Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

If AI is becoming a “playground” for experimentation, are today’s organizations bold enough to explore it or are they still too afraid to try?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we are joined by Kenneth Cukier, Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist and bestselling author.Kenneth Cukier is the Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist. He is the author of several books on technology and society, notably “Framers” on the power of mental models and the limitations of AI, with Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Francis de Vericourt, as well as “Big Data: A Revolution That Transforms How We Live, Work and Think” with Viktor. It was a NYT bestseller translated into over 20 languages, and sold over two million copies worldwide. It won the National Library of China’s Wenjin Book Award and was a finalist for the FT Business Book of the Year. Kenn also coauthored a follow-on book, “Learning with Big Data: The Future of Education”. He has been a frequent commentator on CBS, CNN, NPR, the BBC and was a member of the World Economic Forum’s global council on data-driven development.Kenneth has spent decades at the intersection of AI, journalism, business strategy, and global policy. In this conversation, he sits down with Geoff to share candid insights on how AI is reshaping organizations, leadership, economics, and the future of work. He breaks down the real state of AI, what’s hype, what’s real, and what it means for workers, leaders, and companies. Kenneth explains how AI is shifting from automating tasks to expanding the frontier of knowledge, why today’s multi-trillion-dollar AI investment wave is both overhyped and underhyped, and how everything from healthcare to management is poised to transform. This episode explores why most companies should treat AI as a “playground” for experimentation, how The Economist is using generative AI behind the scenes, the human skills needed to stay competitive, and why great leadership now requires enabling curiosity, psychological safety, and responsible innovation. Kenneth also unpacks the growing “AI-lash,” the limits of GDP as a measure of progress, and why the organizations that learn fastest, not the ones that simply know the most, will win the future.In this episode:00:00 Intro05:00 AI Today: Overhyped, underhyped, or both?10:00 From Big Data to LLMs: How we got here15:00 The $3 trillion AI wave: What it really signals20:00 Automation vs. knowledge expansion25:00 Inside The Economist: How they actually use Generative AI30:00 Why “more content” isn’t a strategy35:00 Leadership in the age of AI: Curiosity, judgment, culture40:00 The skills humans must keep and why they matter more now45:00 The rise of the “AI-lash” and public skepticism50:00 GDP, progress, and what we’re measuring wrong55:00 Why the fastest learners win the future1:01:00 What can this technology really do?Connect with Kenneth:Connect with Kenneth:Website: http://www.cukier.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-cukier-9ab56335/X: https://x.com/kncukierVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of work really look like when AI, identity, and culture collide?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon, Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work.Anne-Marie is a leading voice in the tech world, known for her work as a trustee at the Institute for the Future of Work and as the temporary Arithmetician on Channel 4’s Countdown. A former child prodigy who passed A-level computing at 11 and earned a Master’s in Maths and Computer Science from Oxford by 20, she has since spoken globally for companies including Facebook, Amazon, Google and Mastercard. She hosts the acclaimed Women Tech Charge podcast and is a sought-after presenter who has interviewed figures such as Jack Dorsey and Sir Lewis Hamilton. Anne-Marie has received multiple Honorary Doctorates, serves on several national boards, and continues to champion diversity and innovation in tech. Her latest book, She’s In CTRL, was published in 2022.Dr. Anne-Marie joins Geoff to break down how AI, big data, quantum, and the wider “Fourth Industrial Revolution” are transforming jobs, workplaces, identity, culture, and society. From redefining long-held beliefs about “jobs for life,” to the cultural fractures emerging between companies, workers, and society, Dr. Anne-Marie goes deep on what’s changing, what still isn’t understood, and what leaders must do right now to avoid being left behind. This conversation dives into why most AI use cases are still limited to fraud detection and customer service, and the hidden cultural blockers preventing real transformation. She emphasizes the danger of hype cycles, and how to stay focused on real value and how to build organizations that can experiment, learn, and make “high-quality mistakes.”In this episode:00:00 Intro00:31 The Future of Work: What’s changing now02:32 Generational identity, legacy jobs & why work is no longer “for life”04:36 Work identity crisis & fragmentation of modern careers07:45 Rethinking digital transformation & the fourth industrial revolution11:36 Why the institute avoids the AI hype & looks beyond it13:39 AI Hype vs. reality17:50 High-quality mistakes21:06 Tech design failures23:18 Culture, customers & building organizations that reflect the real world29:04 Destroying the “Einstein Myth” & rewriting who tech is for39:37 First-principles thinking50:34 Norms, unintended consequences & system-level change55:32 When will the dust settle? ai timelines, disruption & what’s next57:28 Closing thoughtsConnect with Dr. Ann-Marie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimafidon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notyouraverageami/Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

