Dr. Zohar Bronfman, Co-founder and CEO of Pecan AI, shares insights from his journey bridging academia and entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of leveraging predictive analytics in business and contrasts human intelligence with artificial neural networks, emphasizing AI's limitations. Dr. Bronfman argues for focusing AI development on enhancing human productivity rather than replication and highlights the ethical responsibilities of AI technologists in creating regulatory frameworks to prevent misuse. Curiosity and continuous learning emerge as key themes in driving innovation.

Dr. Seth Dobrin, CEO of Qantm AI, is a leading authority in the AI business world. He was IBM’s first-ever Global Chief AI Officer and is known for his human-centered approach to AI in corporate strategy, culture, and talent. With a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University, Dr. Dobrin's early work focused on developing algorithms for large-scale genetic data analysis, later transitioning to business solutions at companies like Monsanto and IBM. He now leads Qantm AI and is a key investor in responsible AI ventures.In this conversation, we discuss:The role of responsible AI in corporate culture and how it impacts business strategies.Dr. Dobrin’s transition from molecular biology to AI and its applications in genetics and business.Insights into the future of AI regulations, including the challenges companies face in complying with emerging laws like the EU AI Act.The potential of AI to transform the workforce, creating both new job opportunities and eliminating existing ones.The ethical concerns surrounding AI, including attribution, bias, and technological colonialism.How conversational interfaces and AI-driven technologies will change the way we interact with the digital world in the next decade.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Dr. Seth DobrinAI fun fact articleOn the Future of Organizations and the Science of Team Performance 

Alex Tsakiris, founder and host of the Skeptiko podcast, examines the intersection of science and spirituality. He discusses the transformative journey from AI entrepreneurship to exploring consciousness. The conversation challenges the boundaries of traditional scientific paradigms, influenced by Turing’s work. Tsakiris questions AI dogma, emphasizing the importance of transparency in ethics. He advocates for a human-centered approach in AI applications, particularly in HR, to enhance well-being and foster meaningful dialogues about technology's impact.

Commissioner Keith Sonderling was confirmed by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2020. Prior to this role, he served as the Acting and Deputy Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the U.S. Department of Labor. Before joining the Department of Labor in 2017, Commissioner Sonderling practiced labor and employment law in Florida. He currently lectures on employment discrimination at George Washington University Law School. At the EEOC, he prioritizes ensuring that AI and workplace technologies align with civil rights laws, and he has published extensively on the benefits and risks associated with AI in the workplace.In this conversation, we discuss:Commissioner Keith Sonderling's perspective on how AI is transforming HR and the role of the EEOC in regulating AI technologies in the workplace.The potential benefits of AI in reducing bias during employment decisions and its alignment with civil rights laws.Challenges in ensuring AI algorithms are designed and used properly to prevent discrimination in hiring and other HR processes.The importance of transparency and consent when using AI in hiring and promotion processes, including the emerging state and federal regulations addressing these issues.The role of employers in mitigating risks associated with AI by implementing self-regulation and bias audits before deployment.The complexities of holding different parties accountable for biased AI decisions, and why employers remain legally responsible for employment outcomes.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with KeithAI fun fact articleEliminating bias in hiring: AI and the Future of Work with Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer at CheckrKeith Sonderling’s Paper “Filling the Void: Artificial Intelligence And Private Initiatives” 

Dan Helfrich, the Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting, leads over 80,000 professionals and shares insights on enterprise transformation. He discusses Deloitte's innovative work with the International Olympic Committee, emphasizing the need for agile leadership. Helfrich reveals findings from a global survey on AI, highlighting the gap between intentions and results alongside trust and data privacy challenges. He offers a forward-looking view on AI's role in enhancing productivity while addressing the critical need for transparency and inclusivity in organizational practices.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Beane, a professor and author known for his work on human-machine collaboration, shares his unconventional journey from dishwasher to MIT researcher. He highlights how technology has transformed skill acquisition in the workplace. Matt introduces 'The Skill Code', emphasizing the importance of Challenge, Complexity, and Connection for developing reliable skills. The conversation also addresses the need for reskilling in the face of automation and examines the ethical implications of AI in shaping the future of work.

