AI Transformation in Payments with Martynas Kairys | Innovantage podcast #32

In this episode of the Innovantage Podcast, Martynas Kairys — General Manager at ZEDGE (formerly Director of AI Strategy & Development at Shift4), AI-driven growth leader, and international keynote speaker — shares how to turn AI from scattered experiments into an operational advantage across a complex, regulated business. With 20+ years across military, logistics, real estate, investment banking, and tech, Martynas blends strategy with sleeves-rolled-up execution.

 

We unpack the AI vision he led at Shift4, global scale, compliance-by-design, and how those lessons translate to ZEDGE and beyond, along with a pragmatic playbook for measurable wins.

 

What you’ll learn:

➡️ How leaders evolve from “AI interest” to an AI operating model

➡️ Shift4’s AI mission: payments innovation, product velocity, and global scale

➡️ Lessons from M&A scale-ups (incl. Finaro) and what that means for data + AI

➡️ Building in regulated spaces: PCI DSS, GDPR, and risk-aware experimentation

➡️ Resource-based learning vs. memorization — upskilling that actually sticks

➡️ When AI should automate tasks vs. augment complex decisions

➡️ GenAI in content: quality bars, ethics, and trust in finance

➡️ Talent strategy: near-term productivity vs. growing junior pipelines

➡️ A day-in-the-life playbook: internal Copilots, HR/merchant support use cases, KPIs

➡️ Lightning predictions: tools, myths to kill, must-read book, bold call for 2030

 

Connect with Our Guest Martynas Kairys: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martynaskairys

Connect with Max (Host) Max Golikov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxim-golikov

 

🎧 Listen Now

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19M3HKc1pbeTkYcOeOkJc0?si=aab60a9ec2864ba2

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/pl/podcast/innovantage-podcast/id1749330437

 

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Innovation at scale isn’t about more tools — it’s about clear strategy, disciplined integration, and continuous learning. This conversation is your field guide to building real advantage with AI.