Episode Details

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai, sits down with Errol Brandt, Founder of Kiraa, technology innovator, data analytics specialist, and former IBM Data and AI Champion. Drawing on more than three decades of experience across manufacturing, finance, analytics, and enterprise technology, Errol shares his unique perspective on artificial intelligence, business decision-making, data sovereignty, and the future of software development. From his early days at Nestlé through to building Kiraa's patented analytics platform, this conversation explores the realities behind AI adoption, the limitations of large language models, and why understanding business processes remains more valuable than ever.

Errol's journey into technology began unexpectedly as an accountant with a passion for coding. After teaching himself to extract and analyse data from Nestlé's mainframe systems, he went on to work across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa on large-scale technology projects. Those experiences exposed a recurring challenge within organisations: critical decisions often relied on spreadsheets, manual reporting, and key individuals whose knowledge was difficult to replace. This ultimately led Errol to develop advanced in-memory analytics solutions that help businesses process complex data faster, improve decision-making, and reduce operational risk.

The discussion dives deep into artificial intelligence, where Errol offers a perspective shaped by years of experimentation with machine learning technologies dating back to IBM Watson. He explains why large language models remain fundamentally probabilistic systems and why this creates challenges for organisations that require certainty, consistency, and accountability. These insights became the foundation for Kiraa's patented analytical framework, which aims to provide more reliable and deterministic outcomes for business users making high-stakes operational and strategic decisions.

Anthony and Errol also explore the future of technology infrastructure, debating the long-term viability of cloud-first strategies. Errol argues that advances in Apple Silicon and local computing power are creating opportunities for organisations to regain control of their data through on-premises and "local cloud" environments. The conversation examines growing concerns around cybersecurity, energy consumption, water usage, geopolitical risk, and data sovereignty, highlighting why many businesses are reassessing how and where critical information is stored and processed.

The episode concludes with a thought-provoking discussion on AI-assisted software development, the rise of "vibe coding", and the dangers of confusing code generation with software engineering expertise. Errol emphasises that successful technology projects depend on planning, architecture, process knowledge, and domain experience rather than code alone. Drawing parallels with spreadsheets, legacy systems, and previous technology booms, he encourages business leaders and developers to approach AI with curiosity, critical thinking, and a clear understanding of where genuine value is created.

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