Hot or Hype
Sakura Sky
Welcome to Hot or Hype, the podcast where hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens break down the latest trends in cloud computing, data engineering, AI, and cybersecurity—and decide whether they're game-changing innovations or just industry buzz.
In each episode, we dive into topics like AI-driven predictive analytics, cloud-native architectures, zero trust security, data mesh, and more, giving you real-world insights from practitioners who know what works and what doesn’t.
No fluff. No hype. Just honest, technical discussions to help you navigate the fast-evolving landscape of tech.
Subscribe and follow along as we call it like it is: Hot... or Hype?
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Top 10 Hot or Hype Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hot or Hype episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hot or Hype for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hot or Hype episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Hot or Hype E5: AI Start Ups
Hot or Hype
03/26/25 • 9 min
AI is revolutionizing industries at breakneck speed, creating a gold rush of startup opportunities that technology experts are calling "hot" rather than mere hype. Our panel of tech veterans with over 45 years of combined experience cuts through the noise to reveal what's actually happening in the AI startup ecosystem as we approach 2025.
The discussion uncovers two critical trends reshaping the technology landscape: automation solutions and vertical AI applications. As our guest Andrew explains, successful startups aren't just implementing general AI capabilities—they're creating hybrid solutions that ground Large Language Models in industry-specific data to deliver tangible outcomes for specific vertical markets. This approach enables startups to disrupt enterprise workflows by addressing problems that larger tech companies might overlook.
Morgan, who has worked with several successful startups including a unicorn, offers invaluable perspective from her experience implementing AI in cloud monitoring. By combining AI with algorithmic trading methodologies for cloud spending optimization, her company demonstrates the practical impact of well-implemented artificial intelligence. The data center environment proves particularly conducive to AI applications due to its wealth of available data—comparable only to the financial sector in volume and detail.
For professionals contemplating the leap into AI startups, our experts provide guidance that goes beyond the technical. Finding companies that align with your personal values and ethics becomes crucial as AI integrates into everything from infrastructure to dating applications. The most important qualifications? Believing in the mission, focusing on customer needs, and ensuring proper foundations in infrastructure, security, and data.
Ready to navigate this new technological frontier? Listen now to discover why our experts unanimously agree: despite some inevitable hype, mission-driven AI startups delivering real results represent technology's most exciting opportunity since the cloud revolution.
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
03/17/25 • 22 min
AI is revolutionizing finance—but is it all hot air or the real deal? In this Hot vs Hype Deep Dive, Olivia Storelli sits down with Andreea Mihalcea from Xapo Bank to unpack the future of data-driven banking. Discover how Xapo Bank’s cutting-edge data platform locks down security, champions privacy, and empowers self-service innovation. From distributed data systems to game-changing data products, Andreea reveals how a bold cultural shift is redefining customer experiences and what’s next for responsible AI in the financial frontier. Tune in for insights that cut through the noise
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
Hot or Hype E4: AI & The Future of Finance
Hot or Hype
03/12/25 • 11 min
In this episode of Hot vs. Hype, Olivia Storelli and Andreea Mihalcea, Head of Data at Xapo bank, discuss the future of AI and the critical role of data in shaping financial systems. They explore how data quality impacts AI effectiveness, the misconceptions surrounding AI capabilities, and the importance of evaluating AI systems properly. The conversation highlights the ongoing initiatives in the financial industry, particularly in fraud detection and workflow optimization, while emphasizing that proper data management is essential for AI to deliver real value.
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
03/04/25 • 27 min
Step up to the plate for Hot or Hype Deep Dive: Episode 3 – The Future of AI in Baseball!
This time, we’re chatting with Dan Quill, the Senior Director of Software Engineering for the San Francisco Giants, about how AI is hitting it out of the park for America’s favorite pastime. From crafting personalized fan experiences to delivering jaw-dropping analytics, we’ll uncover how the Giants are using cutting-edge tech to tackle data overload and elevate the game. Expect fascinating insights on AI’s role in revolutionizing player development—like injury prevention and biomechanical wizardry—plus a thoughtful look at the ethics of data in sports. We’ll also swing into AI-assisted umpiring and the game-changing tools (think Cursor and ChatGPT) boosting developer productivity. Join us for an exciting deep dive into how the SF Giants are fusing baseball’s timeless traditions with tomorrow’s tech—all while keeping the heart and soul of the game alive. Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and let’s play ball!
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
Hot or Hype: Ep3 Future of AI in Baseball
Hot or Hype
03/03/25 • 7 min
Step up to the plate for Hot or Hype: Episode 3 – The Future of AI in Baseball!
This time, we’re chatting with Dan Quill, the Senior Director of Software Engineering for the San Francisco Giants, about how AI is hitting it out of the park for America’s favorite pastime. Join us as we look at AI in Baseball and how the SF Giants are fusing baseball’s timeless traditions with tomorrow’s tech.
Is it hot or is it hype?
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
Hot or Hype: Ep2 AI Agents
Hot or Hype
02/11/25 • 9 min
Are AI agents the real deal or just another tech fad?
In this episode of Hot or Hype, experts Olivia and Andrew dive into the world of AI agents, revealing how they go beyond simple chatbots with their autonomous decision-making and learning capabilities. They explore the transformative potential of these agents across industries, from customer service to creative content, while also confronting challenges like data security, ethics, and bias. They discuss how multimodal capabilities, self-supervised learning, and personalization are shaping the future, before asking: are AI agents a "hot" technology or just "hype"? Find out how to approach integration thoughtfully in order to realize the true potential. @sakuraskycom
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
02/06/25 • 27 min
In this episode, we take a technical Deep Dive with the trending topic of AI-Driven Predictive Analytics. One of the most talked-about trends in cloud, data, and security.
Every enterprise wants to unlock the future with machine learning models that anticipate demand, detect anomalies, and optimize decisions—but is the technology really delivering, or are we just drowning in over-promised insights?
We cut through the noise and take a technical deep dive on Predictive AI and Prescriptive AI. Why it's hot, and why it's hype. @sakuraskycom
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
02/04/25 • 8 min
In the premiere episode of Hot or Hype, we take on one of the most talked-about trends in cloud, data, and security: AI-driven predictive analytics.
Every enterprise wants to unlock the future with machine learning models that anticipate demand, detect anomalies, and optimize decisions—but is the technology really delivering, or are we just drowning in over-promised insights?
We cut through the noise and examine is it hot, or is it hype @sakuraskycom
Join Hosts Olivia Storelli and Andrew Stevens weekly reviewing trending technology.
www.sakurasky.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Hot or Hype have?
Hot or Hype currently has 8 episodes available.
What topics does Hot or Hype cover?
The podcast is about Infrastructure, Cloud, Security, Data, Cloud Computing, Podcasts, Technology and Data Analytics.
What is the most popular episode on Hot or Hype?
The episode title 'Hot or Hype E5: AI Start Ups' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Hot or Hype?
The average episode length on Hot or Hype is 15 minutes.
How often are episodes of Hot or Hype released?
Episodes of Hot or Hype are typically released every 5 days, 16 hours.
When was the first episode of Hot or Hype?
The first episode of Hot or Hype was released on Feb 4, 2025.
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