When intelligence becomes abundant, what happens to humanity’s purpose?Andy Mills, the co-founder of The New York Times’ The Daily and creator of The Last Invention, joins us on this episode of Digital Disruption.Andy is a reporter, editor, podcast producer, and co-founder of Longview. His most recent series, The Last Invention, explores the AI revolution, from Alan Turing’s early ideas to today’s fierce debates between accelerationists, doomers, and those focused on building the technology safely. Before that, he co-created The Daily at The New York Times and produced acclaimed documentary series including Rabbit Hole, Caliphate, and The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. A former fundamentalist Christian from Louisiana and Illinois, Andy now champions curiosity, skepticism, and the transformative power of listening to people with different perspectives, values that shape his award-winning journalism across politics, terrorism, culture wars, technology, and science. Andy sits down with Geoff to break down the real debate shaping the future of AI. From the “doomers” warning of existential risk to the accelerationists racing toward AGI, Andy maps out the three major AI camps influencing policy, economics, and the future of human intelligence. This conversation explores why some researchers fear AGI, why others believe it will save humanity, how job loss and automation could reshape society, and why 2025 is becoming an “AI 101 moment” for the public. Andy also shares what he’s learned after years investigating OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and the people behind the AGI race. If you want clarity on AGI, existential risk, the future of work, and what it all means for humanity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. In this episode:00:00 Intro01:00 The three camps of AI: doom, acceleration, scouts05:00 Why skeptics aren’t driving the AI debate07:00 Job loss, productivity & “good” vs. “bad” disruption09:00 Existential risk & why scientists are sounding alarms12:00 The origins of doomers and accelerationists17:00 How AI debates escalated after ChatGPT22:00 Why 2025 is an AI “101 moment” for the public24:00 The tech stack wars: OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI28:00 Why leaders joined the AI race30:00 The accelerationist mindset33:00 Contrarians, symbolists & the forgotten history of AI39:00 Big Tech, branding & why AI CEOs avoid open conflict42:00 The closed group chats of AI’s elite builders46:00 Sci-Fi narratives vs. real-world intelligence risks52:00 The AI bubble & why adoption is unlike any tech before01:00:00 Are we entering a wright-brothers-to-moon-landing era?01:10:00 What AGI means for capitalism, work & purpose01:18:00 Why public debate needs to start now01:20:00 What happens nextConnect with Andy:Website: https://www.andymills.work/aboutVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we chasing the wrong goal with Artificial General Intelligence, and missing the breakthroughs that matter nowOn this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by former research director at Google and AI legend, Peter Norvig.Peter is an American computer scientist and a Distinguished Education Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). He is also a researcher at Google, where he previously served as Director of Research and led the company’s core search algorithms group. Before joining Google, Norvig headed NASA Ames Research Center’s Computational Sciences Division, where he served as NASA’s senior computer scientist and received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Award in 2001.He is best known as the co-author, alongside Stuart J. Russell, of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach — the world’s most widely used textbook in the field of artificial intelligence.Peter sits down with Geoff to separate facts from fiction about where AI is really headed. He explains why the hype around Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) misses the point, how today’s models are already “general,” and what truly matters most: making AI safer, more reliable, and human-centered. He discusses the rapid evolution of generative models, the risks of misinformation, AI safety, open-source regulation, and the balance between democratizing AI and containing powerful systems. This conversation explores the impact of AI on jobs, education, cybersecurity, and global inequality, and how organizations can adapt, not by chasing hype, but by aligning AI to business and societal goals. If you want to understand where AI actually stands, beyond the headlines, this is the conversation you need to hear. In this episode:00:00 Intro01:00 How AI evolved since Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach03:00 Is AGI already here? Norvig’s take on general intelligence06:00 The surprising progress in large language models08:00 Evolution vs. revolution10:00 Making AI safer and more reliable12:00 Lessons from social media and unintended consequences15:00 The real AI risks: misinformation and misuse18:00 Inside Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute20:00 Regulation, policy, and the role of government22:00 Why AI may need an Underwriters Laboratory moment24:00 Will there be one “winner” in the AI race?26:00 The open-source dilemma: freedom vs. safety28:00 Can AI improve cybersecurity more than it harms it?30:00 “Teach Yourself Programming in 10 Years” in the AI age33:00 The speed paradox: learning vs. automation36:00 How AI might (finally) change productivity38:00 Global economics, China, and leapfrog technologies42:00 The job market: faster disruption and inequality45:00 The social safety net and future of full-time work48:00 Winners, losers, and redistributing value in the AI era50:00 How CEOs should really approach AI strategy52:00 Why hiring a “PhD in AI” isn’t the answer54:00 The democratization of AI for small businesses56:00 The future of IT and enterprise functions57:00 Advice for staying relevant as a technologist59:00 A realistic optimism for AI’s futureConnect with Peter:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pnorvig/Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

In this engaging conversation, Cassie Kozyrkov, former Chief Decision Scientist at Google and founder of Kozyr, dives into the pitfalls of the 'AI-first' mentality. She challenges the 95% failure rate in achieving AI ROI, emphasizing that success hinges on leadership and mindset rather than just technology. Cassie discusses the necessity of fostering a culture that embraces experimentation, the concept of 'AI infrastructure debt,' and the importance of nurturing human involvement in AI systems. Get ready for an insightful take on the real drivers of AI transformation!

Why is adaptability the real superpower for leaders in the digital age?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Erik Qualman, a digital leadership expert, best-selling author, and motivational speaker.Erik is a 5x #1 Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker who has inspired audiences in over 55 countries and reached 50 million people. Voted the #2 Most Likeable Author in the World behind J.K. Rowling, his work Socialnomics has been featured on 60 Minutes, in The Wall Street Journal, and used by organizations from the National Guard to NASA. A professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University, Qualman’s research and courses are studied at 500+ universities worldwide. Through his animation studio, he has partnered with brands like Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier. A former MIT and Harvard edX professor and honorary doctorate recipient, Qualman is also the creator of the bestselling board game Kittycorn.Erik joins Geoff Nielson to break down what it really means to be AI-ready. He reveals why the leaders who know how to leverage AI and adapt fast will replace those who don’t. He explains why AI is overhyped in the short term but underhyped in the long term, and how the most successful leaders of the next decade will blend Flintstones-level human connection with Jetsons-era innovation. Erik explains why adaptability and emotional intelligence (EQ) are the new competitive edge in the age of artificial intelligence. This conversation explores how AI can remove friction, save time, and ironically help us become more human, while also exploring the guardrails needed for responsible tech adoption. Erik also shares lessons from advising some of the world’s top brands including Facebook, Disney, and Sony and explains why the future favors those who fail fast, fail forward, and fail better.In this video:00:00 Intro02:00 The “Flintstones First” approach to digital leadership04:40 How AI helps us become more human06:15 Winners, losers, and adaptability in the AI era08:30 Emotional intelligence and leadership in a tech-driven world11:00 The need for guardrails in AI and social media13:00 Teaching AI and digital leadership at Northwestern15:00 How technology is transforming the classroom17:45 The 70/30 rule: what changes vs. what never will19:00 Core advice for leaders and digital innovators21:30 Avoiding hype: testing new tech like AI and Clubhouse23:00 Lessons from Montblanc and the origins of “Digital Leadership”25:00 The Disney+ story: digital transformation done right27:00 Building a culture of “fail fast, fail forward, fail better”30:00 Balancing the Flintstones and the JetsonsConnect with Erik:Website: https://equalman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/X: https://x.com/equalmanYouTube: @equalmanVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Could AI’s biggest impact be economic, not technological?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of EZPR and host of Better Offline podcast, Ed Zitron.Ed is a technology writer, public relations expert, and podcaster known for his critical takes on the tech industry and its biggest players. His work has appeared in leading outlets including The Atlantic, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. He is the author of the popular newsletter Where’s Your Ed At, launched in 2020, where he explores the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Ed also hosts the Better Offline podcast, delving into the realities of the tech industry and the ripple effects of the AI boom. With his candid insights and thoughtful commentary, Ed has become a trusted voice and sought-after speaker within the tech community. One of the most outspoken critics of the AI boom, Ed Zitron joins Geoff to cut through the noise and talk about the truth behind generative AI. Ed breaks down why he believes AI “doesn’t work,” what’s really driving the trillion-dollar hype, and why big tech, media, and investors may be steering straight into the next Enron moment. This conversation unpacks why large language models fall short, how Microsoft’s AI Copilot has failed to deliver, and how corporate opportunism and investor “vibes” are fueling one of the biggest speculative bubbles in tech history. They also explore the “Enron-like” risks in the AI hardware race, the potential fallout for retail investors and startups, and tackle one of tech’s most misunderstood narratives, the myth of AI-driven job loss, revealing who’s really being replaced. In this episode:00:00 Intro00:36 “AI doesn’t work”02:05 The limits of LLMs 04:33 Microsoft Copilot and the illusion of productivity07:05 The AI job myth: Who’s really being replaced?10:00 CEOs, opportunism, and the false narrative of AI efficiency12:00 The Salesforce example: Lies, hype, and failure to deliver14:00 What AI can actually do 18:00 The trust problem19:45 Media complacency and tech industry collusion22:00 Microsoft, Nvidia, and false growth25:00 The Enron parallels28:30 Why investors are rewarding bad behavior31:00 Who gets hurt when the AI bubble bursts? 35:00 Unsustainable startups and rising model costs38:00 The coming collapse of AI infrastructure40:00 What business leaders should do now to avoid being burned44:30 The harsh truth about ChatGPT49:00 What real innovation looks like: Batteries, EVs, AR, and more54:00 The future of work beyond AI hypeConnect with Ed:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edzitron/X: https://x.com/edzitronInstagram: instagram.com/edzitronVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Dr. Ben Goertzel, a leading mind in artificial intelligence and founder of SingularityNET, dives deep into the accelerating progress toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He discusses the implications of corporate incentives in AI innovation, contrasting Big Tech's focus with the potential of decentralized networks. Ben explores the timeline for AGI, the role of large language models, and the risks of unequal job displacement. He also envisions optimistic futures post-AGI and stresses the importance of ethical considerations in AI development.

How are AI and automation shaping both the attack and defense sides of cybersecurity?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt.Troy Hunt is an Australian security researcher and the founder of the data breach notification service, Have I Been Pwned. With a background in software development specializing in information security, Troy is a regular conference speaker and trainer. He frequently appears in the media, collaborates with government and law enforcement agencies, and has appeared before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness on the impact of data breaches. Troy also serves as a Microsoft Regional Director (an honorary title) and regularly blogs at troyhunt.com from his home on Australia’s Gold Coast.Troy sits down with Geoff to share eye-opening insights on the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and beyond. Despite the rise of AI and automation, Troy emphasizes that many of today’s most damaging data breaches and ransomware attacks still stem from basic human error and social engineering. He explains how ransomware has shifted from encrypting files to threatening data disclosure, making it harder for organizations to manage risk and justify ransom payments. The conversation also touches on how breach fatigue and apathy have led many individuals and businesses to underestimate cybersecurity risks, even as incidents rise globally. He also highlights how AI tools are being weaponized by both defenders and attackers and argues that cybersecurity isn’t about perfect protection but about finding equilibrium: balancing usability, education, and risk mitigation.In this episode: 00:00 Intro01:15 Why human weakness beats AI02:00 Young hackers and the rise of scattered spider04:00 From hacktivists to career criminals05:00 Ransomware’s new tactics07:30 Should companies pay the ransom? 10:20 Can you ever be fully protected? Defense vs. response11:20 How to convince boards cybersecurity is worth the money14:20 Breach fatigue and public apathy18:00 Reframing what ‘sensitive data’ really means20:00 Passwords, reuse, and the real risk equation24:00 Biometrics, face ID & the future of authentication26:30 Threat Modeling 10127:30 Barriers to cyber preparedness29:30 How Have I Been Pwned works 32:00 The Future of Data Breaches38:00 Microsoft’s Role in the Security Ecosystem40:30 AI Hype vs. reality in cybersecurity43:00 When AI helps hackers 52:00 Why transparency still matters after every breach54:00 Accepting risk, building resilienceConnect with Troy:Website: https://www.troyhunt.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhunt/X: https://x.com/troyhuntVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of digital experiences look like when AI, accessibility, and entrepreneurship collide?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by serial tech entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Joe Devon.As Chair of the GAAD Foundation, Joe strives to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development by embedding accessibility as a core requirement. Inspired by his 2011 blog post highlighting the need for mainstream accessibility knowledge among developers, GAAD has grown into an annual event observed on the third Thursday of May, promoting digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. He also co-hosts the Accessibility and Gen.AI Podcast, exploring the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence.Joe sits down with Geoff to explore how AI startups are reshaping the digital landscape, from code accessibility to the rise of small business innovation. He shares the story of how one blog post led to a global accessibility movement, why AI-driven tools could either democratize or centralize technology, and how the entrepreneurial spirit will define the next decade. From robotics fused with large language models to AI coding assistants generating billions of lines of code, this conversation dives into the challenges, risks, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and digital leaders navigating this transformation.In this episode:00:00 Intro00:23 The “ChatGPT moment” for robotics01:23 The mission behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day02:29 How AI shifts the accessibility conversation03:08 Why accessibility matters for everyone06:17 Usability and empathy in digital product design12:28 How AI can unlock inclusion and personalization14:45 Aphantasia, hyperphantasia & diverse human abilities17:34 AI and the future of sign language translation19:23 How to work with disability communities23:59 Advice for leaders getting started with inclusive design25:13 AI coding tools revolutionizing software development29:27 Can AI accessibility become the new standard?30:06 How GAAD became a global movement35:24 Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5 in an AI-powered economy45:07 Lessons from the early internet and RSS’s decline47:04 The debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI)50:26 Joe’s father’s influence and the accessibility journey52:34 From a blog post to real change in banking57:13 The rise of AI influencers vs. the value of real humans58:36 Advice for those unsure about entrepreneurshipConnect with Joe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedevon/X: https://x.com/joedevonVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG