SaugaTalks | Technology Insights & Expert Talks

Agentic AI: What's Working vs What's Failing in 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1846828/fan_mail/new] In this 30-minute deep dive, Alexis Chevallot (Agentic AI expert & CEO of Capto) reveals what’s actually working with Agentic AI right now — especially in finance and enterprise operations.  Forget the hype. Discover how Agentic AI is moving from simple chatbots to real “AI employees” that handle reporting, invoicing, compliance, tax, and multi-system workflows — delivering massive ROI while working alongside human teams. Alexis shares real production use cases, the biggest implementation challenges, scalability lessons (including cutting AI costs by 100x), and exactly how leaders should manage Agentic AI to make it a strategic partner rather than a disappointment. Key topics covered: What Agentic AI really is (and how it’s different from generative AI & chatbots) Live finance success stories with proven ROI Major challenges: reliability, hallucinations, data security & scalability How to turn generic AI Agents into accurate AI Employees Why most AI projects fail — and how to avoid them The human traits AI still can’t replicate Will software engineers actually be replaced in 2026? Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Welcome to SaugaTalks 00:45 Greeting Alexis Chevallot 01:30 What is Agentic AI? 03:30 Agentic AI in finance today 05:45 Real success stories & ROI 09:15 Challenges & reliability 11:45 Scalability & cutting costs by 100x 14:00 How teams react to AI employees 16:15 Advice for leaders & AI management 18:00 Disasters & lessons learned 20:30 Human traits AI can’t replace 22:45 What excites Alexis about the future 24:15 Will AI Replace Software Engineers? The Real Answer 27:00 Key takeaways 28:30 Connect with Alexis & Capto 29:30 Outro If you’re a CFO, finance leader, tech manager, or software engineer wondering how to implement and manage Agentic AI successfully in 2026 — this is the episode for you.  Drop your biggest Agentic AI question in the comments! Connect with Alexis Chevallot & Capto: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexischevallot/ Website: capto.com SaugaTalks — Real conversations on AI, digital transformation & the future of work. 🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today. 🔹 Let’s Connect LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/ X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovet YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks 📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation. ✅ Enjoyed this conversation? Like 👍 the video Subscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks. Share 📢 with your network. #SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #agenticai  #AIAgents #AIFinance #AIinFinance #SoftwareEngineers #FutureOfWork #AIManagement #AIEmployees #DigitalTransformation Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks]

Struggling to Get Execs on Board with AI? Here's How to Bet Big Without Regrets

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1846828/fan_mail/new] In this episode of SaugaTalks, host Irene Lyakovetsky chats with Patrick Sullivan, VP of Strategy and Innovation at A-LIGN, TEDx Speaker, Forbes Technology Council member, AI Ethicist, and ISO/IEC JTC1/SC42 contributor. They dive into the high-stakes "Boardroom AI Battles"—how to convince skeptical executives to invest boldly in AI without regrets. Key discussion points: - AI governance as a value creator: Evaluate, direct, and monitor for optimized risk and cost (per ISACA standards). - Informed vs. uninformed bets: Only ~3% of AI initiatives deliver value without solid plans—learn from MIT/Harvard insights. - Success stories: A German synthetic media startup hit $4B+ valuation via ISO 42001 certification and trust-building. - Pitfalls: A major US HRIS provider faces lawsuits over unchecked AI bias, despite NIST frameworks. - Emerging risks: Deepfakes (e.g., $25M bank fraud) and bias in sociotechnical systems. - Executive tips: Ask "Can I do this without AI?" Balance FOMO with reputational risks through use cases and context-specific strategies. - Future outlook: 2026 as the era of formal AI governance, with market demands for assurance in sensitive data handling. Perfect for C-suite leaders, AI strategists, and innovators navigating digital transformation. Whether you're worried about moving too fast or being left behind, this episode offers actionable advice on ethical AI adoption, bias mitigation, and scaling from pilots to production. Subscribe for more on AI, automation, and tech leadership! - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcHTwZGRuMaWTZTechKAtw - X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/lyakovet - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saugatuckworldwide/ - Support: https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks - Connect with Patrick: www.align.com | LinkedIn (daily AI posts) #AILeadership #AIGovernance #EnterpriseAI #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation 00:00 – Introduction Welcome to SaugaTalks and the introduction of Patrick Sullivan. 01:05 – Why AI Is Creating Boardroom Tension Why executives feel pressure to move fast with AI while managing uncertainty. 03:10 – The Real Stakes of AI Investment How AI decisions today can define long-term competitive advantage. 05:20 – Convincing Executives to Bet Big on AI Strategies for making a compelling case for AI adoption. 07:35 – Risk vs. Opportunity in AI Strategy Balancing innovation with governance and responsible AI use. 10:05 – AI Bias and Ethical Concerns Why bias and fairness remain major challenges in enterprise AI. 12:20 – The Growing Threat of Deepfakes How synthetic media and misinformation create new security risks. 15:10 – Moving AI from Pilot to Production Why many companies struggle to scale AI beyond experimentation. 18:00 – Building Trust in AI Across the Organization How leaders can gain buy-in from stakeholders and teams. 20:45 – AI Governance and Security Frameworks companies should consider to manage AI responsibly. 23:30 – The Future of AI in the Enterprise What executives should be preparing for in the next wave of AI. 26:00 – Final Thoughts Key takeaways for leaders deciding how aggressively to invest in AI. Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks]

AI Readiness in Enterprises: From Shadow AI to Competitive Edge

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1846828/fan_mail/new] In this episode of SaugaTalks, host Irene Lyakovetsky sits down with Seth Earley, CEO of Earley Information Science, to demystify AI readiness for enterprises. From taming shadow AI experiments to building robust governance, they explore why 40-95% of generative AI initiatives fail—and how to turn yours into a success. Key insights: - AI readiness maturity: Assess knowledge, operations, tech, and governance with a 74-question model. - Bridging knowledge and AI: Use semantic frameworks (isness/aboutness), taxonomies, and componentization for unified ecosystems. - Operational integration: Map processes to find "information leverage points" without disruption—focus on differentiation for competitive advantage. - Success stories: 20-30% efficiency gains in field service, 50% faster RFP responses, and streamlined code reviews. - Pitfalls: IP leakage, $5M+ failed projects due to poor content curation, and pilot-to-production gaps. - Advice: Build ontologies/knowledge graphs, prioritize use cases, capture baselines, and avoid vendor lock-in. Ideal for AI leaders, IT pros, and execs tackling enterprise AI adoption, legacy tech, RAG, ontologies, and ROI. Learn to avoid disasters and scale from pilots to production! - Website: https://saugatalks.com - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcHTwZGRuMaWTZTechKAtw - X: https://twitter.com/lyakovet - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saugatuckworldwide/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks - Connect with Seth: https://earley.com | LinkedIn: Seth Earley | Podcast: Earley AI Subscribe to SaugaTalks for more in-depth discussions on enterprise AI, automation, and innovation. Like, comment, and share your biggest AI challenge below—we'd love to hear from you!  Get Seth's book: https://www.earley.com/ai-powered-enterprise-book-seth-earley Visit Earley Information Science: https://www.earley.com/ 🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today. 🔹 Let’s Connect LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/ X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovet YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks 📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation. ✅ Enjoyed this conversation? Like 👍 the video Subscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks. Share 📢 with your network. #SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #AIReadiness #EnterpriseAI #KnowledgeManagement #AIGovernance #DigitalTransformation #AIReadiness #EnterpriseAI #AIGovernance #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation  Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks]

The Agentic AI Boom and Autonomous Agents for Explosive Business Efficiency in 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1846828/fan_mail/new] 🚀 Welcome to SaugaTalks — Where AI Meets the Future of Business! I’m Irene, Founder & Host of SaugaTalks, bringing you unfiltered conversations with the brightest minds in AI, technology, and digital transformation. In every episode, we break down the trends shaping industries, explore game-changing innovations, and share practical insights you can use today. Join us on SaugaTalks for an in-depth look at "The Agentic AI Boom: Autonomous Agents for Explosive Business Efficiency in 2026" with guest Amit Garg, Head of Data & AI Engineering Americas at Verticurl. Discover how AI tools transform business, adding to operations and efficiency. Guest Amit Garg, Head of Data & AI Engineering Americas at Verticurl, shares expert insights on AI agents, AI digital transformation, AI for business efficiency, enterprise AI, AI business automation, autonomous AI agents, and AI agent strategies. Highlights: AI's confidence trap and critical thinking Daily practice for non-tech pros to augment ops Use case studies: 40-50% ROI in marketing Subscribe for more SaugaTalks! Ideal for leaders, AI fans, and pros—gain strategies to leverage this boom. Subscribe for more! Guest: Amit Garg | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-garg-6829a012/ Hosted by: Irene Lyakovetsky  🔹 Let’s Connect LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/ X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovet YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks 📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation. ✅ Enjoyed this conversation? Like 👍 the video Subscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks. Share 📢 with your network. #SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #aiaadoption #aiagents  #AIDigital #AgenticAI #BusinessEfficiency #DataEngineering #AI2026 #SaugaTalks #AutonomousAgents #FutureOfAI Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks]

Purpose-Driven AI - Aligning Enterprise Values with Innovation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1846828/fan_mail/new] Welcome to SaugaTalks! 👋 In this episode, Irene sits down with Ravi Pal, a technologist and a leading voice in enterprise technology, AI strategy, and business transformation. Together, they unpack one of the most important (and overlooked) topics in the AI conversation today: purpose-driven AI. 🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why 95% of AI initiatives fail — and how to avoid becoming another statistic The dangers of prototype paralysis and FOMO-driven adoption How to move from shiny demos to real business outcomes Why AI must be aligned with identity, values, and organizational purpose What it means to treat AI as your “smart but naïve” new employee How to build capability, not just complete training Real-world stories of misaligned AI systems inside major enterprises 💡 Key message: AI success doesn’t start with tools — it starts with purpose, clarity, and alignment. Before scaling AI, you must understand the job you want it to do, the data it needs, and the values it must uphold. 🎙️ About our guest — Ravi Pal Ravi is a technology leader known for helping organizations move from AI experimentation to production-grade, purpose-driven solutions. His thinking on capability, identity, and organizational readiness is a blueprint for how modern enterprises should approach AI. 🔗 Follow Ravi: Find Ravi on LinkedIn and explore his blog for deeper insights: https://superpal.blog/ ✨ If you enjoy conversations with experts shaping the future of AI and business, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. It helps bring these critical insights to more people. 🔹 Let’s Connect LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenelyakovetsky/ X (Twitter) → https://twitter.com/lyakovet YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SaugaTalks 📌 About SaugaTalks: SaugaTalks is your go-to channel for fresh perspectives on AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Whether you’re a business leader, innovator, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find actionable takeaways in every conversation. ✅ Enjoyed this conversation? Like 👍 the video Subscribe 🔔 to SaugaTalks. Share 📢 with your network. #SaugaTalks #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #Technology #Leadership #BusinessInnovation #PurposeDrivenAI #EnterpriseAI #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy #AIFailure #AIReadiness #FutureOfWork Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/SaugaTalks]