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Apr 2026

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About the show

🎙 Welcome to SaugaTalks – where technology meets insights! We explore the latest tech trends shaping industries and driving innovation, from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Intelligent Automation and the Future of Work . Each episode features visionary experts and trailblazing entrepreneurs , uncovering strategies and breakthroughs that set the pace for the future. Join the conversation by liking, commenting, and sharing our episodes to spark meaningful discussions with like-minded professionals. 🤝 📩 For Tech Companies: SaugaTalks provides a platform to amplify thought leadership , engage with industry peers, and connect with an audience passionate about AI and digital transformation . Our podcast features in-depth discussions with AI pioneers and tech entrepreneurs on the cutting-edge topics transforming industries. Why Partner with SaugaTalks? Expert Positioning : Feature your experts on SaugaTalks to build credibility and authority. Innovative Content : Showcase your AI , Automation , and Digital Transformation solutions . Global Reach : Connect with a worldwide audience of tech decision-makers and enthusiasts. High-Value Content : Collaborate on interviews , panel discussions , and sponsored episodes tailored to your goals. Ways to Collaborate : Guest Appearances : Share insights on emerging tech with our audience. Sponsored Episodes : Align your brand with a tech-savvy audience. Content Collaboration : Create co-branded panels or discussions on industry trends. Podcast Promotion : Advertise your solutions and events on SaugaTalks. Let’s discuss how we can partner to create impactful content and enhance your brand’s visibility! Connect with SaugaTalks & Irene Lyakovetsky: Subscribe on YouTube: @SaugaTalks Follow on X: @lyakovet Join on LinkedIn: SaugaTalks on LinkedIn

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April 2, 202630 min

Agentic AI: What's Working vs What's Failing in 2026

Send us Fan MailIn this 30-minute deep dive, Alexis Chevallot (Agentic AI expert & CEO of Capto) reveals what’s actually working with Agentic AI right now — especially in finance and enterprise operations. Forget the hype. Discover how Agentic AI is moving from simple chatbots to real “AI employees” that handle reporting, invoicing, compliance, tax, and multi-system workflows — delivering massive ROI while working alongside human teams. Alexis shares real production use cases, the biggest implementation challenges, scalability lessons (including cutting AI costs by 100x), and exactly how leaders should manage Agentic AI to make it a strategic partner rather than a disappointment.Key topics covered:What Agentic AI really is (and how it’s different from generative AI & chatbots)Live finance success stories with proven ROIMajor challenges: reliability, hallucinations, data security & scalabilityHow to turn generic AI Agents into accurate AI EmployeesWhy most AI projects fail — and how to avoid themThe human traits AI still can’t replicateWill software engineers actually be replaced in 2026?Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Welcome to SaugaTalks00:45 Greeting Alexis Chevallot01:30 What is Agentic AI?03:30 Agentic AI in finance today05:45 Real success stories & ROI09:15 Challenges & reliability11:45 Scalability & cutting costs by 100x14:00 How teams react to AI employees16:15 Advice for leaders & AI management18:00 Disasters & lessons learned20:30 Human traits AI can’t replace22:45 What excites Alexis about the future24:15 Will AI Replace Software Engineers? The Real Answer27:00 Key takeaways28:30 Connect with Alexis & Capto29:30 OutroIf you’re a CFO, finance leader, tech manager, or software engineer wondering how to implement and manage Agentic AI successfully in 2026 — this is the episode for you. Drop your biggest Agentic AI question in the comments!Connect with Alexis Chevallot & Capto:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexischevallot/Website: capto.comSaugaTalks — Real conversations on AI, digital transformation & the future of work.🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today.🔹 Let’s ConnectLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovetYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation.✅ Enjoyed this conversation?Like 👍 the videoSubscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks.Share 📢 with your network.#SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #agenticai #AIAgents #AIFinance #AIinFinance #SoftwareEngineers #FutureOfWork #AIManagement #AIEmployees #DigitalTransformationSupport the show

