UX Fika Podcast #18: Paulina Modlitba on the Human Side of AI, How AI Raises The Bar, And Emotional Responses To Tech
In this episode I sit down with Paulina Modlitba, AI strategist, angel investor, author of 'Vad fan ska vi med AI till?' (“What the hell do we need AI for?”), and one of Sweden’s leading voices on technology and innovation.
We talk about how AI makes us feel and why Paulina believes it’s ultimately a deeply human topic. She shares her journey from studying human–robot interaction at MIT Media Lab to writing a practical guide that makes AI accessible for everyone, and why she sees it less as a threat and more as a partner for creativity and growth.
We dive into how AI can help us see new patterns, find meaning in data, and free up time for the work that matters, but also why we need boundaries, better guardrails, and new measures of success that go beyond productivity. Paulina also shares stories from her book, from municipalities using AI, to a man who built a “mom bot” that unexpectedly became therapy.
We also explore why most companies are still failing to get value from AI, the need for collaboration between technology and people, the role of AI in organisations, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly automated world.
It’s a lively, thought-provoking conversation about curiosity, complexity, and why the real challenge isn’t making AI smarter — it’s helping humans use it wisely. Plus the Stockholm café where most of her book was written.
Plus:
☕️ Why decaf coffee and a cinnamon roll is her go to fika,
⭐ Why when AI gets smarter, humans has to get wiser
What we cover:
02:20 Introduction to AI and Its Human Impact
04:01 The Book: What the Hell Do We Need AI For?
06:44 Paulina's Background and Journey in Tech
12:51 The Role of AI in Organizations
18:34 AI's Potential for Human Enhancement
24:31 Generative AI: A Tool for Creativity
30:24 Boundaries and Ethics in AI Usage
36:30 AI in Education and Its Future
42:28 The Human Element in AI Interactions
48:28 The Balance of AI in Daily Life
54:23 The Future of Work and AI Integration
01:00:09 Final Thoughts and Life Advice
Where you'll find Paulina:
Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika: