

What’s the BUZZ? — AI in Business
Andreas Welsch
“What’s the BUZZ?” is a live format where leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, generative AI, agentic AI, and automation share their insights and experiences on how they have successfully turned technology hype into business outcomes. Each episode features a different guest who shares their journey in implementing AI and automation in business. From overcoming challenges to seeing real results, our guests provide valuable insights and practical advice for those looking to leverage the power of AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and process automation.Since 2021, AI leaders have shared their perspectives on AI strategy, leadership, culture, product mindset, collaboration, ethics, sustainability, technology, privacy, and security.Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your efforts to the next level, “What’s the BUZZ?” is the perfect resource for staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the world of AI and automation in business.**********“What’s the BUZZ?” is hosted and produced by Andreas Welsch, top 10 AI advisor, thought leader, speaker, and author of the “AI Leadership Handbook”. He is the Founder & Chief AI Strategist at Intelligence Briefing, a boutique AI advisory firm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 20, 2025 • 26min
How Non-Profits Use AI for Impact (Scott Rosenkrans)
Large corporations and startups are dominating the AI conversation. But how do non-profits adopt AI without compromising trust?In this episode of "What’s the BUZZ?," host Andreas Welsch welcomes Scott Rosenkrans, VP of AI Innovation at DonorSearch, to the show to discuss how non-profits use AI to make a measurable impact.Catch the BUZZ:• Why does “just because you can” not always mean you should?• How can predictive and generative AI work together to support human fundraisers?• Why must donor relationships come before fundraising transactions?• How does culture readiness in addition to tech readiness drive AI success?• Which success metrics in fundraising go beyond total dollars raised?If you’re a non-profit leader or change manager tasked with delivering results from AI, this conversation will help you set yourself up for success.Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter

20 snips
Sep 6, 2025 • 50min
Enterprise AI: Common Myths Inhibiting Success (Jon Reed)
Jon Reed, an industry analyst and co-founder of diginomica, dives into the myths that hinder enterprise AI success. He debunks the belief that only generative AI leads to results, emphasizing that practical, less flashy approaches often yield the best ROI. Reed stresses that while quality data is vital, AI remains probabilistic and needs strong leadership understanding. He also highlights how AI complements rather than replaces human creativity, urging leaders to blend tech fluency with their vision for a sustainable future.

Aug 30, 2025 • 31min
How Leading Enterprises Unlock AI Value (Bob Sakalas)
AI in the enterprise has moved from theoretical discussion to real deployments, with measurable business impact.In this episode, host Andreas Welsch sits down with Bob Sakalas, Innovation Strategist at SAP, to explore how leading organizations are moving past the hype and actually delivering business value with AI.Together, they discuss:How can you move your organization from a “what could go wrong” to a “what’s going right” mindset?Why does good AI start with good data, and does your business data really move the needle?What’s the bottom-line impact industry leaders in retail and transportation achieve with built-in AI?How does a collaborative approach fuel AI success, and what does it look like?Whether you are an IT leader to hear how others are doing AI or tasked with maximizing the value from your SAP deployment, this episode offers insights straight from the source that you can apply right away. Are you ready to hear more?Join SAP's Platform & Data Summit series in North America this September and October to hear from IT leaders and practitioners how they are getting value from AI in the SAP applications they use every day: https://events.sap.com/us-2025-sap-data-summit-home/en_us/home.html?source=Andreas3Thank you, SAP, for sponsoring this episode.Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter

Aug 23, 2025 • 31min
Ensuring Enterprise Security by Safeguarding AI Agents (Steve Wilson)
What if your AI agents could not only collaborate but also autonomously safeguard your enterprise? In this episode, host Andreas Welsch sits down with Steve Wilson, Chief AI and Product Officer at Exabeam, to explore the nuances of securing agentic AI and the emerging landscape of multi-agent communication. Together, they discuss how businesses can enhance their cybersecurity measures while adapting to the rapid evolution of AI capabilities, from agency levels to ethical governance. Learn about practical strategies for evaluating AI agent frameworks, mitigating insider threats, and implementing security-first approaches in a world increasingly dominated by AI:What are the internal and external threats and challenges of AI agents and Agent-to-Agent (A2A)/ multi-agent systems?How can organizations defend against those threats?What can also go right with Agentic AI security?What do AI and IT leaders need to do to ensure enterprise security despite all the Agent sprawl?Ready to navigate the complexities of AI security? Don't miss this insightful conversation and tune in now to tap into the potential of secure AI agents for your business!Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter

Aug 9, 2025 • 31min
How to Succeed in Your First AI Project as a New AI Leader (Kathleen Walch)
Kathleen Walch, Director of AI Engagement at the Project Management Institute and co-founder of Cognolitica, shares her expertise on leading AI projects. She discusses the six-step CPMAI methodology for navigating AI complexities, from identifying business problems to data requirements. Kathleen highlights common challenges new AI leaders face, the significance of a data-centric approach, and the shift towards agentic AI. With actionable insights, she addresses how to transform AI hype into meaningful outcomes, encouraging professionals to embrace AI fully.

Jul 26, 2025 • 48min
State of the Industry: Are AI Agents Ready for Primetime? (Jon Reed)
Jon Reed, an enterprise tech analyst, dives into the current landscape of AI agents in business, drawing from frontline experiences and industry conferences. He discusses the critical need for organizations to prioritize AI readiness and cultivate a culture of trust, avoiding the pitfalls of 'shadow AI.' Jon emphasizes the importance of defining clear business outcomes over abstract autonomy, advocating for hybrid agent-human designs. His grounded strategies highlight how fostering experimentation can lead to meaningful impact and faster ROI—essential insights for businesses navigating the AI revolution.

Jul 12, 2025 • 25min
Unlocking AI's Potential with the Top Skills for AI Agents (John Thompson)
What if the future of your business relied on mastering AI agents? In this episode, host Andreas Welsch explores the essential skills required to work effectively with AI agents and transform your organization. Join Andreas as he talks with John Thompson, Senior VP at The Hackett Group, who brings a wealth of experience from leading AI initiatives in multiple high-profile companies. They explore critical themes, including the integration of AI into business processes, the comparison of AI agents to traditional automation, and the need to develop critical thinking skills in an era dominated by AI. You'll gain practical insights on building a secure environment for AI experimentation and discover how to navigate the complexities surrounding AI use in the workplace. Don't miss this chance to future-proof your business—tune in now to turn AI potential into action!Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter

Jun 28, 2025 • 31min
Getting AI-Ready with Reliable Data (Barr Moses)
Everyone is talking about building AI agents. But is your foundation even ready?In this episode, Andreas Welsch speaks with Barr Moses, CEO of Monte Carlo, about the hidden risks behind the push for Agentic AI and what business leaders are missing when they rush to scale.Barr shares what she’s hearing from data and AI leaders: The majority is building or deploying AI this year, but only 1 in 3 believe their data is ready, and even few have a reliable way to ensure agent outputs are correct.What does that mean for your AI roadmap? A strong model or prompt isn’t enough. If the data is wrong, the agent’s action will be wrong and in some cases, costly. From AI chatbots selling cars for $1 to data platforms returning flawed recommendations, the risks are real.Barr also breaks down three areas data and AI teams must prioritize:Productivity by using AI to accelerate their own workflowsReadiness to build a foundation of high-quality, trustworthy dataRealiability by ensuring AI agents produce outputs that align with business goalsIf you’re working on an AI strategy or are leading teams expected to deliver on it, this conversation makes the case for why AI success is built upon operational readiness.Don't miss out on the conversation – tune in now to learn how to turn AI hype into business outcomes.Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter

Jun 14, 2025 • 30min
Strategies for Product-Led Growth of AI Agents (Leah Tharin)
In a lively discussion, Leah Tharin, a product-led growth expert with experience at SmallPDF and Microsoft, shares her insights on harnessing AI agents for business success. She highlights the need for companies to move beyond hype, focusing on integrating AI solutions in workflows. Leah emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and creating transparent monetization models that foster trust. By advocating for cross-functional collaboration and showcasing holistic AI solutions, she provides actionable strategies to enhance efficiency and drive sustainable growth.

May 31, 2025 • 30min
Transforming Leadership with an AI Mindset (Matt Lewis)
How can leaders foster a true AI mindset among their teams? In this episode, host Andreas Welsch illuminates this pressing question with guest Matt Lewis, CEO and Chief Augmented Intelligence Officer of LLMental. Drawing from decades in Data & AI leadership roles in healthcare/ life sciences, Matt shares invaluable insights into how a leadership mindset profoundly influences AI adoption within organizations. Discover why human factors, rather than just technology, play a crucial role in successful AI integration, and learn practical strategies for empowering teams and demystifying AI. Whether you're a business leader or just curious about the intersection of AI and leadership, this episode is rich with knowledge to help navigate the complexities of AI transformation. Ready to elevate your organization's approach to AI? Don't miss this enlightening discussion—listen now!"Questions or suggestions? Send me a Text Message. Support the show***********Disclaimer: Views are the participants’ own and do not represent those of any participant’s past, present, or future employers. Participation in this event is independent of any potential business relationship (past, present, or future) between the participants or between their employers.Level up your AI Leadership game with the AI Leadership Handbook:https://www.aileadershiphandbook.comMore details: https://www.intelligence-briefing.com All episodes:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/podcastGet a weekly thought-provoking post in your inbox:https://www.intelligence-briefing.com/newsletter