How Vinod Sivagnanam Uses AI to Personalize E-Commerce
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are allowing for greater personalization in e-commerce, whether in algorithmic pairing of consumers with the products they most desire or in customer service and support. One leader in this new field is Vinod Sivagnanam, who has led product management at several of the largest global tech companies, expanding their businesses into new countries and using AI to redesign their e-commerce platforms and payment solutions.
Vinod Sivagnanam's Story
Sivagnanam's product career has been marked by ongoing growth and personal transformation. He began his efforts as a technology consultant, working with a global consulting firm in their digital strategy practice. Afterward, he helped a major online retailer expand its retail and payments operations globally, launching in new countries on two additional continents.
As a part of that project, he designed cross-border payment solutions for sellers who would use the company's online retail marketplace within highly regulated markets. He onboarded thousands of international sellers. To overcome the regulatory hurdles for cross-border expansion, Sivagnanam had to propose an innovative payment system to senior executives; he made his case and proved able to both persuade investors and adapt to the complexity of the international regulatory map. He led cross-functional and international teams under high pressure to launch technically complex products under aggressive timelines, with a lasting impact on the company's revenue and reach.
Today, Sivagnanam works at a U.S. - based software services company, where he is leading a redesign of the company's e-commerce storefront technologies and using the capabilities of AI to design a more robust, personalized customer experience.
Through each of these experiences, Sivagnanam has developed a unique tapestry of expertise. He knows how to adapt e-commerce platforms to a swiftly evolving (and international) regulatory environment; he knows how to persuade investors and senior executives to greenlight ambitious projects; he knows how to apply AI models to optimize personalization in e-commerce platforms; and he knows how to achieve these changes through a customer-centric mindset and perspective.
What's Next for Vinod Sivagnanam
Looking ahead, Sivagnanam plans to continue building disruptive, AI-powered products for fintech and e-commerce. He dreams of a type of personalized shopping that does not currently exist but that could exist. 'I want to revolutionize online shopping by reducing the time to make purchase decisions,' Sivagnanam says. He gives the example of a consumer typing 'brown sneakers that go with blue jeans,' hitting an order button, and having the product show up on their doorstep. This would require innovative technologies and a machine learning model that could understand the consumer's buying history and preferences with more nuance than existing models.
Sivagnanam also wants to work to make borderless commerce possible – 'allowing anyone to buy or sell anything to anyone worldwide.' Increasingly, global commerce markets make such a move desirable, and Sivagnanam's past achievements in cross-border payments solutions demonstrate that borderless commerce is within reach. In the years ahead, Sivagnanam intends to help lead the effort to make that future happen.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prediction: Bitcoin Will Be Worth $500,000 in 5 Years
Key Points Bitcoin's supply limit and successful track record make it a compelling store of value. Institutional investors, corporations, and the U.S. government are all treating it as a long-term asset. Even though Bitcoin is risky, a small investment could pay off in a big way. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) recently hit a new all-time high, which has become a frequent occurrence this year. On Aug. 14, the leading cryptocurrency's price reached $124,457. Even with its volatility, Bitcoin has been one of the most lucrative assets to own for patient investors. It's up 855% during the past five years (as of Aug. 16). I don't expect it to match those results in the future, but I predict that it will be worth $500,000 per coin in 2030. Bitcoin's role in the crypto economy Although many cryptocurrencies are overly complicated, Bitcoin has a relatively straightforward use case as a digital store of value. Investors buy it with the expectation that it will maintain or increase its value better than other assets. This wasn't the original idea behind Bitcoin. The Bitcoin white paper described it as an "electronic cash system" that doesn't require any financial institution or governing body. But hardly anyone uses Bitcoin as a digital currency, even though that was the intention in 2009 when it launched. People who own Bitcoin want to hold on to it, not spend it. Transactions are also slower and more expensive with Bitcoin than with other types of cryptocurrency, so it's not the most efficient way to send money. One reason Bitcoin works as a store of value is because the supply is capped at 21 million coins. There's no way to create more Bitcoin, and that limit has given it a reputation as digital gold. Just like gold's rarity makes it more valuable than more common precious metals, Bitcoin's small maximum supply is an advantage compared to cryptocurrencies with billions of coins available. Bitcoin is also more proven than any other cryptocurrency, having been around the longest and surviving several bear markets. Major institutions are investing in Bitcoin The Bitcoin market used to be almost entirely retail investors. In recent years, more and more institutional investors and corporations have come on board. A key turning point was when the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds ETFs in January 2024. ETF approval gave Bitcoin more legitimacy as a financial asset and opened it up to institutional investors, including hedge funds and investment banks. Institutional investors with no intention of going on a crypto exchange now had the option of buying Bitcoin ETFs instead. Since their SEC approval, Bitcoin ETFs have had inflows of about $55 billion. Publicly traded companies are buying Bitcoin as a strategic asset. Almost 5% of the available Bitcoin supply (close to 1 million coins) is currently in corporate treasuries. To be fair, about two-thirds of that is held by Strategy, the original Bitcoin treasury company. But considering Strategy's success -- its share price is up 2,400% during the past five years, even better than Bitcoin itself has performed -- other companies will likely increase their own Bitcoin holdings, too. The U.S. government also considers Bitcoin a valuable asset. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, storing Bitcoin as a long-term asset. Three states (Arizona, New Hampshire, and Texas) have followed suit by establishing their own Bitcoin reserves. A $500,000 price tag for Bitcoin Bitcoin will need to continue to outperform more traditional investments, such as stocks, to reach $500,000 in five years. That will require annual growth of about 34% and raising its market cap from $2.3 trillion to about $10 trillion. At first, those numbers might seem highly optimistic. Keep in mind that the total market cap for gold is currently about $23 trillion. I'm doubtful Bitcoin will surpass gold in the next five to 10 years, but I think the gap will get much smaller. Institutional investors and corporations have only recently started investing in Bitcoin, and if those investments continue to grow, it could lead to a sizable price appreciation. In addition, the next Bitcoin halving will likely happen around April 2028. A halving is when the block reward for mining Bitcoin is cut in half, and the reduced supply of new coins has driven up the price in the past. Bitcoin is still an unpredictable, high-risk investment. There's always the possibility of the price plummeting during an extended bear market for crypto. It shouldn't be the backbone of your portfolio due to the risk, but a small position is worth considering for the growth potential it offers. Should you invest $1,000 in Bitcoin right now? Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025 Lyle Daly has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: Bitcoin Will Be Worth $500,000 in 5 Years was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time Business News
14 hours ago
- Time Business News
Why Executives Choose Airport Limos Over Uber
Business travelers now want consistency, image, and control. Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service is the trusted choice for executive airport transfers in Toronto. A Business-Class Flight Shouldn't End in a Basic Ride Lisa, a VP of operations for a U.S.-based tech firm, landed at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) after a five-hour flight from Denver. She'd flown business class. Her luggage was tagged priority. Her calendar was packed with investor meetings in Toronto's Financial District. Yet when she opened her Uber app at Terminal 1, she faced: Surge pricing A 13-minute wait A vehicle that didn't match the description A driver who wasn't familiar with downtown Toronto That's when her assistant back home texted: 'From now on, I booked you with Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service. They already have a Cadillac waiting.' Image Matters—Especially in Corporate Travel In business, the arrival is part of the pitch. Whether executives are flying in for a merger, product launch, or board meeting, showing up in a professionally chauffeured black Lincoln or Cadillac creates an immediate impression. Our clients often tell us: 'My investors knew I was serious the moment they saw my ride.' This is why more business travelers now book our limousines with rideshare platforms. Limo Booking Benefits for Executives At Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service, our service is designed around the needs of corporate passengers: Pre-booking with flat rates (no surge surprises) Onboard Wi-Fi (select vehicles) Bottled water, tissues, phone chargers Clean black sedans, SUVs, and luxury Sprinters Name signage and meet & greet at the terminal Flexible stops (hotel, office, event venue) We even allow executive assistants to book rides on behalf of their boss and include all itinerary notes. Ride Consistency = Mental Clarity Executives face enough unpredictability in their day. Your airport ride shouldn't be one of them. When you ride with Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service, you'll never have to: Confirm your pickup location with a confused driver Ask if the car is clean or smells like fast food Explain your business attire isn't a Halloween costume Sit in awkward silence when you're preparing for a meeting You sit down. You plug in your phone. You breathe. And you arrive. Business-Class Vehicles for Business-Class Minds We've curated our fleet with executive needs in mind: Cadillac XTS : Classic full-size business sedan : Classic full-size business sedan Lincoln Continental : Smooth, quiet, refined : Smooth, quiet, refined Chevrolet Suburban : VIP clients or small groups : VIP clients or small groups Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: For executive teams traveling together Every vehicle is: Washed and detailed daily Maintained under fleet service agreements Insured for commercial use Driven by trained chauffeurs with Toronto knowledge Bookings That Align With Business Travel Systems Our online reservation portal syncs perfectly with the modern workflow: Book by desktop, tablet, or mobile Input company name or project code Include internal PO or billing reference Add meeting locations and multi-stop schedules We provide receipts automatically, so your finance team doesn't chase paperwork. Executives Who Trust Us Include: Global bank directors flying in for Bay Street deals Film studio execs attending TIFF red carpets Health tech founders pitching to venture capitalists Politicians attending embassy events C-level guests checking in at The Ritz-Carlton or Shangri-La They don't want basic rides. They want certainty, professionalism, and reputation protection. A Chauffeur Is Not Just a Driver Our executive chauffeurs are: Uniformed Background-checked Experienced with Pearson's terminals Trained to assist with luggage and doors Quiet, respectful, and responsive to cues Whether your client wants small talk or complete silence, our team delivers. A Word from a CEO 'I've used airport limos in New York, London, and Dubai. Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service is world-class. Reliable, discreet, and 100% business-ready.' – J.R., Global Strategy Director, Fortune 100 firm Ready to Elevate Your Business Arrival Toronto Office 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario M5C1C4 Phone: 437-293-5959 Email: admin@ Book an Executive Limo Now Final Word In today's business world, how you show up matters as much as what you say. Toronto Airport Taxi & Limo Service ensures you show up in a way that says, 'We're here to do serious business.' Your time is valuable. So is your brand. Choose a limo service that respects both. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Uranium Stocks Remain Red Hot After Fundamentals Kick In
Over the past couple of years, uranium and nuclear energy markets have enjoyed a renaissance thanks to surging global power demand and the global energy crisis triggered by Russia's war in Ukraine. Last year, uranium prices hit an all-time high, with U.S. production of yellowcake growing more than a dozen-fold to 700,000 pounds as producers looked to leverage high prices. However, uranium is no longer trading on legacy sentiment, with prices moving more on fundamentals characterized by tight physical supply, underbuilt production pipelines, and a policy-driven nuclear revival that's accelerating faster than commodity markets anticipated. The uranium market is experiencing a structural supply deficit, creating potential challenges for nuclear operators. Unlike many commodities, uranium trading usually involves small volumes with specialized participants, making the nuclear fuel susceptible to significant uranium market volatility. Meanwhile, governments across the globe are repositioning nuclear as critical infrastructure rather than transitional tech. These developments have forced uranium equities to re-rate sharply, with investors now recalibrating exposure to a sector long dismissed as too volatile, too political, or having an uncertain future. While uranium and nuclear stocks have pulled back from recent highs, the sector remains red-hot: the sector's popular benchmark, VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NYSEARCA:NLR) has returned 42.3% YTD, nearly triple the 14.3% gain by usually high-flying Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLK), -0.12% by the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLE) and 9.7% by the S&P and nuclear stocks have easily outpaced the market : shares of advanced fission power plant developer, Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO), have rocketed +234.7% in the year-to-date; Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) +175.4%, Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU) +98.4%, NuScale Power Corp. (NYSE:SMR) +97.8%, Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) +60.4%, BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT) +53.7%, Cameco Corp. (NYSE:CCJ) +47.1%, Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) +43.1% and NANO Nuclear Energy (NASDAQ:NNE) +35.9%. However, NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE), an exploration and development stage company, has lagged, returning just +3.3% YTD. Shares of California-based Oklo have been on a tear, gaining 857% over the past 52 weeks after the company announced a flurry of data center deals. Last month, Oklo unveiled a partnership with Liberty Energy (NYSE:LBRT) wherein they will develop an integrated power solution for data center applications, incorporating Oklo's Aurora powerhouse with Liberty's natural gas generation. The power plan will start with Liberty's natural gas systems delivering quick energy. before shifting to Oklo's clean nuclear generation over the long-term. Around the same time, Oklo announced a partnership with Vertiv (NYSE:VRT) that will see them join forces to revolutionize data center operations. 'This agreement is about delivering clean power, energy-efficient cooling, and infrastructure solutions purpose-built for AI factories, data centers, and high-density computers,' said Oklo CEO and co-founder Jacob DeWitte. Last week, Oklo revealed that it was selected for three of the U.S. Department of Energy's reactor pilot projects, part of the DoE's initiative to modernize and streamline nuclear licensing. However, Oklo shares have been pulling back after the company reported a second quarter loss. The company reported zero sales revenues and net loss of $28M, or $0.18/share, compared to a loss of $27.3M, or $0.27/share in Q2 2024. The company finished the quarter with cash and equivalents of $226.8M as well as $456.2M in marketable securities. Dan Ives of Wedbush OKLO price target to $80 from $75, saying the company stands to benefit under pro-nuclear policies under Trump. In contrast, Bank of America has downgraded Centrus' shares to Neutral from Buy but raised its price target to $285 from $210, citing valuation concerns after the huge runup. Centrus reported second quarter revenue of $154.5M (-18.3% Y/Y), beating the Wall Street consensus by $23.9M while Q2 GAAP EPS of $1.59 beat by $0.78. However, gross margin saw a big improvement, up to 35% from 19% in Q2 2024, reflecting a favorable shift in contractual mix as well a greater focus on operational efficiency. Centrus achieved the 900-kilogram production milestone of HALEU for Phase 2, and confirmed a contract extension with the DOE through June 2026. HALEU, or High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium, is a type of nuclear fuel enriched to between 5% and 20% Uranium-235. This is a higher concentration than the low-enriched uranium (LEU) used in most current reactors (3-5%), but lower than the highly enriched uranium (HEU) used in naval reactors and weapons. HALEU is crucial for the development of advanced nuclear reactors, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, due to its potential for increased efficiency, smaller reactor designs, and longer refueling intervals. By Alex Kimani for More Top Reads From this article on
