Data-powered Innovation Jam

Ready for your Hour of (Data) Power with some Radioactive and Electric Feel thrown in? Ok, so hang tight, get your coffee or lemonade (depending on how your summer looks like!), as we bring you a double whammy from your newest Data-powered Innovation Jam to celebrate the anniversary launch of the 10th edition of the Data Powered Innovation Review. This jam packs in the "power" of music, as always. But this time drawing connections to what “power” really means - from John Lennon's "Power to the People" to Robert Palmer banding up with Duran Duran’s John Taylor (bass) and Andy Taylor (guitar) for Power Station and heavy metal crews like Power Trip. This eclectic musical journey serves as a metaphor for the unexpected and powerful combinations that arise when diverse elements mix, a theme that underpins the episode's core discussions. 

Your hosts Ron Tolido and Robert Engels drum to the beats of two special pieces from the latest Data Powered Innovation Review 10: "The Serendipity Engine" and "Nature Engineered" with Neerav Vyas, VP Customer First, Insights and Data, Capgemini discovering rock music in a video store by accident and Franziska Wolf, Head of Quantum Chemistry for Capgemini Engineering playing the trombone in a band. While Neerav explains the "post-personalization world" where the goal is to achieve serendipity at scale – moving beyond mere recommendations based on known desires to surprising customers with things they didn't even know they wanted, Franziska talks of metallo-enzymes and how AI and quantum computing combined can help us understand nature better and create full stack simulation environment for biology. 

The episode sets the stage for a deep dive into how AI and data are enabling unexpected discoveries and innovations, much like the serendipitous musical journeys shared by the hosts and guests. So do tune in and enjoy!

Timestamps:

00:00 - 02:29 – Ron takes a "Power" trip flexing the 10th edition of the Data-powered Innovation Review

02:29 - 06:25 – Ron and Dr. Bob explores their individual take on "Power" Through Music

06:25 - 07:44 – Introduction to the Data-powered Innovation Review and two of its authors from Edition 10

10:41 - 25:37 – Neerav takes us back to a serendipitous musical journey in 1995 and subsequent revelations

25:58 - 41:58 - Franziska Wolf dives into "Nature Engineered" with Quantum and AI

42:58 - Weiwei busts her last myth before the summer break.

Connect with our guests Neerav Vyas and Franziska Wolff and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

From punk rock to process automation, from Blondie to BSON — it’s a genre-defying episode of the Data-Powered Innovation Jam where we grab a virtual bench in Central Park with Andrew Davidson, SVP of Products at MongoDB, and let the data conversation run wild. What follows is an improvisational jam session on the evolution of data, the art of distributed architectures, and why NoSQL was the punk rebellion against the symphonic pomp of relational databases. But wait, that was then. Now, MongoDB is no longer the scrappy garage band. With MongoDB Atlas, best-in-class vector search, and AI-native memory architectures, it’s headlining the main stage of general-purpose data platforms in the GenAI era.

Your hosts Ron Tolido, Weiwei Feng, and Robert Engels riff on:

• Why document models might just be the new lingua franca of AI
• How vector search is redefining “relationship status”
• What vibe coding really means (yes, that’s a thing now)
• And how social science might hold the key to truly intelligent systems

Oh, and there’s Sting, and Talking Heads, and a band called Kobus Gaat Naar Appelscha. Because this is still a jam. In a world of LLMs and memory-centric platforms, “every doc you take” is part of something bigger.

Tune in. This one’s electric.

Timestamps:

07:55 – Introduction to MongoDB and guest Andrew Davidson

14:01 – Exploring social sciences, graph databases, and database storage choices

21:39 – Strategies for identifying optimal relationships within documents

29:23 – With natural language interfaces, is SQL still necessary?

34:31 – The concept of “vibe coding” and understanding programming fundamentals

38:01 – Weiwei debunks myths about diversity, inclusion, and data

Connect with our guest Andrew Davidson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Ready for the remix? You might have already listened to one of the most recent episodes of the Cloud Realities podcast, where six dynamic voices from two podcast teams came together to unpack Capgemini’s TechnoVision 2025. From infrastructure and applications to collaboration, user experience, automation, and — naturally — a heavy dose of data and AI, it was an episode packed to the brim. Think you’ve heard it all? Think again.

