The Lean AI Podcast presented by Eric Ries

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Supreet Kaur, AI professional at Microsoft. Together, they discuss strategic approaches for securing leadership buy-in for AI initiatives, the importance of aligning AI with business problems, and how to effectively communicate AI progress to maintain momentum and support from executives.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Reitz, an expert in AI education and product management, shares insights from his 15-year journey in the field. He emphasizes the need to focus on real user problems rather than falling into 'magical thinking' around AI capabilities. Chris advocates for nurturing smaller, manageable AI use cases to foster genuine innovation. He also dives into strategic approaches for corporate AI initiatives, stressing data quality and evidence-based decision-making as keys to successful implementation.

In a riveting finale, Eric Ries, bestselling author and Lean Startup creator, explores the future of innovation. He emphasizes the significance of testing assumptions and the MVP concept for aligning products with real customer needs. Eric delves into the challenges large corporations face in funding AI projects and critiques traditional models. He advocates for metered funding to stimulate creativity within teams. The conversation also touches on AI's transformative power in jobs, highlighting both the risks of displacement and new opportunities for creativity.

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Mike Hollinger, Distinguished Engineer at IBM and President of the Austin AI Alliance. Together, they explore the critical importance of understanding user intent, leveraging organizational data effectively, and avoiding common pitfalls in AI implementation.Website: ibm.com/design/ai

In this engaging discussion, Chris Withers, a seasoned leader in data and AI with a background at BT Group, EY, and IBM, shares his insights on leveraging generative AI for business transformation. He explores how AI can enhance productivity and improve customer service. The conversation highlights innovative approaches to AI development, emphasizing human-centric strategies and agile practices. Challenges in governance and cultural resistance within organizations are also addressed, along with key strategies for successful AI integration.

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Christina Mongan, Global Director of AI Practice at Unisys. Together, they discuss driving successful AI transformation in large organizations. Christina shares insights on prioritizing business outcomes, creating a human-centered approach to AI, and avoiding common pitfalls in AI adoption.

Dr. Meeta Vouk, AI Product and Strategy Leader and VP of Product Management at Teradata, shares her insights on navigating the complexities of AI governance. She emphasizes the importance of defining clear problems and establishing governance frameworks to prevent project pitfalls. The discussion highlights the need for stakeholder involvement and ethical AI practices. Vouk also contrasts successful and unsuccessful AI initiatives, stressing business engagement and leveraging innovative data strategies. Her expertise offers a roadmap for executives aiming to harness AI responsibly.

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Mike Schubert, Vice President of Technology at Unum. Together, they discuss Mike’s four-step framework for successful AI initiatives, the importance of grounding AI efforts in real business needs, and the value of learning from both successes and failures.

Vivek Mahapatra, Vice President of Go To Market at Salesforce AI, shares his expertise in AI implementation and change management. He discusses the practical applications of AI in enhancing customer service and highlights common pitfalls during its adoption. Vivek emphasizes the critical role of structured change management and internal alignment among teams. He also explores the balance between quick wins and long-term transformation, offering insights into successful AI strategies in various industries.

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Jonathan Bertfield, Senior Director at Lean Startup Co. Together, they discuss the importance of successful AI adoption and the challenges companies face in achieving it, developing AI-powered products across various industries, and the importance of time to value and engagement as KPIs.