Darren Pulsipher, Chief Solution Architect for Public Sector at Intel, investigates effective change leveraging people, process, and technology. Which digital trends are a flash in the pan—and which will form the foundations of lasting change? With in-depth discussion and expert interviews, Embracing Digital Transformation finds the signal in the noise of the digital revolution. People Workers are at the heart of many of today’s biggest digital transformation projects. Learn how to transform ...
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Welcome to Sidecar Sync: Your Weekly Dose of Innovation for Associations. Hosted by Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias, this podcast is your definitive source for the latest news, insights, and trends in the association world with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its pivotal role in shaping the future. Each week, we delve into the most pressing topics, spotlighting the transformative role of emerging technologies and their profound impact on associations. With a commitm ...
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#268 What We’re Losing to Technology: The Value of Human Experience
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25:10In this thought-provoking episode of Embracing Digital Transformation, host Dr. Darren Pulsipher is joined by AI pioneer Kevin Surace to explore a critical yet often overlooked consequence of rapid technological advancement: the loss of human skills and tribal knowledge in the age of AI and automation. As we embrace unprecedented convenience powere…
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Generative Video Meets Deep Think at Google I/O & Claude 4 Finds Its Voice | 85
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58:49Send us a text In this electric episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias unpack the latest AI announcements from Google IO and the highly anticipated Claude 4 release from Anthropic. They explore what Google's Deep Think means for AI reasoning, debate the creative and ethical implications of video generation tools like Veo 3 and …
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#267 The Future of Skills in an AI-Driven World
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25:54In this episode, Dr. Darren interviews Kevin Surace, who shares his journey from being a technology enthusiast in upstate New York to becoming a pioneer in AI virtual assistants. He discusses the evolution of AI, the challenges faced in the early days, and the current landscape of generative AI. Kevin emphasizes the importance of adapting to AI inn…
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Breaking Math with Google’s AlphaEvolve | 84
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49:20Send us a text This week, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias dive deep into Google's groundbreaking AI breakthrough—AlphaEvolve. In their first-ever single-topic episode, the duo unpacks why this agent’s ability to autonomously invent and refine algorithms marks a pivotal moment in AI history. From shattering a 56-year-old math record to its potent…
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#265 Climbing Mountains and Markets: How Startups Win with AI
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33:53Dr Darren interviews Alon Peleg, who shares his journey from climbing Everest to his extensive career in technology and startups. He discusses the advantages small companies have over larger corporations, particularly in leveraging AI for agility and innovation. Alon emphasizes the importance of culture, talent, and finding niche markets for succes…
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#264 From Paper to Digital: The Future of Enterprise Data
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31:26In this episode, Sze shares his journey from Hong Kong to the US and his extensive experience in digital transformation, particularly in industries that are traditionally paper-driven. He discusses the challenges faced by NGOs in data collection and how his company has successfully implemented mobile data solutions to streamline processes. The conv…
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#263 The Evolution of Cybersecurity: From Ransomware to AI
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30:21In this episode, Dr. Darren and Brantley Pearce discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, with a particular focus on the rise of ransomware-as-a-service and its impact on small and medium-sized businesses. Brantley emphasizes the importance of managed detection and response (MDR) services, the need for ongoing employee training, and the infl…
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Snooze to Win: Why Digital Naptime Is AI’s Most Productive Hour | 83
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54:11Send us a text This week on Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias dive deep into two cutting-edge developments in the AI world. First up is the mind-bending concept of "sleep time compute"—how LLMs might learn and improve during their downtime, transforming into smarter, faster assistants overnight. Then, the duo breaks down OpenAI's $3 …
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#262 Revolutionizing Construction with AI
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30:35In this episode, Dr. Darren and Alan Mosca discuss the transformative role of AI in the construction industry. They explore Alan's journey from computer science to construction, the challenges faced in large projects, and how AI can help manage risks and improve decision-making. The discussion underscores the urgent need for cultural shifts in proj…
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Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias take on one of the most pivotal—and often overlooked—challenges in association innovation: getting your board on board with AI. Drawing from Amith's personal boardroom experience and Mallory’s deep dive into board psychology, they break down how to navigate internal …
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In this episode, Dr. Darren and Derek Anderson, from Bless Network, discuss the transformative nature of Web 3.0, focusing on user ownership of data, the shift from centralized to decentralized applications, and the implications for consumer behavior and business models. They explore the challenges of adoption and the potential for integration with…
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Fargo vs. Klarna & The Rise of Reasoning Models | 81
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47:49Send us a text This week on Sidecar Sync, Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias explore Wells Fargo’s virtual assistant “Fargo” and how it stacks up against Klarna’s AI tool from a year ago. With 250 million fully automated interactions and measurable impact on customer engagement and bias reduction, Fargo offers a powerful case study in applied AI. A…
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#260 Navigating Digital Transformation: Insights from the C-Suite
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30:25In this episode, Dr. Darren interviews Mohib Yousufani, a partner at PwC. They discuss the complexities of digital transformation, particularly from the perspective of the C-suite. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, navigating legacy systems, and the challenges large organizations face in adapting to rapid market changes.…
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Getting Hands-On with MCP & Anthropic’s AI Economic Index | 80
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53:43Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, hosts Mallory Mejias and Amith Nagarajan take a deep dive into Model Context Protocol (MCP), a revolutionary standard making it dramatically easier for AI to interact with data, tools, and systems—no code required. Mallory shares her personal setup experience with Claude for desktop, walking through a…
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#259 End of Windows 10: What Businesses Must Know Before 2025
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33:27Dr. Darren and Denis O'Shea discuss the impending end of support for Windows 10 and its implications for small and mid-sized companies. They explore the challenges of upgrading to Windows 11, the importance of modern IT infrastructure, and the role of managed service providers in navigating these changes. The discussion also touches on the impact o…
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Ian Andrews Talks Groq’s Fast, Smart AI Inference Tech | 79
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57:07Send us a text In this special episode of Sidecar Sync, we dive into the future of AI infrastructure with Ian Andrews, Chief Revenue Officer at Groq (that’s Groq with a Q!). Ian shares the story behind Groq’s rise, how their LPU chip challenges Nvidia’s dominance, and why fast, low-cost, high-quality inference is about to unlock entirely new catego…
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#258 Supermicro: Pioneering Data Center Innovations
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30:49Dr. Darren interviews Thomas Jorgensen from Supermicro. With over 30 years of experience in acceleration technology, Thomas Jorgensen brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He shares his insights on the evolution of computing, the shift towards AI and video as primary technology drivers, the importance of pre-trained AI models for businesses, a…
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Cartoon Avatars, Talking Robots, and AI That Draws | 78
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45:08Send us a text In this vibrant and forward-thinking episode of Sidecar Sync, Mallory and Amith dive into the fun side of AI—exploring OpenAI’s new GPT-4o image generation capabilities, Hedra’s cartoon animation tech, and the jaw-dropping robotics work between Nvidia, Google DeepMind, and Disney. You’ll hear about Mallory’s creation of cartoon avata…
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#257 Big Change Starts Small: Digital Transformation from the Ground Up
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29:28Luv Kapur shares his journey from software developer to engineering lead at Bit. He dives deep into how individual contributors can spark digital transformation from the ground up—and how executive support is essential to scale those efforts. Luv explores the cultural and organizational shifts needed for modern software development, the power of gr…
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Intel Bets Big on Chips Again as Meta Drops Llama 4 | 77
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52:08Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of Sidecar Sync, Mallory and Amith dig into the fascinating world of semiconductors and how a historic joint venture between Intel and TSMC is reshaping the global tech landscape. They explore the underlying tensions between vertically integrated business models and specialization — a conversation th…
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#256 Unlocking AI's Potential in Business
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33:12Andrew Amann shares his journey from working on nuclear submarines to leading an AI agency focused on innovation and process improvement in this conversation. He discusses the challenges businesses face in adopting AI, the importance of custom solutions in maintaining IP, and how natural language processing transforms data interaction. The conversa…
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#255 AI, Disruption and Government, Managing Career Growth
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31:52In this engaging episode, Dr. Darren and Dr. Madeleine Wallace discuss the current disruptions in the government and consulting sectors, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and effectiveness in programs. They explore the challenges of navigating government structures, the importance of data management, and the pressing need for upskilling and …
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AI Innovations from Gemini and DeepSeek to Break Your Brain | 76
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47:57Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith and Mallory dive deep into two major AI model releases—Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro and DeepSeek’s V3—and explore how they’re reshaping the landscape of artificial intelligence. They discuss the technical breakthroughs, from million-token context windows to open-source innovations, and what it all me…
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#254 The Triangular Alchemy: Rethinking Business in the Age of AI
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35:46In this conversation, Anders Indset shares his insights on modern business practices, highlighting the transformative power of a 'Return on Learning' philosophy. He discusses his journey from a professional athlete to a thought leader in business and technology, underlining the need for organizations to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape drive…
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#253 Unleashing Your Voice: The Power of Presence in Tech
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26:02Whether you’re in tech or simply looking to enhance your communication skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights that can help bridge the gap between ideas and understanding. Don’t miss out on enhancing your ability to connect and communicate effectively! Dr. Darren learns from Loreta Tarozaite as she shares her journey from a TV journa…
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AI-Enhanced Member Services: Turning Strategy Into Action | 75
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40:29Send us a text In this milestone 75th episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith and Mallory return for part two of their deep dive into AI-enhanced member services. This second installment of AI-Enhanced Member Services shifts from ideas to action. Amith and Mallory focus on the infrastructure, mindset, and change management strategies needed to implement AI …
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#252 Combating Loneliness with AI Companions
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30:32In this episode, Dr. Darren interviews Artem Rodichev, an AI innovator, about the development and implications of empathetic AI. Artem shares his journey from Kazakhstan to the U.S., his experiences with AI companionship, and the differences between sympathetic and goal-oriented AI. They discuss the rise of empathetic AI in the context of increasin…
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#251 GenAI in Digital Transformation: Strategies for Success
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31:38Dr Darren and George Stelling discuss the transformative role of AI in business, exploring George's extensive background in digital transformation and his current work with Quadrillion Partners. They delve into the challenges and strategies of implementing successful digital transformations, key metrics' importance, and generative AI's impact on bu…
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Manus AI Tackles Complex Tasks While Sesame AI Sounds a Little More Human | 74
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53:08Send us a text In this episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith and Mallory discuss the Manus AI Agent, a groundbreaking system that autonomously handles complex tasks like resume screening and real estate searches. They also explore the evolution of conversational AI with Sesame AI, which enhances digital interactions through natural speech. Amith shares in…
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#250 The 3 Forces of Cultural Change: Agents, Keepers & Assassins Explained
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30:35In this conversation, Dr. Joel Shertok shares his extensive experience in chemical engineering and digital transformation. He discusses the challenges faced in the chemical production industry, particularly the loss of tacit knowledge as experienced workers retire. The conversation explores the importance of capturing hidden organizational learning…
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#249 Generative AI and the Evolution of Software Development
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34:52In this episode, Dr Darren interviews Matt Van Itallie who shares his insights on the evolution of software development, the impact of generative AI, and the importance of understanding code health. He discusses the role of constraints in fostering creativity, the significance of developer retention, and the challenges junior developers face in a r…
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