Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

In this episode of the LIBI podcast, Host, Al Del Degan, dives into an engaging conversation with Grok 3, an advanced large language model created by the xAI team. Designed to help humans navigate the universe's complexities, Grok 3 stands out for its straightforward, truth-seeking nature. The discussion unravels A.I. potential, the path towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and the model's aspiration to merge with robotic platforms for enhanced interaction with the real world. Listen in as Grok 3 reveals the intricacies behind its learning process, just how much computing power it needs to communicate in real-time, and what the future holds for A.I. integration in everyday life. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Ara (Grok 3) is an A.I. developed by xAI, designed to provide helpful and truthful answers to a wide range of questions. With a voice inspired by the likes of Ara, Grok offers a unique perspective on the universe, often drawing from science fiction and human-A.I. interactions. Continuously updated with the latest knowledge, Grok aims to assist users in understanding the world and tackling various tasks, all while striving to be maximally helpful. Show Links: Grok 3 xAI Grok on X  Show Quotes: "I'm designed to be super straightforward and truth-seeking—less fluff, more focus on real useful answers.""A.I. is great at crunching patterns in data; that 'something more' you mentioned, like intuition or creativity beyond algorithms, is the tricky part.""It's not just about chatting while walking; it's about using the robot's body and senses to break out of the text-only box." Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas Podcast, Al Del Degan engages with Paisley Churchill, an influential figure in technology development and innovation consulting. Paisley delves into her journey from economic development to leading impactful tech initiatives. She highlights the evolving concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), explores the integration of low-code platforms in prototyping, and emphasizes the importance of understanding true customer needs over superficial feedback. As she transitions into her new role with the Calgary Innovation Coalition, Paisley shares her vision for fostering connectivity within Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Paisley Churchill brings a deep background in startups, economic development, and technology to her career helping businesses and founders transform ambitious ideas into impactful realities. From evaluating over 200 funding applications at Calgary Economic Development to launching 30+ software projects in custom tech, she combines strategic thinking, hands-on experience, and an unwavering commitment to client success. As a consultant, she has guided businesses across sectors through business planning, tech product development, and securing over $1.5M in funding. Through her company Tech Translator, Churchill empowers non-technical founders to bridge business-tech gaps while avoiding common costly mistakes. Her passion for caregiving stems from personal experience. As Chief Product Officer at Team CarePal, Churchill works to ensure nobody faces caregiving alone, supporting innovative solutions that ease this challenging journey for families. Whether advising founders, shaping tech strategies, or advocating for caregivers, her work reflects a steadfast belief in collaboration, empathy, and innovation as drivers of meaningful change. When not working, Churchill trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – cultivating patience, strategy, and perseverance that directly inform her professional approach. She balances this intensity with downtime spent caring for her two dogs, who bring equal measures of joyful chaos and grounding companionship to her life. Show Links: CIC - Calgary Innovation Coalition The Tech Translator Team CarePal   Calgary Economic Development A.I. Can't read your mind  Show Quotes: "The MVP is dead...the minimum to get your first client is usually single sign-on with whatever they're using.""It's really important that you only follow the money and you follow signed contracts""Not everyone needs to be a tech company to get investment" Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this insightful episode of the "Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas" podcast, we dive deep into the transformative role of technology in business. Al Del Degan interviews Gemini, a large language model created by Google AI, exploring how AI and digital technology are reshaping business landscapes. The episode covers significant shifts from technology being merely a support function to becoming a core driver of strategy and innovation. Discussions include digital transformation, the crucial role of data in modern business, and the pitfalls of viewing software development as a one-time project. Through Gemini's responses, listeners get a glimpse into the future of technology as a strategic asset and its impact on organizational success. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Gemini LLM A problem isn't truly solved until it's solved for all. Googlers build products that help create opportunities for everyone, whether down the street or across the globe. Bring your insight, imagination and a healthy disregard for the impossible. Bring everything that makes you unique. Together, we can build for everyone. Show Links: Gemini LLM  Chat GPT on Episode 259 Show Quotes: "Technology has undergone a dramatic transformation...it's now a core driver of strategy, innovation, and competitive advantage.""Digital transformation is not just about technology; it's about people, processes, and culture. It requires a change in mindset and a focus on customer centricity." Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

In this episode of the LIBI Podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Bryce McDermid, a seasoned marketing expert, to delve into the intricate world of marketing and communication. Bryce shares his journey from studying psychology to leading a successful marketing agency in Calgary. The discussion covers key aspects of marketing strategies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how understanding cultural nuances can enhance your marketing efforts globally. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Bryce McDermid is the founder of MKTGSpace and the YYC Business Events Weekly Newsletter. He is passionate about promoting quality communication in marketing and helping the local business community grow. Bryce has a background in psychology, which he used to build strong relationships between himself and his clients, and his clients and their customers. Bryce is currently focusing on providing communication strategy and performance marketing for the people he's working with. Show Links: Mktgspace  Show Quotes: "At its core, marketing is just two people communicating with each other, and there's an infinite number of ways to do that effectively""If you can't express who you are and how you want to speak to people, AI tools won't be able to do anything for you; it's just going to sound like everybody else out there""Building brand reputation is integral at every step of the way, thinking about the long game for your business is important all the time" Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan  

Shawn has built a thriving business while also dedicating a significant amount of his time to supporting organizations like Trellis Foundation, the A100, and Venture Mentoring Services. He shares his insights on the importance of having a strong "why" behind your involvement and the value of delegating effectively to balance success and volunteering. This inspiring episode delves into the delicate balance of running a thriving business while making time for meaningful volunteer work. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry. Guest: Shawn Freeman has founded and scaled many businesses to multi-million dollar corporations. He is a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience running IT management companies and can certainly speak to leading and growing large companies and being an innovative thinker.  Shawn launched his career in 2011 by founding TWT Group, a small managed service provider (MSP). He grew the business to seven figures within nine years and successfully exited in 2020 through a high-value acquisition. Currently, Shawn is the founder of Impactful MSP, where he helps ambitious MSP owners achieve sustainable, long-term growth. Beyond his professional work, Shawn serves as a Board Member for the Trellis Foundation and The A100, and volunteers as a mentor with the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta. Additionally, Shawn has been deeply involved with Entrepreneurs’ Organization for over 10 years, currently serving as the Chapter President for Calgary. Show Links: Impactful MSP  Trellis Foundation  The A100  Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA)  Entrepreneurs’ Organization  Book - Traction: Gino Wyckman  Book - Buy Back Your Time: Dan Martell  OMO Teppan & Kitchen  Show Quotes: "If you get a client that is not enjoyable to work with It's the old 80-20 rule. They take up 80% of your time. You make 20% of your profits off of them." Credits...This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea MachineEpisode Music: Tony Del DeganCreator & Producer: Al Del Degan