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

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

Pankaj Kedia has been a trailblazer across laptop PC,  smartphone, and wearable products, having held leadership roles at Intel and Qualcomm over the last 3 decades. Now an active AI investor, advisor, mentor, and speaker, Pankaj founded 2468 Ventures in 2021 and has since made angel investments in such notable AI companies as Anthropic, Athena, Figure, Groq, and OpenAI. Recently appointed as the Chief AI Officer and board member at Biossmann, a Mexican healthcare solutions company, Pankaj brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the AI space. He holds engineering degrees from IIT Roorkee and the University of Michigan, along with an MBA from Wharton.In this conversation, we discuss:The journey of transitioning from early AI work in the 1980s to becoming a key player in the wearable revolution.Leadership lessons learned from working with iconic leaders like Andy Grove at Intel and Irwin Jacobs at Qualcomm.The evolution of wearable technology and its role in augmenting human capabilities through AI.The ethical implications and potential risks associated with the integration of AI in wearable devices.Insights into the mindset and qualities of successful AI entrepreneurs and the criteria for investing in disruptive technologies.Predictions about the future of work, the rise of AGI, and the shift towards an age of abundance where work becomes a choice rather than a necessity.ResourcesSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with PankajAI fun fact articleBabak Hodjat, co-inventor of Siri, on AI and the Future of Work

Josh Allan Dykstra is a polymath, TEDx speaker, and CEO of The Work Revolution, who has collaborated with giants like Amazon and Apple. He shares his journey from musician to workplace advocate, emphasizing the need for a 'work revolution' to enhance employee well-being. Josh discusses the importance of energy-based work systems and how conducting energy audits can improve productivity. He challenges fear-based organizational dynamics, advocating for a love-centered approach that fosters collaboration and healing in the workplace.

Nick Mehta, the CEO of Gainsight, transforms the customer success landscape. He explores how AI can enhance human interaction and improve job security. With insights into building a 'human-first AI' culture, he highlights the balance between technology and authenticity in the workplace. Nick delves into the evolving nature of leadership while addressing ethical considerations surrounding AI. Additionally, he shares his passion for Taylor Swift, adding a playful twist to the discussion, showcasing both his professional depth and personal flair.

Silvio Savarese is a pioneer and AI research lead with the AI research team at Salesforce, one of the largest and most influential enterprise software companies globally. Before joining Salesforce in 2021 as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist, Silvio spent nearly 11 years in academia at Stanford, where his research focused on robotics, machine learning, and language models. At Salesforce, his team has developed AI tools like CodeGen, which assists with coding using conversational AI, and Merlion, which enhances system availability by detecting potential failures through time series intelligence. Silvio's team is also working on conversational AI for personalized summaries. He is a strong advocate for practicing AI responsibly, contributing to Salesforce's advocacy on AI trust, safety, privacy, and security.In this conversation:Silvio's journey from academia to industry and the challenges he faced during this transition.We explore the differences between working in academia and leading an AI research team at Salesforce.Silvio shares insights on how his background in robotics informs his current work with AI for enterprise software.We delve into the ethical considerations and responsible practices in AI development at Salesforce.Silvio explains the three pillars of AI research at Salesforce: foundational research, product incubation, and product innovation.We examine the trade-offs between using large language models versus smaller models in AI applications, including their environmental impact and potential risks.ResourceSubscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Silvio AI fun fact articleAn episode you might like about extending life with AI

Armen Berjikly, a serial entrepreneur and CTO at BetterUp, discusses the pivotal role of AI in enhancing human potential. He shares insights from his Stanford research on the emotional interplay between technology and human connection. Armen delves into his companies, exploring how they improved employee experience. He emphasizes the importance of AI recognizing emotions to better support workplace dynamics and personal growth, advocating for a future where technology democratizes coaching and enhances well-being.

Thomas Otter joined Acadian Ventures in March 2022 as a General Partner. Prior to Acadian, he advised companies such as Workday, Ultimate Software, Personio, and Unit 4, and collaborated with private equity and growth equity firms like Warburg Pincus, Scottish Equity Partners, PSG, and Goldman Sachs on M&A, strategy, negotiations, and diligence. He previously led the product management organization at SAP SuccessFactors, scaling it to over a billion dollars in annual recurring revenue, and served as a Research Vice President at Gartner Group, leading HR tech research. Thomas holds a Doctorate from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and the Strategy and Innovation Diploma from Oxford. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society. . A regular guest lecturer at various universities, Thomas grew up in South Africa and now resides in Heidelberg, Germany. He is also a collector of vinyl records and a lover of great music.In this conversation, we discuss:How a chance encounter led to a 30-year career in HR technology.The evolution of HR technology from the mainframe era to modern cloud-based systems.The intersection of ethics, compliance, and technology within HR.The strategic importance of HR in today's business landscape and its impact on the employee experience.The role of technology in automating administrative tasks to enhance employee satisfaction.Historical milestones in HR tech, including the first business application of a computer for payroll.ResourceConnect with Thomas Otter AI fun fact articleAn episode you might like about using AI to get ahead in your career