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

Discover how Cambridge Spark helps leaders and teams build the data and AI skills needed to operate in high-stakes, real-world environments: cambridgespark.com

In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by Andrew Feustel, former NASA astronaut, ISS Commander, and veteran of three space missions.

Andrew has spent over two decades at NASA, flying on the Space Shuttle, leading missions aboard the International Space Station, and performing complex spacewalks to repair critical infrastructure like the Hubble Space Telescope. In this conversation, he shares a rare, human perspective on decision-making in the most extreme data environments imaginable: outer space.

Together, they explore what space exploration can teach business and technology leaders about trust, automation, AI, and the limits of data-driven systems.

Listeners will learn how astronauts rely on data, telemetry, and human judgment during high-risk missions, why data never perfectly matches reality, and why that matters in critical environments and why humans must remain in the loop when decisions carry irreversible consequences

This episode offers powerful lessons for leaders navigating AI adoption, risk management, and decision-making, reminding us that technology is only as effective as the humans who design, trust, and use it.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(04:40) — Why data is central to every space mission

(09:40) — Trust, automation, and critical systems in spaceflight

(11:00) — Why we don’t fully trust autonomous systems (yet)

(14:20) — Why AI is essential for space telescopes and discovery

(16:40) — What makes NASA exceptional at preparing people

(19:10) — How AI is already accelerating space innovation

(20:30) — Automated rocket landings and decision systems

(23:50) — Quick-fire round: unforgettable space memories

(28:00) — Raoul’s reflections: trust, AI, and human-in-the-loop systems

Useful Links:

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Learn how Cambridge Spark helps organisations build the data and AI skills needed to drive cultural and business transformation: cambridgespark.com

In this special episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma is joined by three senior leaders from Capgemini:

• Claire Williams, Vice President for Analytics & AI in the Retail and CPG sector, leads global data and AI transformation for consumer health organisations.
• Arlene Carsley, Head of Workforce Transformation, focuses on building the culture, skills, and mindset needed for lasting change.
• Mansukh Mann, Managing Consultant in Workforce Transformation, works at the intersection of data, AI, and talent strategy to ensure technology and people move in sync.

Together, they explore what true data and AI transformation look like in practice and why success depends as much on people and mindset as it does on technology.

Listeners will discover why the urgency for AI transformation is being driven from the boardroom down and what that means for leaders, how to balance quick wins with long-term value, how to create momentum without losing strategic focus, why 70% of transformations fail, and how to avoid the common traps of poor sponsorship, misaligned metrics, and siloed thinking.

This episode is packed with practical lessons for executives, transformation leaders, and data professionals looking to turn AI ambition into sustainable impact.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(01:38) - What’s Driving the Urgency Behind AI Transformation?

(08:49) - FOBO: Fear of Becoming Obsolete

(12:05) - Leadership Upskilling with Cambridge Spark

(17:12) - Why 70% of Transformations Fail

(23:10) - Early Warning Signs Your Transformation Is Failing

(25:55) - AI for AI’s Sake: A Recipe for Waste

(29:50) - Why Skills, Safety and Experimentation Matter

(34:55) - Balancing Quick Wins with Long-Term Goals

(41:00) - One Piece of Advice for CEOs

(45:40) - Raoul’s Closing Reflections

Useful Links:

Connect with Claire on LinkedIn

Reach out to Arlene on LinkedIn

Learn more from Mansukh on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Visit Capgemini’s website for more information

Learn how Cambridge Spark helps organisations and leaders develop the data and AI skills that drive real transformation: cambridgespark.com

Ever wondered how Formula 1 teams make lightning-fast decisions at 200mph? In this episode, host Raoul-Gabriel Urma sits down with Ruth Buscombe, former race strategist for Scuderia Ferrari, Sauber, and Haas F1, to unpack the incredible world of real-time data strategy in one of the most high-pressure environments on Earth.

Ruth shares what it's really like making million-dollar calls in milliseconds, how her team processes 1.1 million data points per second from each car, and why the best lessons come from spectacular failures (not champagne-soaked victories).

One of the most fascinating parts of the discussion is when Ruth explains the eternal tension between data and gut feel, and why human intuition still matters even when you have the best models in the world.

Spoiler: your "gut" is really just your brain's LLM of past experience.

They also explore how F1 teams decide which sensors and data points actually move the needle when margins come down to 0.012 seconds, and what it's like to make high-stakes pit-stop calls with incomplete information (sound familiar, business leaders?).

Ruth also shares some powerful stories about ‘failing forward’, including why Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says "the day we fail is the day our competitors should fear us most."

Plus, they look at how AI is transforming sports broadcasting, with F1 now able to search 75 years of race footage using simple natural-language queries. And of course, they wrap up with a quick-fire round covering everything from Python vs MATLAB to favourite subjects at Cambridge and yes, Taylor Swift workout playlists.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

You can check out Formula 1's official site to learn more about the sport, or head to F1 TV if you want to dive deeper into the data and analysis Ruth works on.

Whether you're leading a startup, managing a data team, or just fascinated by how top performers think under pressure, this conversation is packed with insights you can actually use.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: Learning from F1's best failures

02:00 - Ruth's journey from Cambridge engineering to the F1 pit wall

03:00 - The insane scale of F1 data (1.1M points/second!)

06:00 - How do you decide what data to collect?

09:00 - Three pillars: Performance, competitor analysis & race strategy

13:00 - When should you trust data vs. gut instinct?

17:00 - Managing risk like a portfolio manager

20:00 - Creating a culture that embraces pressure

23:00 - AI transforming F1 broadcasting & fan experience

26:00 - Quick-fire: Python, physics & being a Swiftie

27:00 - Key takeaways for business leaders

Links

Connect with Ruth on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Visit Formula 1's official site at formula1.com

Visit F1 TV at f1tv.formula1.com

Learn how Cambridge Spark helps organisations and leaders develop the data and AI skills that drive real transformation: cambridgespark.com

In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma speaks with Ming Tang, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at NHS England. Ming has spent her career leading some of the most ambitious digital and data transformations in the UK public sector.

Together, they explore how data and AI are reshaping the future of healthcare, from modernising patient journeys and connecting siloed systems to deploying AI tools that help clinicians and operations teams work smarter. Ming’s insights highlight how the right mindset, structure, and curiosity can unlock meaningful impact at scale.

Listeners will also discover how the NHS is building a connected, patient-centric ecosystem through the Federated Data Platform (FDP) and the single patient record initiative and why listening and collaboration, not just technology, are key to solving complex system challenges.

Whether you work in healthcare, data science, or digital transformation, this conversation offers powerful lessons in leading with purpose, designing around users, and scaling innovation responsibly.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(03:30) Lessons from leading large-scale transformation

(06:00) Why listening and curiosity matter more than technology

(11:00) Designing flexible, modular NHS systems for efficiency and collaboration

(15:00) The Federated Data Platform: enabling connected, data-driven care

(18:00) Real-world AI applications in the NHS: discharge summaries, voice tech & analytics

(21:00) Advice for leaders; adopting AI through curiosity and context

(25:00) Raoul’s reflections; leading with empathy, curiosity, and user-first thinking

Useful Links:

Connect with Ming on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Learn more about how CambridgeSpark.com is helping organisations and professionals master Data & AI skills to stay ahead in the digital era.

In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma sits down with Dr. Petar Veličković, Senior Staff Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and Affiliate Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.

Together they explore how cutting-edge AI research transitions from theory to practice, spanning from breakthroughs in graph neural networks that power Google Maps worldwide, to the use of AI as a discovery partner in mathematics. Petar shares his journey from Serbia to Cambridge to DeepMind, and the pivotal lessons learned at every stage.

Listeners will also hear how DeepMind’s graph machine learning models improve global travel-time predictions in Google Maps, how AI can accelerate scientific discovery, including mathematical proofs and what the concept of an “AI scientist” might mean for the future of research.

Whether you’re a data scientist, ML engineer, or executive exploring AI strategy, this episode offers a masterclass in applying AI innovation with purpose and impact.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(06:00) - Inside DeepMind; what a Senior Staff Research Scientist does

(13:00) - From research to real-world impact: challenges & latency trade-offs

(19:00) - AI for mathematics; collaborating with top researchers

(25:00) - Defining the “AI scientist” and the future of autonomous research

(30:00) - What’s next for AI agents and self-directed systems

(31:00) - Quick-fire round; programming languages, school favourites & music

(33:00) - Raoul’s takeaways; user focus, AI as a thought partner, safe deployment

Useful Links:

Connect with Petar on LinkedIn

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Learn more about how CambridgeSpark.com is helping organisations and professionals master Data & AI skills to stay ahead in the digital era.

In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, host Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma, Founder of Cambridge Spark, sits down with Andy MacMillan, CEO at Alteryx, to explore how businesses can get real about data and make AI truly practical.

Andy shares how Alteryx helps people who understand data, but aren’t developers, build automations and AI-driven insights using messy, real-world data. He also offers a candid CEO’s perspective on what it really takes to make AI work at scale, from building AI alongside legacy systems, to designing responsible governance, to empowering every employee to use data effectively.

Andy also goes on to share how organisations can move fast and deliver value without waiting for the “perfect” infrastructure. He unpacks what agentic AI really means in the enterprise; how to give AI the right context and business logic to make accurate, trustworthy decisions and why hands-on leadership matters.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(02:00) – What is Alteryx and how it empowers non-developers

(08:00) – How CEOs can responsibly bring AI into the business

(15:00) – AI’s role in automation and pattern recognition

(24:00) – Responsible AI at Alteryx: Data clearinghouse model

(27:00) – Quick-fire round: Contrarian views, leadership, and learning

(33:00) – Raoul’s closing reflections and key takeaways

Useful Links:

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn

Visit the Alteryx Website

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com

Visit cambridgespark.com to explore how we help organisations upskill their workforce in Data & AI.

In this episode of Data & AI Mastery, Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma speaks with Aidan Innes, Head of Data Standards at Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity.

Aidan shares his unique journey from sports science into data leadership, revealing how he built a strategy that connects patient outcomes, data literacy, and advanced analytics to drive both social and financial impact.

Elsewhere in the episode the pair discuss building outcome frameworks that scale across a complex healthcare organisation and how Nuffield Health is leveraging data apprenticeships to boost literacy, save millions, and empower staff.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a data leader, or simply someone passionate about how data drives impact, this episode is packed with insights and actionable takeaways.

Be sure to follow Data & AI Mastery wherever you listen to your podcasts to never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(05:00) – COVID-19 rehabilitation programme and measuring outcomes

(08:00) – Scaling outcome frameworks across the organisation

(12:00) – Technology, governance, and people in data strategy

(16:00) – Measuring ROI and success stories in procurement

(18:00) – Advanced analytics and award-winning projects

(22:00) – Quick-fire round: contrarian views, learning habits, and personal insights

(24:00) – Aidan’s vision for the future of data in healthcare

(26:00) – Closing reflections and takeaways

Useful Links:

Connect with Aidan on LinkedIn

Visit the Nuffield Health Website

Follow Raoul for more AI insights on LinkedIn

Explore Cambridge Spark’s AI upskilling programmes at cambridgespark.com