VistaTalks

Patrick Shields, experienced executive and PhD researcher in Artificial Intelligence, joins host Simon Hodgkins for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on leadership, innovation, and the realities of AI adoption in business. Recorded for VistaTalks Episode 188, this discussion dives deep into how organizations, particularly SMEs, can navigate AI responsibly while empowering their people and protecting trust.Patrick is currently completing his PhD at Munster Technological University, where his research focuses on how businesses actually adopt AI in practice, rather than how technology vendors say they should. The result is a grounded, experience-led discussion that blends academic insight with decades of executive leadership across hospitality and international business.00:00 - Patrick Shields - VistaTalks Ep 18801:00 - Why Patrick Is Researching AI Adoption04:57 - The Real Reason Businesses Struggle with AI06:09 - Shadow AI and Hidden Organizational Risks14:14 - Leadership, Trust, and Communication in AI Change19:03 - Practical Steps for Building AI-Ready Teams30:32 - Responsible AI, Ethics, and Sustainability39:12 - The Next Five Years of AI and LeadershipAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks

Dr Micheál Ó Duibh's recent appearance on the VistaTalks podcast captured the presence of someone who sees language not as an abstract academic puzzle but as a living force that shapes people, communities, and culture. What followed was a thoughtful and generous conversation that moved from grammar and community advocacy to AI, inclusivity, and the future of Irish itself.00:00 - Dr Micheál Ó Duibh - VistaTalks Ep 187 01:21 - Academic roots, PhD, and journey into Irish medium education 04:29 - What the "bigger picture" of the Irish language really means 11:15 - Unique structural and cultural challenges in Irish 20:03 - A pragmatic view of AI and machine translation for Irish 27:45 - Data, live dictionaries, and keeping up with a living language 35:52 - A call to native speakers to lead the future of Irish 41:14 - "The running button" story and closing thoughts About VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks

James Louttit, Founder and lead trainer at Impactful Project Management, PMI's Project Management Professional of the Year, and award-winning author of Leading Impactful Teams, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of VistaTalks. The conversation explored James's personal journey, his people-first philosophy, and his practical approach to solving real-world project challengesJames Louttit's story is a reminder that project management is not about following a process for its own sake. It is about people, clarity, and building long-term capability. His work with Impactful Project Management and the Impactful PM Hub embodies this ethos, creating tools and communities that enable leaders and teams to deliver with purpose.00:00 - James Louttit - VistaTalks Ep 18601:20 - From Burnout to a New Approach06:41 - People-First Project Management09:56 - Creating Clarity Across Cultures12:01 - Process vs. Empowerment14:27 - The Impactful PM Hub17:22 - Everyone Is a Project Manager26:14 - Future Trends in Project ManagementAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks

Join us for a lively holiday special featuring hosts Simon Hodgkins and María Roa. It was a year shaped by rapid developments in AI, bold movement in branding and marketing, and powerful personal stories from business and sport. The episode served as both a celebration and a reflection, taking listeners through some of the most compelling conversations of the past twelve months. The holiday special brought all of that energy together in one thoughtful recap.00:00 - Holiday intro and year-in-review overview01:42 - AI in healthcare and human compassion05:13 - AI bias, skin tone representation, and ethical data08:39 - Bold and rebellious branding in crowded digital markets12:52 - Global brands, culture, and localization16:53 - From elite swimmer to Head of Marketing22:08 - Travel intelligence, trust, and the future of global travelAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks

In this episode of VistaTalks, Host Simon Hodgkins sits down with Giulia Greco, founder of Giulia Greco Consulting and Globalization Consultant at Nimdzi Insights, to unpack the evolving landscape of international expansion, localization strategy, and the role of AI in shaping the future of global business. Drawing on her rich experience leading localization at Shopify and consulting for global clients, Giulia offers a refreshingly candid and insightful perspective on what it takes to succeed in going global today.Stay Open, Stay CuriousGiulia leaves listeners with a powerful piece of advice:"It's important to remain open and adaptable… Clinging to the past and the way things were is not a recipe for success."In a world where technology, culture, and work dynamics are constantly evolving, the most resilient professionals and companies will be those who stay curious, willing to learn, and open to experimentation.Giulia Greco offers more than just technical expertise in localization; she brings strategic vision, human insight, and refreshing candor to an increasingly complex and fast-moving field. Whether you're a startup looking to go global or a multinational navigating compliance and AI disruption, her message is clear: localization isn't just a support function. Done right, it's a driver of growth, connection, and long-term success.00:00 - Giulia Greco - VistaTalks Ep 18401:26 - From Burnout to Business: Why Giulia Started Consulting04:03 - Localization ≠ Translation: A Broader Globalization Mindset08:13 - Strategic Blind Spots in Global Expansion12:54 - Content as Product: Prioritization & Market Strategy17:09 - What Real Localization Success Looks Like18:43 - Bill 96 and Compliance as a Growth Opportunity30:21 - AI in Localization: Tools, Tradeoffs, and TransformationAbout VistaTalks: VistaTalks has an incredible lineup of guests from around the globe. We love to feature interesting discussions with interesting people from all around the world. Follow VistaTalks on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on Apple and Google podcasts. VistaTalks is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about VistaTalks, please visit https://www.vistatalks.com Social Media: X - https://x.com/vistatalks Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VistaTalks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vistatalks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistatalks