Innovation Heroes

DeepSeek: An AI triumph? Or a dicey security risk?

Last month, no one had heard of DeepSeek. But then it racked up a stunning 16 million downloads in just 18 days — nearly double ChatGPT’s initial adoption. 

  

The China-based AI model has certainly captured the attention of both investors and technologists. But while some see it as the future of AI, others are raising red flags over its origins and potential security risks. 

  

In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore what makes DeepSeek unique, how it compares to existing AI models, and the startling data privacy concerns for businesses and governments worldwide. 

 

Should you dive in? Or swim in shallower waters? 

  

Featuring: 

• Jack Hogan, Vice President of Advanced Growth Technologies at SHI, leading initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. 

• Lee Ziliak, Field Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director of Architecture at SHI. 

• Jordan Mauriello, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Stratascale. 

Finding the competitive edge: how data and AI elevate your game

How are data and AI revolutionizing teams—whether on the field or in the boardroom?

 In this episode of Innovation Heroes, Casey Murphy, goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage and the U.S. Women’s National Team, and Founder and Director of Operations of AP2T, Mike Olim, dive into the cutting-edge tech reshaping elite sports.

 From wearables to AI-driven insights, discover how these tools optimize performance and help give you an edge over the competition.

Featuring: Casey Murphy, goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage and the U.S. Women’s National Team, and Mike Olim, Founder and Director of Operations of AP2T.

On-device AI: Revolutionizing efficiency, security, and personalization

What if the future of AI didn’t live in the cloud, but right in the palm of your hand?  

In this episode of Innovation Heroes, host Ed McNamara uncovers the revolution of on-device AI with Qualcomm's Mike Belcher, Director of North American Commercial Channels.  

Discover how this cutting-edge technology is reshaping industries, slashing costs, helping the environment and redefining what’s possible in personalization, efficiency, and security.  

Featuring: Mike Belcher, Qualcomm’s Director of North American Commercial Channels 

Happy Holidays from Innovation Heroes

It's been an incredible year of captivating stories and thought provoking discussions. We're taking a short break over the holidays to recharge, plan, and gear up for even more exciting episodes in the new year.

So mark your calendar, stay subscribed, and keep an ear out for our return.  Until then, take care, enjoy the holiday season, and thank you for making this year truly unforgettable.

From SHI and the Innovation Heroes team, keep innovating and we'll see you in 2025.

Elizabeth Bieniek’s unexpected journey building Webex Hologram

It’s good to identify a problem. But’s it’s even better to find a solution. 

We speak with Elizabeth Bieniek, an innovation consultant and a former Cisco strategist who spearheaded the creation of Webex Hologram – the first real-time, photorealistic holographic tool to transform business collaboration.  

Elizabeth shares her journey from a strategic partnerships role to leading the development of revolutionary technology. Learn how a seemingly simple disagreement transformed into a pivotal moment, igniting a quest to redefine remote collaboration.  

Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.  

Featuring: Elizabeth is the author of "Cake on Tuesday: 25 Lessons to Unlock Corporate Innovation.” 

AI: Enhancing employee satisfaction at work

AI is stealing jobs. But that’s not the whole story. In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore the often-overlooked benefits of AI in the workplace.  

 

While AI is automating tasks and changing job roles, it's also empowering employees, boosting creativity, learning, and unlocking their untapped potential. We speak with Geoff Wright, Global Solutions Owner at Mondelēz International, a global snack food brand leveraging AI to improve their employee experience. 

 

Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.  

Featuring: Geoff Wright, Global Solutions Owner at Mondelēz International 

XDR; the brain of the cyber security nervous system

When bad actors get more sophisticated, cybersecurity professionals only have one choice: Innovation.  

In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape with Brianna Farro, Cisco's Security Director of XDR Product Management. Briana explains why traditional siloed security approaches are insufficient in today's complex threat environment and how extended detection response, or XDR, provides a more comprehensive solution. 

We delve into the key capabilities of XDR, including its ability to correlate data from multiple sources, prioritize critical threats, and automate responses. Briana shares real-world examples of XDR's success and advocates for Cisco's open and hybrid XDR approach. Discover how XDR can help your organization improve its security posture and stay ahead of the curve. 

Featuring: Briana Farro, Cisco Security Director of XDR Product Management 

Smart cities in action: How Cary, NC is pioneering municipal innovation

What happens when a small town in North Carolina embraces cutting-edge technology to become a leader in smart city innovation? In this episode, host Ed McNamara is joined by SHI’s Senior Vice President of Public Sector Sales, Denise Collison, and special guest Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager and Chief Innovation Officer for Cary, North Carolina.  

Together, they dive into the challenges and successes of digital transformation in local government. Ault shares insights on pioneering smart city initiatives, securing critical infrastructure, and improving citizen engagement, while Collison adds her expertise on navigating the unique complexities of public sector technology adoption. 

Through this conversation, listeners get a glimpse of how municipalities like Cary are leveraging technology to create more connected, efficient, and secure communities. From the use of sensors to mitigate stormwater risks to the implementation of a groundbreaking 311 system, Ault’s work exemplifies the future of digital government.  

Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Featuring: Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager and Chief Innovation Officer of the Town of Cary, North Carolina and Denise Collison, Senior Vice-President of Public Sector Sales at SHI 

The AI breakthrough in breast cancer detection

What if the key to detecting cancer earlier—and saving thousands of lives—lies in AI? Host Ed McNamara explores how Kheiron Medical is making that a reality. Joined by Peter Kecskemethy, CEO and co-founder, and Sarah Kerruish, Chief Strategy Officer, they delve into the groundbreaking technology behind Mia® – Kheiron’s AI-powered tool that is revolutionizing breast cancer detection by detecting what the human eye might miss. 

Named one of the biggest medical breakthroughs of 2023, Mia® is proving its potential in real-world clinical settings, boosting breast cancer detection rates and offering hope to thousands of women. Peter and Sarah share the challenges, triumphs, and future of AI in healthcare, offering a glimpse into how technology is reshaping cancer diagnostics and changing lives.  

Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Featuring: Peter Kecskemethy, CEO and co-founder of Kheiron Medical, and Sarah Kerruish, Chief Strategy Officer. 

Mastering AI and zero trust with Chris Louie and Brian Deitch of Zscaler

As AI continues to dominate conversations around digital transformation, its implications for cybersecurity are becoming impossible to ignore. In this latest episode of Innovation Heroes, we dive into the dynamic world of AI and cybersecurity with two expert guests, Chris Louie, Customer Success Architect, and Brian Deitch, Chief Technology Evangelist at Zscaler.  

As leaders in cloud security and popular podcasters of the show PEBCAK, Louie and Deitch break down the critical intersections between artificial intelligence and Zero Trust security. They share practical insights into how AI is transforming threat detection and response, and explore the evolving use cases of AI in business.  

Join us as we discuss both the opportunities and threats posed by AI and how businesses can protect themselves in an increasingly digital world. 

Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Featuring: Brian Deitch, Chief Technology Evangelist at Zscaler and Chris Louie, Customer Success Architect at Zscaler.