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Data & AI Mastery

Cambridge Spark

In the age of rapid technological change, how can you harness the power of data and AI to transform your business?

Welcome to Data & AI Mastery, the podcast where cutting-edge insights meet practical strategies for success.

Hosted by Dr Raoul-Gabriel Urma, founder of Cambridge Spark, this show dives deep into how leading organisations across the globe are using data & AI to revolutionise operations, streamline efficiency, and drive innovation.

Each episode features conversations with senior leaders, revealing their career stories and real-world case studies and actionable takeaways that you can apply, whether you're climbing the career ladder or already in the C-suite.

From AI-driven solutions to practical tips for navigating your data transformation journey, Data & AI Mastery will equip you with the tools to thrive in the AI era.

Stay ahead, stay inspired, and unlock your potential with Data & AI Mastery: your ultimate guide to mastering data and AI for business.

This feed is also home to Inside the Algorithm, our sister show hosted by Chief AI Officer Dr Jeremy Bradley, featuring in-depth conversations with the researchers and technical experts working at the frontier of artificial intelligence. New episodes from both shows drop fortnightly, on alternate weeks.

Follow now so you never miss an episode from either show. 🎙️

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  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 30 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • S1 · E34
    February 4 · 28 min

    From Data Scientist to the C-Suite: Foundations, ROI, and Leading AI at Scale — Kevin Cassar, Chief Data & AI Officer at TalkTalk

    👉 Discover how Cambridge Spark helps organisations build the data and AI capabilities leaders need to drive real business impact: cambridgespark.com In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by Kevin Cassar, Chief Data & AI Officer at TalkTalk, to explore what it truly takes to lead data and AI transformation from the ground up, and from the boardroom down. Kevin’s journey is a rare one. Starting as a data scientist, completing a Level 7 Data Science & AI apprenticeship, and rising to the C-suite, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on leadership, ROI, foundations, and people-centred transformation. Together, they unpack how high-performing data teams are built, how AI initiatives win executive buy-in, and why getting the foundations right is the difference between sustainable impact and expensive tech debt. Listeners will learn the three critical skills every Chief Data & AI Officer needs today, what “strong foundations” really mean and why continuous learning and upskilling are non-negotiable in fast-moving AI environments. This episode is packed with practical guidance for CIOs, CDOs, AI leaders, and aspiring executives who want to scale AI responsibly, deliver ROI, and build teams that can keep learning as the business evolves. Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (01:40) — Kevin Cassar’s career journey from data scientist to C-suite (04:50) — Getting the foundations right to accelerate later (09:10) — Translating AI work into business value (14:00) — Better customer outcomes and operational efficiency (18:40) — Bringing the business along every sprint (22:20) — Lessons from Kevin’s Level 7 apprenticeship journey (28:40) — Measuring maturity: how to show progress to the CEO (31:40) — Quick-fire round: contrarian views on AI (36:00) — Raoul’s reflections: pitching AI, foundations, and balance Useful Links: Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

  • S1 · E33
    January 21 · 37 min

    Measuring What Matters: How to Drive Real AI Transformation — Conny Ploth, VP Global AI Transformation

    Discover how Cambridge Spark helps organisations build the data and AI capabilities needed to deliver measurable business impact: cambridgespark.com In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by Conny Ploth, VP of Global AI Transformation in the financial services sector, to unpack what it really takes to deliver measurable, people-first AI transformation in complex, regulated organisations. Conny brings a unique perspective shaped by a career spanning microfinance, consulting, ESG, and large-scale financial institutions. Her message is clear: if you can’t measure it, don’t start it and AI transformation only succeeds when data, people, and processes move together. Together, they explore how leaders can move beyond AI hype and focus on impact, adoption, and sustainable value creation. Listeners will learn why measurement and baselines are non-negotiable before starting any AI initiative, how to balance quick wins (task automation) with longer-term transformational bets and how legacy organisations can compete with AI-native startups by creating safe spaces for experimentation. This episode is packed with practical guidance for CIOs, transformation leaders, and executives who want AI to deliver real outcomes — not just prototypes. Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (01:40) — Conny Ploth’s career journey into AI leadership (06:00) — The three AI value levers: efficiency, growth, experience (10:50) — Governance, guardrails, and balancing access with protection (14:30) — Setting the AI vision and aligning with business strategy (18:40) — Identifying quick wins vs long-term strategic initiatives (24:00) — Running AI as a portfolio of initiatives (28:00) — Upskilling at scale: why experience beats traditional training (33:50) — Quick-fire round: fitness, routines, and personal habits (35:40) — Raoul’s closing reflections: people, process, and purpose Useful Links: Connect with Conny on LinkedIn Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

  • S1 · E32
    January 7 · 30 min

    Curiosity, Trust, and Building AI at Scale — Sudhish Mohan, Group CIO & CTO at TransUnion

    Learn how Cambridge Spark helps organisations build the data and AI skills leaders need to stay relevant in a fast-moving world: cambridgespark.com In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by Sudhish Mohan, Group CIO & CTO UK and Europe at TransUnion, to explore what it really takes to lead data and AI transformation in a highly regulated, high-impact industry. Sudhish shares his perspective on leading technology and analytics across the credit ecosystem, where decisions affect banks, businesses, and millions of consumers, and why curiosity, judgment, and long-term thinking matter more than ever as AI adoption accelerates. From developer productivity and fraud detection to data governance and cybersecurity, this conversation cuts through the hype to reveal what AI transformation looks like in practice, not in theory. Listeners will learn why curiosity is the most important leadership trait in the age of AI, how TransUnion is approaching AI adoption as a slow, deliberate evolution, not a silver bullet, the difference between more data and better data, and what truly makes a strong data environment Whether you’re a CIO, data leader, or executive navigating AI investment decisions, this episode offers grounded, experience-led insights into building resilient, responsible data and AI capabilities at scale. Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (01:40) — Sudhish Mohan’s role at TransUnion and its real-world impact (06:45) — Why most AI initiatives fail to deliver expected value (10:00) — AI across three buckets: risk, operations, and customer value (12:30) — Using GenAI to improve service desk and operational workflows (17:00) — What makes a great data environment (21:30) — Why curiosity matters more than qualifications (26:30) — Quick-fire round: favourite subject and learning habits (28:00) — Raoul’s reflections: cybersecurity, talent, and hybrid cloud Useful Links: Connect with Sudhish on LinkedIn Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes