Data Today with Dan Klein

About Data Today with Dan Klein

Tech Tomorrow is your front-row seat to the conversations redefining the future. Each episode explores one big question about data, AI, or emerging tech, giving leaders clear, focused answers they can trust. If you're navigating complex innovation, from AI-augmented delivery to sustainability, this show helps you cut through the noise, connect cross-disciplinary trends, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving landscape. Previously known as Data Today, this podcast has examined how out-of-the-box thinking around data can be used for good in our world. Now, Tech Tomorrow expands its scope, diving into topics like agentic systems, cybersecurity consulting, and AI in product development. Host David Elliman is Chief of Software Engineering at Zühlke. With 40 years of experience in technology and innovation, David is a global leader and advisor. Specialising in building enterprise-scale solutions and adopting emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, and cloud computing, David offers technical consulting worldwide. About Zühlke Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation in our DNA. We're trusted to help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – to run smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities. Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in tech strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We excel in complex, regulated spaces including health and finance, connecting strategy, tech implementation, and operational services to help clients become more effective, resilient businesses.

Publisher

Zühlke

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Mar 2023

Latest episode

23 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Are leaders deploying AI faster than they can effectively govern it with Zahra Shah

   AI adoption is moving so quickly that, for many organisations, governance is struggling to keep pace. So how can leaders begin thinking more strategically about how, when, and even if they use AI? In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman speaks with responsible AI expert Zahra Shah about what it takes to adopt AI safely and responsibly, and to deliver real business value. Zahra explains that rapid AI development is making it harder for businesses to keep up with evolving risks, regulations, and operational demands. At the same time, ‘shadow AI’ is on the rise, as employees use generative AI tools without oversight, increasing the risk of exposing sensitive company or customer data. Zahra stresses that successful AI adoption starts with the basics: clear use cases, proper due diligence, and strong governance from the outset. She also recommends starting with a requirements analysis, establishing responsible AI principles such as transparency and explainability, and implementing safeguards against bias, hallucinations, and compliance risks before scaling. Rather than launching sweeping transformation programmes, she encourages businesses to begin with smaller, lower-risk pilots that deliver measurable outcomes. Internal HR policy assistants, for example, can help teams test workflows in a safe environment while also teaching employees not to treat AI like ‘Google 2.0.’ Another major theme in this episode, and throughout Season 3, is avoiding vendor lock-in. Zahra recommends using abstraction layers so organisations can switch providers as the market evolves while retaining control over prompts, evaluations, and proprietary data. She argues that accountability should remain with business owners, supported by cross-functional governance groups spanning technical, legal, compliance, and operational teams. Finally, the conversation explores the UK context and how it could build confidence in AI through trust marks, certification, and regional workforce development. Zahra points to Singapore as a strong example of practical, agile AI governance in action. Episode Highlights 01:18 – The staggering speed of AI deployment. 04:07 – Small pilots are a good policy. 06:40  – Data hygiene and AI governance. 08:39 – David’s Thoughts: The problem of vendor lock-in. 10:03  – Not every company needs a large language model. 11:27 – AI ethics and the fear of accountability. 14:27 – The global picture of AI regulation. 18:07 – David’s Thoughts: Regional employment inequality in the UK. 19:02 – The global erosion of trust in AI. 20:31 – Are leaders deploying AI faster than they can effectively govern it? About Zühlke: Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities. Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses. Links: Zühlke Website (https://www.zuehlke.com/en) Zühlke on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/zuehlkegroup/posts/?feedView=all) David Elliman on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliman/) Zahra Shah on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahra-shah?originalSubdomain=uk)

2. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Is it possible for tech for good to exist within a for-profit model with Jim Fruchterman

