In this episode of the Digital India Podcast, Tech Observer’s Editorial Director Mohd Ujaley speaks with Puneet Asthana, Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer at Shriram Wealth, about the changing technology landscape in India’s BFSI sector.

Asthana shares his perspective on the evolution of enterprise technology—from the early internet and mobility era to cloud adoption, hybrid architectures and the rise of AI. He explains why identifying the right use case matters more than deploying the latest tools, and why data fragmentation remains the biggest challenge for financial institutions adopting AI.

The discussion also covers:
• GenAI vs enterprise-grade AI in regulated industries
• Data consolidation, data cleanliness and legacy system complexity
• DPDP Act, consent management and the future of data governance
• Cybersecurity, third-party risk and API-level controls
• Why federated learning across organisations is essential
• How Shriram Wealth is building AI-assisted experiences for mass-affluent customers

A clear and grounded conversation for anyone working in BFSI, fintech, enterprise technology, AI strategy, compliance or digital transformation.

🔔 Follow the Digital India Podcast for more conversations with industry leaders.

In this episode of The Digital India Podcast, host Mohd Ujaley speaks with Madhav Sheth, CEO, AI+ Smartphones and Founder of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies. Best known for his leadership at Realme, Madhav now returns with a bold vision: the Ai+ smartphone powered by the new NxtQuantum OS.

In this conversation, he shares:

• The hard lessons from building and scaling smartphone brands in India.

• Why deep tech, R&D, and strong local supply chains are critical for digital self-reliance.

• How AI should move beyond marketing buzzwords to deliver real consumer value.

• His strategy for democratising technology through transparency and localisation.

• The roadmap for targeting India’s mass-market segment and building a global brand from India.

Whether you are a technologist, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of smartphones and AI in India, this episode is packed with practical insights and forward-looking perspectives.

🎙 Digital India Podcast
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⏱ Timestamps:
01:12 – From FinTech to EdTech: Dave Treat's career shift
04:30 – Pearson’s 3 core businesses (Content, Distribution, Assessment)
07:45 – AI tools already used by teachers for 18+ months
11:20 – Why Indian R&D is Pearson’s "innovation lighthouse"
15:10 – Spatial computing’s future in 3D learning
18:40 – Quantum computing’s encryption challenge
20:01 – Startups' role in Pearson's digital transformation journey

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Digital India Podcast, host Mohd Ujaley, Editorial Director of Tech Observer Magazine, speaks with Dave Treat, Chief Technology Officer at Pearson.

They explore the role of AI in education, Pearson’s digital transformation, and the future of personalised learning. Dave also shares insights on legacy modernisation, immersive tech, quantum-safe encryption, and how Pearson works with startups to drive innovation.

Dave Treat shares his views around:

✅ From FinTech to EdTech: Lessons from banking to education innovation
✅ Why Pearson is advancing faster in AI than banks ever did
✅ How the “Learn to Earn” mindset is shaping workforce development
✅ Why teachers need AI—to focus on what matters most
✅ India’s role in Pearson’s global R&D and innovation strategy
✅ How quantum computing could disrupt encryption in education
✅ Why startups help keep Pearson agile—even after 181 years

🎓 A must-listen for educators, edtech founders, policy makers, and anyone curious about the future of learning!

👤 Follow Dave Treat, CTO, Pearson:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidbtreat

📰 About Tech Observer Magazine:
Tech Observer Magazine is India’s premier technology news publication, delivering in-depth analysis on government tech, public sector innovation, defence, enterprise IT, emerging startups, telecom, and consumer electronics.

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