Conversations on Applied AI

Today, we're talking with Thomas Feeney, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Master of Arts and Artificial Intelligence Leadership at the University of St. Thomas. Thomas now leads this one-of-a-kind program, which blends technical understanding with the critical thinking, foresight, and communication needed for responsible AI leadership.With more than a decade in academia and a foundation philosophy, he helps organizations and leaders assess AI strategic implications. Translate complex ideas into practical action. He holds a PhD from Yale University and an MA in philosophy from Notre Dame. Thank you, Thomas, for being on the program today!If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Applied AIAppliedAI MeetupEmerging Technologies NorthResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeHow AI Is Reshaping the Talent Pipeline and Career Development – As AI transforms job roles and skills needs, leaders are rethinking how to build talent pipelines that prepare workers for the evolving world of work and help organizations compete. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/building-a-talent-pipeline-for-the-ai-eraAI’s Critique of Higher Education and Learning Itself – A provocative analysis argues that generative AI is significantly disrupting traditional university learning, academic integrity, and the meaning of earning a degree. https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-destroying-the-university-and-learning-itselfPartnerships Between People and AI in the Future of Work – Research highlights how AI agents, robots, and humans will collaborate in the workforce, reshaping job tasks, skills, and organizational structures. https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/agents-robots-and-us-skill-partnerships-in-the-age-of-aiGenerative AI’s Impact on American Workers and the Future of Jobs – Analysis from a leading think tank explores what generative AI means for labor markets, outlining both risks and opportunities for workers. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/generative-ai-the-american-worker-and-the-future-of-work/Ethical Challenges and Academic Integrity in AI-Driven Education – An overview of how AI affects learning environments, including concerns about over-reliance, accuracy, and integrity in educational settings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_education

Today we're talking with Ren Bin Lee Dixon. Renin comes to the podcast with a deep experience in public and artificial intelligence policy. She's experienced in the research and analysis of issues at the intersection of technology, socioeconomics, and politics, with an international and diverse professional background in academia, public and private sectors. She's currently a research fellow at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, where she drafts AI policy statements and comments to local and global regulatory bodies with a focus on human rights, democratic values, and the rules of law. A graduate of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, her master's thesis entitled AI Governance, A Comparative Analysis of China, the European Union, and the United States was awarded an excellence in global policy in 2022. She also previously has been a marketing and PR specialist with more than 15 years of professional experience in the private sector, including starting an online retail business. Thank you, Ren bin, for being on the podcast today. If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Applied AIAppliedAI MeetupEmerging Technologies NorthResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Challenge of Regulating AI in the US – Lawmakers are struggling to keep up with AI’s rapid evolution, resulting in gaps in oversight and accountability. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48555How Algorithms Incentivise Engagement – Social-media ranking algorithms optimise for clicks and shares, often amplifying polarising or sensational content. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11894805/AI as a Foundational Technology – Artificial intelligence is moving beyond niche applications to become a core infrastructure across industries and business models. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-next-innovation-revolution-powered-by-aiThe Information Integrity Challenge – The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation is undermining trust in digital ecosystems and societal decision-making. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/03/facts-not-fakes-tackling-disinformation-strengthening-information-integrity_ff96d19f/d909ff7a-en.pdfCan AI Help Regulate AI? – Researchers and policymakers are exploring whether AI-based tools can monitor, audit, and govern other AI systems to ensure fairness and safety. https://academic.oup.com/policyandsociety/article/44/1/85/7684910

Today, we're talking with Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams. Elizabeth is the Chief Engagement Officer at the Minnesota Responsible AI Institute and the CEO of EMA advisory services, where she curates knowledge-exchange initiatives with global leaders on the critical importance of responsible AI. She believes that responsible AI equals a better Minnesota to both preserve our state's natural resources and promote sustainable economic growth.She's an author, TEDx speaker, and keynote speaker sharing her leadership of a responsible AI framework, which helps organizations sustain employee engagement. And I'm super excited for our listeners here to learn more about this framework and how they can apply it within their business and professional career.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeBecoming Invisible in the Age of AIHow individuals and communities risk being overlooked or "invisible" as AI systems make decisions that affect their lives.Learn more about algorithmic invisibilityDiscovering AI Bias and Building Ethics PrinciplesThe process of uncovering bias in AI and the importance of establishing ethical guidelines for development and deployment.Read about AI ethics and biasHow Bias Creeps into AI SystemsA discussion on the subtle ways bias can enter AI models, from data collection to algorithm design.Explore how bias enters AIThe Urgency of Responsible AI AdoptionWhy organizations and society must prioritize responsible AI practices now, not later.Responsible AI: Why it matters nowLinking Responsible AI to Natural ResourcesDrawing parallels between responsible AI stewardship and the management of natural resources.Responsible AI and sustainabilityElizabeth's Journey into Responsible AIDr. Elizabeth M. Adams shares her personal path and motivations for focusing on responsible AI.About Dr. Elizabeth M. AdamsThe Leadership of Responsible AI FrameworkAn overview of frameworks and leadership principles guiding responsible AI implementation.Responsible AI leadership frameworksCommunity Engagement and Launching EMA AdvisoryThe importance of community involvement in AI and the founding of EMA Advisory Services.EMA Advisory Services

