The Thoughtful Entrepreneur 2167 - Reconnecting with the Physical World in a Digital Age with Boomi's Steve Lucas
Digital Impact and the Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation: Insights from Steve Lucas
In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge sits down with Steve Lucas, CEO of Boomi and author of Digital Impact: The Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation. Steve shares his deep insights into the intersection of technology and humanity, emphasizing how leaders can navigate AI-driven transformation while keeping the human element at the center. This conversation offers practical guidance for business leaders who want to embrace AI, simplify complexity, and create meaningful change in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Reconnecting with the Human Element in a Technology-Driven World
The conversation opens on a personal note as Steve describes his love for cars, particularly his project of restoring a 2001 Acura Integra with his son. This hands-on project, alongside his passion for gardening, illustrates Steve’s belief in reconnecting with tangible, real-world experiences—especially in a time when technology can sometimes feel overwhelming. For Steve, working on cars or nurturing a garden isn’t just a hobby; it's a way to stay grounded, strengthen family bonds, and maintain mental health amid the nonstop pace of digital life.
This theme of balancing technology with humanity is central to Steve’s new book, Digital Impact. He stresses that digital transformation should simplify life, not make it more complicated. Too often, the promise of productivity from new tools leads to frustration instead. Organizations must address digital fragmentation—where too many disconnected apps and systems make it harder to work effectively. Steve advocates for a human-first approach, where technology genuinely serves people, not the other way around.
Steve also shares real-world examples that reinforce this idea, from the Australian Red Cross scaling critical services during a crisis, to connected technologies improving diabetes care. These stories illustrate how thoughtful integration and responsible use of AI can produce transformative, life-saving outcomes. Leaders who invest in robust infrastructure and prioritize the human experience in AI adoption will not only future-proof their organizations but also create lasting, positive impact in their communities.
About Steve Lucas
Steve Lucas is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise software leadership. As the CEO of Boomi, he drives the company’s mission to connect the world through innovative technology. Prior to Boomi, Steve served as CEO of Marketo and iCIMS, and held senior executive roles at Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, and BusinessObjects. His leadership experience spans sales, marketing, and product innovation. Beyond his professional achievements, Steve is a passionate advocate for Type 1 diabetes research and serves on the boards of the American Diabetes Association and the Children’s Diabetes Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Colorado and is a published author.
About Digital Impact: The Human Element of AI-Driven Transformation
Published by Wiley, Digital Impact provides a clear, actionable roadmap for business leaders navigating AI-driven transformation. Drawing from real-world examples and interviews with business luminaries, Steve Lucas demonstrates how integration and automation can break down silos, simplify complexity, and create meaningful change. The book underscores the urgent need to address digital fragmentation and puts the human element at the heart of AI innovation.
About Boomi
Boomi is a leading global software company specializing in intelligent integration and automation. Boomi’s low-code, cloud-native platform enables organizations to connect data, applications, and people quickly and easily across hybrid digital environments. With over 20,000 global customers, Boomi helps businesses break down technology silos, streamline workflows, and accelerate digital transformation. Focused on making the world a better place by connecting everyone to everything, Boomi empowers companies to innovate faster, reduce costs, and deliver better experiences to customers and employees alike.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Key Episode Highlights:
- Hands-On Connection in a Digital World: Steve’s personal passion for restoring cars underscores the importance of maintaining tangible, human experiences amid technological advances.
- The Trap of Digital Fragmentation: Many organizations suffer from productivity loss due to disconnected systems—Steve explains how integration can solve this problem.
- Human-Centered AI Adoption: Technology must be implemented thoughtfully to empower and uplift human potential.
- Inspiring Real-World Examples: From disaster relief to healthcare improvements, Steve shares how connected technology is already changing lives.
- Future of AI and Work: Steve forecasts that AI agents will soon work alongside every employee, enhancing productivity if supported by the right infrastructure.
Conclusion
In this enlightening episode, Steve Lucas offers a practical and hopeful vision for the future of AI and digital transformation. Leaders who embrace integration, invest in infrastructure, and prioritize human outcomes will be the ones who thrive. Digital Impact serves as both a blueprint and an inspiration for organizations ready to harness technology responsibly and meaningfully. As AI becomes ever more integrated into daily work, Steve’s advice reminds us that the human element must never be an afterthought—it must be the foundation.
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