3136: Tech and Infection Control: Insights from Dr. Deborah Birx and Amy Carenza

How do you transform a 100-year-old institution into a modern hub for innovation and technology while staying true to its legacy?  In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Dr. Joyce Brown, the first woman and first African American president of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). With 26 years of leadership, Dr. Brown has revolutionized this globally renowned institution, blending technology and creativity to shape the future of fashion education. Dr. Brown shares how she took over an antiquated institution in 1998 and brought it into the modern era, quadrupling the use of technology in teaching and making FIT a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. At the heart of this transformation is the DTech Lab, FIT’s on-campus innovation hub, where students collaborate with brands like Adidas, Netflix, and Girl Scouts to solve real-world challenges. From redesigning Girl Scouts uniforms to using IBM Watson for brand DNA analysis with Tommy Hilfiger, these projects highlight how FIT bridges the gap between education and industry. We also explore FIT’s emphasis on sustainability and bio-design, where students work with materials like mycelium and kombucha to create sustainable fibers, and even maintain a natural dye garden for eco-friendly fabric coloring. Dr. Brown discusses how FIT has adapted to major global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements, by creating safe spaces for dialogue and encouraging students to express their concerns through their creative work. This episode offers a fascinating inside look at how FIT prepares the next generation of fashion professionals by integrating technology, sustainability, and innovation into its curriculum. Whether you're interested in the intersection of fashion and technology or the future of education, this conversation with Dr. Joyce Brown will leave you inspired. How do you see technology shaping the future of education and creative industries? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

How can micro-credentials and short courses reshape the future of higher education to meet the demands of today’s workforce? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Rob Telfer, Director of Higher Education at D2L, to explore how these innovative course formats are transforming education. As universities face challenges such as declining international enrollments and increased competition, micro-credentials present a flexible and scalable solution for learners and institutions alike. Rob shares insights on how micro-credentials enable universities to tap into the growing lifelong learning market, estimated to reach $800 billion by 2030, while helping learners acquire specific skills quickly and affordably. We discuss the significant impact micro-credentials can have on workforce development, with 72% of employers more likely to hire candidates with these qualifications. Additionally, Rob highlights their potential to foster collaboration between universities, governments, and industry, ensuring programs align with real-world needs and maintain high educational standards. However, implementing micro-credentials isn’t without challenges. Rob outlines the hurdles institutions face, from securing resources and faculty support to building infrastructure and addressing credibility concerns. Drawing on D2L’s extensive experience in education innovation, he shares practical strategies for universities, including starting with pilot programs, leveraging data-informed approaches, and marketing these programs effectively to students and employers. We also explore how D2L’s Brightspace platform supports the delivery of micro-credentials and adaptive learning through its scalable, flexible, and AI-enhanced features. Whether you’re an educator, student, or employer, this episode provides valuable insights into how micro-credentials and short courses are reshaping the future of higher education. What role do you see micro-credentials playing in addressing the skills gap and workforce development? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

What’s next for AI, and how does it compare to the transformative technology waves that have shaped our world? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Chet Kapoor, CEO of DataStax and a veteran leader with over two decades of experience at tech giants like Google, IBM, and BEA Systems. Chet’s career journey began as an intern working alongside Steve Jobs at NeXT, where he learned invaluable lessons about leadership, innovation, and an obsession with user experience. Chet walks us through the four major technology waves—client-server, web, mobile, and cloud—offering insights into how each wave optimized different aspects of technology and paved the way for the AI revolution. He explains why the AI wave is not only unique but also the most impactful yet, highlighting its shift from digitalization to “agentification,” where AI agents are designed to focus on effectiveness rather than just efficiency. We also dive into the practicalities and challenges of AI adoption, including its potential impact on jobs and the economy. Chet provides a balanced perspective, calming anxieties while emphasizing the importance of human-AI collaboration. He shares real-world examples of AI-powered innovation, from education to healthcare, demonstrating how AI is reshaping industries and enhancing productivity. Leadership in the AI era is another key focus of our discussion. Chet introduces his philosophy of “inspired execution,” encouraging leaders to move the human heart, believe in AI’s potential, and inspire their teams to embrace it. He offers actionable advice for businesses looking to integrate AI, starting with mission-critical projects and iterating for effectiveness. Tune in to hear Chet’s global perspective on AI, gleaned from his experiences presenting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and learn about the opportunities and ethical challenges that lie ahead. What do you think is the most significant aspect of the AI wave, and how do you see it shaping the future? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

How can cutting-edge air decontamination technology reshape healthcare and reduce infections? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, we explore this question with Dr. Deborah Birx, Chief Medical & Science Advisor at ActivePure Medical and former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, and Amy Carenza, Chief Commercial Officer at ActivePure. Together, they discuss how ActivePure’s innovative technology is transforming air and surface purification in healthcare and beyond. ActivePure’s advanced photohydrolysis technology, built on principles originally developed by NASA, replicates natural outdoor air purification indoors. Unlike traditional cleaning or filtration methods, this FDA-cleared Class II medical device offers continuous protection in occupied spaces, achieving remarkable results: a 96-99% reduction in MRSA and a 70% decrease in total healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Dr. Birx and Amy explain how this breakthrough technology deactivates pathogens in real time, effectively filling the gaps left by manual cleaning processes. The conversation delves into the broader implications of ActivePure's solutions, from reducing hospital stays and improving healthcare outcomes to applications in food production, energy-efficient air management, and even residential use. Dr. Birx shares insights from recent studies, including findings published in PLOS ONE and the Journal of Infection Control, which highlight the technology’s safety and efficacy. Meanwhile, Amy Carenza discusses how ActivePure is driving innovation to meet operational, quality, and sustainability goals across various industries. As we look to the future, the discussion touches on upcoming advancements in infection prevention, particularly for multi-drug resistant organisms, and the potential for ActivePure’s technology to align with efforts to reduce chemical exposures and improve overall public health. How do you see air decontamination technology shaping healthcare and other industries? Join us for this fascinating discussion and share your thoughts!

How is AI reshaping the social media landscape and empowering brands to maximize their impact? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Scott Morris, CMO of Sprout Social, to explore the transformative role AI is playing in marketing, customer service, and social media management. Sprout Social, a leader in social media solutions with over 30,000 customers, has been at the forefront of integrating AI into its platform to help businesses of all sizes drive efficiency, improve personalization, and gain deeper insights into their audience. Scott dives into Sprout Social’s research on AI and social media, sharing valuable insights into how brands can leverage AI to meet shifting customer expectations. From revolutionizing customer service with real-world examples from Salesforce and Casey’s to using AI for advanced targeting, tailored messaging, and automation, this conversation uncovers the practical ways AI is being applied to solve real business challenges. We also discuss how AI is helping organizations create an AI-first culture, empowering marketers with tools that streamline workflows, analyze data more efficiently, and unlock creative potential—all without displacing jobs. Scott shares a glimpse into Sprout Social’s recent AI innovations, including tools that generate executive summaries of social media performance, analyze audience sentiment, and assist in crafting impactful social media posts. Looking ahead, Scott offers predictions for AI’s evolution in the marketing industry by 2025, highlighting the opportunities for brands to embrace advanced tools, responsible AI practices, and multimedia content integration. Whether you’re curious about how AI is changing the buyer journey or looking for actionable strategies to adopt AI in your marketing efforts, this episode offers key takeaways for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world. How do you see AI shaping the future of social media and marketing? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

  How is agentic AI reshaping cloud security and what does the future hold for this transformative technology? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Loris Degioanni, the founder and CTO of Sysdig, to explore how agentic AI is driving innovation in cloud security. As the creator of Sysdig and the CNCF runtime security tool Falco, Loris brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation, having also been a key contributor to the widely-used open-source network analyzer, Wireshark. We discuss how Sysdig has pioneered the first AI-powered cloud security tool using agentic AI. This groundbreaking approach enables AI agents to function as domain-specific experts, working collaboratively to provide rapid threat detection—reducing response times to under 10 minutes in cloud environments where speed is critical. Loris shares insights into the cultural and technological factors fueling the rise of agentic AI and its potential to revolutionize cybersecurity. The conversation also delves into the promises and pitfalls of agentic AI, such as its ability to handle complex tasks in a way that mimics human teams, alongside challenges like latency and cost. Loris highlights how open-source tools like Falco and Sysdig play a crucial role in advancing AI by making domain-specific knowledge publicly accessible, empowering the broader developer community to optimize AI capabilities. Looking ahead, we explore the future of AI in enterprise and cloud security, including predictions about how conversational interfaces and agentic AI architectures will redefine how businesses interact with and manage security tools. Whether you're curious about the evolution of AI in cybersecurity or interested in learning how Sysdig is leveraging this innovation to address today’s challenges, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of technology and security. What are your thoughts on the role of agentic AI in shaping the future of cybersecurity? Join the discussion and share your perspective!

How are businesses preparing for the evolving threats and challenges in the world of cybersecurity? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Dominik Samociuk, Head of Security at Future Processing, a technology consultancy and software delivery partner with over two decades of experience.  Together, we explore the current state of cybersecurity and dive into predictions for 2025, focusing on emerging threats, regulatory changes, and the critical importance of cyber resilience. Dominik shares insights into the rise of AI-driven attacks, including deepfakes and automated phishing campaigns, which are increasing in sophistication and volume. These threats are forcing organizations to rethink their strategies, moving beyond prevention to comprehensive approaches that include detection, response, and recovery. We also discuss how businesses can strengthen their defenses through zero-trust architecture, third-party risk management, and enhanced employee training—especially as the human factor remains one of the most vulnerable aspects of cybersecurity. Regulatory changes, such as the NIS2 Directive, DORA, and the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act, are also driving a shift in how organizations approach security. Dominik explains how businesses can align with these evolving requirements by conducting regular gap analyses, automating compliance processes, and leveraging frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST. Data privacy in the era of AI is another key focus of our discussion. Dominik outlines the steps businesses must take to classify and protect sensitive data, ensure transparency with stakeholders, and build robust incident response plans. Additionally, we delve into the importance of embedding security practices throughout the development lifecycle and the role of open-source intelligence in identifying vulnerabilities and emerging threats. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of cyber threats or understand how regulatory changes will impact your organization, this episode provides actionable insights to navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity. How is your business preparing for the future of cyber resilience? Join the conversation and share your thoughts!

How can AI transform the healthcare industry and help solve the challenges of rising costs, staffing shortages, and administrative inefficiencies? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, we explore this question with Alex Zekoff, co-founder and CEO of Thoughtful AI. Thoughtful AI is a company revolutionizing healthcare administration through its innovative, role-based AI agents. These fully human-capable AI solutions—CAM, EVA, and PHIL—are designed to streamline critical but tedious tasks like claims processing, patient eligibility verification, and payment posting. Healthcare providers in the U.S. currently face mounting pressures, from high staff turnover and costly manual processes to claim denials and prolonged payment cycles. Thoughtful AI's solutions offer a new way forward. By automating these administrative workflows, providers can significantly lower costs, reduce days sales outstanding, and boost claims approval rates. The result? Healthcare organizations can shift their focus and resources from back-office operations to improving patient outcomes. We discuss how these AI agents combine cutting-edge technologies like RPA, OCR, and large language models to deliver end-to-end automation. With implementation timelines as short as three to six months, these systems not only improve efficiency but also address critical data security concerns by providing full audit trails and real-time analytics without storing sensitive patient data. Beyond the numbers, we explore the broader impact of AI in healthcare, including how Thoughtful AI’s innovations could pave the way for a shift in healthcare spending—reducing administrative overhead and enabling a more patient-centered approach. This episode highlights real-world examples of how organizations are scaling their operations without adding to administrative headcount, achieving tangible results that signal a new era for healthcare efficiency. What role do you think AI will play in shaping the future of healthcare and government systems? Join us to uncover the possibilities, and share your thoughts!

  How can businesses thrive in the face of rapid technological advancements and increasing IT complexity? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Herb Hogue, CTO of Myriad360, a global systems integrator renowned for its expertise in bridging the gap between technology providers and end-users. With over 500 partnerships with top-tier technology companies, including Nvidia, HP, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks, Myriad360 delivers customized, scalable IT solutions that align with strategic business objectives. Herb shares insights into the rapidly evolving IT landscape, highlighting key trends such as the pervasive impact of AI, the growing importance of robust security measures, and the challenges of scaling IT infrastructure to meet demand. He discusses Myriad360's unique approach to navigating these complexities by focusing on data-driven decision-making, optimizing ROI, and integrating cutting-edge technologies into seamless end-to-end solutions. We also explore the human side of IT—how cultural alignment, skills development, and fostering collaboration between channel partners, distributors, and end-users drive innovation and sustainable business growth. Herb provides real-world examples of how Myriad360’s white-glove service approach addresses multi-vendor environment challenges, improves credentialing and security visibility, and builds long-term client relationships based on trust and consistency. Whether you're curious about the future of AI in IT or looking for strategies to optimize IT operations in multi-vendor ecosystems, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating today’s IT challenges and staying ahead in a competitive landscape. What are your thoughts on the evolving dynamics of IT and how businesses can adapt? Share your perspective and join the conversation!

How can businesses navigate the challenges of IT unpredictability and ensure operational continuity in an ever-evolving tech landscape? In today’s episode of Tech Talks Daily, I’m joined by Geoff Hixon, VP of Solutions Architecture at Lakeside Software, to explore how data-driven strategies are reshaping IT resilience and recovery. Geoff shares his experiences in supporting Lakeside customers during the CrowdStrike global IT outage, including insights into the rapid recovery process for a global airline and a multinational oil and gas company. Geoff also provides an exclusive preview of Lakeside Software’s highly anticipated IT Resilience report, offering valuable insights into how organizations can transition from reactive to proactive and eventually autonomous IT management. By focusing on real-time data collection and visibility, he highlights the importance of identifying issues before they escalate and shares how enhanced data insights can prevent costly errors—like a bank's multimillion-pound oversight caused by missing a simple cable requirement. Additionally, we discuss the role of AI in the journey toward autonomous IT, where routine support tasks are automated to free up IT teams for more strategic initiatives. Geoff illustrates how Lakeside’s approach helps organizations build trust in automation through step-by-step implementation and testing, paving the way for self-healing IT systems. Tune in to discover how forward-thinking organizations can harness the power of data, automation, and proactive strategies to build IT systems that are not only resilient but also prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Wha