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TechVibe Pittsburgh: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jonathan Kersting
Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the Pittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago18 min
LogixGuru President Ravi Ajmani on 26 Years of QA, AI & Pittsburgh Tech
Ravi Ajmani, President of LogixGuru, joins TechVibe hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo at Huntington Bank Studios to unpack what 26 years in the technology business looks like — and why their very first customer, UPMC, is still with them today. Ravi breaks down LogixGuru's evolution from IT staffing to a full-service technology partner spanning quality assurance, application engineering, data analytics, and digital transformation. The conversation digs into how AI is reshaping QA — from de-identifying healthcare data and building digital twins for testing, to deploying AI agents across the entire software development lifecycle through their proprietary framework. Plus: why founder Singh personally calls every new hire before day one, how Ravi is building an AI-powered assessment platform to "kill his own business," and what it means to be a proudly Pittsburgh-rooted tech company named to the Pittsburgh Business Times Fast 50 — twice. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 1 weeks ago29 min
The Company AI Brain: Finding Real ROI in Your AI Investments — With Pittsburgh's Rahul Asanikar, Benchmark IT
What happens when a software company that's been around for two decades goes all-in on AI? Rahul Asanikar, co-founder of Benchmark IT, sits down with Jonathan Kersting at the Huntington Bank Studios to unpack the real, measurable ROI behind AI investments — not the hype, but the tools, strategies, and margins that are actually moving the needle. Rahul shares how Benchmark IT evolved from building websites and mobile apps into a full-stack AI consulting firm helping financial services, healthcare, and product companies build AI-first solutions. He walks through real tools they've shipped — including Laibel, an AI system that runs hundreds of compliance checks on product labels in seconds, and a document extraction platform that reclaimed 80 hours a month for teams buried in paperwork. Then the conversation goes deeper: the concept of a Company AI Brain — a system that ingests every meeting, email, project schedule, and public data point, then surfaces threats and opportunities before anyone asks. Rahul shares a story where the AI brain flagged a parent company's ERP consolidation initiative — a threat that could have cost them a client, but instead opened the door to five new contracts. He also breaks down how they use AI to generate 100,000 personalized outreach emails by researching each company's specific history — including product recalls — at a level that makes prospects ask, "How did you know this?" We also cover why AI resistance fades when you give teams time to experiment, why Jensen Huang telling programmers to stop programming isn't crazy, and the one thing that hasn't changed in 21 years of business: trust. Key Topics Covered: The journey from New York to Florida to Pittsburgh — and why Benchmark IT planted roots here What "full-stack AI" really means and why it's giving companies product-level margins Laibel: AI-powered label compliance that prevents lawsuits and product recalls Document data extraction: turning 80 hours of manual work into minutes The Company AI Brain: collecting your data, defining your objectives, surfacing insights Personalized outreach at scale — 100,000 companies, 100,000 tailored emails Why resistance to AI is often just a timing problem (and what changed last December) The unchanging core: trust, ROI metrics, and killing 18 bad ideas to find 2 good ones The Pittsburgh Technology Council produced TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's Technology and Innovation Ecosystem.
- 1 weeks ago9 min
Passing the Torch: A Historic CIO Transition at UPMC
What happens when one of Pittsburgh's most influential IT leaders steps down after decades at the helm — and hands the keys to someone who's been beside him for 26 years? In this special episode from the Pittsburgh Technology Council's CIO Insights event, TechVibe's Jonathan Kersting sits down with outgoing UPMC CIO Ed McCallister and incoming CIO Chris Carmody to unpack a leadership transition unlike any other in Pittsburgh's tech community. Ed recounts the early days of UPMC's health plan — starting from a blank whiteboard with no technology in place — and building it into one of the region's most powerful IT organizations. Chris shares his own journey from IT auditor to CTO, and how their two-decade-plus partnership made this succession feel less like a handoff and more like a shared torch finally finding its next bearer. They discuss what great IT leadership really comes down to (hint: it's about people, not technology), the role of artificial intelligence in the future of healthcare, and what comes next for Ed — including time with his five-year-old grandson. Whether you're in healthcare IT, leadership, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation is a masterclass in succession planning done right.
- 1 weeks ago25 min
Powercast: Pulling Electricity From Thin Air in Pittsburgh
What do Nikola Tesla, Marlin Mickle and the University of Pittsburgh have in common? The power to change everything. And Pittsburgh-based Powercast is making it happen. Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council's TechVibe sits down with Charlie Goetz of Powercast, a Pittsburgh-based company turning radio frequency into wire-free power for sensors, devices, and the intelligent edge. Born from technology licensed at the University of Pittsburgh and developed by the legendary professor Marlin Mickle, Powercast has spent over two decades perfecting RF wireless power — the same vision Nikola Tesla imagined more than a century ago. Now, as AI pushes compute to the edge, the demand for always-on, battery-free sensors is exploding, and Powercast finds itself at the center of it. In this episode, we cover: The Pittsburgh origin story — from Pitt's lab to a 23-year-old company How RF wireless power works: intentional, ambient, and anticipated sources Why one-to-many RF beats pads, wires, and batteries at scale Powercast Edge: feeding AI models high-density, real-time sensor data How wireless power eliminates battery replacement for 50+ sensors per room The hardware renaissance: why chips and bespoke hardware matter again Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem and the Pitt-Penn State rivalry at the office If your business runs sensors, monitors equipment, or is betting on physical AI, this episode explains why Pittsburgh might hold the key to keeping the edge powered — without a single wire. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 1 weeks ago22 min
The Hidden Industries Behind the Pittsburgh Region's Data Center Boom
What do abandoned industrial sites, precast concrete and cutting-edge cooling technology have in common? They're all helping build the future of data centers in Pennsylvania! Billions of dollars in proposed data center investments are putting Pennsylvania in the spotlight. But behind the headlines is an enormous ecosystem of manufacturers, engineers, construction companies and technology innovators making it all possible. In this special edition of TechVibe Radio, we're bringing together three fascinating conversations from the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Empire of Lights podcast series, presented with Comcast Business. You'll hear from: Kenneth Birkenstock, Nittany Digital Infrastructure, on how Pennsylvania's stranded industrial infrastructure, including former steel mills and power plants, could become prime locations for next-generation data centers. Marshall Sorensen, Metromont, on why precast concrete is transforming data center construction and why speed to market has become a critical competitive advantage. Chris Massetti, Donwil, on the sophisticated cooling technologies keeping AI infrastructure running efficiently while addressing concerns about water consumption. From repurposing yesterday's industrial sites to building tomorrow's digital infrastructure, these conversations reveal how Western Pennsylvania's manufacturing heritage could become a powerful advantage in the AI economy. The region that helped power the electrical revolution may be uniquely positioned to help power the digital revolution. Discover the people, companies and technologies behind Pennsylvania's next industrial chapter in this special TechVibe Radio edition of Empire of Lights.
- 2 weeks ago17 min
Physical AI: How Pittsburgh Is Transforming Manufacturing with Robotics
What happens when artificial intelligence moves beyond the screen and into the factory? In this episode of TechVibe, host Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council sits down with Livia Rice, Senior Director of Communications at the ARM Institute, to explore "Physical AI" — AI-enabled robotics that are reshaping how things get made. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the ARM Institute is a national organization dedicated to strengthening U.S. manufacturing through robotics innovation and workforce development. Livia breaks down how Physical AI differs from generative AI, why it's transforming factory floors across the country, and what it means for the future of work. Topics include: • What Physical AI actually is (and why it's not ChatGPT) • How AI-powered robots handle the "dull, dirty, and dangerous" tasks • Why Pittsburgh remains at the center of America's manufacturing resurgence • How workers are transitioning from manual roles to robotics technician careers • The skills matcher at RoboticsCareer.org that's connecting people to manufacturing jobs • Real-world examples from Pittsburgh companies like Journey Robotics If you care about Pittsburgh's technology ecosystem, the future of manufacturing, or how AI and robotics are creating — not eliminating — jobs, hit PLAY! The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.
- 2 weeks ago31 min
Beyond Video Games: Pittsburgh's Jesse Schell on the Future of VR, AI and Entertainment
What do virtual reality, lifesaving medical training, immersive theme parks and the future of education have in common? Pittsburgh's Schell Games is helping shape all of them! TechVibe Radio welcomes Jesse Schell, founder of Schell Games, for a fascinating look at how one of Pittsburgh's most imaginative technology companies is redefining what games can do. From developing experiences for Disney and creating more than 100 games to pioneering virtual reality long before VR went mainstream, Schell has spent decades pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Today, his 120-person Pittsburgh studio is exploring everything from VR-powered education and medical training to a potential new chain of location-based entertainment experiences. Schell joins hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo to explore why VR is far from dead, how games can help emergency room doctors make critical decisions, what artificial intelligence means for education and gaming, and why the next generation of entertainment must deliver experiences people simply can't get at home. Plus, Schell shares his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, explains why Pittsburgh remains an ideal place to build a creative technology company, and reveals what he'd create if money were no object. From saving lives to bringing people together, discover why the future of gaming is about much more than playing games! The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology and innovation ecosystem
- 3 weeks ago11 min
Building Better Code: MESCIUS Talks About Powerful Web App Tools at Pittsburgh TechFest
Who knew developing amazing web applications could be as simple as reaching into a powerful tool box or browsing a rich library for the right code? Join Jonathan Kersting from the Pittsburgh Technology Council for a TechVibe conversation with Joel Parks of MESCIUS, a developer tools company building component libraries that help coders ship better software faster. With Pittsburgh Tech Fest coming up on October 30th at Robert Morris University, Joel breaks down what MESCIUS brings to the table — from their flagship Wijmo web component library (available for Angular, React, Vue, Svelte, Next.js, and more) to the newly released Flex Scheduler calendar control. Joel also covers ActiveReports for reporting, Spread.NET and SpreadJS for embedded Excel functionality, the legacy C1 .NET controls, and Document Solutions for PDF and Word manipulation. The discussion explores how pre-built components save developers from reinventing the wheel, why day-one framework support matters in the fast-moving JavaScript world, and how MESCIUS has evolved from its ComponentOne and GrapeCity roots into a comprehensive .NET and JavaScript tooling provider. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just curious about the tools powering modern web applications, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the software that helps developers focus on what matters — building great applications. Recorded at the Huntington Bank Studios. Presented by the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
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About TechVibe Pittsburgh
Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the Pittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: "Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department." TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of TechVibe Pittsburgh as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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