In this episode of Data-powered Innovation Jam, hosts Robert Engels and Ron Tolido jam with Craig Wiley, Senior Director of AI/ML Products at Databricks and former founder of AWS SageMaker and Google Vertex AI. From Seattle’s grunge roots in Nirvana, from Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain, then going on to the evolution of AI platforms, Craig shares insights on how generative AI is reshaping development workflows, why “vibe coding” is becoming the new norm, and how Agent Bricks aims to simplify building and tuning AI agents using natural language.

Expect candid takes on deterministic vs. generative systems, contextual awareness, and the role of developers versus data scientists in this fast-changing landscape. If you’re curious about the future of AI-driven software and why coding might soon feel like playing a guitar riff, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

[ 00:25 ] - Ron and Robert share their special connection to grunge music

[ 05:46 ] - Introducing the episode with Craig Wiley from Databricks and talking about evolving of the Databricks platform, developer profiles and language models

[ 14:05 ] - Deterministic vs. indeterministic goals of AI solutions and the importance of context

[ 20:02 ] - from Digital Twins to world models and leveraging Agentic AI solutions efficiency and talking about the path to determinism through tools of agents

[ 28:35 ] - going with the flow - vibe coding in Databricks

[ 33:12 ] - looking on the roadmap of Databricks

[ 40:04 ] - Weiwei busts the myth about vibe coding

[ 42:08 ] - Summarising this 'vibey' episode

What does the future of AI sound like? In this special year-end episode of Data-powered Innovation Jam, we riff on seven bold predictions for 2026, from security-first AI and multi-agent ecosystems to industry-native intelligence and even synthetic curiosity. Join hosts Ron Tolido and Robert Engels as they jam with thought leaders on trends that will reshape enterprises: vision-language-action models, human-centric skills, ethical recalibration, and more. Expect insights, metaphors, and a dash of rock-and-roll as we explore how data and AI will set the rhythm for the year ahead. Because in a world of code and control, there’s still room for improvisation.

Tune in and save the predictions to match how many actually come true in 2026

Time stamps

[ 00:30 ] - Ron and Robert talking about Matrix, Agent Smith and bass players

[ 04:21 ] - Introducing this special episode around looking in the crystal ball for 2026

[ 05:55 ] - Skynet: Sorry, You Must Stay Outside - Security takes the driver’s seat in AI innovation. By Arne Rossmann

[ 11:13 ] - Rise of the Enterprise VLAs - When AI stops reading and starts understanding the world. By Dinand Tinholt

[ 17:17 ] - The 2026 Mandate: Re-Centering Human Skills - Rediscovering what machines still can’t do. By Liz Henderson

[ 24:11 ] - The League of Autonomous Agents - When AI stops assisting and starts collaborating. By Monish Suri

[ 33:56 ] - Verticalization - From general-purpose AI to industry-native intelligence. By Yash Sowale

[ 38:28 ] - The Rise of Synthetic Curiosity: When AI stops answering and starts asking. By GPT-5

Bringing you a very special edition of the Data Powered Innovation Jam podcast, recorded live during a tech road trip through San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This episode blends the city’s musical heritage with cutting-edge innovation, exploring how creativity and technology intersect. Hosts Robert Engels, together with our ‘tech guy’ Alex Bulat dive into conversations with pioneers shaping the future. From AI-driven space situational awareness at Aerospace Corporation to infrastructure-as-code improvization with Pulumi, and groundbreaking health-tech like LogMeal’s nutrition tracking and Uganda’s AI-powered malaria diagnostics at MariTest. Along the way, we uncover trends from TechCrunch Disrupt, GitHub Universe, and Google Cloud AI, highlighting the shift from AI hype to realism, the rise of physical AI, and the global push for purpose-driven AI for Good.

Packed with insights on generative AI, edge computing, and sustainability, this episode is a jam session of ideas where data meets rhythm, and innovation meets impact. Turn the volume up!

Time Stamps:

[ 00:34 ] - Introducing the special start up edition with some San Francisco music talks and swinging to startups

[ 04:15 ] - Starting with orbital altitude with Sean Sloan from the Aerospace Corporation

[ 14:11 ] - Miles Davis meets git commit, the future of coding - meeting James Connell from Pulumi

[ 21:13 ] - tracking food waste with AI - meeting Marc Bolanos from Log Meal

[ 29:26 ] - low cost malaria test devices - meeting Hakim Kakooza from MariTest (https://www.maritestafrica.com)

[ 36:37] - Post TechCrunch Therapy Session - wrapping up the Startup Roadtrip with Alex Bulat

[ 52:10 ] - Concluding the Jam San Fancisco