how to prevent the widespread adoption of AI leading to “digital exclusion”, why we need to automate processes rather than jobs, and how a Scouser became Tory MP for Stevenage…Timestamps: Intro and good leadership (1:33) Proudest achievements and lessons learned in Politics (7:54) Ministerial role, and working with Prime Ministers (10:09) Cyber Security and the Digital Economy (17:50) AI, Government and Cyber Security (23:23) Fostering a Cyber workforce (29:35) LLMs and Agentic AI (33:14) Cryptocurrencies and Post-Quantum Cryptography (38:28) AI concerns – Digital exclusion and Rules of Engagement (46:25) Stephen’s advice to his younger self (49:00) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

AI Summit Special: The Return of Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita

Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita, and former AI CTO at Hewlett-Packard Enterprises. Matt talks about his new role at Servita, the lessons he learned at HPE, and how effective AI Asset Management can help you keep control of your data. On this episode, Matt and Gareth discuss effective AI implementation and adoption, the existing AI skills gap, and the new roles and careers that will emerge, and what we don’t understand about how AI works. Timestamps: Joining Servita (2:00) AI Implementation and Adoption (5:40) What “Data is the new Oil” actually means (12:00) What we don’t understand about how AI works (18:33) Lessons learned at HP (22:13) Sports and AI (25:28) AI Safety and even Blackmail? (28:19) Trust and transparency in practice (35:40) The AI skills gap and emerging careers (39:30) AI Summit highlights (48:32) Brought to you by bedigitalhttps://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Episode #113, Agentic AI Special: "The Rise of AI Agents" - Joseph Connor, Founder of CarefulAI and Prof. at UCL

Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, as Gareth sits down with Joseph Connor, Chairman of Agentic AI specialist, CarefulAI and Professor at UCL and formerly Director of AI innovation at NHS England. Joseph talks about his allegiance to the NHS, his love of Stoicism, and his experiences building AI agents for businesses. On this episode Joseph and Gareth discuss why innovation is difficult in the public sector, how AI can help with effective ITAM and compliance, and how to make sure everyone benefits from Agentic AI.Time Stamps: Good leadership and Joseph’s early days (2:30) Lessons learned and musings on Stoicism (7:19) Allegiance to the NHS (11:10) Careful AI (15:20) What is Agentic AI? (23:48) Maintaining control of AI Agents (30:44) Always read the terms and conditions (35:55) Concerns around the next five years of AI (40:10) AI in education (49:10) Conclusions (53:48) Access CriticalAIonAI podcast mentioned in the show here - https://www.carefulai.com/accelerating-safe-ai-providers.htmlhttps://www.bedigitaluk.com/

#112, CISO at the AA, Darren Desmond: Covert Ops to Cyber Security

“I had a team of me…and that was it!” Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Darren Desmond, CISO at the AA, to discuss how AI will change the Cyber Security arms race, why it’s a strange time for CISOs, and how he was the most un-military recruit his training Sergeant had ever seen… Time stamps:What makes effective leadership in tech? (2:32) Starting from scratch: "I had a team of me... and that was it!" (4:20) Lessons from the Army and Atomic Weapons Establishment (6:20) The Betfair culture shock: "Decisions made on the hoof" (15:20) The key cybersecurity threat: Why ransomware remains a top concern (16:50) How asset management strengthens cybersecurity (18:10) CISO advice: Why asset management is critical for security (22:17) The CyberSec arms race: How AI will change the game (24:58) Why security is a team effort, not a standalone activity (26:00) Ransomware evolution: "The risk of AI-driven attacks" (36:45) AI in cybersecurity: The future, risks, and opportunities (40:20) Career advice: "Pick a goal and work towards it" (45:06)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/