AI or Die

On this episode, we welcome Kathy Koontz, who currently serves as the Global Head HCLS Data & AI at AWS. Her career includes significant roles at Nationwide, Teradata, and Wells Fargo, where she has focused on embedding core data practices into organizational frameworks.During this episode, we dive into Kathy's expertise, gaining valuable insights for integrating core data fundamentals and practices. We explore how change management is essential for effectively deploying AI across organizations. Additionally, Kathy highlights the significance of understanding the content and quality of unstructured data, explaining that this knowledge is essential for accurately representing and achieving successful business outcomes.Kathy KoontzAlignAI LinkedinAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI Instagram

This week, we are joined by Sharybeth Lopez Rojas, a User Experience (UX) designer with a unique background in visual design, graphics, and user interaction. Sharybeth is currently enhancing her portfolio by pursuing a master’s degree focused on design for AI.During this episode, we discuss practical examples of AI-driven design improvements and the future of AI in enhancing user interactions. We explore how AI can help professionals become more efficient by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of proper design and user experience in deploying AI tools within large enterprises, considering the diverse skill levels and needs of users.Sharybeth LinkedInColorado BillAlignAI LinkedinAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI Instagram

On this episode, we welcome Maria Villar, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience as a practitioner in data management and strategy. Maria has spent the last few years of her career working at SAP as the Head of Enterprise Data Strategy and Transformation. She is also a member of the Women Leaders in Data & AI (WLDA) network.During this episode, we dive into her expertise in business data leadership, gaining valuable insights into the key challenges encountered in designing and executing data strategies. We discuss the leaders who are spearheading these initiatives and examine the influence of AI on data strategy as a whole. Additionally, we explore how data security and AI strategies together affect data strategy.Maria's LinkedinMaria's YouTube MasterclassWLDA Ventures WebsiteAlignAI LinkedinAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI Instagram

Alex Rogozhin, Senior Director of AI at Bread Financial, discusses AI trends, impact on teams, evaluating AI success, and driving adoption. Topics include data science solutions in financial services, impact of emerging technologies on AI teams, and AI solutions as products for businesses.

This week we are joined by Nicolay Christopher Gerold. In this episode, Nicolay (Nico) brings a unique blend of expertise with his rich background in GenAI, NLP, and LLMs. Nico discusses a practical approach to the real-world applications and implications of generative AI technologies. During this episode, we dive into the multifaceted impacts of GenAI, discussing its role in data extraction, the challenges surrounding data governance and privacy, and the significance of synthetic data. Nico offers valuable insights on the future of AI user interfaces and the shift towards specialized AI models by making AI integrations more accessible and intuitive for users.Nicolay’s LinkedinAISBACH Data SolutionsAlignAI LinkedinAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI Instagram

On this episode, our team welcomes guest Cal Al-Dhubaib, Founder of Pandata. The company specializes in AI solutions for high-risk sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and defense. This approach focuses on integrating trust into AI systems, while addressing the unique challenges and restrictions of these sensitive areas.During this episode, we explore the transition from experimental AI projects in 2023 to a more execution-focused approach in 2024, highlighting the shift from innovation to operational budgets. We also cover the complexities of AI in high-risk areas, how best practices for AI safety are being established, and the significant role of AI in influencing critical decision-making across various industries.Cal's LinkedinPandata WebsiteAlignAI LinkedinAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI Instagram

Maya Mikhailov, Co-Founder & CEO of SAVVI AI, discusses recent data and AI trends, impact of AI on companies, build vs. buy AI conversation, and prioritizing use cases. They also explore forward-thinking strategies, productivity gains from AI co-pilot tools, use case evaluations, UI/UX considerations in AI adoption, regulating AI, and empowering businesses with AI.

This week we are joined by Jason Montgomery. Jason is an entrepreneur with almost 30 years of combined experience in systems, software, and cybersecurity engineering in the Data and AI space. Over his career he has worked with Fortune 500s, startups, and government agencies (Department of Defense) to specialize on system hardening and application security. He has Co-Founded and served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at two Ohio startups - making him an influential leader for product and enterprise security, cybersecurity, and generative AI.Currently, Jason is the Co-Founder and CTO of his second startup company: Mantium, which combines cybersecurity and AI into a platform that allows companies to communicate with generative AI models in a secure and responsible way through robust security controls and measures.On this episode, we discuss the Bipartisan Framework for the U.S. AI Act. We also talk about regulations, risk management, building vs. buying generative AI, permission access for models & systems, and secure approaches for leveraging generative AI.Linkedin: Jason MontgomeryMantium WebsiteMantium Security WhitepaperLinkedin: AlignAIAlignAI WaitlistAlignAI WebsiteAlignAI InstagramOWASP ChirpsGitHub RepoSuperDataScience Podcast Episode

Welcome back to episode 8. This week we are joined by Salema Rice. Salema is the CEO and Founder of CDO Today. Throughout the course of her career, she has established a decorative portfolio by being a builder, lawmaker, and a strategic driver within the Data and AI space. Salema has been an industry Chief Data Officer (CDO) for almost 20 years and has thrived within the industry for over 25 years.Now, with CDO Today, she finds herself in a Strategic Advisor role, as she works with hundreds of C-Level Executives by creating a "think tank" for CDOs by CDOs. It is a private community with executive mentorship, board advisory, and thought leadership. CDO Today allows Salema to be a voice for the industry, especially with the uptick of evolutionary technology being built and released within the world today.This episode we discuss the #1 topic that enterprises are leveraging for generative AI, how CDOs are thinking about AI strategy, guidelines and guardrails for Data Governance, and how critical data can solve organizational problems.Salema Rice Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrice/AlignAI Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alignaiAlignAI Website: https://www.getalignai.com/platform?utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Social_Media_SeptAlignAI Waitlist: https://www.getalignai.com/waitlist?utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Social_Media_SeptAlignAI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiordie_podcast/

This week Rehgan Avon, Nick Woo, and Brendan Kelly meet in-person to chat about recent news in the data and AI world, along with, several other key topics.We discuss how data has transformed into being a product, rather than a project. Not to mention, how the user experience (UX) can benefit from leveraging data in their flow of work. Many organizations and teams are wondering how to learn from and validate generative AI. We talk about how generative AI is a single component within the large realm of the data and AI ecosystem.We talk through practices for how to use Large Language Models (LLMs) by providing context within prompts to drive better results from the models.