Best Design Factory Global Network Podcasts (2025)

1
World-class Design: Guidione Machava on Why 'African Designer' Is a Limiting Label 54:21

16m ago54:21

54:21

Episode overview:Guidione Machava has a confession: he's tired of being called an "African designer." The Mozambican product designer, now based in France and fresh from stints at Shopify and Paris-based 23point5, reckons that geographic qualifiers automatically strip away a third of your professional value before you've even started.It's a provoca…

1
55: Power, Prediction, and the AI Infrastructure Race: AMD’s Keith Strier and Rhombus CEO Dr. Anshu Roy 51:44

12h ago51:44

51:44

Recorded live at the 2025 SCSP AI Expo, this episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast features AMD’s Keith Strier and Rhombus Power CEO Dr. Anshu Roy in conversation with host Tammy Haddad. Strier, formerly at NVIDIA, discusses the global scramble to build gigawatt-scale AI “Stargates” and how infrastructure is reshaping national power. Dr. Roy…

1
Strategy Diaries: Wabo Majavu on Balancing Commercial Success with Digital Inclusion 1:09:15

14d ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Episode overview: In this conversation, South African strategist Wabo Majavu, executive strategy and business operations leader at Africa Data Centres, unpacks how technical expertise at organisations like MTN and Intelsat laid the foundation for her distinctive approach to strategic leadership and digital activism.From building radar applications …

1
54: Strategic Intelligence: SCSP CEO Ylli Bajraktari on the 2025 AI Expo, National Security, and President Trump’s Approach to AI 23:43

15d ago23:43

23:43

In this episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast, Tammy Haddad is joined by Ylli Bajraktari, CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project, for a conversation on U.S. AI strategy, national security, and the global tech race. Bajraktari previews the 2025 AI Expo in Washington, DC, including new national security programming, China’s AI ambition…

1
53: The Engine of Innovation: AI Startups, Graph Data, and Design Breakthroughs at NVIDIA 2025 GTC 31:53

22d ago31:53

31:53

In this special edition of the Washington AI Network Podcast, recorded live at NVIDIA 2025 GTC conference, host Tammy Haddad takes listeners inside the future of AI innovation with startups. NVIDIA’s Startup Guru, Howard Wright, shares how the Inception program supports over 27,000 startups worldwide, unlocking capital, customers, and compute to fu…

1
52: Inside NVIDIA’s 2025 GTC: Expressive Robots, AI Factories, and the Future of Intelligent Systems 35:03

29d ago35:03

35:03

In this special edition of the Washington AI Network Podcast, host Tammy Haddad takes listeners behind the scenes at NVIDIA’s 2025 GTC, where more than 26,000 developers, engineers, and thought leaders gathered to chart the course of intelligent systems. NVIDIA’s Dion Harris unveils the company’s new operating system, Dynamo, designed to power the …

1
Ola Oyetayo of Verto: Building a Profitable Cross-Border Fintech for Emerging Markets 38:17

1M ago38:17

38:17

Episode overview:In this conversation, Verto co-founder and CEO Ola Oyetayo shares the journey of building a cross-border payments platform that tackles the unique challenges African businesses face when making international transactions. Since graduating from Y Combinator in 2019, Verto has established itself as what Oyetayo describes as a profita…

1
51: Navy CTO Justin Fanelli and Space Llama Engineer Zane Price on Open Source AI—from Ships to Space 23:57

1M ago23:57

23:57

In a conversation recorded live at the White House Correspondents’ Weekend TGAIFriday Lunch, Navy CTO Justin Fanelli describes how he is harnessing AI to make our military smarter, safer, and ensure our war fighters keep their competitive edge. He also explains why the Pentagon is shedding “technical debt,” and moving at “flank speed” to outpace …

1
Innovating Venture Building Support: David Ogundeko on Funema’s Vision for Backing African Ventures 50:41

2M ago50:41

50:41

Episode overview:In this conversation, David Ogundeko shares the journey of Funema, an impact-focused alternative investment firm operating for nine years across Nigeria, South Africa, and the US. He discusses his approach to venture building for early-stage founders, why Africa needs a unique investment approach, and how his firm addresses the "ch…

1
50: Google’s Kent Walker on AI Standards, Quantum Breakthroughs, DeepSeek, and the DOJ Case 29:30

2M ago29:30

29:30

In the 50th episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast hosted by Tammy Haddad, Kent Walker, president of global affairs at Google and Alphabet, discusses his company’s pioneering role in artificial intelligence, the complexities of regulating this rapidly evolving technology, and the importance of public-private collaboration to address national …

1
49: Open-Source AI at SXSW: Innovators Transforming Finance, Healthcare, and Music 57:09

2M ago57:09

57:09

In this special SXSW edition of the Washington AI Network Podcast—recorded live at the SeedAI House—host Tammy Haddad interviews four innovators harnessing open-source AI to transform finance, healthcare, and music. Listen as Andrei Papancea (CEO, NLX), Dr. Kal Clark (founder, Zauron Labs), Martha Sylla Underwood (founder, Prismm), and award–winnin…

1
Adapt or Be Left Behind: Marie Lora-Mungai on AI and the Future of African Filmmaking 29:26

2M ago29:26

29:26

Meet Marie Lora-Mungai, expert advisor in African creative industries and sports business and founder of Restless Global - whose 20-year journey from CNN journalist to production company founder to industry advisor gives her a unique vantage point on Africa's creative economy.In thought-provoking conversation with Andile Masuku, Lora-Mungai makes a…

1
48: AI Revolution: Senator Mike Rounds and Representative Zach Nunn Discuss Healthcare Breakthroughs, National Security, and Agricultural Innovation 49:10

3M ago49:10

49:10

Host Tammy Haddad interviews Senator Mike Rounds, co-chair of the Senate AI Caucus, and Representative Zach Nunn in this special edition of the Washington AI Network podcast, recorded live at the SeedAI House at SXSW. They delve into AI's transformative impact on healthcare, national security, and agriculture, exploring how AI accelerates medical r…

1
From Policy to Independent Media: Fatu Ogwuche on Creative Storytelling in Tech 42:01

3M ago42:01

42:01

Episode overview: In this conversation, Fatu Ogwuche shares insights into her transition from working at Meta and consulting for Nigeria's Electoral Commission to launching her own media platform, Big Tech This Week. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit, creative approach to storytelling, and the unique position independent creators hold in tod…

1
47: Global Innovation Champions: CTA’s Tiffany Moore and Ambassadors from Luxembourg, Ireland, and New Zealand on AI Readiness, Collaboration, and the Future of Tech Policy 55:08

3M ago55:08

55:08

Host Tammy Haddad is joined by Tiffany Moore, senior vice president of policy and industry affairs at the Consumer Technology Association, as well as Amb. Nicole Bintner of Luxembourg, Amb. Geraldine Byrne Nason of Ireland, and Amb. Rosemary Banks of New Zealand, whose countries have been named “Global Innovation Champions” on CTA’s Gloval Innovati…

1
46: Ben Brake, Germany’s Director General for Digital and Data Policy, on Europe's Digital Future and the Transatlantic Tech Relationship 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

Join host Tammy Haddad as she welcomes Ben Brake, Germany’s Director General for Digital and Data Policy at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, to explore how Europe’s regulatory approach to AI and digital policy is shaping its partnership with the United States. Brake responds to Vice President JD Vance’s critique of EU tech oversight,…

1
45: Innovators at Paris AI Action Summit 40:37

4M ago40:37

40:37

In this special on-site episode of the Washington AI Network Podcast, host Tammy Haddad reports from the 2025 Paris AI Action Summit at the historic Grand Palais, where French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened top innovators, investors, and policymakers. Tammy interviews SCSP fellow Eli Sugarman on the launc…

1
Carrier Neutral: How Unicorn Factory Aims to Open Up Africa’s Internet Infrastructure 26:55

4M ago26:55

26:55

This episode features an engaging conversation with Rob Bergman, Chief Investment Officer at Unicorn Factory, exploring the nuanced intersection of digital infrastructure investment and internet connectivity ecosystem development across Africa.Episode overview:Andile Masuku engages with Bergman to unpack his 12-year journey in African investment, e…

1
44: Paris AI Action Summit 37:55

4M ago37:55

37:55

As the world’s attention turned to Paris for the AI Action Summit, host Tammy Haddad takes the Washington AI Network global with an in-depth look at the most influential players and consequential conversations happening in Paris. Ina Fried of Axios joins Haddad to offer an in-the-room perspective on the world leaders, company executives, and policy…

1
Inside Money & Moves: Tinashe Mukogo On Merging Corporate Expertise With Independent Media 57:33

4M ago57:33

57:33

Episode Overview: This episode features a relaxed, peer-to-peer conversation between two media entrepreneurs—African Tech Roundup co-founder and executive producer Andile Masuku, and Money & Moves founder and writer Tinashe Mukogo. They explore how Mukogo draws on his background in consulting (Deloitte), corporate venture capital (Next47), and orga…

1
43: British Ambassador to the U.S. Dame Karen Pierce on Trump–Starmer ties, incoming Ambassador Mandelson’s credentials, AI leadership, AUKUS, Afghanistan, and the monarchy 23:27

4M ago23:27

23:27

Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, outgoing British Ambassasor to the United States, joins host Tammy Haddad ahead of the 2025 Alfalfa Club Dinner for a wide-ranging conversation in which she discusses her successor, Peter Mandelson—who she says “loves America” and appreciates President Trump’s approach to China—and reaffirms the productive rapport between Pr…

1
Joshua Bicknell On How Balloon Ventures' 'Boring Business' Portfolio Drives 0.5% Of Uganda's GDP 41:05

5M ago41:05

41:05

Episode Overview: This episode features a deep conversation with Joshua Bicknell, co-founder of Balloon Ventures, exploring how the organisation evolved from a non-profit connecting young people with informal entrepreneurs to becoming a financial institution that's deployed over $14 million in loans to SMEs across Kenya and Uganda, while openly sha…

1
Ochuko Ogra On Backbone Connectivity Network's (BCN) Nigeria Growth Strategy 10:35

5M ago10:35

10:35

This episode features a brief check-in with Ochuko Ogra, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Backbone Connectivity Network (BCN), sketching Nigeria's digital infrastructure landscape.Episode overview: BCN has over 1,000 km of wholly-owned fibre infrastructure, primarily in the North-Central and North Eastern parts of Nigeria. Citing its st…

1
42: CFPB director Rohit Chopra underscores the ways AI accelerates consumer risks, warns of Big Tech’s footprint in financial services and data collection, and addresses speculation that the new Trump ... 31:28

5M ago31:28

31:28

Tammy Haddad interviews Rohit Chopra, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in the final days of the Biden presidency. He discusses his agency’s approach to AI regulation, and the need to stop potentially “intrusive surveillance” by Big Tech on the same day Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg criticizes federal scrutiny of Meta, singling out…

1
Alan Knott-Craig Jr On Life After Mxit's Royal Fail (2016) 51:55

5M ago51:55

51:55

Listen in as Alan Knott-Craig Jr, son of Alan Sr, the pioneering co-founder and first CEO of Vodacom, one of South Africa's leading mobile network operators, and later the feisty CEO of challenger telco Cell C—takes us through a transformative career moment that set the stage for his future ventures.Episode overviewThis early 2016 conversation find…

1
41: Europe’s AI Revolution and Climate Solutions in Artificial Intelligence: Thaima Samman, President of the European Network for Women in Leadership, and Dr. Sasha Luccioni, AI and Climate Lead at Hugging ... 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

In this special episode recorded at the Élysée Palace in Paris, host Tammy Haddad speaks with two female forces at the forefront of AI and sustainability. Thaima Samman, president of the European Network for Women in Leadership and a partner at SAMMAN Law and Corporate Affairs, offers an inside look at Europe’s bold attempt to regulate AI while sti…

1
Building Bridges: Maya Horgan Famodu's Silicon Valley-Africa Crossing Playbook (2017) 1:14:53

6M ago1:14:53

1:14:53

Episode overviewThis unfiltered 2017 archive dialogue captures Maya Horgan Famodu (Founder and Partner, Ingressive Capital) before she became known for straight-talking LinkedIn posts about founder insights and personal growth. Fresh from investment banking, she was forging new pathways between Silicon Valley capital and African startup innovation …

1
40: Navigating Global AI Policy from Paris: UNESCO U.S. Ambassador Courtney O’Donnell and OECD U.S. Ambassador Sean Patrick Maloney on AI, Equity, and Global Collaboration 27:42

6M ago27:42

27:42

Tammy Haddad interviews Courtney O’Donnell, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), for a deep dive into AI’s transformative impact from Paris. O’Donnell shares UNESCO’s initiative…

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39: André Loesekrug-Pietri, chairman and scientific director of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), on the upcoming Paris AI Action Summit, driving Europe to harness innovation, and AI’s role ... 42:13

6M ago42:13

42:13

In this episode, André Loesekrug-Pietri, chairman of the Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), and General Jean-Paul Paloméros, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, join host Tammy Haddad to discuss AI’s transformative impact on science, deep tech, and Europe’s key role. Loesekrug-Pietri highlights JEDI’s upcoming AI Action S…

