AI Underwriting: Faster Lending Without Replacing Human Judgment

Kim Than, founder and CEO of Genius PR, explains how PR has shifted from press coverage to a broader growth system combining digital identity, media distribution, and creators. Drawing on experience with roughly 350 companies, Tan argues that AI companies need to prioritize customer acquisition, founder authority, and the right credibility signals alongside product development. key topicsKim Than traces her path from Imperial College and investment banking to early-stage roles at HelloFresh and PatSnap, then founding a sales consultancy and pivoting to PR during COVID.Genius PR has worked with around 350 companies in six years, across SaaS, crypto, and AI, including early-stage companies and frontier AI labs.Tan frames PR as perception and distribution, tailored to a company’s audience, positioning, and stage of growth rather than a one-size-fits-all press strategy.Using the funnel of awareness, consideration, and conversion, Tan says sustained PR should strengthen consideration through repeated credibility touchpoints, not rely on a single headline.As AI makes products faster and cheaper to build, Tan argues that distinctive distribution, brand recognition, and customer acquisition matter more than relying solely on product-led growth.A strong digital footprint helps buyers and journalists fact-check claims through search and AI tools; inconsistent information can undermine trust and even prevent a story from publishing.Tan’s PR growth stack combines digital identity, media distribution through relevant outlets and events, and creators who can drive warmer traffic and conversions.Founder-led branding works best when founders consistently communicate genuine opinions and their building journey, rather than simply copying viral formats or appearing at events. takeawaysPR is a game of looking bigger than you are.The aim here is that you need to, if you want to sustain PR, you need to have the middle of the funnel.The more you push out in terms of distribution, the more you're seen, the more you have a louder voice than anyone else in the market, you will always win.Even if you do product-led growth and you can make the product better and better, if someone has a louder voice than you... they will always tout their product versus the other product that might be better. key frameworksMarketing funnel: awareness, consideration, conversionGenius PR growth stack: digital identity, media distribution, creatorsFour buyer types mentioned: structure buyer, technical buyer, action buyer action itemsDefine your ideal customer profile and identify what that audience considers authoritative.Map the awareness, consideration, and conversion journey, then build repeated credibility touchpoints for the consideration stage.Audit your company and founder’s digital footprint for inconsistent or unsubstantiated claims before pursuing coverage.Chapters00:00 Kim Tan’s path from startups to Genius PR05:06 PR as tailored perception and distribution07:37 How the funnel turns attention into lasting trust11:45 Why AI startups can’t rely on product-led growth alone16:31 Digital footprint, AI search, and credibility checks19:19 The PR growth stack: identity, media, creators22:40 Why founder-led branding needs a real point of view26:16 The metrics and hard-to-get rooms that define success29:46 Distribution PR versus publicity and communications31:12 Choose authority signals around your ideal customer33:59 Kim’s advice and where to find Genius PR keywordsKim Tan, Genius PR, AI company marketing, startup PR, distribution, founder-led branding, digital footprint, AI search, customer acquisition, media strategy, AI search optimization, founder branding, brand authority, digital reputation, B2B growth, B2B marketing, AI marketing strategy, Kim Than, Genius PR, AI InterConnect, AI podcast#AIInterConnect, #KimThan, #GeniusPR, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #FounderInterview, #TechPodcast, #BusinessPodcast

Laurent Cochet speaks with Dave Esra, president and CEO of Bobby Health, about using AI-enabled maternal-health support to identify risks, connect pregnant patients with care, and reduce barriers such as transportation, food insecurity, and mental-health stigma. Esra also explains the evidence and adoption challenges in healthcare, Bobby Health's near-term growth strategy, and lessons for founders building mission-driven companies.Dave Esra describes how military service, a family experience with high-risk pregnancy, and a 2020 COVID-and-pregnancy study led him to maternal health.He cites nearly 300,000 maternal deaths annually worldwide and says most are avoidable, motivating Bobby Health's focus on better data and early risk detection.Bobby Health combines biometrics, symptom tracking, daily check-ins, education, and a pregnancy-focused, doula-inspired chatbot; the product evolved after users said they did not want another standalone app.With user consent, detected concerns can trigger human follow-up through clinical partners, while the team tracks whether patients connect to care and addresses practical barriers. takeaways“We wanna own the follow up. We wanna track to make sure that there's completion of the follow up.”