Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

Are we giving up our freedom for convenience without realizing it? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, a globally recognized AI ethics leader featured in Time and Forbes, to unpack the real risks of artificial intelligence, Big Tech power, and data privacy. As the former Head of AI Ethics at Twitter and Accenture, Dr. Chowdhury shares an insider perspective on how Big Tech is consolidating power, why narratives around AGI and “AI intelligence” are often misleading, and how everyday tools from apps to social media, are quietly shaping a surveillance-driven ecosystem. This conversation dives into AI ethics, surveillance, and the future of work, and explores why trust in AI is declining even as adoption accelerates. We also break down the real-world implications of AI, and most importantly, how you can protect your data, reclaim your agency, and use AI more intentionally. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:16 What’s wrong with AI today 02:18 Why people trust AI less every year 03:09 Big tech vs the technology itself 04:22 Dangerous narratives about AI 06:09 Anthropomorphism and moral outsourcing 07:40 The myth of AGI and profit motives 09:20 The economics behind AI power 11:21 Consumer responsibility and the privacy paradox 13:42 “I have nothing to hide” explained 15:04 How big tech is consolidating control 16:42 What consumers should actually do 18:30 Real-world consequences of data misuse 21:05 From Pokémon Go to surveillance systems 22:29 The dilemma of social media and platforms 26:05 Can AI still be used for good 28:20 Algorithms, manipulation, and loss of agency 30:12 Inside AI ethics at Twitter 33:48 Why leadership and trust are changing 35:17 Surveillance capitalism and public backlash 37:31 How to think strategically about AI 41:19 Finding agency and intentional use of AI 45:06 Will society push back against AI power 52:02 The role of AI ethicists and builders 56:41 The future of work and automation reality 01:01:32 Why expertise and discernment matter most 01:06:35 Advice for business leaders using AI 01:11:33 Final thoughts on agency and discernment Connect with Dr. Rumman Chowdhury: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rumman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rumman_c/?hl=en Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What happens when AI, energy, and technology all go exponential at the same time? Salim Ismail says we’re entering a “messy decade” of disruption… In this episode, we sit down with Salim, the founding executive director of Singularity University and author of Exponential Organizations, to break down the rapid acceleration of AI, robotics, space tech, and solar energy, and what it all means for jobs, business, governments, and your future. Salim explains why AI is doubling every 8–10 weeks, how the cost of technology is collapsing, and how this shift is reshaping innovation, the workforce, and global power structures. From space-based data centers and abundant energy to the rise of AI-native companies, this conversation explores the technologies driving one of the biggest transformations of our time. Like and follow for weekly episodes. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:00 What’s actually going exponential right now 03:30 The convergence of multiple exponential technologies 05:00 Space tech breakthroughs & $6M rocket launches 06:30 Data centers in space & infinite compute 07:45 From scarcity to abundance: the big shift 10:30 Real-world examples: music, communication, and industry disruption 12:45 The “messy decade” before the future gets better 14:00 Why institutions are breaking down (government, media, education) 15:30 Star Trek vs mad max: two possible futures 17:00 Why humans fear AI 20:00 Why technology is still humanity’s biggest advantage 23:00 Will AI take your job? 25:00 The ATM example: why jobs don’t disappear 26:30 AI organizations and 80% workforce reduction myth 28:30 The future of companies: small teams, big impact 30:00 The rise of the creative economy 32:00 Why human experience becomes more valuable 34:30 AI and human experts (doctors, teachers, consultants) 37:00 Which industries will be disrupted first 40:00 Why governments are falling behind 41:30 How to actually innovate 46:30 What leaders must do right now 50:00 What is an exponential organization? 52:30 “What do I do on Monday?” practical advice 57:00 The only strategy that works 59:00 AI startups & the future of entrepreneurship 01:02:00 Why most companies will fail to adapt 01:06:00 How to increase organizational speed 01:10:00 Leadership in the age of exponential change 01:15:00 The future of nations vs cities 01:20:00 Remote work vs in-person work 01:25:00 Robots, AI, and the coming inner loop 01:26:30 Why AGI is misunderstood 01:32:00 What most people get wrong about the future 01:34:00 Fixing civilization & human evolution 01:37:00 Psychedelics, creativity, and human potential 01:42:00 AI solving science and R&D autonomously 01:48:00 Raising kids in an AI world 01:52:00 The risk of losing human connection 01:53:00 Where we’re headed Connect with Salim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimismail/ X: https://x.com/salimismail Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are businesses falling behind in the AI revolution? While AI is transforming everything from workflows to decision-making, many companies are facing a surprising reality: they’re becoming less prepared for AI, not more. In this episode, we sit down with Brian Solis, a globally recognized futurist and thought leader, to explore how disruptive technology is reshaping business, society, and the future of work. As Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow, Brian shares expert insights on business innovation, AI adoption, and what it truly takes to succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape. We also talk about the growing gap between AI-native companies and traditional enterprises, the rise of the agentic enterprise, and why true AI-driven reinvention requires far more than simple automation. Like and follow for weekly episodes. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:55 Are businesses falling behind in AI? 01:30 What “AI disruption” really means for business 03:30 The hidden dangers of AI: Bias, sycophancy & atrophy 05:20 Why most companies are underusing AI (capability overhang) 07:00 The AI index explained: Why readiness is declining 08:30 AI maturity scores are dropping and here’s why 10:50 Will AI-native startups disrupt enterprise giants? 13:00 How AI is reshaping jobs, roles, and workflows 15:30 The biggest myth: “AI transformation is easy” 16:30 What is the agentic enterprise? (future of AI work) 18:30 Automation vs innovation: Where AI creates real value 20:30 Why AI needs vision, not just it execution 22:30 IKEA’s $1B AI Pivot: A real business case study 25:00 AI business reinvention vs digital transformation 27:00 AI agents explained: How they actually work in business 30:00 Who manages AI? The Rise of HR and IT collaboration 33:30 The Chief Workflow Officer: A new c-suite role? 37:30 Innovation culture vs reality: Why most companies fail 45:00 Can you succeed in AI without an innovation culture? 53:00 Biggest AI myth debunked and final takeaways Connect with Brian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansolis/ X: https://x.com/briansolis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briansolis/ Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What happens to leadership, meaning, and human value in the age of AI? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Chip Conley, the former Head of Strategy at Airbnb, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy. Chip joins Geoff to explore whether humans are becoming obsolete or more important than ever. Chip makes the case that while AI is commoditizing knowledge, it’s elevating the value of human wisdom, intuition, and soulful leadership. They unpack the difference between knowledge and wisdom, why AI struggles to ask the right questions, how leaders can balance efficiency with humanity, and what the future of work looks like in an AI-driven world. From philosophy and ethics making a comeback to practical frameworks and wisdom as metabolized experiences shared for the common good, this episode is for anyone navigating AI transformation, searching for meaning, or rethinking what it means to lead and work today. If AI is the age of intelligence, this conversation argues that wisdom is the real competitive advantage. Chip is an American hotelier, hospitality entrepreneur, author, and speaker who founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality, growing it into the second-largest boutique hotel brand in the U.S., and later served as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy. A New York Times bestselling author of books like Peak, Emotional Equations, and Wisdom@Work, he founded the Modern Elder Academy, the first “midlife wisdom school,” to reframe aging and midlife. He is a prominent speaker, board member, and advocate for social impact initiatives. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:27 Are humans becoming obsolete in the age of AI? 01:08 What is Chip Conley’s core philosophy today? 01:27 Knowledge vs. wisdom: Why it matters more than ever 02:30 AI, intelligence, and the limits of answers 03:16 Why AI can’t ask the right questions (yet) 04:06 Human intuition, storytelling, and experience 06:19 Is AI a useful tool for leaders? 07:06 How to use AI effectively as a leader 07:43 Efficiency vs. soulfulness in work 09:18 The human + AI partnership 11:27 What is “soulfulness” in leadership? 14:10 Leadership, agency, and accountability 15:30 Leaders as resource allocators 17:17 Great leaders create future leaders 18:29 Defining soulfulness: Empathy, intuition & connection 20:19 Why soulful leaders feel different 21:36 Is society losing its soul? 22:25 Why scarcity makes wisdom more valuable 24:27 Leadership, culture, and emotional contagion 27:04 “Win at All Costs” vs. soulful leadership 28:16 Is being human a weakness in business? 29:53 The return of philosophy, ethics & humanities 31:09 Why wisdom is making a comeback 34:23 The future of work and what changes 37:31 AI as a partner, not a replacement 38:20 New careers: Coaches, curators & meaning makers 39:04 What is Wisdom? 42:18 Viktor Frankl & the equation for meaning 44:24 Purpose vs. meaning explained 46:47 Growth mindset vs. Know-it-all culture 49:32 Turning pain into wisdom 50:29 The Midlife “U-Curve” of happiness 53:21 The “Diet of Despair” in modern media 59:19 Advice for young people in the AI era 01:02:10 Why usefulness matters more than youth Connect with Chip: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf/ X: https://x.com/ChipConley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipconley/ Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we in an AI bubble or at the beginning of the biggest technological convergence cycle since the Industrial Revolution? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group and tech futurist Amy Webb. Amy joins Geoff Nielson to unpack what 2026 really looks like through the lens of artificial intelligence, programmable biology, quantum computing, biological computing, geopolitics, and systems-level change. Amy argues that we’ve officially entered a new convergence cycle, a rare historical moment where AI, biotech, computing architectures, economic systems, and geopolitics collide to create an entirely new reality. This isn’t incremental innovation. It’s structural transformation. If you’re looking for a conversation grounded in data-backed frameworks to help you navigate disruption, understand convergence cycles, and build real strategic vision in an age of uncertainty, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear what “creative destruction” truly means for business leaders, how power is shifting between Big Tech, governments, and capital markets, why “future-proofing” is a myth, and why many CEOs are falling short when it comes to long-term strategic foresight. Amy is recognized as the global authority who transformed the practice of strategic foresight into a rigorous, data-driven discipline. A pioneering quantitative futurist, she established the field’s foundational methodologies that today guide leaders, organizations, and governments in anticipating disruption, shaping the future, and securing long-term growth. Ranked the #4 Most Influential Management Thinker in the World by Thinkers50, Amy is regarded as one of the most important voices on the future of technology, business, and society. Forbes named her “one of the five women changing the world,” and the BBC recognized her among its 100 Women of the Year. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:08 Where are we in 2026? A world in technological “Typhoon” 01:49 What is a convergence cycle? (Industrial revolution to internet era) 04:14 Why AI is the foundation of this new era 05:04 Systems-level change vs trend stacking 06:19 From AI winters to generative AI breakthroughs 07:27 Power shifts: OpenAI, Microsoft, Google & Competitive Dynamics 08:31 Winners vs losers in the convergence economy 09:26 Fear, FOMO & leadership paralysis 12:17 Rethinking regulation & geopolitical power shifts 15:40 Why “Future-Proofing” is a myth 17:14 AI capital flood: Is there a bubble? 19:25 Enterprise AI & the 80% workforce threshold 23:27 The attention economy & AI hype 27:28 Where AI actually creates real impact 28:11 Programmable biology & DeepMind’s Evo 2 30:00 Climate solutions, agriculture & synthetic biology 31:59 Dolly the Sheep & why transparency matters 38:19 mRNA, public trust & technology communication 40:15 The polycompute future: AI + quantum + biological computing 41:01 Quantum computing’s business implications 42:20 Brain organoids & biological computers 46:48 Creative destruction: What must die for you to survive? 49:00 Why evolution isn’t enough anymore 51:47 Why leaders avoid dangerous conversations 52:39 Strategic foresight & data-backed vision 56:36 Why AI navel-gazing is procrastination 57:23 Leadership in an age of convergence Connect with Amy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywebb/ X: https://x.com/amywebb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amywebbfuturist/ Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is AI really replacing software engineers, or just changing how they work? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering at Lyft. Bala sits down with Geoff to cut through the hype around AI in software development and explain what’s actually changing inside high-performing engineering teams and what that means for the future of work. From vibe coding and AI-powered prototyping to production-ready systems, productivity gains, and the reality behind 10x (or 100x) engineer claims, Bala shares a grounded perspective on why true improvements are closer to 10–20%, not exponential overnight disruption. They discuss engineering leadership in the AI era, bridging skeptics and evangelists, why value creation matters more than lines of code, the importance of customization over out-of-the-box AI, data privacy and governance responsibilities, the growing digital divide, and the critical role of curiosity, culture, and trust in building modern tech teams. Bala is a technology leader who builds high-performing teams and AI that enhances human connection. Beyond his technical leadership, he serves as a startup advisor and served as an advisory board member at Defy Ventures (nonprofit focused on prison reform), reflecting his belief that community impact and innovation should grow together. He emphasizes that AI with humans in the forefront shapes everything he does. AI. He promotes positive aspects of AI while recognizing that leaders must guide its development responsibly. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Why this is the most pivotal moment in tech 02:21 Bridging the AI dreamers and skeptics 03:18 Productivity vs. value creation 04:44 Vibe Coding: Hype vs. reality 05:27 Democratizing software development 06:09 Prototyping vs. production code 08:17 Will AI reduce the need for engineers? 12:25 What engineers should focus on now 13:59 Curiosity as a core engineering trait 15:34 Why engineers must be close to customers 17:28 Feature slop & intentionality 20:39 Lyft’s real-time AI design workflow (cursor example) 23:32 When AI is (and isn’t) truly real-time 25:18 Custom AI vs. out-of-the-box tools 26:55 Data ethics, privacy & governance in ai 29:04 A framework for sensitive data 31:18 Why leaders must act before regulation 32:38 AI Hype: Utopia vs. doomsday narratives 36:23 Culture as a competitive advantage 38:55 What makes a great engineering leader 40:42 Common mistakes new tech managers make 45:19 From “sell” to “tell” 47:55 Leading hybrid & remote engineering teams 49:46 The 10x (or 100x?) engineer debate 53:29 Advice for young engineers 55:23 The future of work 56:55 Bridging the digital divide 58:51 “Give Before You Take” philosophy Connect with Bala: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balaarjunan/ X: https://x.com/balaarjunan Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does it actually take to lead in the age of AI? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Deborah Liu, former CEO of Ancestry and former VP of Facebook Marketplace at Meta. Deborah joins Geoff to share a candid, practical look at modern leadership in 2026. Drawing on her experience scaling billion-user platforms and transforming legacy organizations, she explains why “adding AI” isn’t a strategy and what it truly means to build an AI-native company. They unpack Facebook’s mobile-first pivot and what it teaches about leading through disruption, why adaptability may be the most important executive skill of the next decade, and how CEOs should think about AI governance, security, and enterprise guardrails. Deborah also discusses building with a founder mindset inside large organizations and creating a culture where innovation comes from the bottom up. This conversation also explores the human side of leadership and why communication makes up 80% of the job. Deborah was most recently President and CEO of Ancestry, where she brought the legacy company into its next phase of growth. In her prior role at Meta, she turned persistence into a platform. The idea for Facebook Marketplace came to her during her first interview, though it took six years of strategic thinking and tenacious advocacy to build what would become a global marketplace serving over a billion people. She also architected Facebook’s first mobile ad products and payments infrastructure, proving that the most powerful solutions emerge when you connect the right people, ideas, and opportunities. Her 20+ years in tech began with integration work at PayPal and eBay — complex projects that taught her how to see the connections others miss. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:00 What Being a CEO Means in 2026 06:30 Rebuilding a legacy company for the AI era 07:20 Facebook’s mobile-first pivot (stock price crisis) 10:45 The power of top-down buy-in 12:00 Big bets vs incremental change 15:00 The “Future Us” decision-making framework 19:35 How to build great products 21:00 Fall in love with the problem, not the solution 22:45 AI: Blessing or curse for product teams? 24:30 AI governance, security & data risks 26:45 Are developers becoming obsolete? 28:30 Why senior engineers are more valuable in AI 30:00 Should CEOs own AI strategy? 34:30 Magic wand dinners & listening as a leader 36:00 Remote work vs in-person culture 40:00 Breaking the CEO archetype 44:00 Failure as a career advantage 47:00 Communication is 80% of leadership 51:00 Why experts often fail as managers 53:30 Building a culture of innovation 58:00 Scaling infrastructure to unlock product velocity 1:10:00 Parenthood & career stalls (the honest truth) 1:15:00 Networking for introverts 1:20:00 Adaptability: The most important skill of the next decade 1:21:30 Closing thoughts Connect with Deborah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahliu/ X: https://x.com/debliu_ Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is AI actually going to replace developers? Or is the hype getting ahead of reality? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Sebastian Raschka, AI Research Engineer and author. Sebastian Raschka sits down with Geoff Nielson to unpack the real state of Large Language Models (LLMs) in 2026. As an LLM research engineer, Sebastian bridges deep technical expertise with practical, real-world AI implementation. In this conversation, he cuts through AI hype to focus on what’s actually achievable with modern LLMs, reasoning models, reinforcement learning, and inference scaling and where the limitations still exist. Sebastian explains why most companies should not build a large language model from scratch, but also why understanding the fundamentals may be one of the most important investments technology leaders can make. This conversation breaks down: ◼️Why coding is currently the strongest LLM use case ◼️Why “reasoning” models still fail simple tasks like counting letters in “strawberry” ◼️The reality behind Math Olympiad gold-level AI claims ◼️The true cost of training large models (millions in GPU compute) ◼️The privacy risks of uploading proprietary data into APIs ◼️How enterprises should think about fine-tuning vs API-based prompting ◼️Why benchmarks and leaderboards can be misleading Sebastian Raschka has over a decade of experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. His work bridges academia and industry, serving as a Senior Engineer at Lightning AI and as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is the author of Build a Large Language Model from Scratch and is widely recognized for his practical, code-driven approach to AI education and research. His expertise lies in LLM research, transformer architectures, reinforcement learning, and the development of high-performance AI systems, with a strong focus on real-world implementation. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:23 The Rise of “Reasoning” and Thinking Models 03:06 Inference scaling vs training scaling 06:17 What LLMs are actually good (and bad) at 07:09 The “Strawberry” Problem and Reasoning Limits 09:00 Tool use and why LLMs don’t need to count letters 10:20 Math Olympiads & self-refinement techniques 12:01 Why coding is the killer use case 13:28 Does AI make developers obsolete? 18:02 The Reality of 10x developer productivity claims 21:43 Generalist vs specialized models 23:53 Build from scratch vs fine-tune vs API prompting 25:01The true cost of training an LLM 27:33 API customization vs owning your model 29:12 Who should build an LLM from scratch? 33:16 Data requirements & why you need terabytes 34:28 Enterprise data challenges 35:40 Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) explained 46:05 Multi-agent systems & tool calling 49:48 The problem with LLM benchmarks 55:43 Using LLMs as judges 58:00 Biggest misconceptions about LLMs 1:04:19 Reinforcement learning with verifiable rewards 1:06:32 Advice for technology leaders 1:11:48 Escaping AI hype through fundamentals Connect with Sebastian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianraschka/ X: https://x.com/rasbt Connect with Sebastian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianraschka/ X: https://x.com/rasbt Our links:Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is artificial intelligence strengthening democracy or quietly reshaping power in ways we’re not prepared for? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by world-renowned security technologist and author Bruce Schneier. Bruce is described by the Economist as a "security guru," he is best known as a refreshingly candid and lucid security critic and commentator. He works at the intersection of security, technology, and people. and has been writing about security issues on his blog since 2004 and monthly newsletter since 1998. He is a fellow and lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Chief of Security Architecture at Inrupt, Inc. Bruce joins Geoff to explore one of the most important questions: Will AI strengthen democracy or quietly undermine it? From government services and public policy to cybersecurity, labor, and the justice system, Bruce breaks down how artificial intelligence acts as a power-magnifying technology, amplifying both the best and worst intentions of those who use it. Drawing from real-world examples in Germany, Brazil, Japan, France, Canada, and the United States, this conversation examines where AI is already reshaping democratic institutions. He also outlines four concrete strategies for steering AI toward democratic outcomes: resisting harmful uses, reforming the AI ecosystem, responsibly deploying AI where it helps, and fixing the underlying societal problems AI tends to amplify. This conversation also dives into: ◼️How AI can improve government efficiency without replacing human judgment ◼️The risks of AI concentration in the hands of powerful corporations and governments ◼️AI’s impact on work, jobs, and hiring in an era of automation ◼️The role of regulation, reform, and resistance in shaping AI’s future ◼️Whether AI will ultimately democratize power or reinforce inequality In this video: 00:00 Intro 02:10 AI as a power-magnifying technology 05:00 The four ways AI can help or harm democracy 07:20 Real-World AI use in elections and civic engagement (Germany & Japan) 10:00 AI in courts, justice systems, and public administration (Brazil) 12:30 Journalism, transparency, and AI as an investigative tool 15:00 Human-in-the-loop: Why oversight still matters 18:20 Designing AI that can say “yes” but not “no” 21:00 AI, Work, hiring, and the automation arms race 24:00 Fraud, trust, and remote work in the AI Era 27:00 Does AI democratize power or reinforce it? 30:00 Trustworthy AI vs. “good enough” AI 33:00 When AI is forced on citizens without choice 36:00 Regulation, markets, and the myth of the AI arms race 39:00 What leaders should ask before deploying AI 42:00 Jobs, backlash, and AI-driven inequality 44:00 Lessons from blockchain and past tech hype cycles 48:00 AI, cybersecurity, and the attacker vs. defender balance 52:00 The future of AI skills and careers 55:00 Steering AI toward democracy Connect with Bruce: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruce.schneier Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of AI really look like as we head toward 2026, beyond the hype, headlines, and fear-driven narratives? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by internationally recognized advisor, speaker, and researcher on AI strategy, Walter Pasquarelli. Walter is one of the world’s leading voices on ethical and strategic AI. He has advised governments, global institutions, and leading technology companies on AI governance, policy, and readiness, and brings a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead in the age of artificial intelligence. Walter joins Geoff to unpack what’s actually happening with artificial intelligence and what most media coverage gets wrong. He brings a 360-degree view of AI adoption and how AI is moving out of boardrooms and into everyday life, reshaping how people think, decide, work, and relate to technology. This conversation dives into: Why AI adoption is accelerating among consumers not just enterprises The rise of AI companions, humanoid robots, and everyday AI use The real risks behind automation anxiety, data privacy, and emotional dependency What “AI psychosis” is and why it’s a growing concern Why AI literacy matters more than fear, hype, or blind regulation How AI is reshaping work, leadership, and global competitiveness In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:14 AI’s trajectory toward 2026 02:09 AI moves from boardrooms to living rooms 03:16 Humanoid robots: From screens to physical bodies 05:35 Household robots, prestige, and consumer adoption 07:33 Military, drones, and high-stakes AI applications 08:46 Self-driving cars as robotics, not just vehicles 13:49 Automation anxiety and ethical reality 18:30 Shifting authority from humans to algorithms 19:58 Power concentration and data privacy risks 22:49 AI, mental health, and emotional dependency 28:11 Why regulation alone will always lag 33:25 Business leaders’ biggest AI misconceptions 36:49 Data, talent, and capability gaps 42:18 Estonia, strategy, and digital leadership 44:42 Advising governments: What leaders must do 49:49 AI, sector disruption, and the future of work 53:22 Why top performers benefit most from AI 56:14 Judgment, curation, and human excellence Connect with Walter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-m-pasquarelli/?originalSubdomain=uk X: https://x.com/waltpasquarelli Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What if AI becomes the most consequential technology in human history? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Nina Schick, geopolitical analyst and one of the world’s leading voices on AI. Nina Schick is a globally recognized expert on AI, geopolitics, and power. She was among the first to forecast the societal impact of AI-generated content and now leads the conversation on Industrial Intelligence, the idea that AI is not just software, but a geopolitical and industrial transformation. Nina sits down with Geoff to unpack how intelligence itself is becoming a geopolitical weapon. She explains why we are entering the Age of Intelligence, where non-biological intelligence may soon rival or surpass human intelligence, reshaping economics, warfare, democracy, labor, and global power structures This conversation goes far beyond AI tools and chatbots. We explore: Why AGI may arrive sooner than expected How AI infrastructure and scaling laws are reshaping global power What AI means for warfare, democracy, and national security How near-zero-cost intelligence will transform work and leadership In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:33 The AI scaling laws accelerating toward AGI 03:09 Excitement vs fear: how disruptive will AI really be? 05:16 Deepfakes, information warfare, and early AI misuse 06:58 AI’s true killer app: scientific discovery 08:49 Intelligence as a utility and the speed of global disruption 10:38 Why AI is becoming the biggest political issue of our time 12:12 Concentration of power and the rise of AI monopolies 14:33 Technology, history, and why power always follows innovation 16:18AI infrastructure, hyperscalers, and trillion-dollar CapEx 19:05 AI as hard power and American technological dominance 21:15 NATO, national security, and autonomous warfare 23:55 The end of American hegemony and the rise of hard power politics 27:36 Democracy vs authoritarianism in the AI race 29:48 Why trivial consumer AI is a strategic failure 35:52 What AI deployment really means for businesses 39:13 The myth of AI tools vs intelligence as a capability 41:41 Will AI actually cause mass layoffs? 46:32 Asset ownership in a world of cheap intelligence 50:24 How AI empowers individuals and emerging economies 52:51 The most important skills for the AI age 55:38 Why being human matters more than ever 56:41 Resilience, risk, and the future Connect with Nina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninaschick/ X: https://x.com/NinaDSchick Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is the metaverse actually dead or just badly branded? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Christian Venables, co-founder of Radical Realities. Christian specializes in immersive technology and AI, staying at the forefront of emerging tools, platforms, and workflows. With a strong foundation in architecture and design, he has transitioned into extended reality (XR), exploring the evolving possibilities of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and spatial computing. He is the Co-Founder of Radical Realities, a global immersive studio of creative innovators operating entirely virtually. The studio delivers experiences that transcend the physical world, spanning metaverse development, gaming, AR/VR/MR, CGI, VFX, and AI consultancy. Throughout his career, Christian has led and contributed to immersive projects for globally recognized brands including Coachella, Universal, Disney, Cartier, and Hyundai. Christian sits down with Geoff to break down why the metaverse will be rebranded and not abandoned. The real future isn’t cartoon avatars or fantasy worlds, but spatial computing, AR glasses, and ambient interfaces that blend seamlessly into everyday life. Despite years of hype, backlash, and false hope, the metaverse may finally be entering its most practical and powerful phase. Christian explains why the term itself may disappear, while the underlying technologies XR, spatial computing, AI-driven 3D design, and wearable AR glasses, are already reshaping how we work, learn, design, and collaborate. From Meta Ray-Ban display glasses and neural wristbands to Gravity Sketch, Unreal Engine, and AI-assisted worldbuilding; This conversation explores how immersive computing is moving beyond gimmicks into real-world utility, especially across architecture, engineering, education, and the creative industries. In this video: 00:00 Intro 03:00 Is the metaverse dead or just misbranded? 06:00 Spatial computing vs virtual worlds 09:00 Why AR glasses matter more than headsets 12:00 Smart glasses: why this wave is different 15:00 Neural wristbands and gesture-based control 18:00 How quickly humans become dependent on tech 21:00 The split between human-made and AI-generated culture 24:00 Augmenting creativity instead of replacing it 27:00 Designing entirely inside VR 30:00 Gravity Sketch: true 3D creation explained 34:00 Why spatial collaboration beats screens 38:00 Real-world use cases: architecture & manufacturing 42:00 Why mouse and keyboard are reaching their limits 47:00 AI + XR: generating worlds in real time 52:00 What needs to happen before immersive tech scales 56:00 Should immersive computing be back on our radar? Connect with Christian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-venables-74542836/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csavenables/ X: https://x.com/Csavenables Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What happens when the people building artificial intelligence quietly believe it might destroy us? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Gregory Warner, Peabody Award–winning journalist, former NPR correspondent, and host of the hit AI podcast The Last Invention. Gregory Warner is a versatile journalist and podcaster. He has been recognized with a Peabody Award and other awards from organizations like Edward R. Murrow, New York Festivals, AP, and PRNDI. Warner's career includes serving as an East Africa correspondent, where he covered the region's economic growth and terrorism threats. He has also worked as a senior reporter for American Public Media's Marketplace, focusing on the economics of American health care. His work has been recognized with a Best News Feature award from the Third Coast International Audio Festival. Gregory sits down with Geoff for an honest conversation about the AI race unfolding today. After years spent interviewing the architects, skeptics, and true believers behind advanced AI systems, Gregory has come away with an unsettling insight: the same people racing to build more powerful models are often the most worried about where this technology is heading. This episode explores whether we’re already living inside the AI risk window, why AI safety may be even harder than nuclear safety, and why Silicon Valley’s “move fast and fix later” mindset may not apply to superintelligence. It also examines the growing philosophical divide between AI doomers and AI accelerationists. This conversation goes far beyond chatbots and job-loss headlines. It asks a deeper question few are willing to confront: are we building something we can’t control and, doing it anyway? In this video: 00:00 Intro 03:00 AI models that already behave like elite hackers 05:00 Why the AI risk window may already be open 06:30 What AI safety actually means (and why it’s so hard) 12:00 Human-in-the-loop: safety feature or illusion? 15:00 AI as an alien intelligence, not a human one 19:00 The Silicon Valley AI arms race explained 21:00 OpenAI, DeepMind, Anthropic, xAI: who’s racing and why 25:00 The “Compressed Century” and radical AI optimism 27:00 Can AI actually solve humanity’s biggest problems? 33:00 Capital, competition, and the pressure to deploy 37:00 Is AI more dangerous than nuclear weapons? 39:00 The problem with comparing AI to past technologies 43:00 What happens to human agency in an AI-driven world? 45:00 How AI reshapes creativity, journalism, and truth 53:00 The quiet assumptions built into AI systems 55:00 Why optimism and fear both miss the full picture 59:00 What responsibility do users have? 01:01:00 The most important question we’re not asking about AI Connect with Gregory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiogrego/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiogrego/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What happens to jobs, money, and meaning when intelligence becomes cheaper than labor and humans are no longer the smartest ones in the room? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Emad Mostaque, founder of Stability AI and a leading voice in the global AI revolution. Emad Mostaque is a businessman, mathematician, and former hedge fund manager. He is the co-founder and was CEO of Stability AI, the company behind the popular text-to-image generator Stable Diffusion. With a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Oxford, Emad Mostaque has significantly contributed to artificial intelligence. His vision for Stability AI was to “build the foundation to activate humanity’s potential” through open-source generative AI. Emad sits down with Geoff to explore a future that may arrive far sooner than most people expect. He argues that within the next 1,000 days, artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape the global economy, upending work, capitalism, enterprise software, and even how we define human value. Drawing from his book The Last Economy, Emad lays out a stark and deeply thought-provoking framework for understanding what comes next when cognitive labor becomes economically irrelevant. This conversation explores the inevitabilities of exponential AI progress, including why intelligence is becoming “too cheap to measure,” how AI agents will replace many jobs done behind a screen, and the coming shift from human-plus-AI teams to AI-only systems. Beyond the economics, Emad also tackles the human question: where meaning comes from in a world where AI outperforms us at most cognitive tasks. He argues that resilience in the AI age will depend less on job titles and more on community, networks, relationships, and how deeply individuals engage with the technology itself. In this video: 00:00 Intro 04:30 What is “The Last Economy”? 