Tech Transformed

Podcast: Tech Transformed Podcast
Guest: Manesh Tailor, EMEA Field CTO, New Relic
Host: Shubhangi Dua, B2B Tech Journalist, EM360Tech
AI-driven development has become obsessive recently, with vibe-coding becoming more common and accelerating innovation at an unprecedented rate. This, however, is also leading to a substantial increase in costly outages. Many organisations do not fully grasp the repercussions until their customers are affected.
In this episode of the Tech Transformed Podcast, EM360Tech’s Podcast Producer and B2B Tech Journalist, Shubhangi Dua, spoke with Manesh Tailor, EMEA Field CTO at New Relic, about why AI-generated code, also called vibe-coding, rapid prototyping, and a focus on speed create dangerous gaps. They also talked about why full-stack observability is now crucial for operational resilience in 2026 and beyond.
AI Vibe Code Prioritising Speed over Stability
AI has changed how software is built. Problems are solved faster, prototypes are created in hours, and proofs-of-concept (POC) swiftly reach production. But this speed comes with drawbacks.
“These prototypes, these POCs, make it to production very readily,” Tailor explained. “Because they work—and they work very quickly.”
In the past, the time needed to design and implement a solution served as a natural filter. However, the barrier has now disappeared.
Tailor tells Dua: “The problem occurs, the solution is quick, and these things get out into production super, super fast. Now you’ve got something that wasn’t necessarily designed well.”
The outcome is that the new systems work but do not scale. They lack operational resilience and greatly increase the cognitive load on engineering teams.
New Relic's research indicates that in EMEA alone:
The annual median cost of high-impact IT outages for EMEA businesses is $102 million per year
Downtime costs EMEA businesses an average of $2 million per hour
More than a third (37%) of EMEA businesses experience high-impact outages weekly or more often.

Essentially, AI-driven development heightens risks and increases blind spots. “There are unrealised problems that take longer to solve—and they occur more often,” Tailor noted. This is because many AI-generated solutions overlook operability, scaling, or long-term maintenance.
Modern architectures were already complex before AI came along. Microservices, SaaS dependencies, and distributed systems scatter visibility across the stack.
“We’ve got more solutions, more technology, more unknowns, all moving faster,” he tells Dua. “That’s generated more data, more noise—and more blind spots.”
Traditional...

In a world where climate change is reshaping the way we grow, transport, and consume the things we rely on, understanding the first mile of supply chains has never been more critical. That’s the stage where over 60 per cent of risks arise, yet it remains the hardest to measure and manage. In a recent episode of Tech Transform, Trisha Pillay sits down with Jonathan Horn, co-founder and CEO of Treefera, to explore how artificial intelligence is providing clarity, actionable insights, and sustainable solutions for this complex ecosystem.
The First Mile and Climate Pressures
Horn’s perspective comes from a mix of experience: growing up on a farm, studying physics, and working in investment banking. That combination gives him a lens on both the natural systems that underpin agriculture and the data-driven tools that help manage risk.
Extreme weather patterns like droughts, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes are putting pressure on crops such as cocoa, coffee, wheat, and soy. The consequences ripple outward: production costs rise, commodity prices fluctuate, and supply chains become less predictable. A simple example illustrates this clearly: certain chocolate biscuits in the UK have moved from being chocolate-filled to chocolate-flavoured, reflecting disruptions in cocoa production in West Africa caused by extreme weather and disease. These changes are not isolated; they affect global markets and everyday products.
Turning Data into Actionable Insights
AI can help make sense of the complexity. Treefera, for instance, combines satellite imagery, sensor data, and other datasets to provide insights on crop yields, supply risks, and climate impacts. Horn describes it like a car dashboard: “You don’t need to know every technical detail to understand what’s happening and act accordingly.”
The value of AI lies not in flashy algorithms but in its ability to translate raw data into practical decision-making tools. By analysing multiple signals from weather events to agricultural output, AI can highlight trends, flag potential disruptions, and support planning for traders, insurers, or supply chain managers. The goal is clarity and action, not simply more information.
Data, Regulation, and Responsible Use
Alongside operational complexity, organisations face questions about data governance. Emerging regulations such as the EU AI Act aim to ensure AI is used responsibly, and companies need to maintain control over proprietary information while leveraging technology effectively. Horn stresses the importance of frugal, transparent AI applications that produce meaningful insights without unnecessary complexity.
In practice, this means balancing innovation with compliance: using AI to understand risks, improve planning, and support sustainability without overstating its capabilities or creating new vulnerabilities. The conversation underlines a key point: the impact of AI is most tangible when it’s applied thoughtfully, in service of real-world decisions.
In short, AI is helping organisations navigate the increasingly unpredictable intersection of climate, risk, and supply chain complexity. The first mile, long a blind spot, is becoming visible not through hype or marketing claims, but through practical, data-driven insight that helps people respond to the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.
Takeaways
AI can significantly improve the management of supply chains.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather patterns, affecting agriculture.
Data sovereignty is crucial for companies to maintain...

Mass customisation has long been the holy grail for industrial manufacturers, offering the ability to provide highly tailored products while maintaining efficiency, scalability, and profitability. However, as products become increasingly complex, traditional methods of managing configurations are starting to reveal their limitations.
In a recent episode of Tech Transformed, host Christina Stathopoulos, Founder of Dare to Data, spoke with Stella d’Ambrumenil, Product Manager at Configit, about the operational realities and future potential of generative AI technology in manufacturing.
The Challenge of Complexity
Modern manufacturers often operate somewhere between make-to-order and assemble-to-order models. While these approaches allow flexibility, they also expose companies to a major problem, such as fragmented configuration processes. Sales teams, engineers, and manufacturing units may all handle different aspects of customisation separately, relying on spreadsheets or outdated product documentation. The result is inefficiency, errors, and an inability to scale effectively.
“The problem isn’t just that you have lots of options,” Stella explains. “It’s that the knowledge about those options is scattered. If configuration is handled differently across departments, you inevitably get mistakes and lost time.”
Configit Ace® Prompt: Bridging the Gap
Enter Configit Ace® Prompt, the latest tool designed to tackle this very problem. At its core, Configit Ace® Prompt converts unstructured data into structured configuration logic that can be used across all departments. Formalising configuration knowledge ensures that customisation is accurate, repeatable, and manageable.
This approach not only reduces errors but also democratizes access to critical product information. Engineers, product managers, and sales teams no longer need to interpret fragmented data manually — they can work from a single source of truth. Early adopters report significant time savings, fewer mistakes, and smoother collaboration.
Why Configuration Lifecycle Management Matters
Configit Ace® Prompt is a key enabler of Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM). CLM is an approach to maintaining consistent data and processes across the entire product lifecycle — from design and engineering to manufacturing and service. This is crucial for companies seeking to scale customisation without creating chaos in operations.
By adding generative AI technology, manufacturers can implement a CLM approach faster to automate logic creation, catch configuration errors early, and ensure that complex products are delivered efficiently.
Looking Ahead: CLM Summit 2026
For professionals interested in deepening their understanding of configuration management, Configit’s CLM Summit 2026 — an online event scheduled for May 6 & 7 - will provide insights into best practices, advanced strategies, and tools like Configit Ace® Prompt. It’s an opportunity to see how companies can leverage configuration management to stay competitive in a world of growing product complexity.
For more insights, visit: configit.com
Takeaways
Manufacturers face increasing challenges with product complexity and customisation demands.
Configit Ace® Prompt helps convert unstructured product knowledge into usable configuration logic.
Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM) is crucial for establishing and maintaining a shared source of truth.
Product data...

As organisations navigate the rapid rise of AI, the challenge is no longer simply acquiring technology; it’s preparing people to use it effectively. Many companies are realising that access to AI tools alone doesn’t translate into business impact. Employees need meaningful opportunities to develop skills that can be applied immediately, helping teams work smarter and make better decisions.
In this episode of Tech Transformed, Christina Stathopoulos, Founder of Dare to Data, speaks with Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse, about the pressing challenge of closing the AI and data skills gap in the workforce. They explore how organisations can build an AI-ready workforce, focusing on non-technical employees and the importance of a skills-first approach to learning.
The Skills-First Approach
Multiverse champions a skills-first approach to upskilling employees in AI and data, asserting that this targeted training drives measurable business impact, including increased productivity, revenue growth, and time savings. This strategy moves beyond general AI literacy to focus on practical, applied learning. By diagnosing both organisational needs and individual skill levels, the approach identifies gaps and prescribes tailored, project-based learning experiences. Employees don’t just complete modules in isolation; they work on real-world projects that apply the skills they are learning from day one, reinforcing retention and ensuring that training contributes to tangible outcomes.
Learning in the AI Era
Gary explains that learning in the AI era is not simply about providing tools or access to content; it’s about driving behaviour change, aligning learning with business outcomes, and embedding a culture of continuous skill development. As AI reshapes both the work we do and the way we learn, organisations that invest in people-first strategies position themselves to thrive rather than merely adapt. This conversation demonstrates that the future of work is always on learning, and that meaningful investment in AI and data skills is no longer optional; it’s a critical driver of business success.
Unlocking Workforce Potential
By combining practical, applied training with ongoing support and measurable outcomes, companies can not only close the AI skills gap but also unlock the full potential of their workforce in an era defined by rapid technological change.
Takeaways
Technology alone is never enough; people must be invested in.
Reskilling is a necessity due to technological disruption.
Organisations must focus on human behaviour change, not just software deployment.
A skills-first approach is critical for effective learning.
Learning should be project-based and applied immediately.
Non-technical roles are increasingly adopting AI tools.
Creating time and space for learning is essential.
Highlighting success stories builds confidence in using AI.
Measuring impact through metrics like revenue per employee is vital.
The future of work requires a cultural shift towards continuous learning.

Chapters
00:00 Closing the AI and Data Skills Gap
02:02 Challenges in Building an AI-Ready Workforce
06:06 The Skills First Approach to Learning
10:04 Supporting Non-Technical Employees in AI
13:46 Measuring the Impact of AI Skills...

In the automotive industry, trust and transparency are no longer optional; they have become key components. Dealerships that communicate clearly and responsibly with their customers strengthen relationships and improve overall experiences. In this episode of Tech Transformed, host Trisha Pillay speaks with Sean Barrett, Chief Information Officer at CallRevu, about how dealerships can navigate the changing landscape of communication while maintaining accountability, compliance and operational resilience.
The Evolution of Dealership Communication
Communication has always been at the heart of dealership operations. The phone system was once the primary lifeline between customers and dealerships, giving managers the visibility needed to ensure interactions were handled correctly. Today, communication extends far beyond the phone. SMS, MMS, instant messaging, and other channels allow customers to engage in multiple ways.
Sean explains how integrating these channels into a single technology platform provides managers with a clear view of all interactions, ensuring employees follow policies and customers receive the attention they deserve. This approach strengthens trust and improves the overall customer experience.
Compliance and Data Privacy in Automotive Communication
Alongside multi-channel communication, compliance and data privacy are critical. Regulations like GDPR and UN R155 require dealerships to protect customer data while maintaining seamless communication. Transparent practices, combined with adherence to regional rules, help build trust and protect both customers and the dealership’s reputation. Observing patterns in customer interactions also allows dealerships to make informed decisions, improve processes, and enhance service quality. Using these data insights, dealerships can make communication more effective and meaningful for every customer.
Infrastructure That Keeps Dealerships Operational
Reliable infrastructure underpins all communication efforts. Sean shares how dealerships can prepare for unexpected disruptions with geo-redundant systems, cloud-based platforms, and layered internet backups, including options like Starlink or fibre connections. These measures ensure dealerships stay operational, customers can reach them without interruption, and business continuity is maintained.
Preparing for Emerging Communication Channels
As new channels emerge, proactive preparation is key. Dealerships that view communication as an investment, rather than a cost, position themselves for long-term success. Monitoring trends, adapting quickly, and fostering transparency help maintain strong customer relationships even as expectations evolve.
Training and Staff Development
Staff development is a critical component of a communication strategy. By using insights from technology platforms, dealerships can guide employee training, build accountability, and create a culture of learning. Confident, well-trained teams contribute to consistent, high-quality interactions that enhance customer trust.
Success in automotive communication isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about building systems and practices that protect customers, support employees, and foster trust at every touchpoint. Sean Barrett’s insights provide a roadmap for dealerships aiming to elevate communication strategies, improve customer satisfaction, and