GET TO KNOW...
On the lighter side of things, we ask the
industry experts what makes them tick. . . .
Yoav Degani,
CEO, VoiceSense
What would you describe as your
most memorable achievement?
As a clinical psychologist, I became
increasingly curious about speech. A patient
could tell me they’re feeling fine, but the way
they said it – intonation, pace, emphasis –
signalled something entirely different.
I began to question how I could leverage
this knowledge and I decided to develop
an AI-powered, speech-based behavioural
analysis tool, linking speech patterns
to customer tendencies and personal
characteristics, as an accurate way to
predict individuals’ behaviour.
Today, years after this idea turned into
commercialised products and a successful
company, I still get excited and proud every
time we complete another validation study,
demonstrating again how we turn pure speech
pattern analysis into accurate predictions of
various future personal behaviours.
What first made you think of a
career in technology?
I tend to be analytical, so attraction to exact
sciences was quite natural. As an Israeli, I
also served in a technological unit in the
intelligence forces, so the path was already
paved. However, surprisingly, my studying
choice was opposite; I completed two
degrees in psychology and then years of
clinical practice, before eventually returning
to technology. Now I’ve integrated my two
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worlds of interest using pattern analysis
and signal processing for personality
measurements and behavioural uses. I try to create a motivated, highly-involved
and determined environment, as the
enabling setting for success.
What style of management
philosophy do you employ with
your current position? What do you think will emerge as the
technology trend of 2018 and why?
Setting an exciting vision that people
can identify with plays a major role in
building motivation and atmosphere in the
workplace. However, successful innovation
requires years of systematic and persistent
efforts. Therefore, determination and hard
work are a second guiding value. Assigning
the right people to the right positions is
crucial, as well as providing clear leadership.
There is a dramatic growing passion for
Big Data analysis. Enterprises realise their
core existence is at risk if they won’t be part
“
I TRY TO CREATE
A MOTIVATED,
HIGHLY-INVOLVED
AND DETERMINED
ENVIRONMENT,
AS THE ENABLING
SETTING FOR
SUCCESS.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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