March 9, 202629 min

Struggling to Get Execs on Board with AI? Here's How to Bet Big Without Regrets

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of SaugaTalks, host Irene Lyakovetsky chats with Patrick Sullivan, VP of Strategy and Innovation at A-LIGN, TEDx Speaker, Forbes Technology Council member, AI Ethicist, and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC42 contributor. They dive into the high-stakes "Boardroom AI Battles"—how to convince skeptical executives to invest boldly in AI without regrets.Key discussion points:- AI governance as a value creator: Evaluate, direct, and monitor for optimized risk and cost (per ISACA standards).- Informed vs. uninformed bets: Only ~3% of AI initiatives deliver value without solid plans—learn from MIT/Harvard insights.- Success stories: A German synthetic media startup hit $4B+ valuation via ISO 42001 certification and trust-building.- Pitfalls: A major US HRIS provider faces lawsuits over unchecked AI bias, despite NIST frameworks.- Emerging risks: Deepfakes (e.g., $25M bank fraud) and bias in sociotechnical systems.- Executive tips: Ask "Can I do this without AI?" Balance FOMO with reputational risks through use cases and context-specific strategies.- Future outlook: 2026 as the era of formal AI governance, with market demands for assurance in sensitive data handling.Perfect for C-suite leaders, AI strategists, and innovators navigating digital transformation. Whether you're worried about moving too fast or being left behind, this episode offers actionable advice on ethical AI adoption, bias mitigation, and scaling from pilots to production.Subscribe for more on AI, automation, and tech leadership!- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcHTwZGRuMaWTZTechKAtw- X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/lyakovet- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saugatuckworldwide/- Support: https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks- Connect with Patrick: www.align.com | LinkedIn (daily AI posts)#AILeadership #AIGovernance #EnterpriseAI #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation00:00 – IntroductionWelcome to SaugaTalks and the introduction of Patrick Sullivan.01:05 – Why AI Is Creating Boardroom TensionWhy executives feel pressure to move fast with AI while managing uncertainty.03:10 – The Real Stakes of AI InvestmentHow AI decisions today can define long-term competitive advantage.05:20 – Convincing Executives to Bet Big on AIStrategies for making a compelling case for AI adoption.07:35 – Risk vs. Opportunity in AI StrategyBalancing innovation with governance and responsible AI use.10:05 – AI Bias and Ethical ConcernsWhy bias and fairness remain major challenges in enterprise AI.12:20 – The Growing Threat of DeepfakesHow synthetic media and misinformation create new security risks.15:10 – Moving AI from Pilot to ProductionWhy many companies struggle to scale AI beyond experimentation.18:00 – Building Trust in AI Across the OrganizationHow leaders can gain buy-in from stakeholders and teams.20:45 – AI Governance and SecurityFrameworks companies should consider to manage AI responsibly.23:30 – The Future of AI in the EnterpriseWhat executives should be preparing for in the next wave of AI.26:00 – Final ThoughtsKey takeaways for leaders deciding how aggressively to invest in AI.Support the show

February 17, 202639 min

AI Readiness in Enterprises: From Shadow AI to Competitive Edge

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of SaugaTalks, host Irene Lyakovetsky sits down with Seth Earley, CEO of Earley Information Science, to demystify AI readiness for enterprises. From taming shadow AI experiments to building robust governance, they explore why 40-95% of generative AI initiatives fail—and how to turn yours into a success.Key insights:- AI readiness maturity: Assess knowledge, operations, tech, and governance with a 74-question model.- Bridging knowledge and AI: Use semantic frameworks (isness/aboutness), taxonomies, and componentization for unified ecosystems.- Operational integration: Map processes to find "information leverage points" without disruption—focus on differentiation for competitive advantage.- Success stories: 20-30% efficiency gains in field service, 50% faster RFP responses, and streamlined code reviews.- Pitfalls: IP leakage, $5M+ failed projects due to poor content curation, and pilot-to-production gaps.- Advice: Build ontologies/knowledge graphs, prioritize use cases, capture baselines, and avoid vendor lock-in.Ideal for AI leaders, IT pros, and execs tackling enterprise AI adoption, legacy tech, RAG, ontologies, and ROI. Learn to avoid disasters and scale from pilots to production!- Website: https://saugatalks.com- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcHTwZGRuMaWTZTechKAtw- X: https://twitter.com/lyakovet- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saugatuckworldwide/- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks- Connect with Seth: https://earley.com | LinkedIn: Seth Earley | Podcast: Earley AISubscribe to SaugaTalks for more in-depth discussions on enterprise AI, automation, and innovation. Like, comment, and share your biggest AI challenge below—we'd love to hear from you! Get Seth's book: https://www.earley.com/ai-powered-enterprise-book-seth-earleyVisit Earley Information Science: https://www.earley.com/🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today.🔹 Let’s ConnectLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovetYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation.✅ Enjoyed this conversation?Like 👍 the videoSubscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks.Share 📢 with your network.#SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #AIReadiness #EnterpriseAI #KnowledgeManagement #AIGovernance #DigitalTransformation #AIReadiness #EnterpriseAI #AIGovernance #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation Support the show

