May 2025 TechCast | Unlocking Innovation: AI + Machine Learning in Business Applications
In the latest episode of AZ Tech Cast, hosts Steve Zylstra and Eric Miller chat with Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft), Minky Kernacs (Mercurio Analytics Inc.), Niranjan Krishnan (FPT Software) and Chris Lucero (Luminos Innovation).
Episode Overview
Subscribe to AZ TechCast today so you never miss an episode.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic buzzword, it’s a game-changer across nearly every industry. In this episode of AZ TechCast, hosts Steve Zylstra of the Arizona Technology Council and Eric Miller of PADT, Inc. sit down with Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft), Minky Kernacs (Mercurio Analytics Inc.), Niranjan Krishnan (FPT Software) and Chris Lucero (Luminos Innovation) to explore how AI and machine learning are transforming real-world business operations. From manufacturing to financial services, discover where AI is driving innovation, what challenges still lie ahead and how organizations can responsibly implement these powerful technologies.
To listen to this episode, follow AZ TechCast on your favorite podcast platform linked above or check out the Council’s YouTube channel and turn on your notifications so you’ll be notified when the episode is posted.
Karuana Gatimu is the Director, Customer Advocacy AI & Collaboration for Microsoft. She is a business architect with a passion for people, technology and digital content. It’s the people and business outcomes that matter more than the tech! Using 25 years of technology and marketing experience, she helps drive usage and adoption of AI & Microsoft 365 services including Copilot, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Planner and Viva to land value in the real world. She’s the executive producer of the Community News Bureau for Microsoft producing original content and amplifying the voices of others including Community Learning Channel, Mondays at Microsoft and Coffee in the Cloud on YouTube. Karuana’s team delivers adoption.microsoft.com the flagship site for user enablement content for Microsoft. She’s also the author of the Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist & User Enablement courses.
Minky Kernacs is a strategic technology leader with over 15 years of experience driving digital and data transformation across Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. She specializes in building secure, AI-ready data ecosystems that modernize legacy infrastructure, improve regulatory compliance, and unlock operational insights. As the co-founder of Mercurio Analytics, Minky advises public and private sector leaders on GenAI readiness, data governance, and platform modernization. Her work has helped organizations reduce risk, improve outcomes, and deliver measurable impact at scale. Minky is also the chair of the Council’s Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem (AAIE) Committee.
Niranjan Krishnan is a seasoned data and AI leader with two decades of experience delivering on the promise of data. He has led large cross-functional teams and deployed dozens of AI/ML solutions that have improved business performance across industries. Niranjan is the Head of AI Solutions at FPT Software. A trusted ally to executives and business leaders, he is passionate about Responsible AI solutions that create measurable value for businesses and customers. FPT is one of the Council’s 2025 Platinum Annual Sponsors.
Chris Lucero is a 27 year technologist who recently retired from the Intel Corporation, where he served as the Director of Emerging Technologies and Strategy. Recently, Chris has opened his own engineering consultancy business, Luminos Innovation, where he provides product design, ideation, systems engineering, and business development expertise. Chris also served as CTO for a cybersecurity startup providing multi-factor authentication to secure data transfer for various IoT markets. As the co-chair of the Council’s Smart Cities and Digital Transformation Committee, Chris also drives innovation in areas of AI, digital twins, cybersecurity, and quantum computing throughout Arizona. Chris has provided several keynote speeches and sat on technology panels over that last several years. Lastly, Chris holds (16) US patents and is the co-author of a technical book entitled ‘Energy Aware Computing’ – Powerful Approaches for Green System Design.
Karuana Gatimu |
Niranjan Krishnan |
Minky Kernacs |
|
|
Chris Lucero
|
About AZTechCast
The official podcast of the Arizona Technology Council, AZTechCast is dedicated to covering innovation and technology in Arizona and beyond. Through the art of the connected conversation, AZ TechCast’s hosts and guests share success stories, tech news and analysis about the region’s leading startups, companies and emerging technologies, as well as the latest industry trends and critical issues propelling Arizona’s growing technology ecosystem. Visit www.aztechcouncil.org/techcast to learn more or to listen to recent episodes.
About PADT, Inc.
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Inc. (PADT) is an engineering product and services company that focuses on helping customers who develop physical products by providing Numerical Simulation, Product Development, and 3D Printing solutions. The company is an Ansys Elite Channel Partner and a Stratasys Platinum Partner. They are also a channel partner for Flownex, EOS, and ZEISS #handsonmetrology. PADT’s worldwide reputation for technical excellence and experienced staff is based on its proven record of building long-term win-win partnerships with vendors and customers. Since its establishment in 1994, companies have relied on PADT because “We Make Innovation Work.” With over 90 employees, PADT services customers from its headquarters at the Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe, Arizona, and from offices in Torrance, California, Lakewood, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico as well as through staff members located around the country. More information on PADT can be found at www.PADTINC.com.