“We have to make sure it's safe. We have to test.”“The user has to be engaged. They have to like the product.”“The provider needs to be that partner.”“That's where my attention needs to [be] - where's my biggest problem, where's my biggest risk?”“This is a big effing problem that needs to be solved, that must be solved, and we're working on it. Join us.”“Before anything else, go talk to those customers.” sound bites"We wanna own the follow up.""Let's go get seen.""Be more skeptical."Chapters00:00 Meet Dave Esra and Bobby Health’s maternal-health mission01:22 From military service to tackling preventable maternal deaths04:54 How the app combines check-ins, biometrics, and AI guidance07:45 When a digital risk signal triggers human follow-up09:34 Helping care teams prioritize patients without adding noise11:22 The three stakeholders required for healthcare adoption15:11 Why clinical evidence and safe deployment take time18:01 Making investors understand the maternal-health problem21:14 Bobby Health’s goal: 20 community health centers23:06 Building data for global maternal-health research25:51 Customer discovery: 100 women approached, 20 conversations28:44 Founder lessons on skepticism, time, and staying lean32:04 Where to find Dave Esra and Bobby Health keywordsmaternal health, AI in healthcare, pregnancy care, maternal mortality, digital health, healthcare startups, Bobby Health, health equity, AI in healthcare, AI pregnancy monitoring, pregnancy technology, postpartum care, maternal care coordination, healthcare AI adoption, digital health, healthtech startup, FemTech, founder-led sales, healthcare commercialization, B2B healthcare sales, healthcare channel partners, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #DaveEsra, #BobiHealth, #FounderInterview, #FounderConversations, #BusinessPodcast, #HealthTechPodcast#MaternalHealth, #AIinHealthcare, #HealthTech, #DigitalHealth, #FemTech, #PregnancyCare, #ResponsibleAI, Dave Esra, President and CEO of BobiHealth, joins Laurent on AI InterConnect to discuss why AI adoption in maternal healthcare requires evidence, trust, and a workable business model.Learn how BobiHealth approaches pregnancy monitoring, postpartum support, patient engagement, and care coordination between appointments. Dave explains the different needs of families, providers, and payers, plus the challenge of turning interest into paid adoption.He shares his goal of reaching 20 federally qualified health centers, his experience developing healthcare channel partnerships, and the founder workload behind fundraising and commercialization. The conversation also explores employer benefits, human oversight, and the role of education in healthcare technology.

Host Laurent Cochet interviews Peter Wardle, co-founder of Intelligent Assessments and Managing Director of Mainstay Management Consulting, who has 25+ years in complex transformation, project assurance and program recovery. Peter explains how he moved from turning around failing projects to digitizing assessments for continuous assurance. He also covers why organizations spot major risks too late, and why a single quiet voice can matter more than an average score.In this episode:Peter's path from the Royal Engineers and telecoms to contracting on failing projects and programmesHow the Mainstay health check was digitised (over 2 million variables) and led to Intelligent AssessmentsWhy consistent, evidence-backed data matters, since AI analytics are only as good as the underlying dataA big-four "A-" assessment of a program whose business case assumptions were falseWhy "assurance" is often heard as "audit", and how the three lines of defence model fitsA two-question anonymous survey where one team member said 0% while others said 90-100%Plans for a marketplace where subject matter experts can sell their assessmentsLate risk detection: Peter describes a program given an "A-" by a big-four assessment even though its business case assumptions were false. 0:01 - Intro and guest introduction1:40 - From Royal Engineers and telecoms to program turnarounds3:47 - Founding Mainstay Consulting and the health-check methodology5:34 - Digitising the health check and the idea behind Intelligent Assessments7:52 - The problem solved: consistent assessments, trends and evidence-backed data9:33 - Why major risks are identified too late14:29 - Hardest parts of building and scaling the business17:25 - Do customers understand continuous assurance?20:21 - Anonymous survey example: the go/no-go story25:29 - The next 12-18 months: controlled growth and a marketplace27:52 - Target markets: project management and regulated industries29:25 - Rapid-fire: multilingual platform, "Prove it" and red-amber-green31:56 - Advice to his younger self34:09 - Where to find Peter34:35 - Sign-off and outroKey pointsproject assurance, continuous assurance, transformation failure, project risk management, programme assurance, program recovery, enterprise transformation, project governance, evidence based decision making, project health check, transformation risk, project management, PMO, project delivery, programme management, risk management, maturity assessment, regulatory compliance, assessment platform, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #PeterWardle, #IntelligentAssessments, #MainstayConsulting, #ProjectManagement, #ProgramManagement, #ProgrammeManagement, #ProjectAssurance, #ContinuousAssurance, #ProjectRecovery, #ProjectRisk, #RiskManagement, #ProjectGovernance, #Transformation, #BusinessTransformation, #DigitalTransformation, #EnterpriseTransformation, #ProjectDelivery, #PMO, #ProjectHealthCheck, #EvidenceBased, #DecisionMaking, #MaturityAssessment, #Assessment, Peter Wardle, Co-Founder of Intelligent Assessments and Managing Director of Mainstay Management Consulting, joins AI InterConnect to explain why major transformation programs can look healthy while serious risks remain hidden.Drawing on more than 25 years around project delivery and recovery, Peter explains how weak evidence, inconsistent assessments and human behaviour can distort executive decision-making. He shares why annual reviews often fail, how continuous assurance can surface problems earlier, and why a single dissenting voice can reveal more than an average score.The conversation also covers the evolution from consulting health checks to a configurable assessment platform, the role of evidence in AI analytics, regulated industries, market education and Intelligent Assessments' ambition to become a global marketplace for assessment frameworks.Subscribe to AI InterConnect for founder conversations on AI, technology and business growth.

Host Laurent Cochet speaks with Dan Castillo, founder and CEO of ADF Protection, about combining security personnel with AI-enabled monitoring, training, and life-safety services. Castillo draws on decades in the security industry to explain how technology can make protection more proactive without replacing human judgment, and how training, staff retention, and partnerships support sustainable growth. key topicsDan Castillo says ADF Protection’s name represents his wife Amy, himself, Daniel, and daughter Felicia, and that compassion is central to the work.ADF combines guard services with live video monitoring and other technology to help clients build security around their needs and budgets.AI can identify and relay events such as vehicle activity or possible threats, but Castillo says people must interpret information and respond.Parking lots, parking garages, retail centers, and car lots are highlighted as sites where remote monitoring can help detect risks and direct a rapid response.Castillo contrasts technology-supported, proactive security with guards simply standing watch, while emphasizing that human officers remain essential.ADF’s training facility serves security personnel from different companies, focusing on practical skills, state requirements, liability, and professional procedures.To address turnover, Castillo describes giving employees varied responsibilities and making use of their backgrounds so they feel valued.Castillo emphasizes reputation, prevention, budget-tailored security plans, and partnerships with companies whose capabilities complement ADF’s.ADF plans to keep testing emerging tools with client permission and identifies expansion of its physical training facility as a growth area. takeaways“You have to care for another. You have to care for you have to love thy neighbor.”“Being proactive instead of reactive has helped us provide security for a client when it's needed.”“You can't get rid of the human entirely.”“AI is gonna definitely help advance, but it won't necessarily replace.”“There's no such thing as a bad security officer. It's a bad company.”“Don't make the dollar dictate whether or not you need security.”“Your reputation as an individual, as a person, is important.”“It's not the question, is it gonna happen? The question is when and are you prepared.”“Stay in your lane, do what you know that works that you know as a professional, and then build from there.”“Network, attend” action itemsAssess site-specific risks and budget, then design a combination of personnel and technology rather than defaulting to a fixed security package.Keep a human response process in place for alerts generated by AI or remote monitoring.Invest in practical, policy-aware training for security staff and give employees varied roles that use their experience.Build business capabilities incrementally; when a need falls outside your expertise, find qualified industry partners.Test new security technology with client permission before presenting it as a proven solution.Chapters00:00 Meet Dan Castillo and ADF Protection01:23 Compassion and the evolution of security04:01 Using live monitoring to make security proactive05:44 Why parking lots and retail sites need coverage07:24 Staying ahead of crime with technology09:22 AI supports human judgment, not replaces it11:30 From analog cameras to intelligent detection13:22 Why ADF built a security training facility17:09 Reducing turnover by valuing security staff19:21 Career development and industry reputation22:14 Prevention and security plans built around budgets24:01 Growth through partnerships and field testing28:49 Advice for building a security career or company31:26 Where to find ADF Protection keywordsAI Interconnect Podcast, Dan Castillo, ADF Protection, security technology, remote video monitoring, AI security, security officer training, physical security

In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Mar Sneeg, founder of Ground Game Sales, about how AI is transforming sales organizations. They explore the evolution of AI in sales, building with AI tools, and strategies for integrating AI into sales teams to improve performance and reduce costs. key topicsEvolution of AI in sales from cold calling to AI-powered prospectingBuilding with AI: tools, platforms, and strategiesAI coaching and real-time feedback for sales repsCost reduction and efficiency in global sales teamsUsing intent signals and data for better prospect targetingRapid prototyping and implementation of AI solutionsThe importance of human judgment in AI-driven salesFuture trends in AI and sales infrastructure sound bites"AI should improve human performance, not replace it""You need to learn how to build with these tools""AI coaching provides immediate, actionable feedback"Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest Marc Sneeg00:27 The evolution of Ground Game from cold calling to AI integration01:02 Mark's background in real estate and sales01:27 How Ground Game started and its focus on outbound sales02:20 The shift towards AI and building with AI tools04:02 Developing AI tools for prospect context and coaching06:00 Putting humans at the center of AI in sales07:26 Building roadmaps and prioritizing AI projects08:04 Preparing salespeople with AI-driven prospect insights09:37 The role of volume and quality in outbound sales12:32 Using intent signals and signals for outreach timing15:57 AI coaching and understanding why some convert18:50 AI's impact on sales team economics and structure22:08 The future of offshoring and global sales teams23:49 Skills needed for sales roles in the AI era24:10 Building AI roadmaps and identifying organizational pain points26:48 Prioritizing AI projects with quick prototypes28:17 The role of real-life interactions and AI infrastructure30:24 Preparing for AI integration in future sales organizations33:14 Closing remarks and where to find more about Ground Game Sales keywordsAI in sales, sales automation, AI tools, sales team building, AI strategy, ground game sales, sales coaching, prospect intelligence, AI implementation, sales performance, AI for B2B sales, AI sales automation, B2B sales automation, B2B sales, outbound sales, outbound sales strategy, AI SDR, AI SDR tools, sales development representatives, future of SDRs, AI sales coaching, sales intelligence, intent signals, buyer intent data, B2B lead generation, enterprise lead generation, sales prospecting, cold calling, cold email, human AI collaboration, #AIInterConnect, #Podcast, #MarcSnegg, #GroundGameSales, #GroundGame, #GameTimeAI, #B2BSales, #Sales, #SalesLeadership, #SalesTechnology, #SalesTech, #SalesAutomation, #AISales, #AIForSales, #AISalesAutomation, #AIForB2BSales, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIImplementation, #AIAdoption, #SalesIntelligence, #IntentSignals, #BuyerIntent, #LeadGeneration, #B2BLeadGeneration, #OutboundSales, Marc Snegg, Founder & CEO of Ground Game Sales, joins AI InterConnect to explore whether AI will replace SDRs—or make human sales teams dramatically more effective.Marc explains how Ground Game combines AI-powered prospect intelligence, intent signals, cold calling, global sales teams, and its GameTime AI coaching platform to improve B2B sales performance. He shares why better account intelligence can help salespeople reach the right buyer at the right moment, how AI can analyze calls and provide immediate coaching, and why human conversations remain critical as automated outreach creates more digital noise. The conversation also explores AI implementation, global talent, sales automation, and why real-world human relationships could become even more valuable as AI becomes standard business infrastructure. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and AI leaders building the future of B2B growth.

