No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

If data is gold, then the domain-specific data in membership and customer communities is platinum.In this episode of No Brainer, CognitivePath’s Greg and Geoff discuss the high-potential intersection of community, content, and AI with Conor Sibley, CTO of Higher Logic – an industry leader in cloud-based engagement platforms for associations and enterprises.They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, particularly in the context of community knowledge, data governance, and operational efficiency. The conversation highlights the importance of leveraging community insights, ensuring data quality, and the transformative potential of AI agents in organizations. They also address the need for clear communication of AI's value to stakeholders and the outlook for AI in professional associations.Connect with Conor Sibley on LinkedIn and visit HigherLogic.com to learn more about their suite of engagement solutions, including online communities and marketing automation.Takeaways·     AI tools must be intentionally developed to avoid poor user experiences.·     Communities provide valuable domain knowledge that can enhance AI applications.·     Data governance is crucial for effective AI integration.·     Content should be viewed as a valuable data asset.·     AI can automate routine tasks, allowing staff to focus on strategic initiatives.·     Organizations need to establish data standards for better integration.·     AI can help reduce errors in critical business processes.·     The future of work will involve AI augmenting human capabilities.·     Engagement can be increased through better use of technology and data.·     AI's role is to enhance, not replace, human jobs.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:31 AI Integration in Community Software05:07 Leveraging Community Knowledge for AI08:20 Challenges of Data Validation in AI11:28 The Importance of Data Governance16:17 The Future of AI in Organizations18:58 The Challenge of Data Standardization22:00 Agent Orchestration and API Integration27:34 Transformative Potential of AI in Membership Management33:05 Strategic Thinking in the Age of AI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The No Brainer Podcast, Geoff Livingston hosts Greg Kihlstrom, an expert in agile work, marketing, and AI. They discuss trends in generative AI, practical applications of AI in business, the importance of agile principles, common misconceptions, and how to make AI less intimidating for employees. Tune in to gain insights on maximizing AI's potential while minimizing disruptions and enhancing cross-departmental cooperation.00:00 Introduction and Greg Kihlstrom’s Background01:29 State of AI and Its Business Implications02:21 The Importance of Agile in AI Implementation03:28 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI Adoption09:18 Strategies to Help Executives Understand AI11:07 Enhancing Efficiency and Personalization with AI14:50 Overcoming AI Data Challenges and Democratizing Analytics19:59 Employee Concerns Regarding AI Adoption23:14 AI as a Horizontal Capability and Inter-departmental Cooperation27:49 Predictions for 2025 in AI and Final Thoughts32:59 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Greg KihlstromInterested parties can learn more about Greg Kihlstom at gregkihlstrom.com, or follow him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of No Brainer, we are sharing four interviews Geoff Livingston conducted with brand experts at the recent GovAI Summit. Our speakers join us from Adobe, Abt Global, Zoom and Avaya, and discuss the state of federal, state and local adoption of AI technologies.Conversations include the adoption of image, video, and text generative AI, ethical AI to serve citizens, taxpayers and other consumers of digital government services, how improved generative AI is continuing to improve video meeting experiences, and state and local AI adoption. Join Geoff on the media stage with our experts.01:46 Jeffrey Young, Solution Consulting Manager and Steve Lewis, Digital Media Solutions Consultant at Adobe on creative-specific generative AI.18:30 Nora Connor, Director of Data Science, Abt Global discusses the ethical adoption of AI to serve citizens.34:17 Josh Stanley, AI Sales Strategy, Zoom joined Geoff in a conversation about Zoom's AI Companion and its impacts.39:38 Jennifer Bond, Vice President of U.S. SLED, Avaya offered insights into the state and local side of public sector AI adoption.Interested parties can learn more about the GovAI Summit at https://www.govaisummit.com/. Learn more about events company Modev https://www.modev.com/ and see more of its AI video content on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/@Modev/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'No Brainer,' Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston host Sanjeev Pulapaka, Principal Solutions Architect at AWS and lead author of 'Empowering the Public Sector with Generative AI.'They start the conversation with a discussion about how the Trump Administration will likely deregulate AI guidance, further increasing the speed of adoption in the federal sector. Then three take a deep dive into the impact of generative AI on government operations, its potential to streamline tasks like RFP creation and data management, and the role of AI in improving productivity and service delivery in the public sector.Conversations include a discussion of the red-hot AI Agent trend and how soon it will be deployed and in which use cases. Then they discuss how Multimodal AI is already changing inputs into LLM.Finally,  the conversation elves into the regulatory landscape, the importance of innovation balanced with risk management, and the latest advancements from AWS in the AI space. Sanjeev shares insights from his book throughout the conversation on how AI can transform public sector services and highlights the importance of responsible AI use, data security, and regulatory compliance.Individual chapters include:03:35 Discussion of AI in Government08:26 AI's Role in Public Sector Efficiency12:56 Challenges and Responsibilities of AI in Public Sector15:21 Innovative AI Use Cases in Public Sector17:41 Future of AI Agents22:08 Innovative Uses of AI in Everyday Life22:47 AI Maturity and Adoption Challenges25:03 Data Challenges in AI Implementation27:54 The Rise of Multimodal AI31:46 Practical Applications of Multimodal AI37:07 AWS and the Future of AIInterested parties can connect with Sanjeev Pulapaka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeevpulapaka/You can order empowering the Public Sector with Generative AI here: https://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Public-Sector-Generative-Applications/dp/B0D4PG9MHZAnd learn more about Amazon’s Bedrock Platform here: https://aws.amazon.com/ai/generative-ai/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Nirell, a two-time author and executive advisor, joins to discuss how mindful leaders are navigating the AI landscape. She emphasizes the importance of cultural shifts and strategic planning for successful AI integration. Lisa introduces her AI strategy test drive, highlighting the need for focusing on people and experimentation. The conversation touches on adapting workplace culture, embracing lifelong learning, and recognizing risk-takers during organizational changes. Lisa encourages leaders to balance technology's potential with wisdom and joy in their approaches.

In this episode of No Brainer, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino chat with guest Gam Dias to explore the intersection of AI and customer service. They discuss the cautious optimism consumers have towards generative AI, the importance of maintaining human interaction in customer service, and the long-term implications of automation in business. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to balance efficiency with empathy, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the human touch. They also delve into the accountability of AI decisions and the strategic thinking required for successful implementation of AI in organizations.Gam is product specialist at Hubbl Technologies, an adjunct professor at IE Business School in Madrid, and the author of The Data Mindset Playbook.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:54 The Impact of AI on Customer Service09:40 The Human Element in Customer Interactions19:37 Balancing AI and Human Accountability28:52 Long-Term vs Short-Term Business Strategies44:29 Conclusion and Future Considerations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino are joined by Kate Arnold, a senior AI and watsonx technical specialist at IBM and adjunct professor at Fairfield University and Columbia University.They discuss the current state of AI and its impact on consumers and businesses. They also explore the importance of strategic implementation, change management, and employee education in AI adoption. The conversation touches on the role of AI in various industries, such as healthcare and finance, and the potential for rapid innovation in these areas. And of course, you’re hear a bit about how IBM approaches enterprise AI with watsonx.Later in the episode, Kait, Greg and Geoff discuss the future of jobs and the need for organizations to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. And drawing on her teaching experience, Kait explains that it’s important for students (and hey, we’re all lifelong students, after all) to roll up their sleeves and experience AI firsthand to gain the confidence they’ll need to adapt to AI and stay relevant in the new world of work.Takeaways Consumer hype around AI is high due to a lack of knowledge, but as people become more familiar with AI and its applications, the hype is expected to die down. Businesses are using AI to transform their operations and incorporate it into various aspects of their business cycles. Successful AI implementation requires a strategic approach, change management, and employee education. The impact of AI is expected to be significant in industries such as healthcare and education, where there is room for rapid improvement. Organizations need to align their AI initiatives with their strategic goals and focus on areas where AI can have the most impact. Employee adoption and usage of AI tools are crucial for the success of AI implementation. The future of jobs will be influenced by AI, and organizations need to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. AI is already automating simple tasks and eliminating certain jobs, but it also opens the door for new job opportunities. Generative AI allows individuals to take on multiple roles and pursue their passions. Human interaction and soft skills are still essential. It's important for students and professionals to learn about and embrace AI to stay relevant in the future of work. Chapters00:00 Intro03:10 The Consumer Hype and Business Adoption of AI10:17 Strategic Implementation and Change Management in AI14:28 Rapid Innovation in Healthcare and Education17:03 Aligning AI Initiatives with Strategic Goals20:55 The Importance of Employee Adoption and Usage23:20 Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Powered Future26:24 The Impact of AI on the Workforce28:48 Embracing New Job Opportunities with Generative AI30:40 The Importance of Human Interaction in HR39:21 Preparing for the Future of Work: Learning and Embracing AI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino welcome Rex Briggs, chief ai officer at Claritas and AI subject matter expert for the MMA. They explore the limitations of AI, the importance of understanding its capabilities, and the risks associated with its implementation. The conversation delves into the role of algorithms, the significance of precision in AI applications, and the evolving landscape of marketing agencies in the age of AI. Rex shares insights from his book, 'The AI Conundrum', emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt and embrace AI while being mindful of its limitations and risks. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of process and leadership in successfully integrating AI into marketing strategies.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Commercial Break03:02 Exploring the Limitations and Risks of AI07:50 Using Machine Learning and Gen AI for Segmentation and Personalization17:38 Making Informed Decisions about AI: Precision and Open/Closed Systems25:17 Differentiating AI Hype from Reality25:51 The Future of Agencies and Marketing Departments in the Age of AI34:57 The Importance of Process Documentation and Optimization40:36 Leadership and Embracing Change in the AI Era Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Greg and Geoff are joined by Stephanie Pereira, the COO of Astral AI. They discuss the impact of AI on the digital content ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities it presents. The three discuss the exponential increase in content and how AI is making it easier to scale. Immediate impacts include the importance of maintaining quality and relevance in AI-generated content, understanding the role of AI in personalization, and the need to balance human touch and machine in content creation.The conversation explores the need for organizations to define workflows and roles when implementing AI technology. Stephanie, Greg and Geoff also touch on the significance of brand guidelines and the role of creativity and empathy in marketing. They also critique the overemphasis on prompt engineering and how it distracts businesses from embracing a more holistic understanding of AI's capabilities.Chapters 00:00 Start 03:30 AI is making it easier to scale content production, but it's important to maintain quality and relevance. 08:56 Building trust with AI-generated content is essential and striking the right balance between human and machine is crucial. 13:38 How social networks are adapting to AI generated content. 17.34 Brand guidelines are essential for maintaining consistency and coherence in marketing efforts. 23:52 Stephanie’s crystal ball future vision for AI and digital content. 27:51 AI in the Loop: Creativity and empathy are crucial for effective marketing, and AI can serve as a co-pilot to enhance these qualities. 33:08 Relying on prompt engineering as the future of AI is a mistake. Here’s why! Astral Website: https://tryastral.com/Stephanie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniepereira/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This fun end-of-summer podcast features Nick Unger, Managing Partner, AlterityAI in a follow-up conversation about the AI hype bubble and its potential impacts on enterprise adoption.  Nick, Geoff, and Greg discuss some of the winners and losers of the generative AI bubble (28:52), but before they get there, they discuss what long-term impacts AI hype will have on businesses. Nick argues that while we may not be approaching artificial general intelligence, the power of generative AI is just beginning to be tapped and to market it Silicon Valley companies will keep promoting roadmap goals. The hosts and guest discuss the importance of education, data governance, and strategic implementation of AI within organizations. Finally, the conversation concludes with a conversation on winners and losers in the bubble era, including the challenges faced by traditional big tech companies adapting to the AI revolution, using examples like Cisco and Intel. Nick, Geoff, and Greg speculate on potential winners and losers in the AI landscape, discussing companies like Nvidia and Google and how established companies like SAP and Adobe might better navigate the AI landscape within their respective domain expertise.00:00 Start3:27 MIT Generative AI Course - What was it like?4:44 Is the AI hype wave actually going to end?8:39 How valuations are driving the hype cycle.13:14 Using AI to lift humans.16:00 When the seismic impact of generative AI technology normalizes21:14 How do organizations pick the right use cases successfully?23:49 There are no organizational AI experts29:21 Brands that are winning and losing in the AI era, including Cisco, NVIDIA, Google, Intel, SAP and Adobe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices