What if the real story of AI isn't about chatbots or copilots at all, but about what happens when intelligence becomes part of the infrastructure of how work gets done? That's the idea driving this conversation with Vahid Taslimi, CEO and co-founder of Zenphi, who joins me from Melbourne, Australia, to discuss how his team is quietly redefining the way organizations think about automation.
Vahid believes the real potential of AI lies not in flashy interfaces or generative tools, but in its ability to act as an invisible layer that powers everyday business operations. He explains how Zenphi is embedding AI into workflow automation for companies across sectors—from Gordon Food Service, which uses AI to manage access reviews and reduce shadow IT, to Action Behavior Centers in the US, where AI ensures compliance in sensitive healthcare processes. In each case, the focus is on operational AI that improves efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making without exposing organizations to unnecessary risk.
We also talk about the importance of starting small, proving value, and scaling sensibly, echoing lessons learned from the early days of SaaS adoption. Vahid shares his views on how to move from AI experiments to enterprise-wide deployment, how to build compliance and governance into every layer, and why the future of automation depends on empowering non-developers to shape their own workflows. His no-code approach is enabling HR, finance, and operations teams to experiment safely with AI, achieving compounding gains without depending entirely on IT departments.
Throughout our chat, Vahid brings to life the concept of "AI as infrastructure" with grounded stories and practical insights. He also reflects on how Zenphi balances innovation with reliability, ensuring that even regulated industries can integrate AI responsibly. As he puts it, sometimes the smartest systems are the ones you never see.
So how close are we to a world where AI is simply part of the background of every business process? And what will it take for companies to trust AI at the infrastructure level rather than the interface?
Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by NordLayer:
Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage
Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you’ve become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear ad-free episodes one week early. Find Pushkin+ on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com