Scaling Global Trade with AI Powered Tools for SMBs - with Kuo Zhang of Alibaba.com
Global sourcing has long been a barrier for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Language differences, compliance challenges, logistics hurdles, and trust issues can overwhelm even the most determined entrepreneurs. In this episode of the AI in Business podcast, Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, shares how new technologies—including Alibaba’s agentic AI system Accio—are streamlining procurement and unlocking opportunities once reserved for enterprises. Drawing on examples from thousands of SMBs worldwide, Zhang details how AI is transforming sourcing from a months-long, manual process into an automated workflow that delivers results in hours. He also discusses how Alibaba.com is embedding AI into every layer of its platform, from search to supplier engagement, and how organizations of any size can begin adopting these systems with minimal lift. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business’ podcast! Join enterprise leaders at Emerj’s Vision to Value AI Infra Summit to explore strategies for building, securing, and scaling AI infrastructure. Reserve your free spot today: emerj.com/infrasummit2.
--------
28:49
--------
28:49
Reducing Errors and Improving Compliance in Global Oncology Programs - with Anthony Mikulaschek at IQVIA Technologies
Clinical trials are growing more complex, and nowhere is that more evident than in oncology and obesity research. As sponsors push for reliable, real-time patient data, the role of electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOAs) has never been more critical. These tools determine not only how patients report on their quality of life but also how sponsors capture the endpoints that drive regulatory approval. In this episode of the AI in Business podcast, Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello speaks with Anthony Mikulaschek, Vice President of Commercial Strategy at IQVIA Technologies. Anthony unpacks the evolution of eCOAs, from their early days on Palm Pilots to today’s AI-enabled platforms. He explains how thoughtful design reduces patient and clinician burden, why cultural and linguistic nuance matters for global trials, and what digital libraries and compliance automation mean for faster, more resilient studies. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business’ podcast! If you’ve enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!
--------
32:09
--------
32:09
From Manual Reports to Generative and Agentic AI Automation in Finance - with Pavlé Sabic of Moody’s
In this episode, Pavlé Sabic, Senior Director in Generative AI Solutions and Strategy at Moody’s, joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to discuss how agentic AI is redefining workflows in financial institutions. Pavlé explains why large enterprises are turning to AI-driven automation to overcome persistent challenges — from fragmented data and manual inefficiencies to evolving regulatory demands. He shares practical examples, including credit memo automation that reduces production time by 60%, portfolio monitoring tools that detect emerging risks earlier, and sales intelligence workflows that deliver highly targeted client insights. Pavlé also outlines why proprietary data is a strategic advantage in regulated industries and how leaders can implement agentic AI without losing human oversight. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business’ podcast! This episode is sponsored by Moody’s. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at emerj.com/ad1.
--------
28:36
--------
28:36
Why Human Oversight and Management Will Still Matter in AI-Driven Pharma Operations - with Yunke Xiang of Sanofi
In this episode of the AI in Business podcast, host and Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello speaks with Yunke Xiang, Global Head of Data Science for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality at Sanofi. Together, they examine how generative AI and reasoning models are evolving from simple automation to high-impact copilots across pharmaceutical operations. Yunke shares examples of how AI is enabling “talk to your data” use cases, automating regulatory reporting, and accelerating knowledge transfer for new employees. He also highlights how agentic AI systems may soon extend beyond copilots to function as digital teammates, orchestrating tasks across complex supply chains and ERP migrations. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business’ podcast! If you’ve enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!
--------
20:45
--------
20:45
The Future of Customer Experience in Financial Services with Agentic AI - with Abhii Parakh of Prudential Financial
The ‘AI in Business’ podcast connects enterprise leaders with the best insights on how AI is driving measurable impact across regulated industries. In this episode, we highlight Prudential Financial’s perspective on scaling AI in customer experience, an area facing both significant opportunity and unique regulatory challenges. By featuring Abhii Parakh, VP and Head of Customer Experience at Prudential Financial, this episode links directly into ongoing conversations with financial services leaders about digital transformation, customer trust, and the rise of agentic AI. Listeners will gain actionable context for how insurance companies can responsibly adopt AI, improve employee and customer outcomes, and prepare for a rapidly changing future of customer interaction. This episode is sponsored by Cognigy. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the ‘AI in Business’ podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!
The AI in Business Podcast is for non-technical business leaders who need to find AI opportunities, align AI capabilities with strategy, and deliver ROI.
Each week, Emerj AI Research CEO Daniel Faggella and team interview top AI executives from Fortune 2000 firms and unicorn startups - uncovering trends, use-cases, and best practices for practical AI adoption.
Visit our advertising page to learn more about reaching our executive audience of Fortune 2000 AI adopters: https://emerj.com/advertise
Canada - english