AI Risk Reward

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Nuri Cankaya, VP for Commercial and AI Marketing at Intel and author of "AI in Marketing," shares his journey from his early tech interest sparked by a Commodore 64 to his influential roles at Microsoft and Intel. The episode delves into the evolution of AI from early expert systems to current applications, emphasizing the role of AI in marketing and future implications. Nuri discusses AI's transformative potential in marketing through his AIM framework—Assess, Implement, and Measure. He also explores the ethical considerations and challenges of AGI, providing insights into AI regulation. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted lightning round addressing topics from AI’s job market impact to living in Kirkland, Washington.Summary:Guest Background: Nuri Cankaya is the VP for Commercial and AI Marketing at Intel, with a rich history in tech spanning roles at Microsoft and authoring several books, including "AI in Marketing."AI Marketing Impact: Nuri introduces the AIM framework to illustrate AI's profound influence on marketing strategies.AGI Concerns: The discussion highlights potential risks of Artificial General Intelligence and the need for ethical guidelines.Personal Insights: Nuri shares personal anecdotes, including his journey from Microsoft to Intel and the importance of mentoring.Future AI Developments: The episode explores future possibilities, including brain-AI interfaces and the societal impact of AI advancements.Companies/Organizations:IntelMicrosoftOpenAIGoogle DeepMindMetaNvidiaAMDAnthropicArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:AI in Marketing by Nuri CankayaThe Singularity is Nearer by Ray KurzweilSuperintelligence by Nick BostromMovies:Ready Player OneTV Shows:Black MirrorCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Francisco Quevedo, Executive Director of the Rucker Center for Marketing Advancement and an assistant professor, shares his compelling journey from a successful businessman in a socialist regime to an academic leader in the United States. The episode delves into the importance of strategic planning and marketing analytics, where Francisco emphasizes using AI as a co-pilot in decision-making processes. Key topics include the challenges of unequal development in global economies and the role of AI in bridging gaps in technology access. Francisco also discusses the ethical considerations in adopting AI in academia and business and highlights the potential of AI in enhancing consumer experiences.Summary:Guest Background: Francisco Quevedo is the Executive Director of the Rucker Center for Marketing Advancement and an assistant professor and senator at the same institution.Strategic Planning: Francisco emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and marketing analytics, with a focus on consumer delight.AI in Consulting: He uses AI as a co-pilot in consulting to assist with research and strategy development, maintaining the need for human oversight.Unequal Development: Francisco discusses the concept of unequal development and the need for developing countries to embrace technological advancements like AI.Ethics & AI: He addresses ethical considerations in AI use, advocating for its responsible integration into both educational and corporate strategies.Companies/Organizations: Rucker Center for Marketing AdvancementDuPontLiberty MutualGlobal AI Ethics InstituteArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: Unequal Development by Samir AminTV Shows: Altered CarbonCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Monica Anderson, an experimental AI epistemologist, has been a prominent figure in AI research for decades, spanning both the 20th and 21st centuries. She worked at Google and now runs her own research company, Syntience, along with a social media platform called Bubble City. Monica discussed her career journey, including her time at Google, and the development of large language models (LLMs). She highlighted the history and evolution of AI, mentioning key milestones like Jeff Hinton's neural network research and the advent of GPUs, which led to the development of transformers and LLMs. Monica elaborated on the concept of organic learning, contrasting traditional models of language understanding with her more efficient algorithm based on discrete links and connectome algorithms. Additionally, she introduced Bubble City, a social media platform designed to create protected, topic-specific chat rooms using AI to eliminate spam, hate, and persuasion, and to facilitate focused discussions and research.Summary:Guest Background: Monica Anderson is an experimental AI epistemologist who has been a leading figure in AI research for decades, working in both the 20th and 21st centuries. She has worked at Google and currently runs her research company, Syntience, and a social media platform called Bubble City.Career Journey: Monica Anderson's career journey, including her work at Google, and her development of large language models (LLMs) through her company Syntience.History of AI: The history and evolution of AI, highlighting key milestones such as Jeff Hinton's neural network research and the advent of GPUs, leading to the development of transformers and LLMs.Organic Learning: The concept of organic learning, contrasting traditional models of language understanding with Monica's more efficient algorithm based on discrete links and connectome algorithms.Bubble City: Bubble City, a social media platform designed to create protected, topic-specific chat rooms using AI, aiming to eliminate spam, hate, and persuasion, and facilitate focused discussions and research.Companies:GoogleSyntienceBubble CityArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:Time Enough for Love by Robert HeinleinMoon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert HeinleinMovies:HerCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, host Alec Crawford welcomes Dave Sobel, the host of the Business of Tech podcast, who shares insights from his extensive background in technology and entrepreneurship. The discussion centers around the importance of leveraging AI for genuine business outcomes rather than getting caught up in the hype. Dave emphasizes the necessity of tying AI initiatives back to a company’s profit and loss statement to gauge their true impact. He also explores AI's transformative potential in IT services, providing examples of how AI can enhance efficiency and customer service. Additionally, Dave elaborates on how he uses various AI tools in his media company to streamline news aggregation, summarization, and content creation, thereby delivering high-quality shows more effectively. The conversation also touches on ethical considerations and the critical role of data governance in safely and effectively implementing AI.Summary:Guest Background: Dave Sobel, host of the Business of Tech podcast, has a deep background in technology, starting from his childhood interest in computers and leading to his career in consulting, software development, and entrepreneurship.AI for Business Outcomes vs. Hype: The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on AI for achieving real business results rather than getting lost in the hype. Dave emphasizes the need for AI to tie back to a business's profit and loss statement to measure its effectiveness.AI's Impact on IT Services: The transformative potential of AI in IT services is explored, including examples of how AI can streamline processes and improve customer service by providing quick access to information.Applications of AI: Dave shares how he uses AI in his media company, including tools for news aggregation, summarization, and content creation, enhancing his ability to deliver high-quality, insightful shows efficiently.Ethical Considerations and Data Governance: The conversation delves into the ethical issues surrounding AI, particularly data privacy and governance. Dave stresses the importance of having robust data management practices in place to fully leverage AI while mitigating risks.Companies: OpenAIMicrosoftSwellNotionArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: The E-Myth by Michael E. GerberMovies: Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Colin Constable, co-founder and CTO at AtSign, has an extensive background in telecommunications, beginning with his apprenticeship at British Telecom. Colin discussed his career journey and how his mentor, Les Box, influenced his path, leading to significant roles at Credit Suisse and founding AtSign. He explained AtSign's origins, stemming from a debate on the internet's inefficiencies in data control, aiming to allow services to log into users rather than vice versa. Colin expressed excitement about the agentic movement in AI and the convergence of AI and IoT, predicting advancements in self-driving technology and private AI instances. He also shared advice on fostering healthy disagreement, strategic insights for CEOs integrating AI, and the importance of execution in Silicon Valley's innovation culture.Summary: Guest Background: Colin Constable is the co-founder and CTO at AtSign, with a rich background in telecommunications and network architecture, beginning with his apprenticeship at British Telecom.Early Career Influences: Colin shared his early career experiences at British Telecom and the pivotal role of his mentor, Les Box, in shaping his career path, which eventually led him to Credit Suisse and later founding AtSign.Founding AtSign: He discussed the origins of AtSign, which stemmed from an argument about the inefficiencies of the internet regarding data control and identity management. He detailed how AtSign aims to change the paradigm by allowing services to log into users rather than users logging into services.Emerging Technologies: Colin expressed excitement about the agentic movement in AI, particularly the intersection of AI and IoT, predicting impactful advancements in self-driving technology and private AI instances.Advice and Insights: He emphasized the importance of healthy disagreement for learning and growth, strategic insights for CEOs integrating AI, and the impact of execution in Silicon Valley's innovation culture.Companies: AtSignZeta HealthArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: Accelerando by Charles StrossMovies: Yes ManCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Daniel Goddard, the founder and CEO of Dysko, an AI networking application, joined the AI Risk Reward Podcast to discuss his fascinating journey from Australia to Los Angeles. Daniel's career path included surfing, studying business, and ultimately pursuing acting, where he starred in TV shows like Beastmaster and Young and the Restless. In the podcast, he delves into the origin of Dysko, which uses hashtags and GPS technology to help people connect based on shared interests, addressing a significant pain point in networking. Daniel also discusses the privacy concerns associated with AI and how Dysko ensures user safety by allowing control over visibility and interactions. Furthermore, he shares valuable advice emphasizing the importance of pursuing what makes you happy and reflects on the future of AI and its impact on industries and human experiences.Summary:Guest Background: Daniel Goddard is the founder and CEO of Dysko, an AI networking application. He has a varied background, including surfing in Australia, studying business, pursuing acting, and eventually moving to Los Angeles where he starred in TV shows like Beastmaster and Young and the Restless.Journey and Career Path: Daniel shares his life journey from Australia to Los Angeles, detailing his experiences in acting and the significant pivot points that led him from a business student to an actor and eventually a tech entrepreneur.Creation of Dysko: The discussion delves into the origin of Dysko, an AI networking application designed to help people connect based on shared interests and activities, using hashtags and GPS technology to facilitate meaningful connections in both social and professional settings.Challenges and Privacy in AI: The conversation highlights the privacy concerns associated with AI technology and how Dysko addresses these issues by allowing users to control their visibility and interactions to ensure a safe networking experience.Advice and Insights: Daniel shares valuable advice he has received, emphasizing the importance of pursuing what makes you happy. He also discusses the future of AI and its potential impact on industries and human experiences.Books:Michael Dell's autobiographyThe Lean Startup by Eric RiesTV Shows:BeastmasterYoung and the RestlessMovies:There Will Be BloodReady Player OneCompanies:DyskoArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, host Alec Crawford welcomes Steven Zeller, an international entrepreneur and impact technology investor. Steven shares his fascinating journey from a teenage entrepreneur in Kansas City to a successful investor in innovative technologies. He discusses pivotal moments that shifted his focus from merely chasing success to making meaningful impacts through technology. The conversation delves into his daily use of AI for brainstorming and problem-solving, his current projects building data centers in collaboration with governments and universities, and the future implications of AI, including its integration with robotics and brain-computer interfaces. Steven emphasizes the importance of collaboration among world leaders to ensure technological advancements benefit humanity collectively while addressing ethical concerns. Summary:Guest Background: The podcast features Steven Zeller, an international entrepreneur and impact technology investor, who began his entrepreneurship journey as a teenager in Kansas City, Missouri. He made his first million early in his career, faced ups and downs, and ultimately focused on investing in innovative technologies.Catalyst for Change: Steven discusses a pivotal moment in his life where he realized that merely chasing money and success wasn't fulfilling. This realization led him to focus on impactful and innovative technologies that could propel humanity forward.Use of AI: Steven uses AI on a daily basis for brainstorming and exploring theoretical concepts, particularly in fields like space propulsion systems and genetics. He highlights the significant potential of AI in advancing human capabilities and solving complex problems.Current Projects: Steven is working on building state-of-the-art data centers in collaboration with governments and universities. These projects aim to create mutual benefits, such as strategic energy deals, to support the infrastructure required for AI advancements.Future of AI and Technology: The podcast delves into the future implications of AI, including its integration with robotics and brain-computer interfaces. Steven emphasizes the importance of collaboration among world leaders to ensure technological advancements benefit humanity as a whole and address pressing ethical issues like security and geopolitical stability. Companies:OpenAIAnthropicBMWMercedesTeslaArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, host Alec Crawford welcomes Alex Harmsen, the CEO and founder of Portfolio Pilot. Alex shares his fascinating journey from aspiring astronaut and working on NASA's Mars helicopter project to leading an autonomous vehicle company, and finally venturing into the world of consumer FinTech. With a strong background in engineering, physics, and economics, Alex discusses how his passion for modeling complex systems has driven his diverse career. He highlights the importance of mentorship, lifelong learning, and hiring experts in various fields. Alex also introduces Flight Club, a platform connecting pilots with planes and passengers, and delves into the origin and development of Portfolio Pilot. This AI-driven financial advisory firm has rapidly grown, now serving 30,000 users and managing $30 billion in assets. The episode provides valuable insights into the transformative role of AI in finance and the potential challenges and opportunities it presents.Summary:Guest Background: Alex Harmsen is the CEO and founder of Portfolio Pilot. He has a diverse background, having studied engineering, physics, and economics. Alex initially aimed to become an astronaut and worked at NASA on the Mars helicopter project. He also ran an autonomous vehicle company before venturing into consumer FinTech with Portfolio Pilot.Transition from Physics to AI and Finance: Alex discussed his journey from studying physics and working on autonomous vehicles to founding an AI-driven financial advisory firm. He emphasized his interest in modeling complex systems, whether in physics, autonomous vehicles, or the global economy, and how this skillset transitioned smoothly to finance.Mentorship and Learning: Alex talked about the importance of having multiple mentors throughout his career. He shared insights from various mentors, including an astrophysicist who taught him to be authentic and a computer vision expert who significantly contributed to his AI expertise. He highlighted the value of lifelong learning and hiring people with more expertise.Flight Club Initiative: Alex briefly mentioned Flight Club, a platform that connects pilots with planes and passengers, similar to the Airbnb model for aircraft sharing. This initiative aims to make flying more accessible and affordable by sharing the costs of aircraft ownership and fostering a community among pilots and aircraft owners.Origin and Development of Portfolio Pilot: Alex explained the origin story of Portfolio Pilot, which started as a personal tool for managing his finances. After selling his previous company, he focused on creating a comprehensive financial advisory system that integrates various accounts and provides personalized investment strategies. The company has grown rapidly, now serving 30,000 users and managing $30 billion in assets.Movies/TV shows:A Beautiful MindBlack MirrorCompanies:Portfolio PilotNASAIris AutomationBridgewaterOpenAIPlaidYodleeSnapTradeFlight ClubDevonArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this insightful podcast episode, Alec Crawford interviews Michael Cutajar, the founder of Interactive Avatars. Michael shares his compelling journey from growing up on the island of Malta and starting his career in finance to becoming a tech entrepreneur. He discusses the inspirations behind Interactive Avatars and the innovative work they are doing with hyper-realistic AI avatars. Michael also opens up about the challenges he faced, including his time as CEO at Metaverse Architects, where he had to shut down the company and lay off his friends, and the lessons in resilience he learned along the way. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI, the impact of influential books like "Man's Search for Meaning," and the future of technology in enhancing human experiences.Summary:Guest Background: Michael Cutajar, founder of Interactive Avatars, shares his unique journey from growing up on the sun-soaked island of Malta to becoming a leader in the tech industry. His diverse career path includes a transition from finance to technology and entrepreneurship.Inspiration Behind Interactive Avatars: Michael explains what inspired him to start Interactive Avatars, detailing his experiences in various tech roles and how they led him to focus on creating innovative AI solutions.Impact of "Man's Search for Meaning": Michael highlights the profound impact the book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl had on him during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains how the book's themes of finding meaning in suffering resonated with him during challenging times.Challenges and Resilience: Michael shares the challenges he faced, including shutting down the previous company he was CEO at, Metaverse Architects, and having to lay off his friends. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and moving forward despite setbacks.Interactive Avatars and AI Ethics: Michael talks about the innovations at Interactive Avatars, particularly the realistic AI avatars they create. He also discusses the ethical implications of AI, security concerns, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in AI development.Books:Man's Search for MeaningMovies:Cloud AtlasCompanies:Interactive AvatarsMetaverse Architects11 LabsDeepSeekOpenAINvidiaArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the differenceIn this episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, Alec Crawford hosts Nicole Hilgenkamp, Senior Director of Procurement and Transportation at Cargill. Nicole shares her journey, including a pivotal summer program at the University of Manchester Business School. They discuss the practical applications of AI, referencing the book "Your AI Roadmap" by Dr. Joan Bajorek. Nicole highlights the importance of technology adoption in corporate America and addresses the issue of bias in AI, particularly concerning women. She also explains how AI provides strategic advantages at Cargill, such as time savings in procurement, while discussing the challenges of data cleanliness and privacy. Summary:Guest Background: Nicole Hilgenkamp is the Senior Director of Procurement and Transportation at Cargill, with a unique experience that includes a summer program at the University of Manchester Business School.Importance of Overseas Experience: Nicole emphasizes the value of studying and traveling abroad, sharing how her overseas experience helped her understand different cultures and step out of her comfort zone.AI and Digital Transformation: Nicole discusses her career focus on AI and digital transformation, highlighting the importance of technology adoption in corporate America and the transformative potential of AI.Bias in AI and Women in Technology: She addresses the issue of bias in AI, particularly regarding women, and stresses the need for retraining large language models to remove historical biases.AI's Strategic Advantage at Cargill: Nicole explains how AI provides strategic advantages at Cargill, such as saving time in procurement processes, while also discussing the challenges related to data cleanliness, process standardization, and privacy concerns.Companies:CargillHewlett PackardClaude AILlamaMicrosoftJP MorganArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:Your AI RoadmapCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.