3459: Gitex Global - How DigitalOcean Is Making AI Work for Everyone

What happens when simplicity meets AI on the world’s biggest tech stage? In this episode, recorded live at GITEX Global in Dubai, I sit down with Sohaib Zaheer, Senior Vice President and General Manager at DigitalOcean, to talk about how the company is staying true to its founding vision of accessibility and simplicity while entering the age of AI. For years, DigitalOcean has been known as the cloud that “speaks the language of builders,” empowering developers and startups to innovate without unnecessary complexity. Now, with the launch of its Gradient AI platform and Cloudways Copilot, the company is bringing that same philosophy to AI development, helping teams go from idea to production-ready agents without huge DevOps teams or fragmented toolchains. Sohaib explains how DigitalOcean’s unified stack is making AI agent development faster, easier, and more transparent. We discuss the startling statistic that 95% of AI projects never make it past the prototype stage, and explore how Gradient AI aims to change that through agent templates, debugging tools, and built-in guardrails. We also look under the hood at AI inferencing, GPU optimization, and why performance and cost efficiency still matter as much as cutting-edge innovation. If you have ever wondered how AI can become truly accessible, or how simplicity might just be the next big breakthrough, this conversation offers a grounded, real-world perspective from one of the most down-to-earth leaders in cloud technology. Recorded live on the show floor at GITEX Global, this episode is a reminder that great tech is not about hype, it is about helping people build, test, and create with confidence.

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "3b89a0d4-1208-4a43-8b72-eeb56809deac" data-testid= "conversation-turn-18" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> I’m taking you behind the scenes of GITEX Global with someone who lives and breathes the energy that makes this event what it is. Daniela Muente, Global Marketing Director at GNX, joins me to share how the world’s largest technology showcase comes together, what drives its incredible growth, and why Dubai has become such a powerful crossroads for innovation. GITEX Global isn’t just another tech conference. It’s where conversations about AI, sustainability, smart cities, cybersecurity, and digital transformation collide with real-world solutions and human stories. With more than 6,800 companies and over 200,000 attendees from across the globe, Daniela explains how her team brings this massive ecosystem to life every year—curating an experience that connects startups, enterprises, governments, and everyday innovators under one roof. In this episode, Daniela reflects on how storytelling, community, and purpose shape the identity of GNX. We discuss how the event celebrates diversity in technology, why the Middle East is fast becoming a global tech hub, and what it takes to orchestrate an event that captures the imagination of the world.        

Deepfakes used to be a niche curiosity. Today they have become a sophisticated tool for manipulation, persuasion, and exploitation. In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Aleksander Gorkowienko, Head of Penetration Testing at Risk Crew, to examine how artificial intelligence has transformed deepfakes from playful face swaps into full-scale multimedia attacks designed to deceive even the most vigilant among us. Aleksander explains how we have entered the age of Deepfakes 2.0, where fake video, audio, images, and text merge to create hyper realistic digital experiences. These aren’t the crude social media edits of a few years ago. They are now weaponized as tools for emotional manipulation, exploiting fear, urgency, and trust to trick victims into transferring money, sharing data, or compromising systems. Aleksander walks through real world examples of how criminals build these illusions, using stolen digital footprints to impersonate executives, family members, and trusted colleagues in live video calls. We discuss how AI’s accessibility has accelerated this problem. With free tools and moderate computing power, almost anyone can now create a convincing fake offline. Aleksander shares how this ease of creation erodes trust online, making it harder to distinguish truth from fabrication. He also reveals how attackers rely less on technology itself and more on psychology, engineering scenarios that push people into acting before thinking. From a defense standpoint, Aleksander offers clear, actionable insights. He talks about the importance of multi factor verification, context based awareness, and fostering what he calls “streetwise vigilance” in the digital world. He compares it to walking through a city at night; you wouldn’t flaunt your valuables, so why overshare online? We explore how organizations can conduct training and simulations to teach employees to pause, question, and verify before reacting. This episode is a timely warning for every business and individual operating in a world where reality can be faked in seconds. Aleksander’s rule of thumb is simple but powerful: never trust a single source of information. Cross check, slow down, and think before you act. Because in the age of AI deception, trust must be earned every time. Listen now to hear Aleksander’s firsthand perspective on how deepfakes are changing cybersecurity and what we can all do to stay one step ahead.

What if artificial intelligence could help end world hunger? In this special episode recorded live from GITEX Global in Dubai, I sit down with Magan Naidoo, Chief Data Officer at the United Nations World Food Programme, to discuss how data and AI are transforming humanitarian work at scale. Magan paints a powerful picture of the global food security crisis, where hundreds of millions of people face hunger across more than 80 countries. He explains how the World Food Programme is using technology to predict food shortages, optimise supply chains, and deliver aid faster and more effectively. Behind every algorithm sits a simple goal: getting food to those who need it, when they need it most. We explore how AI models are helping the organisation make sense of enormous datasets, identifying patterns that humans alone could not process quickly enough. From predicting drought-related crop failures to reducing the cost of food delivery through smarter routing, Magan reveals how data-driven decisions are saving both time and lives. He also shares the organisation’s commitment to ethical AI, strong data governance, and privacy protection in every region they operate. As the only UN agency with a formal AI strategy, the World Food Programme is setting a benchmark for how large-scale institutions can use technology responsibly and effectively. Magan’s story highlights the importance of trust, collaboration, and resilience in a mission where failure is not an option. Could AI truly be the key to solving one of humanity’s oldest challenges? And what lessons can every organisation learn from how the World Food Programme blends compassion with computation? Tune in, then share your thoughts.

This week has reminded me why I love what I do. I have spoken with people from the US, China, Dubai, Bulgaria, and South Africa, and even discovered that one of this show’s regular listeners had made the journey from the Netherlands to be here at GITEX Global. Over five sessions on the AI Stage, I have covered everything from autonomous cars to how AI could help the UN World Food Programme tackle hunger. We have explored how Serbia achieved tenfold growth through AI and how new tools can now verify misinformation simply by checking a video link. But beneath all the tech talk, what has stood out most to me is how technology connects people. In a world that often feels divided, it is refreshing to see how collaboration and shared curiosity can still bridge cultures and spark ideas. It is those moments, when technology brings people together, that remind me why this podcast exists. That spirit of connection is exactly what inspired my quick chat with Iancho Dimitrov from Living Homes, a company based in Dubai but shaped by global perspectives. Originally from Bulgaria, Iancho and his team are building what they call an “AI-native intelligent home,” a home that does not just automate switches but truly understands its inhabitants. From monitoring wellbeing and improving sleep to creating safe, supportive spaces for families across generations, Living Homes is redefining what it means to live smart. So while this conversation might be short, it captures something powerful. It is proof that innovation is not only about hardware or software, it is about empathy, understanding, and the shared drive to build a better way of living. In a week where the world gathered in one city to imagine the future, Iancho’s vision is a reminder that technology works best when it feels human.

What if the next generation of computing was not something you held or wore, but something you looked through? In this special episode recorded live from GITEX Global in Dubai, I speak with Roman Axelrod, founder of EXPANCEO, a deep tech company creating AI-powered smart contact lenses designed to merge augmented reality, biosensing, and what he calls digital superpowers. Roman explains how his company moved from an ambitious idea to becoming the first deep tech unicorn in the Gulf region, now valued at more than 1.3 billion dollars. Over the past five years, his team of physicists and engineers in Dubai has built more than fifteen prototypes and secured a wide range of patents, all aimed at developing what they see as the ultimate interface for AI-driven computing. These lenses can display digital images, measure biological signals such as glucose and intraocular pressure, and may one day eliminate the need for screens altogether. He reflects on the early days of disbelief, when even friends told him to give up, and how perseverance became the deciding factor. For Roman, success meant proving that deep tech innovation is possible outside Silicon Valley. He shares how Dubai’s ecosystem, low taxation, and access to world-class talent helped make that vision real. His story offers practical insight for founders who are told their ideas are impossible until they can show a working prototype. We also explore what this means for the future of human-computer interaction. Roman believes these lenses will help us communicate directly with intelligent systems, turning science fiction into everyday life. His message to entrepreneurs is simple: be stubborn, stay curious, and keep building. Could AI contact lenses redefine computing itself? Listen to the conversation and share your thoughts.

What if the real breakthrough in AI isn’t the model itself, but the data that gives it knowledge? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Edo Liberty, founder and Chief Scientist of Pinecone, to unpack how vector databases have quietly become the backbone of modern AI infrastructure. We explore why retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works so effectively out of the box, and why fine-tuning large models often adds complexity without real-world value. Edo shares how Pinecone’s research revealed that different models—from OpenAI to Anthropic—require differently structured context to perform well, a discovery that’s reshaping how enterprises think about AI implementation. As the former Director of Research at Yahoo and AWS, Edo offers a grounded perspective on where the real innovation is happening. He explains how the shift from traditional data structures to vector representations is redefining how machines “know” and retrieve information, creating smarter, context-aware systems. We also touch on his recent transition to Chief Scientist, his excitement for returning to hands-on research, and why he believes the convergence of AI and data represents the defining technological shift of our lifetime. So, what does it mean for developers, business leaders, and anyone building with AI when knowledge becomes an accessible layer of infrastructure? Can we build systems that truly “know” as humans do? Join the conversation, and after listening, I’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think the future of AI lies in the models or in the data that feeds them?

