TechSurge: Deep Tech Podcast

MIT President Emeritus Dr. Rafael Reif joins host Michael Marks for a discussion about the state of U.S. competitiveness in technology, university research funding, current immigration policy, and more. Reif explains why universities remain the innovation engines of economies, educating top talent and generating the foundational research that powers emerging tech and creates new industries. He candidly assesses U.S.-China competition, warns that Chinese research output is rapidly outpacing our own, and urges renewed federal investment. The discussion explores how restrictive immigration policies threaten the flow of global talent into the U.S and his own impression of current policies as an immigrant from Venezuela himself. As a TSMC board member, Reif also touches on the strategic need for domestic semiconductor fabs, Intel’s path forward, and TSMC’s edge in advancing cutting-edge nodes. Lastly, he addresses gaps in the venture capital funding space and why he created MIT’s The Engine incubator model to fund “tough tech” startups, which helped launch breakthroughs like Commonwealth Fusion Systems.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Connect with Rafael Reif on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-rafael-rief-b8977b231Dive deeper into Reif’s career, publications, and awards. Read his full biography https://reif.mit.edu/biography Read Rafael's recent op-ed about government R&D funding: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/17/opinion/science-technology-research-development/Read Rafael's speech about the role of universities in building a strong U.S. economy: https://reif.mit.edu/speeches-writing/strong-universities-make-strong-united-statesExplore how MIT’s Engine incubator is fueling “tough tech” startups like fusion power. Learn about The Engine https://engine.xyz/Watch Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ plan to deliver commercial fusion energy. Discover CFS https://cfs.energy/Understand the roadmap to a 400 MW fusion pilot plant. Read the MIT News report https://news.mit.edu/2024/commonwealth-fusion-systems-unveils-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant-1217

Bobby Yerramilli-Rao, Chief Strategy Officer at Microsoft, joins TechSurge host Sriram Viswanathan to offer a rare glimpse into the strategic playbook of one of the world’s most powerful tech companies. Bobby shares how the company navigates today’s biggest technology paradigm shifts, placing bets with trillion-dollar implications. Touching on Microsoft’s AI strategy, OpenAI partnership, quantum computing, its approach to acquisitions, and much more, this candid and wide-ranging conversation is not to be missed. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. (00:00) - The Nature of Technology and AI's Economic Impact (03:01) - Strategic Priorities at Microsoft (05:45) - Strategic Inflection Points and Microsoft's History (09:03) - The Importance of Timing in Strategic Decisions (11:48) - Gaming and Content Strategy (14:57) - Acquisition Successes and Failures (17:50) - Leveraging LinkedIn and GitHub (20:50) - AI's Potential Economic Impact (23:52) - Monetizing AI Innovations in Microsoft Office (25:59) - Investing in AI: The New CAPEX Landscape (31:01) - Quantum Computing: Hype vs. Reality (37:44) - The Future of AI and Quantum Integration (39:18) - The Semiconductor Landscape: Lessons from the Past (43:30) - Genomics and Life Sciences: Opportunities Ahead (45:50) - Autonomous Driving: The Future of Mobility

In this episode of TechSurge, host Sriram Viswanathan sits down with Charlie Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO of Pure Storage, to discuss the evolution and future of data storage in the digital age. Charlie shares insights from his career spanning his pivotal role in Cisco's success as a networking pioneer, to his leadership in transforming Pure Storage into a leader in innovative storage solutions.They explore the evolution of data center infrastructure, and the critical role of storage architecture in enabling AI and cloud technologies. Charlie also explains how Pure Storage's software-driven approach is creating new efficiencies and opportunities for enterprises, offering a compelling vision for a unified "data cloud" that breaks down data silos and unlocks new insights.This episode delves into the intersections of networking, compute, storage, and AI, providing an essential perspective for anyone interested in the future of technology infrastructure.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Links:Pure Storage Official Website: Explore Pure Storage's innovative data storage solutions. Pure Storage DataCharlie Giancarlo's Biography: Learn more about Charlie Giancarlo, Chairman and CEO of Pure Storage. ​Charlie GiancarloPortworx by Pure Storage: Discover Portworx, the Kubernetes data services platform acquired by Pure Storage. ​Wikipedia Portworx ASBIS – IT DistributorFlashBlade//EXA Announcement: Read about Pure Storage's FlashBlade//EXA, designed for high-performance computing and AI workloads. FlashBlade//EXA: The Future of AI and HPC Storage Performance

Many in venture capital and biopharma are anointing artificial intelligence the savior of drug discovery—but what can AI actually do?In this eye-opening episode, Michael Marks sits down with Mike Nohaile, CEO of Prellis Biologics, to explore the hype versus reality in AI-enabled drug discovery. Mike details why, despite significant breakthroughs like AlphaFold and recent Nobel Prize win for computational protein design, fully AI-generated medicines still present challenges. He also discusses why we urgently need more effective medicines and details Prellis’ unique system which combines laser printed human organoids and an externalized human immune system with AI, enabling the discovery of fully human antibodies. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Links:Explore Prellis Biologicshttps://prellisbio.com/Understand AlphaFold, DeepMind’s AI model for predicting protein structureshttps://deepmind.google/alphafoldRead about the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/press-release/  (00:00) - The Reality of AI in Drug Discovery (03:05) - The Need for Better Medicines (06:05) - Evolution of Pharmaceutical Therapies (08:55) - Challenges in Protein Drug Discovery (12:13) - AI's Role in Protein Design (14:46) - Limitations of AI in Drug Development (17:58) - Understanding Protein Structures (20:54) - The Future of AI in Medicine (22:36) - The Challenges of Drug Development (29:44) - Innovations in Antibody Production (35:01) - Advancements in Obesity Treatments (39:54) - The Future of Drug Discovery

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI.Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying mathematical concepts that power modern machine learning, to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives–even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency?If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Links:Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AIhttps://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writinghttps://anilananthaswamy.com/Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligencehttps://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamyDiscover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI researchhttps://ksj.mit.edu/Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networkshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PerceptronRead about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significancehttps://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0 (00:00) - The Future of AI: Agency and Exponential Growth (01:03) - Introduction to Machine Learning and AI Concepts (04:50) - The Journey of Writing 'Why Machines Learn' (10:07) - Understanding the Perceptron and Its Significance (13:40) - The Evolution of Neural Networks and AI Winters (19:35) - Backpropagation: The Game Changer in Neural Networks (29:51) - Convolutional Neural Networks: Advancements in Image Recognition (35:20) - The Impact of Large Datasets on Machine Learning (38:12) - Understanding Perceptrons and SVMs (41:39) - The Impact of ImageNet on Machine Learning (44:44) - The Evolution of GPUs in AI (48:09) - Transformers: A New Era in Neural Networks (54:21) - The Exponential Growth of AI Models (01:01:21) - Diverging Views on AGI: Hinton vs. LeCun (01:05:08) - The Common Thread in Anil's Work (01:09:40) - Future Disruptions in AI and Machine Learning

With global economic alliances shifting and new threats emerging, will the U.S. maintain its dominance in an increasingly complex world? From chips to cyberterrorist threats to cryptocurrency, battles for global dominance are no longer only fought on the battlefield—they're playing out in markets, boardrooms, and cyberspace. In this episode, we sit down with Juan Zarate, a key member of the post-9/11 Bush Administration team who architected how we combat terrorist financing and think about modern financial warfare.We explore how the U.S. has used its economic dominance as a powerful weapon—and whether countries like China and Russia are now using the same playbook to push back. Juan shares insights on the weaponization of the dollar, how financial crime networks are evolving in the digital age, and why strategies around cryptocurrency could either threaten or reinforce U.S. economic power.The conversation dives into the intersection of technology, economic, and national security strategy, tackling key issues like cyber threats, semiconductor supply chains, and the growing role of AI in financial security. Juan also introduces his latest venture, Consilient, which is pioneering federated AI to revolutionize the fight against financial crime.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and information about upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Links:Check out our video episodes on YouTubeFollow Celesta Capital on LinkedIn and XDiscover how K2 Integrity is shaping the future of financial crime prevention and cybersecurityhttps://www.k2integrity.comRead Juan Zarate’s Treasury’s War to explore the rise of financial warfare in global securityhttps://www.amazon.com/Treasurys-War-Unleashing-Financial-Warfare/dp/1610391152Explore Consilient’s groundbreaking approach to financial crime detection using federated AIhttps://www.consilient.comLearn how Coinbase is driving the future of cryptocurrency and digital financehttps://www.coinbase.com

