What’s the BUZZ? — AI in Business

Agentic AI is pushing leaders to rethink roles, processes, and governance far beyond another automation wave.In this episode, Andreas Welsch speaks with Danielle Gifford, PwC Managing Director of AI, about how organizations should prepare for agentic AI. Danielle draws on frontline experience with enterprise pilots and deployments to explain why agents require new infrastructure, clearer role boundaries, and fresh approaches to governance and workforce design.Highlights from the conversation:Why agents are different from classic rule-based automation: they’re goal-driven, context-aware and can act with autonomy, which creates both opportunity and risk.Where companies (especially in Canada) are on the adoption curve: pilots and POCs are increasing, but full-scale deployments need better data, guardrails, and change planning.How leaders should approach agent projects: start with the business problem, map processes, and decide where human + agent collaboration delivers the highest value.Workforce design and the “digital coworker”: practical advice on defining role boundaries, delegation rules, and how to evaluate outcomes when humans and agents collaborate.Multi-agent orchestration and governance: how to prevent agents from converging on weak solutions and how to build review, control, and accountability into agent systems.Key takeaways:Business first: define the problem before choosing technology. Agents aren’t a silver bullet — they must solve a real, scoped pain point.Move from experimentation to implementation: Canadian enterprises are ready to progress beyond proofs of concept and invest in production-ready agent solutions with proper controls.Agents ≠ automation: treat agents as goal-based collaborators that need explicit boundaries, evaluation metrics, and workforce redesign.If you lead teams, product strategy, or AI initiatives and want practical guidance for turning agent hype into measurable outcomes, this episode is for you. Listen now to get the full conversation and actionable next steps.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

AI agents are arriving fast, but the winners will be the organizations that pair them with trusted data, clear processes and security — not those who chase scale alone. In this episode, Andreas Welsch talks with analyst and diginomica co-founder Jon Reed about what’s actually next for agentic AI: where real value is emerging, why many pilots stall, and how to move from hype to measurable outcomes. They cut through the noise around model releases and scary headlines, and focus on practical pathways for enterprise adoption. Highlights include:Why throwing scale at models isn’t a cure-all and how enterprises succeed by constraining problems and adding domain contextThe “last mile” problem: when out-of-the-box LLMs miss industry-specific language, and when to fine-tune or use smaller domain modelsData readiness as a multi-year journey — and how to weave data cleanup into early AI use cases so you can get wins fastReal business examples (procurement long-tail, finance workflows, shop-floor QA) where agents and ML already drive measurable impactSecurity, trust and identity for agents: new threat vectors, authentication challenges and when agent-to-agent interactions create additional riskPractical tech signals to watch: RAG + tool-calling, MCP/A2A protocols, zero-copy data approaches, and when to favor internal wins over multi-vendor orchestrationPeople and culture: empower middle managers and junior staff to experiment safely, avoid short-sighted headcount cuts, and build communities of practiceLegal and fairness considerations, including why frameworks like the EU AI Act offer useful risk-drive guardrailsIf you lead an AI initiative, build data platforms, or are responsible for secure automation, this conversation gives realistic next steps — from choosing the right model size and partners to hardening agent deployments and capturing the first ROI moments.Listen to the episode to learn how to move past hype and design agent strategies that actually deliver 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

In a captivating discussion, Alison McCauley, a seasoned digital change strategist and author, highlights the profound impact of AI on all job roles. She emphasizes that leaders must engage actively in navigating the uncertainty AI brings. Alison also shares practical strategies for supporting teams, such as identifying AI champions and utilizing AI as a thought partner. She warns against choice paralysis and advocates for hands-on experimentation. Her insights pave the way for leaders to reimagine workflows and confidently embrace the future of work.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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