If/Then

Join Christian Wheeler, a creativity-focused marketing professor, as he unveils the power of improvisation to spark innovative thinking. Susie Ngo, an accounting expert, redefines numbers as a vital communication tool for ethics and business strategy. Ken Schatz, political economy professor, dives into how organizational incentives shape intentions and societal impacts. Together, they explore adapting creativity in unpredictable environments and the importance of interpersonal dynamics and empathy in leadership.

This week on [If/Then or View From The Top] we’re sharing an episode of GSB at 100, a limited audio series created especially for Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Centennial. GSB at 100 presents a scrapbook of memories, ideas, and breakthroughs as Stanford GSB celebrates its first century and looks around the corner to what the next 100 years may hold.On this episode of GSB at 100, you’ll hear from the dedicated and accomplished staff members who work behind the scenes to make Stanford GSB a community unlike anywhere else in the world.Learn more about the Stanford GSB CentennialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an episode of What’s Your Problem?, a show from Pushkin Industries where entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists talk about the future they’re trying to build—and the problems they must solve to get there. Hosted by former Planet Money co-host Jacob Goldstein, each conversation explores the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the next wave of innovation.In this episode, Goldstein speaks with Fei-Fei Li, Stanford computer scientist, former Chief Scientist of AI and Machine Learning at Google, and one of the most influential figures in the field of computer vision. Li reflects on her pioneering work developing ImageNet, the massive dataset that helped spark the modern AI revolution, and the “north star” questions that have guided her research from neuroscience to machine learning.Together, they trace how a single insight about how humans see the world led to a paradigm shift in artificial intelligence—and how Li’s vision continues to shape the way we teach machines to see, learn, and collaborate with us.More Resources:    •  Fei Fei Li   •  Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)    •  ImageNet    •  What’s Your Problem?If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society.Chapters: (00:00:00) Introducing “What’s Your Problem?” Kevin Cool introduces the Pushkin Industries podcast hosted by Jacob Goldstein.00:00:45 — What Is Computer Vision? Jacob Goldstein and Fei-Fei Li explain how machines learn to see and interpret images.00:03:18 — Real-World Uses of AI Vision Li shares examples from healthcare, robotics, and environmental science.00:05:06 — Discovering the Science of SeeingHow human vision research inspired Li’s lifelong “north star” in AI.00:09:56 — Creating ImageNet Li builds a massive image database that transforms computer vision research.00:13:29 — Defining 30,000 Visual Concepts How cognitive science helped shape ImageNet’s massive scale.00:16:41 — Building the Dataset by HandLi's team uses global crowdsourcing to label millions of images.00:19:38 — The 2012 Breakthrough Jeff Hinton’s neural network shatters records and sparks the deep learning era.00:22:19 — Data Meets Hardware Li reflects on how big data and GPUs converged to power modern AI.00:24:55 — Lightning Round with Fei-Fei Li Quick insights on resilience, mentorship, and the future of human-AI collaboration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an episode of GSB at 100, a limited audio series created especially for Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Centennial. GSB at 100 presents a scrapbook of memories, ideas, and breakthroughs, as the GSB celebrates its first century and looks around the corner to what the next hundred years may hold.The first episode of the series begins where the GSB begins: in 1925, Herbert Hoover, a Stanford alum and future U.S. president, had an idea. “A graduate School of Business Administration is urgently needed upon the Pacific Coast,” he wrote. One hundred years later, what has Stanford Graduate School of Business accomplished, and what might its future hold? Listen in as professors reflect on founding principles, frontier technologies, and the magic that makes the GSB the place it is — and shapes what it aspires to be.If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.Learn more about the Stanford GSB CentennialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Su, the dynamic Chair and CEO of AMD, shares her remarkable journey from a first-generation immigrant to a tech leader. She talks about the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning, emphasizing that mentorship shaped her path. The conversation dives into AMD's innovative culture and the challenges posed by global geopolitics in the semiconductor industry. Su also sheds light on the strategic shift towards AI, balancing technological advancement with compliance, and offers insights into the competition between hardware giants like AMD and NVIDIA.

Deborah H. Gruenfeld, a senior associate dean and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, explores the profound impact of academic research on organizations and individuals. She emphasizes how research provides reliable tools to understand truths beyond personal experiences. Topics include the vital role of interdisciplinary approaches in business and how leadership shapes cultural dynamics. Gruenfeld also discusses the significance of untapped research areas like gendering in technology and celebrates the joy of discovery and continuous learning.

Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of marketing at Stanford, sheds light on sustaining motivation across various contexts. She dives into the different phases of motivation and shares practical strategies to maintain focus during the challenging middle stages of goal pursuit. Huang also discusses the impact of social dynamics, such as peer support, on motivation. Additionally, she touches on how AI could potentially enhance motivation, balancing technology with the essential human element of empathy in our journeys.

Rob Siegel, a venture investor and Stanford Graduate School of Business instructor, discusses navigating leadership amid chaos. He emphasizes that leadership thrives on embracing ambiguity rather than avoiding it. Siegel shares strategies for communicating effectively during uncertainty, such as preparation for spontaneous moments and fostering trust through candid dialogue. He highlights the dualities leaders face, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals, and underscores the importance of empathy and authentic communication in inspiring teams.

Michele Gelfand, a Stanford Professor of Organizational Behavior and author of "Rule Makers, Rule Breakers," explores the influence of cultural norms on our lives. She discusses the crucial balance between 'tight' and 'loose' cultures, arguing that effective strategies must consider these ingrained norms. Gelfand shares insights on how culture shapes everything from politics to parenting and emphasizes the need for cultural intelligence in teams. She also touches on the surprising stress that can come from enjoying life's simple pleasures.

Mohsen Bayati, the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Professor of Operations, Information & Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business, dives into the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. He discusses the critical challenges of trust, privacy, and data quality that must be addressed for effective integration. Bayati emphasizes the necessity of human oversight and safety measures to mitigate risks, while also urging patience in adopting these innovative technologies. He provides a thought-provoking look at the future of AI in medicine.