CIBC InsightsEpisode 6
25 min

The Gradient Ascent Podcast - Part 2: Why Enterprise AI Adoption is Still so Hard

In Part 2 of our latest Gradient Ascent Podcast conversation on building enduring AI companies, CIBC's Paul McKinlay and Daniel Lee are joined by guests George Babu and Gideon Hayden to dive into why enterprise AI adoption remains challenging. From operationalizing AI at scale to how agents are reshaping software and spend, they also explore why emerging areas like physical AI and agent security may define the next wave of innovation.

Paul McKinlayDaniel LeeGeorge BabuGideon Hayden
Featured in this episode:

Paul McKinlay, Daniel Lee, George Babu, Gideon Hayden

CIBC InsightsEpisode 5
17 min

Beneath the Surface: Canada’s Submarine Strategy

CIBC's Amber Batool and Krista Friesen discuss Canada’s next-generation submarine procurement and the broader strategy behind it. Their conversation examines how this major defence decision reflects shifting national security priorities, a faster approach to procurement and a growing focus on building long-term industrial and economic benefits in Canada.

Amber BatoolKrista Friesen
Featured in this episode:

Amber Batool, Krista Friesen

CIBC InsightsEpisode 4
17 min

The Gradient Ascent Podcast - Part 1: The Future of Canadian Startups: AI, Capital and Brain Drain

In this episode of The Gradient Ascent Podcast, CIBC’s Paul McKinlay and Daniel Lee sit down with George Babu and Gideon Hayden to explore what it takes to build enduring AI companies today, from cheaper experimentation and distributed teams to smarter go-to-market strategies. They also dig into a bigger question for Canada’s tech ecosystem: how do we keep top founders building at home when talent, capital and ambition move globally? Keep an eye out for Part 2: Why Enterprise AI Adoption Is Still So Hard, coming soon.

Paul McKinlayDaniel LeeGeorge BabuGideon Hayden
Featured in this episode:

Paul McKinlay, Daniel Lee, George Babu, Gideon Hayden

CIBC InsightsEpisode 3
19 min

The Xanadu Story: From Startup to Quantum Powerhouse

CIBC’s Colin Ryan, Managing Director and Head, Technology and Innovation, Investment Banking, sits with the CEO and founder of Xanadu Quantum Technologies, Christian Weedbrook, to discuss the journey behind Xanadu, the race to build utility-scale quantum computers, and why Canada has a unique opportunity to lead in one of the world’s most transformative technologies.

Colin RyanChristian Weedbrook
Featured in this episode:

Colin Ryan, Christian Weedbrook

CIBC InsightsEpisode 1
18 min

Cash Management Chat – The Future of Payments: Trends Shaping the Digital Landscape

Join host, Andre Blanchard, and special guest, Lorna Godin, as they kick off the Cash Management Chat podcast series. In this inaugural episode, discover the latest trends transforming the digital payments landscape—from real-time rails and digital wallets to AI-driven fraud prevention. Gain expert insights on how evolving technologies, changing consumer habits, and industry collaboration are shaping the future of payments in Canada and around the world. The transcript is available in English and French.

Andre BlanchardLorna Godin
Featured in this episode:

Andre Blanchard, Lorna Godin