   In a tech industry driven by profit, can companies really prioritise social impact over shareholder value? In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman sits down with serial social entrepreneur and author Jim Fruchterman to explore what ‘tech for good’ really means, and whether it can truly exist within traditional, venture-backed business models. Drawing on his experience building an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) startup, Jim explains how a venture capital board shut down a reading machine for blind users after deciding the market was too small. That experience eventually led him to launch a nonprofit focused on accessible technology, demonstrating that mission-driven organisations can still operate within Silicon Valley systems while benefiting underserved communities. The conversation also examines how investor incentives can unintentionally steer companies towards harmful outcomes, even when the people inside them have good intentions. Jim highlights alternative models, including B Corps, Pledge 1%, and treating social impact as a core business metric rather than a marketing add-on, as ways to help counteract this. Jim also shares examples of tech partnerships in which engineers and product teams offered steep discounts or free licenses to nonprofits because they believed in the mission and took pride in building useful tools. At the same time, he notes that large companies have sometimes scaled back or removed nonprofit-friendly pricing entirely once those markets became more commercially attractive. The conversation also explores which problems are best addressed through for-profit innovation, such as clean energy, and which may always rely on charities and nonprofits, including human rights advocacy. Overall, Jim emphasises that the wider tech ecosystem, from smartphones and app stores to open-source software, plays a vital role in making meaningful social impact possible. Episode Highlights 01:18 – What is ‘tech for good’? 01:45 – Jim’s social entrepreneur origin story. 05:46 –  Jim’s mantra: ‘Try to do good on purpose rather than evil by accident’. 07:59 – David’s Thoughts:  Switching focus from profit to other measures of value. 09:29 – Can every part of the tech industry do societal good? 10:53 – The power of reducing software costs for nonprofits. 15:15 – David’s Thoughts:  Most of the engineers don't get out of bed for the share price. 16:13 – What else could be done to help regulate big tech? 20:13 – Is it possible for tech for good to exist within a for-profit model? About Zühlke: Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities. Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses. Links: Zühlke Website (https://www.zuehlke.com/en) Zühlke on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/zuehlkegroup/posts/?feedView=all) David Elliman on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliman/) Jim Fruchterman Website (https://fruchterman.org/) Jim Fruchterman LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfruchterman/) The Tech Matters Podcast (https://fruchterman.org/podcast/) Technology for Good: How Nonprofit Leaders Are Using Software and Data to Solve Our Most Pressing Social Problems Book (https://fruchterman.org/book/)

3. 

   26 May 2026

   Is irrational AI making our decision-making worse with Stephanie Antonian

   Many people see artificial intelligence as a tool for making decisions faster and more logically. But what if we’ve misunderstood what AI really is and how to use it well? In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman talks with Stephanie Antonian, Founder and CEO of Aestora, about whether AI really improves how we think. Focus on the arguments made in Stephanie’s essay, AI is Irrational, which questions the idea that AI always follows traditional logic. Instead, she explains that most modern AI, especially machine learning, finds patterns and makes predictions based on past data rather than relying on strict logical reasoning. They discuss how this change has confused many business leaders, who expect certainty from AI systems that operate on probabilities and don’t provide fixed answers. This misunderstanding has led to overinvestment, failed AI projects, and frustration with unclear or inconsistent results. David and Stephanie also look at what this means for accountability and governance. Stephanie stresses the need for real human oversight, transparency, and the ability to audit AI systems. Instead of only engaging in abstract ethical debates, Dave suggests a practical approach grounded in safety engineering, such as traceability and thorough testing. The episode features practical advice for leaders who want to use AI responsibly. Stephanie suggests that organisations should compare costs and capabilities, run controlled tests, and focus on current performance factors like accuracy and integration before expanding. She also warns that without careful management, AI can make organisations more complex and lead to analysis paralysis rather than better decisions. Episode Highlights 01:28 – The core arguments of AI is Irrational. 03:30 – Is it the tools we use, or the human interaction with them, that causes issues? 05:06 – What are some use-cases for machine learning tools? 07:09 – David’s Thoughts: The current state of play in AI. 08:29 – We need outliers, not probabilities, to make the world better. 10:45 – There always needs to be a human in the loop. 14:57 – David’s Thoughts: The AI ethics debate. 16:05 – What can business leaders actually do about all of this? 18:21  – Is irrational AI making our decision-making worse? About Zühlke: Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities. Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses. Links: Zühlke Website (https://www.zuehlke.com/en) Zühlke on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/zuehlkegroup/posts/?feedView=all) David Elliman on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliman/) Stephanie Antonian on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-antonian-b5614843/?originalSubdomain=uk) Aestora Website (https://www.aestora.com/) AI is Irrational Essay (https://www.aestora.com/essays/ai-is-irrational) MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing Article  (https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfo/)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

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