What happens when an AI strategy meets the real-world complexity of healthcare, law, and finance? That’s the challenge at the heart of my conversation with Mark Sherwood, CIO of Wolters Kluwer, a global leader in professional information services. With over three decades in technology leadership across Microsoft, Symantec, and Nuance, Mark brings a rare combination of enterprise depth and hands-on pragmatism to the AI discussion. Mark explains why cloud-native architecture and data governance are the twin foundations of trustworthy AI. He shares how Wolters Kluwer is embedding AI across highly regulated industries—from helping doctors access life-saving insights through natural language queries to giving tax and legal professionals faster, more accurate guidance on complex regulations. Behind the innovation lies a disciplined approach: governing data, managing risk, and building confidence in AI systems that must meet the highest standards of accuracy and compliance. We also explore how to build high-trust, low-friction partnerships between IT and business teams to prevent shadow IT while accelerating digital transformation. Mark offers candid insights into the rise of AI agents, the emerging risks of quantum security, and why he believes that high-quality data is the most valuable currency in digital transformation. His philosophy is simple: speed means nothing without trust, and trust starts with clean, well-governed data. From cloud transformation to the future of AI regulation, this episode offers a grounded look at how global enterprises can scale responsibly in an era where innovation often outruns policy. So as AI becomes inseparable from how professionals think and work, how do we balance speed with stewardship? And are we truly ready for the ethical, technical, and quantum frontiers ahead? Share your thoughts after the episode.

What does it take to build AI that enterprises can actually trust? That’s the question I explored with Nirankush “Kush” Panchbhai, Senior Vice President of Platform Fundamentals at ServiceNow, in a conversation about AI governance, human-centered design, and how the company’s AI Control Tower is reshaping enterprise adoption. Kush describes the AI Control Tower as an “air traffic controller” for AI agents, a central command center that provides visibility, accountability, and governance across every part of an organization’s AI ecosystem. It embeds compliance, legal, and risk workflows directly into the development process, replacing endless approval cycles with automated guardrails that accelerate innovation rather than slow it down. The result is a system where humans remain firmly in control, supported by transparent, explainable AI that acts as a teammate rather than a tool. We also discuss how ServiceNow is helping enterprises move beyond the “POC palooza” of pilot projects that never scale. By treating AI agents as members of a digital workforce—with performance tracking, retraining, and measurable ROI—companies can finally connect investment to real outcomes. Governance, in this context, isn’t a constraint; it’s a catalyst for confidence and adoption. At its core, ServiceNow’s philosophy is about taking the work out of work, not the human out of work. From password resets to process automation, AI is freeing employees to focus on creative, high-value problem-solving while building trust through transparency and accountability. As organizations begin managing both human and digital workforces, one question lingers: can AI governance truly become the accelerator that turns trust into enterprise-scale transformation? And what does it take to ensure AI always serves people, not the other way around? Share your thoughts after the episode.

What if the biggest sustainability challenge in tech isn’t hardware or cloud emissions, but the invisible mountain of unused data sitting in storage? That’s the question driving my conversation with Piero Gallucci, Vice President and General Manager for NetApp UK and Ireland, as we discuss how single-use data is quietly shaping the environmental and financial footprint of enterprise IT. Piero explains that 38 percent of stored data is never used again, yet it continues to consume energy and resources indefinitely. He describes how this digital hoarding—often driven by regulatory caution and the overvaluation of data—has become one of the most overlooked contributors to emissions in modern infrastructure. With the rise of AI accelerating data growth by an estimated 50 percent, the challenge is no longer simply about capacity but responsibility. Through examples such as Aston Martin Formula One and the NFL, Piero outlines how NetApp is helping organizations identify unused data, automate lifecycle policies, and design intelligent, energy-efficient infrastructure that supports both innovation and sustainability. We also explore the tension between AI adoption and environmental impact. As enterprises rush to train new models, Piero argues that smarter data governance, not bigger datasets, is the key to sustainable AI. He highlights the importance of educating teams on the true cost of data—both financial and environmental—and why leaders must build intentional strategies that align performance with purpose. NetApp’s vision is clear: make data management as sustainable as it is powerful. But as AI reshapes how we store and use information, can the tech industry finally balance digital growth with environmental stewardship? And what would your company look like if every byte of data had to justify its existence? Share your thoughts after the episode.