3537: Why Aztec Labs is Building the Endgame for Blockchain Privacy

Is your website still the front door to your business, or has AI already quietly changed where customers first meet your brand? In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sit down with Dominik Angerer, Co-founder and CEO of Storyblok, to unpack how content, search, and discovery are shifting in an AI-first world. As search behavior moves away from blue links toward direct answers inside tools like ChatGPT and Google summaries, Dominik explains why many businesses are seeing traffic decline even while signups and conversions continue to grow. We explore how AI is reshaping the role of content management systems, from automation and orchestration to personalization at scale. Dominik shares why consistency now matters more than volume, how outdated content can actively harm brand visibility inside AI answers, and why the technical foundations built for SEO still play a major role as generative search takes hold. This conversation also dives into headless CMS architecture, why separating content from presentation has become even more valuable, and how structured, well maintained content gives AI systems something reliable to work with. Dominik also introduces the idea of joyful content, a belief that better tools lead to better work and ultimately better experiences for audiences. From AI-powered support workflows to personalized retail and loyalty experiences, he shares real examples of how forward-looking teams are already using content as an active system rather than a static archive. As businesses look toward 2026 and rethink how they show up across websites, apps, agents, and answer engines, this episode offers a grounded look at what needs to change and where to start. As AI becomes the place people go for answers rather than search results, how are you rethinking your content strategy, and what will you do differently after hearing this conversation? Connect with Dominik Angerer Learn more Storyblok Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo

What happens when the push for smarter crypto wallets runs headfirst into the reality that everything on a public blockchain can be seen by anyone? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I wanted to take listeners who may not live and breathe Web3 every day and introduce them to a problem that is becoming harder to ignore. As Ethereum evolves and smart accounts unlock new wallet features, the surface area for risk grows at the same time. That is where privacy-first Layer 2 solutions enter the conversation, not as an abstract idea, but as a practical response to very real security and usability concerns. My guest is Joe Andrews, Co-founder and President at Aztec Labs. Joe brings an engineering mindset shaped by years of building consumer-facing applications and deep privacy infrastructure. Together, we unpack why privacy and security can no longer be treated as separate topics, especially as Ethereum rolls out more advanced account features. Joe explains how privacy-first Layer 2 networks act as an added line of defense, reducing exposure to threats that come from fully transparent balances, identities, and transaction histories. We also talk about what Aztec actually is, often described as the Private World Computer, and why that framing matters. Joe shares learnings from Aztec's public testnet launch earlier this year, what surprised the team once thousands of nodes were running in the wild, and how the community has stepped up in ways the company itself could not have planned for. There is also an honest discussion about the UK crypto scene, the missed opportunities, and the quiet resilience of builders who continue to ship despite regulatory uncertainty. As we look ahead, Joe outlines what comes next as Aztec moves closer to enabling private transactions on a decentralized network, and why the next phase is less about theory and more about real people using privacy in everyday interactions. If you are curious about how privacy-first Layer 2 solutions fit into Ethereum's roadmap, or why privacy might be the missing piece that finally makes smart wallets usable at scale, does this conversation change how you think about the future of crypto, and where would you like to see this technology go next? Useful Links Connect with Joe Andrews Learn more about Aztec Labs Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo

What happens when the systems designed to make life easier quietly begin shaping how we think, decide, and choose? In this episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sit down with Jacob Ward, a journalist who has spent more than two decades examining the unseen effects of technology on human behavior. From reporting roles at NBC News, Al Jazeera, CNN, and PBS, to hosting his own podcast The Rip Current, Jacob has built a career around asking uncomfortable questions about power, persuasion, and the psychology sitting beneath our screens. Our conversation centers on his book The Loop: How A.I Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back, written before ChatGPT entered everyday life. Jacob explains why his core concern was never about smarter machines alone, but about what happens when AI systems learn us too well. Drawing on behavioral science, newsroom experience, and recent academic research, he argues that AI can narrow our sense of possibility while convincing us we are gaining freedom. The result is a subtle tension between convenience and control that many listeners will recognize in their own digital lives. We also explore the idea of AI companies behaving like nation states, accumulating talent, influence, and authority without the checks that usually accompany that kind of power. Jacob reflects on the speed of AI deployment, the belief systems driving its biggest champions, and why individual self control is unlikely to be enough. Instead, he makes the case for systemic responses, cultural guardrails, and a renewed focus on protecting human skills that cannot be automated away. There is room for optimism here too. We talk about where AI genuinely helps, from medicine to scientific discovery, and how leaders can hold hope and skepticism at the same time without slipping into hype or fear. From preserving entry level work as a form of apprenticeship to resisting the urge to outsource thinking itself, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what staying human might mean in an age of intelligent machines. Jacob has also appeared on shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, This Week in Tech, and The Don Lemon Show, but this conversation strips things back to fundamentals. How much choice do we really have, and what are we willing to give up for frictionless answers? If AI is quietly closing the loop around our decisions, what does fighting back actually look like for you, and where do you think that line between help and influence should be drawn? Useful Links Connect With Jacob Ward Check out his website and book The Rip Current Podcast Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo

How is HR changing when AI, economic pressure, and rising employee expectations all collide at once? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Simon Noble, CEO of Cezanne HR, to unpack how the role of HR is evolving from a traditional support function into something far more closely tied to business performance. Simon shares why HR is increasingly being judged on outcomes like retention, capability building, and readiness for change, rather than policies, processes, or cost control. Yet despite that shift, many HR leaders still find themselves pulled back into a compliance-first mindset as budgets tighten, skills shortages persist, and new legislation raises the stakes. We explore how AI fits into this picture without stripping the humanity out of HR. Simon is clear that AI should automate administration and free up time, rather than replace human judgment or empathy. Used well, it removes friction from onboarding, compliance, and everyday queries, giving HR the space to focus on culture, leadership, and long-term talent development. Used poorly, it risks adding noise without value. The difference, he argues, comes down to data. Without clean, consolidated data, AI simply cannot deliver meaningful insight, no matter how advanced the technology appears. The conversation also looks inward at Cezanne HR's own growth journey. Simon describes rapid expansion as chaos with better branding, and explains why maintaining culture, trust, and clarity becomes harder, yet more important, as teams scale. From onboarding new employees to ensuring a consistent customer experience, the same principles apply internally as they do for customers using HR technology. We also touch on trust, transparency, and the growing focus on areas like pay transparency, data responsibility, and employee confidence in how their information is handled. As expectations continue to rise, HR's credibility increasingly rests on accuracy, fairness, and the ability to turn insight into action. As HR steps closer to the center of business strategy, what mindset shift is needed to move from reacting to change toward actively shaping it, and how prepared is your organization to make that leap? Useful Links Connect with Simon Noble Learn more about Cezanne HR Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo

What does it really mean when AI moves from answering questions to making decisions that affect real people, real money, and real outcomes? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Joe Kim, CEO of Druid AI, for a grounded conversation about why agentic AI is becoming the focus for enterprises that have moved beyond experimentation. After years of hype around generative tools, many organizations are now facing a tougher question. Can AI be trusted to take action inside core business processes, and can it do so with the accuracy, security, and accountability that enterprises expect? Joe brings a rare perspective shaped by decades leading large-scale enterprise software companies, including his time as CEO of Sumo Logic. He explains why Druid AI deliberately avoids positioning itself as a generative AI company, and instead focuses on systems that can make decisions, trigger workflows, and complete tasks inside regulated, high-stakes environments. We unpack why accuracy thresholds matter when AI touches billing, healthcare, admissions, or compliance, and why security and governance are no longer secondary concerns once AI is allowed to act. We also talk about scale and proof. Druid AI now supports over 120 million conversations every month, a figure that keeps climbing as enterprises move agentic systems into production. Joe shares how those conversations translate into measurable business outcomes, from operational efficiency to revenue growth, and why many AI initiatives fail to reach this stage. His "5 percent club" philosophy cuts through the noise, focusing on the small number of use cases that actually deliver return while most others stall in pilots. The conversation also explores why higher education has become a surprising pressure point for AI adoption, how outdated systems contribute to student churn, and how conversational agents can remove friction at moments that decide whether someone enrolls, stays, or leaves. We close by looking ahead at Druid AI's next chapter, including new platform capabilities designed to make building and deploying agents faster without sacrificing control. As more enterprises demand results instead of promises, are we ready to judge AI by the decisions it makes and the outcomes it delivers, and what should that accountability look like in your organization? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Where do you see agentic AI delivering real value today, and where do you think the risks still outweigh the rewards? What does it really mean when AI moves from answering questions to making decisions that affect real people, real money, and real outcomes? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Joe Kim, CEO of Druid AI, for a grounded conversation about why agentic AI is becoming the focus for enterprises that have moved beyond experimentation. After years of hype around generative tools, many organizations are now facing a tougher question. Can AI be trusted to take action inside core business processes, and can it do so with the accuracy, security, and accountability that enterprises expect? Joe brings a rare perspective shaped by decades leading large-scale enterprise software companies, including his time as CEO of Sumo Logic. He explains why Druid AI deliberately avoids positioning itself as a generative AI company, and instead focuses on systems that can make decisions, trigger workflows, and complete tasks inside regulated, high-stakes environments. We unpack why accuracy thresholds matter when AI touches billing, healthcare, admissions, or compliance, and why security and governance are no longer secondary concerns once AI is allowed to act. We also talk about scale and proof. Druid AI now supports over 120 million conversations every month, a figure that keeps climbing as enterprises move agentic systems into production. Joe shares how those conversations translate into measurable business outcomes, from operational efficiency to revenue growth, and why many AI initiatives fail to reach this stage. His "5 percent club" philosophy cuts through the noise, focusing on the small number of use cases that actually deliver return while most others stall in pilots. The conversation also explores why higher education has become a surprising pressure point for AI adoption, how outdated systems contribute to student churn, and how conversational agents can remove friction at moments that decide whether someone enrolls, stays, or leaves. We close by looking ahead at Druid AI's next chapter, including new platform capabilities designed to make building and deploying agents faster without sacrificing control. As more enterprises demand results instead of promises, are we ready to judge AI by the decisions it makes and the outcomes it delivers, and what should that accountability look like in your organization? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Where do you see agentic AI delivering real value today, and where do you think the risks still outweigh the rewards? Useful Links Connect with Joe Kim, CEO of Druid AI. Druid AI Website Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo  

