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In this episode, Steven Zgaljic, CTO of Jahnel Group, joins host Etienne de Bruin to share a personal story about his daughter’s health challenges. Faced with the need to meticulously track symptoms and daily activities, Steven leveraged his technical expertise to create a custom AI-powered solution using tools like N8N and Superbase. The conversation highlights how AI can transform complex problems into actionable insights, even in personal contexts.

Steven discusses the challenges of using traditional methods like pen and paper for symptom tracking, leading him to build an automated workflow integrated with Slack. By applying AI for data validation and pattern recognition, he gains real-time insights into potential triggers and patterns in his daughter's symptoms. Beyond his personal use case, Steven reflects on the broader applications of AI in problem-solving and the necessity of human oversight in AI-driven systems.

This conversation explores the intersection of personal challenges, technological innovation, and the potential of AI to improve lives.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:00 Steven Zgaljic's Background and Family Story 03:00 Challenges with Tracking Medical Symptoms for His Daughter 05:00 Using Slack for Family Communication 07:00 Applying AI to Track and Analyze Symptoms 09:00 Exploring N8N, Superbase, and AI for Automation 11:00 Creating Validation Models for AI Accuracy 13:00 Building a Custom AI System for Health Tracking 15:00 AI Insights and Pattern Recognition in Health Data 17:00 Future Plans for AI Health Analysis 18:00 Reflections on AI in Problem Solving

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Steven: Website /LinkedIn

Great news! The CTO Podcast has been featured on Feedspot's list of Top CTO Podcasts. Huge thanks to our amazing guests and listeners for being part of these conversations. Check out the full list here: Feedspot’s Top CTO Podcasts.

In this episode of the CTO Podcast, host Etienne speaks with image strategist Zayna Rose about the importance of personal branding and leadership presence for technology leaders. They discuss how visual identity, color psychology, and intentional self-expression can enhance a leader's credibility and connection with others. Zayna emphasizes the need for tech leaders to be mindful of their appearance and how it impacts their professional image, while also encouraging them to embrace their authentic selves. The conversation highlights practical tips for improving one's image and the significance of digital presence in today's world.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the CTO Podcast and Guest Zaina Rose

03:06 Understanding Leadership Presence

05:29 The Importance of Visual Identity

09:55 Casual Power Looks for Tech Leaders

12:18 Strategic Wardrobe Levels

16:30 Choosing Colors That Work for You

21:17 Tailored vs. Standard Looks

23:38 Experimenting with Self-Expression

30:14 Leveraging Digital Assets for First Impressions

34:33 Practical Steps for Improving Personal Branding

38:42 Enhancing Stage Presence and Communication

42:45 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Zayna: Website /LinkedIn

In this episode of the CTO Podcast, host Etienne de Bruin speaks with Lena Skliarova-Mordvinova, CTO and Co-Founder of the Good Face Project. They discuss the origins of the Good Face Project, which aims to educate consumers about the ingredients in personal care products and promote safer alternatives. The conversation delves into the role of generative AI in analyzing ingredient safety, the challenges of navigating the venture capital landscape, and the importance of parenting in the digital age. Lena shares her insights on balancing technology and family life, as well as cultural perspectives on parenting from her experiences in Ukraine. In this conversation, Lena shares her experiences navigating the challenges of leading a tech team in Ukraine during the ongoing war, highlighting the resilience and determination of her team. She discusses the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy and connection amidst chaos, the innovative tech stack they are using in AI, and the complexities of regulatory environments in the personal care industry. Additionally, she reflects on her passion for space research and the evolution of data mining technologies.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the CTO Podcast and Guest

03:01 The Good Face Project: Origins and Mission

06:01 Understanding Ingredients: The Science Behind Personal Care

08:53 Generative AI in Personal Care: Innovations and Challenges

12:12 Venture Capital Landscape: Navigating the Hype

15:07 Parenting in the Digital Age: Balancing Technology and Family

21:04 Reflections on Parenting: Learning and Growing Together

26:56 Cultural Perspectives on Parenting: A Global View

34:03 The Power of Connection in Uncertain Times

39:14 Resilience Amidst Chaos: The Ukrainian Experience

45:09 Innovations in AI: Tech Stack and Models

53:39 Navigating Regulations in Personal Care and Supplements

01:02:22 Passion for Space: A Journey Through Research

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Lena: Website /LinkedIn

In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Dr. Aadeel Akhtar CEO and founder of PSYONIC, discusses the evolution of bionic hands and the advancements in robotics and AI that have made them possible. He shares his personal journey and motivation for creating prosthetics that can change lives, as well as the entrepreneurial challenges faced in bringing this technology to market. The conversation explores the design considerations of bionic hands, the integration of AI, and the future of prosthetics. In this conversation, Aadeel discusses the journey of developing innovative bionic hands through customer discovery, design constraints, and a unique funding approach. He emphasizes the importance of durability and functionality in prosthetics, the role of human users in robotics, and the challenges of navigating crowdfunding and institutional investment. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape in prosthetic technology and the growth dynamics of his company.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction PSYONIC and bionic hands

