The Human Side of AI: Creating Belonging, Control, and Growth at Work with Tushar Pandit

Curious how AI, change, and company culture intersect—and what the “future of work” really looks like? In this episode, Dr. Bobbi Wegner talks to Tushar Pandit, Chief People Officer at SPINS, about how leaders can help teams embrace transformation, tackle resistance, and actually have fun along the way.

Tushar Pandit is the Chief People Officer at SPINS, a leading provider of retail consumer insights, analytics, and consulting for the natural, organic, and specialty product industry. With over 25 years of experience spanning tech-enabled startups and multinational corporations, Tushar is known for his business-led, insights-driven approach to people strategy and sustainable growth. He brings a global perspective to human capital leadership, emphasizing the integration of technology, empathy, and organizational culture. A certified executive coach and MBA graduate of Ivey Business School, Tushar is passionate about helping organizations navigate change, embrace innovation, and create environments where people and businesses thrive.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Change is Emotional: People resist change due to fear and loss of control, so empathy and open conversation are essential.
• The Future is Now: Rapid advances in technology, especially AI, are already reshaping work—this isn’t a distant future.
• Meet People Where They Are: Transformation succeeds when leaders engage individuals at their own pace, rather than forcing change.
• Make It Relevant and Fun: Using practical, relatable examples—like avatar clinics—helps demystify technology and encourages adoption.
• Set Clear Boundaries: Support learning and innovation with clear guidelines around privacy and data, and foster collaboration across teams.

Todays guest, Tushar Pandit, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.spins.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tusharpandit/

Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:

Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/

Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/