1
Talent Tales: Ethiopia's Quiet Tech Rise vs Nigeria's Developer Gold Rush (2018) 27:26

6M ago27:26

27:26

As we wind down 2024, we're diving into our archives to serve up some memorable throwback conversations.Whether you're a long-time listener revisiting these gems or discovering them for the first time, these conversations capture pivotal moments in Africa's tech journey. In today's episode, we're rewinding to 2018...Episode overview:Join us as we e…

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38: Anne Bouverot, France’s Special Envoy for Artificial Intelligence, on the upcoming AI Action Summit, women in AI, and global collaboration, and AI’s transformative effect on the workforce 29:20

6M ago29:20

29:20

Anne Bouverot, France’s Special Envoy for AI, joins host Tammy Haddad to discuss the highly anticipated 2025 AI Action Summit, which aims to unite global leaders and innovators in shaping the future of AI. Recorded at STATION F in Paris, the conversation dives into pressing issues such as AI’s impact on climate change, its transformative effects on…

1
Why Carbon CEO Chijioke Dozie Is Ditching Nigeria's Free Banking Playbook 19:40

6M ago19:40

19:40

Meet Chijioke Dozie, the co-founder steering Carbon through Nigeria's increasingly noisy neobank scene. In this candid chat with Andile Masuku, Dozie makes a case for zigging while others zag—specifically, charging for value while competitors burn cash on free services. It's a stance that might raise eyebrows in Nigeria's price-sensitive market, bu…

1
Ambar Van Der Wath Unpacks Baobab Network's $20K Toe-Dipping Investment Proposition 15:54

7M ago15:54

15:54

Ambar van der Wath—who leads investor relations at one of Africa's leading accelerator slash VC firms, Baobab Network—discusses with Andile Masuku how the firm is creating accessible entry points for cautious investors interested in early-stage African tech startups.Episode Overview: Picture this: You're an international investor curious about Afri…

1
37: Christopher Kirchhoff, co-founder of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and co-author of “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War” 44:04

7M ago44:04

44:04

Christopher Kirchhoff, co-author of “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War,” and a founding figure of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), joins host Tammy Haddad to explore the military's race to integrate cutting-edge technology. From key breakthroughs in AI and autonomous systems to the hurdles o…

1
Koltronics Nigeria's Lanre Kolade and the inside story of Google's Equiano cable landing in Togo 19:40

7M ago19:40

19:40

This episode features an illuminating dialogue with Lanre Kolade, Chairman of ConnectedCompute, CEO of Koltronics Nigeria and former CEO of CSquared, exploring the intricate dynamics of infrastructure development and digital transformation across Africa.Episode overview:Andile Masuku engages with Kolade to unpack his 26-year journey in African broa…

1
36: Srikar Varadaraj, founder and CEO of Eternis, on redefining digital identity in the age of AI 31:48

7M ago31:48

31:48

Srikar Varadaraj, founder and CEO of Eternis, joins host Tammy Haddad to discuss the need to create trustworthy, secure, and authenticated digital identities as AI labs race towards AGI. Varadaraj, who previously co-founded Spectral for developing a fair credit-scoring mechanism, calls for a future where every human has a top-level AI agent to perf…

1
This Is Connectivity a la VC With Accion Venture Lab's Jasiel Martin-Odoom 33:14

7M ago33:14

33:14

This episode features a candid conversation with Jasiel Martin-Odoom, Africa Investment Officer at Accion Venture Lab, exploring the intersection of venture capital and connectivity-focused content creation and ecosystem building in African tech.Episode overview:Andile Masuku sits down with Jasiel Martin-Odoom to unpack his unique approach to ecosy…

1
Victor Mapunga On Building From First Principles In Africa's 'Tech Graveyard' 1:00:23

7M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

In a landscape where African tech startups often chase buzzwords and quick wins, some founders are taking a more fundamental approach to innovation. This episode explores how one Zimbabwean entrepreneur is building sustainable tech ventures by focusing on first principles.Episode overview:In this deeply candid conversation, Andile Masuku sits down …

1
Britam Director Shares Strategy on Modernising Insurance for Africa's Digital Age 30:14

8M ago30:14

30:14

In a rapidly evolving financial services landscape, traditional African insurers are racing to modernise their operations and product offerings to meet changing consumer needs. This episode explores how one of East Africa's largest insurance providers is navigating this transformation.Episode overview:In this first instalment of a special two-part …

1
35: NVIDIA’s Rev Lebaredian on Building Robot Brains and the Promise of Physical Artificial Intelligence 35:50

8M ago35:50

35:50

Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at NVIDIA, joins Tammy Haddad to discuss NVIDIA’s role in advancing robot brains, the industry's race toward physical AI, competition in the AI robotics space, and his journey from creating computer graphics for Hollywood films to leading AI-driven robotics technology at NVIDIA.…

1
34: David Marchick, Dean of American University’s Kogod School of Business, on AI in business and higher education 28:48

8M ago28:48

28:48

David Marchick brings his experience in law, finance, and government to his role as dean of American University’s Kogod School of Business. In this episode, host Tammy Haddad interviews Marchick, on the role of AI and technology in business education. As higher education’s approach on AI evolves, Marchick highlights how Kogod is embedding AI instru…

1
33: Arati Prabhakar, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy 53:38

8M ago53:38

53:38

OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar has been waving the flag on the importance of federal research and development to drive American innovation. In this episode, host Tammy Haddad interviews Prabhakar on her background in technology and government, the White House’s focus on increasing R&D for AI and national security, and how she believes science and te…

1
Safaricom Ethiopia's Network Chief on Building Network Infrastructure From Scratch 18:06

8M ago18:06

18:06

In October 2022, Safaricom launched its telecommunications services in Ethiopia, marking a major milestone as the first private operator to enter the Ethiopian telecom market. This move broke the long-standing monopoly of state-owned Ethio Telecom and was seen by many as a significant step towards liberalising the country’s telecom sector. The comp…

1
32: Ted Leonsis and Grant Verstandig on healthcare in the age of AI 55:48

8M ago55:48

55:48

Ted Leonsis, Revolution Growth partner, Zephyr AI investor, and Monumental Sports owner, and Grant Verstandig, co-founder and executive chairman of Zephyr AI and Red Cell Partners, join host Tammy Haddad to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the patient-doctor relationship by leveraging AI to analyze data, identify patterns, improv…

1
31: Hemant Taneja, CEO and Managing Director of General Catalyst, and Teresa Carlson, Inaugural President of the new General Catalyst Institute (GCI), on going beyond venture and shaping the global ecosystem ... 24:44

9M ago24:44

24:44

Hemant Taneja, CEO and Managing Director of General Catalyst and Teresa Carlson, Inaugural President of General Catalyst Institute (GCI), discuss the launch of GCI, and how they are shaping AI policy guidance around the world, as well as connecting their diverse portfolio to governments to promote global resilience.…

1
Future in the Humanities EP 3/3: Slave Ride 25:54

9M ago25:54

25:54

In the third and final episode of the Future in the Humanities podcast mini-series, titled "The Gig Economy's Hidden Costs", Wits social scientist and researcher Fikile Masikane guides an exploration of the complex realities facing gig workers in the Global South, particularly food courier riders in Africa.Featuring insights from a study conducted …

1
Future in the Humanities EP 2/3: Everybody Gets a Conspiracy 17:10

9M ago17:10

17:10

In this episode, Wits University media researchers Samuel Olaniran and Iginio Gagliardone guide an audio tour into the complex world of conspiracy theories in the era of social media and global crises.Drawing from multiple research findings and expert dialogues, Andile Masuku (host) grapples with the complex function of conspiracy theories in our s…

1
Future in the Humanities EP 1/3: Touching Brains 26:59

9M ago26:59

26:59

In the opening episode of the Future in the Humanities podcast mini-series, titled "Touching Brains", Wits University research collaborators Sahba Besharati and Victoria Williams let us in on their multidisciplinary exploration of the complex impact of COVID-19 on human interaction and touch. Featuring insights from various studies and discussions …

1
30: Jeremy Kahn, Fortune’s AI editor and author of the new book, “Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future,” on the race for AI supremacy 33:00

9M ago33:00

33:00

Jeremy Kahn, Fortune’s AI editor and author of the new book, “Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future” tells host Tammy Haddad that AI “could really be the last fully man-made, human-invented invention” and calls for technologists and governments alike to create methods to properly train AI. He also reports on the expansion of war…

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29: FBI’s Jonathan Lenzner and Bryan Vorndran on the bureau’s approach to AI 38:12

10M ago38:12

38:12

FBI Chief of Staff Jonathan Lenzner and Cyber Division assistant director Bryan Vorndran join host Tammy Haddad for a live interview at FBI headquarters to discuss the FBI’s approach to all things AI. From combating threats from domestic and foreign nefarious actors to protecting children, senior citizens, and families against the harms of AI, Lenz…

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Design Factory Global Network Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen