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