Dave Smoley recently received a well-earned Lifetime Achievement Award (and signed Billy Idol guitar) from Workday co-founder Aneel Bhusri to recognize his 30 years of technology leadership.This week, we discussed his journey from basement to boardroom as a leader at companies like Apple, AstraZeneca, GE, Honeywell, and Flex. Dave shares unique insights about the impact of technology on the workplace and the evolving role of the CIO. Currently, he invests in and advises early-stage tech companies, leveraging his extensive expertise. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Clemson University and an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Thanks to friends of the podcast (and PeopleReign investors) Thomas and Jason from Acadian Ventures for the introduction. In this conversation, we discuss:Dave's early fascination with computers and how it influenced his interest in computer science.His experience transitioning from programming at a bank to pursuing an MBA and the lessons learned along the way.The pivotal moment at GE that rekindled his passion for technology, leading him to combine tech with business roles.His insights on the cultural differences between GE and Apple, particularly in leadership styles and organizational structures.The role of teamwork and specialized skills in today’s tech-driven industries, especially in the context of cloud computing and AI.His current ventures as an investor and advisor, including his work with companies like PeopleReign.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with DaveAI fun fact articleOn using gen AI to get ahead in your career

Chris Caren, CEO of Turnitin since 2009, has played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a plagiarism prevention tool to a comprehensive education technology platform that promotes academic integrity, streamlines grading, and enhances educational outcomes. Under his leadership, Turnitin was acquired by Advanced Publications in 2019 for $1.75 billion. Prior to Turnitin, Chris was General Manager of Business Solutions at Microsoft. He holds an MBA with distinction from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a BS in Engineering from Stanford and regularly contributes to CNBC and other media outlets. In this conversation, we discuss:How a childhood introduction to computers and a background in science set the stage for a career in software.The journey from Microsoft to Turnitin and the decision to focus on meaningful industries like education.Insights into leadership, including the importance of team cultural fit and the power of delegation.Navigating the challenges of taking over from company founders while maintaining and respecting the company culture.How AI is transforming the educational landscape and Turnitin's evolving role in addressing student misconduct with AI tools.The complex relationship between higher education and AI, balancing the need for students to learn writing and critical thinking with the demand for AI literacy in the workforce.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with ChrisAI fun fact articleOn finding work you love

Vijay is the co-founder and CEO of Pindrop, a leader in voice security technology. With a background in engineering and research roles at Google, Siemens, IBM Research, and Intel, Vijay invented phone printing technology in 2010 and launched Pindrop in 2011. Under his leadership, Pindrop has raised over $200 million from investors, including JC2 Ventures, led by by Cisco's John Chambers. Holding multiple patents in VoIP security and scalability, Vijay frequently speaks at major conferences such as RSA, Black Hat, and CCS. He earned his PhD in computer science from Georgia Tech.In this conversation, we discuss:The evolution of voice technology from landline telephony to modern voice systems.The challenges of educating people about voice security and deepfake threats in the early 2010s.How the rise of Alexa and other voice assistants transformed public perception of voice technology.The rapid development of voice cloning tools and their implications for security.The role of deepfakes in political interference, including high-profile cases President Biden.How companies like Pindrop are using AI to detect and combat voice-related deepfake attacks in real-time.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Vijay AI fun fact articleHow AI is reinventing networking with Cisco's Dr. JP Vasseur

William Osman is a prominent tech creator and inventive mayhem conjurer on YouTube, with over 3 million followers and nearly 200 videos that have collectively amassed over half a billion views.As the mastermind behind Open Sauce, a major creator community event that drew over 20,000 attendees, 500 exhibitors, and 150 celebrity creators, William has significantly impacted the tech and creator landscape. His engaging content, known for its bold experiments and Francis Ford Coppola-like editing, includes fan favorites such as "How Many Parts Can You Take Off a Car?" and "Can a Rented Raccoon Simulate Fatherhood?" William is also the cohost of the Safety Third podcast, with over a hundred episodes. He holds a BS in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Cal State Northridge. We’re thrilled to have him on AI and the Future of Work to discuss his unique journey and insights.Topics in this episode --Exploring Early YouTube: In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of YouTube and content creation from its early days, reflecting on how the tools and community have changed over the years.From Engineering to Entertainment: We delve into the guest's journey from making simple, personal videos to integrating engineering with entertainment, and how this unique blend led to their success on YouTube.Challenges of Early Content Creation: The guest shares insights on the early challenges of making videos, including the limited tools available in 2008 and the lack of a robust creator community.The Role of Storytelling in Videos: We discuss the shift from focusing solely on technical aspects of video production to emphasizing storytelling, and how this transition impacted the guest’s content and audience engagement.The Impact of Open Sauce: The guest reflects on the vision behind Open Sauce, an event celebrating nerd culture and the maker community, and how it represents a sociological shift in connecting like-minded individuals.Creative Process Insights: We dive into the guest's creative process, exploring how they generate ideas, choose which projects to pursue, and how they use engineering problems to drive compelling narratives in their videos.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with WilliamAI fun fact articleAn episode you might like about extending life with AI