January 23, 202630 min

The Agentic AI Boom and Autonomous Agents for Explosive Business Efficiency in 2026

Send us Fan Mail🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today.Join us on SaugaTalks for an in-depth look at "The Agentic AI Boom: Autonomous Agents for Explosive Business Efficiency in 2026" with guest Amit Garg, Head of Data & AI Engineering Americas at Verticurl.Discover how AI tools transform business, adding to operations and efficiency. Guest Amit Garg, Head of Data & AI Engineering Americas at Verticurl, shares expert insights on AI agents, AI digital transformation, AI for business efficiency, enterprise AI, AI business automation, autonomous AI agents, and AI agent strategies.Highlights: AI's confidence trap and critical thinkingDaily practice for non-tech pros to augment opsUse case studies: 40-50% ROI in marketingSubscribe for more SaugaTalks!Ideal for leaders, AI fans, and pros—gain strategies to leverage this boom. Subscribe for more!Guest: Amit Garg | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-garg-6829a012/Hosted by: Irene Lyakovetsky 🔹 Let’s ConnectLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovetYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation.✅ Enjoyed this conversation?Like 👍 the videoSubscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks.Share 📢 with your network.#SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #aiaadoption #aiagents #AIDigital #AgenticAI #BusinessEfficiency #DataEngineering #AI2026 #SaugaTalks #AutonomousAgents #FutureOfAISupport the show

November 20, 202537 min

Purpose-Driven AI - Aligning Enterprise Values with Innovation

Send us Fan MailWelcome to SaugaTalks! 👋In this episode, Irene sits down with Ravi Pal, a technologist and a leading voice in enterprise technology, AI strategy, and business transformation. Together, they unpack one of the most important (and overlooked) topics in the AI conversation today: purpose-driven AI.🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:Why 95% of AI initiatives fail — and how to avoid becoming another statisticThe dangers of prototype paralysis and FOMO-driven adoptionHow to move from shiny demos to real business outcomesWhy AI must be aligned with identity, values, and organizational purposeWhat it means to treat AI as your “smart but naïve” new employeeHow to build capability, not just complete trainingReal-world stories of misaligned AI systems inside major enterprises💡 Key message:AI success doesn’t start with tools — it starts with purpose, clarity, and alignment. Before scaling AI, you must understand the job you want it to do, the data it needs, and the values it must uphold.🎙️ About our guest — Ravi PalRavi is a technology leader known for helping organizations move from AI experimentation to production-grade, purpose-driven solutions. His thinking on capability, identity, and organizational readiness is a blueprint for how modern enterprises should approach AI.🔗 Follow Ravi:Find Ravi on LinkedIn and explore his blog for deeper insights: https://superpal.blog/✨ If you enjoy conversations with experts shaping the future of AI and business, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. It helps bring these critical insights to more people.🔹 Let’s ConnectLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovetYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation.✅ Enjoyed this conversation?Like 👍 the videoSubscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks.Share 📢 with your network.#SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #PurposeDrivenAI #EnterpriseAI #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #AIFailure #AIReadiness #FutureOfWorkSupport the show

November 5, 202534 min

Garbage In, Garbage Out: The Hidden Truth About AI Success

Send us Fan MailStruggling with “Garbage In, Garbage Out” in your AI projects?In this must-listen episode of SaugaTalks, host Irene sits down with Dr. Prashant Southekal, a leading data expert, to uncover the secrets behind achieving superior data quality — the real key to unlocking AI and analytics success.Discover how poor data quality leads to flawed insights and learn practical, actionable strategies to fix it once and for all.🔍 Key Highlights:What is Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO) in AI? (0:00) – How data chaos disrupts analytics.The 4 Pillars of Data Quality (5:45)Senior Management Support (6:30): Why leadership buy-in drives data excellence.Right Technology & Processes (10:15): Building a solid foundation for data integrity.Governance (14:20): Ensuring accuracy, security, and compliance.Data Literacy (18:45): Empowering teams to make smarter data-driven decisions.Customer-Centric Data Strategy (25:10): Prashant’s top advice — “No customer, no business, no AI!”Actionable Insights on Stakeholder Engagement & Training (28:30): Transform your organization from data chaos to clarity.Whether you’re a data scientist, business leader, or AI enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on improving data quality, mastering analytics best practices, and building a customer-first data culture.Say goodbye to GIGO chaos — and hello to reliable, high-impact results!🎧 Listen now and level up your data game! 💬 What’s your biggest challenge with data quality in AI? Drop a comment — let’s discuss!#GarbageInGarbageOut #DataQuality #AI #AnalyticsSuccess #DataLiteracy #AIStrategy #CustomerCentric #SaugaTalks #DataGovernance #LeadershipInTechSupport the show

