Silicon Valley Byte Size - The Allianz Technology Trust Podcast

Hosted by AllianzGI Investment Trusts

Business Technology NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

A look at developments from the technology sector and what they mean for investors. The Allianz Technology Trust investment team will offer their insight, as they discuss cutting edge companies and how they are changing our lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

38 recent

October 13, 202615 min

The cost of competitive advantage: What AI gives us and what it takes away

AI promises businesses greater efficiency, lower costs and better decision-making. But what happens when it begins to replace the entry-level work through which generations of employees have learned their profession? In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size, Cherry Reynard is joined by Mike Seidenberg, Lead Manager of Allianz Technology Trust, to explore how AI is changing the nature of competitive advantage – and the potential consequences for the workplace. They discuss how companies can harness AI to improve customer service, increase revenues and reduce costs, while considering a less obvious challenge: how to develop the next generation of talent if technology removes many of the traditional stepping stones into a career. Mike also explores the importance of mentorship and corporate culture, the impact of remote and hybrid working, and what investors should look for when assessing whether companies are using AI intelligently. Listen now to discover why the companies that benefit most from AI may be those that embrace the technology without losing sight of the people, skills and judgement they will need for the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 28, 202615 min

Have we reached peak Silicon Valley?

Every few years, someone declares that Silicon Valley has had its day. But as technology innovation becomes increasingly global, have we really reached peak Silicon Valley? In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size, Cherry Reynard is joined by Mike Seidenberg, lead manager of Allianz Technology Trust, to explore what continues to set Silicon Valley apart. Mike discusses how its combination of talent, capital, experienced operators and world-class universities has created an ecosystem that remains difficult to replicate elsewhere. The conversation also explores the distinctive culture of Silicon Valley, including why failure can be viewed as part of the entrepreneurial journey, and how the region continues to attract talent from around the world. Mike also explains how being immersed in the ecosystem gives him access to a wide range of perspectives when assessing emerging technologies and potential investment opportunities. Listen now to discover why, despite the growth of technology hubs around the world, Silicon Valley continues to exert a powerful pull on entrepreneurs and investors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 22, 202610 min

Cybersecurity Investing: Why Today's Winners Can Quickly Become Obsolete

Cybersecurity has become one of the most critical areas of technology, but it is also one of the most challenging sectors for investors to navigate. In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size, Cherry Reynard sits down with Mike Seidenberg, lead manager of Allianz Technology Trust, to explore why success in cybersecurity can be surprisingly short-lived. Mike explains how constantly evolving cyber threats can quickly render once-dominant products obsolete, why identifying the right security architecture at the right time is crucial, and how innovative companies such as CrowdStrike have disrupted established players by rethinking how threats are detected and managed. The conversation also examines the growing complexity of protecting users across multiple devices and locations, the challenges of building cybersecurity platforms, and the role artificial intelligence will play in shaping the next generation of digital defence. Listen in for insights into one of technology's fastest-moving sectors and why active management can be particularly valuable in separating long-term winners from businesses at risk of being left behind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 15, 202610 min

Quantum Computing: does execution matter more than Innovation?

Quantum computing is often described as the next frontier, a technology that could solve problems beyond the reach of today's computers. But how close are we to seeing real-world applications, and what does it mean for investors? In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size, Mike Seidenberg, lead manager of Allianz Technology Trust, explores the opportunities and challenges surrounding quantum computing. He discusses how quantum differs from traditional computing, the potential applications across areas such as financial modelling, weather forecasting and cybersecurity, and why commercial viability remains the key question for investors. Mike also examines the engineering hurdles that still need to be overcome, the implications for encryption and security, and why investors should focus on companies with a credible path to commercialisation rather than simply the most exciting technology. Listen now to discover why quantum computing could be one of the most transformative technologies of the coming decades, and why investors should remain focused on execution as much as innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 202612 min

Beyond the moonshot: why connectivity is the biggest space tech investment opportunity