The conversation this week is with David Quimby. David is a principal at Innovation Radiation, specializing in systematic innovation, experimental design, and technology forecasting. He is a patented inventor in web architecture and user experience, and co-founder of the Minnesota Change Management Network. David holds a BA in Mathematical and Developmental Economics from UCLA and a Master’s in Organizational Behavior and Sociotechnical Systems from UC Berkeley. With extensive experience in technology analysis, consulting, and product discovery, David is passionate about bridging technical and social systems to drive innovation. He has been an active member of the applied AI community, sharing his expertise at events and workshops. He is dedicated to advancing the field of AI through both practical application and thought leadership. If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeSystematic InnovationSystematic Innovation OverviewDesign Patterns (Christopher Alexander)Design Patterns: Christopher AlexanderLateral Thinking (Edward de Bono)Lateral Thinking by Edward de BonoTRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving)TRIZ MethodologyMorphological Analysis (Fritz Zwicky)Morphological AnalysisHuman-Centric Design (Doug Engelbart)Doug Engelbart and Human-Centric DesignAI Alignment and HallucinationAI Alignment ProblemMatrix Mentor (Custom GPT by David Quimby & Dan Olson)Matrix Mentor

Ayisha Tabbassum, a technology visionary and founder of One Stop for Cloud, discusses the transformative impact of AI on the workforce. She emphasizes upskilling as a key strategy amidst recent layoffs, highlighting how community involvement can enhance AI education. Ayisha shares insights on AI innovations in healthcare and cybersecurity, advocating for ongoing learning and knowledge sharing in tech. Her experiences showcase the need for professionals to adapt to rapid changes in cloud computing and the importance of blending AI tools with traditional skills.

The conversation this week is with Caroline Holden. Caroline is a dynamic creative technologist with more than seven years of experience across startups, venture capital, and media in Minneapolis and New York City. She's known for delivering impressive growth, including 10,000% year-over-year sales increase at Mercado, boosting YouTube engagement by 336 % at DataVolo, and amassing 43,000 views on her AI-focused YouTube channel. Caroline's achievements span managing major events like Twin Cities Startup Week, producing award-winning scripts, and driving innovation in strategy operations and marketing. She's collaborated with top brands like MasterCard and Verizon, and has a proven ability to find creative solutions to complex problems. Most recently, she was the growth and marketing manager at DataVolo, which was recently acquired by Snowflake in November. If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this Episodecarolineswiftholden.comMercadoDatavoloMinneapolis College of Art and DesignHomSurfinSnowflakeBubbleWe Are the Nerds by Christine Lagorio-ChafkinRange by David EpsteinDesigning Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave EvansEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

Join Jean Machart, a transformation executive with a rich background in healthcare and AI, as she shares her journey from finance to leading digital innovations in healthcare. She discusses the critical role of AI in early diagnosis and improving clinical trials, especially in the fight against pediatric cancer. Jean emphasizes the necessity of collaboration in organizational change and outlines how data-driven strategies can revolutionize patient health management. Her insights into integrating AI frameworks for effective leadership offer a roadmap for future advancements in healthcare.

In this conversation, Michael Pitt, an award-winning pediatrician and co-founder of Q-Rounds, discusses the innovative use of AI to enhance hospital communication. He reveals how AI can deliver empathetic updates to families, often outperforming human doctors in clarity. Michael shares his unique integration of magic in pediatric care to ease anxiety. The talk also explores the challenges of medical jargon and how AI can bridge understanding gaps, all while highlighting the significant benefits of AI in improving patient experiences.

The conversation this week is with David Howard. David is a multidisciplinary data scientist and researcher with more than six years of industry experience and eight years in academia. He's been focused on pioneering advancements in generative AI and driving decision-making through insightful analytics, predictive modeling, and advanced data interpretation.As a Ph. D. and former professor in mathematics with research in computer algorithms, he specializes in harnessing complex mathematical theories and applying them in practical ways to solve real-world problems. Makes a lot of sense being on this podcast because we really love applications. He is currently leading technical advancements at CoxAuto with a robust team of 45 data scientists, where his current role involves educating and mentoring others on the utilization of large language models in generative AI.Always an educator, like myself, he hosts a bi-weekly seminar called Mundane to Masterful, educating more than 100 people as he demonstrates generative AI and its transformative potential across various industries.If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!Emerging Technologies NorthAppliedAI MeetupResources and Topics Mentioned in this EpisodeCoxAutoPythagorean TriplesFleetNet AmericaReady LogisticsGartner hype cycleBayesian statisticsMTEB LeaderboardRetrieval-Augmented Generation AIEnjoy!Your host,Justin Grammens

Discover groundbreaking AI advancements and their real-world applications. A nonprofit leverages AI to enhance access for people with disabilities, while experts discuss federated learning's role in autonomous driving. Unpack the significance of explainable AI and the value of robust data management. Learn about transforming meeting transcripts into training resources to make AI accessible to all. Finally, explore the ethical implications of AI technology and its potential to empower creatives amidst evolving job markets.