08:45 Intelligence becomes too cheap to measure 13:30 The three possible AI futures 18:00 Are humans becoming the weakest link? 22:15 The rise of economic agents 27:00 Digital doubles and the end of white-collar work 31:45 Enterprises racing toward zero employees 36:30 Why AI is cheaper than human labor (by orders of magnitude) 41:15 Software, SaaS, and the collapse of enterprise moats 46:00 The internet after AI agents 50:15 Who controls the “AI next to you”? 54:30 Open-Source vs Big Tech AI 58:45 The first one-person billion-dollar company 1:03:30 What humans are still for 1:07:00 How to prepare for the AI economy now Connect with Emad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emad-mostaque-9840ba274/?originalSubdomain=uk X: https://x.com/EMostaque Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mostaquee/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is artificial intelligence humanity’s greatest salvation, or the most dangerous force we’ve ever unleashed? Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept, it’s a force already reshaping geopolitics, economics, warfare, and the human experience itself. In this year in review episode of Digital Disruption, we bring together the most provocative, conflicting, and urgent ideas from this past year to confront the biggest question of our time: What does AI actually mean for humanity’s future? Across more than 40 conversations with leading technologists, journalists, researchers, and futurists, one theme dominated every debate, AI. Some guests argue that artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence could trigger an extinction-level event. Others believe AI may usher in an era of total abundance, solving humanity’s hardest problems. And still others claim today’s AI hype is little more than marketing smoke and mirrors. This episode puts those worldviews head-to-head. In this episode: 00:00 The AI singularity is here 05:00 Existential threat or greatest opportunity? 10:00 Why no one agrees on ai’s future 15:00 The race toward AGI and superintelligence 20:00 The control problem nobody has solved 25:00 Intelligence has no morality 30:00 Capitalism, venture capital, and the AI arms race 35:00 Is AI just a marketing illusion? 40:00 Generative AI: Power, limits, and misuse 45:00 Autonomous weapons and modern warfare 50:00 Fear as the driver of dangerous innovation 55:00 Why AI is not like nuclear weapons 1:00:00 The first and second AI dilemmas 1:05:00 Handing decisions over to machines 1:10:00 Collapse, abundance, or course correction? Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are companies preparing for an AI-powered future or reacting out of fear of being left behind? Looking ahead to 2026, Geoff Nielson and Jeremy Roberts sit down for an unfiltered conversation about artificial intelligence, the economy, and the future of work. As AI hype accelerates across markets, boardrooms, and headlines, they ask the hard questions many leaders and workers are quietly worrying about: Are we in an AI bubble? If so, what happens when expectations collide with reality? This episode explores whether today’s massive investment in AI, GPUs, infrastructure, copilots, and generative tools is laying the foundation for long-term value or repeating the familiar patterns of past tech bubbles like the dot-com boom and the subprime mortgage crisis. Geoff and Jeremy break down why traditional metrics like price-to-earnings ratios matter, why Nvidia and big tech dominate the narrative, and why the real risk may not be collapse but widespread underperformance. The conversation goes far beyond markets. They dig into the impact of AI on jobs, layoffs, and corporate restructuring, challenging the idea that AI is “taking jobs” versus being used as convenient cover for economic tightening. From IT, HR, and operations to customer-facing roles, they examine how AI could reshape workforce composition, accelerate automation, and create a new and potentially unsettling employment equilibrium. You’ll also hear a candid critique of how organizations are actually using AI today and what is to come next in 2026. Tech Trends Report 2026: https://www.infotech.com/research/ss/tech-trends-2026?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=research In this video: 00:00 Just add AI to everything? 03:45 Looking ahead to 2026: Nobody knows what’s coming 07:10 Are we in an AI bubble? 12:30 Comparing AI to the dot-com and 2008 crashes 18:10 Nvidia, GPUs, and the AI Gold Rush 24:20 Why AI infrastructure may be ahead of real-world use cases. 30:40 Markets untethered from reality 36:50 is AI really taking jobs or is something else happening? 43:30 The real employment question for 2026 49:40 Corporate bloat, back-office roles, and automation 56:10 Why most AI projects fail to deliver value 1:02:45 From productivity theater to real ROI 1:09:20 Faster horses vs. Real cars in AI 1:15:40 AI 2.0: Agents, experiments, and what comes next 1:22:10 The real risk ahead: Underperformance, not collapse Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we using AI in a way that actually makes us smarter or are we unknowingly making ourselves less capable, less curious, and easier to automate? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we are joined by artificial intelligence expert and neuroscientist, Dr. Vivienne Ming. Over her career, Dr. Vivienne Ming has founded 6 startups, been chief scientist at 2 others, and founded The Human Trust, a philanthropic data trust and “mad science incubator” that explores seemingly intractable problems—from a lone child’s disability to global economic inclusion—for free. She co-founded Dionysus Health, combining AI and epigenetics to invent the first ever biological test for postpartum depression and change the lives of millions of families. She also develops AI tools for learning at home and in school, models of bias in hiring and promotion, and neurotechnologies to treat dementia and TBI. Vivienne was named one of “10 Women to Watch in Tech” by Inc. Magazine and one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2017. She is featured frequently for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, Quartz Magazine and the New York Times. Dr. Vivienne Ming sits down with Geoff to unpack one of the most misunderstood truths about artificial intelligence: AI isn’t here to replace your thinking it’s here to challenge it. And whether you grow or get left behind depends entirely on how you choose to engage with it. Dr. Ming reveals why most organizations and most individuals are using AI in the worst possible way. Instead of creating leverage, they’re creating “work slop,” cognitive dependency, shallow automation, and declining human capability. She explains why the real competitive advantage in the AI age comes from productive friction, creative complementarity, and teams that know how to use AI to explore the ill-posed problems—the ambiguous, uncertain, high-value challenges machines can’t solve on their own. From how to robot-proof your company, to why AI tutors fail when they give answers, to the science of courage, reward systems, and organizational culture, this conversation is one of the most honest explorations of the future of human capability in an AI-saturated world. In this video: 00:00 Intro 02:30 The real value of hybrid intelligence 05:00 Cognitive automation vs. true complementarity 08:20 Ill-posed problems: where humans still win 12:10 What elite performers really do differently 16:00 The paradox of AI: why more automation creates more work 18:30 How hybrid teams beat prediction markets 20:50 Inequality & imagination disease in AI 23:10 AI tutors & the golden rule: never give the answer 28:00 The nemesis prompt: how to robot-proof yourself 44:20 Courage, ethics & reward structures in organizations 54:00 Using AI without losing the human story 01:06:30 How to robot-proof your company Connect with Vivienne: Website: https://socos.org/about-vivienne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienneming/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

If AI is becoming a “playground” for experimentation, are today’s organizations bold enough to explore it or are they still too afraid to try? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we are joined by Kenneth Cukier, Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist and bestselling author. Kenneth Cukier is the Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist. He is the author of several books on technology and society, notably “Framers” on the power of mental models and the limitations of AI, with Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Francis de Vericourt, as well as “Big Data: A Revolution That Transforms How We Live, Work and Think” with Viktor. It was a NYT bestseller translated into over 20 languages, and sold over two million copies worldwide. It won the National Library of China’s Wenjin Book Award and was a finalist for the FT Business Book of the Year. Kenn also coauthored a follow-on book, “Learning with Big Data: The Future of Education”. He has been a frequent commentator on CBS, CNN, NPR, the BBC and was a member of the World Economic Forum’s global council on data-driven development. Kenneth has spent decades at the intersection of AI, journalism, business strategy, and global policy. In this conversation, he sits down with Geoff to share candid insights on how AI is reshaping organizations, leadership, economics, and the future of work. He breaks down the real state of AI, what’s hype, what’s real, and what it means for workers, leaders, and companies. Kenneth explains how AI is shifting from automating tasks to expanding the frontier of knowledge, why today’s multi-trillion-dollar AI investment wave is both overhyped and underhyped, and how everything from healthcare to management is poised to transform. This episode explores why most companies should treat AI as a “playground” for experimentation, how The Economist is using generative AI behind the scenes, the human skills needed to stay competitive, and why great leadership now requires enabling curiosity, psychological safety, and responsible innovation. Kenneth also unpacks the growing “AI-lash,” the limits of GDP as a measure of progress, and why the organizations that learn fastest, not the ones that simply know the most, will win the future. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 05:00 AI Today: Overhyped, underhyped, or both? 10:00 From Big Data to LLMs: How we got here 15:00 The $3 trillion AI wave: What it really signals 20:00 Automation vs. knowledge expansion 25:00 Inside The Economist: How they actually use Generative AI 30:00 Why “more content” isn’t a strategy 35:00 Leadership in the age of AI: Curiosity, judgment, culture 40:00 The skills humans must keep and why they matter more now 45:00 The rise of the “AI-lash” and public skepticism 50:00 GDP, progress, and what we’re measuring wrong 55:00 Why the fastest learners win the future 1:01:00 What can this technology really do? Connect with Kenneth: Connect with Kenneth: Website: http://www.cukier.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-cukier-9ab56335/ X: https://x.com/kncukier Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of work really look like when AI, identity, and culture collide? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon, Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work. Anne-Marie is a leading voice in the tech world, known for her work as a trustee at the Institute for the Future of Work and as the temporary Arithmetician on Channel 4’s Countdown. A former child prodigy who passed A-level computing at 11 and earned a Master’s in Maths and Computer Science from Oxford by 20, she has since spoken globally for companies including Facebook, Amazon, Google and Mastercard. She hosts the acclaimed Women Tech Charge podcast and is a sought-after presenter who has interviewed figures such as Jack Dorsey and Sir Lewis Hamilton. Anne-Marie has received multiple Honorary Doctorates, serves on several national boards, and continues to champion diversity and innovation in tech. Her latest book, She’s In CTRL, was published in 2022. Dr. Anne-Marie joins Geoff to break down how AI, big data, quantum, and the wider “Fourth Industrial Revolution” are transforming jobs, workplaces, identity, culture, and society. From redefining long-held beliefs about “jobs for life,” to the cultural fractures emerging between companies, workers, and society, Dr. Anne-Marie goes deep on what’s changing, what still isn’t understood, and what leaders must do right now to avoid being left behind. This conversation dives into why most AI use cases are still limited to fraud detection and customer service, and the hidden cultural blockers preventing real transformation. She emphasizes the danger of hype cycles, and how to stay focused on real value and how to build organizations that can experiment, learn, and make “high-quality mistakes.” In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:31 The Future of Work: What’s changing now 02:32 Generational identity, legacy jobs & why work is no longer “for life” 04:36 Work identity crisis & fragmentation of modern careers 07:45 Rethinking digital transformation & the fourth industrial revolution 11:36 Why the institute avoids the AI hype & looks beyond it 13:39 AI Hype vs. reality 17:50 High-quality mistakes 21:06 Tech design failures 23:18 Culture, customers & building organizations that reflect the real world 29:04 Destroying the “Einstein Myth” & rewriting who tech is for 39:37 First-principles thinking 50:34 Norms, unintended consequences & system-level change 55:32 When will the dust settle? ai timelines, disruption & what’s next 57:28 Closing thoughts Connect with Dr. Ann-Marie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimafidon/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notyouraverageami/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

When intelligence becomes abundant, what happens to humanity’s purpose? Andy Mills, the co-founder of The New York Times’ The Daily and creator of The Last Invention, joins us on this episode of Digital Disruption. Andy is a reporter, editor, podcast producer, and co-founder of Longview. His most recent series, The Last Invention, explores the AI revolution, from Alan Turing’s early ideas to today’s fierce debates between accelerationists, doomers, and those focused on building the technology safely. Before that, he co-created The Daily at The New York Times and produced acclaimed documentary series including Rabbit Hole, Caliphate, and The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. A former fundamentalist Christian from Louisiana and Illinois, Andy now champions curiosity, skepticism, and the transformative power of listening to people with different perspectives, values that shape his award-winning journalism across politics, terrorism, culture wars, technology, and science. Andy sits down with Geoff to break down the real debate shaping the future of AI. From the “doomers” warning of existential risk to the accelerationists racing toward AGI, Andy maps out the three major AI camps influencing policy, economics, and the future of human intelligence. This conversation explores why some researchers fear AGI, why others believe it will save humanity, how job loss and automation could reshape society, and why 2025 is becoming an “AI 101 moment” for the public. Andy also shares what he’s learned after years investigating OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and the people behind the AGI race. If you want clarity on AGI, existential risk, the future of work, and what it all means for humanity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:00 The three camps of AI: doom, acceleration, scouts 05:00 Why skeptics aren’t driving the AI debate 07:00 Job loss, productivity & “good” vs. “bad” disruption 09:00 Existential risk & why scientists are sounding alarms 12:00 The origins of doomers and accelerationists 17:00 How AI debates escalated after ChatGPT 22:00 Why 2025 is an AI “101 moment” for the public 24:00 The tech stack wars: OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI 28:00 Why leaders joined the AI race 30:00 The accelerationist mindset 33:00 Contrarians, symbolists & the forgotten history of AI 39:00 Big Tech, branding & why AI CEOs avoid open conflict 42:00 The closed group chats of AI’s elite builders 46:00 Sci-Fi narratives vs. real-world intelligence risks 52:00 The AI bubble & why adoption is unlike any tech before 01:00:00 Are we entering a wright-brothers-to-moon-landing era? 01:10:00 What AGI means for capitalism, work & purpose 01:18:00 Why public debate needs to start now 01:20:00 What happens next Connect with Andy: Website: https://www.andymills.work/about Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we chasing the wrong goal with Artificial General Intelligence, and missing the breakthroughs that matter now On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by former research director at Google and AI legend, Peter Norvig. Peter is an American computer scientist and a Distinguished Education Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). He is also a researcher at Google, where he previously served as Director of Research and led the company’s core search algorithms group. Before joining Google, Norvig headed NASA Ames Research Center’s Computational Sciences Division, where he served as NASA’s senior computer scientist and received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Award in 2001.He is best known as the co-author, alongside Stuart J. Russell, of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach — the world’s most widely used textbook in the field of artificial intelligence. Peter sits down with Geoff to separate facts from fiction about where AI is really headed. He explains why the hype around Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) misses the point, how today’s models are already “general,” and what truly matters most: making AI safer, more reliable, and human-centered. He discusses the rapid evolution of generative models, the risks of misinformation, AI safety, open-source regulation, and the balance between democratizing AI and containing powerful systems. This conversation explores the impact of AI on jobs, education, cybersecurity, and global inequality, and how organizations can adapt, not by chasing hype, but by aligning AI to business and societal goals. If you want to understand where AI actually stands, beyond the headlines, this is the conversation you need to hear. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:00 How AI evolved since Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach 03:00 Is AGI already here? Norvig’s take on general intelligence 06:00 The surprising progress in large language models 08:00 Evolution vs. revolution 10:00 Making AI safer and more reliable 12:00 Lessons from social media and unintended consequences 15:00 The real AI risks: misinformation and misuse 18:00 Inside Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute 20:00 Regulation, policy, and the role of government 22:00 Why AI may need an Underwriters Laboratory moment 24:00 Will there be one “winner” in the AI race? 26:00 The open-source dilemma: freedom vs. safety 28:00 Can AI improve cybersecurity more than it harms it? 30:00 “Teach Yourself Programming in 10 Years” in the AI age 33:00 The speed paradox: learning vs. automation 36:00 How AI might (finally) change productivity 38:00 Global economics, China, and leapfrog technologies 42:00 The job market: faster disruption and inequality 45:00 The social safety net and future of full-time work 48:00 Winners, losers, and redistributing value in the AI era 50:00 How CEOs should really approach AI strategy 52:00 Why hiring a “PhD in AI” isn’t the answer 54:00 The democratization of AI for small businesses 56:00 The future of IT and enterprise functions 57:00 Advice for staying relevant as a technologist 59:00 A realistic optimism for AI’s future Connect with Peter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pnorvig/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is “AI-first” the future of business or just another tech buzzword? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by former Google Chief Decision Scientist and CEO of Kozyr, Cassie Kozyrkov. Cassie is best known for founding the field of Decision Intelligence and serving as Google’s first Chief Decision Scientist, where she helped lead the company’s AI-first transformation. A sought-after advisor and keynote speaker, Cassie has guided organizations including Gucci, NASA, Meta, Spotify, Salesforce, and GSK on AI strategy. She combines deep technical expertise with theater-trained charisma to make complex concepts engaging and actionable for executive and general audiences alike delighting audiences in over 40 countries across all seven continents, including stages at the UN, WEF, Web Summit, and SXSW. Cassie sits down with Geoff to unpack the hidden cost of the “AI-first” hype, the dangers of AI infrastructure debt, and why real AI readiness starts with people, not technology. She reveals how leaders can architect their organizations for innovation, build human-in-the-loop systems, and create cultures that embrace experimentation instead of fearing mistakes. Cassie exposes why 95% of organizations fail to achieve measurable ROI from AI and how leaders can finally bridge the AI value gap. This conversation dives into why AI success isn’t about tools, it’s about leadership, measurement, and mindset. Most organizations chasing “AI transformation” see no measurable ROI not because the technology fails, but because leaders are still measuring value the old way. Generative AI success is hard to quantify when there isn’t a single “right answer,” yet many businesses keep trying to apply outdated metrics to a completely new paradigm. In this video: 00:00 Intro 00:44 The Generative AI Value Gap: Why 95% get no ROI 02:20 The paradox of AI productivity 05:38 Why measuring AI value is harder than we think 12:04 Leadership abdication: “Just sprinkle AI on everything” 15:10 AI infrastructure debt explained 20:17 What real AI readiness looks like (beyond tech) 23:42 Humans as part of AI infrastructure 28:00 Why “AI-first” isn’t one-size-fits-all 33:31 Building human judgment into AI systems 36:19 The risks of scaling too fast 41:34 Automation vs augmentation: where leaders go wrong 44:00 The “do the work” approach to AI success 48:35 The recipe for an AI-ready organization 53:40 Guardrails, governance, and security in AI systems 57:00 Thinking probabilistically: a new mindset for leaders 1:03:20 The human side of AI transformation 1:06:45 Leading through uncertainty Connect with Cassie: Website: https://www.kozyr.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kozyrkov/ X: https://x.com/decisionleader YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Kozyrkov Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Why is adaptability the real superpower for leaders in the digital age? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Erik Qualman, a digital leadership expert, best-selling author, and motivational speaker. Erik is a 5x #1 Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker who has inspired audiences in over 55 countries and reached 50 million people. Voted the #2 Most Likeable Author in the World behind J.K. Rowling, his work Socialnomics has been featured on 60 Minutes, in The Wall Street Journal, and used by organizations from the National Guard to NASA. A professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University, Qualman’s research and courses are studied at 500+ universities worldwide. Through his animation studio, he has partnered with brands like Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier. A former MIT and Harvard edX professor and honorary doctorate recipient, Qualman is also the creator of the bestselling board game Kittycorn. Erik joins Geoff Nielson to break down what it really means to be AI-ready. He reveals why the leaders who know how to leverage AI and adapt fast will replace those who don’t. He explains why AI is overhyped in the short term but underhyped in the long term, and how the most successful leaders of the next decade will blend Flintstones-level human connection with Jetsons-era innovation. Erik explains why adaptability and emotional intelligence (EQ) are the new competitive edge in the age of artificial intelligence. This conversation explores how AI can remove friction, save time, and ironically help us become more human, while also exploring the guardrails needed for responsible tech adoption. Erik also shares lessons from advising some of the world’s top brands including Facebook, Disney, and Sony and explains why the future favors those who fail fast, fail forward, and fail better. In this video: 00:00 Intro 02:00 The “Flintstones First” approach to digital leadership 04:40 How AI helps us become more human 06:15 Winners, losers, and adaptability in the AI era 08:30 Emotional intelligence and leadership in a tech-driven world 11:00 The need for guardrails in AI and social media 13:00 Teaching AI and digital leadership at Northwestern 15:00 How technology is transforming the classroom 17:45 The 70/30 rule: what changes vs. what never will 19:00 Core advice for leaders and digital innovators 21:30 Avoiding hype: testing new tech like AI and Clubhouse 23:00 Lessons from Montblanc and the origins of “Digital Leadership” 25:00 The Disney+ story: digital transformation done right 27:00 Building a culture of “fail fast, fail forward, fail better” 30:00 Balancing the Flintstones and the Jetsons Connect with Erik: Website: https://equalman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/ X: https://x.com/equalman YouTube: @equalman Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Could AI’s biggest impact be economic, not technological? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of EZPR and host of Better Offline podcast, Ed Zitron. Ed is a technology writer, public relations expert, and podcaster known for his critical takes on the tech industry and its biggest players. His work has appeared in leading outlets including The Atlantic, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. He is the author of the popular newsletter Where’s Your Ed At, launched in 2020, where he explores the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Ed also hosts the Better Offline podcast, delving into the realities of the tech industry and the ripple effects of the AI boom. With his candid insights and thoughtful commentary, Ed has become a trusted voice and sought-after speaker within the tech community. One of the most outspoken critics of the AI boom, Ed Zitron joins Geoff to cut through the noise and talk about the truth behind generative AI. Ed breaks down why he believes AI “doesn’t work,” what’s really driving the trillion-dollar hype, and why big tech, media, and investors may be steering straight into the next Enron moment. This conversation unpacks why large language models fall short, how Microsoft’s AI Copilot has failed to deliver, and how corporate opportunism and investor “vibes” are fueling one of the biggest speculative bubbles in tech history. They also explore the “Enron-like” risks in the AI hardware race, the potential fallout for retail investors and startups, and tackle one of tech’s most misunderstood narratives, the myth of AI-driven job loss, revealing who’s really being replaced. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:36 “AI doesn’t work” 02:05 The limits of LLMs 04:33 Microsoft Copilot and the illusion of productivity 07:05 The AI job myth: Who’s really being replaced? 10:00 CEOs, opportunism, and the false narrative of AI efficiency 12:00 The Salesforce example: Lies, hype, and failure to deliver 14:00 What AI can actually do 18:00 The trust problem 19:45 Media complacency and tech industry collusion 22:00 Microsoft, Nvidia, and false growth 25:00 The Enron parallels 28:30 Why investors are rewarding bad behavior 31:00 Who gets hurt when the AI bubble bursts? 35:00 Unsustainable startups and rising model costs 38:00 The coming collapse of AI infrastructure 40:00 What business leaders should do now to avoid being burned 44:30 The harsh truth about ChatGPT 49:00 What real innovation looks like: Batteries, EVs, AR, and more 54:00 The future of work beyond AI hype Connect with Ed: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edzitron/ X: https://x.com/edzitron Instagram: instagram.com/edzitron Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is the AI arms race between tech giants and nations pushing us toward a dangerous future? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of SingularityNET and the pioneering mind behind the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Dr. Ben Goertzel. Dr. Ben Goertzel is a leading figure in artificial intelligence, robotics, and computational finance. Holding a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Temple University, he has been a pioneer in advancing both the theory and practical applications of AI, particularly in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) a term he helped popularize. He currently leads the SingularityNET Foundation, TrueAGI, the OpenCog Foundation, and the AGI Society, and has organized the Artificial General Intelligence Conference for over fifteen years. A co-founder and principal architect of OpenCog, an open-source project to build human-level AI, Dr. Goertzel’s work reflects a singular mission: to develop benevolent AGI that advances humanity’s collective good. Dr. Goertzel sits down with Geoff to share his insights on the accelerating progress toward AGI, what it truly means, and how it could reshape human life, work, and consciousness. He discusses the role of Big Tech in shaping AI’s direction and how corporate incentives, and commercialization are both driving innovation and limiting true AGI research. From DeepMind and OpenAI to decentralized AI networks, Dr. Goertzel reveals where the real breakthroughs might happen. The conversation also explores the ethics of AI, the dangers of fake democratization and false compassion, and why humanity must shape AI’s evolution with empathy and awareness. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:21 What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? 01:10 The pace of AI progress and the hype cycle 05:44 The path from human-level AGI to superintelligence 09:20 How close are we to AGI? 13:08 Transformer vs. multi-agent systems 14:05 Which AI labs might strike AGI gold? (DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic) 17:07 Big Tech’s innovator’s dilemma and why true AGI may come elsewhere 20:20 Predictive coding 22:59 Why Big Tech resists new AI training paradigms 29:16 Imagining life after AGI: optimism, transhumanism, and choice 33:29 Navigating the transition from AGI to ASI 37:55 Decentralized vs. centralized control of AGI 43:20 Who (or what) will be in control 47:19 Risks of power concentration in early AGI development 51:01 Who should own and guide AGI? 53:06 Why we need participatory governance for intelligent systems 54:47 The danger of fake compassion and false democratization 1:00:50 Finding meaning in the age of intelligent machines 1:04:13 How AGI could help humanity focus on inner growth 1:07:20 – Learning how to learn: the last human advantage Connect with Dr. Goertzel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengoertzel/ X: https://x.com/bengoertzel Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

How are AI and automation shaping both the attack and defense sides of cybersecurity? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt. Troy Hunt is an Australian security researcher and the founder of the data breach notification service, Have I Been Pwned. With a background in software development specializing in information security, Troy is a regular conference speaker and trainer. He frequently appears in the media, collaborates with government and law enforcement agencies, and has appeared before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness on the impact of data breaches. Troy also serves as a Microsoft Regional Director (an honorary title) and regularly blogs at troyhunt.com from his home on Australia’s Gold Coast. Troy sits down with Geoff to share eye-opening insights on the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and beyond. Despite the rise of AI and automation, Troy emphasizes that many of today’s most damaging data breaches and ransomware attacks still stem from basic human error and social engineering. He explains how ransomware has shifted from encrypting files to threatening data disclosure, making it harder for organizations to manage risk and justify ransom payments. The conversation also touches on how breach fatigue and apathy have led many individuals and businesses to underestimate cybersecurity risks, even as incidents rise globally. He also highlights how AI tools are being weaponized by both defenders and attackers and argues that cybersecurity isn’t about perfect protection but about finding equilibrium: balancing usability, education, and risk mitigation. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:15 Why human weakness beats AI 02:00 Young hackers and the rise of scattered spider 04:00 From hacktivists to career criminals 05:00 Ransomware’s new tactics 07:30 Should companies pay the ransom? 10:20 Can you ever be fully protected? Defense vs. response 11:20 How to convince boards cybersecurity is worth the money 14:20 Breach fatigue and public apathy 18:00 Reframing what ‘sensitive data’ really means 20:00 Passwords, reuse, and the real risk equation 24:00 Biometrics, face ID & the future of authentication 26:30 Threat Modeling 101 27:30 Barriers to cyber preparedness 29:30 How Have I Been Pwned works 32:00 The Future of Data Breaches 38:00 Microsoft’s Role in the Security Ecosystem 40:30 AI Hype vs. reality in cybersecurity 43:00 When AI helps hackers 52:00 Why transparency still matters after every breach 54:00 Accepting risk, building resilience Connect with Troy: Website: https://www.troyhunt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhunt/ X: https://x.com/troyhunt Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of digital experiences look like when AI, accessibility, and entrepreneurship collide? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by serial tech entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Joe Devon. As Chair of the GAAD Foundation, Joe strives to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development by embedding accessibility as a core requirement. Inspired by his 2011 blog post highlighting the need for mainstream accessibility knowledge among developers, GAAD has grown into an annual event observed on the third Thursday of May, promoting digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. He also co-hosts the Accessibility and Gen.AI Podcast, exploring the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence. Joe sits down with Geoff to explore how AI startups are reshaping the digital landscape, from code accessibility to the rise of small business innovation. He shares the story of how one blog post led to a global accessibility movement, why AI-driven tools could either democratize or centralize technology, and how the entrepreneurial spirit will define the next decade. From robotics fused with large language models to AI coding assistants generating billions of lines of code, this conversation dives into the challenges, risks, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and digital leaders navigating this transformation. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:23 The “ChatGPT moment” for robotics 01:23 The mission behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day 02:29 How AI shifts the accessibility conversation 03:08 Why accessibility matters for everyone 06:17 Usability and empathy in digital product design 12:28 How AI can unlock inclusion and personalization 14:45 Aphantasia, hyperphantasia & diverse human abilities 17:34 AI and the future of sign language translation 19:23 How to work with disability communities 23:59 Advice for leaders getting started with inclusive design 25:13 AI coding tools revolutionizing software development 29:27 Can AI accessibility become the new standard? 30:06 How GAAD became a global movement 35:24 Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5 in an AI-powered economy 45:07 Lessons from the early internet and RSS’s decline 47:04 The debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI) 50:26 Joe’s father’s influence and the accessibility journey 52:34 From a blog post to real change in banking 57:13 The rise of AI influencers vs. the value of real humans 58:36 Advice for those unsure about entrepreneurship Connect with Joe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedevon/ X: https://x.com/joedevon Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What happens when AI becomes as good at thinking as humans and what skills remain uniquely ours? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Mike Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte. Mike began his career at Accenture Labs, where his team helped Fortune 500 clients put emerging technologies to profitable use. Twelve years and twelve U.S. patents later, he was named the firm’s first Global Innovation Director, tasked with creating the strategy, processes, and culture to foster company-wide intrapreneurship. At Deloitte, Mike and his team focus on making sense of what’s new and next in technology, with the goal of helping today’s leaders arrive at their preferred futures ahead of schedule. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches corporate innovation. In 2013, Mike co-founded and served as Managing Director of Ringleader Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that had—intentionally or not—built simple solutions to complex corporate challenges. Mike sits down with Geoff to talk about the future of AI and what it means for our work, creativity, and humanity. He shares an optimistic vision of a world where automation elevates human potential, allowing people to focus on creativity, innovation, and connection. This conversation challenges how we think about AI, AI art, the future of work, and the role of human skills. Mike draws on his experience advising leaders and students to show how we can prepare for a future where AI isn’t just a tool but a partner in thinking. He shares insights on the ethical challenges of outsourcing thought, why intent matters in how organizations use AI, and why AI is less about replacing jobs and more about automating the “muck” so humans can focus on the magic. Mike also challenges us to consider: what happens to writing, philosophy, and ethics when machines can master technical tasks faster than ever? In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Why AI isn’t new (but why this moment matters) 04:10 Automation as a Trojan Horse for elevation 05:30 Best practices get automated, next practices get built 09:50 Expertise vs. curiosity: Why human skills win 15:00 From fear to opportunity 17:00 What clients really want in the AI era 19:20 Automating muck to unlock magic 22:00 The revenge of the humanities & synthetic thinking 23:00 Writing = thinking: Why we can’t outsource human thought 36:15 Why people still matter 42:00 Beyond AI: Blockchain, trust & cryptographic futures 47:30 Deepfakes, truth, and the math we can trust 1:05:50 The future of IT 1:08:00 AI Reshaping corporate teams & skills 1:14:40 Guidance for the next generation 1:19:30 Staying ahead of AI 1:21:45 Key takeaways Connect with Mike: Website: https://mikebech.tel/bio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebechtel/ X: https://x.com/mikebechtel Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Which strategies separate the AI startups that thrive from those that die? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Jeremiah Owyang, a venture capitalist at Blitzscaling Ventures. Jeremiah, a longtime Silicon Valley native, leads investments in early-stage AI startups at Blitzscaling Ventures. He focuses on startups with the potential for rapid scale and enduring leadership in valuable markets. He also organizes the popular Llama Lounge: The AI Startup Event Series. As a speaker, Jeremiah forecasts how early-stage technology will reshape business and society and advises audiences on how to turn disruption into advantage. Jeremiah sits down with Geoff to unpack the reality of Silicon Valley’s AI gold rush. With more than 38,000 AI startups competing for attention, thin technical moats, and the looming threat of consolidation, founders face more pressure than ever to stand out. He shares insider insights on why most AI startups are vulnerable to being wiped out by a single update from @OpenAI or Google, which industries and roles are most at risk of automation, and why critical thinking remains one of humanity’s most valuable advantages. The conversation also explores how Gen Alpha, the first AI-native generation, will grow up and work differently than any before, as well as the rise of AI agents and their impact on everyday work. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:45 The AI startup explosion 04:30 Why most AI startups will fail without real advantages 07:10 One OpenAI update could destroy your startup overnight 10:25 Thin technical advantages and the search for moats 13:40 What VCs look for in AI startups 17:05 The rise of Lean AI startups 20:15 AI agents and the automation of entry-level jobs 23:50 The skills humans still need 27:10 Gen Alpha: The first AI-native workforce 30:20 AI’s role in corporate strategy and decision-making 34:00 The Risks of over-reliance on AI in business 37:25 From Gold Rush to shakeout 41:10 How CEOs can future-proof their companies in the AI era 45:30 Humanoid robots, agents, and the next wave of disruption 49:15 Winners and losers in the AI economy Connect with Jeremiah: Website: https://web-strategist.com/blog/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/ X: https://x.com/jowyang Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What risks come with AI systems that can lie, cheat, or manipulate? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo AI. Dr. Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global boards, including Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L’Oréal’s Scientific Advisory Board. A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the London School of Economics, she spent a decade on Wall Street advising on information analytics. A thought leader in AI, Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, named to Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024). Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently provides scholarships for mid-career women through her education company Amplify. Ayesha sits down with Geoff to discuss how artificial intelligence is disrupting industries, reshaping the economy, and redefining the future of jobs. This conversation explores why critical thinking will be the most important skill in an AI-driven workplace, how businesses can use AI to scale innovation instead of getting stuck in “pilot purgatory,” and what risks organizations must prepare for, including bias, data poisoning, cybersecurity threats, and manipulative reasoning models. Ayesha shares insights from her work with governments and Fortune 500 companies on building national AI strategies, creating governance frameworks, and balancing innovation with responsibility. The conversation dives into how AI and jobs intersect, whether automation will replace or augment workers and why companies need to focus on growth, reskilling, and strategic automation rather than layoffs. They also discuss the rise of the Hybrid Age, where humans and AI coexist in every part of life, and what it means for society, relationships, and the global economy. In this video: 00:00 Intro 00:43 The future of AI and the next 5 years 02:16 The biggest AI risks 05:25 Fake alignment & governance 09:08 Why AI pilots fail 15:30 What successful companies do 23:14 AI and jobs: Automation, reskilling, and why critical thinking matters most 29:39 The Hybrid Age 37:09 AI and society: relationships with AI, human agency, and ethical concerns 46:13 Global AI strategies 54:00 Overhyped narratives and what people get wrong about AI and jobs 56:27 The Skills Gap opportunity 58:31 The importance of risk frameworks, critical thinking, and optimism Connect with Dr. Khanna Website: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshakhanna/ X: (21) Dr. Ayesha Khanna (@ayeshakhanna1) / X Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Can automation and critical thinking coexist in the future of education and work? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Bryan Walsh the Senior Editorial Director at Vox. At Vox, Bryan leads the Future Perfect and climate teams and oversees the podcasts Unexplainable and The Gray Area. He also serves as editor of Vox’s Future Perfect section, which explores the policies, people, and ideas that could shape a better future for everyone. He is the author of End Times: A Brief Guide to the End of the World (2019), a book on existential risks including AI, pandemics, and nuclear war though, as he notes, it’s not all that brief. Before joining Vox, Bryan spent 15 years at Time magazine as a foreign correspondent in Hong Kong and Tokyo, an environment writer, and international editor. He later served as Future Correspondent at Axios. When he’s not editing, Bryan writes Vox’s Good News newsletter and covers topics ranging from population trends and scientific progress to climate change, artificial intelligence, and on occasion children’s television. Bryan sits down with Geoff to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace and what it means for workers, students, and leaders. From the automation of entry-level jobs to the growing importance of human-centered skills, Bryan shares his perspective on the short- and long-term impact of AI on the economy and society. He explains why younger workers may be hit hardest, how education systems must adapt to preserve critical thinking, and why both companies and governments face tough choices in managing disruption. This conversation highlights why adaptability and critical thinking are becoming the most valuable skills and what governments and organizations can do to reduce the social and economic strain of rapid automation. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:20 Early adoption of AI: Hype vs. reality 02:16 Automation pressures during economic downturns 03:08 The struggle for new grads entering the workforce 04:37 Is AI wiping out entry-level jobs? 05:40 Why younger workers may be hit hardest 06:28 No clear answers on AI disruption 08:19 The paradox of AI: productivity gains vs. job losses 14:30 Critical thinking, education, and the future of learning 18:00 How AI reshapes global power dynamics 31:57 The workplace of the future: skills that matter most 44:03 Regulation, politics, and the AI economy 48:19 AI, geopolitics, and risks of global instability 57:33 Who bears responsibility for minimizing disruption? 59:01 Rethinking identity beyond work 1:00:22 Journalism in the AI era: threat or amplifier? Connect with Bryan: Website: https://www.vox.com/authors/bryan-walsh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-walsh-9881b0/ X: https://x.com/bryanrwalsh Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we heading toward an AI-driven utopia, or just another tech bubble waiting to burst? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Emily Bender and Dr. Alex Hanna. Dr. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Washington where she is also the Faculty Director of the Computational Linguistics Master of Science program and affiliate faculty in the School of Computer Science and Engineering and the Information School. In 2023, she was included in the inaugural Time 100 list of the most influential people in AI. She is frequently consulted by policymakers, from municipal officials to the federal government to the United Nations, for insight into how to understand so-called AI technologies. Dr. Hanna is Director of Research at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) and a Lecturer in the School of Information at the University of California Berkeley. She is an outspoken critic of the tech industry, a proponent of community-based uses of technology, and a highly sought-after speaker and expert who has been featured across the media, including articles in the Washington Post, Financial Times, The Atlantic, and Time. Dr. Bender and Dr. Hanna sit down with Geoff to discuss the realities of generative AI, big tech power, and the hidden costs of today’s AI boom. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere but how much of the hype is real, and what’s being left out of the conversation? This discussion dives into the social and ethical impacts of AI systems and why popular AI narratives often miss the mark. Dr. Bender and Dr. Hanna share their thoughts on the biggest myths about generative AI and why we need to challenge them and the importance of diversity, labor, and accountability in AI development. They’ll answer questions such as where AI is really heading and how we can imagine better, more equitable futures and what technologists should be focusing on today. In this video: 0:00 Intro 1:45 Why language matters when we talk about “AI” 4:20 The problem with calling everything “intelligence” 7:15 How AI hype shapes public perception 10:05 Separating science from marketing spin 13:30 The myth of AGI: Why it’s a distraction 16:55 Who benefits from AI hype? 20:20 Real-world harms: Bias, surveillance & labor exploitation 24:10 How data is extracted & who pays the price 28:40 The invisible labor behind AI systems 32:15 Diversity, power, and accountability in AI 36:00 Why focusing on “doom scenarios” misses the point 39:30 AI in business and risks leaders should actually care about 43:05 What policymakers should prioritize now 47:20 The role of regulation in responsible AI 50:10 Building systems that serve people, not profit 53:15 Advice for CIOs and tech leaders 55:20 Gen AI in the workplace Connect with Dr. Bender and Dr. Hanna Website: https://thecon.ai/authors/ Dr. Bender LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/ Dr. Hanna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hanna-ph-d/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of AI assistants look like and what’s still missing? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Adam Cheyer, Co-Founder of Siri. Adam is an inventor, entrepreneur, engineering executive, and a pioneer in AI and computer human interfaces. He co-founded or was a founding member of five successful startups: Siri (sold to Apple, where he led server-side engineering and AI for Siri), Change.org (the world’s largest petition platform), Viv Labs (acquired by Samsung, where he led product engineering and developer relations for Bixby), Sentient (massively distributed machine learning), and GamePlanner.AI (acquired by Airbnb, where he served as VP of AI Experience). Adam has authored more than 60 publications and 50 patents. He graduated with highest honors from Brandeis University and received the “Outstanding Masters Student” award from UCLA’s School of Engineering. Adam sits down with Geoff to discuss the evolution of conversational AI, design principles for next-generation technology, and the future of human–machine interaction. They explore the future of AI, augmented reality, and collective intelligence. Adam shares insider stories about building Siri, working with Steve Jobs, and why today’s generative AI tools like ChatGPT are both amazing and frustrating. Adam also shares his predictions for the next big technological leap and how collective intelligence could transform how we solve humanity’s most difficult challenges. In this video: 0:00 Intro 1:08 Why today’s AI both amazes and frustrates 3:50 The 3 big missing pieces in current AI systems 8:28 What Siri got right and what it missed 11:30 The “10+ Theory”: Paradigm shifts in computing 14:18 Augmented Reality as the next big breakthrough 19:43 Design lessons from building Siri 25:00 Iteration vs. first impressions: How to launch transformational products 30:20 Beginner, intermediate, and expert user experiences in AI 33:40 Will conversational AI become like “Her”? 35:45 AI maturity compared to the early internet 37:34 Magic, technology, and creating “wow” moments 43:55 What’s hype vs. what’s real in AI today 47:01 Where the next magic will happen: AR & collective intelligence 50:51 The role of DARPA, Stanford, and government funding in Siri’s success 54:49 Advice for leaders building the future of digital products 57:13 Balance the hype Connect with Adam: Website: http://adam.cheyer.com/site/home?page=about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcheyer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acheyer Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG Check out other episodes of Digital Disruption: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIImliNP0zfxRA1X67AhPDJmlYWcFfhDT&feature=shared

Are we ready for a future where human and machine intelligence are inseparable? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by best-selling author and founding partner of digital strategy firm, Future Point of View (FPOV), Scott Klososky . Scott’s career has been built at the intersection of technology and humanity; he is known for his visionary insights into how emerging technologies shape organizations and society. He has advised leaders across Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and professional associations, guiding them in integrating technology with strategic human effort. A sought-after speaker and author of four books—including Did God Create the Internet? Scott continues to help executives around the world prepare for the digital future. Scott sits down with Geoff to discuss the cutting edge of human-technology integration and the emergence of the "organizational mind." What happens when AI no longer supports organizations but becomes a synthetic layer of intelligence within them? He talks about real-world examples of this transformation already taking place, reveals the ethical and existential risks AI poses, and offers practical advice for business and tech leaders navigating this new era. This conversation dives deep into autonomous decision-making to AI regulation and digital governance, and Scott breaks down the real threats of digital reputational damage, AI misuse, and the growing surveillance culture we’re all a part of. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:24 What is an ‘Organizational Mind?’ 03:44 How fast is this becoming real? 05:00 Early insights from building an organizational mind 07:02 The human brain analogy: AI mirrors us 08:12 What does it mean for AI to “wake up”? 09:51 AI awakening without consciousness 11:03 Should we be worried about conscious AI? 11:59 Accidents, bad actors, and manipulation 15:42 Can we prevent these AI risks? 18:28 Regulatory control and the role of governments 20:03 Cat and Mouse: Can AI hide from auditors? 23:02 The escalating complexity of AI threats 27:00 Will nations have organizational minds? 29:12 Autonomous collaboration between AI nations 35:36 Bringing AI tools together 36:31 Knowledge, agents, personas & oversight 40:11 Why early adopters will have the edge 41:00 Are we in another AI bubble? 45:01 Scott’s advice for business & tech leaders 47:12 Why use-cases alone aren’t enough Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottklososky/ X: https://x.com/sklososky Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is this a wake-up call for anyone who believes the dangers of AI are exaggerated? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Roman Yampolskiy, a leading writer and thinker on AI safety, and associate professor at the University of Louisville. He was recently featured on podcasts such as PowerfulJRE by Joe Rogan. Roman is a leading voice in the field of Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security. He is the author of several influential books, including AI: Unexplainable, Unpredictable, Uncontrollable. His research focuses on the critical risks and challenges posed by advanced AI systems. A tenured professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Louisville, he also serves as the founding director of the Cyber Security Lab. Roman sits down with Geoff to discuss one of the most pressing issues of our time: the existential risks posed by AI and superintelligence. He shares his prediction that AI could lead to the extinction of humanity within the next century. They dive into the complexities of this issue, exploring the potential dangers that could arise from both AI’s malevolent use and its autonomous actions. Roman highlights the difference between AI as a tool and as a sentient agent, explaining how superintelligent AI could outsmart human efforts to control it, leading to catastrophic consequences. The conversation challenges the optimism of many in the tech world and advocates for a more cautious, thoughtful approach to AI development. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Dr. Yampolskiy's prediction: AI extinction risk 02:15 Analyzing the odds of survival 04:00 Malevolent use of AI and superintelligence 06:00 Accidental vs. deliberate AI destruction 08:10 The dangers of uncontrolled AI 10:00 The role of optimism in AI development 12:00 The need for self-interest to slow down AI development 15:00 Narrow AI vs. Superintelligence 18:30 Economic and job displacement due to AI 22:00 Global competition and AI arms race 25:00 AI’s role in war and suffering 30:00 Can we control AI through ethical governance? 35:00 The singularity and human extinction 40:00 Superintelligence: How close are we? 45:00 Consciousness in AI 50:00 The difficulty of programming suffering in AI 55:00 Dr. Yampolskiy’s approach to AI safety 58:00 Thoughts on AI risk Connect with Roman: Website: https://www.romanyampolskiy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanyam/ X: https://x.com/romanyam Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

As AI becomes more capable, how should our social systems evolve in response? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined once again by Zack Kass, an AI futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI. As a leading expert in applied AI, he harnesses its capabilities to develop business strategies and applications that enhance human potential. Zack has been at the forefront of AI and played a key role in early efforts at commercializing AI and large language models, channeling OpenAI’s innovative research into tangible business solutions. Today, Zack is dedicated to guiding businesses, nonprofits, and governments through the fast-changing AI landscape. His expertise has been highlighted in leading publications, including Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider. Zack sits down with Geoff to explore the philosophical implications of AI and its impact on everything from nuclear war to society’s struggle with psychopaths and humanity itself. This conversation raises important questions about the evolving role of AI in shaping our world and the ethical considerations that come with it. Zack discusses how AI may empower low-resource bad actors, transform local communities, and influence future generations. The episode touches on a wide range of themes, including the meaning of life, AI’s role in global conflict, its effects on personal well-being, and the societal challenges it presents. This conversation isn’t just about AI, it’s about humanity’s ongoing exploration of fear, freedom, happiness, and the future. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:21 AI's exponential growth and speed of change 02:03 The expanding scientific frontier 03:19 Roger Bannister effect and AI inspiration 04:00 Societal vs. technological thresholds 06:00 The danger of low-resource bad actors 09:00 Psychopaths, crime, and the role of policy 12:00 Freedom vs. security 14:45 The risk of bias and broken justice systems 18:00 The role of AI in decision-making 20:00 Why we tolerate human error but not machine error 20:36 Breaking the fear cycle in a negative attention economy 22:12 Tech-driven optimism 23:55 Finding Happiness 25:32 Community, nature, and meaningful human connection 27:00 The problem with the “more is more” mindset 28:30 Narratives, new media, and information overload 31:09 The Power of local change and good news 33:06 Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the next wave of innovation Connect with Zack: Website: https://zackkass.com/ X: ⁠https://x.com/iamthezack LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackkass/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@ZackKassAI⁩ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What role should government, regulation, and society play in the next chapter of Big Tech and AI. Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter, Gary Rivlin. Gary has been writing about technology since the mid-1990s and the rise of the internet. He is the author of AI Valley and 9 previous books, including Saving Main Street and Katrina: After the Flood. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, GQ, and Wired, among other publications. He is a two-time Gerald Loeb Award winner and former reporter for the New York Times. He lives in New York with his wife, theater director Daisy Walker, and two sons. Gary sits down with Geoff to discuss the unchecked power of Big Tech and the evolving role of AI as a political force. From the myth of the benevolent tech founder to the real-world implications of surveillance, misinformation, and election interference, he discusses the dangers of unregulated tech influence on policy and the urgent need for greater transparency, ethical responsibility, and accountability in emerging technologies. This conversation highlights the role of venture capital in fueling today’s tech giants, what history tells us about the future of digital disruption, and whether regulation can truly govern AI and platform power. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 02:45 The early promise of Silicon Valley 06:30 What changed in tech: From innovation to power 10:55 The role of venture capital in shaping Big Tech 15:40 Tech disruption vs. systemic control 20:15 The shift from public good to private gain 24:50 How Big Tech wields power over democracy 29:30 Can AI be regulated in time? 33:45 Lessons from tech history 38:20 Government’s role in tech oversight 43:05 Gary’s thoughts on tech accountability 47:30 Future risks of an unchecked tech industry 51:10 Hope for the next generation of innovators 55:00 Tech is at the center of politics 58:00 What should change? 1:09:00 Journalists using AI are more powerful Connect with Gary: Website: https://garyrivlin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-rivlin/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

In a world of rising cyber threats, what keeps the CIA’s former head of cybersecurity up at night? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Andy Boyd, former Head of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence. Andy was a Senior Intelligence Service officer in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations (DO). His most recent assignment was Director of the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI) which is responsible for intelligence collection, analysis, and operations focused on foreign cyber threats to US interests. Andy has experience leading worldwide intelligence operations and has in-depth knowledge of geopolitics, cyber operations, security practices, and risk mitigation. Andy sits down with Geoff to discuss the future of cybersecurity in a rapidly evolving digital world. With decades of experience in cyber intelligence, Andy explains how global threats are evolving, from traditional espionage to AI-driven cyberattacks and disinformation. He dives into how intelligence agencies like the CIA assess and respond to state-sponsored cyber threats from China and Russia, and why the private sector is now a primary target. Andy breaks down how emerging technologies like generative AI are changing both offensive and defensive cyber strategies, and what this means for governments, businesses, and people. Andy also shares how one of the world’s leading professional services firms is navigating this new landscape, using culture, data, and innovation to stay ahead of cyber risks. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 02:45 What the CIA's Cyber Intelligence Center actually does 05:30 Leading transformation across a global enterprise 07:20 Evolution of cyber threats from nation-states 08:15 Building trust and transparency with business stakeholders 11:10 The critical role of data in decision-making 13:00 How the CIA detects and responds to cyber attacks 17:05 Creating a culture of innovation and adaptability 17:45 The private sector as a frontline target 20:40 How Aon is approaching talent and upskilling 23:10 Offensive cyber operations: how far should the U.S. go? 27:30 Key leadership lessons and advice for future CIOs 29:50 China's cyber capabilities vs. Russia's tactics 35:25 The role of intelligence in election security 40:50 Why disinformation is more dangerous than hacking 45:30 How AI is transforming cyber espionage 50:10 What keeps Andy Boyd up at night 54:40 The importance of public awareness and resilience Connect with Andy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-g-boyd-12194673/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What if you could control technology using only your thoughts? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by an expert in the space of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs), Tan Le. Tan is the founder and CEO of EMOTIV, a Silicon Valley-based company pioneering EEG-based BCI technology. Her work centers on non-invasive “brainwear” that enables direct interaction between the human brain and computers. Tan is an advocate for democratizing neurotechnology to empower individuals, researchers, and organizations to drive innovation. In February 2020, she published her first book, The NeuroGeneration: The New Era of Brain Enhancement Revolutionizing the Way We Think, Work and Heal. Tan sits down with Geoff to talk about how her company is making it possible to connect your brain directly to digital systems, no hype, just science. From decoding mental commands to enhancing human cognition, they dive into the ethical challenges of reading brain data, what it really means to give technology access to your mind, and why non-invasive headsets are reshaping human-computer interaction. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:00 Tan Le’s background 06:00 What is Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)? 09:00 The current state of BCI in 2025 12:00 Non-invasive vs. implantable tech 15:00 How BCIs read brain signals 18:00 Real-world applications: Healthcare and beyond 21:00 Consumer use cases and accessibility 24:00 The role of AI in brain signal interpretation 27:00 Ethics of brain data and consent 30:00 Mental wellness and performance insights 33:00 Government and regulatory perspectives 36:00 EMOTIV’s vision and tech stack 39:00 Human enhancement and neuroplasticity 42:00 Risks and misconceptions around BCI 45:00 Collaborations and research partnerships 48:00 Global adoption trends 51:00 Tan Le’s advice to future innovators 54:00 Predictions for the next 10 years Connect with Tan: Website: https://www.emotiv.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanle/ X: https://x.com/TanTTLe Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What if your data worked for you and not the platforms controlling it? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by John Bruce, CEO and Co-Founder of Inrupt. With a background as both a founder and an executive at global tech firms, John Bruce is uniquely qualified to help engineer the next phase of the web alongside his co-founder Sir Tim Berners-Lee. He brings to bear decades of successful business leadership and experience creating new markets around innovative software. Prior to partnering with Tim, he was the co-founder and CEO of Resilient, now an IBM company, that developed a new approach to cybersecurity. Through Resilient and four other successful startups, John has experienced first-hand the strategic challenges that the current structure of the web causes for users, developers, and organizations around the world. John Bruce sits down with Geoff Nielson to talk about a future where individuals and not platforms own their data. John shares how AI, consent-driven data sharing, and a decentralized digital wallet called, Charlie could fundamentally reshape how we interact with technology, institutions, and each other. He explains why we must reclaim personal data from tech giants and what “agentic wallets” are and how they work. In this video: 0:00 Intro 1:25 Rebuilding the Web 3:30 From Tim Berners-Lee to today 5:10 Data ownership vs. data surveillance 7:00 Moving from platforms to people 9:15 What Is an Agentic AI wallet? 11:00 Why consent must be baked into AI and data flows 13:45 Use cases in healthcare, government & enterprise 16:10 “Decentralized” doesn’t mean disorganized 18:30 What leaders get wrong about data control 20:45 Enterprise integration 23:00 The ROI of giving users control of their own data 25:30 Why this moment feels like the early days of the web 27:00 What’s next for Inrupt, Solid, and the Internet itself 29:00 How We rebuild digital trust 31:00 Inrupt's vision beyond 2030 34:00 Partnering with institutions to scale Solid 37:00 Global digital identity and governance challenges 40:00 Building public trust in data ecosystems 43:00 A non-linear view of it all Connect with John: Website: https://www.inrupt.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwbruce/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is your business ready for a world where AI agents act, adapt, and make decisions for you? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Global Chief AI Engineer at PwC, Scott Likens. Scott Likens serves as the Chief AI Engineer at PwC, overseeing both the Global and U.S. teams. He leads the AI Engineering and Emerging Technology R&D groups, driving the firm’s strategy across AI, blockchain, VR, quantum computing, and other disruptive technologies. With over 30 years of experience in emerging tech, Scott has helped clients across industries transform their customer experience, digital strategy, and operations. He began his career in software engineering during the early days of the internet, working with major multinationals to apply a localized lens to global digital and innovation trends. Scott’s diverse technical background spans advanced analytics, digital architecture, AI engineering, and innovation. During his time at PwC, he has lived and worked in both China and the U.S., serving as a global technology leader and advisor to key clients. He is a regular speaker at international conferences on emerging technologies, including AI and generative AI, blockchain and crypto, IoT, quantum computing, and advanced robotics. Scott Likens sits down with Geoff Nielson for a look into what’s actually happening across the front lines of AI and innovation. Scott shares insights from the edge of tech, from AI agents and embodied intelligence to quantum computing and synthetic identities. He explains why most enterprise AI efforts fail to scale, how to think in innovation “horizons,” and what separates real value from hype. He touches on many topics including, how holographic AI and digital twins are already reshaping communication and the skills, and structures shaping the IT organization of the future. In this video: 0:00 Intro 1:55 GenAI hype vs. real Value in the enterprise 4:20 Embodied AI and the rise of holographic humans 6:00 Multilingual synthetic avatars 7:30 Deepfakes, trust & the role of blockchain in authentication 9:00 Responsible AI 12:15 Innovation is moving faster than trust 14:00 Speed or scale? 16:00 Defining true innovation vs. incremental tech 18:00 A Framework for emerging tech 20:30 From quantum to satellites: What’s next 23:00 Digital Twins, IoT, and Bipedal Robotics 25:30 AI at the edge 28:45 AI agents in action 30:20 Legacy system modernization without rewriting code 34:00 Enterprise use cases 36:30 What business leaders get wrong about tech 39:00 Moving from pilot projects to organization-wide impact 42:30 Balancing speed, risk & innovation in enterprise ai 44:00 How PwC enables innovation without losing control 47:00 Why “waiting” is not an ai strategy 48:15 The most important investment is your workforce 50:00 Upskilling, hiring, and culture shift at scale 52:00 Quantum, cryptography & the real threat timeline 54:30 What’s next for leaders and innovators Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottlikens/ X: https://x.com/ScottLikens Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is the Metaverse dead? Why is #OpenAI building jewelry? What happens when AI becomes more emotionally present than people? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by CEO of Future Dynamics and author, Cathy Hackl. Cathy is a globally recognized tech and gaming executive, futurist, and keynote speaker specializing in spatial computing, AI, virtual worlds, and gaming platform strategy. She is the co-CEO of Future Dynamics, a spatial computing and AI solutions firm, and a top LinkedIn tech voice. Known as the “Godmother of the Metaverse,” she created the Tech Intimacy Scale and is currently researching the intersection of AI, love, and relationships. Cathy has held leadership roles at Amazon Web Services, Magic Leap, and HTC VIVE, and has guided major brands like Nike, Walmart, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and Clinique through their emerging tech and gaming strategies. She has spoken at events hosted by Harvard Business School, MIT, CES, SXSW, and the World Economic Forum. Named one of Ad Age’s Leading Women of 2023 and featured on Forbes Latam’s cover for its 100 Most Powerful Women issue, Hackl is also listed among Vogue Business's 100 Innovators. She hosts Adweek’s TechMagic podcast and contributes to Vogue Singapore. In 2022, she made history as the first human to ring the NASDAQ opening bell both physically and in avatar form on live TV. Cathy Hackl sits down with Geoff Nielson for an honest conversation about where technology is headed and what’s really happening with spatial computing, AI hardware, and the future of human connection. Cathy unpacks the evolution of the metaverse and why she believes we’re moving toward something bigger: the spatial web. She shares her first-hand experience with Google Beam, a revolutionary 3D communication technology that doesn’t require a headset. This episode dives into OpenAI’s push into hardware, why it’s a data play, and what that means for your privacy. Emotional technologies like Apple Vision Pro and what they mean for memory, grief, and connection, and the future of dating and relationships in a world filled with AI agents and romantic chatbots. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 1:00 Is the Metaverse dead or just renamed? 3:00 Google Beam: 3D communication without a headset 5:00 The Apple moment: reaching for a virtual object 7:00 Dating, job interviews & presence in 3D 9:00 Will this replace video calls? 11:00 Apple vision pro 13:00 Memory preservation & future family photos 15:00 OpenAI’s hardware push 17:00 AI Agents and who controls your data 20:00 From ChatGPT to therapy bots 22:00 Emotional manipulation, mental health & ai advice 24:00 Who owns the virtual air around you? 27:00 Virtual real estate, annotations & air rights 30:00 The battle for our senses 35:00 Tech that arrived too early 37:00 Why dating in 2D doesn’t work in a 3D world 39:00 Spatial computing in creative industries 41:00 Where tech meets intimacy, memory & legacy 44:00 The real use case: Human connection 47:00 The future of emotional presence and what’s at stake 49:00 Getting It Right Matters Connect with Cathy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhackl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyhackl/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HacklCathy Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Can generative AI help us close the gap between expertise and access? This week on a special episode of Digital Disruption, we're joined by New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell, recorded live in Las Vegas at Info-Tech Research Group's LIVE tech conference. Malcolm Gladwell is the author of eight New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, Revenge of the Tipping Point. Named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers, he is renowned for his unique perspective on the forces shaping human behavior and society. An extraordinary speaker, Gladwell combines eloquence, warmth, and humor to both entertain and challenge audiences. Through masterful storytelling, he unpacks complex and often misunderstood ideas, from decision-making in Blink and the roots of success in Outliers, to our underestimation of adversity in David and Goliath, and the missteps we make when interacting with strangers in Talking to Strangers. Malcolm Gladwell sits with Geoff Nielson for an engaging conversation on the future of AI, the power of storytelling, and the evolving forces that shape society. From AI’s role in closing the expertise gap to how unexpected narratives drive lasting cultural change, Gladwell offers his signature perspective: thoughtful, contrarian, and always surprising. He talks about why the most transformative uses of AI may be the simplest, how generative tools can elevate human capability, and why culture never changes in ways we expect. Malcolm provides insight into how the media, brands and politics are changing and what that could mean for leadership, while touching on the surprising truth about misinformation, expertise, and AI as a corrective tool.  In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:24 AI's biggest promise? Strengthening weak links 1:33 AI in developing vs developed countries 2:12 Should AI replace or empower teachers? 3:13 Closing the expertise gap with AI 4:18 AI as a safe place to learn without embarrassment 5:08 The human side of AI 5:32 AI in surprising places 6:15 Malcolm’s personal use of AI 7:57 Where Malcolm finds ideas and why AI can’t replicate them 9:52 Why creativity can’t be automated 12:42 Will AI ever replace storytellers and thinkers? 14:24 Paul Simon’s genius explained 17:27 What makes a great story? Tesla example 22:26 Are people the new brand? Apple vs Chevy 25:13 The power of "overstories" in shaping behavior 26:57 We live in multiple narratives at once 29:26 Can organizational culture be changed? 30:37 How cultural narratives evolve 31:37 Politics, power, and social media’s new role 35:07 We’re still figuring out what tech is for 38:10 Why AI disruption might not be as bad as we fear 39:34 Is Malcolm an optimist or just realistic? 41:22 Can AI restore trust in expertise? 43:43 The power of narrative over facts 44:15 Poking the bear Connect with Malcolm: Website: https://www.gladwellbooks.com/ X: https://x.com/Gladwell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcolmgladwell/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Can your organization survive its own hesitation to take bold bets? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by former Amazon exec and bestselling author, John Rossman. John is an author, business advisor, and keynote speaker. He was an early Amazon executive who played a key role in launching the Amazon marketplace business in 2002. He has served as the senior technology advisor at the Gates Foundation and senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile. His books include “The Amazon Way” and “Think Like Amazon.” His new book, Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era, is an actionable guide for leaders who want to succeed in complex transformations. John sits down with Geoff to unpack why most change initiatives fall short, and what leaders can do to shift the odds in their favor. Looking back on his experience launching Amazon Marketplace and advising top organizations, he shares strategies for scaling effectively, leading through change, and building resilience in today’s digital environment. John explains why traditional transformation efforts often fail, the issues leaders come across, and how to adopt a system of risk-smart decision-making and drive meaningful change. Get ready to challenge assumptions, cut through the hype, and transform the way you lead. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:07 Solving hard problems with an integrated mindset 03:07 Why most companies struggle with change 04:21 The 3 megatrends disrupting business 06:32 Why Back-office productivity must change 07:22 Why Past winners are at risk of losing 09:36 Why big bets often fail 13:30 The three habits of big bet leaders 16:42 Why innovation labs often fail 21:39 Why leaders must design decision points intentionally 25:03 The power of a clear “Big Bet Vector” 31:27 What extreme accountability really means 36:08 Should we abandon silos? 40:25 Advice for how CIOs can unlock progress despite technical debt 46:08 How CIOs can win 51:55 Why Change can’t just be an operator’s job 53:01 The Big Bet Playbook explained 56:27 Active skepticism Website: https://johnrossman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/ X: https://x.com/johnerossman Connect with John: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What if the biggest threat to progress isn’t technology? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Tom Goodwin, Co-Founder of All We Have Is Now. Tom Goodwin is a four-time LinkedIn “#1 Voice in Marketing.” He is also the Co-Founder of, All We Have Is Now, a digital transformation consultancy helping businesses harness emerging technologies. A sought-after speaker, writer, and advisor, Tom also hosts The Edge, a tech-focused TV series, and My Wildest Prediction, a podcast with Euronews. In 2021 Tom published the second edition of his book “Digital Darwinism” with Kogan Page, in 2023 Tom launched a comprehensive online Digital Transformation course, and has now spoken in over 100 cities in 50 countries around the world. Tom sits down with Geoff to share his perspective on the evolving digital landscape and how to cut through the noise especially around AI, digital transformation, and innovation — to focus on what truly matters for organizations today. He argues that in a time of rapid technological change, the smartest move may be to slow down, ignore the hype, and prioritize people, processes, and a long-term strategic vision. Tom urges leaders to think critically, stay grounded in fundamentals, and embrace thoughtful, human-centered progress over flashy solutions. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:11 Why tech hype needs a reality check 02:06 What actually matters in 2025 03:04 Business first, not tech first 04:11 Why not every company needs to chase every trend 05:16 The problem with constant agility 07:13 Why disruption isn’t always real 10:18 Are we avoiding hard truths about our business models? 12:12 Who wins: legacy companies or startups? 15:28 Will AI-native companies dominate? 17:09 Why real change still takes time 19:07 Hype vs. reality in AI adoption 22:47 Technology adoption is slower than you think 24:02 Advice to leaders on using AI strategically 26:44 Why short-term thinking is overrated 29:05 Planning for what really matters 31:00 A better approach to technology prioritization 33:18 Why digital transformation usually fails 34:49 The Heathrow metaphor: patchwork vs. reinvention 39:06 The promise of AI for real reinvention 42:20 Are IT leaders being left behind? 44:00 Why the CTO must be more strategic 47:03 What it takes to lead digital transformation 48:22 Why we need more ambitious use of existing tech 50:01 Tom’s book: Digital Darwinism 51:40 What happens when AI becomes invisible tech 53:13 We need clearer conversations around AI Connect with Tom: Website: https://www.tomgoodwin.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomfgoodwin/ X: https://x.com/tomfgoodwin Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is AI coming for your job, or just the parts that you hate doing? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Rory Richardson, Director of Go-To-Market for Generative AI at Amazon Web Services (AWS). With over a decade of experience at AWS, she has been instrumental in launching and scaling breakthrough technologies, including non-relational databases and serverless computing. Rory has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cloud development through her strategic leadership in go-to-market initiatives, empowering developers to expand the boundaries of what’s possible in the cloud. Driven by a passion for innovation, her current focus is on harnessing the potential of generative AI to transform developer tools, enabling more efficient, creative, and human-centered development processes. Rory sits down with Geoff to explain how generative AI can supercharge the developer experience, helping teams write better code, faster, and with fewer headaches. She shares her perspective that AI isn’t about replacing people, but about helping us do less of what we dislike, and why embracing AI now is one of the smartest moves leaders can make. Rory shares real-world examples from AWS, insights from developer culture, and a human-centered view on the rapidly changing AI landscape. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Recap of Info-Tech LIVE 2024 in Las Vegas 01:35 What’s new in AI & developer tools 02:53 The rise of AI-powered command line tools 03:32 Why Amazon is paying people to play 06:44 “Vibe Coding” 08:10 Differential equations & development tools 12:00 Risks of rapid AI adoption 13:32 What does coding look like in 2028? 16:20 Creativity, context-switching & grit 18:07 How play drives innovation 19:34 Teaching AI in schools 23:10 Is age the biggest barrier to AI adoption? 28:20 What should junior Devs expect? 30:38 Better AI boundaries 35:01 Will AI replace Developers? 37:25 Accelerating innovation, not replacing humans 42:24 Why AI works best on repetitive tasks 44:11 Let AI do the dishes, not the art 46:04 From Paris, Texas to Amazon Web Services 48:19 Everything is learnable 49:09 The grit factor Connect with Rory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roryr/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Is the real threat of AI the technology or the humans behind it? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X. Mo is the host of the popular podcast Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat, and the author of several international bestsellers, including Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, That Little Voice in Your Head, and Unstressable. He is also the founder of One Billion Happy and currently serves as Chief AI Officer at Flight Story. With a 30-year career in tech, Mo has since shifted his focus to the pursuit of happiness and human well-being. He has extensively researched the science of happiness and engaged in conversations with some of the world’s leading thinkers. More recently, his work has centered on the urgent ethical and societal challenges posed by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Mo sits down with Geoff for an unfiltered conversation on the future of humanity in the age of artificial intelligence. Mo explains that we’re living in the early stages of a technology-fueled dystopia, one that is driven not by AI itself, but by humans who shape it by greed, power, and unchecked capitalism. But he also shares a vision for a future of unprecedented abundance, one where AI could solve global challenges, from climate change to poverty, but only if we as humans embrace ethical design and mutual cooperation. In this episode:  00:00 Intro 01:20 AI, geopolitics, and capitalism 03:05 Is the problem human nature or systems? 06:22 The coming age of abundant intelligence 08:13 AI’s dark side 13:15 Fear-driven ai development 17:10 Handing power to ai 19:14 Why superintelligent ai could save us 21:12 Can we avoid an ai Hiroshima moment? 25:30 Mutual prosperity or destruction 29:11 The age of machine supremacy 31:00 How to influence AI for good 33:12 AI reflects humanity 36:06 What AI is learning from us right now 40:06 Who thrives in the AI era 44:04 The rise of mind manipulation 47:02 How to stay critical in a world of deepfakes 49:12 Use AI to expand your thinking, not replace it 51:21 The leadership skills of the future 54:42 Collaborating with AI as team members 57:20 Will AI want to connect with us? 01:01:06 Could AI become conscious? 01:04:48 AI emotions and the next evolution of intelligence 01:06:32 The role of humans Connect with Mo: Website: https://www.mogawdat.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mogawdat/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mogawdatofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mo_gawdat/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mogawdat Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Creativity is the key to staying competitive, so why do so many organizations struggle to innovate? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. Duncan and his team helped Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney Parks to innovate, creating magical new storylines and experiences. Now a global keynote speaker and innovation advisor, he shares his unique Design Thinking approach to help organizations spark creativity, unlock fresh thinking, and embed innovation into their culture. A TED speaker and contributor to Fast Company, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review, Duncan also teaches innovation Master Classes at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Edinburgh. Duncan sits down with Geoff to explore how businesses can break down the barriers to innovation by tapping into their most powerful resource: human imagination. Duncan gives a look into the magic of Disney’s approach to creativity and explains how companies can design cultures that foster curiosity, risk-taking, and collaboration. From solving complex problems with simple questions to creating space for disruptive thinking, Duncan shares practical, transformative advice for leaders ready to think boldly and challenge the current workplace roles. In this episode:  0:00 Intro 2:00 Time at Disney 5:40 Creativity is now the most in-demand skill 8:15 Barriers to innovation 11:30 Tools for creative thinking 14:45 Reframing problems as innovation 18:10 The power of naïve experts 21:00 Innovation at Disney 25:50 Tips for embedding in any organization 29:00 How leaders can foster innovation 32:00 Tools to think differently 33:21 Overhyped tools 34:01 What’s different about Gen Z 36:03 Duncan’s mission to unlock creativity 39:03 Changing culture Connect with Duncan: Website: https://duncanwardle.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/duncanjwardle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duncanjwardle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanwardle/     Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

With all the AI hype, is there still a place for humans in organizations? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Jonathan Brill, the world’s top-ranked futurist by Forbes, advisor to Amazon, HP, Samsung, and an author. Jonathan helps executives and audiences spot, prioritize, and act on the forces shaping the next five years — from AI to geopolitical disruption. As the former Global Futurist at HP and a board member of one of the world’s largest private intelligence agencies, he brings unique insights from decades of work in innovation, strategy, and emerging tech. His invention firms have developed over 325 products, generating more than $27 billion in revenue for clients like HP, Samsung, and Verizon. Jonathan is the author of Rogue Waves, praised by The Economist and Adam Grant, offering a practical framework for thriving through disruption. He shares his insights globally on stages like TED, at institutions like Harvard and CERN, and with media outlets including ABC, CNBC, and HBR. Jonathan sits down with Geoff Nielson to explore what leaders need to do to survive and thrive through the next decade of accelerating technological disruption. They discuss why the traditional organizational model introduced in the railroad era is no longer equipped to handle the complexity of AI-powered transformation. Jonathan speaks on the concept of the "octopus organization," where intelligence, decision-making, and adaptability are distributed rather than centralized. He breaks down AI’s biggest shift not just in task automation, but in decision-making and organizational design and emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in successful AI adoption. In this episode 0:00 Intro 1:14 Enterprise AI 2:47 Code and complexity 6:07 From Railroad Model to Octopus Organization 9:35 AI isn’t just automating work 12:03 Why CIOs must lead cultural change 18:28 Human intuition is still important 20:16 Four leadership traits for the AI era 25:32 Executional vs. strategic thinking in IT 29:39 The real value of coding in the future 35:16 AI’s superpowers 38:57 Human vs. machine 41:21 Specialists vs. generalists in an AI world 47:02 Optimism despite disruption 49:48 Governments will shape the pace of change 53:04 What’s the hype and what’s real? 58:19 Tech adoption is inevitable     Connect with Jonathan: Website: https://www.jonathanbrill.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbrill1/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brill_jonathan Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

If you're not ready for the speed of change — you're already behind. Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Steve Brown, a leading voice in the field of artificial intelligence and a former executive at Google DeepMind and Intel. Steve has delivered hundreds of engaging keynotes and AI innovation workshops across five continents. With over 25 years of experience in AI and emerging technologies, Steve helps organizations build winning strategies that drive innovation, boost productivity, and fuel growth. He has advised leading brands including Nike, JP Morgan, Samsung, Comcast, Audi, Bank of America, PepsiCo, and Disney. Steve is the co-founder of The Provenance Chain Network, a BCG Luminary, and an advisor to multiple AI startups. He has been featured on CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. His book, The Innovation Ultimatum, explores how six strategic technologies will reshape every business in the 2020s. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Micro-Electronic Systems Engineering from Manchester University and lives in Portland, Oregon. Steve sits down with Geoff Nielson to explore how AI, robotics, and automation are reshaping business, education, and the future of work. Steve reflects on the six emerging technologies he forecasted in The Innovation Ultimatum, where he got it right, and what surprised him — from the power of process orchestration and the quiet rise of blockchain, to the next potential “ChatGPT moment.” Steve also shares a preview of his upcoming book, The AI Ultimatum, and what business leaders need to know now to stay relevant and human in an AI-powered economy. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:42 Revisiting 2019's predictions 2:04 The Rise of process orchestration 3:11 Process orchestration 5:12 AI and sales enablement 6:33 Blockchain’s future 11:14 The mixed reality opportunity 13:49 What’s the next “ChatGPT moment”? 15:12 Robotics, Quantum & what's next 18:40 The real AI transformation opportunity 20:10 Top 3 areas where AI is impacting businesses 21:37 AI-enabled employee experiences 22:54 From lockdown to enablement 24:36 Getting started with AI transformation 28:01 Unexpected use cases 31:29 The education disruption is coming 36:20 Learn to get the most out of AI 37:48 How to become robot-proof 40:39 What gives life meaning 43:20 Creativity in the age of AI 45:42 The rise of one-person enterprise 49:19 Do we need AGI 50:50 Hype vs. reality 52:10 The AI Ultimatum 53:36 Speed of change     Connect with Steve: Website: https://www.stevebrown.ai/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/futuresteve/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does it really take to build a product-driven organization in the age of AI, and are organizations ready for what's coming next? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Marty Cagan, product thought leader and founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group. Before founding the Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG) to focus on helping others build successful products through writing, speaking, advising, and coaching, Marty Cagan served as a product executive at some of the world’s most successful technology companies, including HP Labs, Netscape Communications, and eBay. Through his work with SVPG, Marty is a sought-after speaker at major conferences and leading companies around the world. He is also the author of three influential books: Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love, Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products, and Transformed: Moving to the Product Operating Model. Marty sits down with Geoff Nielson to discuss how generative AI is reshaping product management and why organizations need to rethink how they build and lead product teams. He outlines three key models of product management and explains how AI is disrupting each one differently. This conversation dives deep into modern product thinking, as Marty highlights what sets companies like Amazon, Apple, Tesla, and Netflix apart — emphasizing the importance of visionary leadership and product-centric thinking. Marty also gives a look into his latest book Transformed, which explains how even the most traditional organizations can adopt modern product practices. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:30 How generative ai is shifting product roles 01:20 The 3 models of product management explained 03:00 Why product owner roles are most at risk 05:00 Upskilling in the world of AI 06:25 What execution roles must to learn 07:30 The Feature Team Model and its vulnerabilities 09:00 Top product companies getting it right 10:40 What great product leadership looks like 13:00 Bill Campbell’s coaching culture 15:10 Empowered engineers 17:00 The Steve Jobs myth 20:00 Product discovery at Apple explained 21:30 Executive resistance 23:00 Real-world case studies 25:35 The importance of pilot teams 29:00 From surviving to thriving with gen ai 30:30 The 3 Meta questions 33:00 Why transformation takes time 36:00 How to use pilot teams 39:00 The anti-patterns 42:30 Why coaching works better than consulting 45:00 Emerging tech 47:00 Crypto vs. Gen AI 48:00 Enterprise products work 51:00 Can the product model work in government? Connect with Marty: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/ Website: SVPG: Learn the Product Operating Model : Silicon Valley Product Group Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Ian Beacraft, Chief Futurist and Founder of Signal and Cipher. He is one of the leading voices in AI and the future of work. As Chief Futurist and Founder of Signal and Cipher, Ian helps organizations become AI-ready through strategic workforce transformation, training, and innovation. Ian has advised top global brands including Samsung, Google, Microsoft, and Nike. A former agency executive, he now pioneers immersive presentations that bring AI and extended reality to life. Ian is also the co-owner of a production studio designing virtual worlds and the first person ever to host a news segment as a synthetic human, streaming to over 100 million devices around the world. A classically trained musician and passionate educator, he champions the responsible, creative use of emerging technologies—and remains an optimist about the future of humanity in a tech-driven world.  Ian sits down with Geoff Nielson to unpack the real impact of artificial intelligence on the workplace. They discuss why outdated leadership mindsets are more harmful than AI itself, how organizations must evolve beyond rigid roles and job descriptions, and why the future of work is less about replacing people and more about reshaping how we define value, productivity, and collaboration. Ian explains that it’s not about eliminating jobs, but about eliminating the artificial boundaries that confine people to specific roles within an organization.  In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:45 The real threat is not AI, but outdated leadership 2:15 The era of unending exponential growth 4:30 AI is changing the definition of work 8:15 Where leaders should begin with AI 12:35 Using AI tools to align leadership team 15:30 What AI really needs to succeed 17:00 The loss of job descriptions 19:02 The shift in career thinking 21:50 Who’s at more risk – junior roles or long-time workers? 25:30 The future of work in practice 31:00 Digital Twins in the workplace 36:00 Build AI ready teams 41:00 Rethinking education 46:01 What role does Signal and Cipher play to help accelerate traditional enterprises 52:35 What’s next 58:00 Tracking innovation and adaptability 1:04:00 Building a future-ready organization   Connect with Ian: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbeacraft/ X: https://x.com/Ianbcraft Website: https://signalandcipher.com/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What if everything you thought you knew about AI was wrong? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Littman, Division Director for Information and Intelligent Systems at the National Science Foundation. The Information and Intelligent Systems division is home to the programs and program officers that support researchers in artificial intelligence, human-centered computing, data management, and assistive technologies, as well as those exploring the impact of intelligent information systems on society. He is also University Professor of Computer Science at Brown University, where he studies machine learning and decision-making under uncertainty. He has earned multiple university-level awards for teaching and his research has been recognized with three best-paper awards and three influential paper awards. Littman is a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the Association for Computing Machinery. Summer of 2025, he will become Brown University's inaugural Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Michael Littman sits down with Geoff Nielson to explore the misconceptions about AI, its real-world applications, and what the future holds. Dr. Littman challenges common fears about AI replacing humans, emphasizing the importance of human-AI collaboration rather than competition. He talks about ethical considerations, the evolution of AI decision-making, and the balance between automation and human oversight. They unpack what is next in the world of artificial intelligence and why understanding the technology's limitations is just as important as embracing its potential. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:50 How AI technology has evolved 3:24 Is the public ready for AI 6:30 Sci-fi view of AI 7:46 The underlying fear 12:40 Society is adaptive 16:00 This current round of AI gives us new tools 20:15 New era of computer science 23:16 AI is creating new roles 27:25 The different kinds of education 32:40 Dissemination mechanism 34:36 How AI works as an organization 36:45 Importance of AI education 38:28 How the National Science Foundation supports AI research 43:23 What about AGI 48:27 Future predictions 52:34 The goal is to help organizations make the best use of this moment 54:00 AI in the 80s to now Connect with Dr. Michael Littman: Website: https://www.littmania.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-littman-b26351/ X: https://x.com/mlittmancs Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

The future of work is changing, and organizations will need to rethink what an “office” truly means. Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Daniel Pink, New York Times best-selling author and workplace expert. Daniel Pink is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. His other books include the New York Times bestsellers When and A Whole New Mind — as well as the #1 New York Times bestsellers Drive and To Sell is Human. Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 46 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. Daniel sat down with Geoff at Info-Tech LIVE 2024 in Las Vegas for an insightful conversation about the future of work — what’s next, what to expect, and where it’s all headed. Daniel shares his perspectives on the evolving world of work and the challenges leaders face in navigating uncertainty. He talks about the importance of experimenting with new approaches and discovering meaningful work. Dan challenges the notion that anyone has all the answers about the future of work and instead encourages leaders to try, learn, and adapt. Interested in attending Info-Tech LIVE this year? We’re back in Vegas this June 10 - 12, and tickets are still available! Check the link to learn more. https://www.infotech.com/events/las-vegas-live-june-10-12-2025 In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:25 Info-Tech LIVE 2025 1:51 Time of uncertainty 2:20: Fundamental questions about work and the ‘office’ 5:32: The importance of making progress 5:52: Uncomfortable behaviors as leaders 7:45 Burnout 10:50 Entering a world of permanent hybrid 14:41: The power of regret 17:20 What is the new normal? 21:53 How are technological advancements shaping society 24:40 Things will get better Connect with Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpink/ X: https://x.com/DanielPink Website: https://www.danpink.com/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Will AI be able to reconstruct lost memories? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Pau Aleikum Garcia, media designer and founder of Domestic Data Streamers. Pau is a media designer and the founder of Domestic Data Streamers, a Barcelona-based studio that has been creating immersive “info-experiences” and generative AI projects since 2013. His work spans over 45 countries, collaborating with institutions like the United Nations, Barcelona City Hall, and Citizen Lab. Pau is the chair of the Master in Data in Design program at ELISAVA University and is a guest lecturer at institutions including the School of Visual Arts (NY), the Hong Kong Design Institute, the Royal College of Art (London), and the Barcelona School of Economics. In 2021, he founded HeyHuman!, an artist residency program that merges music, journalism, and data to drive artistic research and social justice. Pau sits down with Geoff to talk about how his organization is unlocking some of the most human experiences through synthetic memories. This initiative uses generative AI to recreate lost visual memories, particularly for refugees, migrants, and those affected by war or displacement.  They explain how AI is not just shaping the future but also helping to reclaim the past, as well as the conversation that led to the creation of this technology. They also discuss ethical considerations of working with vulnerable communities. The project is also being explored in dementia care, where AI-generated memories are being tested as a tool for reminiscence therapy.  In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:52 What are synthetic memories? 2:18 The making of Domestic Data Steamers 3:39 Why images and physical spaces matter for cultural identity 5:00 Dystopian, futuristic idea 8:33 Working with migrant communities 9:47 Where this technology is being deployed 12:11 Low-cost and accessible technology 13:50 The importance of emotional connections 15:08 The images are artificially generated representations of memory vectors 17:30 Working with memories 21:40 Commercial interest 22:43 AI is never neutral   23:55 Skeptic reader 30:09 Understanding the data 34:14 The cost of corruption 36:37 How to stay informed 40:41 The future of AI is bright 44:20 Domestic Data Streamers and the many projects 48:30 Accomplishments and the future Connect with Pau: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauerrr/ Twitter: https://x.com/pau_aleikum Website: https://www.domesticstreamers.com/ Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

A new era of intelligent technology is here. Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Ramin Hasani, co-founder and CEO of Liquid AI and a machine learning Scientist. Ramin Hasani is the co-founder and CEO of Liquid AI and a machine learning scientist at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). Previously, he was a Principal AI & ML Scientist at Vanguard and a Research Affiliate at MIT. His work focuses on robust deep learning and decision-making in complex dynamical systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Vienna University of Technology, with his research on Liquid Neural Networks receiving global recognition with numerous nominations and awards such as TÜV Austria Dissertation Award nomination in 2020, and HPC Innovation Excellence Award in 2022. Ramin is also a frequent TEDx speaker. Ramin sits down with Geoff to share his new and unique approach to AI, inspired by biological and physical systems that could redefine how businesses use machine learning. Ramin shares insights from biology, specifically the neural structures of simple organisms that have led to the development of Liquid Neural Networks (LNNs). Unlike traditional neural networks, LNNs use differential equations to model dynamic decision-making processes, making them more adaptable for real-world applications. They discuss the advantages of these approaches and the scaling of these models. They also talk about the future of AI and how it may not just be about bigger models but smarter, biologically inspired intelligence capable of transforming how we interact with technology today and into the future. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:38 The story of Liquid AI technology 6:13 Transparent worm vs. traditional neural networks 14:15 Liquid AI’s mission to build powerful AI systems 18:12 Liquid AI will help you to develop the best kind ofmodels 20:03 Compelling use cases 22:12 Agentic behavior 26:30 The most surprising use cases 29:35 This is a better learning system 32:01 Efficiency of liquid foundation models as opposed toGPT 35:33 Is this tech ready for the market? 38:30 The ‘white box’ philosophy and how it works with this model 43:07 Where do you see this technology in 3 to 5 years? 44:40 Trusted and understandable technology 46:00 The new platform for AI that replaces it all 48:40 Is there a quantum play here? 51:05 Passion turned to reality 54:20 Cracked the equation 55:40 The future of intelligence   Connect with Ramin: Website: https://www.raminhasani.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raminhasani/ X: https://x.com/ramin_m_h Visit our website: Information Technology Research & IT Advisory Company | Info-Tech Research Group Follow us on YouTube: Info-Tech Research Group - YouTube

Is adopting AI more about behavior than technology? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Conor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern School of Business and a best-selling author. At NYU Stern School of Business, Conor builds generative AI fluency across the institution. He is also CEO and Founder of AI Mindset, an AI consulting company that trains professionals, leaders and organizations on a new and effective framework for generative AI. Conor has worked with teams across industry, including OpenAI, McKinsey, NASA, Google, Amazon, and many more. Conor sits down with Geoff to share his unconventional takes on successful change management in AI adoption. They discuss why integrating AI isn’t just about implementing new tools, it’s about changing behaviors, training senior leadership, adapting talent strategies, and redefining productivity. He explains that AI adoption rates are low because AI itself doesn’t teach new skills but rather requires a change in behavior. Simply instructing employees to use AI isn’t enough; organizations need to recognize and address the psychological resistance to change. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:21 The importance of AI adoption and change management 0:38 AI is not like normal technology 1:55 AI doesn’t require you to learn anything 3:05 Use cases don’t really work 5:22 Organizational use of AI for managers and leaders 7:12 Train senior leaders first 9:33 Do we need to separate the AI from the person? 10:03 Laws and limitations 12:33 Helping organizations understand AI 14:44 Who is going to win 17:49 Use AI as a tool to attract the best talent 19:42 The framework and how it works 23:40 The story of AI use cases 26:18 Is everyone struggling to adopt AI? 28:42 Are we playing catchup with technology forever? 30:55 How to drive AI adoption and understanding 34:33 The age of AI agents 37:13 The potential and possibilities 40:11 Two types of bubbles 43:58 The autonomous enterprise 47:03 Prompt engineering Connect with Conor: Website: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorgrennan_official/ X: https://x.com/conorgrennan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorgrennan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCS9HfvYleu3t8MDqsZr8lLA Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conorgrennan_official Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Are we on the verge of the most profound industrial revolution in human history? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Zack Kass, an AI futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI. As a leading expert in applied AI, he harnesses its capabilities to develop business strategies and applications that enhance human potential. Zack has been at the forefront of AI and played a key role in early efforts at commercializing AI and large language models, channeling OpenAI’s innovative research into tangible business solutions. Today, Zack is dedicated to guiding businesses, nonprofits, and governments through the fast-changing AI landscape. His expertise has been highlighted in leading publications, including Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider. Zack sits down with Geoff Nielson to give the inside scoop on the future of AI and the broader impact of digital disruption. They discuss the future of work, how organizations need to respond to survive, and the human skills that will become increasingly valued. Zack describes this transformation as the next Renaissance. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:44 The next Renaissance 1:47 First major expansion of human potential 2:58 The way we understand the universe is changing 4:31 Supercharging the experts 6:12 We will see the biggest changes in the next 50 to 100 years 7:42 Human social structure is potentially disruptive 10:03: Conflict 12:04 Facing the new normal 14:12: Future conflict between people and the state 15:15 The future of work is changing 23:06 Who are the new competitors? 25:35 AI on your device 27:18 Where the economy is going 28:56 The rise of passion projects 29:30 Disruption in the workforce 32:33 The Fortune 1000 heading towards dramatic change 35:36 T big negative space of AI 37:09 What AI is going to solve for and what it will not 40:30 Creating a humanistic place 44:11 Telling the story matters 48:46 The challenge 51:11 Technological hegemony and corporate greed 52:06 Building the future   Connect with Zack: Website: https://zackkass.com/ X: https://x.com/iamthezack LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackkass YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZackKassAI Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Which emerging technologies are most likely to collide – and what does this mean for the future? Today on Digital Disruption, we are joined by Creative Technologist Taryn Southern, a pioneering storyteller known for her work at the intersection of emerging technology, creativity, and human potential. Taryn’s journey with AI began in 2017 with a groundbreaking creative experiment—to compose an entire music album using artificial intelligence. The result, I AM AI, became one of the first AI-assisted pop albums and reached the Top 100 on the U.S. Radio Charts in 2018. Taryn sits down with Geoff Nielson to reveal the overlooked, hair-raising technologies shaping our future—and why she’s optimistic about AI as a force for good. What we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:48 Hair-raising moments 3:08 Predictions 4:43 AI taking over creative tasks 9:09 Is using an AI tool more challenging than just doing it yourself? 11:35 Any one person can be a merchant 13:50 These organizations need to be on their toes 15:08 What role do major tech companies play 17:24 The algorithms 19:00 Trusting the tech companies 19:48 Where is this going 24:28 Impact on individual and collective well-being 26:06 What is the state of Neurotechnology 30:54 Brain computer interface and mass adoption 32:00 The scope of creativity is unlimited with BCI 33:32 Hair-raising moments 35:13 Will we lose a lot of human connection with AI? 36: 44 Your perfect reality 38:35 A better path to success 39:36 AI therapists? Connect with Taryn: Website: https://tarynsouthern.com/Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tarynsouthern/ X: ⁠https://x.com/TarynSouthern Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/tarynsouthern YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TarynSouthern Follow us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oKIgSAFcAkI