02:53 The Evolution of Robotics and Human-like Design

05:46 The Journey of Creating the Ability Hand

09:07 Advancements in Robotics and AI Integration

12:00 Personal Story and Motivation Behind PSYONIC

15:08 The Future of Bionic Limbs and Technology

17:51 Entrepreneurial Challenges in Bionic Technology

31:26 Customer Discovery and Design Constraints

34:46 Innovative Approaches to Bionic Hands

37:52 The Role of Human Users in Robotics

40:40 Funding Journey and Shark Tank Experience

52:06 Navigating Crowdfunding and Institutional Investment

56:15 Competitive Landscape in Prosthetic Technology

59:00 Company Structure and Growth Dynamics

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Dr. Aadeel Akhtar: Website /LinkedIn

In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Etienne engages with AI experts, Ksenia Palke (Director AI: Airspace), Lena Skliarova-Mordvinova (Co-Founder & CTO: Good Face Project) and Sharon Zhang (Co-Founder & CTO: Personal AI) to discuss the current state and future of AI in technology organizations. The conversation covers the different AI stacks being used, the evolution of AI technologies, the societal impact of AI, and the challenges faced by CTOs in implementing AI solutions. The guests share their personal journeys in AI, highlight the importance of human oversight, and provide valuable advice for CTOs looking to leverage AI effectively in their organizations.

Time Stamps

00:00 - Introduction to AI in Production02:58 - AI Stacks and Tools in Use05:50 - AI’s Evolution and Its Impact11:50 - The Rise of Large Language Models (LLMs)17:59 - Challenges in AI Development24:09 - AI’s Philosophical and Ethical Implications30:13 - Building AI for Business: Practical Advice35:38 - Final Thoughts on AI Development40:20 - The Future of AGI and Its Potential Dangers47:04 - Impact of AI on Language and Communication53:46 - The Role of AI in Education and Child Development58:21 - AI in the Workplace: Communication and Productivity1:04:54 - Human Evolution in the Age of AI

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Lena: Website /LinkedInContact Ksenia: Website /LinkedInContact Sharon: Website /LinkedIn

In this episode of The CTO Podcast, Etienne interviews Ryan Kari, CTO of MagCanica, a company in the torque sensor space. They discuss the role of torque sensors in Formula One racing and other motorsports, as well as their use in hybrid engines. They also touch on the challenges of delegating invention in a hardware company and the importance of communication between software and hardware teams. Ryan also shares his approach to CTOing the organization, which involves exploring new ideas and shining a light on different areas of the business.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:40 Interview with Ryan Kari, CTO of MagCanica

03:06 The Role of Torque Sensors in Motorsports

08:42 Sending Torque and Other Data Digitally

12:48 Balance of Performance in Racing

18:01 Formula One as a Technology Testing Ground

29:08 CTOing the Organization and Delegating Invention

39:21 Exploring New Ideas and Using AI Tools

46:28 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Ryan: Website /LinkedIn

In this conversation, Etienne interviews Kathy Keating, a fractional CTO and executive coach. They discuss topics such as finding joy in work, dealing with disagreement and rejection, and the importance of operationalizing processes in growing companies. Kathy emphasizes the need for alignment on the problems worth solving and the value of creating a consistent operational cadence. They also touch on the importance of being a systems thinker and the benefits of writing and documenting ideas and processes.

Etienne and Kathy discuss the importance of documentation, decision-making, and operationalizing processes in the role of a CTO. They emphasize the need for clear communication, alignment, and trust within an organization. They also highlight the value of incremental changes and continuous improvement in addressing complex problems. The conversation touches on the relevance of CTO Levels in understanding common challenges faced by CTOs at different levels of experience. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and the role of processes in driving growth and success.

Time Stamps

00:00 - Introduction and Finding Joy in Work

06:27 - Dealing with Disagreement and Rejection

09:15 - Operationalizing Processes for Growing Companies

13:00 - The Importance of Alignment and Systems Thinking

19:10 - The Benefits of Writing and Documenting

29:56 - Introduction and the Importance of Documentation

35:37 - Operationalizing Processes for Business Growth

42:51 - The Value of Incremental Changes and Continuous Improvement

50:58 - Understanding Common Challenges with CTO Levels

53:20 - Effective Leadership: Communication, Alignment, and Decision-Making

We have 200+ CTOs in peer groups: Quick Testimonials Video

Contact Etienne: Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / X / Instagram / The CTO Podcast WebsiteContact Kathy: Website /LinkedIn