In this episode, Steve Carnevale from Blue Ash Ventures discusses the intersection of AI, brain health, and human performance. He explores the risks of AI-driven systems prioritizing financial returns over human needs, the importance of human-centered AI, and the future of venture capital in AI innovation. key topicsAI's impact on healthcare and brain healthThe importance of human-centered AIVenture capital's role in AI developmentNeuroscience insights into dyslexia and brain performanceThe risks of AI prioritizing financial returns over human needs sound bites"We are born with different brains, but society isn't organized around that""AI is sucking the wind out of healthcare investment""Prioritize human return over financial gain"Chapters00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest02:25 Understanding dyslexia through neuroscience03:21 The golden age of neuroscience and new discoveries04:17 The importance of organizing society around brain health05:30 Blue Ash Ventures' mission and focus on brain flourishing07:29 Using AI to measure social emotional capabilities in children09:42 The decline of social emotional skills and AI's role in addressing it11:30 Concerns about AI funding and its influence on healthcare13:19 AI's economic impact and the need for human-centered systems16:45 What human-centered AI means and its importance18:58 The urgency of creating AI layers that serve human needs20:23 The risk of AI systems controlling society and the need for regulation23:39 Distinguishing durable AI companies from fleeting apps26:26 Privacy concerns and opportunities in AI development28:42 The future of employment and AI's role in work organization29:47 Reflections on the venture capital industry's understanding of AI32:28 The impact of AI on employment and education33:09 Optimism about AI and brain science advancements33:55 Key message: Prioritizing human return over financial gain36:30 Closing remarks and contact information keywordsAI, brain health, human performance, venture capital, human-centered AI, neuroscience, healthcare, social emotional learning, AI regulation, impact investing, Steve Carnevale, Blue Ash Ventures, AI venture capital, artificial intelligence, venture capital, AI investment, human centered AI, human-centered AI, AI and healthcare, healthcare innovation, brain health, brain capital, neuroscience, AI and neuroscience, impact investing, future of venture capital, AI funding, AI investment bubble, AI and society, AI and jobs, future of work, #AIInterConnect, #SteveCarnevale, #BlueAshVentures, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #VentureCapital, #VentureCapitalist, #AIInvestment, #AIFunding, #FutureOfAI, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #EthicalAI, #AIInnovation, #ImpactInvesting, #BrainHealth, #BrainCapital, #Neuroscience, #AIandHealthcare, #HealthcareInnovation, #MentalHealth, #MentalHealthTechnology, #HumanPotential, #FutureOfWork, #AIandJobs, #WorkforceTransformation, Steve Carnevale, Founding Partner at Blue Ash Ventures, joins AI InterConnect to challenge one of the biggest assumptions behind today's AI investment boom: what happens when AI starts "sucking the wind out of everything"?Steve explores how venture capital's pursuit of AI returns could divert funding from healthcare and other critical innovation, while explaining why the future needs human-centered AI designed around human outcomes. Drawing on his work across venture capital, neuroscience, brain health, education and workforce development, he discusses AI's impact on jobs, skills, privacy and human potential.We also explore why founders must remain "maniacally focused on the customer," why narrow AI point solutions may struggle, and why Steve believes human return on capital matters more than financial return alone.Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders, investors and leaders building the future.

In this episode, Aanal Shah, founder and CEO of Zillion InfoTech, shares insights on building a tech company focused on business-first solutions, the role of AI in software development, and strategies for scaling and maintaining client relationships. key topicsBusiness-first approach to software developmentThe importance of understanding business problems before building solutionsIntegrating AI effectively without unnecessary costsScaling challenges and architecture decisions in tech companiesBuilding long-term client relationships and strategic growth takeawaysStart with understanding the actual business problem before proposing a solution.Add AI only when it provides clear benefits in terms of cost, time, or effort.Focus on architecture from day one to enable scalable growth.Balance new feature development with solving existing issues.Build long-term relationships with clients as strategic partners. sound bites"Start with the actual business problem first""Add automation, not necessarily AI""Add AI only when beneficial for the business"Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest introduction00:27 Guest background and the origin story of Zillion InfoTech01:45 Transition from technical expertise to business problem solving04:22 The importance of understanding business before building software05:11 Approach to AI integration based on actual business needs07:00 Case study: Claim Cow SaaS application and AI use cases09:22 Types of businesses that benefit most from Zillion's services10:39 Challenges in scaling and architecture decisions13:42 Balancing new features with solving existing issues14:45 The realities of running a tech company and ongoing responsibilities19:36 Future goals and strategic focus for Zillion22:09 Prioritized markets and industry focus23:15 What to do with unlimited resources24:23 Advice for businesses starting with AI26:29 Questions to ask a technology partner keywordsAI, software development, business solutions, startup, scaling, client relationships, AI integration, tech strategy, AI adoption, AI implementation, AI vs automation, AI for business, business automation, artificial intelligence for business, custom software development, AI software development, software architecture, scalable software architecture, enterprise AI, AI strategy, digital transformation, business process automation, AI business value, AI ROI, technology partner, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #AanalShah, #ZillionInfotech, #Podcast #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #AIvsAutomation, #Automation, #BusinessAutomation, #EnterpriseAI, #AIForBusiness, #AIStrategy, #AIBusinessValue, #AIROI, #CustomSoftware, #SoftwareDevelopment, #SoftwareArchitecture, #SaaS, #SaaSDevelopment, #DigitalTransformation, #BusinessTechnology, #ScalableSoftware, #StartupTechnology, #BusinessGrowth, #TechFounder, #FounderJourney, #Entrepreneurship, #FinTech, #AIinHealthcare, #HealthTech, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceTechnology, Aanal Shah, Founder & CEO of Zillion Infotech, joins AI InterConnect to explore a critical business question: when should companies use AI, and when is automation or traditional software actually the better solution?Aanal explains why businesses should understand the problem before choosing the technology, how to measure whether AI creates real value, and why scalable software architecture remains essential even as AI makes development faster. He also shares lessons from building Zillion Infotech and explains the difference between simply providing software and becoming a long-term technology partner.The conversation covers AI adoption, AI vs automation, custom software development, scalable architecture, AI ROI, Healthcare, FinTech, E-commerce, and practical technology strategy.Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI and business solutions.

In this episode, Dvir Ginzburg, CEO of Encore, shares insights on how AI is transforming customer interactions in financial services, emphasizing revenue generation over traditional metrics like deflection rates. Discover how generative AI can create personalized, revenue-driving customer journeys and the future of conversational banking. key topicsAI's role in financial servicesRevenue generation vs. deflection rateComplex customer interactions in bankingRegulatory impact on AI adoptionFuture of conversational banking takeawaysMeasuring AI success by revenue, not deflection ratePersonalized AI agents can mimic personal bankersRegulations like EU AI Act help move the industry forwardCustomer trust in AI is increasing, especially among younger usersBuilding the right team is crucial for AI startup successTitlesRevolutionizing Banking with Revenue-Driven AIHow Encore Uses AI to Transform Customer Journeys sound bites"Measuring AI by revenue, not deflection""Good conversations are high revenue, not just deflection""The shift to a fully conversational experience"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dvir Ginzburg and Encore2166:36:21 Dvir's background in conversational AI at Microsoft and Facebook5527:43:06 The importance of complex interactions in banking7749:56:35 Why traditional customer interactions in banking are outdated13194:23:29 Measuring AI success by revenue, not deflection rate19333:17:07 The shift to a fully conversational banking experience349444:24:43 Regulatory changes and their impact on AI in finance365277:44:48 The future of holistic, conversational financial services391388:51:38 Customer expectations as AI becomes more common433333:18:37 Success metrics and scaling at Encore496111:05:52 Resources needed to accelerate AI adoption555277:46:35 Lessons learned from entrepreneurship and building teams571111:06:40 Personal insights from Dvir about leadership and failure keywordsAI, financial services, customer experience, revenue generation, conversational AI, fintech, generative AI, digital banking, AI regulation, Dvir Ginzburg, Encore AI, AI InterConnect, AI in banking, AI in fintech, AI for financial services, enterprise AI, conversational AI, AI agents, AI agents for banking, generative AI, revenue generating AI, revenue per interaction, conversational banking, digital banking, banking automation, financial services AI, customer experience AI, AI customer service, AI sales automation, banking innovation, fintech innovation, enterprise AI adoption, #AIInterConnect, #DvirGinzburg, #EncoreAI, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #FinTech, #FinTechAI, #EnterpriseAI, #ConversationalAI, #GenerativeAI, #GenAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #AIinBanking, #BankingAI, #AIinFinTech, #FinancialServicesAI, #AIforFinancialServices, #ConversationalBanking, #DigitalBanking, #FutureOfBanking, #BankingInnovation, #FinTechInnovation, Dvir Ginzburg, Founder and CEO of Encore AI, joins AI InterConnect to explain why financial institutions should stop thinking about AI only as a cost-reduction tool and start measuring how AI generates revenue.Dvir shares how conversational AI and digital agents can guide customers through complex financial journeys, improve conversion, and create experiences closer to working with a personal banker. He explains why traditional metrics such as call deflection can hide poor customer experiences and why revenue per interaction offers a very different way to measure AI performance. We also explore AI adoption inside regulated financial institutions, build versus buy decisions, conversational banking, changing customer expectations, and Dvir's vision for a future where one AI-powered conversation could become the primary interface between customers and their bank. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and leaders building the future of AI and business.

Tahir Rauf, co-founder of Keeyu, shares insights into building AI agents for e-commerce, focusing on proactive problem resolution, trust, and scaling internationally. key topicsThe personal journey of Tahir Rauf and how it influenced Keeyu´s missionThe problem Keeyu solves in e-commerce: fragmented systems and customer dissatisfactionThe concept of proactive customer care and its benefitsThe four principles for building reliable AI agents: context, boundaries, escalation, accountabilityChallenges and strategies for scaling AI solutions internationallyThe importance of data governance and sovereignty in enterprise AIThe shift from traditional SaaS to AI-driven platformsThe future of agentic AI in various industries and workflowsLessons learned from building and scaling KeeyuChapters00:00 Introduction to Tahir Rauf and Keeyu03:23 Understanding Keeyu´s E-commerce Problem04:07 How Keeyu's AI Agent Addresses Fragmented Systems06:00 When Do Retailers Need Keeyu?06:46 Proactive vs Reactive Customer Care08:37 Building Trust in AI Agents09:06 Four Principles of Reliable AI Systems12:04 The Human Role in AI-Driven E-commerce13:54 Scaling from Small Retailers to Enterprises16:36 Challenges of International Expansion18:07 The Most Underappreciated AI Use Cases19:24 Governance and Data Sovereignty in AI21:44 The Future of SaaS and AI Integration22:22 Goals for Keeyu in the Next 12-18 Months24:27 Expanding into Enterprise Markets25:53 The Impact of AI on Tech Resources26:27 Focusing on Impactful Features27:59 Advice for Funders and Operators29:24 Lessons Learned from Building Keeyu31:19 Closing Remarks and Contact InfokeywordsAI agents, e-commerce, proactive customer care, data integrity, enterprise AI, scaling AI, AI governance, agentic systems, AI infrastructure, startup growth, AI agents for business, vertical AI agents, agentic AI, enterprise AI, AI automation, ecommerce AI, ecommerce automation, proactive ecommerce operations, future of SaaS, AI replacing SaaS, enterprise AI agents, AI agents ecommerce, human in the loop AI, autonomous AI agents, AI agent governance, enterprise AI governance, AI implementation, AI adoption, AI workflow automation, ecommerce operations, post purchase automation, customer experience automation, proactive customer care, AI agents vs SaaS, vertical AI, Tahir Rauf, Keeyu, ecommerce technology, AI InterConnect, future of enterprise software#AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #TahirRauf, #Keeyu, #AgenticAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #VerticalAI, #EnterpriseAI, #EcommerceAI, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceAutomation, #EcommerceTechnology, #EcommerceOperations, #ProactiveEcommerce, #ProactiveCustomerCare, #PostPurchase, #PostPurchaseExperience, #CustomerExperience, #CustomerExperienceAI, #AIAutomation, #WorkflowAutomation, #AutonomousAI, #HumanInTheLoop, #AIGovernance, #EnterpriseAIGovernance, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #SaaS, #FutureOfSaaS, #EnterpriseSoftware, #FutureOfSoftware, #AIForBusiness, #BusinessAutomation, #RetailTechnology, #RetailAI, Tahir Rauf, Co-Founder and CTO of Keeyu, joins AI InterConnect to explore why vertical AI agents could reshape e-commerce operations and challenge traditional SaaS.Tahir explains how Keeyu uses agentic AI to detect and resolve post-purchase problems before customers complain, and why trustworthy enterprise AI requires four foundations: context, boundaries, human escalation, and accountability. He also shares how companies can progressively move from human-in-the-loop workflows toward greater AI autonomy while protecting sensitive customer data.The conversation explores enterprise AI governance, proactive e-commerce operations, the future of SaaS, AI-powered software development, and why founders should focus on real customer problems before building more features.Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI systems for real businesses.

In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Shivi Sharma, co-founder and president of Kaaj.ai an AI-powered underwriting platform, about how AI is transforming financial services, especially in credit risk analysis and underwriting. They explore the practical applications, challenges, and future potential of AI in high-stakes financial decision-making. key topicsAI's role in credit underwritingHow Kaaj simplifies loan processingBalancing AI automation with human judgmentBuilding trust and transparency in AI modelsScaling AI solutions in financial institutionsChallenges in AI adoption for high-stakes decisionsMarket education and customer trust in AI productsFuture opportunities in small business lending sound bites"AI should help organize workflows, not replace judgment""Garbage in, garbage out in AI models""AI gives leverage, not job replacement"Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and Guest00:29 Guest background and journey into AI01:29 Shivi's experience in credit and fraud risk02:14 Understanding the problem Kaaj solves in lending03:16 How Kaj simplifies the loan application process04:40 The human role in underwriting with Kaaj06:47 Where AI can automate and where human judgment is essential08:14 Building trust and evidence-backed AI analysis10:40 Scaling challenges and market education12:09 The importance of trust and customer relationships15:40 Market misconceptions about AI in finance16:00 The importance of data quality and infrastructure17:07 AI's role in improving economics of small loans20:22 Next steps and deeper customer engagement22:33 Expanding into other lending segments23:45 Key constraints and hiring challenges26:41 High-stakes AI and the need for caution27:50 Lessons learned and underestimations28:24 Advice to younger self and startup founders29:45 Closing remarks and contact information keywordsAI in finance, underwriting, credit risk, financial technology, AI adoption, risk analysis, fintech innovation, AI trust, small business loans, AI scaling, AI underwriting, underwriting automation, AI in financial services, AI in fintech, SMB lending, small business lending, equipment finance, credit risk, credit risk automation, automated underwriting, human judgment in AI, AI lending, commercial lending, lending operations, financial services AI, AI credit analysis, credit underwriting, underwriting technology, lending technology, AI adoption , Shivi Sharma, Kaaj.ai, #AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #ShiviSharma, #Kaaj, #KaajAI, #FinTech, #FinTechPodcast, #AIUnderwriting, #Underwriting, #UnderwritingAutomation, #AutomatedUnderwriting, #AIinFinTech, #AIinFinancialServices, #FinancialServicesAI, #SMBLending, #SmallBusinessLending, #EquipmentFinance, #CommercialLending, #CreditRisk, #CreditRiskManagement, #CreditAnalysis, #CreditUnderwriting, #LendingAutomation, #LendingTechnology, #FinTechInnovation, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIAdoption, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #ExplainableAI, #FutureOfLending, #FutureOfUnderwriting, #DigitalLending, #LoanAutomation, #LendingOperations, #SmallBusinessFinance, #AIForBusiness, #FinancialTechnology, Shivi Sharma, Co-Founder & President of Kaaj.ai, joins AI InterConnect to explore how AI underwriting can make SMB lending faster and more efficient without removing human judgment from credit decisions.Shivi explains how Kaaj uses AI to analyze borrower documents, identify inconsistencies, organize evidence and prepare information for underwriters. She discusses why trust and explainability matter in financial services AI, why buyers care about business outcomes rather than AI itself, and how automation can help lenders scale without proportional headcount growth. She also explores how better underwriting economics could make smaller commercial loans more attractive to lenders. Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and operators building practical AI businesses.