AI and the Future of Work: Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace, Business, Ethics, HR, and IT for AI Enthusiasts, Leaders and Academics

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297: Silvio Savarese, EVP Salesforce, From Ivory Tower to Corporate Labs: The Real Challenges of AI Development Aug 12, 2024

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Silvio Savarese is a pioneer and AI research lead with the AI research team at Salesforce, one of the largest and most influential enterprise software companies globally. Before joining Salesforce in 2021 as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist, Silvio spent nearly 11 years in academia at Stanford, where his research focused on robotics, machine learning, and language models. At Salesforce, his team has developed AI tools like CodeGen, which assists with coding using conversational AI, and Merlion, which enhances system availability by detecting potential failures through time series intelligence. Silvio's team is also working on conversational AI for personalized summaries. He is a strong advocate for practicing AI responsibly, contributing to Salesforce's advocacy on AI trust, safety, privacy, and security.

In this conversation:

Silvio's journey from academia to industry and the challenges he faced during this transition.
We explore the differences between working in academia and leading an AI research team at Salesforce.
Silvio shares insights on how his background in robotics informs his current work with AI for enterprise software.
We delve into the ethical considerations and responsible practices in AI development at Salesforce.
Silvio explains the three pillars of AI research at Salesforce: foundational research, product incubation, and product innovation.
We examine the trade-offs between using large language models versus smaller models in AI applications, including their environmental impact and potential risks.

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296: Armen Berjikly, CTO @ BetterUp, On Using AI to Unlock Human Potential Aug 05, 2024

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Armen Berjikly is a serial entrepreneur and the recently appointed CTO at BetterUp, a human transformation platform founded in 2013 that employs over 3,000 coaches to help individuals achieve greater clarity, purpose, and passion through expert guidance. Before joining BetterUp, Armen co-founded Motive, which was later acquired by BetterUp, and Kenjoya, acquired by Ultimate Software. He holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a master's degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

In this conversation, we discuss:

The evolution of technology and its impact on the workplace over the past two decades.
How Armen's early research at Stanford with professors Clifford Nass and Byron Reeves influenced his career.
The development of Experience Project and its role in connecting people through shared experiences and emotions.
The journey of Armen's companies, Kenjoya and Motive, and their contributions to understanding and improving employee experiences.
Armen's insights on integrating AI with human interaction to enhance emotional intelligence in technology.
The unique approach BetterUp takes in combining coaching, technology, and research to drive human transformation and organizational success.

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295: Thomas Otter, Venture Capitalist, On How One Good Decision Made Him The Accidental HR Tech Pioneer Jul 29, 2024

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Thomas Otter joined Acadian Ventures in March 2022 as a General Partner. Prior to Acadian, he advised companies such as Workday, Ultimate Software, Personio, and Unit 4, and collaborated with private equity and growth equity firms like Warburg Pincus, Scottish Equity Partners, PSG, and Goldman Sachs on M&A, strategy, negotiations, and diligence. He previously led the product management organization at SAP SuccessFactors, scaling it to over a billion dollars in annual recurring revenue, and served as a Research Vice President at Gartner Group, leading HR tech research. Thomas holds a Doctorate from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and the Strategy and Innovation Diploma from Oxford. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society. . A regular guest lecturer at various universities, Thomas grew up in South Africa and now resides in Heidelberg, Germany. He is also a collector of vinyl records and a lover of great music.

In this conversation, we discuss:

How a chance encounter led to a 30-year career in HR technology.
The evolution of HR technology from the mainframe era to modern cloud-based systems.
The intersection of ethics, compliance, and technology within HR.
The strategic importance of HR in today's business landscape and its impact on the employee experience.
The role of technology in automating administrative tasks to enhance employee satisfaction.
Historical milestones in HR tech, including the first business application of a computer for payroll.

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294: Bernard Marr, Author & Futurist, On How to Use Generative AI to Get Ahead In Your Career Jul 22, 2024

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Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer, and thought leader in the fields of business and technology. With a passion for leveraging technology for the good of humanity, Bernard is a bestselling author of over 20 books, writes a regular column for Forbes, and advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organizations. Boasting a combined following of 4 million people across social media channels and newsletters, Bernard was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top five business influencers globally. His latest books include "Future Skills," "The Future Internet: Business Trends and Practice," and "Generative AI in Practice."

In this conversation, we discuss:

Bernard’s journey into the AI and technology space, from his academic background to his consulting and writing career.
The evolution of the AI landscape, from analytics and big data to modern AI applications and trends.
How Bernard simplifies complex technical topics for a mainstream audience in his books and writings.
Insights from Bernard's latest book, "Generative AI in Practice," and what readers can expect to learn from it.
The role of AI in business decision-making and strategy, based on Bernard's extensive consulting experience.
The ethical considerations and societal impacts of AI advancements, and how they shape the future of work.

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293: Chris Dyer, Future of Work Expert, On 6 Surprising Ways AI Can Accelerate Your Career Jul 15, 2024

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Chris Dyer is a globally recognized company culture and future of work expert, delivering keynotes for over 15 years to audiences worldwide. As a CEO managing thousands, his companies consistently earn accolades as best places to work and have been recognized five times by Inc. Magazine as some of the fastest-growing companies. Chris is ranked as Inc. Magazine's number one leadership speaker on culture, has published three best-selling books, and is named number five on the leadership power list. He is also a top 40 change management guru, a top 50 global thought leader, and the host of a top 50 leadership podcast. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is an avid hiker, musician, and world traveler.

In this episode, we discuss:

The concept of being an "accidental everything" and how curiosity and the willingness to say yes can lead to unexpected opportunities.
We explore how Chris transitioned from speaking to writing, despite initial doubts and external skepticism.
We delve into the power of a strong support system, including employees, mentors, and friends, in achieving success.
We examine the varying perceptions employees have about AI in the workplace, from ignorance to apprehension to enthusiasm.
We discuss the rapid pace of technological innovation and its impact on both employees and organizations.
We highlight the importance of helping employees understand and adapt to technological advancements to enhance their value and mitigate job displacement risks.

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292: Peter Voss, AGI Co-inventor and CEO at Aigo.ai, On Making AI Smarter Without Harming Humans Jul 08, 2024

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Peter Voss is the visionary founder and CEO of Aigo.ai, a pioneering company at the forefront of conversational AI and natural language processing. Over the past 15 years, Peter and his team have perfected a highly intelligent, hyper-personalized chatbot designed for enterprise customers. In 2009, Peter founded SmartAction.ai, which developed the first AI-based contact center technology. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Peter is an engineer, inventor, and AI pioneer who writes and presents on philosophical topics such as rational ethics, free will, and artificial minds. He is also deeply involved in futurism and radical life extension.

In this episode, we discuss:

Peter Voss's Journey: From an electronics engineer to creating a successful software company, and his deep dive into the nature of intelligence and AI.
Defining AGI: What Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) means to Peter, and how we will recognize its achievement.
Cognitive Skills Gap: The differences between current AI technologies like large language models (LLMs) and true cognitive skills required for AGI.
Path to AGI: The limitations of deep learning and LLMs, and why cognitive AI is the necessary path towards achieving AGI.
Human Interaction and Intelligence: The importance of real-time learning, metacognition, and minimal sensory input in developing AGI.
Ethics and Responsibility in AI: The philosophical and practical considerations of developing AGI, including the ethical implications and societal benefits.

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291: Emil Winebrand, CEO of insoundz and Audio Engineering Expert, on How AI is Improving Audio Quality Jul 01, 2024

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Emil Winebrand, the CEO and co-founder of insoundz, is a trailblazer in the AI and audio technology industry. With a master's degree in engineering from Tel Aviv University, Emil's career began deeply immersed in the tech world, taking a significant turn after a decade of service in the intelligence technology unit of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), where he developed a keen interest in AI for audio enhancement. Under Emil's leadership, insoundz has emerged as a force in generative AI for audio technology, revolutionizing how we experience sound. His passion led to the development of the insoundz flagship product, Revive, which transforms any recording into studio-quality sound. Emil is also recognized for leading award-winning engineering teams across various domains, from electro-optics to algorithm development.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Emil's early fascination with AI and neural networks, beginning at the age of 13.
His journey from studying electrical engineering to working in the IDF, where he encountered significant audio issues that sparked his passion for improving audio quality.
The creation and capabilities of InSounds' product, Revive, which enhances audio by regenerating it with AI to achieve studio-quality sound.
The ethical considerations and challenges of using AI in audio engineering, including the potential for bias and the implementation of watermarking to prevent misuse.
The unique tech ecosystem in Tel Aviv and how the culture and education in Israel, including experiences in the IDF, contribute to the success of tech entrepreneurs.
Emil's transition from CTO to CEO and the personal growth and challenges he faced in adapting to a leadership role focused on storytelling and vision rather than just technical details.

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290: Adityo Prakash, Founder & CEO of Verseon, On Extending Life With AI Jun 24, 2024

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Adityo Prakash is a serial entrepreneur, high-tech CEO, amateur photographer, and author who transitioned from academia to revolutionize video streaming, and is now transforming drug discovery and commercialization. As the founder of Verseon, Adityo employs deep quantum modeling and AI to expedite the identification and development of innovative pharmaceuticals, potentially reshaping our approach to aging and healthcare. With degrees in math and physics from Caltech and over 40 patents to his name, Adityo is at the forefront of technological advancements in the medical field.

In this conversation, we discuss:

How Verseon uses deep quantum modeling and AI to revolutionize drug discovery and development, aiming to change the standard of care for various diseases.
Adityo's journey from Caltech, where he studied math and physics, to founding Verseon and securing over 40 patents.
The challenges and opportunities at the intersection of high tech and biotech, and how these fields are converging to create new platform companies.
The limitations of traditional trial-and-error drug discovery methods and how Verseon's approach offers a more systematic, atom-by-atom design of new drugs.
The potential for AI and advanced modeling techniques to address complex health issues like aging, by treating it as a disease with identifiable therapeutic targets.
The future of drug development, regulatory challenges, and how the integration of AI and physics could transform the pharmaceutical industry over the next decade.

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Tamara Steffens, MD at Thomas Reuters Ventures, Explains How Corporate VC Works Jun 17, 2024

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Tamara Steffens is a seasoned tech executive with a remarkable track record in scaling teams, infrastructures, and products. She has contributed significantly to early mobile and SaaS pioneers, including Boingo, Software.com, Fusion One, and Color. Tamara has held executive roles at Microsoft and Openwave, leading large teams and driving innovation. Her tech career began at Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics, where she architected partnerships that defined entire industries. Tamara holds a BS in finance from Michigan State University and is actively involved in shaping the future of business and innovation as a board member at the Broad Business School and a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She currently works as an MD at Thomson Reuters Ventures; we are thrilled to welcome Tamara to AI and the Future of Work.

In this episode, we discuss:

Corporate Venture Capital Insights: Tamara shares her journey from working at tech companies like Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics to leading Thomson Reuters' venture fund. She explains how her extensive go-to-market experience shapes her investment strategy.
Investment Strategies in AI: We explore how Thomson Reuters' corporate venture arm approaches AI investments, emphasizing the importance of product-market fit, revenue generation, and strategic alignment with the company's broader goals.
Differences Between Corporate and Traditional VCs: Tamara outlines the unique considerations of corporate VCs, such as potential go-to-market synergies and strategic benefits, compared to traditional VCs which primarily focus on financial returns.
Case Studies of AI Investments: We delve into specific investments, like WiseDocs and CentML, highlighting the processes, investment theses, and strategic benefits these companies bring to Thomson Reuters and their respective industries.
The Impact of AI on the Legal Industry: Tamara discusses how AI is transforming the legal sector, enhancing efficiency, and changing the nature of legal work, particularly for junior lawyers and paralegals.
Responsible AI and Data Governance: We talk about the importance of responsible AI, data privacy, and governance in AI investments. Tamara explains Thomson Reuters' approach to ensuring ethical AI practices and compliance with legal standards.

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Roy Atkinson, CEO of Clifton Butterfield, Shares Insider Tips on Mastering The Customer Experience as an IT Leader Jun 10, 2024

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Roy Atkinson is a renowned thought leader in IT service management and customer service. A prolific writer, speaker, analyst, and podcaster, Roy's expertise has been featured in major tech publications. CIO Insight described him as a model for the future digital leader, and Nextiva named him one of the top 50 customer service experts of the decade (2010 to 2020). Roy's extensive career has included roles as an IT supervisor at the Jackson Laboratory, group principal analyst at Informa Tech, and CEO and principal advisor at Clifton Butterfield.

In this episode, you will learn:

Roy’s Multifaceted Journey: Discover how Roy's diverse background as a polymath, polyglot, and musician influenced his career in customer service and IT.
Language Learning and Cultural Insights: Gain insights into Roy's extensive language studies, including Spanish, French, Latin, German, Italian, and Serbian, and how this passion has enriched his personal and professional life.
Customer Service Roots: Understand how early work experiences, from delivering newspapers to working in a busy supermarket and a bank, shaped Roy's interest and expertise in customer service and customer experience.
Music Industry Adventures: Hear fascinating stories about Roy's 20-year career as a professional musician, his achievements, and notable collaborations with renowned artists like John Mayall, Todd Rundgren, and Don McLean.
Transition to IT and Technology: Learn about Roy's transition from music to IT, his role in managing IT systems, and his involvement with HDI, highlighting the parallels between the evolution of digital technology in music and business.
Evolution of Employee Experience: Explore the changes in the employee experience over the past two decades, including the shift from a technology-centric approach to a focus on user experience, the impact of consumerization, and the rise of AI in IT management.

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