But why stop at one listen? This time, we’re bringing it back with a data-powered twist — sharper, deeper, and just as bold. Discover what “Silent Letter Day” really means, vibe with “vibe coding,” explore alternate cloud realities, rethink RPA vs. Agents, and maybe even stumble into a Dutch punk band or two along the way.

Join Esmee van de Giessen, Dave Chapman, Rob Kernahan, Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido spin the turntables of technology.

Tune in. Remix on.

Timestamps:

11:23 – Rob kicked things off with the ‘Invisible Infostructure’ container

18:59 – Ron reflected on his early work and shared insights on the ‘Applications Unleashed’ container

33:01 – Dr. Bob kept the energy high with ‘Thriving on Data’

42:45 – Weiwei delivered a dynamic overview of ‘Process on the Fly’

55:33 – Dave offered a thoughtful introduction to the ‘We Collaborate’ container

01:05:25 – Esmee wrapped up with the final container: ‘You Experience’

What happens when Professor Erik Proper of the Technical University of Vienna teams up with the ever-inquisitive ‘Dr. Bob’ Robert Engels – modestly supported by co-hosts Weiwei Feng and Ron Tolido - to discuss AI, models, semantics, ontologies, and context? A true PhD Fest? Or a practical exploration of the synergies between the academic and business words? Well, how about a bit of both.

Our latest episode ‘Models on the Dancefloor’ dives deep into core topics around models and their renewed urgency and importance in a world that rapidly seems to hand over control to breakthrough, yet often poorly understood AI technologies. Models provide context and a common language between AI and humans, maybe not in a perfect or unambiguous way, but certainly paving the way for more reliable and trustworthy outcomes. It’s about collaborating engineering, enabled by a variety of ‘thinklets’ that urge to think about what type of intelligence is need at what step of decision-making. 

Other key issues are addressed as well, as you would expect from this podcast, such as could ChatGPT have come up with Einstein’s relativity theory, will LLMs invent time travel and how did Robert make money while pogoing on punk rock, back in the days? Talking about a dancefloor filler: you don’t want to miss this one.

Hit play. You’ll never look at AI models – or dancefloors – the same way again.

Timestamps:

06:29 – Erik delves into the major conversations shaping academia today

11:05 – How AI is transforming the craft of architecture, modeling—and nearly everything else

15:25 – Why semantics matter: modeling, meaning, and the roots of bias

21:07 – Unpacking the dynamic between academia and industry

28:25 – The crucial role of high-complexity work in an AI-driven landscape

34:57 – Myth busted! Weiwei challenges a widely held belief in the data world

Connect with our guest Henderik Proper and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Much like a hammer sees every problem as a nail, data experts tend to see opportunity in every single data field. Collaboration on data is still one of the best ways to bring data to life and build business value on top of it.

Sharing data across organizations is one of the most powerful ways to spark innovation. But when data needs to stay private, sovereign, and secure—from competitors, unauthorized users, or cyber threats—the challenge multiplies.

Enter Roseman Labs: a deep-tech startup turning heads with its encrypted data collaboration platform. Built for speed, usability, and zero trust, and endorsed by the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre, they bring quite some credentials to the data & AI table, backed up by no less than 8 cryptography PhDs in their team, all focused on making secure data collaboration not just possible, but practical.

In this episode of Data-powered Innovation Jam, hosts Weiwei, Robert, and Ron are joined by Ian Wachter, Senior Commercial Advisor at Roseman Labs and an advisory board member of several other startups, to unpack how secure collaboration is reshaping the data landscape. From platform design to real-world use cases, they explore what’s next for organizations that need to collaborate—without compromise.

And because no innovation jam is complete without a big-picture take, the exec perspective is on the table too.

All of this, and more, in our brand-new podcast episode named “You Can’t Touch This (Data)”. Tune in, if only to find out why MC Hammer is an Internet mogul and an early adapter of social media. 

Stop, Hammer Time: you don’t want to miss this one!

Timestamps:

05:23 – Ian shares the origin story of Roseman Labs and how it’s redefining secure data collaboration

13:35 – The hurdles deep learning still faces—especially when data privacy enters the picture

16:43 – Gaia-X data spaces vs. Roseman Labs: where they align, and where they diverge

20:23 – Why data collaboration isn’t just a tool—it’s a mindset shift

30:31 – Myth busted! Weiwei takes down a common misconception in the data world
 

Connect with our guest Ian Wachters and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Ever thought AI practitioners could win a Noble prize? Well, they already have. Not for predicting your next favourite movie or generating poetry, but for groundbreaking advancements in Life Sciences. And it won’t be the last time.