Space technology is often associated with moon landings, astronauts and science fiction ambitions. But beneath the headlines, a quieter commercial revolution is taking shape. In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size from Allianz Technology Trust, Mike Seidenberg, lead manager at the trust, talks about why the real investment opportunity in space may have less to do with tourism or exploration, and far more to do with connectivity. Mike explains how falling launch costs, reusable rockets and smaller, more powerful satellites are transforming the economics of space infrastructure. He discusses why satellite networks such as Starlink could create entirely new business models by bringing information access to millions of people previously beyond the reach of traditional communications networks. The conversation explores how connectivity changes behaviour, from improving productivity on aircraft to creating new forms of security and resilience for consumers. Mike also examines the investment implications of a potential SpaceX IPO, the growing backlog for launch providers, and why investors should remain disciplined even in the face of technological excitement. Listen to discover why the most important commercial frontier in space may not be about travelling beyond earth…but connecting more of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 20, 202615 min

Is AI the Next Big Technology Cycle?

In this episode of Silicon Valley Bite Size, Allianz Technology Trust portfolio manager Mike Seidenberg explains why AI may represent the latest in a series of powerful technology cycles, following the internet and cloud computing. Mike discusses the huge infrastructure investments now being made across the AI ecosystem, the productivity gains already emerging in the workplace, and the sharp sell-off in parts of the software sector as investors debate the technology’s long-term impact. He also shares how the Allianz Technology Trust team approaches investing through periods of hype and volatility, focusing on long-term fundamentals and the broader ecosystem of companies powering the AI revolution. Listen to discover how experienced technology investors separate short-term excitement from lasting innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 5, 202514 min

Gigawatts & Megadeals: The Sheer Scale of AI Infrastructure

Everyone is talking about AI, but what does it actually take to power this revolution? In our latest Silicon Valley Bitesize episode, portfolio manager Mike Seidenberg pulls back the curtain on the massive infrastructure build-out that's happening right now – a wave of investment so large it dwarfs major public works projects. From multi-gigawatt data centres that consume the power of a small city to the critical "plumbing" companies providing everything from cooling systems to backup power software, Mike explains why the AI opportunity is about so much more than just chips. He shares his on-the-ground perspective on the bottlenecks, the long lead times, and how the Allianz Technology Trust team aims to identify the disciplined, best-in-class companies poised to win in this new technology cycle. Listen to understand the sheer scale of the AI infrastructure boom and learn how a long-term, fundamentals-based approach can uncover the hidden gems set to power our future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 6, 202517 min

The AI Ecosystem Play: It's Not Just About the Chips

Everyone knows about the chip makers, but what about the rest of the AI story? In this episode of Silicon Valley Bitesize, portfolio manager Mike Seidenberg takes host Cherry Reynard beyond the obvious AI plays to explore the entire ecosystem – from data centre infrastructure to innovative software integration. Mike explains his "first and second derivatives" approach to AI investing, and reveals why he's optimistic about the long-term technology spending outlook. Tune in for Mike’s perspective on finding value across the full AI investment landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 10, 202512 min

Searching for gems in the tech sector

In this episode of Silicon Valley Byte Size, Cherry Reynard sits down with Allianz Technology Trust fund manager Mike Seidenberg to explore the overlooked corners of the tech sector. While mega-cap stocks dominate headlines, Mike shares insights on emerging opportunities in consumer tech, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He also discusses how the Trust is navigating market volatility, the potential of quantum computing, and real-world applications of AI that are already reshaping industries. Tune in for a grounded, forward-looking perspective on where tech is headed next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 15, 202518 min

AI euphoria versus economic realities – tech in 2025

After a strong 2024 and an initially promising start to 2025, Mike Seidenberg discusses the pullback in technology shares over 2025 so far. Recorded just before the recent tariff announcements and the associated market reactions, the realities of a new policy dynamic in the US were already causing ripples in markets. Mike explains that while the team look to understand the macro environment, they are focused on finding the companies that could be the winners over the longer-term, whatever short term headwinds are created. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.