September 18, 202539 min

Delivering the AI Mandate - From C-Suite Vision to Product Reality

Send us Fan Mail🚀 Executives everywhere are under pressure to “do something with AI”—fast.But what happens when speed comes at the expense of strategy, trust, and data quality?In this SaugaTalks episode, Brian Root joins Irene to unpack:⚡ The hype wave is pushing leaders to make risky AI pivots⚡ Why fear—while powerful—can be a dangerous driver⚡ The critical role of data quality as the foundation for AI success⚡ How smart companies are investing 6–12 months into cleaning and governing data⚡ Why slowing down today may be the ultimate acceleration strategy tomorrow💡 “If your data is a mess, AI won’t save you—it’ll only make things worse, faster.” – Brian Root👉 Watch now to hear Brian’s take on navigating the AI mandate with clarity, responsibility, and long-term vision.🔗 Follow Brian Root on LinkedIn for more insights.🔗 Subscribe to SaugaTalks for honest conversations on AI, leadership, and digital transformation.🔹 Let’s ConnectLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/SaugaTalksYouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks🔹 Watch More SaugaTalks 🎥 Playlist → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZWxGriInKYywmd_QfEy-lr6cDhNeeB1n📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation.✅ Enjoyed this conversation?Like 👍 the videoSubscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks.Share 📢 with your network.#SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation ##LeadershipSupport the show

August 20, 202528 min

The Future of AI-Powered Robotics and Automation to Enable Smart Security

Send us Fan MailIn this SaugaTalks episode, Irene sits down with Freddy Kuo to dive deep into how AI is revolutionizing robotics and security systems. From factories to office buildings, Freddy shares real-world examples, future possibilities, and lessons learned from bringing AI-powered automation into critical industries.Whether you’re curious about the future of work, AI-driven robotics, or intelligent security, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Support the show

August 6, 202531 min

What's REALLY Happening with Agentic AI in Cyber Threat Intelligence

Send us Fan MailJoin Irene on SaugaTalks as she sits down with Jawahar Sivasankaran, President at Cyware, to explore the game-changing role of AI, especially agentic AI, in security operations and cyber threat intelligence (CTI). From tackling tool sprawl to operationalizing threat intelligence and fostering collaboration, this episode dives into the latest trends, challenges, and real-world solutions in cybersecurity. Learn how AI is transforming SOCs, addressing talent shortages, and driving actionable outcomes. Don’t miss key insights and practical advice for organizations and aspiring cybersecurity professionals!Timestamps:0:00 - Welcome to SaugaTalks & Introduction0:10 - Meet Jawahar: Discussing AI in Cybersecurity0:36 - The State of Security Operations & AI’s Role2:27 - Agentic AI: Opportunities and Challenges4:59 - Operationalizing Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)8:21 - Enhancing Threat Sharing with AI12:55 - Automation and Building Trust in AI15:27 - Real-World CTI Success Stories19:11 - Common Customer Pain Points22:45 - Addressing Talent Shortages24:43 - Career Advice for Cybersecurity Newcomers26:56 - Key Takeaways for Organizations30:04 - Black Hat Announcements & Final Thoughts Subscribe to SaugaTalks on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, and major podcast platforms for more tech insights. Share with your network and stay ahead in the world of AI! #cybersecurity #ai #AgenticAI #CyberThreatIntelligence #SaugaTalks #AIinSecuritySupport the show

July 29, 202532 min

Securing AI Systems and the Implications of AI-Generated Code on Security

Send us Fan MailIrene from SaugaTalks discusses the intersection of AI systems and security with Josh Jacobson, Director of Professional Services at HackerOne. They discuss how AI-generated code impacts security and the importance of addressing vulnerabilities. Watch to learn more about security in the age of AI and how organizations can address AI system vulnerabilities! #ai #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #Coding #TechTalksSupport the show