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.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.

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 AI Risk Reward, host Alec Crawford welcomes back Elie Bursztein, a cybersecurity and AI expert from Google. Elie discusses the rapid advancements in AI for cybersecurity, emphasizing its potential to transform security operations and vulnerability management. He also highlights the challenges in developing reliable AI systems and the complexities of securing AI agents against untrusted inputs and prompt injection attacks. Furthermore, Elie introduces Sec Gemini, a Google-led research project aimed at providing real-time cybersecurity insights, and teases its upcoming involvement in a CTF contest at DEF CON. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the critical developments in AI and cybersecurity.Summary: Elie Bursztein: Elie Bursztein is a cybersecurity and AI expert working at Google. He has a strong background in these fields and previously appeared on the show, making him the first returning guest.Current State of AI in Cybersecurity: Elie shares insights on the rapid advancements in AI for cybersecurity applications. He discusses the excitement around AI's potential to revolutionize security operations, vulnerability detection, and attacker capabilities. He also highlights the challenges in developing reliable AI systems for practical, production-level use.Difficulties in Vulnerability Detection and Patching: Elie elaborates on the complexities of using AI for finding and patching vulnerabilities. He mentions Google's internal efforts and the extensive tooling and customization required to make AI systems effective in these areas. Despite progress, he notes that achieving the necessary level of reliability and utility remains a significant hurdle.Agent Security and Prompt Injection Risks: Elie highlights the unique security challenges posed by AI agents, especially those that perform autonomous or semi-autonomous tasks. He explains the risks associated with untrusted inputs, such as prompt injection attacks, and the potential for these vulnerabilities to compromise agent behavior and security.Introduction to Sec Gemini: The episode introduces Sec Gemini, a research project led by Elie at Google. The invitation-only research project aims to provide real-time, up-to-date cybersecurity insights using AI. Elie discusses the goals of Sec Gemini, its current capabilities, and the collaborative approach with various organizations to refine and enhance the model. He also mentions upcoming announcements and the project's involvement in a new CTF (Capture The Flag) contest at DEF CON.Companies: Google Apple OpenAIGiskardMLCommons Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright (c) 2025 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 sits down with Jon Kutsmeda, the CEO and co-creator of LendZen.com. With nearly 20 years of experience in residential mortgage lending, Jon shares his journey from Philadelphia to Hawaii and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to co-create LendZen.com. The discussion dives into the criticisms of pre-GFC mortgage practices, the impact of AI on the mortgage industry, and how AI can streamline mortgage processes. Jon also offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs and founders, emphasizing perseverance and the importance of understanding whether a business can scale.Summary: Guest Background: Jon Kutsmeda is the CEO and co-creator of LendZen.com, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in residential mortgage lending to the world of fintech and AI. Originally from near Philadelphia, Jon moved to Hawaii and pursued an entrepreneurial path in the mortgage industry.Criticisms of Pre-GFC Mortgage Practices: Jon discusses the negative aspects of subprime loans and industry practices before the Great Financial Crisis, emphasizing the importance of ethical standards and the impact of regulatory changes post-Dodd-Frank.Impact of AI on Mortgage Industry Employment: The conversation highlights how technology and AI are likely to reduce the number of jobs in the mortgage industry, while also exploring the broader implications for global employment and GDP.Streamlining Mortgage Processes with AI: Jon explains how AI can automate and simplify the mortgage approval process, making it more transparent and efficient for consumers, while still requiring human oversight in critical areas.Advice for Entrepreneurs and Founders: Jon shares insights on the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship, the need to distinguish between small business ownership and scalable startups, and practical advice for founders focusing on AI technology.Movies: The Big ShortCompanies: LendZen.comFannie MaeFreddie MacGinnie MaeFidelityFirst AmericanUberArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright (c) 2025 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 the AI Risk Reward Podcast, Kevin Dean, CEO of ManoByte, shares his journey from automating tasks at Sears with AI to founding ManoByte, a company focused on leveraging AI to enhance business processes. He discusses the transformative experience of the MIT X pro program for AI and the importance of continuous education. Kevin elaborates on ManoByte's origin, inspired by his passion for water and technology, and highlights a case where TripAdvisor used AI to drastically reduce customer support tickets. The conversation also delves into the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing the need for better data and regulations to ensure fairness and accountability. Kevin's insights underscore the dynamic changes AI brings to business and society.Summary: Kevin Dean's First Entrepreneurial Success: Kevin shared an intriguing story about how he automated a task at Sears using AI, which led him to quit his job and then come back to pitch and sell his AI solution to Sears, marking the start of his entrepreneurial journey.MIT AI Program Experience: Kevin described the MIT X pro program for AI as a transformative experience, emphasizing the high-quality education and invaluable networking opportunities with fellow learners from around the world.Manabyte's Origin Story: Kevin revealed that the name "ManoByte" is inspired by his love for water and scuba diving, combining "Mano," the Hawaiian word for shark, with "Byte" to represent technology, creating a unique blend of his passions.AI Revolutionizing Customer Support: Kevin shared an impressive case where TripAdvisor used AI to reduce their inbound customer support tickets by 90%, highlighting the significant cost savings and efficiency improvements achieved through AI.Ethical AI and Data Challenges: In a lively discussion, Kevin and Alec delved into the ethical implications of AI, with Kevin emphasizing that the real issue lies in biased data rather than the technology itself. They also discussed the need for ongoing improvements and regulations to ensure fairness and accountability in AI-driven decisions.Movies: 1. Minority Report2. InceptionCompanies: 1. ManoByte 2. Sears3. Eaton Corporation4. TripAdvisor5. SalesforceArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright (c) 2025 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.On this episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, host Alec Crawford welcomes Naveen Kumar Krishnan, an AI expert at Microsoft, to discuss his extensive experience and insights into the world of AI. Naveen shares his career journey, which began in India as a software engineer and led him to work for prominent companies like Infosys, PepsiCo, and Morgan Stanley before joining Microsoft. They explore the transformative role of AI in various sectors, including finance and retail, highlighting AI's potential in fraud detection, customer experience enhancement, and automation. Naveen emphasizes the importance of AI security, governance, and ethical considerations, stressing the need for unbiased data and responsible AI use. He also offers advice for aspiring AI professionals, encouraging them to gain practical experience, participate in hackathons, and continuously learn to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.Summary: ·      Guest Background: Naveen Kumar Krishnan, an AI expert at Microsoft, shares his extensive career journey, starting as a software engineer in India, working at Infosys and PepsiCo, and moving to roles in financial companies like Morgan Stanley before joining Microsoft in 2021. He is currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Texas, Austin.·      AI in Finance: Naveen discusses the transformative role of AI in the finance sector, emphasizing its potential to enhance trading technologies, improve customer experiences, and combat fraud through anomaly detection and other technical capabilities.·      Current AI Trends: The conversation highlights current trends in AI, including generative AI, large language models, and the growing interest in AI agents for automation and enhanced decision-making within enterprises.·      AI Security and Governance: Naveen addresses the importance of AI security, governance, and regulatory compliance, particularly for high-risk AI applications in sectors like finance and healthcare. He emphasizes the need for secure data handling and implementing appropriate guardrails.·      Ethical Considerations: The discussion covers ethical considerations in AI development, stressing the importance of unbiased data, ethical use of AI, and ensuring that AI technologies serve all users equitably. Naveen also touches on strategies for effectively communicating complex AI concepts to diverse audiences.Companies:MicrosoftInfosysPepsiCoMorgan StanleyAptoJPMorgan Chase (JPMC)OpenAIArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.