Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)
Technovation with Peter High (CIO, CTO, CDO, CXO Interviews)
Metis Strategy
Twice-weekly conversations with top executives and thought leaders at the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. Each episode of Technovation explores the technology trends that are transforming business, and the leaders driving digital change inside their organizations. Produced by Metis Strategy and hosted by firm President Peter High, Technovation is the premier podcast for IT and technology professionals with the largest collection of interviews with elite CIOs, CTOs, and CDOs.
How Curt Garner Built Chipotle’s $5B Digital Commerce Engine
Most digital transformation stories begin with customer-facing technology. Chipotle’s began by redesigning operations. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Curt shares how Chipotle evolved from accepting fax orders in 2015 to operating a $5 billion digital commerce engine today. He explains why solving operational challenges before customer adoption proved critical to scaling digital growth and how cloud architecture, dedicated digital kitchens, rewards, personalization, and AI-enabled supply chain capabilities continue to drive innovation across the business. Key topics discussed include: Building a digital commerce platform capable of operating at web scale Scaling from 20% to 85% digital ordering during COVID Designing dedicated digital kitchens to eliminate fulfillment friction Using rewards and personalization to deepen customer engagement Applying AI to forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain operations Balancing technology innovation with human hospitality This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation
Jun 15
47 min
Inside Southwest’s Modernization Journey: Resilience and Operational Excellence
Southwest Airlines has spent the last several years modernizing one of the most complex operational environments in the world. In this episode of Technovation, Lauren Woods, EVP and CIO of Southwest Airlines, shares how the company transformed a period of operational disruption into a catalyst for long-term technology modernization and resilience. Lauren discusses Southwest’s investments in modern data platforms, predictive analytics, cloud infrastructure, AI-enabled operations, cybersecurity, and customer experience transformation. She also explains the technology behind major commercial changes, including assigned seating, new fare structures, and evolving digital experiences. Key topics include: Building operational resilience through proactive analytics Creating the data foundation required for AI at scale Leveraging machine learning across airline operations Modernizing legacy systems while maintaining reliability Leading large-scale organizational and cultural transformation This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com/technovation
Jun 11
39 min
Sankar Chinnathambi on AI, Forecasting, and Digital Agriculture at Driscoll’s
How do you apply AI to one of the world’s most perishable supply chains? In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Sankar Chinnathambi, CIO of Driscoll’s, the world’s largest berry company. With operations spanning more than 30 growing regions and products sold in approximately 60 countries, Driscoll’s faces a unique challenge: moving billions of berries from harvest to consumers while preserving freshness and quality. Sankar discusses how Driscoll’s is using AI, predictive analytics, and digital platforms to improve grower collaboration, supply forecasting, pricing optimization, and supply chain visibility. He also shares the company’s broader modernization strategy, including ERP transformation, BerryGPT, and technology initiatives designed to accelerate innovation while supporting growth, sustainability, and resilience. Key discussion topics include: Building an AI-powered digital agronomist Modernizing forecasting in a supply-constrained business Creating a global digital backbone with Oracle Fusion Using real-time monitoring to preserve product quality Accelerating agricultural innovation through technology This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com
Jun 8
32 min
Arpan Shah on AI Agents, Venture Capital, and the Future of Knowledge Work
Artificial intelligence is changing how knowledge work gets done, and AI agents may be the next major leap. In this episode of Technoventure, Peter High speaks with Arpan Shah, General Partner at Spark Capital, about how AI is reshaping research, investing, software development, and enterprise productivity. Arpan shares how he uses AI agents to accelerate diligence, synthesize information, and expand his own capacity as an investor, while also exploring the future of AI infrastructure, model competition, security, and stablecoins. Key topics include: How AI agents are transforming knowledge work Why AI demand may outpace compute supply for years The evolution of token economics and enterprise AI adoption Security challenges created by increasingly capable AI systems How stablecoins could reshape global financial infrastructure
Jun 5
51 min
How Vanguard Is Preparing for an AI-Powered Future
Artificial intelligence may be the most transformative technology in decades, but only if it moves beyond automation. Recorded live at Vanguard’s unlimITed Technology Conference, Peter High sits down with three Vanguard leaders: Joe Davis, Global Chief Economist; Nitin Tandon, Global Chief Information Officer; and Joanna Rotenberg, Managing Director of Personal Wealth. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping economic growth, financial services, workforce development, and technology strategy. The discussion examines why Vanguard believes AI’s greatest potential lies in augmentation and entirely new products and services, not simply cost reduction. The leaders also share how years of cloud modernization, data transformation, product operating models, and enterprise-wide AI enablement have positioned Vanguard to accelerate innovation while maintaining trust. Key topics include AI productivity, economic resilience, digital advice, modernization, and responsible AI adoption. This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com  
Jun 4
46 min
Toward Clinical-Grade AI: Shaping the Healthcare Experience
Healthcare accounts for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy, making it one of the most consequential sectors for AI-driven transformation. In this special Technovation summit panel moderated by Mike Bertha, Partner at Metis Strategy, Michael Pfeffer, Chief Information & Digital Officer at Stanford Health Care and Stanford School of Medicine, and Chad Wasserman, CIO of HCA Healthcare, explore how healthcare organizations are moving beyond digitization and toward clinical-grade AI. The discussion examines how AI is improving clinical decision-making, accelerating disease detection, enabling personalized medicine, and reshaping healthcare operations. The panelists also discuss responsible AI governance, the importance of connecting technologists to patient outcomes, and what it will take for AI to ultimately bend healthcare’s cost curve. Key topics include: Moving healthcare from digitized to truly digital Clinical-grade AI and personalized medicine Responsible AI governance and Stanford’s FURM framework Human-centered technology leadership Scaling innovation through operational excellence The future of healthcare delivery and AI-enabled care This episode is presented by Celonis — Give AI the context it needs. Learn more at celonis.com  
Jun 1
17 min
How Ralliant Is Building AI-Native Operating Systems for Industry
AI is changing more than software, it’s redesigning how enterprises operate. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Amir Kazmi, Chief Technology and Growth Officer at Ralliant, about how precision technology companies are embedding AI into operational workflows, industrial systems, and critical infrastructure. Amir explains how the Ralliant Business System (RBS) is evolving into an AI-native operating model designed to accelerate decision-making, reduce cycle times, and improve operational resilience at global scale. Key discussion topics include: Embedding AI into enterprise workflows and decision systems The role of precision sensing in electrification and grid reliability How Ralliant supports critical infrastructure across 90+ countries Balancing agility and governance in the AI era Why autonomous workflows may redefine enterprise operations
May 28
40 min
From Pilot to P&L: Scaling AI with Financial Discipline
Enterprise AI is entering a new phase, one defined less by experimentation and more by measurable business value. In this summit panel episode of Technovation, Steven Norton speaks with Richard Jardim of CIBC, Sears Merritt of MassMutual, and Shekar Pannala of The Hartford about what it really takes to scale AI responsibly inside large, highly regulated enterprises. The discussion explores how leading organizations are rethinking software development, governance, operating models, and financial discipline as AI capabilities rapidly evolve. Key topics include: Moving from AI pilots to measurable P&L impact Reducing feature lead times through AI-enabled development Modernizing legacy systems with GenAI Building governance-by-design operating models Managing the shift to consumption-based AI economics
May 25
25 min
Paige Craig on Why Great Founders Matter More Than Great Ideas
What makes a founder truly exceptional? In this episode of Technoventure, Peter High speaks with Paige Craig, Founder and Managing Partner of Outlander VC, about the founder characteristics that separate resilient entrepreneurs from persuasive storytellers. Drawing from his experience as a Marine sergeant, intelligence operator, entrepreneur, and early investor in companies like Lyft, Paige shares how leadership under chaos shaped his investment philosophy. The conversation explores founder psychology, risk management, physical AI, robotics, deep tech, and why software alone may no longer be enough to create defensible businesses in the AI era. Key topics include: Why founder character matters more than ideas How military leadership shaped Paige’s investing philosophy What investors misunderstand about risk Why physical AI and robotics are the next frontier How AI is changing venture capital and startup creation
May 22
39 min
Steve Jobs in Exile: How Failure at NeXT Forged a Legendary Leader
Steve Jobs’ greatest leadership lessons did not come during Apple’s rise, they came during exile. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with award-winning journalist and author Geoffrey Cain about Steve Jobs in Exile, his new book examining the overlooked NeXT Computer years that transformed Jobs from a volatile founder into one of the most influential business leaders in history. Cain explores how failure, resilience, discipline, and leadership maturity shaped Jobs during a period widely misunderstood as a commercial detour. Key discussion points include: Why NeXT’s failures became foundational to Apple’s future success The leadership lessons Jobs learned through adversity How NeXTSTEP evolved into the backbone of modern Apple software Why visionary thinking alone is not enough to build enduring companies The role of trust, dissent, and elite talent in high-performing organizations
May 21
41 min
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