In this episode, hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng find themselves venturing into unexpected territory with Dael Williamson, EMEA CTO at Databricks—and let’s just say, this isn’t your typical podcast episode about data platforms.

After a quick dive into Databricks’ open-source roots and some game-changing use cases, Dael takes us into his world. And rightfully so, given his master’s degree in biotechnology, molecular modelling, structural biochemistry/bioinformatics and predictive drug design, he unpacks how AI is already compressing R&D timelines in Life Sciences at an unprecedented pace. The secret? Applying multiple AI components, each with a specific purpose, rather than relying on one generic biological ‘foundry’ model.

And that’s just the beginning. When the ‘telemetry’ data between inputs and outputs of R&D clinical trials can be captured and turned into increasingly smart models, big steps can be made forward – including towards the ‘unknown unknowns’ of not only Life Science, but also towards areas such as software engineering.

Truly sounds like an AI Nirvana, right? And come to think of that, it’s no longer surprising that some favourite grunge bands are discussed, and the title of the podcast – ‘Smells like gene spirit’ suddenly makes a lot of sense.

Timestamps:

08:08 - Dael shares the origins of Databricks and its future direction
 11:43 - Exploring the intersection of Biotechnology, Data, and Analytics
 23:14 - The role of Quantum Computing in the Pharma Industry
 29:34 - Process knowledge meets Large Language Models
 39:15 - Weiwei debunks a myth
 

Connect with our guest Dael Williamson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

In for a new venture? This episode of the Data-powered Innovation Jam has you covered. Our hosts Weiwei, Robert, and Ron welcome Brett Clark, Director, Global Business Development at blackshark.ai—a company with the modest mission of creating a digital twin of the entire planet using satellite data. It all started with Microsoft Flight Simulator, but that was only the beginning. Now, as part of Capgemini Ventures’ investment portfolio, blackshark.ai is making waves with its new no-code platform, allowing anyone to identify objects on the Earth’s surface with unprecedented ease and precision—no data science degree required.

But wait—why stop at the Earth’s surface? Oceans, forests, or even Lego constructions? Four words: Bring your own Pixels. And that’s just scratching the surface. The conversation dives into synthetic data, minimized models, and the fascinating world of ‘geo-typical’ insights.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a jam without music. Ever wondered how surf rock and rockabilly are making a comeback? Or where that unmistakable podcast tune comes from? Tune in and find out!

Timestamps:

08:12 – Introducing blackshark.ai
 19:32 – blackshark.ai’s partnership with Capgemini Ventures
 28:35 – Digital Twin, virtual twins, and the role of historic & synthetic data
 37:09 – The landscape of (world) AI models & innovation
 39:57 – Myth-busting with Weiwei
 

Connect with our guest Brett Clark and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

It’s the ultimate new hit album for generative AI: intelligent automation, autonomous systems, and—of course—agents. But while ServiceNow has been a pioneering force in this space for a long time, it still seems to fly under the radar for many data and AI experts. Time to change that. Time to bridge the worlds of Planet Process and Planet Data!

For this, our hosts Weiwei, Robert, and Ron couldn’t have wished for a better guest than Toby Isaacson. As a Senior Advisory Solution Architect at ServiceNow, Toby brings sharp insights into automation platforms, AI guardrails, supervised and unsupervised autonomous systems, data fabrics for central and decentral data and – naturally – agents. Who would have thought that IT ticketing would provide the ticket to ride for enterprise process automation?

But that’s not all. Toby is also a stand-up comedian, and his sense of humour shines through in unexpected moments. And despite his British roots, he lays claim to some Viking heritage—fitting for an episode that turns into a true ‘ScandiDutch’ happening. Expect deep dives into world-class DJs from the Netherlands and Scandinavia, all balanced by a tribute to UK legend Fatboy Slim.

Eat, Sleep, Automate, Repeat: this podcast episode has an irresistible beat!

Timestamps:

07:18 – Discover ServiceNow.
 16:06 – Unpacking the NOW platform.
 22:49 – AI agents, data accessibility, and guardrails.
 30:05 – The biggest AI advantage in digital processes.
 35:23 – Are industry-specific processes the next frontier?
 38:34 – Myth-busting with Weiwei.

Connect with our guest Toby Isaacson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn 

"It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing"—Duke Ellington’s immortal words composed almost a century ago resonate deeply in the latest episode of the Data-powered Innovation Jam. Hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng explore TechnoVision 2025, Capgemini’s annual technology trend analysis, where ‘The Pendulum Swing’ captures the rapidly oscillating, intwined worlds of technology, business, and society.

For this special edition, they’re joined by an insider: Michiel Boreel, Global CTO of Sogeti and a key TechnoVision author, adding decades of experience to the mix. Together, they go through the essentials and break down the top trends—dominated by data and AI—before diving into the balancing acts that architects, strategists, and innovators must navigate. There’s a spotlight on augmentation by AI, as it explores the edges of value, trust and explainability versus what defines us as humans.

And with swing as the theme, the musical discussions naturally find their rhythm. So, pluck that double bass, strum that guitar, and hit those drums—this episode is all jazzed up with insight, innovation, and improvisation.

🎧 Tune in now!

Timestamps:

07:13 – Exploring TechnoVision
 11:59 – The pendulum swing to data and AI.
 19:26 – Finding equilibrium through Balance by Design
 29:55 – The era of augmentation
 37:29 – Navigating chaos: AI in the real world
 38:12 – Be like water.

Connect with our guest Michiel Boreel and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Cloud computing has long been a familiar fixture in the digital sky, but that doesn’t mean innovation has stopped soaring. In this episode, hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng discuss all things cloud with Carolin Eggers, Director, Data & AI, EMEA North, Google Cloud.

The first kind of cloud? There’s nothing UFO about it. That’s well understood—flexible access to powerful infrastructure services. The second kind? Software as a service, is far from alien too. But how about the third kind: industry data clouds, enabling businesses to collaborate securely on data and AI models within trusted ecosystems? Of course, it’s 2025 after all, the evolution of AI agents in the cloud is discussed. Could a fourth kind of cloud be emerging?

And what if the cloud isn’t just the next frontier—but the gateway to quantum computing for the masses? A fifth kind, perhaps? One thing is certain: the cloud is anything but static.

Naturally, the conversation wouldn’t be complete without music. From the British hard rock band UFO to the Scorpions from Hannover Germany, and even a nod to a legendary 5-note musical language—somehow, it all makes perfect sense in the latest episode of the Data-powered Innovation Jam: Cloud encounters of the third kind.

Timestamps:

11:15 – Discussion on Industry Cloud.

16:56 – AI’s role in industry.

22:24 – Quantum as the fifth kind of cloud?

26:11 – Exploring Agent Space in Cloud.

35:07 – The pendulum swing.

40:20 – Myth-busting with Weiwei.

Connect with our guest Carolin Eggers and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Is quantum computing an early ‘70s thing? Well, certainly if you compare it to the new, experimental music that was released then. To many, quantum computing feels like listening to an early Pink Floyd record for the very first time: alien, incomparable, confusing, but above all: intriguing. Quite different from the more mainstream band the Floyd later would become.

With all this in mind, choosing a musical theme for this episode was an easy decision. Joining us is Dr. Marvin Erdmann, Quantum Computing Engineer at BMW, alongside co-hosts Dr. Robert Engels and Dr. Weiwei Feng. As host Ron Tolido aptly predicts at the outset, this discussion is set to be a true ‘PhDfest.’

And indeed, the quicksand of the deep workings of quantum doesn’t keep the hosts and their guest from discussing real-world applications, transformative possibilities in automotive and beyond, and how quantum computing might just revolutionize the field of AI. 

If the concept of Q Day—when quantum computing changes the game entirely—feels a bit distant, think again. Frameworks like QUARK already allow industries to orchestrate benchmarks and explore quantum-powered solutions. Curious? Excited? Ready to dive in?

Tune in to Quantum heart mother for a mind-expanding journey into the future of computation and innovation.

Timestamps:

05:57 – Marvin delves into the basics of quantum computing.

10:55 – Exploring the advantages of quantum computing and its applications.

20:08 – Quantum benchmarking and its role within an ecosystem.

26:22 – Quantum programming languages and addressing errors in quantum systems.

35:34 – Myth-busting session with Weiwei.

Connect with our guest Marvin Erdmann and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn 

Knock, knock, Neo. Think Agents are a thing of the future? Look again at the iconic movie, The Matrix—they've been hiding in plain sight. In the first episode of 2025, hosts Ron Tolido, Weiwei Feng, and Robert Engels venture down the digital rabbit hole of Virtual Twins with Morgan Zimmerman, CEO of NETVIBES at Dassault Systèmes.

It’s a fascinating world where physical science meets data science, a world of both red and blue pills. Virtual Twins take the concept of Digital Twins to the next level, transforming static representations of products, devices, and systems into living, breathing "Dream Theaters" of simulations, predictions, and what-if scenarios. Fueled by AI and immersive technology, they don’t just capture life—they reimagine it.

But what happens when Virtual Twins evolve to encompass entire organizations and industries? Imagine bending not just spoons, but entire realities. The Matrix has you—are you ready to see how deep the twin-powered innovation goes?

You're in The Matrix! Tune into our latest Data-powered Innovation Jam podcast episode now!               

Timestamps:

00:35 – Ron and Robert dive into the iconic world of The Matrix, drawing parallels to digital innovation.
04:55 – Morgan shares insights into Dassault Systèmes' legacy and the evolution of Virtual Twins.
10:00 – Exploring the connection between ontologies and their applications in the real world.
20:03 – How Digital Twins, Virtual Twins, and the Metaverse are transforming real-world use cases.
36:15 – Redefining interaction with the digital world in ways that feel natural yet futuristic.

Connect with our guest Morgan Zimmermann and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Do we hear sleigh bells in that surf rock soundtrack? Well, anything can happen when you tune in to the Data-powered Innovation Jam podcast—especially in the very last episode of the year! Our hosts Weiwei Feng (winning top honours for her Christmas sweater), Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido gather with their producer Arne Rossmann by a cozy fireplace to reflect on an unforgettable 2024. From groundbreaking moments in data and AI to the soundtrack of the year, it’s a heartfelt and insightful rewind.

But wait, there's more! It wouldn’t be the Innovation Jam without a bold look ahead and discussion on some predictions for 2025. Any chance of being accurate amid such unpredictable times? Well, to paraphrase the contemporary poet Zack de la Rocha, “some of those that hype new courses, are the same that ignore real causes.” Of course, this doesn’t keep our hosts from forecasting. Drawing from the visions of 7 leading innovation movers and shakers, the team pieces together a picture of a new year that promises to be transformational, and of course packed with a whole lot of data-powered magic.

Will the future hold surprises? Undoubtedly. But if one thing’s certain, it’s that this extra special holiday episode delivers inspiration, insights, and plenty of holiday cheer. Join us by the fire for data, analytics, robotics, AI, and all that data jazz!

Timestamps:

00:40 – Ron and Robert reflect on some of the most memorable musical moments shared throughout the podcast series.

12:50 – As AI continues to evolve and its misuse in criminal activities rises, conversations are shifting from abstract ideals to pressing, real-world challenges.

23:58 – A clear trend for 2025 is emerging: a strategic blend of diverse cloud solutions will be critical for effective data management.

29:07 – Synthetic data is set to take center stage, offering realistic, pattern-rich data without exposing sensitive information.

48:05 – The hosts wrap up the year with a recap of 2024's highlights in data and AI, while offering a look ahead at 2025, all by the warmth of a fireplace and a glass of Glühwein.

Curious about the latest in data and AI? Explore our newly launched thought leadership magazine, Data-powered Innovation Review Wave 9.

Connect with our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, Weiwei Feng and our producer Arne Rossmann on LinkedIn.

Autonomous AI isn’t just a futuristic dream—it’s here, and robots are redefining industries. But who would have thought the human touch is so crucial to success? In this electrifying episode, hosts Robert Engels, Weiwei Feng, and Ron Tolido are joined by Kence Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Composabl and author of “Designing Autonomous AI: A Guide for Machine Teaching.”

Kence shares his expertise in designing autonomous robotic systems that seamlessly fuse human insight with machine intelligence—like crafting the perfect rock ballad with just the right balance of grit and melody. The conversation explores “data science colonialism”, the revolutionary potential of machine teaching, and why subject matter experts are the real stars of AI. And yes, there’s even a nod to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder for good measure!

While the world rides the generative AI wave, Kence makes a compelling case for exploring diverse AI approaches and engineering systems that truly harmonize with human capabilities. This episode is your backstage pass to the future of AI. It’s a conversation that will leave you inspired and ready to embrace the autonomous AI revolution.

No November rain here—just insights that hit all the right notes. Join the autonomy, don't miss this episode!

Timestamps:

00:38 – Ron and Robert explore the fascinating history of the "Synthesizer."

15:38 – What’s the perfect music genre for Composabl platform? Plus, the magic of improvisation.

23:40 – Kence dives into his report, "Intelligent Autonomous Agents – The Missing Ingredient in the Autonomous Enterprise."

36:40 – Can we teach machines to create the ultimate soundtrack?

38:53 – Weiwei takes the stage for some myth busting brilliance.

Connect with our guest Kence Anderson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Bayer, a global powerhouse with a diverse portfolio spanning pharmaceuticals via consumer health, all the way to crop science. So, what do you get when you have a guest from Bayer discussing data and AI? Even more diverse topics, of course. In this episode, hosts Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido are joined by Mukesh Dubey, Product Management & Architecture Lead for Data and Commercial Platforms at Bayer US, for a lively and thought-provoking exchange.

The agenda? Generative AI, of course. To stay in style: is it really a “Big Aspirin” ready to tackle the toughest headaches, or is a strategy of well-planned baby steps be the better approach?

But that’s just the start. Being architects themselves just like Mukesh, Robert, and Ron exchange perspectives on the evolving role of architecture, strategy, data platforms, and governance in organizations. Meanwhile, Weiwei takes on her signature myth-busting challenge, tackling the feasibility of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the question; do we need it?

And because this is the Data-powered Innovation Jam, expect some surprising connections play into the mix. Like how do everybody’s favourite Bon Jovi songs fit exactly into this equation?  And who was in the same school class as German singer Nena?

Don’t miss this engaging episode filled with insights, debates, and a few unexpected twists!

Timestamps:

01:41 – Ron shares his claim to fame, recounting the time he met Joseph Bowie, founder of the legendary band Defunkt!

25:01 – Strategies for preparing architects to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

29:41 – Exploring key concepts in data management, including the data mesh.

37:10 – Insights into fostering seamless data sharing within organizations.

41:15 – Mukesh dives into his perspective on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Connect with our guest Mukesh Dubey and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Sometimes, language is universal – one could win the Eurovision Song Contest with lyrics like “la-la-la” or “ding-a-dong! But when it comes to sharing data across companies, sectors, and countries, we need a little more than catchy choruses. Enter Gaia-X: a pan-European platform designed to enable trusted, decentralized data sharing and digital ecosystems, all aligned with EU values.

In this episode, we’re joined by Alberto Palomo, Chief Strategy Officer at Gaia-X, to explore what’s required for seamless data sharing – even among organizations determined to do things their way. With hosts Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, Ron Tolido and our producer Arne Rossman, Alberto unpacks the challenges, shares key insights and lessons learnt from his time as Spain’s Chief Data Officer. Turns out that speaking the same language isn’t necessary for collaboration—as long as you’re referring to the same things and concepts.

Curious about the future of data ecosystems? Or just wondering about the team’s favourite Eurovision tracks? Don’t miss this lively new episode of the Data-powered Innovation Jam podcast!

Timestamps:

01:15 – Ron and Robert dive into a discussion on “Eurovision.”

06:07 – Alberto introduces Gaia-X and explores its benefits.

17:22 – A deep dive into Data Mesh, user sovereignty, and ethics with Gaia-X.

37:25 – Weiwei leads a myth-busting session.

40:33 – What’s next for Gaia-X?

Connect with our guest Alberto Palomo and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Blue is the new green! Data is key to achieving sustainability goals and a greener planet, but what about a bluer planet? Our guest, Heidi Karlsson, Director of Open Footprint Forum at The Open Group, joins us to ‘dive deep’ into this topic. As a facilitator in creating open data standards for global carbon emission exchange, Heidi shares insights on how to bring hundreds of diverse members together to collaborate on impactful data models and standards. But that’s just the beginning.

As a maritime environmentalist, Heidi is also a passionate advocate for the Blue Economy — the sustainable use of ocean resources to support economies, livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. Before you know it, our hosts Robert Engels, Weiwei Feng and Ron Tolido are surfing with Heidi on concepts such as sea agriculture, marine habitat mapping, and environmental conflict resolution. Of course, data and AI (‘deep sea learning,’ anyone?) are at the heart of making it all happen.

And if that’s not enough, get ready for a mini lecture on musical scales and some surprising vintage Blues song recommendations. Tune in and take the plunge!

