In this podcast, hosted by Richard Spurr, we will delve into the importance of developing critical thinking skills to navigate the landscape of AI. Using a first principles approach, we’ll explore what AI really is, what we mean by intelligence, what aspects of intelligence can be automated, and whether AIs that exist today are really capable of creating new knowledge. As we try to build and develop economies based on knowledge, discerning when and how knowledge is created becomes increasingly important. We’ll also touch upon what this means for the future of education and the jobs and industries that will exist 5, 10, or 15 years from now. 

In this episode we are joined by Keith Jordan (Vice President Innovation, Mastercard).As people look for immersive and creative ways to interact with brands and products in a digital-first world, we will see a revolution in digital clothing, virtual stores, gaming, and NFTs - all of which will create the backbone of a new economy.As digital bleeds into the physical world, new methods of consumer interaction must be imagined. However, this next technology race will not only be for customer attention – it will be for reality itself. 

 Artificial Intelligence is the buzzword of the decade. It has been near-omnipresent in the news, online, and most importantly for this conversation, in the workplace. However, getting employees, managers, and even directors to not only learn AI skills but just to understand the impact of AI has been markedly difficult. Today, we will hear from James Caan (Entrepreneur, Television Personality and Former Investor on BBC’s Dragons’ Den) regarding what will happen if this skills gap remains unaddressed, how this skills gap could be mitigated, and what the future of the workplace might look like.

In a research piece conducted by the Wilson Center earlier this year, it was found that “the gap in ownership of established businesses between men and women in MENA is more than 40% - the largest worldwide”. Of course, there are several initiatives to try and close this gap, but ultimately, will they be successful? In today’s podcast, British broadcaster Richard Spurr interviews Baroness Karren Brady CBE to ask about the issues that exist because of this gap, what can be done to greater empower women founders in the MENA region, and ultimately, through what means can the region reach greater parity between men and women founders and business owners, especially in technology.

Much fanfare has been made of the impact technology has had on the world of sport. From VAR to detailed analytics, data-driven technology has revolutionised the way sport is perceived, discussed, and consumed by audiences worldwide. However, what about technology’s impact on sporting performance, and what about the direct impact it has had on the athletes themselves? In 2021, after using their devices for almost five years, Anthony Joshua invested in Manchester-based percussion muscle therapy and recovery brand, Pulseroll. Let’s find out with British broadcaster Richard Spurr interview Anthony, why this investment was made, what impact this has had on sporting performance, and whether tech, rather than humans, will be the primary means of supporting sportspeople in the near future. 

In this episode we are joined by Sandra Rey (Founder & CEO, Glowee). Leading a start-up with the ambition to revolutionise the way we light up our spaces and cities thanks to bioluminescence, Sandra Rey will talk about her creative solution for something we often take for granted, lighting. Lighting is key to addressing energy poverty and making our cities and buildings more sustainable. How we light our buildings, homes and cities, will be an increasingly important question in the race to become carbon neutral by 2050. When talking about energy-efficient lighting, we often think of LEDs…but what if nature could give us another option?

Numerous  predictions have been used to stir the global conversation about the increasing impact of environmental degradation – especially in those parts of the world where the infrastructure is simply ill-equipped to handle catastrophes. Whether it is the world continuously heating up, or the increasing number of people who even today have no access to reliable clean water, or communities that are blessed with supplies increasingly facing dwindling clean water sources: at some point, these predictions are going to start becoming a reality. In this LEAP:IN podcast, Basel will be addressing the challenges ahead to ensure we do not reach that point. Promisingly, recent major developments in Saudi Arabia led by a water revolution and desalination could solve the world's water worries.

In this episode we are joined by Ian Mahoney, the Director of Engineering Platforms at New Look. New Look is the number one omnichannel retailer in the UK for 18-45 year old’s. Ian is responsible for Product & Platform Engineering and Technology Strategy for them and has previously worked in similar technology leadership roles for other retailers including, Selfridges and Marks and Spencer.Learn about  AI and machine learning, organisational transformation, building product & engineering teams.  He will discuss how to deliver value and growth through technology solutions. 