The world is evolving faster than ever – how will we keep up?From AI breakthroughs to global supply chain disruptions, the forces shaping business and technology today are relentless. In this episode of the TechSurge Deep Tech VC Podcast, we sit down with Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, the global consulting firm who has been on the frontlines of helping businesses and industries navigate relentless change for the past 100 years.We explore the shifting landscape of venture capital and opportunities for VCs, startups, and consultancies to explore new partnership models. Bob shares his view on shifting global supply chain strategies, why full economic decoupling between the U.S. and China is a dangerous and difficult proposition, and how India may be on track to become the economic powerhouse of the twenty-first century. The discussion digs into the complexities of housing affordability and why the future of housing insurance is at risk – could our homes of the future soon be uninsurable due to climate change?Bob helps us dive into the evolving demands of 21st-century leadership, where resilience, adaptability, and even humor are becoming essential CEO traits. Bob explains why today’s leaders must rethink their approach to disruption, risk, and innovation – or risk being left behind.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and information about upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.Links:Check out our video episodes on YouTubeFollow Celesta Capital on LinkedIn and XLearn more about Bob Sternfels’ leadership at McKinsey & Companyhttps://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bob-sternfelsExplore McKinsey’s insights on AI and economic disruptionhttps://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontierLearn how climate change is affecting insurance marketshttps://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/navigating-shifting-risks-in-the-insurance-industryLearn about India’s digital transformation through UPI and Aadhaarhttps://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/product-overviewhttps://uidai.gov.in/ (00:00) - Introduction to Bob Sternfeld and McKinsey's Vision (06:49) - The Transformative Power of AI in Business (12:52) - Navigating the Complexities of Cloud and On-Prem Solutions (18:03) - Geopolitical Impacts on Global Supply Chains (23:18) - India's Economic Potential and Future Growth (24:13) - India's Rapid Digitization and Economic Transformation (28:20) - The Housing Crisis: Understanding Affordability and Community (38:13) - 21st Century Leadership: Evolving Traits and Challenges

The future of wireless technology is unfolding, are you ready for what's next?How can Intel regain market dominance? How will AI and IOT shape the next generation of wireless? What are the challenges in transitioning to 5G, NextG, and beyond? How will academia and the startup world intersect in the 21st century economy? We explore these questions and more in our latest episode of the TechSurge Deep Tech VC Podcast, as we sit down with Dr. Andrea Goldsmith, Dean of Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and a pioneer in wireless communication. Dr. Goldsmith shares insights from her groundbreaking research in multi-antenna systems, the evolution of wireless networks, and the future of cellular technology. We explore her journey as a successful entrepreneur behind Quantenna and Plume WiFi, and her current leadership role as Dean working to build a vibrant engineering and startup ecosystem around Princeton. Dr. Goldsmith also shares her thoughts on the future of Intel, the strategic choices that lie ahead, and its important role within the U.S. tech economy, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe now and leave a review to help us grow! Join our newsletter for exclusive insights and upcoming TechSurge Live Summits at techsurgepodcast.com.Links:Check out our video episodes on YouTubeFollow Celesta Capital on LinkedIn and XLearn more about Dr. Goldsmith’s pioneering research at Princeton: https://ece.princeton.edu/people/andrea-goldsmithDiscover Intel's latest innovations: https://www.intel.com/Explore how Plume WiFi is redefining smart home connectivity: https://www.plume.com/ See how Medtronic is shaping the future of healthcare innovation: https://www.medtronic.com/Experience the future of autonomous mobility with Zoox: https://zoox.com/

In this episode, host Michael Marks dives into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Michael is joined by Dr. Alex Sardiña of WhiteRabbit.ai and Kalyan Sivasilam of 5C Network, two early adopters bringing AI to medicine through sharply contrasting market models in the U.S. and India, respectively. The discussion unpacks how AI is revolutionizing diagnostics, helping to address labor shortages, and improving patient experiences. Learn about breakthroughs in cancer detection, radiology efficiency, regulatory challenges, and the global potential of AI-driven solutions in medicine.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Healthcare02:01 AI Applications in Cancer Detection04:56 Addressing Radiologist Shortages with AI07:47 The Reality of AI in Medical Imaging12:06 Data Acquisition and Its Challenges16:25 The Future of Radiologists in an AI World22:00 Improving Accuracy in Medical Imaging with AI23:25 AI in Diagnostic Imaging25:18 Building vs. Partnering in AI Healthcare29:40 Navigating Regulatory Environments34:23 The Role of Insurance in AI Adoption39:39 Overcoming Hurdles for AI Acceptance43:56 Competition and Innovation in AILinkshttps://www.5cnetwork.com/https://www.whiterabbit.ai/KeywordsAI, healthcare, medical imaging, cancer detection, radiology, diagnostics, technology, healthcare investment, patient care, data acquisition, AI, healthcare, diagnostic imaging, regulatory environment, insurance, competition, innovation, technology, partnerships, patient care

Host Sriram Viswanathan sits down with Qualcomm Chairman Mark McLaughlin, the former CEO of Palo Alto Networks and Verisign and a trailblazer in technology and cybersecurity. Mark shares his remarkable transition from West Point to the heights of the tech industry, drawing on the many powerful leadership lessons developed throughout his career. Mark shares advice on balancing family priorities and career choices, offering a deeply human perspective on leadership told through his unique experience of stepping down from Palo Alto Networks at the height of his prime as CEO. The discussion touches on the shifting terrain of cybersecurity, the growing influence of AI, and the complexities of board leadership during periods of CEO transition. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to navigate a c-suite career in tech.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mark McLaughlin01:53 Mark's Journey from Military to Technology06:13 The Evolution of Cybersecurity and Mark's Insights12:02 The Five T's of Business Success17:54 Leadership Lessons from West Point24:11 Transitioning from CEO to Family Life30:01 Board Dynamics and Leadership Transitions36:12 The Intersection of AI and Cybersecurity41:59 Personal Philosophy and Leadership InspirationLinksQualcommSnowflakeRubrikSnorkelPalo Alto NetworksKeywordsMark McLaughlin, cybersecurity, technology, leadership, AI, venture capital, family, business success, board dynamics, personal philosophy

Host Sriram Viswanathan speaks with Andy Lee and Anand Chandrasekaran from Crescendo AI about the transformative impact of AI on the customer service and call center industry. The conversation covers Crescendo's unique approach to integrating AI in business process outsourcing, the dynamics of the sector, and the potential future of human-AI collaboration. Discover how AI is poised to disrupt and enhance the BPO industry, and why Crescendo AI is at the forefront of this technological revolution.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Customer Service02:48 Dynamics of the Contact Center Industry06:09 Crescendo AI: Founders and Vision08:58 AI's Impact on Customer Interactions11:54 Technical Architecture of Crescendo AI15:06 Market Strategy and Customer Experience17:56 Scaling and Growth of Crescendo AI21:03 Future of AI in Customer Service24:00 Conclusion and Future OutlookLinkshttps://crescendo.ai/https://www.alorica.com/https://www.generalcatalyst.com/

Join host Michael Marks as he discusses the transformative potential of technology in the construction industry with leaders from three innovative companies: Ash Bhardwaj, CEO and co-founder of Onx Homes; Trevor Schick, CEO of Slate.ai; and Camilo Restrepo, CEO of Biomason. The conversation delves into the challenges of disrupting the construction sector, the roles of AI and data in improving productivity, and novel approaches to sustainability and affordability in home building. Explore the future of construction technology and the strides these companies are making towards resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly construction solutions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Construction Technology Challenges02:59 Innovative Approaches in Home Building05:49 Data Utilization and AI in Construction08:46 Sustainability in Construction Materials11:57 Biomason's Unique Approach to Cement14:56 Sustainability and Resilience in Home Building18:06 Addressing Housing Affordability22:43 Understanding Home Upkeep Costs27:04 Innovative Building Practices for Resilience28:12 Real Estate Insights and Affordability31:37 Marketing Innovative Construction Solutions37:56 The Future of Technology in Construction‍‍Keywordsconstruction technology, home building, AI in construction, sustainability, carbon footprint, housing affordability, innovative materials, data utilization, construction industry challenges, emerging technologies, home building, construction innovation, affordability, insurance savings, energy efficiency, resilient homes, marketing strategies, technology in construction, generative AI, sustainable materials‍Linkshttps://www.onxhomes.com/https://slate.ai/https://biomason.com/

In this episode of TechSurge: The Deep Tech Podcast, host Nicholas Brathwaite of Celesta Capital speaks with Christian Mitchell, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Northwestern Mutual, about the profound digital transformation happening in the financial services and insurance sectors. The discussion covers how legacy systems are being modernized, the role of AI in enhancing underwriting and customer experiences, and the increasing importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding sensitive data. Christian also shares insights on the evolution of FinTech startups and Northwestern Mutual’s approach to investing in and partnering with innovative tech companies, providing a deep dive into how technology is reshaping long-established industries while balancing innovation with regulatory and customer needs.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tech Surge and Industry Transformation02:46 Legacy Technology vs. Digital Transformation in Financial Services05:55 The Evolution of FinTech: From 1.0 to Current Trends09:08 Leveraging Startups and Deep Tech for Innovation11:58 Navigating Challenges in Digital Transformation15:06 Talent Acquisition and Company Culture in Tech18:01 The Role of the Innovation Lab in Driving Change20:54 AI's Impact on Business Operations and Customer Experience24:02 Addressing Privacy, Bias, and Ethical AI Implementation26:58 Data Management Strategies: Cloud vs. On-Premise 29:47 Cybersecurity as a Collective ResponsibilityLinkshttps://www.northwesternmutual.com/https://fintechbreakthrough.com/2022-winners

In this episode, we explore the future of mobility and AI with Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox, a leading developer of autonomous robotaxis and an Amazon company. Joining Celesta Capital’s founding partner Sriram Viswanathan, Aicha shares her journey from Senegal to Silicon Valley, where she led groundbreaking innovations at Intel before taking the helm at Zoox. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities in autonomous transportation, the evolving role of AI in various industries, and the critical importance of safety, customer experience, and scaling in the robotaxi space. Tune in for insights on the future of transportation and the transformative potential of AI in shaping our daily lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Aicha Evans and Zoox02:02 Aicha's Journey from Senegal to Silicon Valley05:47 Pioneering Wireless Technology at Intel10:57 Intel's Challenges and the Evolution of AI13:47 The Role of AI in Technology Companies18:08 The Future of AI and Human Judgment25:01 The Robotaxi Revolution and Zoox's Vision30:06 Differentiating Zoox in the Robotaxi Market37:01 Technology Behind Zoox's Robotaxi44:01 Regulatory Challenges and Future Prospects51:06 Zoox's Integration with Amazon and Future MilestonesLinkshttps://zoox.com/

Will AI will take away all of our jobs? Is technology eroding privacy? Is the pace of technology advancement too fast? We address these questions and more topics around global science and technology policy with Rob Atkinson, founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Speaking with Celesta Capital founding partner Nic Brathwaite, Rob dives into the intersection of technology, innovation, and public policy, covering topics such as ethical AI, the role of China in the global innovation race, and the realities facing smaller economies in blossoming into tech hubs. Rob shares his insights on innovation economics, government policy, and the critical role of entrepreneurs in shaping the future of tech.Chapters00:00 Introduction to ITIF and Rob Atkinson03:07 The Importance of Innovation in Economic Growth05:59 Challenges for Smaller Economies in Innovation09:09 Core Pillars of a Strong Innovation Economy11:56 India's Potential in the Global Innovation Landscape15:10 AI Development: Balancing Speed and Safety18:00 Debunking Myths About Technology and Jobs21:10 The Global Tech Landscape: US vs. China24:02 Canada's Innovation Challenges and Opportunities26:45 Building a Strong Innovation Ecosystem30:07 The Role of Intellectual Property in InnovationLinkshttps://itif.org/https://itif.org/publications/2024/05/07/technology-fears-and-scapegoats/https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262537100/https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300168993/