Timestamps:

00:19 – Ron and Robert kick things off with a chat about Blues music.

11:00 – Heidi dives into the meaning of the "Blue Economy" and its importance.

15:12 – A deep dive into the data model and its synergy with AI.

19:14 – Discussion on the regulatory framework for leveraging data.

34:31 – Weiwei takes the lead in a myth-busting session.

Connect with our guest Heidi Karlsson and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

What’s bigger news in 2025: The Gallagher brothers reuniting Oasis, or generative AI going enterprise scale? Tough call, but we’ll stick with AI for now. Just as Noel Gallagher’s grounded presence is complemented by his rebellious brother Liam, generative AI stands to benefit from Graph technology. Graphs bring context, semantics, and deeper understanding—all qualities urgently needed by the probabilistic nature of large language models.

Join hosts Weiwei Feng, Robert Engels, and Ron Tolido as they dive into this compelling topic with the one and only Jim Webber, Chief Scientist at Neo4J, who confesses he is happy to step out of the “basement” for the occasion, seeing some proper podcast daylight. He shares insights on how Graphs can boost AI’s confidence. With Robert as a fellow Graph enthusiast, the conversation dives deep into how natural language could be more suitable to query graph databases.

Curious about the Graph-tech connection with Sweden? Want to hear about Idiot Savant Chatbots? Tune in for all this and more—and as one famous R&B singer once said, "If you liked it, then you should’ve put a graph on it."

Timestamps:

00:22 – Ron and Robert dive into a fun chat about “Oasis.”
07:25 – Jim shares his unique journey into the world of Graph databases.
15:21 – Exploring how Graphs can enhance Large Language Models (LLMs).
20:30 – A look at Neo4j’s future roadmap and ambitious goals.
38:51 – Weiwei leads a myth busting session.

Connect with our guest Jim Webber and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Get ready for a compelling discussion on diversity in data! Expanding perspectives always uncovers fresh insights and new opportunities—and this is especially true in the world of data. Joining us is Jennifer Belissent, Principal Data Strategist at Snowflake, whose career journey embodies diversity itself. From Peace Corps volunteer to academic researcher, market analyst at Forrester, Jennifer brings a wealth of unique experiences to the table.

In this episode, our hosts dive into diversity in data from multiple angles: internal vs. external, structured vs. unstructured, public vs. private, and even whether CDOs should come from data/IT or the business. Jennifer also introduces the ‘scream test’ to streamline BI portfolios and calls for leveraging the full potential of global data. And it doesn’t stop at data—expect an engaging twist as the discussion spans a diverse range of music, from Sade to Iron Maiden. Tune in for an eye-opening session on diversity, data, and everything in between. This episode offers rich insights and is truly ‘woke’ in the best possible sense. You won’t want to miss it!

Timestamps:

00:20 – Ron and Robert kick off a conversation about "Jazz."
08:26 – Exploring the topic of diversity in data.
20:32 – Snowflake’s vision to harness global data.
31:03 – Myth busting session with Weiwei.
39:17 – Jennifer shares her thoughts on "Women in Data."

Connect with our guest Jennifer Belissent and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.

Remember the exciting days of data mesh not so long ago? A lot of organizations saw the potential of domain-owned data, federated governance, self-service platforms, and data as a product. Then ChatGPT hit the market, and everybody got distracted. Now the concepts are back, with a vengeance.  

Our guest of today, Pavel Doležal, indeed acknowledges it. He is a trailblazer in the world of startups focusing on data platforms, data management, and innovative data products. As the visionary co-founder and CEO of self-service data platform Keboola, Pavel brings his deep insight into leveraging the power of AI alongside the benefits of data mesh. Join us for his fascinating discussion with our hosts Weiwei, Robert and Ron where you'll also dive into the intriguing world of Norwegian black metal, explore the mysteries of the Cargo Cult, and uncover valuable data wisdom passed down through generations.   

Timestamps: 

01:05 – Ron and Robert dive into a discussion on "Black Metal”! 

05:50 – How did the name "Keboola" originate? 

10:34 – Discussion on the concept of data mesh. 

32:41 - Have you heard of the term "Cargo Cult"? 

40:12 - Myth busting with Weiwei. 

Connect with our guest Pavel Doležal and our hosts Ron Tolido, Robert Engels, and Weiwei Feng on LinkedIn.