AI and the Future of Work: Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace, Business, Ethics, HR, and IT for AI Enthusiasts, Leaders and Academics

Ravi Malick is the Global CIO at Box, where he leads IT strategy, compliance, and customer advocacy for the enterprise content management platform. Before joining Box, he served as SVP & CIO at Vistra Corp., where he oversaw the integration of three major acquisitions that more than doubled the company’s size. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Energy Future Holdings, including VP of Business Technology at TXU Energy. Ravi earned a BA in Political Science from Brown University and remains active in philanthropic efforts outside of work.In this conversation, we discuss:Ravi Malick’s nonlinear path from investment banking and consulting to becoming Global CIO at Box—and how each chapter shaped his leadership style.What makes Box’s “people-first” culture stand out in Silicon Valley and why Ravi believes authenticity and inclusion are key to long-term success.The challenges of leading IT at a company with 3,000 tech-savvy employees—and how Ravi balances innovation with governance.How he’s approaching AI adoption internally, from quick wins to long-term strategy, while keeping a sharp focus on business outcomes.What the “agentic workforce” could mean for scalability, productivity, and the structure of tomorrow’s teams.How Ravi sees the future of work: multi-role careers, voice-first workflows, and AI-powered teams built around passion and outcomes.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter: https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Connect with Ravi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravimalick/ AI fun fact article: https://www.engineering.com/rip-saas-long-live-ai-as-a-service/ On how AI supports thousands of employees at a rapidly growing global company: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parul-saini-ubers-global-head-of-enterprise-apps/id1476885647?i=1000599377300 

Rafie Faruq is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of Genie, a platform launched in 2017 to make high-quality legal documents accessible through open-source tools. Since then, Genie has served over 100,000 users across 120 jurisdictions and recently raised an $18M Series A from Google Ventures and Khosla Ventures. Rafie holds an MSc in Machine Learning, has advised the Law Policy Commission, contributed to the Law Society, and represented the Ministry of Justice on international trade missions. He also teaches meditation and is a mentor to many seeking meaning and clarity in life.In this conversation, we discuss:Rafie Faruq’s unconventional path from bond trader to AI entrepreneur and what drove him to apply machine learning to legal access.How his early research on generative models led to new ways of thinking about document creation and automation.Why he believes the current definition of intelligence is outdated—and what a more human-centered version could look like.The role of emotional intelligence, purpose, and social connection in a future shaped by automation.What it means to build a business rooted in spiritual principles—and how Rafie applies concepts like rhythm, balance, and nature to team building.His reflections on power, responsibility, and why founders should see themselves as stewards of broader societal change.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter: https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Rafie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfaruq/AI fun fact article: https://www.mixonline.com/blog/mix-blog-who-wrote-that-ai-and-copyright-lawOn Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/linda-rottenberg-endeavor-co-founder-and-ceo/id1476885647?i=1000517670973 

Shiv Rao, a practicing cardiologist and CEO of Abridge, shares insights on how AI can revolutionize healthcare. He discusses the importance of real-time data to improve access and reduce costs. The conversation highlights the role of voice-based AI assistants in alleviating clinician burnout and streamlining workflows. Rao also addresses how generative AI can enhance clinical documentation, allowing providers to prioritize patient care, while emphasizing the need for responsible implementation that fosters trust among healthcare professionals.

In this engaging conversation, J. Craig Wheeler, a Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, dives into the intriguing implications of AI and machine consciousness. He discusses the potential of AI surpassing human intelligence and its impact on leadership roles. The ethical dilemmas surrounding AI-driven decisions, from hiring to warfare, are also explored. Wheeler reflects on the inevitability of exponential technological growth and what it means for humanity's future. Plus, he poses the thought-provoking question: will AI gain citizenship before we land on Mars?

Dheeraj Pandey is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for founding and leading Nutanix from its inception to becoming a publicly traded company valued at approximately $16.5 billion on NASDAQ. In 2020, he launched DevRev, an agentic AI company focused on unifying data to enhance customer experiences, securing over $100 million in funding from Khosla Ventures. Beyond his contributions to technology, Dheeraj co-founded Param Hansa with his wife, Swapna, to advance human life through science and technology. He holds a Computer Science and Engineering degree from IIT Kanpur and a master's in Computer Science from UT Austin.In this conversation, we discuss:Why data is the backbone of AI and how DevRev is leveraging knowledge graphs to transform customer support and product management.The evolution of enterprise AI—why businesses must integrate AI with human workflows rather than replace them.The future of customer support—how DevRev combines real-time conversations with ticketing systems to improve response times and reduce inefficiencies.The ethical challenges of AI adoption—how bias, security, and machine reliability shape the future of AI-driven business operations.How DevRev raised over $100M, including an unconventional approach using blockchain and decentralized funding models.Dheeraj’s vision for AI’s next frontier—why the real challenge isn’t intelligence, but making AI work seamlessly with human decision-making.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter:  https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Connect with Dheeraj Pandey on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpandey AI fun fact article:  https://hackernoon.com/next-time-you-hear-someone-say-ai-will-replace-call-center-agents-run On The Path To 500M+ YouTube views:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/301-william-osman-on-the-path-to-500m-youtube-views/id1476885647?i=1000668882327  

How has the dynamic between employees and employers shifted over the past 18 months? And what does the future of work look like in a world defined by AI?In this special live episode, recorded at Transform—the conference at the intersection of the People space and the tech industry—Dan Turchin sits down with Bryan Power, Head of People at Nextdoor. Bryan took the stage at Transform to share insights on "The Power Shift: Navigating the New Employer-Employee Dynamic," where he explored how evolving expectations are reshaping the workforce.Bryan has spent his career shaping workplace culture at some of the most iconic tech companies, including Google, Square, and Yahoo. Now, as the leader of People Operations at Nextdoor, he’s at the forefront of redefining work in an era of rapid change.In this conversation, Bryan and Dan discuss topics such as:How the employee-employer relationship is evolving—why job loyalty is declining and what it means for the future of work.The rise of hybrid work and its impact on company culture—how Nextdoor navigates the balance between flexibility and connection.Why culture must be intentional—lessons from Google, Square, Yahoo, and Nextdoor on shaping a workplace where people thrive.The role of AI in HR and leadership—how AI is disrupting traditional people operations and what leaders must do to stay ahead.Bryan’s biggest leadership lessons—what he’s learned from building teams at some of the most influential tech companies.The future of HR in an AI-powered world—how the Chief People Officer role is shifting as AI and automation reshape the workplace.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter:  https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Connect with Bryan Power: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanpower/Learn more about Transform: https://transform.us/conference/

Scott Wharton is a visionary entrepreneur and CEO making waves in the solar industry as the leader of Tandem PV, where he’s developing solar cells that are about 30% more efficient than current market options. Previously, he spent eight years at Logitech as a general manager, revolutionizing how businesses use consumer tech for productivity and collaboration. Before that, he was the CEO of Vidtel, which was acquired by Fidelity Investments in 2013. A bold thinker and risk-taker, Scott is known for his leadership and innovation across industries. He holds an MBA from Yale and a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University.In this conversation, we discuss:How solar energy has become the cheapest and most scalable power source —and why most people haven’t caught up to this reality.The breakthrough potential of perovskite solar cells and why they’re set to replace silicon as the industry standard.Why the U.S. must invest in solar manufacturing – and how bringing production back from China strengthens energy security.The evolving synergy between solar and battery storage —how new advancements are making 24/7 renewable power a reality.Common myths about solar’s limitations and why concerns about cost, reliability, and land use no longer hold up.Scott’s journey from leading video conferencing at Logitech to revolutionizing the solar industry – and what motivated him to take on this challenge.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter:  https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Connect with Scott Wharton on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwharton/AI fun fact article: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/23/data-centers-powering-ai-could-use-more-electricity-than-entire-cities.html On how AI can be used to provide fact-based impartial answers to scientific questions: https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/11574063 

Mona Sabet is the co-author of Sail to Scale: Steering Startups Clear of Mistakes from Launch to Exit and currently serves as SVP, Strategy, Projects, and Operations at GCG. With a track record of driving growth and strategic transformations, she has held executive roles at VulcanForms, UserTesting, and Cadence Design Systems. At UserTesting, she played a pivotal role in securing $100M in funding, leading acquisitions, taking the company public, and negotiating its $1.3B sale to Thoma Bravo. Beyond her corporate leadership, Mona is a passionate advocate for women in tech, law, and policy, having co-founded ChIPsNetwork.org and leading HiPower, a community dedicated to empowering executive women shaping the future of technology.In this conversation, we discuss:The critical mistakes startups make at different growth stages—Mona shares insights from Sail to Scale on why companies struggle to scale and how to avoid common pitfalls.How founders should "fire themselves" to scale effectively—Why transitioning from founder to CEO requires a mindset shift, and the biggest mistakes leaders make in this process.The AI bubble: hype vs. reality—Mona explains why overfunding in AI-first companies mirrors past tech bubbles and what it means for the future of the industry.Why acquisitions should be a long-term strategy, not a last-minute decision—The importance of planning exits early and why companies that wait too long often fail to sell at the right valuation.The evolving landscape of M&A and IPOs—How companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market of late-stage startups waiting for an exit.The unseen biases keeping women out of leadership—Mona’s perspective on why brand bias impacts diversity in tech and what leaders can do to create real change.Resources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Mona on LinkedIn AI fun fact articleOn How to how AI is changing the entertainment industry 

Coinciding with International Women’s Day this week, this special episode of AI and the Future of Work highlights key conversations with women leading the way in AI ethics, governance, and accountability.In this curated compilation, we feature four remarkable experts working to create a more equitable, trustworthy, and responsible AI future:🔹 Navrina Singh (Founder & CEO, Credo AI) – Listen to the full conversation here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/14341487 🔹 Meredith Broussard (Author, Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World) – Listen to the full conversation here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/12284213 🔹 Juliette Powell (Co-Author, The AI Dilemma: 7 Principles for Responsible Technology) – Listen to the full conversation here:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/14435648 🔹 Merve Hickok (Founder, AIethicist.org) – Listen to the full conversation here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/11801221 Bias, lack of transparency, and ethical concerns in AI are some of the most urgent issues of our time. These leaders are shaping the policies and frameworks needed to ensure AI serves everyone—fairly and equitably.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter: https://aiandwork.beehiiv.com/subscribe Data Privacy Day Special Episode: AI, Deepfakes & The Future of Trust: https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/episodes/16554098 

Brandeis Marshall, CEO of DataedX Group and a former computer science professor, dives deep into the ethics of AI and data usage. She argues that AI companies should be regulated like scientific entities to prevent bias and ensure ethical decision-making. Brandeis discusses the challenges businesses face in AI adoption and shares her vision for patient-owned medical records to enhance healthcare access. She emphasizes AI as a supportive tool, especially for neurodivergent individuals, and the necessity of promoting inclusivity in data practices.