Episode Overview

Host Maribel Lopez sits down with Kerrie Jordan, the newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer at Epicor, to discuss the evolution of ERP systems and the transformative power of cognitive ERP in manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain industries.

Guest Bio and social links

Kerrie Jordan - Chief Marketing Officer, Epicor

Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer at Epicor, leads the global go-to-market efforts, bringing together her deep product innovation and strategic marketing experience to drive brand growth and customer engagement across the make, move, and sell industry communities.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerriejordan/; X: https://x.com/kerjordan?lang=en

Key Topics Discussed

Cognitive ERP: From System of Record to System of Action

• Definition: Transforming ERP from passive data storage to intelligent, proactive decision-making systems
• Key capabilities:
  • Sensing signals in data noise
  • Serving up actionable insights when needed
  • Connecting organizations across supply chains
  • Creating intelligent business communities

Epicor Prism: Agentic AI Technology

• What it is: Conversational ERP experience launched last year
• Key features:
  • Natural language interaction (type or speak)
  • Information querying without knowing system screens/reports
  • Automated actions with human approval (semi-autonomous approach)
  • Multiple specialized agents (Knowledge Agent, RFP Agent, Business Communications Agent)

Real-World Success Stories

Measuring AI ROI

• Focus on specific business outcomes, not just AI implementation
• Apply fundamental business case principles
• "Nail it before you scale it" approach
• Baseline analysis and clear success metrics

Future Vision (Next 1-2 Years)

Data Platform Evolution

• Explosion of structured and unstructured data
• Critical need for data normalization and health
• Open, secure connections as "good cloud citizens"

AI Development Trajectory

• Current: Pre-trained models and agentic AI
• Future: Self-service pipelines for custom AI model creation
• Model-agnostic strategy with patented inference pipeline
• Community-based insights and collaboration

Quotable Moments

• "We are an organization that is really focused on our core industries... making, moving, selling the things that we use every day"
• "It's all about accelerated value... How can we get as close to zero as possible?"
• "This era that we're in [is] like the modem dial-up era of AI"
• "Nail it before you scale it

Overview

Maribel Lopez interviews Kathleen Peters, Experian's Chief Innovation Officer, about AI's evolution in fraud detection, the shift to generative and agentic AI, and balancing innovation with security in financial services.

Key Topics

AI Evolution at Experian

• 15-year AI journey: Using machine learning for fraud detection long before generative AI
• Democratization shift: Public LLMs like ChatGPT and Claude made AI accessible beyond data scientists
• Innovation labs: 15-year-old team of PhDs and researchers finding insights in vast datasets

Responsible AI Implementation

• Risk Council: Cross-functional team ensuring responsible AI adoption
• Security-first approach: Enterprise tools with guardrails protecting sensitive credit data
• Custom AI stack: Proprietary systems maintaining data privacy while leveraging AI

Agentic AI Applications

• EVA Experian Virtual Assistant (Consumer Assistant): Evolved from chatbot to personalized agent that can take actions like unlocking credit scores
• Business Assistant: Democratizes data science, enabling rapid model development through natural language
• Real-time capabilities: Shifted from batch to real-time fraud detection

AI-Powered Fraud Threats

• Fraudster empowerment: Bad actors adopting AI faster than security measures
• Deep fake risks: Sophisticated impersonation for identity theft and account takeover
• Agent authentication: Challenge distinguishing legitimate vs. fraudulent AI agents
• Industry urgency: Can't wait for regulation; must develop solutions proactively

Key Achievements

• Fast, safe adoption: Chose innovation over waiting, with proper security guardrails
• Product success: Launched consumer EVA and business AI assistants
• Industry leadership: Staying ahead of evolving fraud landscape

Advice for Organizations

1. Establish Risk Council: Cross-functional leadership team for AI governance
2. Define values first: Determine organizational risk tolerance before technical implementation
3. Support curiosity safely: Enable experimentation within secure boundaries
4. Don't wait: Move quickly but responsibly - the technology won't slow down

Key Quote

"If you set up the infrastructure right, then you can let them hack away. You can let people be very curious."

Participants: Maribel Lopez (Host), Kathleen (CIO, Experian)
Focus: #AI #FraudDetection #GenerativeAI #AgenticAI #FinancialServices #Security

Kathleen Peters Chief Innovation Officer NA Fraud, Innovation & Commercialization

Kathleen Peters leads innovation and strategy for Experian’s Fraud and Identity business in North America, continuously exploring new ways to solve market challenges in identity, risk, and fraud detection. She and her team define business strategies and investment priorities while incubating new products, analyzing industry trends and leveraging the latest technologies to bring ideas to life. Kathleen joined Experian in 2013 to lead business development and global product management for Experian’s newest fraud products. She later served as the Head of the North America Fraud & Identity business, until being named Chief Innovation Officer for Decision Analytics in 2020. Kathleen has twice been named a “Top 100 Influencer in Identity” by One World Identity (now Liminal), an exclusive list that annually recognizes influencers and leaders from across the globe, showcasing a who’s who of people to know in the identity space.For nearly two decades, she has lived in

Episode Summary

Kevin Dunbar joins Maribel Lopez to discuss how AI is revolutionizing commercial fleet management through Ford Pro Intelligence. With nearly two decades of experience at companies like Cisco and Palo Alto Networks, Kevin shares insights on how Ford's commercial division is processing over a billion data points daily to help fleet operators optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve safety.AI with Maribel Lopez: Transforming Fleet Management with Kevin Dunbar

Guest: Kevin Dunbar, General Manager of Ford Pro Intelligence
Host: Maribel Lopez, Founder of the Data for Betterment Foundation and Lopez Research

Key Topics Covered

Ford Pro Intelligence Platform

• Commercial division serving business and government customers
• Comprehensive ecosystem from vehicle upfitting to fleet management
• Data services, telematics software, and fleet controls
• Updated from last earnings to 757,000 and 24% yoy growth. (vs. 675,000+ subscribers with 20% growth rate.)

Data at Scale

• Processing over 1 billion connected vehicle data points daily
• Sensor data ranging from tire pressure and GPS to seatbelt activity and driver behavior
• Clean, structured data transformation into actionable insights

AI Applications in Action

• Digital vehicle walkarounds replacing 20-minute manual processes
• Predictive maintenance moving customers from reactive to proactive service
• E-switch assist tool using machine learning for electrification decisions
• Connected uptime system achieving 98% vehicle availability

Tangible Business Impact

• 10% reduction in insurance costs through safer driving coaching
• 20% improvement in driver safety metrics
• 25% reduction in speeding incidents
• 80% reduction in cost downtime
• 10-20% total cost of ownership reduction

Notable Quotes

"We want to make sure that their Ford vehicle works as hard for their business digitally as it does mechanically." - Kevin Dunbar

"It's not just about having data. It's about having clean, structured data." - Kevin Dunbar

For more episodes of "AI with Maribel Lopez," visit Lopez Research and follow our latest insights on AI transformation across industries.

About Ford Pro and Ford Pro Intelligence

Ford Pro is helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Ford Pro Intelligence is Ford’s comprehensive solution for fleet digitalization and operational efficiency, combining connected vehicle data, telematics tools, and smart management software under one platform

Follow Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-dunbar-78343558/

Follow Maribel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribellopez/

#FordProIntelligence #FordPro #FleetManagement #Fleets #DataSecurity