AI and the Future of Work
Explores how AI is transforming workplaces and the future of employment.
382: Are We Building AI Without Half the Population? With Lisa Davis, Author of The Only Woman in the Room
In this episode, host Dan Turchin talks with Lisa Davis, former CIO and author of *The Only Woman in the Room*, about the alarming decline of women in STEM—from 34% in the mid‑80s to just 22% today—and its impact on AI development. Davis shares personal stories of being the sole woman in high‑stakes boardrooms, outlines her six core leadership values, and explains why authentic, empathetic leadership is essential for building inclusive AI systems. She also offers practical advice for encouraging girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue STEM early, emphasizing cultural norms, mentorship, and supportive networks. The conversation underscores the urgent need to reshape workplace cultures and education pipelines to prevent AI from being built by a homogenous half of the population.
381: Who's Really Responsible When AI Gets It Wrong? Bloomberg Beta's James Cham on Power, Morality, and the Case for...
In this episode, host Dan Turchin talks with Bloomberg Beta partner James Cham about the moral and practical responsibilities that arise when AI systems make mistakes. Cham emphasizes that the rapid adoption of chat and coding AI tools is creating...
380: Customer Service's AI Shift: Zendesk CTO Adrian McDermott on Deterministic AI and Context Engineering
In this episode, Zendesk CTO Adrian McDermott discusses the company’s evolution from a product‑led startup to a AI‑driven leader in customer service, emphasizing the shift toward deterministic AI and context engineering. He explains how Zendesk uses generative AI tools to boost...
Confidence, Bias, and Opportunity: Lessons From Women Leaders in Tech Building the Future of AI and Work (International Women’s Day...
In this International Women’s Day special, host Dan Turchin interviews four women leaders—Charlene Lee, Daphne Jones, Patty Hatter, and Mona Sabay—about the systemic bias that slows women’s advancement in AI and tech. They share personal stories and data showing women...
376: Why Human Skills Now Matter More as AI Automates Tasks at Work, with Andrea Iorio
In this episode, Andrea Iorio explains that AI is more likely to automate individual tasks than whole jobs, prompting leaders to rethink role design and workflow. He highlights a global HR survey showing 93% of HR leaders now prioritize soft...
375: How AI Is Changing Healthtech Investing, According to Define Ventures’ Lynne Chou O’Keefe
In this episode, Lynne Chou O’Keefe, founder and managing partner of Define Ventures, discusses how AI is reshaping health‑tech investing amid a fragmented healthcare system and the shift toward value‑based care. She outlines three phases of AI adoption—from streamlining administrative...
AI and Education: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Learning (International Day of Education Special Episode)
In this International Day of Education special, the host revisits conversations with leading figures from Turnitin, Coursera, Pearson, American University, and Singularity University to explore how AI is reshaping learning. The guests discuss AI‑driven digital classrooms, the heightened importance of...
363: Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel on AI’s Real Constraints, Skill Gaps, and the New Rules of...
In this episode, Cisco President and CPO Jeetú Patel explains how Cisco is shifting to an AI‑first strategy, emphasizing that AI adoption now hinges on overcoming power, trust, and data constraints. He highlights that AI will transform every role, making...
AI and the Law: How AI Will Change Legal Careers (Special Episode)
In this special episode, host Dan Turchin explores how AI is transforming the legal profession, covering ownership of AI‑generated work, accountability for automated decisions, and the need for robust governance in law firms. Insights from five experts—including IP specialist Robert...
362: How AI Is Transforming Chip Design and Solving the Engineering Shortage with Faraj Aalaei, Cognichip CEO
In this episode, Faraj Aalaei, founder and CEO of Cognichip, explains how AI‑driven design platforms can compress semiconductor development cycles, cutting both time and cost, and thereby democratizing chip creation for smaller teams outside traditional hubs. He argues that AI...
361: Can AI Be a True Creative Partner? Grant Lee, CEO of Gamma, on AI Design Philosophy and Building the...
In this episode, Grant Lee, CEO of Gamma, explains how his team built the "anti‑PowerPoint" by treating presentations as a design problem rather than a slide‑deck upgrade, leveraging a culture of rapid A/B testing inherited from his Optimizely days. He...