David Gram-Hanssen, an Innovation Leader, Keynote Speaker, Former Venture Partner at LEGO Ventures, Partner & Co-founder of Diplomatic Rebels and Co-founder of LXGO. How can large companies make the most of this rapidly changing world? David Gram-Hanssen, of Diplomatic Rebels, who has spent 17 years working in large companies to inspire radical innovation, may be able to point us in the right direction. In this podcast, David asks us to combine two very different mindsets. First is the rebel – those creative types that challenge the status quo and ask the difficult questions necessary for businesses to consider. Second is the diplomatic, a figure of measure and persuasion. Discover why the root to success is about balancing these paradoxes, and just how the truth can be found in the middle of various extremes. Also, learn about why just about anyone can become more intrapreneurial – it is not the exclusive reserve for the few super entrepreneurs driving the unicorns – and how intrapreneurship can become a personal mission for life, driving transformation change within organisations for the good of all. 

Hamad founded one of the first private licensed telecom companies in the GCC. Spearheaded the launch of several digital telecom products annual gross revenues of over $25 Million and over 300K customers.As post-pandemic stress and an uncertain market have made it more critical for start-ups to stand out when communicating with investors. Hamad Al Fahad, Managing Partner at Tajawoz and Venture Advisor at Brinc, discusses the typical trappings that many entrepreneurs fall into when trying to raise funds.

When we talk about venture investing we often think about money. However, a successful startup requires more than just capital. So many venture funds talk about the importance of providing entrepreneurs "capital +". In this podcast, Laurie Fuller talks in depth about "the + " – the people, whilst answering the following: Why is it important that entrepreneurs have an advisor or coach? What does it mean, and how does it work?

Join Obediah Ayton, General Managing Partner of Synaptech Capital, as he discusses a topic that is at the forefront of the latest technology revolution– ‘Reskilling Humans’.As old job titles disappear and new technologies emerge, it is becoming necessary for everybody – from graduate students to seasoned investors – to learn new skills to stay afloat and thrive in a competitive market. In a world where AI, distributed ledger technology, and cybersecurity are omnipresent, now is more important than ever to invest in understanding these technologies. This podcast will explore the origin of ‘Reskilling Humans’, its status in the UAE, and how it can benefit Saudi Arabia – futureproofing the local population and allowing businesses to take personal ownership of these skills, without the costly need to outsource them from abroad.Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

In this episode, we explore the future of smart cities with Zoe Eather, Chief Executive Officer of My Smart Community and Anders Nielsen, Senior Investment Manager - Head of Sustainable Cities and Mobility at Copenhagen Capacity , as they take you on a journey through Copenhagen, by looking at how this innovative city will be the world's first carbon neutral capital city.Discover how Copenhagen is leading the way with new technology, breaking barriers and taking on challenges headfirst. Take a peek into a truly sustainable future and see what answers it holds. Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

In this episode, we are joined by Matt Roberts, the Research and Insights Director at Formula E, who discusses how an organisation can setup a data analytics department from scratch, and gain success. Matt, who previously worked as the Director of Research and Insights with Formula 1, has won multiple awards and is a known figure in the world of data.This podcast sheds light on Matt’s views on challenges and opportunities of working with data and answers questions around data privacy, ethics, regulations, and more. Irrespective of which sector or where you are within your data journey, the podcast will highlight critical factors that you can take back to work with you.Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

Tune in to a new episode where Dr. Jonathan, Founder of Human Future, will walk us through the world we will live in in the future and the game changing technologies that have the potential to reshape the future of urban development. He will also address the drawbacks of living in a more connected, autonomous world and the rising privacy and security that come with it.Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

Richard Benjamins, Chief of AI & Data Strategist at Telefonica and one of the 100 most influential people in data-driven business (DataIQ 100, 2018), discusses his latest book, "A Data-Driven Company: 21 lessons for large organizations to create value from AI" which is borne from his 15-20 years' practical experience in how large organisations have approached working in big data and AI.He explains how large organisations keep making the same mistakes when approaching big data and AI, and provides insights into his 21 lessons that seek to finally resolve these issues. Follow along as he passionately lays out his vision for not only creating business value from data and AI, but also creating value for society - including how data aggregation can help understand the mobility of people during earthquakes, better supporting emergency response teams!Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

The widespread adoption of digital IDs is growing in a pace similar to smartphones. In few years from now, many of us will be verifying our IDs using digital channels in our everyday life.In this podcast, Tracey will discuss how technology is becoming part of our personal identity, and how that will affect individuals and groups and even nations, in the future, how digital identities will look like in the future and the role governments can play in accelerating the widespread adoption of digital IDs.Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.

“Biobots” are hybrid cell organisms made from frogs and they are expected to one day be used to serve humanity in different ways including fighting diseases. Tune in to this podcast to hear from the computer scientist and robotics expert behind xenobots , The world’s first living programmable organism as he talks about its potential uses for mankind and ethical issues associated with using them. Tag us on social to keep the conversation going: @LEAPandinnovate.