Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

• Have I Been Pwned Founder Troy Hunt talks Breaches, Ransomware & Online Safety

  How are AI and automation shaping both the attack and defense sides of cybersecurity?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt.Troy Hunt is an Australian security researcher and the founder of the data breach notification service, Have I Been Pwned. With a background in software development specializing in information security, Troy is a regular conference speaker and trainer. He frequently appears in the media, collaborates with government and law enforcement agencies, and has appeared before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness on the impact of data breaches. Troy also serves as a Microsoft Regional Director (an honorary title) and regularly blogs at troyhunt.com from his home on Australia’s Gold Coast.Troy sits down with Geoff to share eye-opening insights on the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and beyond. Despite the rise of AI and automation, Troy emphasizes that many of today’s most damaging data breaches and ransomware attacks still stem from basic human error and social engineering. He explains how ransomware has shifted from encrypting files to threatening data disclosure, making it harder for organizations to manage risk and justify ransom payments. The conversation also touches on how breach fatigue and apathy have led many individuals and businesses to underestimate cybersecurity risks, even as incidents rise globally. He also highlights how AI tools are being weaponized by both defenders and attackers and argues that cybersecurity isn’t about perfect protection but about finding equilibrium: balancing usability, education, and risk mitigation.In this episode: 00:00 Intro01:15 Why human weakness beats AI02:00 Young hackers and the rise of scattered spider04:00 From hacktivists to career criminals05:00 Ransomware’s new tactics07:30 Should companies pay the ransom? 10:20 Can you ever be fully protected? Defense vs. response11:20 How to convince boards cybersecurity is worth the money14:20 Breach fatigue and public apathy18:00 Reframing what ‘sensitive data’ really means20:00 Passwords, reuse, and the real risk equation24:00 Biometrics, face ID & the future of authentication26:30 Threat Modeling 10127:30 Barriers to cyber preparedness29:30 How Have I Been Pwned works 32:00 The Future of Data Breaches38:00 Microsoft’s Role in the Security Ecosystem40:30 AI Hype vs. reality in cybersecurity43:00 When AI helps hackers 52:00 Why transparency still matters after every breach54:00 Accepting risk, building resilienceConnect with Troy:Website: https://www.troyhunt.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhunt/X: https://x.com/troyhuntVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• Design Expert: AI, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Digital Experiences

  What does the future of digital experiences look like when AI, accessibility, and entrepreneurship collide?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by serial tech entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Joe Devon.As Chair of the GAAD Foundation, Joe strives to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development by embedding accessibility as a core requirement. Inspired by his 2011 blog post highlighting the need for mainstream accessibility knowledge among developers, GAAD has grown into an annual event observed on the third Thursday of May, promoting digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. He also co-hosts the Accessibility and Gen.AI Podcast, exploring the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence.Joe sits down with Geoff to explore how AI startups are reshaping the digital landscape, from code accessibility to the rise of small business innovation. He shares the story of how one blog post led to a global accessibility movement, why AI-driven tools could either democratize or centralize technology, and how the entrepreneurial spirit will define the next decade. From robotics fused with large language models to AI coding assistants generating billions of lines of code, this conversation dives into the challenges, risks, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and digital leaders navigating this transformation.In this episode:00:00 Intro00:23 The “ChatGPT moment” for robotics01:23 The mission behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day02:29 How AI shifts the accessibility conversation03:08 Why accessibility matters for everyone06:17 Usability and empathy in digital product design12:28 How AI can unlock inclusion and personalization14:45 Aphantasia, hyperphantasia & diverse human abilities17:34 AI and the future of sign language translation19:23 How to work with disability communities23:59 Advice for leaders getting started with inclusive design25:13 AI coding tools revolutionizing software development29:27 Can AI accessibility become the new standard?30:06 How GAAD became a global movement35:24 Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5 in an AI-powered economy45:07 Lessons from the early internet and RSS’s decline47:04 The debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI)50:26 Joe’s father’s influence and the accessibility journey52:34 From a blog post to real change in banking57:13 The rise of AI influencers vs. the value of real humans58:36 Advice for those unsure about entrepreneurshipConnect with Joe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedevon/X: https://x.com/joedevonVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• Deloitte's Chief Futurist on AI, Job Loss, and the Art of Thinking

  What happens when AI becomes as good at thinking as humans and what skills remain uniquely ours?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Mike Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte.Mike began his career at Accenture Labs, where his team helped Fortune 500 clients put emerging technologies to profitable use. Twelve years and twelve U.S. patents later, he was named the firm’s first Global Innovation Director, tasked with creating the strategy, processes, and culture to foster company-wide intrapreneurship. At Deloitte, Mike and his team focus on making sense of what’s new and next in technology, with the goal of helping today’s leaders arrive at their preferred futures ahead of schedule. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches corporate innovation. In 2013, Mike co-founded and served as Managing Director of Ringleader Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that had—intentionally or not—built simple solutions to complex corporate challenges.Mike sits down with Geoff to talk about the future of AI and what it means for our work, creativity, and humanity. He shares an optimistic vision of a world where automation elevates human potential, allowing people to focus on creativity, innovation, and connection. This conversation challenges how we think about AI, AI art, the future of work, and the role of human skills. Mike draws on his experience advising leaders and students to show how we can prepare for a future where AI isn’t just a tool but a partner in thinking. He shares insights on the ethical challenges of outsourcing thought, why intent matters in how organizations use AI, and why AI is less about replacing jobs and more about automating the “muck” so humans can focus on the magic. Mike also challenges us to consider: what happens to writing, philosophy, and ethics when machines can master technical tasks faster than ever?In this episode:00:00 Intro01:00 Why AI isn’t new (but why this moment matters)04:10 Automation as a Trojan Horse for elevation05:30 Best practices get automated, next practices get built09:50 Expertise vs. curiosity: Why human skills win15:00 From fear to opportunity17:00 What clients really want in the AI era19:20 Automating muck to unlock magic22:00 The revenge of the humanities & synthetic thinking23:00 Writing = thinking: Why we can’t outsource human thought36:15 Why people still matter42:00 Beyond AI: Blockchain, trust & cryptographic futures47:30 Deepfakes, truth, and the math we can trust1:05:50 The future of IT1:08:00 AI Reshaping corporate teams & skills1:14:40 Guidance for the next generation1:19:30 Staying ahead of AI1:21:45 Key takeawaysConnect with Mike:Website: https://mikebech.tel/bioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebechtel/X: https://x.com/mikebechtelVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• Boom or Bust? Top AI Investor Reveals the Future of AI Startups

  Which strategies separate the AI startups that thrive from those that die?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Jeremiah Owyang, a venture capitalist at Blitzscaling Ventures.Jeremiah, a longtime Silicon Valley native, leads investments in early-stage AI startups at Blitzscaling Ventures. He focuses on startups with the potential for rapid scale and enduring leadership in valuable markets. He also organizes the popular Llama Lounge: The AI Startup Event Series. As a speaker, Jeremiah forecasts how early-stage technology will reshape business and society and advises audiences on how to turn disruption into advantage.Jeremiah sits down with Geoff to unpack the reality of Silicon Valley’s AI gold rush. With more than 38,000 AI startups competing for attention, thin technical moats, and the looming threat of consolidation, founders face more pressure than ever to stand out. He shares insider insights on why most AI startups are vulnerable to being wiped out by a single update from @OpenAI or Google, which industries and roles are most at risk of automation, and why critical thinking remains one of humanity’s most valuable advantages. The conversation also explores how Gen Alpha, the first AI-native generation, will grow up and work differently than any before, as well as the rise of AI agents and their impact on everyday work. In this video:00:00 Intro01:45 The AI startup explosion04:30 Why most AI startups will fail without real advantages07:10 One OpenAI update could destroy your startup overnight10:25 Thin technical advantages and the search for moats13:40 What VCs look for in AI startups17:05 The rise of Lean AI startups20:15 AI agents and the automation of entry-level jobs23:50 The skills humans still need27:10 Gen Alpha: The first AI-native workforce30:20 AI’s role in corporate strategy and decision-making34:00 The Risks of over-reliance on AI in business37:25 From Gold Rush to shakeout41:10 How CEOs can future-proof their companies in the AI era45:30 Humanoid robots, agents, and the next wave of disruption49:15 Winners and losers in the AI economyConnect with Jeremiah:Website: https://web-strategist.com/blog/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/X: https://x.com/jowyangVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• Will AI Replace Humans? Dr. Ayesha Khanna Explains the Risks

  What risks come with AI systems that can lie, cheat, or manipulate?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo AI.Dr. Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global boards, including Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L’Oréal’s Scientific Advisory Board. A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the London School of Economics, she spent a decade on Wall Street advising on information analytics. A thought leader in AI, Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, named to Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024). Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently provides scholarships for mid-career women through her education company Amplify. Ayesha sits down with Geoff to discuss how artificial intelligence is disrupting industries, reshaping the economy, and redefining the future of jobs. This conversation explores why critical thinking will be the most important skill in an AI-driven workplace, how businesses can use AI to scale innovation instead of getting stuck in “pilot purgatory,” and what risks organizations must prepare for, including bias, data poisoning, cybersecurity threats, and manipulative reasoning models. Ayesha shares insights from her work with governments and Fortune 500 companies on building national AI strategies, creating governance frameworks, and balancing innovation with responsibility. The conversation dives into how AI and jobs intersect, whether automation will replace or augment workers and why companies need to focus on growth, reskilling, and strategic automation rather than layoffs. They also discuss the rise of the Hybrid Age, where humans and AI coexist in every part of life, and what it means for society, relationships, and the global economy. In this video:00:00 Intro00:43 The future of AI and the next 5 years02:16 The biggest AI risks05:25 Fake alignment & governance09:08 Why AI pilots fail15:30 What successful companies do23:14 AI and jobs: Automation, reskilling, and why critical thinking matters most29:39 The Hybrid Age37:09 AI and society: relationships with AI, human agency, and ethical concerns46:13 Global AI strategies54:00 Overhyped narratives and what people get wrong about AI and jobs56:27 The Skills Gap opportunity58:31 The importance of risk frameworks, critical thinking, and optimismConnect with Dr. KhannaWebsite: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshakhanna/X: (21) Dr. Ayesha Khanna (@ayeshakhanna1) / XVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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