The world is building data centers, identity rails, and AI policy stacks at a speed that makes 2026 feel closer than it is. In this conversation, Rajesh Natarajan, Global Chief Technology Officer at Gorilla Technology Group, explains what it takes to engineer platforms that remain reliable, secure, and sovereign-ready for decades, especially when infrastructure must operate outside the safety net of constant cloud connectivity. Raj talks about quantum-safe networking as a current risk, not a future headline. Adversaries are capturing encrypted traffic today, betting on decrypting it later, and retrofitting quantum-safe architecture into national platforms mid-lifecycle is an expensive mistake waiting to happen. He also highlights the regional nature of AI infrastructure, Southeast Asia prioritizing sovereignty, speed, and efficiency, Europe leaning on regulation and telemetry, and the U.S. betting on raw cluster scale and throughput. Sustainability at Gorilla isn't a marketing headline, it's an engineering requirement. If a system can't prove its environmental impact using telemetry like workload-level PUE, it isn't labeled sustainable internally. Gorilla applies the same rigor to IoT insight per unit of energy, device lifecycles, and edge-level intelligence placement, minimizing data centralization without operational justification. This episode offers marketers, founders, and technology leaders a rare chance to understand what national-scale resilience looks like when platform alignment breaks first, not technology. Remembering that decisions must be reversible, explicit, and measurable is the foundation of how Gorilla is designing systems that can evolve without forcing rushed compromises when uncertainty becomes reality. Useful links: Connect with Dr Rajesh Natarajan Gorilla website Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo  

What makes live events feel personal in an age of algorithms making the calls? That's the tension marketers are living in right now. Ben Kruger, Chief Marketing Officer at Event Tickets Center, sits at the center of this shift. He has spent 20 years shaping server-side systems and performance marketing strategies, including a decade of persistence chasing a role at Google before landing a position in New York just as eCommerce demand went into overdrive during the pandemic. Now, at ETC, he runs marketing for more than 130,000 live events simultaneously. It's a scale that forces automation to step in. The industry moves in real time, resellers update prices by the hour, artists trend globally overnight, weather can shift demand before a stadium gate opens. Ben credits Google's AI tools and internal models as a competitive advantage, but he also talks openly about the risks. The early excitement of automation gave way to skepticism after seeing unaligned promises from new platforms and unpredictable campaign behavior in tools that remove control from brands. There's a well-rounded argument to explore here. On one side, AI enables a small team to do the work of thousands, writing content at a volume no human team could deliver alone. On the other, removing risk from campaigns, or removing channel-level choices from advertisers, can reduce trust and increase low-quality creative output. Advantage+ tools that make placement decisions automatically, without brand input, might scale reach, but can reduce clarity of intent and control of outcomes. Some CMOs see that as smart acceleration, others see it as an overcorrection that creates opacity and dependency on platforms optimizing for their own incentives. And somewhere in the middle is the opportunity. ETC's approach shows a future where repetition in rapid testing generates sharper insight, where lean teams move faster, where humans stay in the loop to validate outcomes, and where creativity stays grounded in audience understanding, economics, and transparency. Marketers listening to Ben will hear someone who wants experimentation, control, clarity, and long-term audience trust to exist side by side. Useful links: Connect with Ben Kruger on LinkedIn  Event Tickets Center website Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by Denodo

