
Humans In AI
By Nick Asbridge
A podcast for aspiring founders and technical and commercial leaders to grow from the success and setbacks of AI leaders who are at the top of their game.

Humans In AINov 14, 2024
00:00
01:00:37

Season 2 Episode 8 | From Programmer to VP of Sales: Brandon Peccoralo on AI, GPUs & Leadership
In this conversation, Brandon Peccoralo, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Voltage Park, shares his journey from software programmer to sales leader. He reflects on the challenges of shifting from a technical role to sales, highlighting the importance of effective management, strategic hiring, and building a strong team.Brandon also explores the evolving landscape of AI buyers, the challenges and opportunities in the GPU market, and the critical role of operational excellence and partnerships in delivering reliable services. He underscores the need for stability in a rapidly changing industry and offers insights into the future of AI and GPU technology, emphasising its potential for innovation and new applications.🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Mar 20, 202551:42

Season 2 Episode 7 | Aaron Ginn, CEO of Hydra Host on Finance, Innovation & the Future of GPU Management
In this conversation, Aaron Ginn, CEO and co-founder of Hydra Host, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, highlighting the role of finance in shaping business narratives. He reflects on the challenges of corporate hierarchies, the power of strong partnerships, and the importance of innovation in the rapidly evolving tech industry—particularly in the booming market for data centres and GPUs. Ginn outlines his vision for Hydra Host, drawing parallels between GPU management and the airline industry. He explores the supply-driven nature of the market, the need for a global distribution system for GPU capacity, and the regulatory challenges that come with it. Throughout, he offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of passion and the ability to focus on solving meaningful problems in business.🎧The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12 pm!
Mar 13, 202501:00:16

Season 2 Episode 6 | Bruce Beckloff on Deep Tech Growth, start-up Strategies & the Future of Compute
In this conversation, Bruce Beckloff, CEO of YellowDog, shares his journey from engineering to marketing, emphasising the importance of long-term planning and commercialisation in the deep tech sector. He discusses the unique challenges faced by UK technology companies and the innovative strategies needed for growth. Additionally, Bruce explains the establishment of Block Ventures, a deep tech investment company designed to support start-ups over a longer time frame than traditional venture funds. In this conversation, Bruce discusses the unique approach of Block Ventures in bridging the gap between technical founders and commercial leadership. He elaborates on the evolution of Yellow Dog, a compute management platform, and how it adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The discussion also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly in the financial services sector, and how aligning goals with partners like AWS can lead to mutual success. Bruce discusses the challenges and strategies for start-ups, particularly in the tech industry. He emphasises the importance of persistence in building partnerships, the need for a hybrid computing approach, and the significance of understanding customer needs. Bruce also shares insights on managing costs in computing and the concept of peak compute, while advising engineers in start-ups to find commercially minded partners to drive sales and growth.🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Mar 06, 202547:16

Season 2 Episode 5 | Democratising Supercomputing: Jon Stevens on AI, GPU Innovation & Hot Aisle’s Vision
In this conversation, Jon Stevens, CEO of Hot Aisle, shares his journey from early computing interests to leading a company focused on democratising access to supercomputing. He discusses his experiences in Bitcoin and Ethereum mining, the challenges of automation in GPU management, and the transition to building a cloud provider aimed at small to medium businesses. Jon emphasises the importance of partnerships and the future of AI computing in the evolving tech landscape. In this conversation, Jon Stevens discusses the strategic decision to focus on AMD for AI hardware, emphasising the importance of decentralisation and competition in the tech industry. He highlights the risks of relying solely on Nvidia and advocates for a diverse ecosystem in AI development. He also outlines Hot Aisle's growth strategy, which includes providing flexible GPU rental services and building a supportive community for developers. He stresses the significance of partnerships with AMD and Dell and the ongoing improvements in AMD's software capabilities.🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Feb 13, 202551:44

Season 2 Episode 4 | From Investment Banking to AI & Data Centres – Jerry Tang’s Journey
In this conversation, Jerry Tang, founder of VCV and CEO of Atlas Cloud, shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, highlighting his experiences in the data centre and AI sectors.
He discusses the challenges and opportunities in building AI infrastructure, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the strategies for growth in a competitive market.
Jerry emphasizes the significance of hiring top talent and focusing on unit economics for sustainable success.
He also offers advice to aspiring tech entrepreneurs, drawing from his unique background in both finance and technology.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Feb 06, 202530:32

Season 2 Episode 3 | Ben Elder on Sales Leadership: From IT to Simpplr, Mentorship, Culture, and Growth Strategies
In this conversation, Ben Elder, Regional VP of Sales, EMEA at Simpplr, shares his journey from IT sales to management.
He discusses the value of early career experiences, managing inside and field sales teams, and the cultural impact of successful organisations like Rackspace.
He emphasizes the value of coaching, empathy, and the need for strong foundational skills in sales while reflecting on his experiences at Symantec and the impact of company culture on performance.
In this conversation, Ben Elder shares his journey from working at Meta to joining Simpplr, discussing the various roles he held, the challenges he faced in sales management, and the importance of mentorship.
He emphasizes the differences between SMB and enterprise sales, the complexities of alliance management, and the strategies he implemented to build a successful sales culture at Simpler.
Ben also highlights the significance of brand awareness and outlines his growth plans for the future, offering valuable advice for aspiring sales leaders.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Jan 30, 202551:06

Season 2 Episode 2 | From Teacher to SVP: Ash Patel’s Journey Through Tech, Cloud, and AI Innovation
In this conversation, Ash Patel shares his extensive journey
through the IT industry, from his early days as a teacher to becoming the SVP of Business Operations at Nscale.
He discusses the evolution of technology, the
challenges of transitioning from engineering to sales, and the importance of understanding customer needs in the cloud space.
Ash reflects on his experiences at various organisations,
including Insight, Rackspace, and AWS, highlighting the cultural differences and lessons learned.
He emphasises the significance of innovation, agility, and
building strong relationships in the tech industry, particularly in the rapidly changing landscape of AI and cloud computing.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Jan 23, 202551:48

Season 2 Episode 1 | Bam Gobets, CRO of Nebul, on AI, European Innovation & Start-up Advice
In this conversation, Bam Gobets shares his extensive background in the tech industry, detailing his journey from technical roles to sales and leadership positions in various companies.
He discusses the evolution of Nebul, a company focused on AI cloud solutions, and the importance of understanding the unique challenges of AI adoption in Europe.
Bam highlights significant projects, including a multimodal cancer treatment solution, and emphasises the importance of European data sovereignty.
He also shares insights on team building during expansion, lessons learned from the competitive AI market, and the need for sustainable business practices.
Finally, he offers advice for early-stage AI start-ups, encouraging them to take action and iterate quickly.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Jan 16, 202541:20

Season 1 | Episode 6: Doreen Pernel, CSO of Scaleway, outlines her path to sales leadership, sustainability & diversity within AI
In this conversation, Doreen Pernel, Chief Sales Officer at
Scaleway, shares her inspiring journey from starting in accounts receivable to becoming a leader in sales and management. She reflects on her experiences in inside sales, the challenges of transitioning into management, and the vital role of resilience and teamwork in driving success in sales.
Doreen also explores the value of learning from mistakes,
embracing new opportunities, and navigating the competitive cloud market, especially in the dynamic fields of AI and innovation. She emphasises the importance of fostering motivation and connection within teams to thrive in a demanding environment.
Additionally, Doreen highlights the significance of
diversity and inclusion in hiring, advocating for balanced candidate pools. She explains Scaleway's dedication to open-source technology and sustainability, showcasing their innovative efforts to reduce carbon footprints in data centres.
This is the final episode of season 1, thank you so much to all
our guests for being in our first season and giving everyone an honest insight into their journey.
Make sure you follow asobbi on LinkedIn to get all our
updates.
We have already began recording season 2 to be released in
the new year. Thank you for listening to the Humans in AI podcast, until the new season have a fantastic festive season
🎄🎙️
Nov 21, 202446:15

Season 1 | Epiode 5 John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna highlights the challenge of wasted renewable energy in tech
In this conversation, John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna Holdings, discusses his journey from a technician to a successful entrepreneur. He highlights the challenges of wasted renewable energy and how Soluna is addressing this issue by co-locating data centres with renewable energy plants.
John shares insights from his early career at Intel, the founding of his first software company, and the lessons learned from selling to BEA Systems. He also delves into the complexities of the insurance software industry and the importance of understanding risk management in sales.
In this conversation, John Belizaire shares insights on navigating the complexities of business relationships, particularly between IT and business sectors. He emphasises the importance of understanding community dynamics within industries and the need for aspiring CEOs to focus on key insights for success.
Belizaire discusses the structure and vision of Soluna Holdings, highlighting its commitment to renewable computing and the integration of AI. He also stresses the significance of building a diverse and collaborative team to drive innovation and success.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Nov 14, 202401:00:37

Season 1 | Episode 4 Amar Kapadia, Co-Founder & CEO of Aarna.ml shares lessons & challenges for future founders
In this conversation, Amar Kapadia, co-founder and CEO of Aarna.ml, shares insights into his career journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, the founding and selling of his previous company, and the lessons learned along the way.
Amar discusses the challenges and opportunities of starting a business during the pandemic, the competitive landscape of GPU cloud management, and the importance of understanding customer needs.
He also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasising the need to identify real pain points before developing products.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Nov 07, 202440:39

Season 1 | Episode 3 Nigel Cannings, Cofounder & CEO of Intelligent Voice on leadership & strategic partnerships
In this conversation, Nick interviews Nigel Cannings, CEO and co-founder of Intelligent Voice, discussing his unique journey from law to technology, the challenges of innovating in the tech space, and the implications of AI on human expertise and recruitment.
Nigel shares insights on leadership, strategic partnerships, and the future of Intelligent Voice, as well as his new book, 'The Displacement Dilemma', which explores the continuous developments in AI
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Oct 31, 202401:09:46

Season 1 | Episode 2 Karl Havard, COO of Nscale, highlights building relationships & the future of AI and cloud
In this episode, Karl Havard, COO of Nscale, shares his journey from a military background to leading a company in generative AI. He talks about his shift from engineering to sales, his entrepreneurial experiences, and working with tech giants like Google and AWS.
Karl highlights the importance of relationships in business, the challenges and opportunities in AI and cloud computing, and the need for a strong company culture rooted in integrity and trust.
He also shares insights on building a successful AI business, hiring the right talent, and adapting to the fast-changing industry.
🎧 The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Karl Havard and His Journey
02:54 From Military to Engineering: Early Career Insights
06:13 Transitioning to Sales and Entrepreneurship
08:59 The Rise of E-commerce and Early Internet Ventures
11:49 Academic Pursuits and the Shift to Digital Marketing
14:56 Navigating the Cloud Landscape: Google and AWS Experiences
17:49 Current Role at Nscale: Building for Generative AI
20:51 Challenges and Opportunities in the AI Market
31:53 Building Relationships and Business Foundations
34:38 Engineering Challenges and Operational Maturity
39:57 Cultivating Company Culture and Team Dynamics
45:27 Integrity and Trust in Business
54:40 Future Vision and Strategic Growth
01:00:05 Industry Evolution and Generative AI Opportunities
Oct 24, 202401:03:51

Season 1 | Episode 1 Pete Hill, Co-Founder of CUDO discusses the intersection of AI, HPC and sustainability
In this episode of the Humans in AI podcast, Nick chats with Pete Hill, co-founder of CUDO, about the intersection of AI, high-performance computing, and sustainability.
They dive into CUDO's vision of a distributed cloud powered by renewable energy, how data centres are evolving to meet AI's growing demands and Pete’s journey in the tech world.
Pete also shares candid thoughts on leadership, building a positive company culture, and embracing adaptability in a fast-paced industry—plus what the future of AI means for the job market.
The Humans In AI podcast releases new episodes every Thursday at 12pm!
Chapters
00:00: Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:02: Overview of CUDO and Its Mission
02:54: Sustainability in High-Performance Computing
05:47: The Evolution of Data Centres and AI Demand
09:01: Pete's Career Journey and Founding CUDO
12:08: The Concept of Underutilization in Computing
14:45: Transition from Crypto Mining to AI Workloads
18:03: Building a Sustainable Computing Ecosystem
20:57: Market Research and Product Development
24:12: Focus and Adaptability in Start-ups
30:27: Navigating Leadership Challenges
32:43: The Importance of Sustainability in Business
36:01: Innovative Marketplace Models in AI Computing
40:08: Future Plans and Strategic Alliances
45:44: The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on Jobs
51:29: Building a Strong Company Culture
Oct 17, 202401:01:49