What does it really take to build software that can grow from a single line of code to millions of users a day without losing its soul along the way? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Alex Gusev, CTO at Uploadcare, for a wide-ranging conversation about scale, simplicity, and why leadership in technology starts with people long before it gets anywhere near frameworks or tooling. Alex has spent two decades building server-side systems, often inside small teams, and has seen firsthand how early decisions echo through a company's future, for better and for worse. We talk openly about the realities of early-stage engineering, including why shipping imperfect code is often the only way to survive, how technical debt should be taken on deliberately rather than by accident, and why knowing when to slow down and clean things up is one of the hardest leadership calls to make. Alex shares his belief that simplicity is the strongest ally in high-load environments, and how over-engineering, often inspired by copying the playbooks of much larger companies, creates fragility instead of strength. Our conversation also digs into his continued faith in Ruby on Rails, a framework that divides opinion but still plays a central role in many successful products. Alex reframes the debate around speed, focusing less on raw performance metrics and more on how quickly teams can build, adapt, and maintain systems over time. It's a practical view shaped by real-world trade-offs rather than theory. Beyond code, we explore why Alex puts people ahead of technology and process, and how creating psychological safety inside teams leads to better decisions, lower churn, and smarter use of limited resources. He also reflects on personal experiences that reshaped his approach to leadership, the growing tech scene in Kyrgyzstan, and why he finds as much inspiration in Dostoevsky as he does in engineering blogs. If you've ever questioned whether modern engineering culture has overcomplicated itself, or wondered how to balance ambition with sustainability as your product grows, this episode offers plenty to think about. Where do you think your own team is adding complexity without realizing it, and what might change if you started with people first? Useful Links Connect with Alex Gusev Learn more about Uploadcare Tech Talks Daily is sponsored by Denodo

If you have ever opened Candy Crush over the holidays without thinking about the design decisions behind every swipe, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain.  I sit down with Abigail Rindo, Head of Creative at King, to unpack how accessibility has evolved from a well-meaning afterthought into a core creative and commercial practice inside one of the world's most recognizable gaming studios.  With more than 200 million people playing King's games each month, Abigail explains why inclusive design cannot be treated as charity or compliance, but as a responsibility that directly shapes product quality, player loyalty, and long-term growth. One of the moments that really stayed with me in this conversation is the data. More than a quarter of King's global player base self identifies as having an accessibility need. Even more players benefit from accessibility features without ever labeling themselves that way. Abigail shares how adjustments like customizable audio for tinnitus, reduced flashing to limit eye strain, and subtle interaction changes can quietly transform everyday play for millions of people. These are not edge cases. They are everyday realities for a massive audience that lives with these games as part of their daily routine. We also dig into how inclusive design sparks better creativity rather than limiting it. Abigail walks me through updates to Candy Crush Soda Saga, including the "hold and drag" mechanic that allows players to preview a move before committing. Inspired by the logic of holding a chess piece before placing it, this feature emerged directly from player research around visibility, dexterity, and comfort. It is a reminder that creative constraints, when grounded in real human needs, often lead to smarter and more elegant solutions. Beyond mechanics and metrics, this conversation goes deeper into storytelling, empathy, and team culture. Abigail explains why inclusive design only works when inclusive teams are involved from the start, and how global storytelling choices help King design worlds that resonate everywhere from Stockholm to Antarctica. We also talk about live service realities, blending quantitative data about what players do with qualitative insight into why they do it, especially when a game has been evolving for more than a decade.  

What does it actually mean to prove who we are online in 2025, and why does it still feel so fragile? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Alex Laurie from Ping Identity to talk about why digital identity has reached a real moment of tension in the UK. As more of our lives move online, from banking and healthcare to social platforms and government services, the gap between how identity should work and how it actually works keeps widening. Alex shares why the UK now feels out of step with other regions when it comes to online identity schemes, and how heavy reliance on centralized models is slowing adoption while weakening public trust. We spend time unpacking the practical consequences of today's verification systems. Age checks are regularly bypassed, fraud continues to grow, and users are often asked to hand over far more personal data than feels reasonable just to access everyday services. At the same time, public pressure around online safety is rising fast. That creates an uncomfortable push and pull between tighter controls and the expectation of fast, low-friction access.  Alex makes the case that this tension exists because the underlying approach is flawed, and that proving something simple, like age, should never require revealing an entire digital identity. From there, the conversation turns to decentralized identity and why it is gaining momentum globally. Instead of placing sensitive data into large centralized databases, decentralized models allow individuals to hold and present verified credentials on their own terms. For me, this reframes digital identity as a right rather than a feature, and opens the door to systems that feel more privacy-aware, inclusive, and resilient. We also explore how agentic AI could play a role here, helping people manage, present, and protect their credentials intelligently without adding complexity or new risks. With fresh consumer research from Ping Identity informing the discussion, this episode looks closely at where trust, privacy, and identity are heading next, and why the choices made now will shape how we prove who we are online for years to come. Are we finally ready to rethink digital identity, and if so, what does that mean for all of us?